STARGAZING

Shelley von Strunckel, one of the world’s top astrologers, writes a weekly forecast for Friday

Your stars for the week ahead.

ARIES MARCH 20 – APRIL 18

Ideally you’d like to deal with setbacks swiftly. Yet those you’re currently facing will reveal insights, lead to breakthroughs or encourage you to shed burdensome arrangements. If, initially, the latter seems a defeat, letting them go will clear the way for new, exciting but possibly unexpected ideas and offers. Those that seem overwhelming will, ultimately, turn out to be fabulous.

TAURUS APRIL 19 – MAY 19

Recent events have raised questions about elements of your life, activities and even your point of view that, on reflection, benefited from analysis. While you’ve already made many changes, you’re hoping to avoid others. This week’s events give you hints why these changes, and those that would be even more dramatic, will benefit you, in many ways and in numerous areas of your life.

GEMINI MAY 20 – JUNE 20

Although you’ve learnt a huge amount about using your resources, that is, your money, efforts, time and even ideas more wisely, it’s been hard work and, often, dull. While, understandably, you’re seeking a little excitement, it’ll have to wait until after the 20th, when the planetary focus shifts to such matters. Until then, tackle those last few tedious but productive issues. You’ll be glad you did.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

Obviously you’d prefer ongoing and often tedious issues be resolved swiftly. Yet the ground on which these are based is shifting, and will continue to until after August’s two eclipses, on the 7th and 21st. So use this period to examine, reflect on and change old, and occasionally, unproductive patterns. Thinking about and doing things differently could enrich you, and in many ways.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 21

Since early June, you’ve been wrestling with a range of issues, each of which required facing up to or dealing with a tricky situation. A few remain. Tackle them now, ideally before Thursday when Mars’ move into Leo kick-starts a cycle during which you’ll benefit from what you learnt and which, better yet, prepares you for the breakthrough New Moon in your sign, on July 23.

VIRGO AUGUST 22 – SEPTEMBER 21

Having others decide for you has been infuriating but, often, they’ve been wise, clever or taken you into new, surprising yet rewarding territory. Better yet, this is encouraging you to be more inquisitive about unfamiliar or, occasionally, intimidating places, people and offers. Things will begin coming together this week, yet any remaining changes will introduce even more exciting results.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22 – OCTOBER 22

Although you’re inquisitive and enjoy learning about changes in the world around you and others’ activities, when it’s you, ideally, you’ll make a plan and stick to it. Yet with your ruler Venus accenting new ideas, even seemingly simple plans will reshape themselves, and frustratingly often. Instead of struggling to rein these in, explore what’s on offer. You’ll be surprised, and delighted.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

Ideally, changes are agreed after extensive thought. Yet the recent swift pace has meant either others or destiny itself has made decisions for you. While challenging initially, you’re recognising these as breakthroughs. The pace only increases with August’s two eclipses on the 7th and 21st shaking things up. Knowing that, focus on going with the flow. You might even enjoy those changes.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

Over the past weeks, you’ve faced, dealt with and you’ve learnt from a range of experiences, some challenging. While a few remain, Thursday’s New Moon shifts your focus to changes in general, and especially the practical and financial matters you’ve had on your mind. Many are now urgent. While some are clear cut, others will require quick thinking, combined with a clever solution.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 18

Despite your talent for planning thoroughly, even you won’t have anticipated this week’s twists and turns. Unsettling as they’ll seem, they’re forcing you to alter longstanding habits, views and, possibly, review your future plans. Initially this will seem a nuisance but you’ve no choice. Besides, within days, you’ll realise even far reaching changes are giving you a chance to explore new offers.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 17

The obstacles you’re facing are about substantially altering certain familiar arrangements. But first, you’ll have to analyse them, then consider what should come next. Some are so much a part of your life, you rarely think about them. That being the case, be ready to ask a lot of questions. What you learn will encourage you to rethink these elements of your life you’ve regarded as unchanging.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

The most challenging element of this complex period isn’t the perplexing situations you’re facing but acknowledging that, in most cases, there’s no ideal solution. That’s partly because with so much in flux, you can deal only with the events of the coming weeks, no more. So focus on these, then do what you can. That accomplished, stop and enjoy life’s joys for what they have to offer.