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

Although your instinct is to keep plans as they were organised, don’t battle changes. Go with the flow. In letting go of certain arrangements, you’re clearing the way for other ideas or offers, many as worthwhile as they are unanticipated. Even more, set aside time each day to enjoy who and what’s in your life now. This takes priority over even thrilling plans for the future.

TAURUS APRIL 19 – MAY 19

For ages you’ve been considering a major reorganisation of your life but didn’t know where to begin. August’s two eclipses, on the 7th and the 21st, are all about changes of this nature. True, initially events could seem unsettling, if not a nuisance. Still, explore everything, since with the actual circumstances involved changing, your ideas of what’s best are bound to change, too.

GEMINI MAY 20 – JUNE 20

Usually the period when your ruler Mercury is retrograde, from this Sunday until September 5, is about indecision, misunderstandings and errors. However, with August’s two eclipses shaking things up, what you learn in untangling these could lead to powerful insights about existing arrangements and plans you’re making. In every case, ensure they can be easily changed.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

Once you understand this is a period of dramatic change and growth, you’ll welcome even chaotic events, knowing they’re breaking up old patterns and leading to much needed breakthroughs. For now, stick to exploration. With eclipses on the 7th and 21st, life’s about discovering what the world’s offering you. Turning those into plans will happen, but probably not until early September.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 21

Certain individuals insist long term plans are vital. However, your instincts say things are best kept flexible. Not only are you right, with the Leo eclipsed New Moon on the 21st triggering a fresh perspective on existing arrangements and future plans, for now you’d best focus on what should go. Your life and priorities could change substantially and, possibly, overnight.

VIRGO AUGUST 22 – SEPTEMBER 21

Planning ahead may be wise. But with your ruler Mercury retrograde in Virgo from this Sunday until early September, ensure whatever you arrange is flexible. But then, judging by August’s planetary activity, what seems your best option one day is likely to change the next. As much as you’d like to get things organised, lasting decisions can and should wait. For now, focus on exploration.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22 – OCTOBER 22

This hardly seems the ideal time to confront difficult situations or individuals. Yet if you don’t clearly state both your issues and objectives, they could get lost in August’s chaotic but worthwhile developments. What’s more, with Mercury going retrograde on Sunday, you’ll be both dealing with, and learning from, the changes and often illuminating revelations typical of this cycle.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

Finally, you’re discussing certain complex matters. Obviously you’ll want them settled soon. However, you’re urged to keep things open-ended as there’s still lots to talk over. What’s more, with August’s eclipses shaking things up, unexpected facts are bound to surface. That said, if you’ve been hiding anything then it’s time to speak up now and, equally, expect revelations from others.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

Often talking about reorganising parts of your life has provided a temporary escape from challenging situations. But with eclipses on the 7th and 21st actually triggering changes in exactly such matters, you’ll move swiftly from discussion to decisions, then action. While this will be a huge relief, the challenge will be accepting you must leave certain elements of the past behind.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 18

Few things are more exasperating for you, as a thorough Capricorn, than dealing with unreliable people or changeable situations. Get used to it. August’s planetary setup will, ultimately, lead to progress but, in the short term, is about change, much of it in chaotic circumstances. Tempting as it is to rein in those changes, each is freeing you to do something new and rewarding.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 17

Last Monday’s Aquarius eclipsed Full Moon brought several issues to a head and, even more, introduced changes where you’d assumed things would continue as they are. Now that you’ve had time to think, it’s clear that things can’t remain as they were. Yet the current disarray prevents decision-making of any kind. Actually, that’s best, as you’ve lots of intriguing options yet to discover.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

As a caring Piscean, you’ll often put others’ dramas ahead of dealing with your own obligations. Yet, bizarrely, with August’s two eclipses shaking things up for everybody, you’re being forced to draw a line. Besides, the rather exciting ideas and offers appearing in your own life merit attention, especially because some could lead to longstanding dreams being fulfilled, if in unexpected ways.