STARGAZING

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

Your stars for the week ahead.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 19

Usually, planning ahead is both wise and a virtue. However, certain longstanding arrangements are already beginning to shift. Note these, but bear in mind that it’s unlikely your perspective or views will be clear until after Wednesday’s powerful Capricorn New Moon. Knowing that, explore your options and, where necessary, talk over plans with those who’d be involved. Then, once everything is clear, finalise your plans.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 17

This won’t be the easiest week of the year, at least as you’re living out its days. Yet when you look back on the challenges you faced, you’ll realise that each forced you to face and deal with matters you’d been hoping you could ignore. Bizarrely, as you face each, you’ll become more intrigued by the next until, within a short time, you’ll be tackling them enthusiastically.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

Even the most logical of Pisceans has a tender heart, and can be distracted by the problems or struggles of others. At the moment, however, you’re urged to be wary of this, since what seem straightforward problems could be more about the individual in question seeking somebody who’ll shoulder their their difficulties. While this won’t always be the case, you’re sure to encounter it.

ARIES MARCH 20 – APRIL 19

Suddenly you’re facing a combination of situations. In some, decisions are up to you but, in contract, in several, you’ve little choice or must relinquish their reins to others. What’s most challenging is that with things moving swiftly, there’s little time for discussion. The solution? Do your best. The good news is, that in most of these situations, you’ll be able to rethink plans when things are calmer.

TAURUS APRIL 20 – MAY 20

Having invested a lot of time, thought and, in some cases, heart in certain ideas or ventures, you’ve no intention of reorganising anything. Yet you’ll soon discover this isn’t just necessary, it’s wise. The trick is to regard what you’ve already done as research. Once you’re viewing it from that angle, then you’ll have no problem exploring different and, perhaps, better ways of getting things done.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUNE 20

Only days ago, you were complaining about requirements that involved extensive research or that you provide unnecessary information. Yet between the current swift pace and the numerous unexpected twists and turns you’re encountering, you’ll be relieved you have all those facts to hand. Better yet, since then you’ve discovered new things to do and ways to turn those ideas into arrangements as worthwhile as they’d be exciting.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

Although the Cancer Full Moon was in early January, you’re still mulling over the personal insights you gained and, equally, unsettling but timely changes in circumstances. Back then, some of what arose seemed overwhelming. But over time, you’ve not only embraced those new ideas, you’re finding ways to make them part of existing arrangements and, equally, add something rewarding to your life.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 22

Nobody would blame you for battling changes as sudden as they are unpleasant. The disruption you’re facing is one thing, but the fact others are unsympathetic about the problems you’re having only makes it worse. Tempting as it is to go to battle over those changes but, even more, this lack of support, ask others why they’re so enthusiastic. What you learn will make a huge difference.

VIRGO AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22

When you’re able to think through a plan in detail, it’s not only satisfying, you regard it as a personal accomplishment. However, recent difficulties have required compromises as time consuming as they were irritating. The irony is, what you learnt in the process has made it far easier to deal swiftly with ideas as new, and surprising, as they could prove to be worthwhile.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22

As a Libra, you’ve a talent for making things happen, yet giving everybody else the impression their contribution was vital, if not essential. Now, however, somebody seems to have taken this flattery too seriously, and is reorganising plans without even discussing it with you. Deal with this swiftly and frankly. Their intentions may be good, but what they do or say could be seriously troublesome.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

While there’s no doubt the ideas and offers coming your way are thrilling, you can’t help but wonder if they could be organised in a manner that’s less disruptive. Equally, you’d rather slow the pace, so you can think things through. In every case, this not only isn’t possible, it’s unwise. You’re in a cycle of dynamic and rapid growth. The sooner you accept that, the better.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

As an independent-minded fire sign, you prefer to make your own decisions. But with your ruler Jupiter and the dynamic Mars both in the most strategic portion of your chart, you’re in a period during which you’ve no choice but to leave these, and similar, matters to others. While you may disagree with the decisions being made, you’ll swiftly realise how worthwhile they are.