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 19

You thrive on the new. Yet with Mercury retrograde in your sign, and the Aries New Moon, on the 16th, introducing a fresh perspective, each day brings something new. While others may complain about your frequent rescheduling, apologise, but continue to explore your options, many of which will be as unexpected as they are exciting. Plans? They can wait. For now, focus on exploration.

TAURUS APRIL 20 – MAY 20

Currently, life’s about discovery. The trick is to acknowledge that seemingly unappealing events are beneficial. They’re broadening your horizons in terms of your lifestyle and plans. Better yet, you’ll willingly explore even unexpected developments. This also means shedding certain restrictive habits. By as early as next week, you’ll realise just how exciting these new alliances or activities could be.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUNE 20

Usually you’ll happily yield to those who’ll organise things for you. But current plans involve situations or individuals you’ve disliked in the past. Tempting as it is to escape these, don’t. What you do and who you meet could add to your life in ways that previously seemed impossible. Still, commit to nothing until after the 15th, when your ruler Mercury’s retrograde cycle ends and clarity returns.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

You’ve been exploring potential changes in your domestic or working life for weeks. But ongoing changes meant decisions didn’t last. This week explore ideas or options you’d previously ignored. This prepares you for the New Moon, on the 16th, which promises a fresh perspective, if not exciting changes. In the meantime, conduct a serious edit of activities and alliances that add nothing to your life.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 22

Annoying as recent unsettling situations were, you navigated around them. Now, however, you’ll have to delve into those complex issues. Initially, you’ll want to make swift work of them. But within days, you’ll realise you’re being drawn into challenging but informative discussions. This both explains past issues and, even more, clarifies what and who should come first in your life, now and in the future.

VIRGO AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22

Ordinarily you’ll tackle problems immediately. But swift changes makes analysis difficult. What’s more, several situations involve others, and they’re struggling with clarity, too. The solution? Wait and watch. Between rapidly changing situations and others’ struggles, you’ve plenty to think about. Ideally, avoid making lasting plans until your ruler Mercury’s retrograde cycle ends on the 15th.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22

Only days ago, you were confident certain tricky issues had been resolved and plans could progress. But since then, circumstances have changed and so has the mood of others. While frustrating, this gives you a chance to review your own priorities. What you learn will surprise you and, even more, lead to rethinking once solid plans. For now, merely explore. Decisions can, and should, wait.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

When you encounter complex obstacles, such as those you’re currently facing, you’ll reflect a lot but say little. This time around you’re urged to be more open. While initially you’ll feel uneasy, if not vulnerable, you’ll soon be discussing these matters with unaccustomed openness. This will be both informative and build trust with others. Still, when it comes to decisions, they’ll be yours, and yours alone.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

You’re amazingly tolerant of the quirks of others. Yet you demand two things of those closest, honesty and being trustworthy. Recent events raised questions about this, which has made you wary of even discussing these matters with the individuals in question. If ever there was a time to talk things over, it’s now. This isn’t just about them, it’s about you being more open as well.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 19

For weeks you’ve been discussing potential changes in elements of your life but nothing seemed right. That’s partly because of circumstances but, as much, you’re questioning your priorities. Not only are circumstances changing, so is what and who you put first. Don’t rush this. It may not be until late April that things are clear. But once they are, you’ll know exactly what to do.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 17

In late March certain events made you realise that, in several situations, you’ve made compromises. The necessary changes seemed so overwhelming you did nothing. However, it’s now time to begin exploring your options. This process will get you thinking about places and, especially, people you’ve regarded as unsettling. They are, because they’re part of the new chapter of your life.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

Few would regard you as stubborn. But, when it comes to certain situations, you have simply refused to do whatever comes next. Deep down you know that’s because this will mean altering certain arrangements that have become an excuse for not making overdue changes. Bizarrely, you know these would benefit you. Now you’ve run out of excuses. It’s time to take the next step.