STARGAZING

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

Your stars for the week ahead.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 22

Although it was on the 11th, it would be no surprise if you were still experiencing the fallout from the recent eclipsed Leo New Moon. While living with the resulting uncertainty won’t have been easy, it’s led to meeting interesting people. You’ve now learnt enough that it’s time to explore how to make some of these part of your life.

VIRGO AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22

Despite the aggravation triggered by Mercury’s retrograde cycle, which ends on Sunday the 19th, it’s also highlighted areas of your life that need to be reviewed. For now, simply reflect on what you think needs to be done. Do that and when the insights triggered by the powerful New Moon in your sign, on 9 September, appear, you’ll be ready to take advantage of them.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22

As a Libra, an air sign, and somebody who prefers to think things through, the recent swift pace of events has been exhausting. True, this means lots was dealt with in a very short time. Tempting as it is to review and rethink arrangements, for now do nothing. Once the dust settles, in a few weeks’ time, you’ll be viewing those changes from a very different angle.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

While there’s no arguing the events being ushered in by the link between the Sun, practical Saturn and Neptune, planet of transformation, on Sunday the 19th, are fortunate, you won’t necessarily recognise their full extent. Knowing that, focus on exploration. If you must make decisions, ensure they’re flexible enough that, as you learn more, you can rethink them.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

One of your greatest assets is your knack for spotting the promise in unusual situations or unexpected settings. That’s exactly what’s going on now. The only problem is that certain of these will require the support of others, some of whom lack your imaginative vision. Forget about trying to explain why these are worthwhile. Instead, focus on persuading them to trust you enough to get involved.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 19

No sign is better at planning ahead, which means that even if there are last minute changes, you’re able to handle them. However, you’re probably already benefiting from the events triggered by the spectacular alliance between the Sun, your ruler Saturn and Neptune, on the 26th. This is so powerful that you could need to rethink things often, each time making impressive improvements in your plans.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 17

It would be easy to debate the rights and wrongs of many of your recent decisions and, during a less swiftly paced period, you’d happily discuss those matters. But now, you’ve no choice but to concentrate on the exciting, if often unsettling, events being triggered by this week’s thrilling planetary setup. While, obviously, you must make plans, ideally, you’ll regard them as tentative.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

If life in general and certain situations in particular are triggering emotional ups and downs, it’s no surprise. While this may have to do with the actual events taking place, it’s also because you’re in the build up to the emotionally intense Pisces Full Moon, on the 26th. For you this is a time of endings and beginning. Far-reaching decisions? They can, and should, wait.

ARIES MARCH 20 – APRIL 19

For ages you’ve been sidestepping certain tasks you know will be dull. While that’s true, the price you have to pay for avoiding these is becoming increasingly high. So much, in fact, you’re urged to tackle these now, however unappealing they are. Ironically, what you learn or who you meet could add to your life, and in ways as wonderful as they are unexpected.

TAURUS APRIL 20 – MAY 20

As you’ve been living out the twists and turns of the past several weeks, you’ve faced obstacles as frustrating as, ultimately, they’re turning out to be informative. In fact, what you’ve learnt has been intriguing, and so inspired you to explore changes or even new pursuits that, only recently, you’d have dismissed. Remain openminded. There’s lots more yet to encounter and discover.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUNE 20

True, it would be much easier if the day your ruler Mercury’s retrograde cycle ends, which is on Sunday the 19th, suddenly everything would go smoothly. But it’s bound to take time for some of the resulting errors to surface. Bizarrely, what you learn in the process of untangling those difficulties will prove so informative that you’ll find yourself feeling grateful they arose.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

After a bumpy period with seemingly endless twists and turns, you’re ready for a break. You’ll get it. Not only has the recent cycle of unsettling eclipses come to an end, you’re benefiting from the current amazingly benevolent planetary setup. This promises both surprise offers and unexpected good fortune. Explore everything, since what seems unappealing now could turn into something remarkable.