STARGAZING

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

Your stars for the week ahead.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22

There’s a reason you’re known as the diplomat of the zodiac, and that skill means you rarely need to confront others. Yet, as you’re discovering, with certain impossible individuals, you’ve no option. While, ordinarily you’d struggle with this, you’re so exasperated that you’re feeling short-tempered yourself. Enough, you’ll easily force others to realise they’ll need to stop being so selfish, and get their act together.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

For weeks, you’ve been unable to mention certain issues or confront others about their questionable words or actions. However, now that the planet of ideas and expression, Mercury, is in Scorpio, your mind is clearer. Better yet, you’re more confident about being able to state your case. Still, do some serious investigation first. What you learn could mean rethinking certain views you’ve regarded as unchanging.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

You’re about to begin one of the most exciting periods in years. In early November, your ruler Jupiter actually moves into Sagittarius, which brings both your own past efforts and sheer good fortune together. But that’s then, which means now it’s time to declutter your life, your plans, commitments and even your dreams. Let go of whatever might hold you back, so you can fly.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 19

Balancing what you must do with life’s pleasures is always a challenge. Now, however, you’re facing several complex issues. Still, they need serious analysis, then an action plan. The real problem is that you’re sidelining the people and activities you enjoy until these duties are settled, which could take ages. The secret? Balance. Deal with a little of each every day, and the rest will fall into place.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 17

Over the past several weeks you’ve faced a series of challenging yet informative dilemmas. While, initially they puzzled you, it’s now clear they’re about broadening your horizons by going to new places and broadening your circle, socially or at work. If you’ve been doing this, you’ll realise why it’s vital. And if not, get going. You’ll soon be celebrating the new excitement in your life.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

Yet again, somebody is trying to convince you they can’t survive without your time, money, help or love. While your compassionate nature is a virtue, as a Pisces, the current planetary setup accents the need to be both clear-minded about the situation of such individuals and, equally, being willing to back off, and to clearly state that rescuing them from their dramas isn’t your job.

ARIES MARCH 20 – APRIL 19

Usually, frank discussions lead to tackling issues and, within a short time, lasting solutions. Then there are weeks like this one, when even minor misunderstandings take ages to understand and even longer to deal with. Judging by the current tricky planetary setup, everybody’s struggling with similar matters. Take things slowly. This may be out of character, but it’s really the only solution.

TAURUS APRIL 20 – MAY 20

If there’s a single problem you’ll want to tackle this week, it’s certain unspoken issues. Either you were unaware of their significance or, possibly, hoped by ignoring them, you could avoid tedious dramas. Dull as these seem, they’re linked to several ongoing dilemmas, and in tackling these, you’ll begin the process of untangling those more complex matters too, which would be a real relief.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUNE 20

As a Gemini, you’ve a talent for saying the right thing and, in the process, charming even very difficult individuals. That’s exactly what you’ll be focusing on now. The trick is to avoid making excuses but, instead, to get them involved in the problem-solving process. They’ll be surprisingly eager to help and, better yet, once they’re involved, they’ll understand the challenges you’ve been facing.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

Watching others wrestle with difficult people or unfair situations is never easy. But at the moment you need to steel yourself from being swayed by emotions, yours or others’, and examine the practical side of things. Focusing on that will enable you to deal with those more straightforward problems, which alone will boost everybody’s spirits. And the rest, for now, can and should wait.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 22

For ages you’ve been trying to find a way you can remedy the growing imbalance in certain areas of your life. Now, suddenly, a range of complex but strictly practical issues are giving you the perfect excuse. Waste no time on discussion, especially with those who’d turn these into a drama. Once you know what you need to do, do it. It’s that simple.

VIRGO AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22

By no means do you mind arguments. In fact, long ago you discovered they do wonders to clear the air. It’s just that certain situations are so tense that you’re wary of even raising issues, and reluctant to probe for information. The trick? Take it slowly, recognising others aren’t necessarily clear on the facts. Mostly, recognise this isn’t a race, it is, rather, a slow-paced journey.