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

In mid-November, your ruler Mars moved to accent life’s practicalities in general, and financial matters in particular. While you’ve known they needed attention, thus far you’ve managed to do the minimum. Now events are forcing your hand. Instead of using your clever mind to sidestep these, focus on them. What you learn will explain a lot, especially the twists and turns you’ve been contending with.

TAURUS APRIL 20 – MAY 20

Planning ahead may be a virtue. But with the Sun and your ruler Venus recently having linked up with inventive Uranus, which is positioned in Taurus, you’re experiencing odd yet exciting twists and turns. Once you understand this isn’t about making, and sticking with, a plan but about new places, people and experiences, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the changes altering how you live, love and work.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUNE 20

Although your ruler Mercury’s retrograde cycle ended on November 20, you’re still facing a range of exciting but often confusing options. This is no surprise. You’re preparing for the Gemini New Moon, on Wednesday December 11, which is about breakthroughs, many in completely unexpected ways. For now, consider what could go and explore possible options, but make no commitments, at least, just yet.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 22

As much as you enjoy knowing others are aware of, and care about, your wellbeing and happiness, allowing them to interfere is another matter. Yet certain individuals are in a position to advise, lend a hand or even give you a financial boost. While, obviously, being cautious is wise, the planetary setup accents exactly such appealing ideas or offers. At minimum, explore these. You won’t regret it.

LEO JULY 23 – AUGUST 22

Usually, one of your gifts is your ability to spot a goal, then maintain your focus until it becomes reality. However, with the actual circumstances shifting, so, too, must your plans, for now and the future. Letting go of certain of those long cherished objectives may seem a compromise. However, the fresh perspective triggered by the Leo New Moon, in early 2020, will change all of that.

VIRGO AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22

Usually, you’re the one who needs to keep track of what others say or commit to. It may be family, friends, colleagues or even neighbours. Whoever they are, they’ll make promises, in the moment, that ultimately are unrealistic. Except now, you’re about to learn from some of these. What, initially, you regard as based more on a dream than reality could come true, and within days.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22

Obviously, you’re not happy about the idea of plans you worked hard to organise and which, even more, mean a lot to you, coming undone. However, the sudden events you’re facing aren’t mere changes but, in fact, are breakthroughs. True, just how won’t be clear until everything is in place, which could take weeks. Still, have faith. The coming days’ events will help justify that optimism.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

Making plans in the midst of changes, in your own life and in the world around, you isn’t easy. Yet your instincts are guiding you in terms of what to pursue and who to trust. However, these are only part of a series of changes, each of which is taking you closer to exciting, if unfamiliar, situations or settings. Still, have faith. It will soon be justified.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 21

You thrive on change and on new ideas. But even you could be overwhelmed by the ideas, offers or changes triggered by Monday’s move, by your ruler Jupiter into a new position, and to accent the practical side of your life. While, initially, this will raise questions about what, and who, is worth your while, what you learn will benefit you for years to come.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22 – JANUARY 19

Theoretically, the move by Jupiter into Capricorn on Tuesday begins an amazing cycle of growth and development. The problem? Those golden opportunities may be in short supply, while events are undoing familiar elements of your life. Actually, these are only clearing the way for new developments. Knowing that, despite your misgivings, let go. You’ll soon realise why this is wise, and importantly, what’s next.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 17

It’s not that you’re stubborn as much as while others are excited about the ideas and offers coming your way, certain elements puzzle you. Tempting as it is to both research the facts and discuss your options, you’re better off allowing experience to be your guide. That means saying ‘yes’ despite being short of facts. What you learn will soon convince you how wise this was.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

There’s no denying that several issues have no single, workable solution. While many want to discuss options, your intuition is correctly telling you to plunge in, and let each day’s experiences reveal what’s next. This will require frequent, and dramatic changes and lead to numerous clashes. Still, what you learn in the process, and the outcome will prove how wise it was to adopt this strategy.