YOUR STARS FOR 2013

Free inside: Astrologer Lori Reid's guide to your career prospects

Perhaps you’ve got used to the shifting sands, tamed your restlessness and knuckled down. You’re certainly learning to be more focused, more discerning and detail- oriented which is good.

It’s in April that the new Moon in your sign brings with it a new broom to sweep out the old. Here’s your chance to introduce new practices and routines. Pay attention to paperwork and get fi nances in order.

Aries like TV presenter Phillip Schofi eld shouldn’t be lulled by

July’s easygoing trends. Fine if you’re on holiday and having fun but it’s important that you don’t neglect duties or you could fall foul of the boss. Freedom calls in August and if this is your annual vacation do something adventurous.

The prospect of setting up in business or taking on freelance work becomes more attractive in the second half of the year but think carefully and make some provision for a funding slowdown in October and November.

Begin as you mean to go on through 2013 to improve prospects, make money and accrue a nest egg.

Look for opportunities in January and as ambition bites, put yourself forward for a higher pay grade or go for a new job altogether. Be sensible as usual and bank extra cash so that you’re prepared for those unexpected bills in late spring.

What you lose on swings in May you make up for on the roundabouts in June, a fi nancially buoyant time. If your company offers training or you

need to update your skills, then sign up for a course or go on a busman’s holiday in July. It’s in this second half of the year that your communications skills help you.

You’ll probably want to upgrade equipment: smartphone, laptop, car. If so, wait until the end of July for the cosmic all- clear before you buy.

If you’re looking for a job try the teaching profession, writing, the media, driving or sales.

Professional exams taken at the end of the year will be a breeze.

You’ve until the end of June to take advantage and profi t from the benefi ts and opportunities being sent your way and despite the odd twist here and there, you have embarked on a period that could transform your fortunes.

You’re high profi le at work in the fi rst few months of the year but be prepared for delays, slowdowns and spanners in the works from late February to the middle of March. In early spring, Geminis such as Prince William will want to get their teeth into something

new. March’s new Moon stimulates a desire to start afresh on a new project, maybe applying for promotion or going for a different job. It’s in the second half of the year that lucky Jupiter moves into your earnings and income sector and it’s around August when you start to reap fi nancial benefi ts and build up your reserves for the rest of the year.

If you work hard you’ll do well and should do better if you team

up with a like- minded person.

It’s unlikely your working life has been unaffected by the rollercoaster of events: by progress, growth, expansion or contraction of one sort or another in the past couple of years.

Some changes you have benefi ted from, some have knocked the wind out of your sails. Getting to grips with new technology and modern methods is now key to your success though.

In the fi rst half of 2013 much is happening behind the scenes. You’re working hard and sowing seeds. Perhaps you’re developing ideas or products quietly in the background or maybe your skills and workmanship are catching the eye of those who can open doors for you.

Soldier on through January to June and get ready to reap rewards in the second half of the year.

Jupiter, moving into your sign late June, will trigger a 12- month period of good fortune when your efforts should at last be recognised.

Opportunity knocks in August and eclipses in October and November set new trends in creative output.

It’s a year for learning and discovery and stretching horizons.

You’ll be fascinated by new techniques and technology that revolutionise your outlook and scope. Take classes, book on to courses and get your knowledge up to date.

February’s focus is on fi nances, taxes, mortgages, joint assets and earnings. You’ll be busy getting your accounts in order because you can’t ignore the paperwork any longer.

Put your new skills to work in early spring. By April and May your status

will rise with the eclipse on the 10th predicting changes.

Keep your antennae extended, ready to pick up on employment opportunities at this time.

August is when to show what you are made of. The Sun, Mercury and Mars give you energy and power. Financially, you’re working your socks off through to autumn as the desire to boost earnings kicks in.

October changes the pace and presents a few hurdles. It’s the time for fresh ideas and goals.

Virgos like actor Idris Elba know nothing is easy. You of all people know it’s only by hard work that you’ve got to where you are today but this year your efforts will be recognised. If opportunity hasn’t already knocked on your door during the past six months, it will do so between now and June.

It’s all go, go, go from the very beginning of 2013. Even if January is a hard slog, bear in mind this is a year of achievement. Keep going, show what you can do, put in for promotion or unless you’ve

just landed your dream job, apply for a new one. Rewards come the following month. February is a hectic time for dealing with clients and the public. Double check all information from late February to middle March when agreements are hard to reach.

Early spring brings new money with fi nancial restrictions maybe easing throughout the year. From July to December, success lies in joining forces with others or

infl uential contacts.

This is the year when fortunes could change substantially. Look back to what happened 12 years ago and that will give you a hint of what’s in store for you in 2013.

February gets the ball rolling but beware of mistakes at work later this month and through to mid- March.

This spring is about learning and stretching your horizons mentally and physically. Chances are you’ll be travelling more for both work and pleasure. May is a perfect month to upgrade skills, book on to courses or

boost your qualifi cations. A busman’s holiday at this time might fi t your schedule nicely. Apply for jobs or promotion this month too.

“Think- big planet” Jupiter opens new doors for you in late June and though you won’t want to miss opportunities, consider carefully what you’re getting yourself into before you commit as the signs point to delays or a change of mind in July.

Financially, October and November could be pinch- points with cash shortfalls and banking errors likely.

With restrictive Saturn and two eclipses in your sign, 2013 isn’t without its challenges but neither is it without joys.

Getting the tone right is key this year, especially in January, so use your charm, like Scorpio actor Leonardo DiCaprio, to win people around to your way of thinking.

Your daily routine could be a rollercoaster. One minute you’re up to your eyes in work, the next you’re twiddling your thumbs.

Getting to grips with modern technology will help you in the job market. If you’re not up to speed with computers and high- tech equipment, go on a crash course in the second half of the year. June to November is a time to think big, travel in connection with your work and expand your knowledge base. This second half of the year is a time to cast your net wide and link up with others.

The skills you learn now and the contacts you make will put you in a much stronger position

career- wise in 2014.

Work- wise, everything is ticking along quite nicely but there’s a lot of business and paperwork to attend to in January.

The pace accelerates in April and May and with an eclipse on May 10, changes to your daily routine lie ahead. With partnerships also fl agging up in May, perhaps going into a joint venture or pooling your skills and resources with others could work for you.

A partnership could be benefi cial in opening your eyes to a more ambitious plan.

Hopefully you’ve stashed some cash because as the year starts you launch yourself into a mega shopping fest. You’re hitting the sales and money goes through your hands like water.

The signs show there’s plenty to keep you busy and work could be well paid between January and June. If not, ask for a raise or look for a better job, especially in the fi rst half of the year as Jupiter, planet of opportunity, is favourably enhancing your occupation zone.

Use this time to pick up new skills,

The emphasis for you this year is on communications and, being an Aquarian like actress Jennifer Aniston, means you take a keen interest in technology.

Modern gadgets, hi- fi s, machinery, and especially telecommunications equipment, fascinate you. It’s rare to fi nd an Aquarian who isn’t computer- literate or who doesn’t possess the latest smartphone.

2013 is a year for increasing online activities and extending networking and if you haven’t had the chance to become

You’re a hive of activity and industry in October and November but it’s what happens away from the spotlight that’s important. Contacts you make, ideas you develop and foundations you dig should set you up well for years to come.

Money stars are shining and this could be a lucky year.

Trust your intuition with investments and follow your fi nancial nous like fellow Sagittarian singer Britney

Spears. Creativity will be key. brush up on a foreign language, get to grips with the legal side of your work and extend your range because that will put you in a strong position for the future.

Get yourself a good diary or electronic organiser. With so many different and varied jobs in 2013, you will need to keep strong tabs on your schedule. Learn to juggle, fast!

Time and again this year it’s your contacts that come up trumps for you. It will pay to stay in touch and mix with people of infl uence.

techno- savvy, this is the year to get connected.

You’ll be upgrading equipment or purchasing a new car: a hybrid, perhaps but save your money as early February to the end of March aren’t good for big buys. You’ll have your hands full in the second half of the year so watch out for mistakes in July.

October and November bring change. The telecommunications industries, caring professions, service sector or charities will

attract jobseekers.

The fi nancial Piscean rollercoaster continues to dip and rise with heart- lurching swoops as you progress through the year.

With Uranus, planet of upheaval, overseeing your money zone, it’s diffi cult to maintain that even keel. Budget ahead, think thriftily and develop those amazing latent talents of yours because that’s where your fortune lies.

Many a Piscean has created wealth through artistic endeavours. If you’ve ever thought about setting up in business there are chances in spring and by summer you could be on to a nice little earner.

Work- wise, May’s eclipse turns the tide. Autumn could bring good fortune either because you land a fabulous deal or you scoop a prize.

Plan ahead in September, put in for promotion, apply for a new job, send out your CVs on spec and get savvy on politics and legal affairs.

Whether you’re already employed, in business on your own or seeking work, prepare to shine in October.