ARIES Mar 21 — Apr 20

SEEING winning and losing as opposites is unhelpful. It is, though, our culturally-entrenched perspective. When the only alternative to winning is being the loser, winning becomes everything. Yet, even though great athletes lose sometimes, their place in sporting history remains intact. You want to succeed. But, if you’re totally focused on attaining first place, you risk losing sight of what’s motivating you. It’s time to dampen your burning desire to win, and reignite your passion.

TAURUS Apr 21 — May 21

HER planet surface might not be that hospitable, but Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love. And today, she conjuncts Mars, in a part of the sky that, for Taureans, is concerned with romance, generosity and whole-heartedness. Since Mars is the planet of passion, you can expect interesting developments in matters of the heart. Your creative faculties will also flourish. So don’t be afraid to try something new. Add the Full Moon to the mix and, although not everything will be perfect, a lot will.

GEMINI May 22 — June 22

YESTERDAY, we talked about the Full Moon bringing a sense of protection. But your astrological outlook is nuanced. The Full Moon acts as a source of celestial assistance. It suggests that a realisation is on its way. The security bestowed on you is reinforced by the alignment made by Venus and Mars. They’re affecting the part of the sky associated with your inner strength. Don’t doubt the might of your foundations today. Your indomitable energy should not be underestimated.

CANCER June 23 — July 23

SHOULD you look before you leap or throw caution to the wind? Sometimes, major advances happen only when a brave individual decides to take a leap in the dark — and, in those circumstances, there’s no point in looking! That doesn’t mean you should throw yourself at a challenge without consideration. But, as another proverb has it, he who hesitates is lost. You can talk yourself out of anything if you leave it long enough. So if your gut feeling is to go for it, don’t over-analyse that instinct.

LEO July 24 — Aug 23

WE ARE who we are — nothing can change that. Except that’s not quite true. What is life if not a process of discovery? With every fresh experience, we learn something new about the world, ourselves and our place in that world. What sort of person could experience the infinite variety of things life throws at us, without being changed in small, imperceptible ways? Change is something to embrace. Let your recently acquired wisdom guide you to make a great decision today.

VIRGO Aug 24 — Sep 23

THERE’S an old British comedy character called Swiss Toni. He’s an absurd car salesman who lectures his young assistant about how to be an appealing lover (and proving himself inept at that and everything else). You have no need of a Swiss Toni from the BBC’s Fast Show in your life. As Venus and Mars converge in your sign, a particularly attractive quality of yours is strengthened. So, rather than thinking of this merely as a role you’re playing, it’s simply a different side of you that’s being revealed.

LIBRA Sep 24 — Oct 23

POSSIBLY the most dangerous phrase in English is: ‘I’d be happy if...’ With this mindset, happiness is impossible. Only when we achieve an arbitrary set of conditions will we be satisfied — and that’s ridiculous! Although astrologers look into the future, we know that what will make someone happy three months down the line isn’t always what they think it might be. All anyone knows for sure, is what’s going on in the present. As Venus and Mars link today, give yourself permission to be happy.

SCORPIO Oct 24 — Nov 22

SOME people have verbal and physical tics that they’re totally unaware of. They might drum their fingers, clear their throats or resort to the same phrase repeatedly. To a newcomer, these quirks can be frustrating but, over time, the people around them cease noticing altogether. Recently, someone’s eccentricities have been getting under your skin. Rather than making a scene, why not take a step back? Their habits may be stopping you from seeing the gifts they have to offer.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 — Dec 21

WHEN we’re determined, even the impossible becomes possible. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of hard work paying off. But when we’re tempted to fight unnecessary battles that carry little reward, problems arise. What’s the point in achieving a goal if the path to success causes anguish? This is not to say that some things aren’t worth fighting for. But if you invest your energy in a challenge that makes you happy, it’ll be more rewarding.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 — Jan 20

‘THE trouble with opportunity is that it always comes disguised as hard work,’ said the American banker and author Herbert Prochnow. He certainly worked for his opportunities — he was a senior White House adviser. He knew that you have to keep your nose to the grindstone if you want to create opportunities. Sometimes, though, they appear from nowhere. The task is to spot one and seize it before it disappears. As Venus links to Mars, keep your eyes peeled today.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 — Feb 19

THE Full Moon, and the Venus-Mars conjunction, offer you a special celestial gift today. It’s specifically addressed to you. It offers the chance to take a close look at your situation and to ask yourself if there’s anything that you need to do to improve it. After some consideration, you’ll realise that you’re doing absolutely everything you can. What a sense of relief! It’s going to be all right. This cosmic present is an invitation to take your foot off the accelerator and relax.

PISCES Feb 20 — Mar 20

THE people who say they want the best are usually rich enough to buy it. They update their car every year because, heaven forbid, they wouldn’t want to be behind the times. But in this whirr of constant replacement, do they truly appreciate the quality items that pass through their hands? You are entitled to ‘the best’. But, fortunately, you understand that it’s a state of mind — a transcendent emotional state. And, what’s more, as Venus links with Mars, it’s now well within your grasp today.