OSCAR CAINER

As Mercury moves into cancer tomorrow, it’s a prompt for me to call my mum. she’s a cancerian. I’ll also get round to emailing another cancerian, my friend James, who’s a brilliant musician. cancerians are known for their caring, emotional natures — and it’s this heightened sensitivity that makes many of them great artists, who reflect the heart of what it is to love, live and learn. With Mercury, the messenger of the gods, about to make its home here for a while, we can all expect to wake up to what really matters.

ARIES Mar 21 — Apr 20

IF YOU’RE in any doubt about the value of your instincts — throw those concerns out of the window! Anxiety will impede you. To be successful, you need to be focused and listen to what your heart is telling you. If you can be calm, you’ll be able to cast your fears aside and find the courage to act in what seems the most appropriate way. Don’t do what anyone else tells you to do. Follow your intuition and listen to your instinct. As Mercury changes signs, you can solve a real problem. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5601.

TAURUS Apr 21 — May 21

IT’S not easy to tell the difference between instinct and intuition. Instinct seems to come from a more visceral place; it’s primeval. It can spur us into immediate action and get us out of trouble. But it’s not the best way for you to react today. As your ruler Venus prepares to change signs, your instinct is encouraging you to make a dramatic choice. But Mercury is changing signs, too. It’s time to listen to your quiet inner voice. It has a softer message which says it would be wiser to take your time. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5602.

GEMINI May 22 — June 22

SOME people are hungry all the time and like to graze throughout the day. Others have to be starving before they think about eating. Our thresholds for pain vary enormously, too. Some folk can take a lot of it before they start to complain. The most insensitive people, though, are those who barely recognise their own feelings. Sadness. Happiness. Fear. Gratitude. They act the same whatever they may be feeling. You are not like this. Expressing what you feel will make a vital difference. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5603.

CANCER June 23 — July 23

THE key to success right now lies in skilful negotiation. As Mercury prepares to move into your sign, it brings a chance for you to brush up on your communication techniques. No, you don’t have to enrol in a class! You know what to do. It involves talking, then more talking. Then listening. Then more careful listening. Then some reflecting and adjusting to the information. Words never convey the full story. Use your intuition and insight and believe that the future is positive. It is. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5604.

LEO July 24 — Aug 23

YOUR problem is that you’re too open to listening to folk who think they know what your problem is! No one is in a position to tell you what’s what in your life. This issue is compounded by the fact that you’re sensitive to criticism. You take whatever is said immediately to heart. Then, you try to act in a cool way as if you haven’t been hurt by their remarks. As Venus prepares to change signs, just remember there’s nothing wrong with you. Don’t take any negativity on board. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5605.

VIRGO Aug 24 — Sep 23

PEOPLE are not always pleasant to one another. Even folk who appear to be friendly sometimes harbour secret resentments. People who are two-faced and do their criticising behind your back are perhaps the most difficult to deal with. There are, though, some lovely people in your life. They are honest and non-judgemental. These are the people you need to seek out and spend time with this week. As Mercury and Venus prepare to change signs, they can help you make an important decision. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5606.

LIBRA Sep 24 — Oct 23

GOOD presenters on the radio and the TV are known for their communication skills. Yet communication is a two-way process. Although they’re obviously skilled in sharing information, how does feedback happen when the listener is far removed from the conversation? I suppose the same thing could be said about you and me! So I’ll keep your prediction simple today. If you want to gain from the vital information you’ve received, first be willing to hear what someone else has to say. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5607.

SCORPIO Oct 24 — Nov 22

THERE’S a lot of potential around you right now. If you’re ready, you can set forth on an exciting journey. The problem is, you actually need to do something. Sitting around waiting for things to happen isn’t going to get you far. I know that most of your time’s taken up already and that it’s hard to find the space to think, let alone act. Yet as Mercury prepares to change signs, if you find a small window and allow yourself a moment of peace, a delightful surprise awaits that will help you on your way. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5608.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 — Dec 21

WE’RE all ‘experts’ in a language (even if this one is not our mother tongue) and it’s amazing how we use it in such a slapdash way. We hold mundane conversations when we have important truths to tell and we obfuscate the truth behind bland tales. You’ve been trying to make a point, but somehow your words haven’t been heard. There are also facts that don’t need to be spoken. As Mercury prepares to change signs, say what needs to be said but guard against saying too much. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5609.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 — Jan 20

SOMETHING is hanging over you which needs to be sorted. Since no one else is likely to take action, it needs to be you who starts the talking… and keeps talking until a better understanding has been reached. Although it’s not obvious, you are being heard. Other people are paying closer attention than you think and your wisdom is affecting their experience. As Mercury prepares to move opposite your sign, it’s an invitation to begin a new dialogue. You’ll be surprised by the ease of the outcome. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5610.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 — Feb 19

IT’S hardly surprising that whenever life becomes emotional and the demands on our intellect intensify, we retreat into practicalities. We want to ignore our feelings and be distracted from our thoughts. When we focus on a practical task we can actually get something done and tick it off a list of things to do. It’s satisfying and helpful, too. Although you may feel as if you’re avoiding an emotive issue by focusing on an activity, the more you accomplish this week, the better you’ll feel. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5611.

PISCES Feb 20 — Mar 20

PEOPLE are generous for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, we give because we want something to be given to us. Sometimes, we give because it assuages our guilt. Sometimes, we give because we want to make an impression. What appear to be selfless acts are sometimes inspired by self-aggrandisement, too. But you don’t need to worry about other people’s motivations now. All you need is to be certain that your actions are honest and genuine. Everything else will be just fine. Venus and Mercury are changing signs and bringing hope into new areas of your life. For good news, call 0906 751 5612.