OSCAR CAINER

THE carrot or the stick? It’s an age-old question. Chef Gordon Ramsay (whose birthday is today) uses the verbal equivalent of the stick to get results. Other people require gentle nurturing to fulfil their potential. Since Mercury spent the weekend being encouraged by harmonious Venus, a softer approach is appropriate today . . . particularly because the planet of communication is preparing to meet fiery Mars. Issues will come to the boil.

ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 20

REFLECTIVE selfcriticism is rarely positive. We look at past choices wondering how we got ourselves into certain situations. We forget we did our best. With the benefit of hindsight it’s easy to imagine ‘better’ decisions we could have made. If you’re wondering about the wisdom of a recent choice, you need to allow time to pass before reaching a conclusion. You haven’t seen the results yet. As your ruler moves towards a link with Mercury, you’ll see evidence. You’ve made the right move. Lift your spirits. Change your life! Your four-minute, week-ahead forecast has important news. Call 0906 751 5601.

TAURUS Apr 21 - May 21

FEAR can be motivating. It can drag us out of bed at the crack of dawn. It can push us to work all hours under the sun in an effort to make progress and distance ourselves from an unwanted experience. But is that a good reason to keep scaring ourselves? Isn’t it better to be motivated by positive ideas? Instead of running from a fear, try taking steps towards fulfilling your dream. An optimistic approach will put a spring in your step and transform a tense mood into a more caring one. Just follow positive thoughts today. Do yourself a favour; treat yourself! There’s exciting news in your fourminute forecast. Call 0906 751 5602.

GEMINI May 22 - June 22

AS BANANARAMA sang, ‘it ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it.’ And up to a point they were right. But suppose it’s simple . . . like closing a jammed window? Does it make a difference whether you slam it shut, or take time to work out what’s going on, then ease it closed? What matters is you’ve done the deed. If you don’t do it, no one’s going to care that you didn’t do it with style. Don’t bother wasting time in a discussion about whether to do something. Your ruler’s movement encourages action today. Just four minutes on the phone could change your life. For your latest week-ahead forecast, call 0906 751 5603.

CANCER June 23 - July 23

DO WE have free will . . . and how much do we have? My colleagues and I debate this subject. Just when we think we’ve reached agreement, someone like you comes along, in a situation very similar to the one you’re now dealing with, and we go back to the drawing board. Although you seem to have a choice to make, it doesn’t actually feel as if you do. Or perhaps the choice isn’t one that you want to make. Don’t for a moment feel obliged to do anything you don’t want to do. You may not have another option, but you soon will. Creative and inspiring times lie ahead for you. Make the most of this astrological opportunity. Call 0906 751 5604.

LEO July 24 - Aug 23

HOW confident are you that you know what you really need? Or do you just think you know? Is there a possibility you’re deluding yourself? Or being hoodwinked by someone with ulterior motives? Our relationship with reality is complex, especially when our emotions are powerful and our expectations are high. It’s hard to hold onto perspective. But does that matter? Do you have a duty to be all seeing and all knowing? Feel free to enjoy what’s to be enjoyed today (ignore what you don’t like the look of!). In a week of celestial creativity, you can transform your life. For your week ahead forecast call 0906 751 5605.

VIRGO Aug 24 - Sep 23

THE concept of time travel is fascinating. The movements of the planets sometimes make it feel as if we’re dealing with situations that are very familiar. If you feel as if you’re dealing with something you recognise from your past, look a little more carefully. Aren’t the hues a little brighter? Isn’t the contrast a little crisper? Isn’t there more hope and optimism hanging in the air? For all the similarity you see, the differences are what matter. Here comes an extraordinary opportunity to free yourself from an old irrelevant fear. Your week ahead forecast is jam-packed full of important news. For an in-depth guide, call 0906 751 5606.

LIBRA Sep 24 - Oct 23

WHEN we’re expecting trouble, it’s easy to find it. It lurks in the most obvious places — even under our noses. Although we might think that looking for it prepares us so we’re ready to deal with any ‘unexpected’ developments, the downside is it opens our eyes to trouble. And it’s not easy to be hopeful and optimistic when we’re constantly aware of what ‘could go wrong’. As Mercury prepares to link to dynamic Mars, focus on looking for encouraging signs. There are more of them about than you think. Wonderful opportunities arise as the celestial energies energise your life. For great news call 0906 751 5607.

SCORPIO Oct 24 - Nov 22

AS DOCTOR Watson and Sherlock Holmes understood, the devil is in the detail. Today it’s time to pull on your metaphorical deerstalker, grab your magnifying glass, and solve a mystery. Can you find the thread that links a series of seemingly disconnected, baffling events? If an answer seems obvious, set it aside and look again. Above all, question the assumptions being made. A sign that appears to indicate a difficulty could have a much more pleasing message. Use your perceptive powers and you’ll profit from what you find. Want to hear some priceless information about your week? Just pick up the phone! Call 0906 751 5608.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 - Dec 21

DO YOU really have to prove yourself and your abilities? If someone doesn’t trust you, do you have to bend yourself over backwards to convince them? How confident are you about your abilities? Unless you’re harbouring a doubt, which secretly you’d like to explore, just assert yourself with confidence. The coming Mercury/Mars link gives you the impetus and the ability to adeptly defend yourself. Just remember, it doesn’t mean that you’ve done anything wrong! Lift your spirits. Change your life! Your four-minute, week-ahead forecast has important news. Call 0906 751 5609.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20

WE expect others to understand us when we talk. A good illustration of this is when we’re trying to communicate with folk who don’t speak the same language. We think that if we speak slowly and use appropriate miming actions, we’ll be understood. Sometimes this method works well enough to convey the basics of an idea. But it’s no substitute for being really heard and seen, which is what our hearts crave. Today a rewarding connection, with someone you’ve been trying to communicate with, is possible. Give yourself a present! With Venus, the planet of love, in your sign, magical moments await! Call 0906 751 5610.

AQUARIUS Jan 21 - Feb 19

ACCORDING to the anthropologists, the invention of the wheel was the beginning of the modern world. But the first mirror must have had a huge impact. Before that, if you wanted to see your reflection, you had to find a puddle. These days we can’t get away from stark reminders of our appearance. Argh! There’s no doubt the mirror has changed our perception of ourselves and our awareness of the passage of time. Don’t let an unfair, inaccurate reflection undermine your selfconfidence today. Your week ahead, indepth forecast could be one of the most rewarding calls you make. Call 0906 751 5611.

PISCES Feb 20 - Mar 20

IF ONLY you had access to Hermione’s Time-Turner. No matter how much you do, or how hard you work, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. The flip side to that, of course, which is equally challenging, is having days that seem to stretch out forever . . . when the minutes seem to drag past. To rectify boredom, we have to find fresh enthusiasm. To free ourselves from stress, we have to do the opposite, and care a little less. As Mercury and Mars prepare to link, you can adjust your inner switch and find a better balance. To hear how your life could significantly change for the better, call your latest week-ahead forecast: 0906 751 5612.