OSCAR CAINER

Aries Mar21-Apr20

Some people enjoy map reading; they take such pleasure in imagining a journey that they don’t need to leave the comfort of their own homes. Lucky them. It’s a great gift to have in these times of restrictive movement. Of course, all the imagination in the world can’t prepare you for the surprises you’ll encounter on a real journey. Some things will be easier and some will be more difficult than you anticipate. Although you’ll have to rethink an old idea in May, you’ll end up in a much better place. What’s the best way to ensure your success this month?

Taurus Apr21- May21

Nursery rhymes often contain a salutary tale. “Five little ducks went out one day, over the hills and far away. Mother duck said, quack quack quack, but only four little ducks came back”. Of course, each day, the ducks repeat the same action until there are none left. Although this could potentially happen to any duck, the moral of the story is vital. Don’t repeat something that’s not working. This month, once you’ve worked out why something isn’t working as you’d like, you can fix it. How can you stay focused and happy in this crazy world?

Gemini May22-Jun22

Things rarely happen for the reasons we think. This probably sounds counterintuitive – especially from an astrologer whose job is to look out for portents and omens. Yet, when we’re not careful, it’s easy to use signs (celestial or otherwise) to back up our preconceptions. We happily let them buoy up our ideas, but we also allow them to feed our fears. Don’t be tempted to give up on a plan just because you’re missing an ingredient. The month of May calls for persistence, not pessimism. Stay hopeful in challenging times.

Cancer Jun23-Jul23

Cast your mind back to the time when we could all happily go on holiday; and imagine that you’re about to board the plane. Although you’ve packed all the right things, it’s very frustrating to discover that your favourite book is in the bag you’ve checked into the hold of the aircraft. It’s as if you’re ready to embark on a new project, you’ve managed (despite the challenges you face) to work out a plan; but something crucial is missing. This month, the missing piece of the jigsaw falls into place. Your month-ahead forecast contains inspiring news.

Leo Jul24-Aug23

How authoritarian are you feeling? What happens when you click your fingers? Does anyone jump to do your bidding? With so many planets in retrograde motion this month, you find yourself feeling as if you have less influence than normal. Since you already feel as if you’ve lost some of your power, this is making you feel uncomfortable. Yet an enforced new perspective will allow you to see the positives in your situation. And, as May progresses, your chance of success will steadily improve.

Virgo Aug24-Sep23

I know you’ve heard it before but today is the first day of the rest of your life. I also know that you might well hear the same thing expressed every day this month – and that it will be just as valid and true. Yet right now, it’s just important to understand that, despite the status quo and sense of inertia we’re all experiencing, your life is on the move. As long as you welcome change into your world, change will surreptiously enter your life. May sees you standing on the threshold of a breakthrough.

Libra Sep24- Oct23

Even in times of lockdown, some people’s homes are absolutely spotless. The carpets are newly hoovered, the shelves are dusted and everything is exactly where it should be. As for the mental wellbeing of the inhabitants of these abodes… well there’s a reasonable chance that their stress levels are high and that the relationships are dysfunctional. This month, rather than losing time worrying about how things look, it’s time to focus on how they feel. That’s the way to create happiness. Navigate your way through this month’s challenges.

Scorpio Oct24- Nov22

People tell us that the art to surviving lockdown and staying sane is to keep things simple. Then they go on to describe a hundred and one different things to do and ways to do them. Aargh. Human beings have a tendency to complicate matters. It starts when we’re at school; the more education we receive the more complex our vocabulary becomes. Who needs long words when you just want to express something from your heart? To be happy this month you just need to be bold and clear. There’s hope on the horizon.

Sagittarius Nov23- Dec21

They tell us that when we need a hand, the best person to ask is someone busy. It makes sense; busy people are already in the right frame of mind. They’re focused and so efficient at working through their “to do” list that they will hardly notice an extra task. You’re one of those people who easily takes on responsibilities for other folk and goes out of their way to help. This month, as long as you’re wholehearted in your approach, carry on doing what you’re doing. But let enough be enough too. Keep moving in the right direction this month.

Capricorn Dec22-Jan20

Even in these unprecedented times, we expect some things to carry on forever. So, just suppose the sun failed to show up one morning? Imagine if it just decided to have a lie-in, and snuggle back into the darkness of nighttime, using the clouds as soft pillows? Of course that’s not going to happen. Some things will always be there for us and will never let us down. Despite all the current craziness, there’s a sun in your world that won’t stop shining. Events this month allow you to delight in genuine hope. There’s heartwarming news in your month-ahead forecast.

Aquarius Jan21- Feb19

Some people appear to be immune to the challenges life throws at them. They seem to be blessed with good fortune. Although we recognise luck when we see it, it’s intangible; we can’t grab hold of it, or wish it upon ourselves. The more we try to grasp it, the faster it slips away. You’ve been working hard on mitigating a difficult development. This month, you can stop trying so hard to make something good happen. Since May brings good fortune your way, you’ll accomplish more if you just trust. The planets bring inspiring energy your way in May.

Pisces Feb20- Mar20

Sometimes we walk into a room we’ve been comfortably living in for years, and realise, in a flash of inspiration, that if we just move the furniture around, we’ll be able to access the sofa more easily and create more space. There’s no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater this month. You don’t have to start everything from scratch. As the cosmos encourages your creativity, you can simply reshuffle the components and come up with an innovative solution to an old problem.