STARGAZING

Shelley von Strunckel, one of the world’s top astrologers, writes a weekly forecast for Friday

Your stars for the week ahead.

ARIES MARCH 20 – APRIL 18

After a demanding, often dull, but informative past month, both your ruler Mars and Venus move into Aries, kick-starting a period of action, growth and, ultimately, decision-making. While you’ll be tempted to turn exciting ideas into solid plans, this cycle lasts until March 10, which means you’ve plenty of time to explore new and unexpected opportunities or offers.

TAURUS APRIL 19 – MAY 19

Your instinctive response to the shake-up in your domestic or working life triggered by both the New Moon, on January 28, and the unsettling eclipsed Full Moon, in mid-February, will be to do the minimum. However, not only are changes timely, you’ll need to keep up with those in the world around you. Tricky as these seem now, you’ll soon wonder why you didn’t make changes earlier.

GEMINI MAY 20 – JUNE 20

There are several interpretations for the link between your ruler Mercury and the uncompromising Pluto, and they all have to do with facts being revealed. It may be others are questioning you or, possibly, you’re seeking vital information, past or present. While this could involve certain individuals, it might relate to organisations of some variety. The more forthright you are, the more you’ll learn.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

As much as you’d like uncertain business or financial matters settled swiftly, judging by February’s two eclipses, ideally, you’ll regard arrangements as tentative. Sudden developments in mid-February could turn what’s already exciting into something extraordinary. The trick, therefore, is to organise what you can, while ensuring that you can rethink plans as and when ideas appear.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 21

Although you can’t prepare for the unexpected, you can ensure arrangements are flexible enough to take advantage of the life-changing events triggered by mid-February’s Leo-eclipsed Full Moon. You may already be having hints of these. Disruptive as they’ll seem initially, explore even what seems unwelcome. The more you learn, the more you’ll appreciate the options opening up before you.

VIRGO AUGUST 22 – SEPTEMBER 21

Recent conversations may have eliminated confusion about a number of issues but have left you no better prepared to make looming practical decisions. That’s probably best because, with February’s two eclipses, even the simplest of arrangements are likely to change, possibly more than once. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to experiment in a way you wouldn’t ordinarily do.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 22 – OCTOBER 22

Now that both your ruler Venus and Mars are accenting close alliances, personal and work-related, it’s time to consider where improvements are needed. While you’re aware of some, you’ve lived with others for so long you’ve become accustomed to them. For now, explore existing options, knowing that gradually others will surface. Most of all, take the opportunity to review your priorities.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

Don’t be surprised if circumstances – or your own realisation that your silence on certain matters has created problems – force you to reveal facts you’ve been keeping to yourself. Worrying as being open about these may be, within minutes you’ll realise how much easier life will be without keeping those secrets. Enough that you may begin considering revealing others as well.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

For you, as a Sagittarius and a fire sign, balancing life’s duties with its pleasures is of particular importance. Although you’ll benefit hugely from the efforts spurred by the tough Saturn, which is in your sign until the end of the year, you need an occasional break. The opportunity comes now, in the form of a timely getaway. Go, knowing you’ll return renewed and refreshed.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 18

While you’re sometimes spontaneous in your words or actions, they’re usually carefully thought through. It’s the same with what you discuss or reveal. Yet the powerful link between Mercury and Pluto, in Capricorn, is about breakthroughs. These could appear in a number of ways, but each is as much about opening your mind to new ideas as it is about you being more forthright.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 19 – FEBRUARY 17

Even you, as an inquisitive Aquarius, sometimes need to pause, to reflect on the past, consider the present and think about the future. Tomorrow’s New Moon in your sign is about exactly this. Learn about potential changes, where possible trying things out. Take full advantage of this period of exploration but for now, steer clear of commitments. You’ll settle on plans, but not just yet.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

Few things are more unsettling than watching cherished plans come undone. Yet your instincts have made it increasingly clear that, appealing as these are, they’re more about the past than the present or, especially, the direction certain ideas or alliances are going. If you can’t let go of them, at least consider the possibility something better will come along as, within a short time, it will.