STARGAZING

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

Your stars for the week ahead.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22 – DECEMBER 20

Although the Sagittarius New Moon on December 7 marks a fresh start, you’re already exploring, and gaining from the current powerful planetary focus on your sign. Others may advise you to carefully analyse your options. Instead, explore everything, saying a tentative yes to what appeals. Later, when you’re better informed, you can decide what no longer works and what will remain.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 21 – JANUARY 19

As much as you dislike things being out of your control, it’s now clear that certain tricky situations are entirely the responsibility of others. Acknowledging this frees you to focus on recently neglected personal matters and, even more, passions. This shift is a relief but is also a reward for your generosity with others, some of whom have neither noticed nor appreciated your efforts on their behalf.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 17

Life has been frustrating enough recently that you could allow minor setbacks to turn into major dramas. Recognising this is the first step to distancing yourself from this frustrating pattern and focusing on new and more productive activities and goals. This, in turn, will broaden your horizons, and just when you’re ready to meet new people and begin setting new, challenging yet more rewarding goals.

PISCES FEBRUARY 18 – MARCH 19

At the moment your biggest problem is finding a way out of arrangements that once worked but no longer do. In fact, they’re restrictive and the people involved uninspiring. Waste no time trying to find a way to improve on these. Begin exploring your options now. You may realise you’ve been ignoring intriguing individuals or pursuits. Explore these, conscious you’ve lots more yet to discover.

ARIES MARCH 20 – APRIL 19

Usually you regard setbacks as something to be overcome as swiftly as possible. Yet those you’re currently facing are about breaking old and, often, restrictive patterns and venturing into new territory. While this could involve your activities or those you undertake them with, these changes could be taking you into a new, possibly unfamiliar setting. For now, explore everything. Decisions can, and should, wait. 12

TAURUS APRIL 20 – MAY 20

You’re deft at winning others over to your ideas, almost without discussion. Yet certain of the situations you’re facing are more complex, and will require considerable thought and, possibly, persuasion. Even more, recognise that with the actual foundation on which these are based shifting, your own views, priorities and plans could shift too, and far more dramatically than you anticipated.

GEMINI MAY 21 – JUNE 20

Now that your ruler Mercury is no longer retrograde, you’ll find it easier to both address tricky matters and untangle complex issues. But, even more, you’ll realise some aren’t actually your responsibility anyway. Ironically, others will acknowledge this as well. This means that after a little shuffling of tasks, things will get done faster and easier, leaving you time to explore intriguing options and enjoy life.

CANCER JUNE 21 – JULY 21

While there’ll be progress in many areas of your life, don’t be surprised if you’re unsure what’s next. That’s to be expected now, in the run up to the pivotal Cancer Full Moon on the 22nd. For now, focus on what needs a rethink or, perhaps, could go. This is both clearing the way, and preparing you for the new cycle that begins later this month.

LEO JULY 22 – AUGUST 22

The last thing you’re in the mood for are lengthy discussions, especially if they’re in response to questions about certain of your plans or passions. Despite that, make an effort. Talk things over. Ironically, what you learn from those discussions could offer valuable insights about previously perplexing issues or future plans you’re struggling to organise.

VIRGO AUGUST 23 – SEPTEMBER 22

Obviously, life would be a lot easier if you could rely on plans, your own and those that involve others. But with so much in transition, and with many of those changes constituting major improvements, even disruptive developments could be beneficial. For now, therefore, focus on what you’re learning from what arises. Once you know more, the next step, and those after that will be clearer.

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23 – OCTOBER 22

It would be no surprise if you’re still wrestling with conflicts or minor misunderstandings. While this arose in early December, your efforts to achieve an accord or calm those who are anxious have achieved little. Pressing as these seem, busy yourself with other longneglected tasks. These need attention. Better yet, this forces certain lazy individuals to take responsibility for their end of the matters.

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23 – NOVEMBER 21

You’ve been discussing, and dealing with, several complex situations for ages. Satisfying as the progress you’ve made may be, you’ve been unable to deal with several worrying loose ends. Finally things come together, often so easily you’re wary, unsure solutions are for real. They are and, better yet, it’s time to celebrate putting these to rest, then move on. Many intriguing options are awaiting you.