STARGAZING

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

Your stars for the week ahead.

PISCES February 18 – March 19

Ordinarily, when others are struggling or facing unfair circumstances, you’ll do what you can to support, advise or assist them. However, things aren’t what they seem, which means that for now, you’re better off looking after certain matters of your own. This may seem selfish, but ironically, what you learn in the process could prove as helpful for others as it is profitable for you.

ARIES March 20 – April 19

Recent unsettling if not seriously irritating events put you on edge. This, in turn, means you could easily misinterpret this week’s minor misunderstandings as yet more dramas. Actually, they’re more about the twists and turns typical of a period during which several of the planetary powerhouses are moving into new positions which, in turn, triggers changes as much in the world around you as in your own world.

TAURUS April 20 – May 20

On February 14 the passionate, fiery Mars moved into Taurus, triggering both a rethink of existing circumstances and a review of your priorities. This alone would bring timely changes. However, add developments as exciting as they’ll be unexpected, ushered in by the arrival of Uranus in your sign, on March 6, and you’ll realise there’s a whole new variety of options opening up for you.

GEMINI May 21 – June 20

At the moment, opportunities are appearing in a range of forms. While some are immediately recognisable, others will seem a mere disruption. Knowing that, resist the temptation to brush off seemingly unappealing or unrealistic developments. Instead, explore every idea or offer, knowing that at minimum, you’ll learn a lot. Even more important, be aware that what’s least promising could turn out brilliantly.

CANCER June 21 – July 22

If you’re somewhat off balance, it’s no surprise. Not only will you still be wrestling with both the vulnerable feelings triggered by the recent Full Moon, you’ll be puzzled by certain ill-defined issues. While ordinarily, you’d focus on clarifying these, do the minimum. For the moment, you’re better off disentangling yourself from whatever dilemmas you can, and carefully observing the direction others are going.

LEO July 23 – August 22

Tempting as it is to battle unfair restrictions, you’re urged to find out about their origin and the people involved. You’ll soon realise you’re short of facts, enough you’ll probably switch gears and focus on achieving a better understanding of what, and who, you’re dealing with. The more you learn, the more fascinated you’ll be by what, and who, you’re discovering in the process.

VIRGO August 23 – September 22

Last Tuesday’s Virgo Full Moon brought both unresolved practical issues and those involving others, in your personal or working life, to a head. True, initially, the resulting shakeups weren’t exactly welcome. However, since then you’ve realised just how timely they were. You learnt a lot, a relief. But, even more, the resulting discussions revealed ways of dealing with problems you thought you’d just have to live with.

LIBRA September 23 – October 22

As a Libra, you’re expert at turning potentially troublesome differences into rewarding discussions. Yet now you’re faced with somebody who moves behind the scenes, while pretending they’re interested in others’ wellbeing, while they’re actually thinking only of themselves. Recognising this individual won’t be easy but once you do, it will explain a lot.

SCORPIO October 23 – November 21

Initially, you felt it wise to keep certain potentially tricky issues quiet and, if possible avoid even mentioning them. However, with both circumstances and the mood shifting swiftly, and also in an unpredictable manner, keeping either facts or your concerns to yourself only complicates matters. You’ll soon realise the more forthright you are, the more you learn.

SAGITTARIUS November 22 – December 21

The problem isn’t that you were being deceptive. Rather, it was that what you viewed as casual conversations were turned into plans by others. While you’ve stopped a few before anything was finalised, others have turned them into tricky situations. Forget about discussing who’s responsible for what. The ideas you devise when coming up with solutions could be better than anything you’d thought possible.

CAPRICORN December 22 – January 19

When organising plans earlier in the month, things seemed straightforward, so you didn’t bother with details to the extent you usually would. Since then, both your priorities and those of others have changed, as have circumstances. However, with things still in transition, you can begin catching up with past and future plans now. Once you find that balance, the rest will be easy.

AQUARIUS January 20 – February 17

Powerful changes are unfolding, in your own life, in close alliances, both business and personal and, equally, in the world around you. These, indicated primarily by the move by your ruler Uranus into a new position on 6 March, seem disruptive but are breakthroughs, if in disguise.

For now, explore every idea or offer. What seems least appealing or sensible now could, within weeks, be perfect.