STAR GAZING

World-renowned astrologer Shelley von Strunckel writes a daily column exclusively for tabloid!

Aries March 20 April 18 Taurus April 19 May 19 Gemini May 20 June 20 Cancer June 21 July 21 Leo July 22 August 21 Virgo August 22 September 21 There’s no arguing that sticking with what you believe in shows character. At the moment, however, it could also get you into difficulties. The issue isn’t the decisions you’re making but the fact the foundation on which they’re based is changing, and often. As a result, the more flexible your attitude is, the better.

Usually your ability to make, and stick to, a decision is a virtue. It keeps life simple. At the moment, however, it could lead to complications, however, if you’ll at least explore certain disruptive if not seemingly unrealistic options, you’ll soon recognise promise in something you’d never before regarded as a possibility.

There’s a difference between changes you’ve planned and so are expecting and those that have been coming your way recently. While it would be easy to blame this on your ruler Mercury’s retrograde cycle, the past month has been disruptive for everybody. Now that things are calmer, you can work with others to restore order.

Obviously you’d rather be able to tell certain increasingly anxious individuals what you have in mind and, even more, turn those thoughts into lasting arrangements. While your instincts are telling you this is unwise, you’re still tempted to take action. Do it, and you’ll soon realise why patience is the best option.

When Mercury went retrograde on 13 August, it was in your neighbouring sign of Virgo, which accents life’s practicalities, that’s exactly what you had on your mind. Now that Mercury, still retrograde, has moved into Leo, you’ll find those errors focus on more personal matters, and lead to revealing, and often illuminating, discussions.

Next Tuesday the powerful Mars moves into Virgo. In the two years since it was last in your sign, a lot has changed, in the world around you, your circumstances and in your own life. For now, focus on what might go. Soon, you’ll be considering thrilling and often unexpected options. Libra September 22 October 22 Scorpio October 23 November 21 Sagittarius November 22 December 20 Capricorn December 21 January 18 Aquarius January 19 February 17 Pisces February 18 March 19 It’s not that you distrust certain individuals but, rather, you’re unsure whether they know what they’re talking about. Yet because this is based on your intuition more than hard facts, challenging them wouldn’t be easy. You can, however, ask what led to their views. The odds are good they’ll tell you.

The last thing you’re inclined to do is alter elements of your way of living, working or loving to suit the demands of somebody you’re not really close to. Yet, you’re beginning to realise their request is minor in terms of your existence and, on the other hand, means a lot to them.

Others say that if you planned ahead more, you’d run into fewer obstacles. From your perspective, you’d rather move swiftly and learn from whatever arises, be it opportunities or obstacles. Tempting as it is to explain this to the individuals in question, it’s a waste of time. Thank them and move on.

Only recently you sidestepped potentially troublesome issues for fear that talking them over in depth would only create more confusion or, worse, tension. While it’s true, with the retrograde Mercury increasing the likelihood of misunderstandings, caution is wise. Still, things are moving swiftly, enough those pivotal discussions really can’t wait.

One of your requirements for friendship is an easy exchange of ideas. This means you needn’t agree with others but, instead, truly enjoy exploring what’s behind any differences. Still, even in these situations, you’re urged to be cautious, since misunderstandings aren’t just possible, they’re likely to arise suddenly and, often, for surprising reasons.

When it comes to tricky situations, you’re usually the soul of tact yet, at the same time, ensure that everybody is aware what’s important and what isn’t. Yet with the changes triggered by August’s two eclipses and the confusion that accompanies Mercury retrograde, you’re urged to be forthright, if not just plain blunt.