HOROSCOPES February in the stars. By Peter Watson

AQUARIUS 21 January – 19 February

You’ll surprise everyone, yourself included, when a journey, study venture or sudden revelation seizes your imagination. A Sun-Jupiter connection mustn’t convince you that everything will fall into place without some forward planning. To assume a cavalier attitude at this point in your life makes no sense. And deep down you know it. MOTTO OF THE MONTH Love your neighbour, but don’t take down the fence.

PISCES 20 February – 20 March

Work or responsibilities may demand a rethink. So, too, does the way in which you take care of yourself. The smart thing to do would be to integrate your commitments with your personal life and strike a better balance all round. You’re governed by routine imposed by people who call all the shots. They can’t.

MOTTO OF THE MONTH Never let defeat have the last word.

ARIES 21 March – 20 April

Enjoy shrugging off a phase that has made you take life very seriously indeed. And allow yourself the time and space in which to experience people and environments that help you adopt a much lighter touch. Does it mean you’ll be seen as irresponsible or frivolous? No. You can make sure it doesn’t.

MOTTO OF THE MONTH One small cloud cannot conceal a sky full of stars.

TAURUS 21 April – 21 May

Refuse to be engulfed by disappointment if circumstances prevent you from working or creating something worthwhile within the given timeframe. Some delays are inevitable, since Jupiter changes direction in early February. However, that’s no reason to down tools. You’ll simply have to try a little harder than you first thought. MOTTO OF THE MONTH Hold on tight to what you trust, not what you fear.

GEMINI 22 May – 21 June

Even though ongoing duties or other obligations mustn’t dominate entirely, you’ll find it hard to abandon them. The answer lies in finding a compromise, so that you’re no longer pushing yourself to unreasonable limits but nor are you left feeling idle. There are many ways to use your various talents without being a slave to them. MOTTO OF THE MONTH Confidence is a plant of slow growth.

CANCER 22 June – 23 July

Others might not recognise the value of an upcoming opportunity, but you’ll see it as a chance to be grasped. Even if you’re bombarded with negative words, you should feel strongly that you have to forge ahead. Late in February, the outcomes will speak for themselves. MOTTO OF THE MONTH Keep your words soft and sweet, in case you have to eat them.

LEO 24 July – 23 August

A tricky discussion with a loved one cannot be delayed any longer. Try not to see it as destructive. Instead, use it as an incentive to highlight all the positive aspects of the relationship while also, of course, identifying whatever issue or event is causing you problems. You’ll feel much better for clearing the air.

MOTTO OF THE MONTH Only anger should be put off until tomorrow.

VIRGO 24 August – 23 September

Try as you might to thrash out topics that create friction between yourself and someone special, you’ll continue to have differences of opinion for some while. But this needn’t cause lasting damage. Let discoveries you each make about one another around the time of the Solar Eclipse on 26 February bring clarity.

MOTTO OF THE MONTH Second thoughts are often best.

LIBRA 24 September – 23 October

Grit your teeth as you’re forced to desert – albeit temporarily – a person or situation capable of creating a great deal of joy. And accept that you must now become fully committed to something that you wouldn’t have taken on out of choice. Just keep telling yourself: the sooner you start, the sooner you finish.

MOTTO OF THE MONTH Set the saddle on the right horse.

SCORPIO 24 October – 22 November

Initially, you might feel daunted by developments affecting loved ones or the place you call home. But, slowly and surely, you’ll stop resisting the inevitable changes being made and begin to welcome them as a way of reinvigorating aspects of your life. The unknown can be nerve-racking, but it can also offer great excitement. MOTTO OF THE MONTH Promise little and do a lot.

SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December

Love – or at least a flirtation or friendship – will brighten up winter days and nights, especially once Venus changes signs in early February. Perhaps you’ll at last admit that the lighter side of life has enormous appeal. Accept that you don’t always have to work harder and longer than anybody else. Why should you?

MOTTO OF THE MONTH Imagination is intelligence having fun.

CAPRICORN 22 December – 20 January

You may have to work out for yourself the best strategy regarding financial or property matters. But you mustn’t feel unsupported. Remember there’s one particular individual who would never stand by and watch you make mistakes. Be ready to hear a candid – but valuable – account of what you’ve done. And act on it. MOTTO OF THE MONTH Look at life with the wonder of a child.

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