Horoscope

ARIES: Retro Mercury operates according to Murphy's Law that what can go wrong, will. But necessity's the mother of invention so instead of fretting, make this week's delays work for you. Create cunning solutions to its communication glitches, and do less hurling yourself at the world and more allowing the world to come to you.

TAURUS: This week's edgy, antsy transits could have even your steadfast self impatient and irritated - and disappointed expectations will do it to you every time. But why get cross because others don't behave the way you want? Much less stressful to drop the expectations and give freely, without conditions or hidden strings.

GEMINI: Venus in Gemini's gadding about right now: visiting the Seven Sisters, having close encounters with this star and that. So this week you'll travel too, Twins - short trips to reconnect with family or friends. And being the attraction magnet you are, you'll have to turn off the phone to get any rest.

CANCER: Declare a family amnesty on complaining this week, Crabs. Make anyone who whinges pay a fine, and send the money to someone in a detention centre who's homeless and separated from their family. You'll help someone in distress, rack up good karma and keep your home zone peaceful all in one go.

LEO: Mercury transits are the polar opposite of gung-ho and go-ahead. If you want people to do what you want them to do this week (and when do you not, Majesties?) don't expect it quicksticks. Right now you'll have to be very smart and very charming (yes, yes, of course you are) to get anything done at all...

VIRGO: How about this anti-worry strategy, Virgos: Write your anxieties on a piece of paper, put in a box marked worries and forget about them... Too easy? Okay, then how about seeing obstacles less as punishments for something you did incorrectly, and more as growth-promoting opportunities sent by a generous universe?

LIBRA: Imagine, Librans, how this scenario might affect others who are already having a difficult week: You insist on having exactly what you want, then when you get it you decide that wasn't really what you wanted after all... You're free to change your mind of course - but then so are others to react accordingly.

SCORPIO: When things don't go as you planned this week - and of course they won't - please promise not to sulk and fume. Especially with Venus in Gemini showcasing the souffle side of romance and social interaction: airy, deliciously unserious - and a challenge for Scorpios to lighten up on the dramatic intensity.

SAGITTARIUS: This week's stars indicate a high accident rating, so whatever you're doing it's important to stay calm, Archers, and listen to what your intuiton's telling you to do. Drive safely, resist the urge to cut corners or speed - above all don't get irritated and impatient in traffic. Optimism's good, but awareness is better.

CAPRICORN: Consider that Biblical mandate: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you... You've spotted the flaw of course - which is presuming that others like what you like, and you know that's not so. The key to this week working well is doing unto others as they'd like you do unto them.

AQUARIUS: Rather than go mental this week, get physical - eat, sleep, enjoy having a body - so you'll be strong enough to rewrite the rules and go up against the status quo. If you don't get co-operation, you know a force of one can still make a difference. Like Gandhi advised: Be the change you want to see...

PISCES: If last week exhausted your sensitive selves, this week you'd better relax, replenish the energy batteries, and ponder the options and possibilities available to deal with this week's communication challenges - knowing you'll never become a skillful navigator if you only sail calm waters.