Horoscope

ARIES: Aries is the sign of new beginnings, and this time of year those been-there, done-that signals let you know what you've outgrown. You'll have a strong urge to rewrite the rules and do things differently, though don't make the mistake of thinking everyone else welcomes change as much as you do.

TAURUS: If something's not working, there's a time to mend it - and a time to let it rest. Trying to force something to be the way you want it is going against this week's energy, and that's hard yakka. Frustrating too. Work smarter instead of harder and leave things alone so what needs to happen, can

GEMINI: Don't immediately abandon what seems dysfunctional this week. Sure you're exasperated - but with a little patience and understanding anything works better. Perceptions can warp alarmingly during Mercury retrograde, but you'll really know you're in trouble if you start taking your own PR seriously.

CANCER: Just as you're getting a grip on one set of glitches, something else goes wrong - rebooting the general frustration and irritation factor. Keep reminding yourself that all things pass and maybe check out a Laughter Club, where people elevate their endorphins by going yo ho ho and looking at the funny side of life.

LEO: You're creative and entertaining this week - but also demanding and argumentative, which puts others off and breeds difficulties you don't need. If you want people to do what you want (and when don't you?) be respectful and don't space invade. Right now you'll have to be very smart and charming to get anything done at all.

VIRGO: If this week deals you some ego blows, it does offer one useful perspective: Might this be how others feel when you - with the best and sincerest Virgo intentions - set about trying to make their lives right? Could this be a sign to step aside and let others make their own decisions - and their own mistakes?

LIBRA: Aries and Libra, zodiac opposites, show up each other's secret faces. As this patience-snapping week flings down either/or ultimatums, Libra the Peacemaker's fighting side is - oops! - on display and having its say. Just when extreme Libranism - as in your most soothing, subtle and sophisticated resolution skills - is needed...

SCORPIO: This week it's easy to see small details out of place, yet miss giant flashing warning signs. To think you heard someone offend you, while ignoring the alarm bells and sirens going off. Check out of the comfort zone, Scorps, or life will do it for you - and you know you'd feel so much better if you made that decision yourself.

SAGITTARIUS: Your talent for materialising grand plans into concrete reality is remarkable, but your objectivity's on holidays this week - so don't rush into anything till you've really thought it through, no matter how much you want to. Because fiscal miscalculations could lead to financial embarrassment.

CAPRICORN: This week's about accepting the slings and arrows of outrageous fate with as much grace as you can muster - and you know the more you try the easier that gets. Mars and Venus in Gemini are light-hearted lovers who want you doing something frivolous and spontaneous - perhaps a touch of luxurious pampering, Capricorns.

AQUARIUS: Best not get all cranky and antsy if others are aggravatingly slow responding to your brilliant ideas and radical plans. Could it be because you're operating with complete incomprehension of their feelings - which this week are very, very touchy? Wise Aquarians won't take that personally or expect co-operation just yet.

PISCES: Get over the feeling this week's in attack mode. It is, but why let that drive you to drink, solitude or round the bend? Everybody's going through it, not just you, so don't stay locked away listening to your inner voices - get out, mix and mingle, get reality checks from outer voices as well.