Horoscope

ARIES: All that outgoing energy you've been expending lately could have you running on reserve. You've been in overdrive for a while now, but Taurus time slows down the pace to steadier and more stable. Let others help lighten your workload, get plenty of well-earned rest and give throat problems priority attention.

TAURUS: You're probably in rule-making mode this week - for everyone's benefit, of course - but who will it really help? In our increasingly litigious world isn't personal responsibility an endangered behaviour? You can justify stubbornness as making a stand or sticking to your guns, but only if it makes life happier and easier for all concerned.

GEMINI: Mars in one ear has you doing way too much, Venus in the other wants to play and have fun. But while you energetic Twins are in go-go mode, this week's universe is on go-slow. It's a prime time for getting up close and personal, so how about letting yourself be pampered a little? Better still, a lot.

CANCER: Wearing your reinforced shockproof armour? Of course, it's a war zone out there... Just make sure you don't close off that access corridor through to your heart. And if you're acting flash without splashing the cash this week, remember what goes around comes around and what you put out returns to you multiplied - good and bad.

LEO: Naturally you won't be railroaded, but there's no need to stage a big battle of wills when things could be easily resolved just by finding common ground. If you regularly introduced creative innovations into your work and relationships, life would be so stimulating and exciting you wouldn't need constant drama. Sorry, just a suggestion.

VIRGO: This week's about values. So put those busy minds to work discriminating between what's valuable in your life, environment, relationships and attitudes - and what's not. Sort through the longings for consummate order, the ultimate hairdresser or perfect pen to what's bottom-line precious and important in your life.

LIBRA: A down to the ground, hands on week for building, shaping, bringing into form or adding the final flourishes to a project. Whatever solid work you put into rendering something attractive will pay off. Your special talent for making things beautiful will be appreciated, applauded and rewarded.

SCORPIO: During retrograde transits, life seems to slow down and get increasingly intense - just your kind of thing really. But they also bring tricky issues to the forefront to be acknowledged and addressed - like possessiveness, wanting more and keeping score. Or attaching secret price tags on what's given or done for others...

SAGITTARIUS: As Taurus the Bull puts its foot down on Aries enthusiasm, people are less interested in ideas and concepts and more in things that actually exist. If they can see it, touch it or even better eat it, you'll have their attention. You could try fluttering things in front of them like a bullfighter's cape till they get the picture.

CAPRICORN: This week's down-to-earthiness means people will actually be speaking Capricorn for a change, consulting you for your experience and expertise in the material world. It's a controlly time though, and good for examining your own control strategies how you get what you want, or get others doing what you want them to...

AQUARIUS: In this week's Tauran world actions speak louder than words, so it isn't a good time for bargaining, arguing or attempting to convince anyone of anything at all. But it's perfect for finally realising you're so bored with certain things it's time to give them up - as in hanging onto things, ideas, attitudes or grudges overdue for recycling.

PISCES: This week's change of pace from fiery Aries to practical, determined and very sensual Taurus definitely favours your fishy self. You can expect to be tempted by quite a variety of earthly pleasures, so whinging about feeling grounded won't be a good look. You will be, but how's that a bad thing?