Horoscope

ARIES: You rebels are rocking the boat again, disturbing the conservatives who insist contradictions can't possibly co-exist. Contrary to their opinion, you'll be living proof this week as you blend freedom with commitment, perform solo as well as being a team player, and even manage to merge your mind's desires with your heart's intent.

TAURUS: Once determined Taurans commit to something they won't give up on it - even when it's obvious they should. But dead wood needs pruning and it's time for relinquishing emotional bonds, pursuits or involvements that are holding you back. Cutting your losses and moving on can be an incredibly liberating decision.

GEMINI: Mercury's on the move again and the phone's permanently attached to your ear. But while Venus and Mars in Gemini are big on mental intercourse, Taurus time wants solid results - noticeable progress, bums on seats and cash in the bank. And won't hesitate about asking you to show the money or prove your love...

CANCER: Around this time of year Cancerians usually get their annual attack of Insufficiency Syndrome - which begins with a nagging feeling of lack, progresses through acute anxiety over shrinking assets to full-blown worrying about not having enough money, love, work, time, energy, talent, motivation, whatever... This year just don't go there.

LEO: Taurus is a good tally-up time for re-evaluating what works and what doesn't in your life - but don't bother if you can't be honest. Take stock of the effects your behaviour has on those around you -both positively and negatively - for a start. Then consider whether certain opinions you're holding onto are hindering your forward progress.

VIRGO: Some strategies to amplify your chances of success this week are: 1) Accepting present circumstances as they are, without reservation. 2) Responding creatively to them. And 3) Not justifying or defending yourself. Be receptive to the creative input of others, because it's teamwork that makes the dream work.

LIBRA: If you find you're getting the absolute opposite of what you want, remember this often, oddly enough, turns out for the best. Librans can be logical as Aristotle when they choose to, so do the sensible thing and don't disdain the mundane or underestimate the ordinary - because this week's blessings could come in very humble packaging.

SCORPIO: Don't push yourselves so hard this week - life wasn't designed as a never-ending struggle. You'll only end up in snarly-growly, Empire Strikes Back mode - and do you really want to be in One Of Your Moods during the seriously sexy midweek Scorpio full Moon? Take Bob Marley's advice and lively up yourself...

SAGITTARIUS: With Mercury's forward move freeing up a welcome energy surge in Sagittariusworld, your body might speak to you this week in some weird language you can't understand. Could it possibly be saying: Don't keep feeding me that same old stuff, and behaving in those ways I've outgrown. Can't you see I've changed?

CAPRICORN: This week - oops! - long-entrenched prejudices you never even knew you held could rear their heads. But as Capricorns you know Commandment Number One of any civilised society is: Let people be different. And who wants to lose face by spouting outdated opinions, irrelevant rules or passe points of view?

AQUARIUS: This week - via the wonderful wisdom of hindsight, your own efforts and a visitation of grace - the lessons of recent weeks become clear. And while astral energies are giving you plenty of grunt and shove to start putting this new understanding into action, old habits are making a valiant last stand not to be given the sack...

PISCES: A doggedly Tauran sort of week. There's no sense going against it - so why not use its unswerving determination to do something, or go for something you've been psyching yourself up to? How to get its attention and co-operation? You'll have to woo it, charm it and tickle it till it laughs...