Horoscopes

ARIES: Just when you think you're getting a grip on things, this week's extra-picky energy kicks in. But if you can restrain yourself from making a big fuss over little stuff, you'll be glad you did. Anxiety, crankiness and irritability deplete your energy, so why be a worry wart? If your thoughts aren't enjoyable or useful, think something else.

TAURUS: How boring is it always being thought of as the reliable, disciplined, diligent, practical one? This week forget dutiful and sensible - go for interesting and outrageous. Cancerian Venus, with similar security needs to your own, is romantically simpatico at present - but a sensitive issue definitely needs addressing.

GEMINI: Since others are taking themselves so seriously, you're this week's stars. Not everyone will be amused, but that's their problem - because they who laugh, last... If you can avoid getting sidetracked by niggles and nitpicking and maintain a reasonably static-free wavelength, you should receive some extremely interesting information.

CANCER: With Venus the Evening Star in Cancer, you'll be even more driven than usual about security issues - fiercely protective and ready to defend the Crab family possessions against threats. But continually galvanising adrenal hormones is terribly wearing on your immune system - considering how rarely it's really necessary..

LEO: You attention addicts will take terrible offense at feeling unappreciated or, heaven forbid, ignored this week. Better get used to it - because following your out-there-on-life's-stage month comes Virgo, who frowns on all forms of showiness and self-display... By the way, your fur is looking really super these days.

VIRGO: Virgos show love by being helpful - expressing feelings and emotions isn't your most accomplished skill. But it only takes practise, so try being verbally affectionate - the response might surprise you. And about that pressure to Get It Right, perfectionmeisters - the wrong things are often so much more fun than the right ones.

LIBRA: Virgo vibes often get Librans in a tizz worrying what others will think. Relax. People care more about how you feel than whether the napkins match. Be a Picky Critical Libran this week or a Positive Appreciative Libran - either way you know that seeing the champagne glass half full instead of half empty means you're half way to a party.

SCORPIO: Wrestling with critical opinions and judgmental thoughts? Then the law of karmic returns will give you back exactly what you put out - with interest. It's easy to see wrong things, anyone can do that. Faults are like neon, but this week you'll need to look deeper to see the good stuff. And you are the zodiac's deepest sign.

SAGITTARIUS: Expecting the best sets you up for disappointment because people can't always be at their best. Not even Sagittarians, so go easy on the self-criticism this week. And get your priorities in order. Nobody says on their deathbed: Gee, if only I'd spent more time working... Rest isn't a luxury, it's a necessity.

CAPRICORN: Driving yourself too hard this week will only make you tense - so don't go there and everyone will thank you. Accept the fact that you're never going to finish that to-do list. Who says you have to? Who wrote the list anyway? Just who's slavedriving who? Select whatever's absolutely necessary and reschedule the rest..

AQUARIUS: This week ushers in the annual clean-up-your-act transit, where you attend to things you've been putting off. Like that elephant in the middle of the living room you're pretending isn't there (what elephant?) - that's generating an undercurrent of tension and anxiety and becoming increasingly stressful the less it's addressed.

PISCES: Sensible, disciplined Virgo vibes are excellent medicine for you lovable bundles of extreme emotions. Which means that instead of just dreaming about it - whatever it is - you'll actually be doing it. And if something upsets you this week, don't go into blaming - just give yourself whatever you need to make it better.