Horoscopes

ARIES: Going at things like a bat out of hell is very tough on the system, Aries. You think you're a superforce, but you're only human. It can be wonderfully relaxing, and far less strain, accepting some things the way they are. Cut yourself some slack this week.

TAURUS: Don't hesitate to question the status quo if it seems unreasonable this week, or withhold your support for unethical practices, however widespread. Be rich in your praise where it's warranted - and open to getting back a bit of the same.

GEMINI: This week asks you to take a long hard look at where you are, size up the situation, make a realistic assessment and choose a course of action to commit to (yes, the C word) - all in a totally unsentimental, eyes-wide-open way.

CANCER: The bossy and controlly are out in force this week wielding their whims of steel. You might feel like screws are being subtly tightened and invisible pressures escalating. Set boundaries and limits, and maintain your independence no matter what.

LEO: Proud Lions usually have great difficulty changing their mind once it's made up. Ditto acknowledging mistakes or poor judgement and saying sorry because it makes them feel inferior (guess what sign John Howard is?). This week, well - just get over it, Majesty.

VIRGO: If you really want to assess things clearly and objectively, it's important to see just how much your beliefs and emotions influence your opinions. Otherwise an unbiased estimation of this week's options - their possible repercussions and rewards - isn't going to be easy.

LIBRA: This week's auspicious for a bit of the ambitious networking you do so smoothly - meeting, greeting, cruising and schmoozing. You may have to consider letting something go in order to get something better. Make sense? Don't worry, it will...

SCORPIO: Scorpios like testing themselves: against resistance, obstacles, what others consider overwhelming odds. You usually win, even if it's a pyhrric victory - but this week you might be too exhausted to grin. Think about more profitable ways of spending your energy.

SAGITTARIUS: Taking on too many things dissipates your present abundant energy, which will be most effective taking care of one area. You'll be best off using this week's impressive Capricorn determination to focus your attention in one direction.

CAPRICORN: Capricorns rely almost solely on their own judgement, but don't exclude outside input this week. Invite others in to share your private, internal world. You're a great giver, but how about a bit of non-conditional receiving for a change...

AQUARIUS: Some people hang on till the bitter end in losing propositions rather than make a change of direction, but they're usually not Aquarians. It may pay to cut your losses and simply walk away from something this week - or does it still have something to teach you?

PISCES: Something quite unexpected - could be pleasant, could be not so - seems likely to reroute this week's plans. Which, let's face it, could do with some kind of interesting distraction. And weren't you looking for a new direction anyway?