Horoscopes

ARIES: Mars moving into Aries increases your oomph, drive, enthusiasm - and impatience. This week temper flares will create extra stress unless firmly addressed. The stars suggest evening rest at home with loved ones, doona and oodles of comfort food, doing nada.

TAURUS: Economic and emotional worries could make you want to drown your aggravations by over-indulging this week. Another option would be downsizing material considerations, being as fair and kind to all concerned as you can, and the squeeze is likely to ease.

GEMINI: Geminis are usually happiest travelling - imagining flying or driving somewhere leaves their troubles behind. But this week has humdrum needs: pacing yourself, being patient, returning the attentions of those who care about you, and avoiding excessive indulgence.

CANCER: Mercury joining Venus in Cancer makes you an easy touch for a sob story or pity push. Not a bad thing - just something you need to know so you're not totally a slave to your emotions dealing with this week's relationship sagas, family dramas and political alarms.

LEO: There's some powerful persuaders out and about at the moment, Majesty. You're one of the best yourself, and not easily conned - but it still wouldn't hurt a wise Lion to give honesty more credence than flattery this week, even if it does feel a touch uncomfortable.

VIRGO: You're adaptable, flexible and versatile right now, but really speedy. And Cancer Venus is a stay-at-home goddess who wants you having a sensual, veg-out week. Go on - the universe won't implode or your immune system collapse if you don't complete the to-do list.

LIBRA: Even if things go pear shaped, this is one of those weeks you can easily turn that to your advantage - snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, as Shakespeare so vividly phrased it - and with inimitable Libran flair make a monumental cock-up look like the latest style statement.

SCORPIO: Capitalise on whatever you have this week - whether it's your mailing list, investments, specific skills, raw talent, style, notoriety or streetwise knowledge of human fallibility. Isn't it absolutely amazing, the incredible diversity you have to choose from?

SAGITTARIUS: Consider the future this week, rather than being fixated on immediate returns. Think like a gardener - about careful preparation, judicious cultivation, the right timing, and finally, who your harvest is going to benefit besides yourself.

CAPRICORN: The intellect reasons step by step. Intuition strikes like lightning. The intellect tries to make you feel safe, intuition blows your mind. You mightn't be able to explain how you know what you know this week, but whatever it is, you know it in your bones...

AQUARIUS: There are times to push forward, and other times - like this week - when it becomes necessary to back off. Those who don't, won't or can't tend to end up being shoved there by existence - invariably much more painful than doing it yourself.

PISCES: Juggling the manic, the tragic and the magical - the human condition in all its manifest and gory glory - could zigzag you back and forth between laughter and tears this week. You'll probably need to give or send healing energy to someone who desperately needs it.