Star Power: The Week Ahead
________________PETER VIDAL

ARIES
(21 March - 20 April)
You may be having second thoughts, Aries. This is a turn of events to be welcomed, for in re-examining all your personal commitments and obligations, you will finally work out which are truly valuable and which may be dropped. Romantically, an old disappointment should soon be healed, and you might wonder what you were ever so upset about!

TAURUS
(21 April - 21 May)
Pleasures of an artistic or cultured kind will come into their own, a night at the opera perhaps, or just curling up with a good book. Sporting Taureans should be in for a boost, with Wednesday and Thursday being the optimum days for breaking records. In love, it is older and more experienced people who are most reliable.

GEMINI
(22 May - 21 June)
Those of you with responsibility of children will let younger people set the pace, for I think you have much to learn. This week all Geminians, whatever their age, inclinations or experience, should be delightfully young at heart. A youthful approach could even get you a new job — or at least attract the attention of the people who matter.

CANCER
(22 June - 23 July)
In love it’s dream time. You could have stepped straight from the page of a romantic fantasy, you’re that sentimental. Yet remember one thing — that you must tell lovers how you feel. They’re not mind readers! Business matters require great caution around Tuesday and Wednesday, as someone is likely to add a few zeroes to a price tag.

LEO
(24 July - 23 August)
Fate has certainly taken a large hand in your affairs over the past 10 weeks, and volcanic influences are still seething within the depths of your sign. Yet this week it’s partners who are beginning to feel the squeeze. Be kind to younger people who now need your assistance.

VIRGO
(24 August - 23 September)
You're in one of your famous perfectionist moods, and likely to conclude that if a job is worth doing it is worth doing yourself. The problem is that colleagues and family members will expect you to do more than your share! Do try not to be exploited. Ask yourself whether this is, perhaps, the time to trust others to take charge and learn from their own mistakes.

LIBRA
(24 September - 23 October)
There is no pressure, and you will not be forced, but you should talk to other people about what exactly is happening on the personal level. A short journey and a visit to an old friend will help. Educational matters will be subject to a strange but helpful twist.

SCORPIO
(24 October - 22 November)
Amorous Scorpios are facing a choice, if not reaching the crossroads. All of you, in love or not, will be pulled between competing social scenes and situations, and the stars will see to it that you make the right choice by Friday. Shopping trips could prove costly midweek, mainly because if you can’t decide what you want, you’re liable to buy everything.

SAGITTARIUS
(23 November - 22 December)
Having fun should no longer be the focus. It’s time to deal with fundamentals, which means that family should be given priority over all professional concerns. And at work, there are essential, routine tasks to be dealt with before you can achieve a final, ultimate, ambition. A romantic dream could come true on Thursday.

CAPRICORN
(23 December - 20 January)
You have most certainly been under some personal strain lately, but now shopping, or even just window shopping, is an ideal way to relieve the pressure and help you shrug off the blues. Thursday and Friday could be your best days for picking up bargains, so be careful with your cash. But don’t forget to take it easy on yourself.

AQUARIUS
(21 Janury - 19 February)
Life will finally seem to settle down after a few excitable months. A colourful new addition to your lifestyle will begin to seem not quite such a good idea after all, but whatever is lost or abandoned now will be restored and recovered by March next year, much to your relief.

PISCES
(20 February - 20 March)
There's no harm in keeping your feelings to yourself for a little while longer, especially if family members are behind the times and may not be so receptive. Your social stars are strong and you could go out dancing on Tuesday, but have an early night on Friday. Business partners will make profitable proposals on Thursday.

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY

Sunday, July 30
Various important planets are aligned with regions of your chart connected with money. At the heart of financial issues though, is the extent to which you have managed to consistently undervalue your own worth. There is no merit in false humility!

Monday, July 31
The latest lunar alignments make a dramatic impact on your chart. This is a great indication of coming social responsibilities, and if you should be drifting towards some sort of committee activity, life couldn’t be more promising. Financial questions must be taken one at a time. Otherwise you run the risk of making a major mistake. And you don’t want to do that, now do you?

Tuesday, August 1
If you're planning personal activities for the coming month, go for anything which is guaranteed to be sociable. Bear in mind that as the months pass your desires will change, and what makes sense now will be a very different proposition within six months’ time, so build in a little flexibility.

Wednesday, August 2
You may spend as much time by yourself as you like, and don’t let others dragoon you into joining in any sort of group activity against your will, least of all collective fun. Everything has to be done in your own time, and only when you are good and ready.

Thursday, August 3
You may have decided to break free from a tired old routine but are currently undecided as to what plan of action to follow next. Wait a little while longer and use the present time to test out the various options, trying out your plans on friends and relatives. Foreign travel strongly favours a romantic liaison, and the further you go the more likely you are to find the place — or person — of your dreams!

Friday, August 4
Venus is now about the best celestial symbol you could hope to have. Now is no time to sit at home moping and dwelling on the past. You must get out and make the most of your extraordinarily attractive charms. Don’t be shy and hesitant! At work, charm colleagues and you’ll soon open the door to a new job offer.

Saturday, August 5
It is time for serious contemplation about the nature of the universe and your place within it. If you think that such behaviour is irrelevant, please consider the fact that down-to-earth projects won’t work unless you understand the broader pattern. But you must also have practical support. In other words, you need more money!

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