Stars for the Year to 2013

Taking Charge, Transforming your World

After a rocky couple of years, capped by worrying — and misplaced — Mayan predictions about the end of the world, everybody’s feeling drained. This media induced “doom and gloom” is the result of an unrelenting bad news. Problems seem to have no quick fixes — but, actually, that attitude is the biggest problem. However, with the powerhouse planets Pluto, Neptune and, from June, fortunate Jupiter in intuitive water signs, each of us will become increasingly aware. We’ll tune into what’s nurturing — intellectually, emotionally and out in the world. If a challenge arises you can deal with, analyse it. Then, do whatever is necessary. If it’s business, learn what you must then. Otherwise, focus on happiness. Think what it means to you. It’s about life’s simple joys: people, meals together, working and playing hard — and not acquiring unnecessary stuff. With this heightened awareness, you’ll discover what triggers fears and soon handle the situations, people or ideas involved wisely.

During 2013, make introducing more joy into your life a game — the more you play it, the more you win.

Aries March 20 – April 18

Important as achieving your goals is, that happiness isn’t lasting. For you the key is achieving and maintaining a balance between pursuing your own goals and spending time with those you care about most.

For you, the year of 2013 begins with a sense of promise and inspiration. While things may not move as swiftly as you’d like, the presence of your ruler Mars in Aries, from mid-March until April 20, strengthens your commitment to achieving your goals and boosts your spirits. By midyear there’s progress. However, whatever you’re pursuing, at home or out in the world, taking things further requires the support of others, which means being flexible. Actually, this is important — you must soon review your thinking and plans with others. This leads to changes. While the year’s achievements may be different from what you’d anticipated, you’ll be proud of what you accomplish.

Taurus April 19 – May 19

Recognise every day brings choices, and set out with the intention to enjoy what you’re given. That sets your programming. Better yet, even if the unexpected arises, you’ll be ready to greet it.

Few things make you happier than knowing you’ve got things organised. You can relax and let events unfold as planned. But soon events expose you to ideas or offers so intriguing you can’t ignore them, enough that by March you’re considering disruptive changes. The trick is to pursue these, keeping arrangements loose enough to accommodate the unexpected events triggered by the Taurus eclipsed New Moon on May 10. This so alters your perspective that when enforced changes mid-year alter plans, you’re relieved. Recognising the value of these developments may be difficult. Once you do, however, you’ll soon be embracing plans — and passions — that earlier in the year you regarded with suspicion.

Gemini May 20 – June 20

Your quick mind and wit may be some of your biggest assets. But get involved in negative chat, even if it’s in fun, and you’ll soon become dispirited. Try putting yourself on a “positivity diet”.

It could be said that what you’ll be dealing with during the first half of this year began in June of 2012, when Jupiter, planet of growth and opportunity, moved into Gemini. It remains until July 26, which means you’re in for yet more exciting surprises, encounters and offers. Knowing that, explore everything but ensure arrangements are flexible. While some changes fall into place, others arouse anxieties, either about what you’re leaving behind or venturing into unfamiliar territory. Still, if in doubt, say yes. While you can withdraw from activities that don’t work later, much of what comes your way could be regarded as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Cancer June 21 – July 21

Sometimes being positive means letting go of who and what isn’t good enough. Admitting this isn’t easy. Yet it boosts your spirits now and prepares you for the amazing second half of 2013

The year of 2013 divides neatly into two halves. During the first half you’ll be examining elements of your life that don’t work. Equally, you’ll be thinking about what you’d like to do and achieve, including plans and pursuits that seem beyond your reach. Have faith, because with the courageous Mars in Cancer from July 13 to August 28 and the bountiful Jupiter in your sign, for a year, from July 26, you’re beginning a period of amazing growth and opportunity. Some of what arises will not be unexpected but many events will be a surprise. And aim high. You’ll only regret what you didn’t pursue, not what you did.

Leo July 22 – August 21

Your intuitive powers are strong. And your feelings are intense. Yet in your haste, you sometimes ignore them. Now, during 2013, you’ll learn to listen to them and to heed their guidance.

Even the most energetic and ambitious of Leos has a strong connection with home. And with the practical Saturn accenting this side of your life all year, you’ll be concentrating both on making improvements in your actual physical home and on relations with family and loved ones. Yet you’ll also feel restless, which means you’ll want to explore intellectually, via travel and perhaps even spiritually. What you encounter stirs a new passion, one you’ll be pursuing by midyear. This is rewarding but demands you juggle these interests with existing arrangements, especially from September. Challenging as this may be, the rewards you get more than justify the effort required.

Virgo August 22 – September 21

Putting your life in order is an achievement. But putting your feelings in order requires you to delve into them, which can initially be challenging. Acquire this skill and everything will seem sunnier.

There’s no greater pleasure for you than to make a perfect plan, one that takes into account practical matters and, equally, deals with the requirements of every individual involved. Yet during most of 2013, you’ll need to make halfway arrangements, usually because of ongoing changes in the actual situation in question. This may initially be frustrating but you soon realise this gives you room to explore in ways that wouldn’t usually be possible. Between the ideas and individuals you encounter, you’re inspired. Enough that when Mars moves into Virgo, on October 15, for a stay of nearly two months, you’ll set challenging yet inspiring goals, personally and out in the world.

Libra September 22 – October 22

During this year of positivity, you’re being encouraged to do something unusual; be selfish. Sympathise with others about their problems. Then allow yourself to be happy even if they aren’t.

By now you’re finally recognising the ways you benefited from the stern Saturn’s presence in your sign, from late 2009 until October 5 2012. The challenges you faced and what you learnt are now paying off. But you’re still considering your options. Don’t rush this process, as every month brings new insights and appealing options. You’re rethinking your priorities. And, often, conflicts at home or with loved ones delay decisions. Besides, with Mars, planet of ego, moving into Libra on December 7 for an unusually long and amazingly illuminating seven-month stay, you’ll want to ensure arrangements flexible. Who and what you encounter and the decisions you make could transform your life.

Scorpio October 23 – November 21

The unexpected is challenging enough to deal with, but not being in control really annoys you. However, you have a choice. You can accept what each day brings or demand what you haven’t been given.

The last thing any Scorpio wants is to face confusion. You’re strong and can handle almost any challenge, as long as you know what it is you’re facing. Yet during 2013, you’ll face unreliable information or perplexing mysteries, and in a variety of forms. Regard each as an opportunity to broaden your horizons, both in terms of facts and honing your intuition. The Scorpio eclipses on May 10 and November 3 bring both circumstances and your anxieties to a head. Yet what you learn frees you to pursue everything from certain objectives and activities, and matters of the heart, that earlier you regarded as way too risky.

Sagittarius November 22 – December 20

Few things aggravate you more than those who refuse to explore new ideas. Yet you expect them to be happy when you reorganise things suddenly. Learning to accept others as they are, makes life a lot easier.

Even those Sagittarians who are happily married have a freedom-loving streak. This influences how you love, live and think. It also means that you’re not always comfortable bowing to the decisions of others. Yet during 2013, that’s exactly what you’ll have to do, and in a number of situations. In some cases this involves exciting offers, in others allowing longstanding arrangements to come undone. The Sagittarius eclipse on May 25 is a turning point. While you’ll often understand why this is essential, things may not be clear until midyear, when amazing if unexpected options bring all the puzzle pieces together in a single, wonderful image of the future.

Capricorn December 21 – January 18

The high standards you set yourself mean that, despite struggling with doubts, you achieve wonders. But, once you’re there, you don’t always enjoy it. This is your challenge. Savour the here and now.

If there’s a single phrase that sums up this year, it’s “fresh perspective”. With your ruler Saturn accenting new plans or projects and those interesting and, often, unfamiliar individuals with whom you’ll be pursuing these ideas or objectives until 2015, the more you explore, the better. This begins with the powerful Capricorn New Moon on January 11. List your goals then, but ensure they’re flexible, as changes in circumstances but, more importantly, unexpected offers will transform your thinking. By August you’ll be in unfamiliar territory, and have to rely on others. Challenging as this is, by the year’s close, you’re instincts will be stronger and you’ll have learned to trust as never before.

Aquarius January 19 – February 17

Obviously when changes arise, you’ll think plans through. But often that turns into worry, which only leaves you feeling dispirited. In fact, since it achieves nothing, you can simply eliminate it from your life.

Usually you know your own mind, to the extent that you’ve little to question what suits you and what doesn’t. Except with rambunctious Mars in Aquarius from late December 2012 until February 2, circumstances are forcing you to explore and, often, experiment with the unfamiliar. This is good timing, as it prepares you for the fresh start that accompanies the New Moon in your sign on February 10. After that, you’ll have exchanged that certainty for a new inquisitiveness and a more exciting year, and life. That way when events, midyear, shake up familiar elements of your life, you can’t wait to see what’s next.

Pisces February 18 – March 19

“Me first.” That’s a phrase you rarely think, and still less, say. Now a range of situations require exactly that. Initially it seems wrong, selfish. Except you soon realise you’re simply stating your needs, no more.

Even the most down to earth of Pisceans, and there are many, still have a powerful instinct for a magical moment or that offer that could transform a tedious situation into something fantastic. And with the practical Saturn on superb terms with your ruler Neptune for much of the year, that’s exactly what’s coming your way. Explore everything. Trust what you sense is worthwhile but ensure any arrangements are flexible. While there will be some disappointments, with wonderful things coming your way all year, you’ll want to keep your options open so you can continue to explore. This applies as much to your personal life as to practical and professional matters.

For more information on your sign, or to order your own personal chart visit: shelleyvonstrunckel.com. Follow Shelley on twitter @vonStrunckel