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The Following Month Ahead Horoscopes Were Found:

1st February 2003 - 28th February 2003
The base of the horoscope is the foundation of life - new beginnings take shape here and it is an area that covers all things central to your growth and prosperity. It is also a zone associated with home and family. Thus, with some of the month�s most dynamic aspects focusing on base of your chart and the axis of life-direction many Scorpios are in for some big changes. Perhaps you already have an inkling of what those changes are - you could be expecting a new addition to the family or you are about to move home - but whether you are ready and prepared or living in blissful ignorance one piece of advice you might like to follow is to do as much of the difficult, back-breaking �stuff� in the first half of February leaving the second half to look after itself, so to speak.

Money and your overall security is also the subject of attention this month. You could be making a big investment or coping with a large outgoing. And if you are in financial negotiation with an organization or an ex-partner you should avoid being too confrontational, especially mid-month. It�s one thing standing up for your rights, quite another forcing someone into a corner. These same influences will help you make a new financial start so any way in which your income changes should be seen as a springboard to increased security. Likewise, if you�ve been avoiding facing a financial fact these aspects will help you do so.

Returning to the axis of life-direction and the extraordinary alignments between the 14th and 23rd. The picture is one of extremes here: there could be a marvellous opening for your talents and an opportunity to make a name for yourself and on the other there could be a change in your working pattern due to mysterious circumstances. The sun-Uranus conjunction of the 17th - the last in Aquarius and therefore quite the most potent - has the capacity to break the deadlock in any situation. It is the release button and your passport to new territory, especially if your birthday falls between the 20th and 22nd November.

Venus is lighting up the area of communications, suggesting a sweet message from someone very special. This planet will also encourage discussions as to the future of a relationship or commitment. Remember: confrontation is to be avoided. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar!

1st January 2003 - 31st January 2003
With Mercury turning retrograde on 2nd January the year may get off to a rather slow and convoluted start. In a perfect world, you'd be on holiday, blissfully unaware and certainly uninvolved in the chaos caused by weather, strikes and miss-connections. Then again national and international travel could have its little problems! Set your mind into tranquil-mode and refuse to be fazed by other people's mental and emotional U-turns. And if nothing is in place when you return to normal, might I suggest you start over with a completely different arrangement.

Part of my reason for suggesting that you start over is the dominance of Uranus. As you may well know by now this planet has a shocking habit of turning things upside down and presenting you with out of the blue events. Often great and good developments ensue from these surprise happenings but since you are a sign who relishes the security of the familiar and someone who needs to be in control sudden and unexpected experiences are rarely greeted with enthusiasm. Therefore, during the first half of the month and especially around the 3rd and 12th do not assume that everything is in the bag or that you can predict precisely what someone or some organization will do. You can't.

Since Venus and Mars are in your own sign when they square up to Uranus you are far more likely to take things personally and to go onto the defensive at the slightest provocation. But do your best to take everything in your stride - detachment is all. By the same token these astrological influences could pitchfork you into the limelight. They could also make for a huge change in the romantic and marital status-quo, especially if your birthday falls between the 16th and 23rd of November.

Finances are another big feature of January's stars. Events during the last week of the month have a make or break quality to them, so you could find yourself frenziedly juggling finances or on the receiving end of a lucky financial break. Detachment, detachment!

1st March 2003 - 31st March 2003
There is more than one reason why March is a key month but top of the list is the entry of Uranus into your fellow water sign, Pisces. For the last few years Uranus has been stationed at the base of your chart and causing a fair amount of disruption. This planet has made it difficult for you to find stability and security and has presented you with many changes, especially in regard to your career and your home life - there may have been some major family upheavals too. But from March 10th Uranus will be in harmony with your sign and most importantly it will help you release dormant talents, bring new endeavours into being and in general arrive at a whole new stage of life. Uranus will also bring you into contact with unusual people and take you into some fascinating spaces - literally and figuratively.

For most of March Venus will be gracing the area of home and family, making this a month of home improvements, whether this implies painting, decorating and refurbishing or in regard to family relations. Mars is also on side, speeding up communications and helping you become pro-active and productive!

However, like any month, there is a trouble spot and in March you�ll find it between the 8th and 18th. During these ten days a configuration involving that much loved duo, Saturn and Pluto, will be in operation and although you can achieve great things under these two planets, they are more likely to give you a hard time. Finances and/or an association could be the most vulnerable to Saturn-Pluto events in March but you could offset any potential difficulties by taking a hard line at the beginning of March or by confronting a problem and dealing with it before it becomes a monster! There is always the possibility, of course, that national or international developments impact on your plans and your schedule too.

Nonetheless, March should have its happy moments for Scorpio. Enjoy.

1st April 2003 - 30th April 2003
Gentler alignments indicate a sweeter experience of life. So, even if the planets cannot right the world�s wrongs they will at least help us cope better with difficulties and enable us to make progress towards peace. Likewise, in your case, April�s largely positive astrology may not turn your life around in one fell swoop, nor make you immune to problems, but it will give you a better grip on situations and a more positive attitude to life in general.

This month the focus of the astrology is on preparation and organization. It�s one of those periods when you need to look at what is blocking up the pipe-line and what needs to be removed in order to get your life to flow better. In some cases, this will translate as a major health offensive: you may suddenly decide that you want to be healthier and fitter, which means you have the stars behind you when it comes to embarking on an exercise programme, redefining your eating plan and sorting out those annoying aches and pains that you�ve been putting up with for far too long. In other cases, it will be your job situation that receives an overhaul. Whatever system is stream-lined and revamped in April will help you reach your goals more quickly and more easily.

The trickiest period of April falls between the 11th and 19th. You may not have all the facts at your disposal at this time so aside from refusing to become too excited about your prospects or overly gloomy about them you should avoid buying into other people�s dramas and dilemmas. It�s not quite a case of least-said-soonest-mended, more that a little research and greater patience will provide a far better outcome.

On the 20th the sun heads into the relationship sector of your solar chart, all set for a season of developments focused on your love life in particular and your partnerships in general.

1st May 2003 - 31st May 2003
Neptunian fogs are for other people, not your astrologer, but I must confess to being somewhat dazed by the sheer volume and complexity of May�s astrological material. Neptune is a prime-mover, since this planet forms major angles to the personal planets throughout May, so there are bound to be muddles over arrangements and misunderstandings will proliferate: on the other hand there will be ample opportunity for us all to demonstrate our compassion for others and things of the spirit will be to the fore.

The sun, Mercury and Venus (the latter from the 16th) will be occupying the seventh house of relationships thereby ensuring that other people will dominate your life and you will have to make yourself available to receive their opinions, their plans and their desires! (Your turn to run the show will come.) Thanks to Mercury�s retrograde passage through this relationship area, it may seem as though you too are heading backwards and it may be that a partnership, friendship or love-affair goes into reverse, albeit temporarily. Your best bet is to wait until Mercury gets back on course (20th) before you press the panic button - something hidden is invariably revealed and matters can begin to be resolved once Mercury�s direction has changed.

The single-most important astrological development in May is the lunar eclipse in Scorpio on the 16th. This eclipse has a relationship with one that took place in your sign last November, and it will link to the next lunar eclipse in November this year. This cycle of eclipses, falling as it does on the relationship axis, will make you very aware of what you need from a relationship so it will also have the effect of side-lining certain people in your life and bringing to your side new and significant people. At this time it will be especially those Scorpios with birthdays on or near 15th November who see what or who is a worthy emotional investment. And, indeed this may be the month you marry or head to the solicitors!

One last word about Neptune. While I do not want to prevent you from enjoying a magical experience in love, or indeed anything that takes you out of yourself, you also need to be on your guard for people who misrepresent themselves or situations that are anything but how you see them, or what you are told about them. It�s called being on the ball, I think.

1st May 2003 - 1st May 2003
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this months forecast has been delayed! Please call back again soon. Penny

1st June 2003 - 30th June 2003
Well, I wouldn�t describe these stars as fun on sticks but you�ll hardly be bored. One of the reasons for the shortfall in unbridled joy is a series of hard angles to Uranus and Pluto, which come in the wake of the 31st May�s solar eclipse. Pluto and Uranus have their uses, of course, and these almost always centre on the themes of enlightenment and revelation. Quite how your life will reflect these themes, depends on your natal chart, however, from a strictly solar-chart perspective it seems finance and emotional or working commitments are the most likely source of wake-up calls and reality checks.

In your favour are Venus�s transit of the relationship zone (until the 10th) and Saturn�s entry into a thoroughly useful area of your solar chart - that of long distance horizons. Venus could have led to some agreeable romantic developments in May, yet the first ten days of June continue to give your love-life a boost. Other people are far more likely to respond to your charms with Venus in this position and meetings should be convivial and may well lead to even more positive developments in the future - Wednesday the 4th is a particularly favourable day. Saturn�s entry into the ninth house of far horizons - also on the 4th - begins a two-year period in which you can put your stamp on life. Over the past few years you have had to contend with a degree of uncertainty and sudden change but thanks to Saturn�s new position this trend will gradually disappear. Saturn will help you search and find deeper truths in life and your knowledge and contact with other cultures and religions/philosophies will increase - and in ways you might never have imagined.

Scorpio is not an impulsive sign - self-preservation is a highly developed instinct in the Scorpion - but sometimes your emotions pitchfork you into self-destruct mode, and this you must be extra careful about during June, especially on or near the 9th, 12th, 14th, 23rd and 25th. Once the dust has settled you should be able to resolve a financial glitch or see your way over an emotional impasse. Add compromise and distance to your new vocabulary.

1st July 2003 - 31st July 2003
Scorpio is perhaps the most intense and focused sign of the zodiac so you, more than almost anyone, needs to pull back from time to time in order to gain distance and perspective. And this is one of those times. Planets soaring through the ninth house of far horizons may be inspiring you to travel and see the world; on the other hand, they could be urging you take a broader look at one or more situations in life. You�re going to find the next few weeks a pleasant and refreshing change from what has gone before and, if you do nothing else, you should make an effort to get away from home territory, albeit for a mere twenty-four hours, and to add new content to your lifestyle.

The month kicks off to a Saturnian start, which in your case could mean a solid result of some description. Normally aspects to Saturn are rather heavy-going, making us work hard for our success and pleasure, however, since this planet is at an harmonious angle to your sun sign you may find instead that Saturn helps you achieve a desired outcome. These first ten days of July have a realistic aura to them yet the facts that emerge at this time, or the realizations that you reach, will help put your life and your aims on a more solid course. Likewise, the full moon of the 13th could coincide with the end of a legal matter, a period of study or the moment signatures can be placed on the dotted line. On the other hand, if you are traveling on the weekend of the 12th you should allow a little more time for journeys and exert patience in the face of any irritation or upset.

From the 13th planets begin to gather in the tenth house of career and life-direction, thereby beginning a crucial six-week phase for such matters. Jupiter has been in this all-important area of your solar chart for some months and if, as yet, you have not experienced increased professional or material success the period up until late August could well produce the goods. At the very least, the steps you take to improve your position in the world will lead to future success. This month, the period around the 25th July is an especially fertile time for you all round. As for the 31st - expect the unexpected and you won�t be disappointed.

1st August 2003 - 31st August 2003
August is a go-ahead and far-ranging month - and one when your plans may prove to be at odds with those of the gods, so to speak. But before you retreat to the safety of old habits and routines, one of the most important messages to reach you now is that the old ways are not always the best ways - in order to grow and thrive things must change.

Now, it may be that you have already selected August as a time when you�ll head off to new territory, albeit for two weeks, even so you could find that what happens somewhere far from home makes for a more permanent change in the future. There is, of course, a lot to be said for sticking with a job or a relationship for the security and stability it provides but if this blocks your talents and suppresses your feelings and creativity such a status-quo ought to change. With this in mind the full moon of the 12th could prove entirely helpful. This full moon will illuminate the pluses and the minuses to certain situations and it will help you make good decisions about where and with whom your future interests are best served. And with Mercury angling ruler, Pluto, on the 13th there is a real push comes to shove feel about this period.

On the 18th, the sun, Venus and Jupiter unite at the Mid-heaven of your solar chart - a most auspicious aspect. If at this time an offer appears or you have a strong impulse to make a move, go with that offer or feeling. This could prove to be a very loving and romantic time and an opportunity to strengthen a relationship or make an impression on a person or an organization should not be missed. However, this triple conjunction is not alone - it is opposed by anarchic Uranus. Thus, it is possible that an unforeseen event upends an arrangement or that a long-standing commitment ends suddenly and initially for no apparent reason. If this turns out to be the scenario that greets you at the end of August, do your best to put a positive spin on the situation - Scorpio is somewhat resistant to change and sometimes the only way to make you see that you have been heading in quite the wrong direction is to force you onto a new path.

1st September 2003 - 30th September 2003
There�s a lot to be said for being a steel-back-boned Scorpio. When the going gets tough, you just get stronger and more determined. Now, before you give up on your monthly stars and head for another astrologer who is handing out palliatives like M and M�s, your chart is in basic good shape so, unlike the rest of the zodiac who may have cause to berate their stars, you may well experience a triumph.

For much of September the solar eleventh house of collaborations and creative endeavours is in the frame, so this is anything but a month of solo enterprises and solitary passages. Indeed, you are about to discover just how important team-work and friendship are to your existence. A series of aspects to ruler, Pluto, between the 5th and 17th , then again on the weekend of the 27th, bring an all-or-nothing, now-or-never aura to events. Thus, you may experience the break-through that you have been working towards or you may be compelled to take an action that closes the door on an endeavour or an association. Not all Scorpios are going to have an identikit experience, of course, but the general flavour of the astrology is one of tough decisions and forceful actions. And with Mercury retrograding until the 20th and Mars retrograding until the 27th it may take some while to unravel the meaning of events and other people�s actions. Pluto encourages that which is dark and hidden to come into the light, so we can expect a fair amount of political turmoil in September and some personal moments of truth. In this kind of climate you get to see what people are truly made of and what they stand for.

From the 23rd the sun will be secreted in the low-key twelfth house of your chart, so from this point through to late October you need to pay a little more attention to health and fitness: on the plus side things of an intuitive and spiritual nature add to your quality of life, and encourage you to believe in and build on your dreams.

1st October 2003 - 31st October 2003
It�s a strange little world when the sun transits the twelfth house of mystery and illusion, but one in which you�re well equipped to dwell. Until the 23rd when the sun enters your sign, you have the time to reflect on your life in general and build up your physical and emotional reserves. Ideally, you should attend to health worries and look at ways in which to improve fitness levels. You should also pay a lot more attention to your dreams and intuitions. Yet at the same time this period can produce its fair share of conundrums. It may seem as if certain individuals are keeping their distance or that one or more situations is proving difficult to grasp: the trouble is, the more you force issues, the more you press people for answers, the more elusive they will become. It�s a case of waiting and seeing, while inwardly preparing for your time in the sun.

As an antidote to the seclusion of the twelfth house, Venus moves through your sign from the 9th until the end of the month. Venus can make life more romantic than usual and she certainly bathes you in a favourable light. While, there is an overriding need to conserve your energies and to wait until the full picture emerges before you make important decisions, if you have an opportunity to impress someone, you should not put off the chance until a better time. Venus is the hand-maid to success. The weekend of the 18th could prove especially happy and fortuitous and with the new moon in your sign on the weekend of the 25th this could also be a time of fresh starts and new openings.

Saturn plays a big part in October�s developments. Journeys have a heavy duty feel to them, especially around the 6th, 10th, 14th and 20th and you may face delays or postponements of more than one endeavour or arrangement. You will have to go through the small print in contracts and where legal matters are concerned, you need the best advice available - indeed, seeking a second or third opinion would be no bad thing. Yet, Saturn is very helpful with setting the seal on agreements so what comes through in October should stand the test of time and those people who give you their word, should stand by it.

1st November 2003 - 30th November 2003
There�s not a lot you can say about November�s stars except: Wow! Rarely have there been such beautiful yet challenging alignments - and if you want to know a little more about what they may mean for humanity as a whole, please take a look at my new article on astrolutely.com, Harmonic Convergences, Eclipses and other awe-inspiring matters..

As the month begins the sun is already in your sign, replenishing your energies and revitalizing your hopes and ambitions but the fireworks really get going around the time of the total lunar eclipse (8th/9th). Full moons aid closure and bring answers to questions but when they are eclipsed these themes resound even more powerfully. The relationship axis is involved here so this could be the time you tie the marital knot, join an organization, or quite the opposite - cut the ties that bind and leave a company. Enlightening is one way of summing up the first two weeks of the month, unnerving might be another. Furthermore, if you have a birthday towards the end of your sign - say between the 19th and 22nd November - Uranus is a prime-mover, which means there is a very liberating and certainly destabilizing edge to events from the 8th onwards. November is a time when new people and new situations enter your life with the force of a hurricane and it is also a month when what you believed was unchanging and unchangeable changes beyond recognition.

Finances are also in the frame and while the second total eclipse - this time a new moon eclipse on the 23rd - could signal a new source of income or an unexpected monetary gain, eclipses are not renowned for their benevolence so you may need to be extra careful with your financial dealings and a policy of save rather than spend should be adopted.

November is anything but dull, indeed it could prove to be the proverbial roller-coaster ride.

1st December 2003 - 31st December 2003
The financial area of your solar chart is under heavy fire in December - all right, this is one of the most expensive months of the year but there could be other reasons why your bank account is showing a large deficit - or, in some cases a huge surplus. Well, you know what life is like for the Scorpio extremist - feast or famine! Then again, money may not be the main cause of December�s ups or downs, it could instead be your sense of self-worth.

Certainly there looks to be a reckoning, whether you will be weighing up the pros and cons of a relationship, a business venture or just where the money has gone. Once the full moon of the 8th has passed you should have some answers, although you may want to wait until the 12th to commit thought to action. A combination of Pluto and Saturn makes the period around the 12th a revealing one: the past comes back into the present and concealed issues rise to the surface. Ideally, you should eliminate the dead wood under Pluto, thereby freeing up some aspect of your life, and even if someone else does precisely that for you, see the situation in as positive a light as possible.

Mercury�s retrograde turn on the 17th may be the last thing we all need before Christmas, but with a little careful planning and a lot of patience, travel and communications need not be a three-act drama. Aside from the sheer volume of people trying to get places before Christmas there could be other factors that interfere with travel, thus a contingency plan or two would not go amiss; likewise, if you want to have a stress-free opening to 2004, make sure that messages reach their destination and that you have left no loose financial ends.

New Year�s Eve is a somewhat Saturnian affair. Fortunately, Saturn is in a helpful part of your solar chart, so any profound moments shared on the stroke of midnight will tend to add to your life in the future, not subtract from it.

1st January 2004 - 31st January 2004
As a Fixed sign letting go of anything has its scary side - even a year as difficult as 2003 - but, be brave: heave that old year into the dustbin of history and set your sights on the new! Not that the first week of 2004 is exactly a bundle of laughs. Saturn has a big part to play in the proceedings and while this might translate as a monster hang-over from the best party ever, events could instead add up to a moment of truth. With Mercury in retrograde until the 6th problems with travel and communications are likely to continue, whether this has more to do with the weather and the post-Christmas backlog or because you do not feel like dealing with anything of a challenging nature. However, the best way to work with Saturn is just that - work. Attack the difficulty or the task in question and enjoy living in the glow of virtue and accomplishment. The full moon of the 7th could have the effect of bringing a simmering issue to boiling point and while this may serve a useful purpose, letting your emotions fly will serve no purpose at all. This full moon could also coincide with the end of the Christmas break and if you are travelling then be prepared for some delays and congestion.

By the 9th, life is beginning to look up. A delightful link between the sun and Jupiter could amount to a happy social event or the successful outcome to a proposal or some other labour of love. And anything that comes into being at that time should prove life-enhancing indeed. On the 15th Venus heads into the creative and romantic sector of your solar chart, giving you a lot more sparkle and enthusiasm for life - you may also find that a partner becomes a lot more amorous or that a new romantic interest appears.

On the 20th the sun reaches the base of your chart and is immediately followed by a new moon. Family, property and domestic matters are all under the astro-microscope from this point on and even if you are not planning a house move or any kind of renovation and refurbishment, this is nonetheless one of the best periods of the year to put your house in order.

1st February 2004 - 29th February 2004
After a somewhat slow and laboured start to 2004, life begins to move apace. On the 3rd, Mars enters the zone of relationships, providing a kick-start for any faltering love affairs but also making the climate rather more contentious and conflict ridden than usual. And this is a trend that will be in effect until the 20th March, so don�t assume that because by the middle of February nothing has happened to your love life and no one has opposed you that such scenarios cannot develop! The sun�s passage through the fourth house of home and family will bring domestic matters to the fore and the full moon of the 6th ends a pattern here. This full moon could turn out to be the signal for a house move or some other change on home territory but it will also highlight any imbalance between work and your private life. Like all full moons that take place on the major axes of your chart, these are times when you reach a crossroads of sorts and decisions to change course, whether in a major or minor way, need to be made. Valentine�s Day is hosted by Venus and Saturn - a very serious couple if I may say so. Those who have chosen this day to get married have chosen well, since these planets in aspect make agreements binding. However, great whoops of joy may be missing. You get to see the reality of a relationship under these stars, and while you may consider that just being there is the most important component of a relationship, don�t be surprised if you suddenly get the feeling that something is missing. In a few cases the combination of Mars in the area of relationships and the Venus-Saturn link will bring a partnership to breaking point - and we could be talking other kinds of relationships here, not just romantic ones. As always, when you feel one of those all or nothing moments coming on, bide your time until you have thought everything through. Uranus comes on line from the 19th, so although the latter part of February may prove rather unsettling, you will not find it dull. Especially if you have an October birthday this is likely to be a very liberating time and one when new windows of opportunity open up suddenly and in places you never believed possible.

1st March 2004 - 31st March 2004
Three months into the new year and isn�t it about time you had some fun? Whenever planets transit the fifth house of your solar chart, pleasure, social life and entertainment zoom to the top of the agenda, and even if your diary appears empty of such joys, you should make the effort to get out and about, and do those things that make you feel life is worth living.

Creativity is another aspect of existence that comes to the fore this month: in some cases, the next few weeks are all about new life beginning - fertility issues, pregnancy and birth notwithstanding, you can plant the seeds of new business projects and personal endeavours: there could also be a little more romance to life. Indeed, with Venus and Mars in the area of love and relating, this could be the number one month of 2004 for big romantic developments. Marriages and engagements come into being under such stars, and if you have forgotten what a sex life is like, these stars might just remind you!

Of course into every month a little rain must fall, and in March any deluges are strictly down to Pluto. This planet is in the ascendancy during the first half of the month, and top of the list for any dynamite developments are money and relationships. To a certain extent, there are no surprises here: what happens on or around the 6th and 12th has been brewing for a while, a statement by which you can infer that if you�ve been struggling with a monetary matter or a relationship, March�s aspects are going to urge you to make a sensible, if rather radical, decision, and if you�ve been planning an event or working towards a specific target, these same aspects will guarantee an overwhelming result.

On the 17th, a delightful link between Venus and Jupiter will help ease a difficulty and it may well coincide with a successful or happy event. Certainly, if you meet someone around this date, such a person will enhance your life and, anything that comes into being then looks to be positive and growth-oriented. By contrast, the weekend of the 27th puts Uranus in the frame - expect the unexpected is always the rule with Uranus!

1st April 2004 - 30th April 2004
The sixth house of the horoscope is not the most glamorous of areas, but it is one of the most vital: it represents the working parts of your life, in all senses of the phrase. During the sun�s transit of the sixth house (from now until the 20th April) issues concerning your job and your working routine come under the astro-microscope, so while some Scorpios will be making career moves, others will be seeking ways to balance their work and private lives. This period is one when health matters take prominence: aside from actively seeking to address any health worry, this is a premium time for improving mind, body and spirit. The sixth house precedes the area of love and relating so I also see this zone as one in which the building blocks of new relationships can be implanted and work begun on working and romantic associations, and, indeed, all kinds of friendships and collaborations. To this end the solar eclipse of the 19th could prove highly influential, signalling the arrival of someone new in your life, and the beginning of a new year-long cycle for your love life in particular and relationships in general.

April contains many easier alignments than the previous three month�s, so while I cannot promise an end to all strife on the global front, nor in the personal lives of you and your loved ones, I do think the general climate is better and more conducive to growth and happiness. Venus and Mars will be helping your finances recover from the battering they have taken in recent months, and you should be able to strike new and favourable monetary agreements. Those of you involved in financial wrangles - perhaps with a financial institution, an old employer or because of a divorce - should find your opponents more prepared to reach settlements, and your strategy should be one of letting the other �fellow� make the moves. The Mars-Pluto opposition of the 24th is one of the tougher moments of April, and the days around this date should be seen as ones to tread carefully and to be open to compromise. However, what is achieved on or near this date could represent a life milestone, and one you will be proud of and grateful for, if not now then in the future.

1st May 2004 - 31st May 2004
Not since last November has there been such a spectacular alignment focusing on your sign: indeed, what happens in May could have much to do with events that took place some six months ago. A total lunar eclipse in your sign, brings to an end a cycle of experience, whether this is easy to spot because you are finishing a job, leaving a place in which you have lived or worked for some while, or whether you�re about to get married. Relationships certainly look to be the focus of this eclipse, and even if you have no specific occasion to look forward to, other people look set to play a crucial role in your personal or professional life.

Now, if you�ve read any of my articles on eclipses you�ll already know that I treat them with great respect: they invariably coincide with challenging events, and almost always make great demands on us. Thus, especially if you have an early-to-mid November birthday, avoid pushing anyone to the edge or making a threat that you do not intend to carry out. A relationship already in crisis may not withstand the pressures of May, but an alliance that comes through a difficulty should surely stand the test of time - and whatever else the cosmos may choose to throw at it. And, while I am putting relationships at the top of the event-full list, there could be other aspects of life that reflect this theme.

The alignments of the first week and those between the 25th and 31st could make for one or two significant global developments - we can expect some major eruptions in the corridors of power and a few other explosive episodes. Hopefully, the theme of endings and beginnings - which will continue on through June too - will eventually lead to peace and progress but we may have to hang onto our hats for now.

From the 19th finances take centre stage and around the 27th an unexpected gain or loss is on the cards. Maintain your equilibrium and your sense of humour.

1st June 2004 - 30th June 2004
Scorpio and the eighth house of the horoscope have much in common - deep, intense stuff goes on in the eighth house, and you yourself are no stranger to depth-charged situations. On the face of it, it looks as though finances are going to be the source of any deep and meaningful exchanges, and the cause of any huge highs or lows, but if I were you I would colour in red the first seventeen days of June, because any rumbling issues could erupt with force then. Of course, sometimes alignments like these have more effect on world affairs - they are collective, rather than personal - but even so I would tread warily with organizations and individuals during this storm-tossed month.

A good plan might be to examine the real state of your finances, and do so at the very beginning of the month, then you will be in a position of real knowledge when it comes to arguing your financial point with a partner or employer; also, you will be able to juggle funds in the event of a shortfall. For some Scorpios this is a time when a radical move must be made in order to stabilize your monetary situation while others will be in the fortunate position of making a bit of a killing. And, if it�s not finances that are in make-or-break mode, then it could be relationships. As always under Uranus and Pluto, great alliances are struck and broken!

From the 19th the cosmos settles down, although I wouldn�t assume the hurricanes are entirely over: you�ll be able to make sense of what happened earlier in June, and you could be travelling some distance, or making plans to do so later. Indeed, gaining distance and perspective is the big theme for next month.

1st July 2004 - 31st July 2004
Now, I�m not saying that life is perfect and that if you�re not doing supremely well this year there�s something wrong with you, but I am pointing out that you have more opportunities to find success and happiness in 2004 than you have had for some time. With this in mind, July�s expansive stars could at last open up some new possibilities.

Until the 22nd the sun will be transiting the ninth house of far horizons and while this may coincide with your annual hols it could also encourage you to look further than your own back yard for personal and professional fulfilment. Scorpio has a tendency to be too cautious for its own good, and you can remain tethered to situations that are not conducive to your success and happiness simply for the security they offer, but if you have the courage to follow your dreams you will achieve them. Certainly, during the first half of July, there are realizations to be made, and by setting off on a new track you will make gains of more than one variety. Yes, you can travel widely in July, make contact with people in distant places but you can also create a much bigger palate for your talents and affections.

To add to the sense of conquering new territory and making headway in life, Mars and Mercury combine to get you moving. Organizations and individuals may come to you with offers, and you could be in the spotlight, whether for a social event or a professional reason. Your only problem here could appear between the 10th and 16th when Neptune may cause a misunderstanding or a disappointment. During these few days, double check information and don�t believe rumours or gossip.

From the 22nd, finances and your love life take priority: Pluto is in the picture on the weekend of the 25th so where money and relationships are concerned, remember the old adage: moderation in all things!

1st August 2004 - 31st August 2004
While many people are packing up and heading off to holiday spots, you are in driving mode for very different reasons. For you, August is a time to press ahead with career and ambitions. However, if you do have travel plans for August, since Mercury will be retrograde from the 10th, don�t expect to get anywhere fast! There is also an accent on friendship and team-work, and while the notion that many hands make light work could apply, with feisty Mars is the area of collaboration from the 10th onwards, you may encounter more than your fair share of opposition and controversy. More about this shortly.

Having said that career and ambitions take the top spot, Venus is in perfect alignment, and in the area of far horizons. Therefore, some Scorpios look set to have a brilliant holiday romance while others will begin a love affair with someone from a distant place. The theme of distance and perspective applies to relationships now, which also means that in the event of an upset, putting some distance between you and your partner could help, whether you opt for a temporary separation, or simply look at the situation from a better angle. The 31st could prove to be a very significant date for a relationship.

Mid-month is the best period of all: some positive career or financial news for some, a happy social or romantic event for others. And in general, you should reserve the period between the 12th and 17th for your most important activities.

Now, opposition and controversy! Well, these are typically the work of Uranus, who is very active between the 18th and 27th. Small irritations become the source of major upset during this time and, unless you are very diplomatic, a rift may develop between you and a friend or colleague. Keep your cool, and your regrets will be minimal. Blow your top, and you could be spending September on bended knee!

1st September 2004 - 30th September 2004
I know just how weathercasters must feel when, after a summer of seriously inclement weather, they must inform us that more of the same is to come. Like you, I wish Uranus, Neptune, Saturn and Pluto would take a sabbatical and give us time off for stoical behaviour, but, no, they're here in September to remind us that when we make plans, they're up there in the firmament, laughing 'til they cry.

With planets in the eleventh house September is a month to focus on friendship and team work. You'll learn the advantages of having friends in the right places and the virtues of sharing the load, and the responsibilities. People prove their worth now, which may mean you discover an unpleasant truth about someone or a friend/colleague requires your wisdom, love and support. While Scorpio is a sign that is often better alone and in control, for September at least, you'd be advised to send for reinforcements and network like crazy. On the plus side, you could bring a brand new project into being but on the minus side, you may lose an ally or suffer a disappointment.

Pluto is the main obstacle to perfect happiness this month, but Uranus is in there too, popping up like a jack-in-the-box when you least expect it. Thanks to the alignments of the 7th - 22nd, global affairs could be the focus for much of the upheaval, so aside from the vicissitudes of the weather, we can expect to see a deluge in political circles, some major controversies raging and some stormy exits from the world's stage.

Clearly, when the aspects are challenging we have the momentum to do great things. Push comes to shove with Uranus and Pluto, so it may be that after months of effort something now comes through, much to your relief and satisfaction. However, I always err on the side of caution and would advise you to treat people very carefully in September and not to allow your frustration or anger to get the better of you.

Jupiter comes on side from the 21st in the form of some boosting aspects to the sun and Mars, so a social event on or near this date could turn out to be the high spot of the month. You may also receive some positive news in this latter part of September - indeed what seemed such a problem a few weeks earlier could be rectified or considerably reduced in size.

1st October 2004 - 31st October 2004
At this time of the year the sun passes through the low-key twelfth house of your solar chart, so you are extra vulnerable and more likely to make mountains out of molehills. Therefore, right from the start of the month, aim to get more rest and relaxation, and do your best not to take things so personally. On the other hand, if you have a mystery to solve and some undercover work to perform, you couldn't have a better astro-scape.

Compared with September's challenging alignments, October's are a breeze. Indeed, you may be able to resolve some of September's problems and experience some healing - in every sense of the word. It is an especially good month to look into health matters, whether you need to check-out a minor worry or put some efforts in to acquiring a healthier, more nutritious lifestyle. What you don't want to do is stick your head in the sand and hope a problem will go away: bring worries into the light and they can be seen for what they really are. The inner world of the psyche and soul is reaching out to you in October, and you should pay far more attention to your dreams and intuitions - every great event starts as the spark of an idea!

On the 15th Mercury enters your sign, giving you more clarity and encouraging movement in your affairs but life probably won't get completely into gear until the 23rd, when the sun arrives in Scorpio. Five days later, on the 28th, a total lunar eclipse takes place, on the relationship axis of your horoscope, so especially if you have a birthday around this date, your year ahead will contain a major life milestone. As it is, whenever your birthday, the latter part of October and early November could prove crucial to the future of a personal or professional association.

1st November 2004 - 30th November 2004
You have more energy and drive in November, and if you were perplexed about a situation in October or uncertain which way to go, by the 11th at the latest you should be free and clear. The reason I mention the 11th is that feisty Mars enters your sign then, giving you the courage and the determination to tackle a major problem and generally get ahead with personal and professional ambitions. Another welcome visitor to your sign will be Venus, who enters Scorpio on the 22nd. This planet represents the feel-good factor, and increases your chances of success: Venus also creates a climate in which love and romance can flower and prosper. Thus, for some Scorpios late November and early to mid-December will inspire general improvements in your love life, and bring new romantic interests into being.

Saturn and Uranus give all of us our biggest challenges this month, but since these two are in harmonious signs as far as you are concerned, you stand to make some gains, and certainly some valuable realizations. The weekend of the 6th and the period around the 20th put Saturn in the frame and the last week of the month is all about Uranus. While Saturn helps you consolidate aspects of your life Uranus gets you out of ruts and encourages you to make necessary changes. However, while you may gain a new lease on life in late November, I wouldn't go waving any red rags at raging bulls!

The full moon of the 26th could produce a cash-flow crisis; on the other hand, this may be the moment a financial deal is struck and a monetary worry is resolved. And since communications chief, Mercury, turns direct on the 30th, making contact with people, firming up arrangements and generally getting all your travel and communication ducks in a row is best done well before this date.

1st December 2004 - 31st December 2004
Just like the Christmas decorations that come out year after year, Uranus and Pluto - everyone's least favourite party guests - also get reeled out. These planets never pass by with a whimper, they give us a blast - and not always one that we appreciate at the time. However, to be forewarned is to be forearmed, and if we're prepared to throw out some old habits, along with last year's Christmas outfit, this couple can do us some enormous favours.

Until the 16th, the lovely Venus will be gracing your sign, so you could be more than usually concerned with your appearance - a trip to the beauty parlour, perhaps, even some minor cosmetic surgery, could be on the agenda, and any way in which you can boost your image is a good way to go when Venus is around. Then, of course, there's love and romance. For some Scorpios romance comes into your life in an unexpected way, while for others there just seems to be more love around you. And, if your significant other has been out of reach, the first half of December is the time to close the distance. The weekend of the 4th could be a very special one for some Scorpios...

Until the 25th Mars will also be in your sign, so while your ambitions and desires might be stirred, so too could other people's passions. Do your best not to go on the offensive if someone treads on your toes or something happens that disagrees with your plans, making an enemy is something you don't need under these Plutonic skies.

And speaking of Pluto... this planet will be forging key aspects to Mercury, the sun and Venus on the 7th, 12th and 19th respectively, so on and around these dates you need to display tolerance and understanding with those things that and those people who are behaving badly. And since Pluto is focused on the area of finances and self-worth, the most likely cause of any controversy will be money - a time to be conservative in your spending and when negotiating financial matters. Mercury will also be retrograding until the 20th, so speed and accuracy will be a luxury, and you'll need those stores of patience when it comes to travel and making connections.

Your Christmas stars favour family and home territory, but with Mars and Uranus welcoming in the New Year, be prepared to break with tradition.

1st January 2005 - 31st January 2005
The New Year certainly has the wow factor. A Mars-Uranus square on New Year's Eve, followed by a series of aspects to Pluto eliminates the past and sets the stage for a very different future. And although this theme is clearly present on a global level, our personal lives could be well overdue for a clean-up, clear-out operation.

The area of travel and communications is in focus, indicating journeys of one sort or another. Yes, you may be heading out for a post-Christmas holiday but the journey of real significance will be made with the heart and the mind. You will be taking a long hard look at the reality of certain aspects of your life, and making decisions with far-reaching consequences. But while the sun may be focusing on communications, Venus and Mercury have money and love on their agenda. And it is here that the biggest waves of change may be apparent. While I rarely recommend acting in the passion of the moment, sometimes it is the only way to make a courageous move, therefore the events of the first and last week of January could lead to a whole new order on the relationship or financial front. And it is a good thing.

Of course, January is also a time when there are some terrific bargains to be had on the high street, so these block-buster alignments could see you digging deep into your pocket for a fabulous purchase. January could be the best month of 2005 for property transactions, and if you have been toying with the idea of buying a home or adding to your portfolio, that idea can become a reality now.

On the 19th, the sun reaches the base of your chart thrusting family and domestic issues into prominence, and with a full moon on this same axis on the 25th, it seems an end of a mini-era is here. You may decide to give the home a make-over, you may move to a new residence or there could be changes in the lives of family members. But whatever these transits bring in the way of real life events, symbolically, you are starting a new phase of your life: throughout February you should be laying the foundations stones of new ventures, and in general creating a solid platform for your ambitions. Out with the old; in with the new - yes, indeedy!

1st February 2005 - 28th February 2005
With the sun illuminating the base of your solar chart, this could be considered the real start of your year - and since January was such a miserable month astrologically speaking, why not re-affirm your New Year's resolutions on February 1st. This time you may see some results.

The base of your horoscope marks the beginning of a twelve-month cycle, first and foremost related to home and family. However, this is also a prime period of the year for setting down the foundation stones of new endeavours and putting in motion a new life regime. Yes, there could be family events to look forward to, and the home itself could see some considerable activity, whether through a vigorous spring-clean, renovation, refurbishment or simply many comings and goings. The new moon of the 8th is the pointer for a fresh start: it may also signal the arrival of a new member of the family or some news that will make for domestic changes later in the year.

On or near the 1st, 8th, 14th and 21st Neptune is in pride of place, and while this planet puts us in touch with the mystical and the divine it can also pull the rug out from beneath our feet. Thus, around the aforementioned dates, if you are not experiencing a sense of one-ness with your significant other or devoting time to spiritual pursuits, put on your Sherlock Holmes hat and investigate anything that simply isn't adding up. Leaks of one description or another often appear under Neptune.

On balance, February is a happy month: you seem to be in good spirits and your determination to succeed is greater than ever. What is not immediately apparent is romance. Now, this does not mean that events you already have in your diary of a romantic nature won't materialize or that romance is completely off the menu, but as far as your solar chart is concerned there are other months - take April and May for instance - when love and relationships are more to the fore. So if Valentines Day is a bit of a damp squib, remember your time will come.

1st March 2005 - 31st March 2005
Your creative juices should be flowing freely in March, thanks to the sun's annual transit of the fifth house of self-expression and self-fulfilment. The most obvious manifestation of creativity, of course, is the birth of a baby, but while some Scorpios may indeed be about to deliver an offspring, and others dealing with the exploits of their children and issues centring on the young, for a great many other Scorpios creativity will be reflected in other ways - the start of a new enterprise, the birth of a new romance/collaboration or the opportunity to reveal your talents in the full glare of the spotlight. Any which way you cut it, however, there should be some highly fulfilling moments in March.

Just how much ruler, Pluto, enhances or detracts from this enjoyable trend rather depends... Pluto, as you may know, is not the easiest of planetary influences: confrontation, transformation and elimination are but three of its principles. On the one hand, you can mount a major de-cluttering exercise in March, and, on the other, you may find something disappears from your life without your sanction! Pluto is currently working its way through the area of finance and self-worth, so this is one of those periods when you can score a stunning financial success, or lose your shirt! All right that's an exaggeration but the potential for financial extremes is nonetheless great in March. Certainly, this is a month when you should put your finances under the microscope and set in motion practices and initiate transactions that will help strengthen your financial position. It could be a terrific month to buy or sell property.

The 20th represents an astrological sea-change. The sun enters the sixth house of work and well-being, Mars arrives at the home base of your solar chart and little Mercury turns retrograde. This date may coincide with the start of your Easter holiday, or it may mark the beginning of a series of events that will affect the routine round of your life. Ideally, of course, it's better not to have too many ambitious travel plans under retrograde Mercury but if you are heading off to near or distant parts, be sure to leave extra time for journeys and to go armed with maps, alternative plans and a cell phone. Ah, the joys of retrograde Mercury...

1st April 2005 - 30th April 2005
If April often seems to be a case of all hard work and very little play, the reason is the sun's annual transit of the zone of work and well-being. However, even work could seem pleasurable in early April, thanks to expansive connections between the sun, Venus and Jupiter. This larger than life alignment could manifest as great good news on the job front, or some other development that suddenly makes life look a whole lot better than it has been for some while. Of course, Jupiter can get out of hand sometimes, so it is just possible that an already difficult situation will become even more of a problem, although this can be countered by a positive attitude and a more magnanimous approach to your opponents.

April is certainly a 'big' month in terms of astrology: two eclipses set the stage for world events of some magnitude, and you may find that you too have something to write home about. The first of these eclipses (8th April) is by far the most important, largely because of the part Saturn also plays. It seems that the fresh starts and new openings promised by the solar eclipse, come with a high price tag - quite literally in some cases. Saturn is synonymous with the law of cause and effect, karma, so events around the 8th may well be the result of earlier developments, or what happens on or near this date will have repercussions way down the line. (Scorpio, Prince Charles, who is marrying his long-time love, Camilla Parker Bowles might do well to ponder on such things...) Early to mid April is both an excellent time to begin a new regime, whether this is indeed to do with work or health or whether events bring about an unexpected end to a long chapter of some description. (To a degree this is also reflected by the lunar eclipse of the 24th, of which more about shortly.)

Neptune also features in April's astro-scape, on the 13th and 30th to be precise. This planet of mists, miracles and misdirection is particularly affecting the 5th - 8th November birthdays this year, so there is a general trend for the mysterious and the miraculous that peaks when Neptune is aspected by one or more of the personal planets. Be careful what you wish for is one suggestion I have to make here; another would be not to trust appearances and to check and re-check arrangements.

The lunar eclipse of the 24th flanks the relationship axis, and is particularly potent for those of you with birthdays in October. The end of a chapter is writ large in this eclipse, whether you are ready to elevate a light-hearted liaison into something more permanent or whether you have run out of road with a close association. And even if neither of these scenarios applies to you, this eclipse could nonetheless throw up important issues regarding romantic and working relationships. Endings and beginnings indeed.

1st May 2005 - 31st May 2005
Well Scorpio, are you ready for a month filled with passion? Of course you are; it's what Scorpios do best! The sun is highlighting your relationships as the month begins, bringing new life and energy to established partnerships and encouraging new growth for the footloose and fancy free.

Some of you may have already begun or ended a relationship under last month's lunar eclipse and if this is the case, you might find yourself having some serious discussions relating to lifestyle and beliefs around the weekend of 7th-8th. The new moon of the 8th injects emotional power to your relationships and encourages new beginnings. You could also be feeling a certain lessening of control as Neptune weaves its magic spell over the roots of life, if not the core of your being. And this is just the beginning!

Come the 10th, Venus enters the most intimate area of your solar chart and this will encourage new relationships to move on to the next level. Need I say more? Venus remains active for the rest of the month with a bewildering range of emotions in tow. More of that in a moment.

Mars and Uranus unite in your pleasure zone on the 15th, which means that you might experience a sudden intense attraction, or, if you're absolutely not interested in that sort of thing, you could find that your children are the source of sudden angry outbursts.

But back to Venus... From the 17th onwards the words, "love machine" spring to mind. Venus is partying madly with the outer planets thus seating you firmly on an emotional roller-coaster, which gathers momentum as the month progresses. This ride begins with an innocent enough flirtation with Jupiter, putting fun before meaningful exchanges. The very next day, the 18th, Venus and Uranus bring an electric atmosphere to the proceedings, setting the stage for a stormy or passionate exchange. By the 23rd, Venus and Mars are at their spicy best, and at the same time the full moon puts you properly in touch with your feelings. As if that wasn't enough, Venus and intense, obsessive Pluto oppose each other on 29th marking the final scene in a very steamy drama. Pluto is an all or nothing kind of planet and who better to deal with this dramatic finale than you Scorpio? Certainly, as you head into June, one aspect of your life could have been transformed beyond your imaginings.

1st June 2005 - 30th June 2005
The sun transits the zone of joint interests this month, whether this translates as material and financial issues arising with a partner or sharing intimate moments with a loved one. This eighth house of the solar chart is where Scorpios feel most at home, not skimming the surface but delving deeply and experiencing life passionately.

With Uranus in charge from the beginning of the month we can all expect the unexpected, either on a global level or a personal one. Since Uranus is currently transiting the area of self-expression this theme of the unexpected may well emerge in connection with creative endeavours. Children could be the source of surprises, perhaps by rebelling against your firm control or by appearing when you least expect them to! Romance could bloom suddenly or you might just get the urge to take off in a whole new direction. Whatever the case, the first half of June is a period when you should expect anything and everything.

Pluto is another figure on June's powerful astro-scape: once again the area most affected by this planet of extremes is that of joint interests and once again it is the first half of the month that sees all the Plutonic activity. It may be that between the 1st and 15th a financial matter reaches crunch point or that suppressed issues in a relationship erupt, causing an intense exchange of emotions. Of course, the theory is that out of any such financial or relationship crisis comes a new way forward, and this is certainly a period in which you should consider shedding baggage that you no longer need. These same powerful alignments could also help a relationship to deepen, and whatever takes place during this period has the capacity to transform some aspect of your life.

On the 21st the sun enters your fellow water sign, Cancer, bringing communication and travel into the frame and easing off the pressure. By this time you may well feel like tasting freedom or escaping from all those intense feelings you've been experiencing recently. Indeed, as June draws to a close and July beckons, your thoughts are firmly fixed on distant horizons and the pleasure of exploring unfamiliar territory, whether physically, spiritually or mentally.

1st July 2005 - 31st July 2005
If you've been suffering from the itchy feet syndrome, July's stars have the remedy - this is quite the best month for travel, or at least looking outside familiar territory for happiness and success. This having been said, with travel bug, Mercury, turning retrograde on the 23rd, reaching your destination after this point could require considerable patience and plenty of alternatives.

Venus will be transiting the area of life direction so this is an excellent month to make an impression on those who count. Meetings with employers or authority figures are favoured, and if you've been seeking a pay rise or a better job, this is the time to market your talents and talk big plans and promotion.

On the 16th, Saturn arrives on the Mid-heaven of your solar chart, all set to teach you everything you wanted to know and more about your life-priorities. On the one hand, the next two years will be a period in which to establish yourself professionally and to improve your standing in the world, yet, on the other, you could come to realize where your hopes and expectations have exceeded reality, and a few Scorpios could face redundancy or some tough career breaks. With this in mind, the alignments of the 6th - 14th could represent the writing on the wall. Neptune is in play at this time, so be careful not to give too much credence to unsupported rumours, however, you should take the opportunity to run through the best and worst case scenarios so you have the makings of a contingency plan should those rumours turn into a reality a little further down the line.

The period from the 21st to the end of the month is complex and will, as I mentioned earlier, require a lot of patience on your part. The full moon of the 21st cuts across the communications axis, and with Mercury turning retrograde two days later, don't be surprised if travel turns out to have its little problems. At best, these last ten days of July set a situation in cement and enable you to sign contracts, but at worst you could have to cancel an arrangement or put an endeavour on ice for the time being.

1st August 2005 - 31st August 2005
As August blazes into action, the sun highlights your career and public image. Being in the limelight is not something that most Scorpios actively seek, preferring to achieve success in more low key, covert ways, but you might well find yourself gaining recognition for a job well-done now. The new moon in the area of career and life-direction (5th) could indicate a new outlet for your talents or a fresh dimension to an existing job. However, due to the presence of Neptune at the opposite point in your solar chart there is a slight danger of a conflict developing between your desire to achieve success in the wider world and your need for the comfort, safety and seclusion of home. Neptune is casting a rosy glow over your domestic situation, in some cases inspiring a desire to return to the womb to escape all the stresses of your responsibilities and in others blinding you to a reality - something that needs to be considered before you reach any finite decisions in August.

Not only Neptune but also retrograde Mercury hampers your ability to reach specific targets in August. It's not that you can't or won't get anywhere but that it will take time and there will be more than one question mark hovering over life. Once Mercury turns direct (16th) communications will be less prone to glitches but as a general rule for August, keep your plans fluid and don't rely on people to do what they say they'll do!

Thanks to a generous link between the sun, Mercury and Pluto (14th and 31st respectively) you could receive a welcome financial boost - a pay rise, perhaps, or a bonus - and if you're in the process of purchasing or selling a property this astro-combination could prove very helpful indeed. On the 17th Venus enters the sign of Libra, the peacemaker, with the intention of restoring harmony to the most private areas of your life. The subsequent four weeks represents a time when you can recharge your spiritual and emotional batteries, yet you may also find that a close relationship goes into hibernation. If you do sense a shift of gear in a romance or partnership, don't panic but wait until Venus enters your sign on 11th September when you will be able to separate fact from fantasy and your unfounded fears from real issues.

On the 23rd, the sun moves into the zone of creativity and collaboration, all set to encourage you out of your hidey hole to join in the fray. This is the perfect time to sign up for those evening classes you've been promising yourself, particularly if you have a yen for learning a new language or trying your hand at creative writing. It is also the beginning of a period when friendships and collaborative endeavours assume greater significance in your life.

1st September 2005 - 30th September 2005
With the sun's passage through the eleventh house of the solar chart, group endeavours and friendships assume a greater priority in life, and if you've been nurturing a desire to save the world and help your fellow man, push may well come to shove! Scorpio can be a bit of a loner, but if any month can you winkle you out of your hidey-hole, September can. Not that the month is only about team spirit, it is also about the importance of love and loving.

Thanks to planet Uranus September gets of to a stirring start. This planet is currently residing in your pleasure zone, so you may receive a wonderful surprise, perhaps of a romantic nature or something connected with a child or creative venture. On the 1st Venus will also be conjoined to Jupiter - and in your most secretive sector - which suggests forbidden fruits in abundance! However, if I'm honest, the period between the 1st and the 18th is tough. It's certainly tough in global terms, but it may also prove taxing for you. Finances may indeed turn out to be the reason why September is so challenging, although these same influences that may produce a financial headache could set a new and improved monetary order in motion. During the 11th - 18th Pluto is the main protagonist, so while you are at your most resourceful and most passionate, you will have to temper your desire to retaliate or to burn all your bridges.

Fortunately, from the 11th September until the 7th October Venus will be in your sign encouraging you to see the best in other people and to be the best you can be. This is one of the more romantic and fulfilling phases of the year, and while it may not produce the goods in terms of winning the lottery or falling blissfully in love, it will mitigate some of the difficulties inspired by Uranus, Pluto et al. Should you meet a new partner under these stars, or begin a new venture, you can be sure it will be life-changing indeed.

On the 20th Mercury heads into the low key twelfth house to be followed on the 22nd by the sun. This is the signal for a period of retreat and reflection to begin, and it may explain why you suddenly feel out of gas. Scorpio needs solitude and seclusion at times, if only to re-charge the batteries so, as September draws to a close you might well find yourself drawing the curtains and curling up at home. The cosmos is about to provide you with all the comfort and nourishment you need.

1st October 2005 - 30th October 2005
Well Scorpio, this is going to be quite a month for you. If life has been tough recently, you can rest assured that better times are on the way. Although the sun has moved into the most reflective part of your chart, making you feel the need to withdraw to re-charge your batteries, the sun moves into your sign on 23rd, with Jupiter hot on its heels (26th) which promises a whole year of increased luck, expansion and opportunity. If you have felt that life has been holding you back, doors will now open and you feel at last that you are swimming with the current rather than battling against it.

On the 1st, Mars stations in your relationship sector, before turning retrograde, which focuses intense energy on your partnerships. Venus and Mars oppose each other on the 2nd, also highlighting this area, so you could find yourself having spectacular rows or amazing sex at this time, possibly even both! Mars will emphasise any cracks or flaws in your love life, but it will also beam its energy into what is most wonderful about it, so the month could start on something of a roller coaster for you. Should a relationship turn ever so slightly pear-shaped in October, try not to press the panic button - it may take a couple of months to resolve but, remember, it's not over until the fat lady sings!

On the 3rd the solar eclipse emphasises your need for seclusion. With all the activity in your love life in the previous few days it may be that some of you are entering new relationships, but there may be something secretive about this affair, which will appeal to your clandestine nature. Remember that an eclipse sets in motion events whose effect may not be fully felt for several months. Fast forward now to the 17th when the lunar eclipse occurs in your health, work and lifestyle sector. Venus is also forming a harmonious angle to Saturn on this day so you could be setting the seal on some kind of business deal or bringing a project to completion. Some of you might even be committing to a relationship which involves a change of lifestyle.

By the 29th, Venus and Pluto join forces bringing you great gifts. These might be powerful emotions or a boost to your financial situation. Of course, Pluto, your chart ruler, packs a powerful punch so there's always the possibility of a transformational experience of a less than welcome nature, first and foremost linked to finances and second to a relationship. Jealousy is often a possibility where you're concerned and you may be feeling it or provoking it. One thing's for sure, you life and love are definitely not boring this month!

1st November 2005 - 30th November 2005
With the sun and Jupiter in your sign how can you go wrong ? In a word - Neptune. While there has indeed been a change for the better with Jupiter's arrival in your sign at the end of last month, this does not mean the other big guns, have gone away. So, before we wax poetic about the happiness and success coming your way during the next twelve months, we need to examine quite how the combined energies of the sun, Mars, Neptune and Saturn will manifest in the first half of November.

These four planetary bodies are forming a Grand Cross, and this is an alignment of great tension. On the one hand, other people may provide you with the impetus to achieve a long-desired goal and something of a miracle could take place in regard to a relationship or an endeavour, on the other hand, it is equally possible that someone could prevent you from achieving a major objective. Indeed, an old enemy may come back with a vengeance. My advice is to tread very carefully between the 1st and 14th but especially on or near the 2nd and 7th. Other people pack a powerful punch now, so don't make an unnecessary adversary and don't break the rules. Neptune is a very misleading customer and between the 1st and 14th situations are unlikely to be quite as they seem.

Another potential blot on November's landscape is Mercury's turning retrograde. As you yourself may well have discovered, when Mercury is in retrograde information goes walk-about, people disappear off the planet and trying to get an arrangement set in stone is tantamount to the parting of the Red Sea! Since Mercury is gracing the area of finance and self-worth, it might behove you to sort out important money transactions before the 14th.

Relationships also come under the spotlight this month. Mars is currently residing in your zone of partnerships, so it may be that differences of opinion have been featuring strongly in your love life since the beginning of August - or maybe Mars has added more than a little spice to your love life! On the 16th, the full moon in Taurus joins the fray - in this case the aforementioned Grand Cross - so emotions will be running high. Full moons often draw matters to a conclusion so while some relationships will be reaching the end of the line, others will be reaching new levels of connectedness.

The end of the month is all about Uranus. This planet is at a highly favourable angle to Jupiter in your sign, so this past week could produce a wonderful break-through. Certainly, any offer or invitation arriving at this time should be accepted with enthusiasm and should you meet someone then - prepare to be taken to the stars. Or is that planet, Uranus...

1st December 2005 - 31st December 2005
Welcome to December! While this is the season of good cheer the planets are not exactly joining in with the carol-singing - they seem more intent on reminding us of our shortfalls and our shortages. Since the beginning of November a fixed cross has been in place - Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Neptune are at the four 'corners' of the zodiac and making all of us, regardless of our sun sign, feel hemmed in by something and unable to get a situation to move in the direction we would like. And, this is not a syndrome we shall be waving goodbye to this month. Mars will start heading in the right direction from the 10th, and since this planet is transiting the zone of love and relating you might well see some progress with a romantic or partnership-related matter. Otherwise, I'm afraid, it's a case of being patient and keeping the lips buttoned!

Until the 21st the sun will be focusing on finances and self-worth - a time to make money for some and to add to your security and stability for others. The full moon of the 15th is followed by a sun-Pluto conjunction on the 16th so if there is a simmering financial or emotional problem it is likely to erupt in force at this time, ultimately, of course, enabling you to resolve matters. Terrific energy is released under a sun-Pluto conjunction: used wisely this energy can do wonderful things but used negatively it can be highly destructive. Thus, be careful not to unleash any of your verbal weapons at this time nor to bring an end to a situation that still has some life and purpose to it. Endings and beginnings are indeed the theme for Pluto, and, synchronistically, we have a Mercury-Pluto conjunction on the 31st bringing a resounding end to 2005 and a firecracker beginning to 2006.

Venus will be highlighting the areas of travel, communication and home, and since this planet is all about balance and peace, you could be on the giving or receiving end of a very sweet offer. There is also a chance of meeting someone new on a journey or through the Internet, for instance, thus sparking a new and intriguing romance. Do not underestimate the power of the written and spoken word in December, what you say and how you say it could make a huge difference to the way your life unfolds in 2006.

1st January 2006 - 31st January 2006
Like Mercury, you have winged heels in January. This planet, along with the sun and Venus will be speeding through the zone of travel and communications, encouraging you to come up with new ideas and to get moving on one or more of your plans and ambitions. And since Mercury is not in retrograde, you should experience little in the way of delays and detours. However, Venus is in retreat, so there is a suggestion that someone may not be as open to your ideas as you had hoped and a romantic or professional relationship could be in decline. Nevertheless, as I mention in my weekly letter to you at the end of January, a retrograde planet always serves a purpose, if only to impress on you that some situations cannot be forced, they have to come together in their own good time.

Travel is a feature of your January stars, whether you are off on vacation or going hither and thither for work and personal reasons. This is a period in which you can acquire a different perspective on life, and you can do this very effectively by altering your surroundings or by mixing with people who are different and certainly progressive. A romance could begin in transit or in a place away from home, and you are likely to be fascinated by people who are intellectually oriented or who have a foreign flavour about them. The full moon of the 14th is followed by a Mars-Jupiter opposition - a double-whammy that will take a situation from static to super-charged in a flash. Put another way, a relationship or project can take off big time and a difficult situation could reach melt-down. My advice on this weekend would be to keep as centred as you can and to continue to look at the repercussions of any actions way down the line. If you can live with those consequences, fine; and if you can't, hold your horses!

I may have mentioned this before but since November a Grand Cross configuration has been broadly in place - you could think of this as a background upon which all the other astrological aspects work. This configuration is tough, and may have the effect of making you feel trapped by a situation and certainly compromised in your actions. Sometimes, when the aspects are easy, you get a better handle on the situation, you may even feel that it is resolved, then back it comes when a more difficult aspect plays into it, and you feel just as powerless and frustrated. During January, this Grand Cross is in play on or near the 2nd, 18th and 27th so do your best not to get too negative should things fail to be heading in a direction you would wish.

The weekend of the 28th looks to be another Scorpio watershed - a time to let the spirit infuse your actions and to consider where a new start should be made.

1st February 2006 - 28th February 2006
The sun's passage through the base of your horoscope encourages you attend to the foundations of life, whether in the sense of home and family, or setting in place the beginnings of plans and projects. February is a month when you can give the home a makeover, put to rights any structural wrongs or replace gadgets and gismos. You may even move house or put your home on the market. February is also an excellent period to hold a family gathering and to arrange a time when the family can get around the table to resolve lingering issues and reconnect with one another.

OK, that's the theory. In practice, rather too much Neptune could get in the way of truth and solid results. From mid-January through to Mid-February this planet has us by the short and curlies, so to speak, thus, there are going to be moments when you haven't a clue what's going on and certain situations may appear to be tangled up in a giant knot and covered in mist. My advice for Neptune transits is always the same: if you don't know what to do, do nothing! As the sleuth of the zodiac nothing much slips under your radar but especially around the 1st, 6th and 12th you may be dealing with people who are less than honest with you, and should rumours be doing the rounds, don't get caught up in the gossip. Since Valentine's Day is under the combined influences of Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter, you could be very surprised at what happens: a partner could give you a marvellous gift or someone you haven't thought of in romantic terms could awaken you to a whole new set of possibilities. And if you've chosen the 14th for a wedding day, be prepared for the unusual and the unexpected.

On the 17th Mars heads out of the relationship zone where it has been for the past five months, so the war footing you may have been on with a partner or an organization will be on its way out. On the other hand, a relationship which has been almost too hot to handle could start to fizzle out. Mars, of course, hasn't left the solar system, it's gone on to spice up finances, which could result in a salary increase, an unexpected windfall or propel you to take legal action for monies owed to you.

The month ends on a powerful and Plutonic note - perfect for eliminating the negative and in-putting the positive, wherever it may be appropriate.

1st March 2006 - 31st March 2006
With the sun in your fellow water sign, Pisces, you should be a happy camper in March - should being the operative word. Thanks to the Cosmic Joker, a series of aspects to Saturn, Pluto and Uranus could ruffle the smoothest set of feathers. At this point of the year you get into your creative stride, bringing new ventures into being and putting your unique stamp on personal and professional endeavours. Procreativity is a theme some Scorpios will take to enthusiastically, bringing new life into being in the most literal of ways, and generally finding children and the younger generation absorbing and the source of rich memories. Romance is another feature of this area of your chart, and, since Mercury is retrograding here, a past lover could be back in touch. Surprises are in store, that's for sure.

March is a pivotal month for the whole zodiac: it begins with a volatile sun-Uranus conjunction and ends on a total solar eclipse in Aries, and in between there are tough connections to Saturn and Pluto, not to mention a retrograde Mercury. Clearly, the next six to eight weeks are going to produce some powerful events on the world's stage, and we can expect to see some leadership changes, a reshuffle or two in the corridors of power, even a natural or not-so-natural disaster. And where travel and communications are concerned, we can forget about getting anywhere in a hurry and a straight line. Of course, tough alignments produce wonderful events too so don't rule out announcements of marriage in royal/celebrity circles and a major scientific or medical break-through.

The lunar eclipse of the 14th cuts across the axis of creativity and collaboration. A friend or colleague could be going through an intensely emotional phase or you may feel it is time to end a friendship which has not been healthy for you. Those of you involved in clubs or societies may decide not to renew your membership and, if this was a long-term membership, the parting could well be painful, even acrimonious. In the wake of this eclipse the sun squares your ruling planet, Pluto, and thus has the capacity to transform an aspect of your life. For some of you the transformation will be financial and a large boost to your income could be on the way. For others the boost will be emotional and your love life could be revitalised on a grand scale. By the 26th you might be well and truly blissed out as Venus and Neptune aim their loving and compassionate natures at the roots of your being. You may feel you have come home at last and the world will seem a much better place through the rose-tinted glasses of love.

The solar eclipse of the 29th inspires a fresh start all round. Some of you will begin vigorous new exercise regimes or diets - certainly this would be a good time to have routine health-checks or visit a health farm - while others may begin a new job or decide to de-clutter the house. There is a feeling of optimism and new energy being injected into your daily life, which is a wonderful note on which to end the month.

1st April 2006 - 30th April 2006
Breathe a sigh of relief: March is behind us and April looks a whole lot better. There are, of course, little troughs of low pressure, so to speak, but nothing you cannot cope with and triumph over. (More about this shortly.) For much of April the sun will be transiting the zone of health and life-style: in fact, the sixth house is the organizational centre of your solar chart, so this is the optimum month of 2006 to get all sorts of systems running efficiently. First and foremost, there's your health - in today's fast pace of living, most of us slip into comfortable ruts, which are almost always bad for us in the long run - so if you do nothing else in April might I suggest a revamping of your diet and exercise programme. Trimming your timetable and your responsibilities is another key theme of the month, and, especially on the work front, don't be surprised if there are sweeping changes. You may suddenly realize the weight you are carrying in terms of duties for others - activities which they could well do for themselves - and the phrase: the worm turns springs to mind. Any simmering issue is likely to bubble up with force between the 7th and 14th.

The week of the 3rd finds Mars and Pluto in opposition, thus upping the potential for conflict and certainly confrontation. We will surely see some impressive results of escalating tension in the Middle East prior to Easter, and the Bush administration will have to be very careful how it plays events in early to mid-April. While in the Christian World Easter is a time of celebration, for many other creeds it is simply business as usual. This opposition flanks your financial axis, indicating that the time has come to end over-heavy commitments and in general to tackle the unacceptable and imperfect where money and joint interests are concerned.

Venus will be lighting up the most creative and self-expressive part of your horoscope, so romance could make a come-back and there could be some truly delightful moments linked to children and the younger generation. Perhaps too, because of the theme of health and fitness, you could be looking your best, or at least spending time and money on your appearance - and with some impressive results.

On the 20th the sun heads into the relationship sector and a matter of days later is angled by Saturn. Should you be marrying in this late April period or making a relationship more permanent, these are perfect aspects upon which to ensure the strength and longevity of the union, however, I have to say that there could be a shortfall in unbridled joy. As for the weekend of the 30th, a Venus-Pluto square ensures there will be a surfeit of passion - say after me: and no aggravation!

1st May 2006 - 31st May 2006
Your relationships are centre stage this month as the sun spreads its rays into the seventh house of partnership and opposes mighty Jupiter. Jupiter will be transiting your sign until November , which means that life will continue to open up for you, and new people will enter your world, exposing you to fresh experiences. This month, a sudden burst of romance could add to your happiness, and whether for love, money or fun, you should take advantage of any opportunities to socialise or widen your circle of friends. You could also make fruitful business connections, and networking should come easily to you, especially during the first two weeks of May. If you are seeking success overseas, the 8th is particularly well-starred, and you can use your drive and determination to land contracts and make lucrative long-term connections.

One of the most fascinating features of May is the presence of a Grand Cross - an alignment of four or more planets, made up of squares and oppositions, which is in play between the 4th and 15th. Without becoming too technical, when planets are in this tense alignment, they bring all manner of issues to crunch point, and there is a feeling of having reached a giant cross-roads. While this configuration will certainly present itself in the form of moral and political crises for world leaders, in our own lives we too must make some wise decisions in a confusing and pressurized climate. With the four major angles of your chart involved, relationships, family and life-direction are all potential sources of growth - indeed, given that the only full moon in Scorpio this year falls during this time (13th) there is a sense that you that you are reaching the end of an era. If a door closes for you, or if a relationship ends, there are surely good things on the way.

From the 21st life becomes extra deep and meaningful: the sun will begin its journey through the eighth house, thus bringing out your intense Plutonic qualities. It is your nature to live life with depth and passion, and during late May and much of June you have both the desire and the opportunity to exchange feelings and thoughts at a profound level. On the 29th, Venus heads into the area of love and relating continuing this theme of powerful romantic and marital developments.

I am sorry this forecast was delayed. The original sending was lost and both my webmaster and I have been in transit over the last 3 days. We have now added better facilities for updating forecasts.

1st June 2006 - 30th June 2006
With the lovely Venus transiting the zone of love and relating, you have at least one astrological ace up your sleeve. You should experience improvements all round in relationships, and if you've selected June for a wedding, even if you don't get the weather, you'll get the lurve. And should you have been single for long enough, Venus could bring someone into your life, so don't turn down invitations to social events or to places where you could meet new people. Drop the cynicism and open your heart! Since the sun passed through this area last month, a new friendship begun then could now become very romantic. Venus effectively puts the icing on the cake of partnerships.

This month finds Uranus and Pluto centre stage, and since many countries have major events planned for June, these alignments underscore the importance and celebratory nature of national occasions, yet they will surely produce some shocks and tremors too. On the 3rd, Mars enters the regal sign of Leo for a six-week transit and on the 18th this assertive planet hooks up to heavy-metal, Saturn - and at the same time as the sun-Pluto opposition. Mid-month, therefore, will be a time to watch for international dramas and the push-comes-to-shove syndrome. This conjunction falls on President Bush's Mercury-Pluto-Ascendant combo, and Tony Blair's South Node, so neither of them is in great shape in June, and there could be some serious threats to their tenures as leaders (as if there haven't been enough already).

With Uranus and Pluto aiming their guns at your zone of shared interests, especially joint financial interests, June is a month when you should put your borrowings and investments under the microscope with a view to setting in motion a new and improved financial cycle. However, it may take a cash-flow crisis or some other financial hiccup to inspire a review and a fresh start. The aforementioned Mars-Saturn conjunction falls in the area of career and life-direction so this mid-month period could find you with a heavy workload or dealing with a heavy issue or three. My advice would be to wait to the end of the month before cutting your ties with an organization or reaching a final verdict on a relationship.

With the sun's entry into your fellow water sign, Cancer, on the 21st, life takes on a lighter and brighter hue, and maybe, just maybe, what seemed so immoveable and oppressive earlier in the month will pale into insignificance.

1st July 2006 - 31st July 2006
After the planetary heat of June, July�s influences have much to recommend them. Even with Mercury in retrograde between the 4th and 29th, there are many benign alignments, and in tandem, national and international affairs may be more fruitful than fraught. However, the Grand Cross in fixed signs will be loosely in place, so it may seem as if more than one situation is refusing to budge, and there will be very little give when it comes to matters of law and enforcement. Many of the world�s leading figures, including Tony Blair, George Bush, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have relentless Saturn and nebulous Neptune on key planets and points in their natal charts, and it remains a mystery to me as to why the gathering gloom has not yet resulted in a truly serous crisis, although leaked information from the enquiry into the death of Princess Diana must be sending seismic waves through Britain's corridors of power. With this in mind, events on or near the Mars-Neptune opposition of the 5th and the full moon in Capricorn of the 11th could precipitate a minor tsunami...Pluto also puts in a double appearance on the 14th so the first half of July looks to be the most scandal ridden and generally explosive.

The sun, in your case Scorpio, is passing through the sector concerned with distant horizons, higher education, philosophy and belief systems. Your mind may therefore be concerned with matters of a lofty nature, or, you may, quite simply, be off on vacation. Venus joins the sun in this sector in the latter half of the month, so, whether you are sunning yourself in Scarborough, Seattle, Sydney or the Seychelles, or pondering the mysteries of the universe, you�ll be enjoying the way in which your horizons are being broadened.

However, since you are one of the fixed signs, you may not be immune to the frustrations of the aforementioned Grand Cross. My advice is to place yourself in a holding pattern - there is a reason why a situation is simply not coming together, and it may take until October or November for things to right themselves, or at least produce some solid answers. Especially on or near the 6th, do not give into doubts and paranoid episodes: be cautious with financial matters but otherwise assume that you are only seeing part of the picture, not all of it.

Your relationships will benefit from the fact that Jupiter resumes direct motion on the 6th. Those of you who have been struggling with a love affair which just wouldn�t take off could find that commitment is now a possibility. Passions tend to be aroused when Pluto is in the mix, so especially on or near the 14th and 29th channel that energy lovingly not angrily.

The new moon of the 25th falls in your career zone, so fresh starts on the work front will be in store for some of you. It may be that the Mars-Neptune opposition sets off some dissatisfaction with your current employment which needs to be addressed, so this would be a good time to re-assess your ambitions and set yourself new targets for the future. Indeed, this final week of the month has many harmonious and productive influences, which will not only up your confidence levels but also pour healing balm on troubled waters.

1st August 2006 - 31st August 2006
This is a significant month for you Scorpio. There is much planetary activity on the angles of your solar chart, which suggests that major decisions about the direction you wish to take in life will need to be made, or, in some cases, be made for you. The sun is highlighting your career and public reputation and, as the month opens you could be presented with an opportunity which will be hard to resist. You should now be reaping the reward for efforts made in the past, and with this opportunity will come responsibility. By contrast, this same week could signal the end of a job, or a phase of activity within a job; this is also a period in which you will feel any dissatisfactions with your career most keenly. However, matters are complicated here due to the combined force of Saturn and Neptune which are in opposition - the former revealing the weaknesses in situations and urging you to take a strong position, while the latter generates woolly-thinking and sets the rumour mill a-grinding so that your position cannot be judged clearly.

I have written a separate piece on the Saturn-Neptune opposition, which becomes exact on the 31st of this month, so you'll have plenty of food for thought should you find yourself wondering why you're making little progress and running into troughs of low pressure at inappropriate intervals. August is always a strange (and often uneventful) month in politics, but given mid-July sparked another major conflict in the Middle East, under these relentless influences we can expect an intensifying of hostilities - and in places other than Lebanon - and very little progress on the diplomatic front. I'd like to believe that the Jupiter-Uranus trine, which is both ebullient and barrier-breaking, will provide a balance for this depressing opposition but we will have to wait until the very end of the month before we see what rabbits these two can pull out of the hat. The usual suspects - that's President Bush, and Prime Minister Blair - face a dark and difficult summer break, although with the world in such crisis, their individual careers and reputations pale into insignificance.

The overall feel to August is heavy-going, and even the best of times and the most of enjoyable of experiences will involve some hard work. It may also seem as if other people are having all the breaks and you are the one carrying the load. However, let me assure you, under these Fixed alignments no one is having a great time, and this may be why some people are proving so difficult to deal with. Your best bet is to focus on what is working and if you can do nothing about a situation leave it until the planets start behaving themselves! During the last week of August the aforementioned Jupiter-Uranus trine could make for a truly happy moment, and if an opportunity to expand your horizons in any way comes up then, grab it with both hands.

1st September 2006 - 30th September 2006
Are you feeling sociable and ready to pool your ideas and energies with others? No surprise if you are, since the sun is already highlighting the zone of creativity and collaboration. This is the best month of 2006 to head off to distance places with friends, or to simply hang out with them, and to pursue professional or personal endeavours with like-minded individuals. And although Scorpio is a sign that likes its privacy and is supremely self-sufficient, you will benefit from the input of others now, and you should not rule out the advantages of social connections, whether for business or romance.

September, like August, is a big month in astrological terms. The Saturn-Neptune opposition is still dominating the heavens (and, if you need to gen up on this transit, please go to the article dedicated to it on the website...CLICK HERE) so we are still trying to get to grips with reality and watching some very weird situations unfold out there on the world's stage. There are two eclipses to take into account - neither of them total eclipses but nonetheless they can still pack a powerful punch. The first - a lunar eclipse in Pisces - appears on the 7th, and harks back to March in terms of eclipses and events, and the second, on the 22nd, is a solar eclipse in Virgo. Eclipses set in motion events that shape the destiny of nations, and also our own lives, should they fall on key planets and points in our charts, so anything that emerges on or around the time of an eclipse must be taken seriously. The period of the 11th - 17th looks to be the most impressive: transformational Pluto is centre stage, so we can expect some dramatic entrances and exits on the political scene and a rattling of sabres from the usual suspects. The sun's entry into Libra on the 23rd, followed by Venus on the 30th, heralds the beginning of a calmer period, and certainly one in which dialogue and debate pave the way for peace and concord.

Since the aforementioned eclipses fall in the creative zones of your solar chart, new endeavours can come into being suddenly and with an element of fate about them; likewise, projects, friendships and working associations may experience an unexpected end. Should you be considering starting or adding to the family, these eclipses could play a big part, signalling the birth of an exceptional individual, or, rather, someone who will have an exceptional effect on your life.

On the 8th, Mars enters the deep and meaningful twelfth house of your horoscope, marking the beginning of a six-week period when you must have patience with certain situations, and avoid using force of any sort: you are the chief sleuth of the zodiac, so you need to employ some underground tactics, and to watch and wait. This date also marks the start of a time when health issues come to the fore, and time spent improving your fitness and general well-being will not be wasted.

1st October 2006 - 31st October 2006
Each year, during the first three weeks of October, the sun closets itself in the mysterious twelfth house. Now, despite appearances to the contrary, this not a period in which nothing happens, it is a time when much is taking place in the underground of life, by which I mean the seeds of new ventures are being planted and the inner world of dreams and intuitions can be accessed to your advantage, and certainly your spiritual growth. On the other hand, much can be gained by taking time out, resting more and distancing yourself from people who press all your sensitive buttons. In this way, you will be recharged and ready for some serious action when the sun enters your sign on the 23rd.

With the challenges of August and September behind us we can all look forward to better times in October. Until the 23rd there are almost no hard angles to the senior planets (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) to hamper us, which means global hostilities should lessen and the climate will be suitable for discussion, debate, new peace agreements and generally more co-operation between nations and leaders. Of course, having put my pen where my astrological judgement is it wouldn't surprise me to find that a simmering hot spot boils over and that there are further terrorist outrages. However it is unlikely...by the 22nd this little patch of perfection will be over : the sun, Mars and Venus head into Scorpio, Mercury is squared by Saturn(23rd) and Mercury turns retrograde (28th), all of which is likely to create a more intense atmosphere, and we may see some reversals of decisions, and certainly far less progress made in war-torn areas.

What you may need to fight against for much of October is losing confidence in yourself and your plans. While a little self-analysis and honest examination of our motives does much good, there is a fine line between being real and over-emphasizing the negative. If a relationship appears to be heading in the wrong direction or a situation takes a turn you did not expect, roll with the punches rather than entering into a painful, accusatory dialogue with those involved. It's easy for Scorpio to slip into paranoia gear, and this really isn't necessary in October. The aspects are gentle and encouraging. However, from the 23rd, you will need to be on your feet and prepared to make some adjustments in your thinking, if not to a plan or two. Saturn is back in charge and he always means business!

1st November 2006 - 30th November 2006
This could be on of the more memorable months of 2006. Until the 22nd, the sun will be in your sign bringing warmth and colour to life, and generally helping you to see the sunny side of situations. The sun also gives you more power and authority so you may be ready finally to make a big decision regarding a personal matter or a professional issue. On the 24th Jupiter will leave your sign but this is not a cause for deflation but a reason to look forward to financial improvements over the coming twelve months. Also, just prior to Jupiter's change of sign it will meet with the sun generating a climate of success, hope and happiness, especially if it is your birthday on or near the 21st.

In general terms, Jupiter's passage through Sagittarius will hopefully inspire humanity to take some impressive leaps of faith and encourage us all to follow the spirit of religion as opposed to the dogma. During the latter part of November we may see magnanimous gestures on the part of leaders and governments or an aggressive show of power. Jupiter does not have the astrological stage to itself, however, and as if to remind us that the best things in life have to be earned and that all actions have consequences, Saturn makes regular appearances. Also, since Neptune is still in opposition to Saturn, especially around the 8th, 17th and 29th we will need to read between the lines when it comes to statements of national and international importance: the distance between reality and fabrication may never have been greater. And while such influences would not be out of place with an announcement of a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and a subsequent aura of failure and defeat hovering over the Bush administration - their chances of keeping the Senate Republican are slim - we may also be looking at a severe loss of face inspired by leaks and betrayal for Tony Blair upon whose Mid-heaven Neptune will be sitting.

With the Saturn-Neptune opposition focusing on your chart areas of home, on the one hand, and life ambitions, on the other, November could turn out to be a very illuminating and decisive month, especially if your birthday falls on or near the 17th. As always the flaws in endeavours are revealed under Saturn, but also you can receive rewards for past efforts and achieve much desired goals. So, before you shoot the messenger (me!) and assume all your plans will turn pear-shaped maybe, just maybe, Saturn is poised to honour you. Nevertheless, if you do feel somewhat defeated and uncertain this month, try not to pitchfork yourself into a slough of despond but see events as a reflection of these astrological influences, and that they too will pass. The full moon of the 5th and the new moon of the 28th are also noteworthy: the former since it may coincide with the celebration of marriage or the setting of a relationship on a new course, and the latter because it is a sign of something a new and positive entering your life before mid-December.

1st December 2006 - 31st December 2006
December is all about money - spending it, saving it and doing the sensible thing with it! By which I mean that you can make some seriously good investments and discussions with partners and financial institutions will help you become more secure. You seem much more prone to extravagance this Christmas, and while this may translate as spoiling yourself as much as your loved ones, you could be entertaining big time and decking your halls with holly and the most expensive baubles you can find. The full moon of the 4th/ 5th is likely to highlight the wisdom of your financial planning, in some cases leading to celebrations and in others calling for a grand reappraisal of borrowings and spending habits.

Each year at this time the sun squares Uranus and conjoins Pluto and often there are other alignments which add to this powerful mix, resulting in upheavals of a personal and global nature. Take the tsunami of 2004, for instance, which began as the moon clipped the degree of the sun-Pluto conjunction just prior to becoming full. Between the 1st and 22nd of December there will be no less than five planets in the sign of Sagittarius, so there is a concentration of 'energy' in one area of the cosmos: in a natal chart this often manifests as an individual who is a specialist, one who is very focused, and in terms of events there can be a last-straw effect to be observed. Put another way, people reach the end of their tethers and take extreme measures to prove their point. The period from the 15th to the 23rd is potentially the most explosive and we may see a lot of sabres being rattled by world leaders and another terror alert that interferes with our travel and our peace of mind. The year closes with war lord, Mars, and Master of Mystery, Neptune, in harmony, which is perfect for a champagne entry into 2007 but also a compassionate end to a year that has been full of strife and conflict.

With the area of values in focus, money isn't the only matter on your mind: it seems never to have been so important to love and to be loved. Pluto, your ruler, conjuncts Venus (8th) the sun (18th) and Mercury (25th) bringing out your most passionate feelings and inspiring all or nothing gestures, of which Scorpio is famous. Should you meet anyone under these influences you can be sure the relationship will prove transformational for the two of you, as, indeed, will any event occurring at these times. On the other hand, should someone be proving not to be the friend or lover you had hoped for, these same passionate aspects could cause you to sabotage the relationship. So, think carefully before you edit someone you may need out of your life.

The sun's entry into Capricorn on the 22nd sets in motion a four-week period in which travel may figure more prominently and, if you're not able to get away, your surroundings may suddenly make you feel somewhat claustrophobic. This may have more to do with situations that are refusing to budge or the fact that you are not being able to express your ideas freely - there are ideas and understandings struggling into consciousness. This is a condition you may not be able to resolve in December but come the new year, you will be able to put ideas into action; indeed you may experience that exhilarating sense of liberation.

1st January 2007 - 31st January 2007
Compared to December January's stars are a dream. Venus spends most of the month in Aquarius generally sweetening life for members of this sign and helping those of the opposite sign (Leo) find and celebrate love. The full moon of the 3rd is in Cancer and, like all full moons helps us close a chapter and begin a new one - something we tend to do anyway at the start of a new year., although of course, for Cancerians, this process is profoundly more marked. The Mars - Pluto conjunction of the 13th is the last in a series of aspects between the personal planets and Pluto, so events mid-month may well have a connection between those of the 8th-25th December. (Here in Great Britain the enquiry into the death of Princess Diana confirmed that it was an accident - not a white-wash surely? And on the same day (14th December) Prime Minister Tony Blair was questioned by police in the cash for honours enquiry - not an attempt to bury bad news, surely? - and in keeping with Pluto's principles of dark deeds, a nationwide police hunt began for serial killer of five young prostitutes, which resulted in an arrest just before Christmas.) On January 16th Mars enters Capricorn for a six-week transit - OK Cappies, it's time to get moving and motoring! And on the 20th the sun arrives in Aquarius. These last ten days of January present a complex and certainly variety-packed picture. In a nutshell the theme is chickens coming home to roost (courtesy Saturn Lord of Karma) so if we've spent too much money over Christmas we'll be paying the price at this time, and, in general, both on the world's stage and in our own lives we'll be looking at the cost of actions taken some time ago.

You're ready to talk the talk and walk the walk. Not known for baring your heart and soul Scorpio, if there's anything you ought to get off your chest, this is the time to do it. You may feel restless and need to move a situation forward in some way, and with so much activity in the areas of communication and travel releasing your spirit of adventure you will sense that progress can now be made. Emotions may reach boiling point around the 13th - the green-eyed monster could be rearing its head, or someone may be pushing you to the limits of your patience - but see this as an opportunity to cut dead wood from your life if necessary. Although the stars could be kinder during the second half of the month, courtesy of Saturn, you should now know who, or what, is worth re-cycling; in effect, Saturn is urging you to face facts and to deal with situations in as realistic a manner as possible. February is going to be a tough month for many Scorpios so, if you witness any distress signals during the last ten days of January, do not ignore them.

1st February 2007 - 28th February 2007
With a full moon opening to February the theme of endings and beginnings is clearly stamped on our astrology. The moon is in Leo so members of this sign and those of Aquarius are in the front row when it comes to bringing to a close anything that has outlived its usefulness. Relationships for these two signs in particular appear to be at a crossroads, and with Valentine's Day coming in between a sun-Saturn opposition (10th) and a Venus Pluto square (20th), the scent of final straws is in the air! This is far from a light and frothy month, primarily due to the applying Saturn-Neptune opposition. (And if you want to know more about this important transit, please click on the article relating to it on the home page.) This opposition is exact on the 28th, and from the middle of February onwards we can expect to see events out on the world's stage reflecting its theme of sacrifice and redemption on the one hand, and the erosion of established structures on the other. Among those for whom the Saturn-Neptune bell tolls are: Fidel Castro (sun: 20 Aquarius), Tony Blair (Pluto: 20 Leo), George W. (Venus: 21 Leo) and Queen Elizabeth (Mars: 20 Aquarius and Neptune: 22 Leo).

Since you are also one of the fixed signs, Scorpio, you will feel the effects of the Saturn Neptune opposition more markedly than most. And the ongoing dilemma of home versus career is probably at the root of the problem. On the 8th the sun highlights the part of you which wants to retreat from the world into a safe haven. Working from home might be an option, especially if you have a penchant for doing something creative. You, above all signs can cope with solitude for long periods - in fact you positively need isolation at times to re-charge your spiritual batteries. You might be returning to a project begun some time ago, which you can now tackle with renewed vigour. Especially if you have a birthday on or near 12th November Neptune and Saturn have you directly in their sights, so whether you are indeed experiencing a conflict between home and work or there is some other existential dilemma, try not to believe the planets are against you so much as urging you to see that you cannot have your cake and eat it too - some sacrifices need to be made, and once they are, your life will become easier.

1st March 2007 - 31st March 2007
What can you say about a month that has two eclipses in it, the first of which is not only a total lunar but conjunct/opposition lively Uranus, and the second, a partial solar, which squares Pluto? I'd say it's one of those periods in which matters that have been rumbling underground for some while erupt with the force of a minor volcano! March is a very cleansing month: think de-tox and de-clutter, whether in terms of our homes and our offices or in regard to our opinions and belief systems. The periods around the eclipses (3rd and 19th) are the most dynamic or disruptive, depending on your perspective, and the final ten days with its heavy concentration of Saturn are the most hard work. Could we have an announcement about a forthcoming wedding for Prince William and Kate Middleton? Very possibly. And will events in the Middle East be the cause of even greater consternation? Almost certainly.

The lunar eclipse of the 2nd/3rd cuts across the axis of creativity and collaboration: the end of a gestation period is writ large here, whether a baby is expected shortly or because a project you have been labouring over for some time is ready to be delivered. Like all full moons simmering issues reach boiling point during an eclipse, so do your best to distance yourself from people who and situations that are already causing you some stress - what can't be fixed must be endured! If unexpected changes arise in the first week of the month, fighting them will probably prove pointless: eclipses have a destined quality about them and what they bring in helps mould your life into the shape it is intended to be.

The solar eclipse of the 19th occurs in the same horoscope sector and all manner of exciting prospects present themselves: a new love affair could begin which totally changes your life, and since this eclipse squares your ruler, Pluto it will not be a light, frothy affair (think, passionate and compulsive - much more your style!) The full effects of an eclipse are often felt six to twelve months later so a casual meeting could prove to be the beginning of something much, much bigger. Indeed, this second half of the month packs a powerful punch in many ways. Venus will be transiting the sector of love and relating, earmarking this as one of the peak periods of the year for marriages and engagements and making an impression on those you wish to impress. However, Saturn, Mars and Neptune also dominate these last two weeks so although you may be able to consolidate your plans and set the seal on a relationship, there could be other events that zap your optimism and cause you to dig deep into your reserves, whether financially, emotionally or physically. Sounds a lot like a month of sunshine and showers to me.

1st April 2007 - 30th April 2007
The sun transits your health and lifestyle zone this month so this would be a very good time to begin new fitness initiatives or diets. There is also a strong emphasis on working life with an opportunity to improve your financial situation. The 8th is a date to mark in your diary as you might well hear of a salary increase or a successful job application. On the 19th Saturn resumes direct motion in your career zone while the sun and Pluto form a harmonious trine, the combination of which could lead to promotion and/or increase your spending power. Just how much Jupiter's turning retrograde in the area of finance (6th) will help or hinder this trend rather depends, and my advice would be to save rather than spend for the time being.

Now to relationships. At the beginning of the month you may be on the receiving end of a surprise communication from a loved one which will force you to make a decision about the future of an alliance. Since Uranus, Saturn and Neptune are in the mix here anything could happen - proposals are just as likely as separations - so a wait and see policy is advised. However, as Venus enters your zone of joint resources on the 12th, I'd hazard a guess that there will be more happy surprises than break-ups: Venus transiting this area of your chart encourages commitment rather than separation and generally casts a rosy glow over proceedings. Nonetheless, the aspects in play at the end of the month pack a powerful punch, whether they introduce you to someone who sends your knees to jelly or events have a destabilizing effect on a once strong union, whether of the professional or intimate kind. One thing is certain, Scorpio... your life in general and your love life in particular will not be dull this month. Would you really have it any other way?

1st May 2007 - 31st May 2007
Relationships are the theme of month as the sun passes through your partnership zone. One particular association may come under the spotlight. This could be a romantic or a working connection - an important player in your life at any rate. On the 2nd, the full moon in Scorpio opposes Mercury on your relationship axis and squares Saturn and Neptune, so there is no getting away from the fact that some chickens will be coming home to roost. For some of you this will mean that an alliance moves on to the next stage and commitments can be made, while others may realise that a partnership has reached its sell-by date. You really need to consider now whether one or more associations are meeting your needs and be totally honest about their prospects. Positive aspects between Jupiter and Saturn on the 6th encourage you to plan for the future, and since Venus and Pluto are also in the mix passionate declarations may be uttered or jealous accusations made. Pluto transforms by tearing down and re-building, so, if you have been sitting on the fence with one particular liaison (and let's not forget organizations here too), the planets are urging you to make a choice. By the new moon of the 15th, you should have a much clearer idea of where you are going and with whom.

In my general forecast I refer to the week of the 7th being somewhat trying for us all: as far as your sign is concerned it is the sun's and Mercury's connection to the Saturn-Neptune opposition that poses the biggest challenge. It is this opposition that has caused you to fluctuate between high hopes and dark doubts and this opposition that has played such havoc with your plans. There may be no obvious reason why something cannot come together as planned and no lack of effort on your part to blame for any less than wonderful result: what is happening is that you are receiving a master class the perversity of life, and disappointments must simply be borne and moved on from. Things will change.

Once past the 14th the planetary influences smooth out and there may be some pleasant surprises regarding finances or a creative endeavour. The weekend of the 19th is perfect for a last moment get-away and for taking a chance on your heart.

1st June 2007 - 30th June 2007
The sun passes through your zone of shared resources this month, which may result in an increase in your joint income. Of course you can't all win the lottery, but, around the new moon of the 15th, some of you will be making a commitment or signing a contract which will bring about positive changes in your financial situation. Mercury turns retrograde on the very same day, however, so make sure you read the small print very carefully before putting your name to anything. The 19th could prove to be a very significant day for you too: your ruler Pluto, opposes the sun while Venus forges a harmonious trine to Jupiter.

At best, this combination indicates a windfall or the finalising of a settlement but at worst you may face an unexpectedly large financial demand. Should a cash-flow problem indeed develop, talk matters through with organizations that or individuals who can help, because out a financial crisis will come a new way forward.

The Saturn Neptune opposition rears its head once again on the 25th . This transit may well have produced a see-saw effect over the last nine months or so, in that one good development has been followed by a difficulty, or you may have seen promising situations fizzle out for no good reason. In theory, you are being shown the benefits of being more fluid, of not having such fixed expectations that you cannot accommodate changes when they appear. Also, despite your belief that such and such a course of action is right for you, the cosmos has believed otherwise... Since Saturn has been placed in the zone of career and life-goals and Neptune in the area of home and family, these are the areas in which you have experienced the greatest imbalance and the most frustration. However, this trend will phase itself out during the next few months, and by the end of the year you will be able to make a plan without fearing that it will never come to fruition.

Last but not least, Mars heads into the relationship zone on the 24th , setting in motion a theme of sugar and spice. Aside from the promise of a little more rumpy-pumpy (!) you will no longer be in any doubt as to who is your friend and who is your enemy.

1st July 2007 - 31st July 2007
As the sun transits your zone of far horizons, this is the perfect time to venture further from your home base - take a holiday, explore new areas and generally become more adventurous. With the sun and new moon both in the sign of Cancer, beaches spring to mind and, being another water sign, the soothing sound of the waves would be an excellent way to restore your energy and put you in touch with your more spiritual side. Mercury goes direct on the 10th, so travel should run more smoothly after this date. Before that, journeys could be subject to frustrating delays or detours, so, bear this in mind if you have yet to book a trip, or, if the deed has been done, arm yourself with suitable accoutrements to ensure your comfort - magazines, water, snacks, etc. - so that you can pass the time as pleasantly as possible if stuck in a traffic jam or airport queue.

The month begins well from a career point of view: you may be offered a promotion or pay rise as Venus aspects Saturn (1st) and Pluto (9th). Certainly any extra responsibilities thrust on your shoulders should lead to financial benefits in the future. After the 23rd, the sun moves into the area of life direction while Venus begins its retrograde motion through the same area. There is a suggestion here that while you have been 'away from your desk' something has stalled or there has been a communication failure, in which case you may have your time cut out tracing the problem back to its origins. Nonetheless, the stars are certainly more harmonious this month than they have been for some time.

The month ends on a rather emotional note with the full moon highlighting the base of your solar chart. This is a most sensitive area, connected with home and family, and since all full moons are redolent with the theme of closure and completion, the weekend of the 28th and the 30th would be an appropriate moment to bury the hatchet and to begin a new chapter.

1st August 2007 - 31st August 2007
If you've got your career on your mind or you're making big plans for the future, you're in synch with your stars. Throughout August the sun, Mercury and Venus will all be transiting the area of life-direction, and for some Scorpios - especially those of you with birthdays on or near the 21st November - there could be some huge changes in the pipeline. Some of these changes will have been inspired by you but others will happen as a result of other people's actions. Indeed, there is a strong theme of fate versus free-will during this month, by which I mean events will call into question whether you have contributed to them or if they have come quite literally out of the blue.

The fading Saturn-Neptune opposition will still be a force to be reckoned with this month, and you'll probably see why around the 1st, 14th 18th and 21st. You've had to balance your hopes against reality under this opposition; you have seen some great ideas drizzle into nothing and you've struck the occasional nugget of gold but once August is out you should have one ambition firmly under your belt.

The period from the 21st is perhaps the trickiest. You'll need to separate fact from fiction and be able to recognize who is being honest and who is lying through his or her teeth. The lunar eclipse of the 28th cuts across the creative axis of your solar chart, signalling a powerful new alliance or a birth of some description. However before the new can come in an ending must take place, and maybe this will be achieved in the last ten days of August.

1st September 2007 - 30th September 2007
At first glance, September looks to be a highly sociable month. The zone of creativity and collaboration is in focus, which usually means you'll be out and about, mixing with friends and networking like a professional. But look a little closer and there are some darker influences at work. Saturn's arrival in this area on the 2nd, followed by a solar eclipse on the 11th, puts up a red flag: it may be that a friendship or working association is in trouble, and requires great skill to prevent it from falling apart completely; it could be that a development in the life of a friend or colleague makes a difference as to how you feel about him or her or, perhaps, a series of disappointments or disagreements has finally put a wedge between you and another person. Whatever the case, people in general and close associations in particular require care, both in the early part of the month and around the 19th. Saturn will spend a little over two years in this area of your horoscope during which time you will find those relationships which are meant to stand the test of time grow stronger while others will fall by the wayside. Scorpios are well known for cutting dead wood from your lives when the need arises, but equally capable of salvaging what seems beyond redemption.

Venus has been retrograding in the tenth house of career and life-goals since the end of July so you may have felt that you were getting nowhere fast with certain projects and plans. Fortunately, this planet turns direct on the 8th and you should find in tandem that you start to make better progress. There is always a purpose behind any obstructions and by the end of the month you'll understand why you had to go through such a trying time.

Pluto, your ruler, is very active around the 3rd and 19th and since this planet is transiting the zone of self worth these dates could prove crucial to the success of a financial endeavour. There is nothing small and insignificant about events at these times so if the news is good, it'll be over-the-moon fantastic, and, if not....in the immortal words of Scarlet O'Hara, 'tomorrow is another day'.

1st October 2007 - 31st October 2007
The sun is passing through your inner sanctum this month…your most private, spiritual zone, so anything you experience is likely to touch you at soul level. You are probably the most complex and least shallow of all the signs, so life is never simple for you at the best of times. For some of you a deep friendship may be formed around the 14th : Venus and Saturn conjoin indicating a relationship which will stand the test of time. You could be celebrating a special anniversary with an old friend or maybe attending a reunion of some kind around this date. This aspect, however it pans out in your life, smacks of strong bonds and committed relationships, thus emphasising the theme of depth as mentioned above. As Saturn continues to transit your friendship zone during the coming months you could find that you begin to demand more from your friends, or they from you. You may discover that you are no longer interested in frivolous people who do not offer you true support in times of crisis. Saturn brings an air of gravitas to your friendships - they may not set the world alight, but they are reliable and trustworthy, which, to someone of your integrity, is much more important. Since Mercury goes retrograde on the 12th, it is also possible that someone from the past re-enters your life. This could, of course, tie in with the theme of reunions, but you will no doubt be mulling over the past and perhaps talking about the good old days. If this all sounds rather sombre, take heart from the fact that there is potentially much joy to be found in these stars. The 9th and 29th, for example, are great days for celebrating. With the full moon of the 26th in your partnership zone, it could even be a wedding…what's more, it might be yours!

1st November 2007 - 30th November 2007
The sun is shining on you this month, bringing warmth and vigour to your life. You should feel as though you are emerging from a cocoon, having been in virtual hibernation over the past few weeks. The new moon of the 9th is a great time to make a fresh start in your personal life: if you feel like re-inventing yourself, discarding any negative behaviour patterns or changing the way you see the world, this is the perfect time to do so. Mercury is also transiting your sign and, since this planet resumes direct motion on the 1st, there is an excellent opportunity to communicate your needs and desires to whom it may concern. You are not always the most open of people and will do anything to protect your privacy. You could, however, risk baring your soul a little now if need be. Friends could be particularly supportive of you or the source of much pleasure and fun. After 8th the tables may well turn and you will be the one offering a sympathetic ear as Venus moves into the sign of Libra helping you to re-discover your charitable, caring nature.

The one blot on the astrological horizon is Master of Mystery and Deception, Neptune. This planet is in high focus around the 12th and 24th so you will need to be on your guard for people who and situations that are not quite as they seem. And since Mars turns retrograde on the 15th it may be that someone or something does an about-turn so that you are suddenly plunged into a state of confusion. As always in such situations it is far better to gain distance and perspective before reaching any kind of conclusion. Fortunately, there are enough planets in your own sign to ground you and give you the energy to cope with any crisis and you are, after all, a Scorpio and famous for rising, phoenix-like from any difficult situations.

1st December 2007 - 31st December 2007
There is nothing small and insignificant about December's stars, so if you were expecting a fairly laid-back month, sit up straight and start taking notes! Not only Saturn and Uranus but also Jupiter and Pluto help make this a month for the memory books, and, with Venus in your sign love and romance could be fuelling those future memories.

As I mentioned in my general forecast, Jupiter and Pluto will be in conjunction on the 11th for the first time since December 1994, so if you can think back thirteen years, almost to the day, you'll have some idea of what is to come. Certainly, transformation is the keyword here, and on a grand scale, and since finances are in the frame, at one extreme you could win the lottery and, on the other, lose your shirt! This is a good time to make a major investment, whether that involves money, your talents or your heart. And there is a lot to be said for the notion that when you make a commitment of some magnitude the universe supports you. Nevertheless, you should bear in mind also that if you hurt someone's feelings at this time, or offend anyone, forgiving and forgetting won't be in their game plan. Secrets tend to come out in an astrological climate like this too so although you are the zodiac's sleuth and mystery keeper don't take any risks if you want a situation to remain under wraps.

Which brings me neatly onto to Venus. This planet's transit of your sign will enhance your self-image and it will make you more attractive to others. Thus, this is not the Christmas season to refuse any invitations should you be single and searching. You need to spoil yourself and affirm your virtues - that way you'll be even more irresistible. Venus will also help relationships that have slipped into reverse gear to get back their zip and should you want to reconnect with someone don't be too proud to pick up the phone. Finally, if you meet someone under these powerful stars, this person will make a huge difference to your existence - you may even spend the rest of your life with him or her.

From the 18th travel and communication become a much bigger feature of your existence. You may be planning or taking a long journey or information will be exchanged that profoundly alters your outlook. Journeys are best accomplished before or after the 24th, however, since a full moon on Christmas Eve will make for complications and delays. As for New Year's Eve - for some this is going to be an unforgettable entry into 2008.

1st January 2008 - 31st January 2008
2008 enters in a blaze of glory - a Mars-Pluto opposition by another name. You are not a sign that does anything by halves so there will be many Scorpios making all-or-nothing moves in the early part of January, and, if anything has been simmering or festering, it could blow a big hole in your plans so be careful to lift the lid off sensitive issues with great care. This aspect is a terrific energizer though so if you need to mount a major campaign (and who doesn$t have some kind of backlog to sort after Christmas) you have the planetary ammunition with which to tackle it in style. Finances and communications are highlighted here and the first half of January is an excellent period in which to talk to the money people and to create new financial structures. It is also a premium period for discussing ways in which to add more breadth and scope to your life, whether in regard to career, home life - whatever.

The week of the 21st is interesting... The full moon of the 22nd falls on the axis of life-direction in some cases creating a conflict between the demands of career versus those of home and personal life. And, for whatever reason, it seems you need to regain your sense of balance. In practical terms this full moon could signal the signing of a contract or the resolution of a long-standing matter, yet there is also a possibility of some problems with household appliances and a quandary created by a family member. So, if you sense any distress signals earlier in the month, attend to them!

Quite the most important astro-event of the month is the change of sign for your ruling planet, Pluto. On the 26th, Pluto enters the area of communications, following in Jupiter$s footsteps. For this year only your greatest opportunities for growth spring from new thinking, a change in your belief systems. This may manifest as your going back to school, acquiring new skills for work or developing new strategies for life. After 2008 this process of growth will be slower but no less profound and may lead to some Scorpios moving to different countries and leading a very different kind of life. Nonetheless, with sixteen years to transit this zone of your chart don$t expect revelations and revolutions too soon, unless, of course, you are at the very beginning of your sign.

Finally, on the 28th Mercury heads into reverse gear so don$t leave anything to chance when it comes to travel or communications. Of course, you may find a journey over old ground is seriously rewarding...

1st February 2008 - 29th February 2008
Getting to the roots of situations is second nature to Scorpio and you're going to be doing plenty of digging in February. A solar eclipse (7th) at the base of your horoscope begins a new cycle for home and family life, and the new may well arrive in the form of a new person. Eclipses change the status quo so while some Scorpios may be planning a house move or some renovation others will be welcoming a new member of the family into the fold. Certainly, February is an ideal month to freshen up your life, whether you do so personally, professionally - whatever. Valentine's Day is all about travel and discussions so if you're still wondering how to please and surprise your significant other, book a trip to an unfamiliar destination. On the other hand, someone may whisk you away somewhere special. The only problem with the period around the 14th is that it comes midway between two eclipses and there is a strong Saturnian influence. Put another way, keep your expectations low and focus on those things that really matter in life, love and relationships. The total lunar eclipse of the 21st will reveal the weaknesses in an endeavour or an association - just how fixable the problems are rather depends but if you feel already that you've been throwing good money after bad, so to speak, maybe it is time to move on.

1st March 2008 - 31st March 2008
March should always be a positive month for you: the sun spends much of its time in your fellow water sign, Pisces, activating the pleasure zone of your horoscope and bringing out your creative talents. This year, however, the planets are at cross purposes so although you can expect some happy times with friends and family there will be the occasional upset, perhaps linked to a planned event. Last minute changes are a theme, and especially where events related to children or holidays are concerned you will need patience and some alternatives up your sleeve. Romance is going to be high on the agenda for some Scorpios - sudden attractions and equally unexpected romantic upsets are possible and, if you've been debating leaving a relationship for a new love, the aspects on or near the 8th and 28th could send you on your way. Travel and distant objectives also figure in the astrological equation, so if you've got a trip already booked or you find yourself deep in discussion about future exciting events, you're well and truly in synch with your stars. Tally ho!

1st April 2008 - 30th April 2008
Getting in shape is the theme of the month, and while you could take this as an incentive to head to the gym and the beauty shop, it's more a case of sorting out your life - improving your life-style, side-lining those things that are time-consuming and energy-wasting and putting in the building blocks of working and intimate relationships. Influences during the first eight days could change life as you know it on the work front, and you should be open to new systems and technologies, regardless how attached you may be to the old ones! And if it's people rather than machines that ruffle your feathers in early April, do your best not to turn an ally into an enemy - at least not until you've thought matters through. By the 10th relationships start to become the big story: the Grand Trine configuration will help strengthen bonds already in place and should you meet someone or join an organization the association will make a positive difference to your life. The full moon of the 20th (the only full moon in Scorpio this year) will empower you and it is also a sign that you have come full circle with a relationship - a time to make or break the ties that bind.

1st May 2008 - 31st May 2008
Relationships take the top astrological spot. The sun, Venus and Mercury will all transit this area of your solar chart, making May the month to meet prospective partners, to build bridges in working and intimate alliances and generally find consensus with others. It is also a period when you need to be prepared to listen to other people, to allow them to express their needs and feelings, rather than impress them with yours. Also, if you have been dating someone for a while and you sense that you could have a future together, a proposal may well be forthcoming. As for wedding dates: the periods around the 1st, 12th and 17th look magic. The full moon of the 20th is the second one in a month in your sign - usually you only get one each year - so consider yourself empowered and enlightened. This would be a perfect moment to make a decision about a relationship and the right time to bring to an end any relationship patterns that are standing in the way of your future happiness. Heaven is other people!

1st June 2008 - 30th June 2008
You'll be dealing in depth with issues great and small this month. Indeed, this is a far from lightweight period of the year. Finances are top of the list for your attentions, and it seems you are ready to end a long pattern of spending, earning and saving with a view to starting a new one. There are some financial realities to face and there could be some opposition or delay to contend with regarding a property, inheritance or investment. Your greatest asset will be your ability to change your tactics and to embrace new and very different solutions. And while this advice could apply principally to finances you might find it helpful with a relationship too. For some Scorpios June is a time when you are passionately engaged with a new love (or even an old one!) while for others a relationship gains in depth because of the core issues you are confronting together. By contrast a few Scorpios could feel themselves to be poles apart from their significant other, even contemplating ending the relationship. Events between the 9th and 21st will certainly test the strength of a relationship and your commitment to it. After the 21st, life lightens up considerably and a trip or holiday could be the reason why.

1st July 2008 - 31st July 2008
It's time to dust off your passport, pack your bags and head off to distant climes. And, if you're not travelling far and wide in July you'll be going the distance in terms of actions and thought. Scorpio is a very territorial sign - one that does not welcome change with open arms – but once you do break through any self-imposed boundaries you not only add to your knowledge and experience but gain a sense of liberation, and this potential is alive and well in your chart this month. The new moon of the 3rd opens a door of some description and events on or near this date are generally fortuitous; the period around the 10th, however, is a challenge. You'll need to tread on eggshells with certain individuals, and should a discussion start to unravel and tempers fray, avoid doing anything irrevocable. On the 12th, Venus moves to the top of your horoscope where she can focus her loving energies on your career. This is the beginning of a four-week period when you could and should mix business with pleasure; on the other hand, affairs of the heart now become a top priority with some Scorpios making big plans for the future and others putting in the building blocks of a new relationship.

1st August 2008 - 31st August 2008
August may be your chosen period to get away from it all but, wherever you go, you'll take these alignments with you, so to speak. Yes, August is a cracker of a month – two eclipses and a host of angles involving that trio of trouble-makers, Pluto, Neptune and Uranus contribute to all the fun. These planets are, of course, the great change-bringers for which we should always be grateful but the way we are forced onto a new course is what we do not like. And this looks to be the scenario for August. Career and life-goals are in the frame, with some Scorpios leaving one job and starting another and others going through major readjustments because of a relationship or financial development. It is the right time to close a small or large chapter of life and to consider new and better ways to live, work and find that elusive factor, fulfilment. But it can be done and August sends you on your way. Although the general forecast is stormy, do not assume that all those events you have in your diary are going to be a wash-out; what these aspects will do is bring out the very best and worst in people and situations so the good will be fantastic and the bad, you really shouldn't lose any sleep over. Nonetheless, the wise Scorpio will have back-up plans and a sense of humour upgrade.

1st September 2008 - 30th September 2008
Compared to August, September is a dream. Actually, September is anything but fantastical and insubstantial... During the first week a sun-Saturn conjunction puts the glue in endeavours and associations alike, so you'll get to know precisely what is worth a dime and what is not. This would be an ideal time to join a team of like-minded individuals for the purpose of a long-term project, and, indeed, anything that comes up for your consideration should be taken seriously. Choose the first week for meetings with people you need to impress and if you have put off starting anything from a diet to a job search, get moving in early September and you won't look back. There is an unsettled patch mid-month, so take it easy and don't overreact if something has to be changed or postponed. Should you meet someone new at this time, the relationship may not prove lasting but it will be unforgettable. Pop the 24th in your diary because beautiful Venus enters your sign setting the stage for a successful and romantic October – you'll be irresistible and communication buff, Mercury, turns on its heels causing mis-communications and delays.

1st October 2008 - 31st October 2008
You're in the deeps of the twelfth house, so don't be surprised if you feel less the life and soul of the party and more a soul in search of its source. To add to the disconnect-factor, Mercury will be retrograding in the same area, causing you to question other people's actions and intentions, and you yourself could be uncharacteristically unsure of where you stand on certain issues. By contrast, Mars will be in your sign from the 5th, giving you energy and driving you hard. My advice, however, is not to push yourself until the 23rd and to leave all unresolved issues alone until you really know what you're doing. Venus will also be in Scorpio until the 18th so maybe the reason you are more reflective and reclusive is that you are preoccupied with a new love, or even an old love... When Venus is in your sign your powers of attraction are increased and you can draw towards you who and what you want so do not underestimate the force of your unspoken desires. If you sense some subtle changes in someone's behaviour on or near the 11th, try not to press him or her for explanations - by the 15th Mercury will be back in direct motion and mysteries will clear up all by themselves.

1st November 2008 - 30th November 2008
With the sun and Mars in your sign this is one happening month. You have the energy and drive to accomplish all your objectives, however, there will be some aggro in the process, if only because you are exhausted by your labours. Then there's the Saturn-Uranus opposition... This aspect has been building since September and it will remain active until 2010 (and, if you want to know more about this please read my article elsewhere on Astrolutely). Since your sign is synonymous with the phoenix you are used to rising anew out of the ashes of situations, and the Saturn-Uranus opposition is all about the end of old orders and the emergence of new ones, whether this occurs in your love-life, your career, friendships -whatever. On the 13th, Neptune and the full moon combine to make the going very mysterious indeed. Getting to the truth of the matter will be a long day's journey into night so before you react to information and the appearance of a situation, do your homework. Relationships are in the sights of this full moon so while love could blossom at this point, it will be easy to lose the plot too, and you will need to keep the reins on your passionate personality. The second half of the month puts the accent on finance: this is one of the best periods of the year to sort out loans and agreements, and the new moon of the 27th could signal a bonus or new avenue of income. In a nutshell, a month when much could happen and in the blink of an eye.

1st December 2008 - 31st December 2008
You probably don't need me to tell you that you should have money in mind. But just in case you're wondering where your focus should be for December, it's finances. For some Scorpios a happy ending regarding a property or contract is in store, for others, after a period of trying to keep all your monetary balls in the air, something has to go, and, in general, this is not a month to play fast and loose with money, nor to assume that an outcome is assured. Put a ring around the 5th and 12th in your diary because these are the dates upon which situations reach crunch point, and the more laid- back and unemotional you are, the better. Of course, it may not be money that is the focus for all these stirring influences but a relationship or some other aspect of life. But whatever the case, emotional detachment and a philosophical attitude is what is needed. Venus will be in the area of home and the foundations of life for most of the month, so harmony should reign over the Christmas and New Year celebrations - indeed a member of the family may have a big announcement to make. And, as you raise your glass to 2009, give a little thought to Jupiter who is about to ensure growth and happiness in at least one area of life, next year.

1st January 2009 - 31st January 2009
A new year and a very good start. On the 6th, Jupiter, the planet of plenty, will begin its transit of the fourth house of home and family and while this may produce many domestic bonuses throughout 2009 Jupiter's main job will be to protect you and act as a buffer against financial and emotional storms. Travel and important dialogues could be on January's astro-menu but with Mercury turning retrograde on the 11th getting from one point to another could prove convoluted. Nonetheless, this should not deter you from seeking to connect with people who are necessary to your success and happiness, nor should it prevent you from travelling for business or pleasure – you just have to build in the possibility of delays and detours. The last seven days of the month look to be the most eventful, whether you already have dates in your diary that promise to be exciting, and certainly different, or because events take you by surprise causing you to rearrange your schedule, if not revamp one long term plan. But, as I said earlier, this is a good start to 2009.

1st March 2009 - 31st March 2009
With the sun in your fifth solar house you should be the life and soul of the party – should being the operative word. While March is the right time to release your inner child and find your creative spirit, the way the planets are grouped is not exactly conducive to riotous fun. Maybe a compromise is what is needed here: pour your energies into the serious issues, as and when they arise, and once you've done what you can, focus on pleasure and the people who and the things that you love. Socializing could introduce you to a new and fascinating person, not necessarily with romance in mind but simply someone who will add to the quality of your life and open you up to new experience. There could be news of a new arrival and you yourself could begin a new project, whether of a business or personal nature. But what about those problems? Well, Saturn and Uranus create a kind of stop-go effect: just as you think you've got a measure on a specific issue, a new twist appears, making life very frustrating. Finances are probably top of the list here, but any situation that has been in a state of flux for far too long bears this Saturn-Uranus stamp. Patience and persistence are what is required. On the 20th, the sun heads into the work zone and immediately hooks up Pluto, so for some Scorpios a discussion will lead to a major change on the job front, and, certainly, a radical re-think of one of your life strategies.

1st February 2009 - 28th February 2009
I have waxed poetic about the virtues of Jupiter's transit of your fourth house and this February produces your first opportunity of 2009 to discover what I mean. Two eclipses – 26 January and 9 February – spell change, and of the unexpected variety. This could manifest as a surprise addition to the family or developments that necessitate moves or alterations to the home base. On the other hand, some Scorpios will be facing an unexpected turn of events regarding their career. You don't need me to tell you we're living in uncertain times but you might like to know that you have some divine protection working for you and that even the most trying of circumstances will turn out fine in the long run. What might also be of benefit is knowing that machinery will not be as reliable as it could be this month and that anything from the weather to a loss of focus could lead to inconveniences. And this trend is particularly strong on or near the 5th and 12th. Love and romance are going to take work, by which I mean you could be preparing for a special Valentine's event, putting in the building blocks of a new relationship or engaged in an effort to strengthen or shore up an established one. However, whatever you do, avoid giving an ultimatum, especially on or near the 6th. Some things are better left alone for the time being.

1st April 2009 - 30th April 2009
If you find yourself gazing around your home or place of work and thinking: this needs sorting, you're definitely in synch with your stars. April is all about making your life work better, and that could involve taking your health to task and examining what rituals and routines are superfluous to requirements. The full moon of the 9th will expose any weaknesses in the system and since this is on the eve of Easter, taking it easy over the coming weekend could be the answer to many of life's little problems. On the other hand, if you have a packed Easter schedule, try not to exaggerate minor inconveniences, especially those involved with travel or social arrangements. Mars is giving you extra doses of energy and drive, which could make this a great month for sporting activities, entrepreneurial ventures and bringing new things into being. Indeed, your creative output could be extremely high. However, Mars is a proverbial double-edged sword so while you may be fired up and raring to go, other people may not appreciate your enthusiasm, resulting in more than the usual amount of spats. Be a little more laid-back around the 5th and 15th, and if you run into a roadblock, give yourself some time to consider all the options. Job security is a big issue for many people now, regardless of their sun sign, and if you're concerned about your future, April – especially on or near the 18th and 23rd – is a premium time for networking, interviewing and creating back-up plans. You are resourceful, Scorpio – just marry that resourcefulness to fearlessness, and you have a winning ticket.

1st May 2009 - 31st May 2009
You're anything but a free agent this month: other people claim your time and energies, in some cases happily so because you will be sharing special occasions with a loved one or building a new relationship that shows every sign of being a long-term one. However, Mercury is retrograde and Neptune is a strong presence so there will be delays and other frustrations. The full moon of the 9th is the only full moon this year in your sign and while this may prove to be a very emotional time, you will also be empowered and enlightened. Just how quickly you put some of your ideas into action rather depends, but my advice would be to wait until June before making a reality of any inspirations. The Jupiter-Neptune conjunction of the 27th is another important date for your diary. Increase and divine intervention are the themes here, which for some Scorpios may translate as a much-needed break on the home and property front and for others, an event that plucks at the heart strings.

1st June 2009 - 30th June 2009
Wise and capable as you may be other people still prefer to do it their way, as you may well discover this month. Your life is in the hands of others and your existence will be a whole lot easier if you're prepared to compromise. Money matters are top of the list when it comes to accepting other people's terms, although you may find you do rather well out of a financial negotiation. Mars and Venus will be in the zone of relating, hotting up your sex life and generally creating a climate in which love and romance can blossom and thrive. Both these planets harmoniously trine your ruler, Pluto, on the 4th and 8th respectively so expect beautiful things and you should receive them. Indeed, June is a premium month for setting romances on a firm course, meeting a special someone and starting again should your relationship have hit the rocks in recent times. On the 21st the sun heads into the far horizons sector of your horoscope, thereby beginning a four to eight week period in which you may travel some distance. The latter part of June is also significant because Pluto opposes the sun for the first time in this sixteen-year cycle: at the very least your thinking on someone or something could be radically altered at this time, but for some Scorpios it really is the beginning of a new era.

1st July 2009 - 31st July 2009
You're not exactly your own boss, by which I mean either you'll be partnering up in order to pursue personal or professional endeavours or other people will play a big part in your affairs and it will be less easy for you to do your own thing. This is an excellent month to form a new business partnership, put a love affair onto a permanent footing and to meet new people. Aspects towards the end of June combined with the eclipses of the 7th and 22nd July could be instrumental in getting you on to a new course, whether this translates literally as embarking on an educational programme or metaphorically as entering new personal and professional territory. (There could be some key moves of a legal nature too.) Certainly, eclipses change the status quo and even a short trip could turn out to be pivotal to a new page of your life book. The Jupiter-Neptune conjunction of the 10th could inspire you to follow your dreams and it will also bring out your loving and compassionate side. On the other hand, if someone is not delivering his/her promises or you feel a situation is on shaky ground, distance yourself until the full facts are revealed.

1st August 2009 - 31st August 2009
This is a very outgoing and go-ahead period of the year. For some Scorpios this means you will be focusing on career matters and getting your material world in shape and for others events will contribute to the overall shape of the next twelve months. The lunar eclipse of the 6th is a key astro-event, signalling an ending and a beginning. There could be home moves planned, surprises from family members or changes on the job front. Certainly, this is a date around which some of the most important developments of the year could take place. Should you receive some conflicting news mid-month, take your time establishing the truth – Neptune is at his confusing best then and situations will be very deceptive. Throughout August Mars will be in the zone of finances and shared resources so partners of both the business or marital kind will be on the offensive, determined to set rights to wrongs. In many ways this is a positive transit, unless, of course, you're in dispute with an individual or an organization. If this is indeed the case, don't fight fire with fire and aim for compromise. (And this advice should prove particularly helpful on or near the 11th and 19th.) Both the beginning and end of the month contain enough Plutonium to resolve a matter once and for all, however, these are not the times to assume you can act with impunity: actions will have consequences.

1st September 2009 - 30th September 2009
You're never alone with a crowded eleventh house. By which I mean when planets congregate in this area of the horoscope, as they do this September, the focus is on team work, business and social projects and generally pooling resources. It is a highly creative period, and one when you get far further holding hands with others, so to speak, than going it alone. One or two factors stand in the way of perfect togetherness, however: the Saturn-Uranus opposition (active between the 5th and 22nd) and retrograde Mercury (7th - 29th ). It may be that you will encounter problems that took root in the past, or it could be that the changing times require new strategies so that old alliances and endeavours peter out or hit a major stumbling block. It may not be necessary to sever connections but it will be mandatory to re-think alliances and projects. Love and romance also have a part to play in September's story: for some Scorpios a friendship morphs into a physical relationship and for others dates are set for a wedding or solid plans made for the future. And in general this is a month to focus on the idea that your partner is your best friend and you work better as a team than each of you fighting for control. Mercury will reveal a secret, even if that secret is within your own heart...

1st October 2009 - 31st October 2009
If, as October begins, you seem to be in a fog the reason is a crowded twelfth house. When planets occupy this area of your solar chart, you are not so consciously in control; you are more reflective; you are absorbing events on an internal level and are not yet ready to respond to them in reality, however, this trend will pass as soon as the sun enters your own sign on the 23rd. Should you be able to cut back your schedule and take some time out before then, so much the better but if not, do your best to get as much sleep as possible and try not to let events and other people overwhelm you. This is an excellent period to put your health under the astro-microscope and to note your dreams, which will be full of information. Try not to worry if a love affair seems to have changed gear or someone appears to be distancing himself/herself from you; a relationship cannot maintain a full-on status for the duration and sometimes when the tempo decreases another kind of growth is taking place. You will feel much more sure of yourself and the way a relationship is going by the middle of November. From the 16th, Mars will be influencing career and ambitions, making the next six weeks or so a highly significant period for getting ahead. There will be opportunities to set out your market stall but you will have to be careful not to cross swords with an individual who or an organization that has considerable clout. Especially around the 10th and 15th should a contentious issue arise, play it very cautiously. Saturn heads into the twelfth house on the 29th for a three-year stay: this is a complex transit because, on the one hand, you can put in place the building blocks of future success but, on the other, you may occasionally feel cut off from the mainstream and somewhat isolated emotionally. I mention this only as a guide should such feelings arise.