Friday July 7

ARIES: (March 21 to April 20)
Mercury at a standstill may thwart plans or progress. While biding your time you might consider making changes that will improve the original blueprint or help you streamline events so that the tempo can ultimately be increased.

TAURUS: (April 21 to May 21)
If your first instinct is to speak from the heart, go with that thought. The more you ponder your options and reactions, the more confused you are likely to feel. Honesty is doubtless your best policy today.

GEMINI: (May 22 to June 21)
You have an ability to empathise with others, but you often lack patience and focus. Tune into your sensitive side in the days ahead, as all signs point towards yours being the role of mentor and adviser.

CANCER: (June 22 to July 23)
A restriction is likely to be lifted, giving you free rein to follow up on a goal or dream. Someone who has been a tower of strength deserves thanks and should be kept abreast of your plans.

LEO: (July 24 to August 23)
While Venus recently set the scene for happier relationships, clouds still hang over your personal life. Perhaps you are taking yourself or a situation too seriously and need to reassess your approach. Learn to lighten up.

VIRGO: (August 24 to September 23)
Your awareness of others is likely to be heightened and you will be eager to offer your services. Just be wary of crossing the line between being helpful and intruding in lives or problems of other people.

LIBRA: (September 24 to October 23)
Your social calendar or work diary may be filling, leaving you less time to dwell on petty problems. Someone's unanticipated but generous offer of help could further make life easier or even more exciting.

SCORPIO: (October 24 to November 22)
Lend a helping hand or sympathetic ear, but try to maintain some emotional distance between yourself and needy people. Self-sacrifice is admirable, but there is a danger it will impact on your emotional or physical health.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23 to December 22)
Static Mercury puts an embargo on blunt talk. Any attempt to speak straight from the heart could open up a can of worms and may even destroy one of your close relationships. Maintain the status quo.

CAPRICORN: (December 23 to January 20)
You may be thrust into the limelight despite a personal preference to remain behind the scenes. However, because of your charming manner and common sense approach, you are in no danger of embarrassing yourself or making mistakes.

AQUARIUS: (January 21 to February 19)
Events may not run entirely according to plan, but providing you remain flexible positive outcomes can be reached. Meantime, the standoff continues between you and someone who has been a constant thorn in your side.

PISCES: (February 20 to March 20)
Because you have an uncanny sixth sense and excellent timing, others will most likely defer to your better judgement. You may also come up with an inspiring idea that could eventually become a money-spinner or time saver.

YOUR DAY
People looking for one-size-fits-all solutions or relationships could be sadly disappointed. It seems inevitable that friction will occur today and compromise may be almost impossible to achieve. Meanwhile, those endeavours that require a single-minded approach can be tackled with the utmost confidence and sense of certainty.

YOUR BIRTHDAY
A rebirth or revamp is on the cards and despite cost coming into the equation you will be prepared to make sacrifices in order to upgrade your image. Hard work, determination and a strong sense of self, will be the factors that separate success from failure.