Horoscopes: Thursday, 9 July

ARIES: (March 21 to April 20)
Your zero tolerance policy has a dramatic effect. Someone under your care finally takes responsibility or is repentant about the past. You can pull back from the role of mentor and enjoy greater freedom.

TAURUS: (April 21 to May 21)
You consider sacrifice a noble gesture. Provided your own health and welfare are taken care of first, you are free to nurture others through selfless acts of kindness. Altruistic energy is dominant today.

GEMINI: (May 22 to June 21)
If you are thrown when a situation backfires, consult an expert to find the answers. Your current best friends are people who think outside the box and see problems through objective eyes.
CANCER: (June 22 to July 23) You paint pretty pictures to trick others into believing. Each scenario is different but the overall theme of your day is seeking approval for your ideas. Practical help is needed for detail and dirty work.

LEO: (July 24 to August 23)
A heart-to-heart talk clears the air. Moon in your romantic sector breathes new life and passion into a jaded or long-term relationship. Leos believe that love makes the world go around.

VIRGO: (August 24 to September 23)
You are indifferent to social niceties and call it as you see it. In turn, criticism from others must be taken on the chi n or you will be accused of double standards. Tolerance is in short supply

LIBRA: (September 24 to October 23)
You cleverly buy time until a sense of certainty is established. Before a commitment is finalised, information needs to be gathered and long term plans put in place. Luckily you have patience on your side.

SCORPIO: (October 24 to November 22)
Where possible you should avoid the hustle and bustle. Boundaries are blurred today and others may invade your space or place high expectations on you. A balance of work, rest and play is ideal.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23 to December 22)
Impulsive action leads to pleasant outcomes. Ideas or invitations come out of the blue and you comply without weighing up the consequences. T he prevailing mood prompts you to experiment and seek variety in life.

CAPRICORN: (December 23 to January 20
It feels like you are taking two steps forward and one back. Slow and steady progress is frustrating but ultimately brings you closer to a chosen goal. Retain your sense of humour in trying circumstances.

AQUARIUS: (January 21 to February 19)
You are at your persuasive best. Thanks to the canny Moon coursing through your sign, bringing others around to your way of thinking is a simple task. You illustrate ideas in irresistible ways.

PISCES: (February 20 to March 20)
Your circle of friends and associates expands. A social or emotional element that has been missing from your life is restored in unexpected ways. You share anecdotes, information and experiences with other people.

YOUR DAY
There are no hard and fast rules today. Success depends on dealing with problems in isolation rather than looking for a one-size-fits-all solution. People tend to be detached but highly compassionate.

YOUR BIRTHDAY
You are nearing the end of a personal journey. Yearning for the past is an exercise in futility but putting plans in place for the future is a sensible use of time and resources