BOOKS/HOROSCOPE

Books Don’tletanyone dentyourdreams

n Love is Blind by Ruth E Vallis,Amazon

BLIND before the age of three, Ruth Vallis offers incredible insight into growing up blind.

Determined to succeed, Ruth quickly learned that you can let those who don’t understand you define who you are, or you can ignore them and follow your dreams—as she did.

At every stage of her extraordinary life in Canada, Ruth defied the low expectations of others, and took on such challenges as biking from Ottawa to Toronto, completing a Master’s of Science degree online, and more.

Through it all there was her tender mother, Peach, offering encouragement, support and humor to overcome enormous challenges.

Love is Blind will have you laughing, crying and being inspired within moments of reading through the first chapter.

Aphysiotherapist for 32 years, Ruth lives in Toronto with her guide dog, Darwin.

n www.ruthvallis.com

Caringforparents

n Day by Day:Emotional Wellbeing in Parents of Disabled Children, by Joanna Griffin, FreeAssociation Books, £14.99

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th)

There might not be much time for fun and games in earlyAugust. Responsibilities weigh heavily on your shoulders. On the 22nd, the Full Moon will mark the end to a big group project. You should be justifiably proud of this work, which will improve the lives of many people in your community. The final days of August are ideal for entering a partnership.A closes relationship will be a source of great comfort and happiness during the opening days of September. The New Moon on the 7th could attract a fabulous opportunity. The Full Moon on the 20th brings your spiritual needs to light; this is a great time to take up a sacred practice or adopt a new belief system.

PARENTING a disabled child can elicit complex emotional responses. For many parents their focus is solely on the child and their own needs become neglected.

Psychologist Joanna Griffin uses personal experience as a parent of a disabled child and her professional expertise to explore what helps and hinders parent carers’ emotional wellbeing.

Griffin has identified seven areas that provide support.

She offers tools to help families navigate the complicated emotions that can impact everyday life such as acknowledging feelings, connecting with positive others, empowering yourself, regularly engaging in self-care and finding your own sense of meaning and purpose in life. TAURUS (April 21st-May 21st)

Your hair-trigger temper could cause problems at home. Resist the temptation to lash out at a smug relative. You’ll become a virtual love magnet in mid-August; don’t be surprised if you fall for someone with an alluring accent. The Full Moon on the 22nd could mark a big career achievement; prepare for a big raise, promotion, or both.Although chances for fun will be few and far between at the start of September, you will be very successful with work. Try not to take it personally if your family isn’t very enthusiastic about your interests. You shouldn’t need anyone else’s approval to enjoy your hobbies. On the 20th, the Full Moon brings the successful conclusion to a group project.

GEMINI (May 22nd-June 21st)

The New Moon on the 8th could bring some deep, dark secrets to light; prepare for several shocks. Your family will be a tremendous source of comfort throughout the middle of August; trust a relative’s advice about a romantic matter. On the 22nd, the Full Moon could mark a legal victory. Your gift with words will attract admirers from every direction. September’s New Moon, on the 7th, could inspire you to make some big changes.Abig breakthrough looks likely around the 20th, when the Full Moon illuminates your professional accomplishments.Aformer romantic partner may try to contact you at the end of September.

RUSSELL GRANT CALLING . . .

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st)

Lording your knowledge over others will cause great resentment. Instead of broadcasting your brilliance, be quick to recognise people’s contributions. On the 22nd, the Full Moon brings an end to a very busy schedule. Instead of running errands all day, you will be able to read, write, play music and do anything else that makes you happy. Be realistic about professional commitments at the beginning of September; there may not be much opportunity for rest and relaxation. The New Moon on the 7th could bring a fabulous opportunity that makes your spirits soar. The Full Moon on the 20th will resolve a stressful family matter; you’ll breathe a sigh of relief when you find an affordable way to deal with this problem.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd-January 20th)

CANCER (June 22nd-July 23rd)

Awindfall from a business or romantic partnership could arrive in mid-August, helping you to breathe easier about meeting economic obligations. During the second half of the month, friendships will assume added importance. The Full Moon on the 22nd finds you overcoming a deep fear. If you’re single, you could meet someone special via a neighbourhood network. Home is where the heart is at the beginning of September. The New Moon on the 7th may bring exciting news about a community matter; this is cause for celebration. On the 20th, the Full Moon could mark the end of something special; alternatively, a legal decision could be rendered in your favour.

VIRGO (August 24th-September 23rd)

Push yourself to mingle on the 8th, when the New Moon could deliver a good opportunity. By mid-month, you’ll be attracting people who fuel your energy. The Full Moon on the 22nd could yield results of an ambitious fitness plan. Now that you have reached one goal, you’ll be ready to embark on a much healthier lifestyle. September opens with you radiating animal magnetism more powerfully than ever before. On the 20th, the Full Moon could bring about an exciting breakthrough in a close relationship. Getting engaged or married is possible, as is entering a business alliance. It may be time to revise your fees or renegotiate your salary at the end of the month. Bills could pile up, making you nervous. Beware of tying your personal worth to your financial standing on the 8th, when the New Moon makes you feel defensive and defeated. By mid-month, your financial fortunes will dramatically improve. Giving a public presentation at the end ofAugust should go smoothly. People appreciate your wit, style and sophistication. September’s New Moon on the 7th could bring an exciting opportunity. Taking an intensive online workshop is strongly advised. In the middle of September, you will have to get things into better shape. Use your leadership skills to create a lean, efficient team that is highly successful.

AQUARIUS (January 21st-February 19th)

LEO (July 24th-August 23rd) LIBRA(September 24th-October 23rd)

You’ll notice a definite generation gap during the first half ofAugust. Beware of obeying an impulse to change your look on the 8th, when a challenged New Moon can tempt you to overhaul your image. Your financial and professional prospects will soar during the middle of the month. The Full Moon on the 22nd will cause a close relationship to burst into flower. Expect a great offer to arrive on or shortly after September 7th, thanks to an enriching New Moon, while the Full Moon on the 20th could attract a financial windfall in the form of an inheritance.

The opening days ofAugust could be quite draining, due to some demanding friends and group obligations. The New Moon on the 8th could prompt you to break away from a social situation that has become oppressive. On the 22nd, the Full Moon could mark a turning point in your love life. Home can be a source of pleasure or pain at the beginning of September, depending on your attitude. On the 7th, the New Moon could deliver an affordable repair professional who can get your household up and running in no time flat. The sooner this work is finished, the happier you will be. During the final days of the month, you’ll reconsider some opinions that feel limiting.

SCORPIO (October 24th-November 22nd)

Whatever you do may not be enough at the start ofAugust.Aformer romantic partner could resurface quite suddenly during the second half of the month. The Full Moon on the 22nd could find you relocating to another city or revamping your current abode. Gorgeous surroundings will boost your confidence at the end ofAugust. Friends will be a source of tremendous support in the opening days of September. During the middle of the month you’ll get some great feedback about a writing or education project that’s been consuming lots of energy. On the 20th, the Full Moon bring a romantic relationship to a whole new level; it’s a great time to make a commitment.As September comes to an end, you should beware of taking family for granted.

Aclose relationship will show signs of strain. The New Moon on the 8th could find you arguing with relatives about your choice of romantic partner.An intimate encounter will cheer you up during the middle of the month. On the 22nd could find you stepping down from a prominent role, allowing you more time for creative pursuits. Your playful persona will be highly attractive in the closing days of August. Your love life will sizzle with excitement at the start of September. Try not to give in to pessimistic thinking about your professional prospects in mid-September.

PISCES (February 20th-March 20th)

If you’re unemployed, fill time between interviews with exercise. Moving your body will help relieve stress and give you an attractive glow.Aromantic or business partner can give you much needed support; two heads will be much better than one. The Full Moon on the 22nd finds you spending more time on your own, focusing on peaceful pursuits that keep you balanced and content. Be realistic about a partnership at the beginning of September. Instead of expecting a perfectionist to go with the flow, give thanks for their high standards.