HOROSCOPE PUZZLES

Your week in the stars

By Joanne Madeline Moore

13-19 February, 2023

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

This week romance is in the air, but the energy is behind the scenes suggesting a private, magical Valentine’s Day. (“Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze” – Carolyn Gold Heilbrun.) Single Rams – subtle signs and unexpected synchronicities could lead you to your true love, so keep your intuition well-tuned. When it comes to work, a long-term goal or a group project requires plenty of hard graft to get it off the ground.

TAURUS (Apr 21 – May 21)

Have you got a pile of projects that you’ve started but is unfinished? This week the Sun and Saturn boost motivation and concentration, so you can bring a project to a conclusion. Don’t waste the opportunity! With Venus and Neptune hooking up in your hopes-and-wishes zone, you’re set for an amorous Valentine’s Day. Romantic music, stylish surroundings and gourmet food are calling. Singles – sparks could fly with a sexy Scorpion or a passionate Piscean.

GEMINI (May 22 – June 21)

Gregarious Geminis love to chat, so this Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to tell loved ones how much you really care. Inspiration for the week is from birthday great, avant-garde artist Yoko Ono (born on February 18, 1933): “The regret of my life is that I have not said ‘I love you’ often enough.” Saturday’s Mercury/Jupiter connection is fabulous for communication, education, travel, commerce, business, philosophical discussions and future planning.

CANCER (June 22 – July 23)

Coupled Crabs – find a dream you and your partner can share together. Then put time, effort and hard work into making that dream come true. (“Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but of looking outward together in the same direction” – Antoine St Exupery.) Singles – with romance planet Venus in your travel zone, love is likely with someone from another country or culture. Alternatively, you could meet them while one of you is on holiday.

LEO (July 24 – Aug 23)

When it comes to romance, marriage and close friendships, Saturn is constantly reminding you about your current duties and responsibilities. But, this week, make sure you have plenty of fun. Your quote for Valentine’s Day is from writer George Sand: “There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.” Saturday favours partnerships, communication, education, travel and international connections, as you initiate projects with passion and enthusiasm.

VIRGO (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Whether you’re attached, searching for your soulmate, or happily single, Valentine’s Day is an appropriate time to reflect on the fact that love really does make the world go around. And love is definitely the glue that binds us all together. Saturday’s Mercury/Jupiter link highlights your natural ability to think of a fabulous idea, do the research that’s required, and then act on it. When you walk your talk (with Virgo versatility) you’re unstoppable!

LIBRA (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

At the moment, with taskmaster Saturn moving slowly through your romance zone, love is a very serious business. So your quote for Valentine’s Day is from writer William Barclay: “Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice.” Single Librans – it’s time to give flirtatious, superficial suitors the flick. Instead, look for a lover who has real character, depth and substance. A philosopher (with a romantic soul) who can last the distance.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

When it comes to finding (and maintaining) love, resist the urge to be overly controlling. Attached Scorpio – avoid the temptation to be bossy at home. Give your spouse more space. Singles – stop looking for love in all the obvious places. Write a wish-list of the important qualities you desire in a dream partner. Then sit back and wait for the magic to happen. As actress Loretta Young observed: “Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

With dynamic Mars travelling through your partnership zone, prepare for a bold and beautiful Valentine’s Day. Coupled Sagittarians – why not initiate a special romantic rendezvous with your partner? Singles – in order to find true love, you need to be brave and step out of your comfort zone. So, your motto is from Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Focus your attention on your lover, as you give them the right royal romantic treatment this Valentine’s Day. Singles … love and work are linked. However, when it comes to money, are you feeling less than abundant? The Sun/Saturn conjunction encourages you to work towards a financial goal with passion and persistence. Be inspired by birthday great Michael Jordan: “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Don’t take your partner – or potential partner – for granted! If you do, then your neglected lover may go looking for attention elsewhere. (“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone. It has to be made like bread, remade all the time, made new.” – Ursula Le Guin.) So, plan something uniquely special this Valentine’s Day. Single Aquarius – it doesn’t matter what a potential partner looks like, or how much money they make, you need a romantic mate who is also a friend.

PISCES (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Attached Fish – you’re feeling extra romantic as you lavish attention (and money) on your partner, wear your heart on your sleeve or play out a secret fantasy with your lover. Single Pisces – don’t base your self-esteem on whether you have a partner. You possess a multitude of talents, and a compassionate nature. Finding your soulmate is just the extra icing on an already spectacular cake! As the Sun shifts into Pisces (on the weekend) it’s your time to shine.

Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2023

General knowledge crossword No. 867

1 Name an alternative term for a stockman (US). (6)

8 Which Queen of Castile was the patron of Christopher Columbus? (8)

9 To develop gradually, is to do what? (6)

10 What might we call an “all day sucker”? (8)

11 Which term describes an exposure to danger or harm? (6)

12 What, colloquially, is political rhetoric? (4)

13 What, in two-up, is the opposite to tails? (5)

16 Name a type of heron. (5)

19 Name the appropriate sire of the dual Melbourne Cup winner, Archer, William ... (4)

21 What was the reputed exclamation of Archimedes? (6)

22 Which secret expression is used to obtain access to a restricted area? (8)

23 Name an extremely small weight. (6)

24 Name a powerful bleaching agent. (8)

25 What is a crisp, pungent, edible root of a particular plant? (6)

Solution next edition Down

2 To prevent difficulties by effective measures, is to do what? (7)

3 What is a strong post on a traffic island? (7)

4 Name dividends returned on investments. (6)

5 What is the mutton-fish known as? (7)

6 Which sailing vessel is built and rigged for speed? (7)

7 What serves as a bulwark or defence? (7)

13 To domineer over one’s husband is to do what? (7)

14 What might we call one of the 12 disciples? (7)

15 Name a renowned US film actor, Jimmy ... (7)

17 Frances Gumm was better known as Judy ...? (7)

18 What are Inuits called? (7)

20 What is an account book of final entry? (6)