PUZZLES AND ASTROLOGY

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Today’s target: 20 words average 24 words good 33+ words excellent

Find words of four letters or more. Every word must include the centre letter and each letter is used once only. Find at least one nine-letter word. No colloquial or foreign words, capitalised nouns, apostrophes, hyphens. No verbs or plural words ending in ‘s’. Solution list is not exhaustive. Ref: Macquarie Dictionary

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Mars is reversing through your domestic zone until February 24. So it’s a good time to fix things around the house, clean, declutter, detox, renovate and/ or reboot a troubled family relationship. Make sure you eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep and do all you can to conserve energy and boost vitality. Be inspired by fellow Aries, designer William Morris: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”

TAURUS (Apr 20 – May 20)

Uranus (in Taurus) motivates you to be more adventurous with the way you look and the personal projects you take on, as you widen your perspective, experiment and explore. But Uranus is only transiting through Taurus until July 7, and it won’t be back in your sign until 2102. So get moving, changing and updating ASAP! Draw inspiration from actress and producer Geena Davis (who was born on January 21): “If you risk nothing, then you risk everything.”

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20)

The Sun/Pluto hook-up favours broadening your horizons via travel, adventure and education. With Jupiter jumping through your sign, it’s time to be positive and confident as you socialize and fraternize, sparkle and shine. Lucky opportunities and fortuitous connections will take you places. Your motto for the week is from birthday great, fashion designer Christian Dior: “Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest.”

CANCER (June 21 – July 22)

On Tuesday, the Sun and Pluto link up in your ‘money-from-others’ zone. Which is good news for financial matters involving investments, superannuation, inheritance, taxes and joint ventures – as long as you are responsible, resourceful and adopt a patient, long-term strategy. But with dynamic Mars reversing through your sign (until February 24) you may feel tired and lack motivation. Clever Crabs will slow down, conserve energy and think things through.

LEO (July 23 – Aug 22)

The week starts with the Sun and Pluto pairing up in your partnership zone, so expect close relationships to be intense and conversations to be complicated. There could also be something secretive or mysterious going on involving a loved one. Don’t accept things at face value … ask questions and dig deeper! Attached Cats … this week emotions run high, and passions run deep.

Singles … you could be attracted to someone with a powerfully magnetic personality.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Venus is visiting your relationship zone until February 4, which encourages you to hold out the olive branch of peace to a friend or family member as you crank up your diplomatic skills, sympathise and compromise. Creative communication and smart negotiation are the secrets to smooth partnerships, as you take the time to talk things through. You could also make plans to travel overseas, learn another language or take on voluntary work in 2025.

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Proactive Mars is reversing through your career zone until February 24. So a professional relationship could end up in a confusing mess if you misread each other’s words, actions or motives. Avoid jumping to conclusions and (when in doubt) don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Venus (your ruling planet) is transiting through your daily routine zone, which favours socialising with colleagues and enjoying the simple things in life, like a walk in the park.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

The week starts with a domestic drama (or two!) as Pluto (your patron planet) links up with the fiery Sun. Expect family fiascos, intense feelings, power plays and/or passionate outbursts. Mars is reversing through your travel and education zones (until February 24) so make sure you double-check your business trip itinerary, holiday booking or study plans. And avoid getting drawn into a heated discussion/argument about the big two – politics and religion.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Sociable, generous Jupiter (your patron planet) is transiting through your relationship zone, so you’re at your chatty, charming best. But are you worried about your bank balance? Avoid going on a spontaneous spending spree or lending money to dubious people. You’re liable to make impulsive decisions based purely on your fiery emotions, which are fluctuating wildly, courtesy of retrograde Mars. It is a good week to read, reflect, research and revise.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

This week Mercury is visiting Capricorn, and the Sun and Pluto link up in your self-esteem zone, so there is the tendency to be very intense, selfcritical, and take yourself way too seriously. But Jupiter is visiting your health zone, so it’s time to relax, let your hair down and have some fun – for the sake of your mental and physical wellbeing! Be inspired by poet (and birthday great) Lord Byron: “Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.”

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) On Monday morning (EDT time) the Sun transits into your sign, and then it links up with Pluto. So prepare for a week full of strong feelings, intense encounters and powerful insights, as you start a new cycle of growth and transformation. Plus –with proactive Mars reversing through your job and wellbeing zone – it’s time to review your work habits, daily diet and exercise program. Small tweaks, revisions and reboots could make all the difference.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20) The planets highlight your humanitarian and helping zones, as you concentrate on the needs of those around you. You’re keen to get involved with a project from behind-the-scenes but be careful you don’t get lost in a fantasy world. With earthy, practical Saturn still transiting through your sign, keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. Your motto for the moment is from birthday great, writer Virginia Woolf: “You cannot find peace by avoiding life.”