Letter Editor-in-Chief’s
Every time I traipse through a bookstore, what catches my attention is a glossy cover with a circled yellow portion on the side that reads “50 ways to get flat abs” or “20 celebrity diets”, and I pick it up with utmost guilt. On one side, we battle with our body issues and want to fit into the 36-24-36 (maybe a few inches lesser?) craze. On the other, it’s the sheer desperation to ape a Shilpa Shetty or an Eva Mendez that crumbles our body images to dust. A quote from a very inspirational speech by bestselling author Robin Gerber comes to mind. “We don’t need Afghan-style burkas to disappear as women. We disappear in reverse by revamping and revealing our bodies to meet externally imposed visions of female beauty.” True isn’t it? The most celebrated, recognizable women today are well-known largely for being thin. An average model is 5’11’’ and weighs 117 pounds. An average woman is 5’4’’ and weighs 140 pounds. When I look around, I see average models not average women. I see that thin is in, that thin is beautiful, that thin is perfect. Which young lady doesn’t want to be beautiful? Where will beauty be found in a world that doesn’t show what real beauty is? It’s great to see my cover models slip into bikinis and look gorgeous in them, but what’s more fulfilling is to see them pile up their plates and eat to their heart’s content in the middle of a shoot! Here’s Taxi’s standpoint: big, small, corpulent, diminutive – beauty comes in all forms and you are bound to look good in anything you wear. And our main article this time is one up for the size issue to become a nonissue. I also want to dwell a little on our much awaited anniversary party, which took place last month at the Courtyard by Marriott. It was a splendid evening and I want to profusely thank our readers, columnists, fellow magazine friends and all of you who’ve heartily supported Taxi every step of the way. This issue is yet another treat that furnishes infinite aspects of life from the eyes of all our writers. Happy reading, and await yet another incredible issue of Taxi!
Vijetha Rangabashyam Editor in Chief
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CAN BE SENT TO vijetha@thetaximag.com THE BEST FEEDBACK/OPINION WILL BE FEATURED IN OUR FORTHCOMING ISSUE. August 2010 TAXI 3
08 4 TAXI August 2010
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Contents Princess Harmony
8
Credit Haven or Debt Knell
16
From Filter to Instant - More than just coffee
20
A Foodie’s Paradise - ”Dewberry’s”
24
Whose Body is it Anyway?
28
The Trail to Neverland
32
Opaline - The Green Living
36
Puhlates.... Pylates.... Peelateez....
40
JUNK IN THE TRUNK Gadgets this season
48
Soul Tarot
52
COVER: Photography: Sunder Ramu Hair & Make-up: Samantha, Page 3 Model: Camila Granato Cunha Stylist: Vira Shah Venue: Le Waterina
August 2010 TAXI 5
“
I never go with any preparation when it comes to Rahman sir. The best thing about him is that he lets me experiment
“
8 TAXI August 2010
S
Princess Harmony Tanvi Shah by Vijetha Rangabashyam
he makes little circles in the air out of her fingers while she hums so effortlessly. For someone who looks as delicate as her, I was amazed at the power her voice exuberates. To me, her singing doesn’t seem like it’s something she discovered and decided to work on one fine day. For Tanvi Shah, singing is intrinsic. She really does become one with music. “No one even knew I could sing when I was in school. Ask my teachers, they’ll tell you. I was the shy little grey mouse who was admittedly petrified of the forefront,” she says. She was a proud member of the music band at Stella Maris during her college days. “MCC and Loyola were totally intimidated by our singing. We used to beat them everytime!” That’s when the journey of music began for Tanvi. “Even back then, we never used to dote on commercial music. I’ve always explored world music.” Being an alumnus of Stella myself, a light went off in my mind. “Did you say Stella? Please tell me you sang the legendary Polynesian
song that has been rendered year after year by every single batch?”, I asked. Her jaw drops. “You mean Taahiruah? We introduced that song!”, she exclaims with shock coalesced with a wee bit of pride. She then tries to recollect and starts warbling the song under her breath. “Wow, they still sing it? I can’t believe it. It was one of the songs from a CD I picked up in Landmark. I don’t even have it with me anymore. Please try and get hold of one for me if you can,” she adds. Her fame started with her debut, Fanaa from the movie Yuvaa. It was a cult by itself. Almost every club in the city played the song and I’ve seen the crowd go berserk myself. “Rahman sir caught hold of a karaoke track of mine. When I heard A.R Rahman wanted me to sing for him, I said, no freaking way! I went to his studio, he said sing, and I sang.” Now the world jigs to her song Jai Ho, which ladled the Oscars. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Tanvi. Her name August 2010 TAXI 9
12 TAXI August 2010
Charismatic CAMILA Granato Cunha
Brown furry empire waistline - Karmaa August 2010 TAXI 13
When Sophie Kinsella wrote this book that was later made into a movie, she probably knew that there were others who would relate to the protagonist; after all, there are many who have splurged on an impulse, not paid their credit card bills on time and thrown away a nasty letter from a creditor.
VENI, VIDI, VISA! A twist to the traditional phrase, this adage holds true for most of those smitten by the plastic bug. Credit cards save you the hassle of carrying cash, they are a blessing when it comes to making online bookings, and the whole concept of paying later is a boon for those
who get to the bottom of all the fine print. “I find that the pros far outnumber the cons. It saves me the worry of carrying money in my wallet, and allows me flexibility in financial planning,” says Kushagra Singhania, a 24-yearold businessman who has never found himself in a sticky situation with respect to bills. Echoing his
THE BUY NOW, PAY LATER BOOM About fifteen years ago, the idea of purchasing without having sufficient money seemed absurd. Although credit card companies were making inroads into urban cities, the idea of a 45-day ‘loan’ did not have too many takers. Cut to the present. Statistics show that the credit card industry is growing at a whopping 30 percent per annum and that figure is only expected to rise. With robust growth in the economy and higher disposable incomes, especially among 21 to 40 year olds, more banks are offering this piece of prized plastic to customers. “India is one of the fastest growing markets for credit cards; with the youth being a significant target market,” says George Matthews, a marketing manager at a leading bank in the city. “With rise in pay scales and increased consumerism, youngsters are conscious of leading a luxurious life. Credit card companies are trying to cash in on that and are luring the youth with attractive schemes and tie-ups,” he says. August 2010 TAXI 17
opinion is Rupa Ghosh, a 27-yearold media consultant who feels that one must use the card for utility purposes alone. “It took me awhile to understand the nuances. Once I realised that interest rates shoot up on a monthly basis, I organised myself, and now I’m cautious,” she says. Do retail tie ups, access to VIP lounges and cash-back schemes matter? “No,” say both of them. “I don’t keep track of schemes as I doubt they deliver as promised,” says Rupa skeptically. CREDIT CRUNCHING YOUR STYLE? Joyce Brothers, an American psychologist remarked that credit buying is much like being drunk. The buzz happens immediately and gives you a lift. The hangover comes the day after. For many, the possession of a credit card is a sign
of having arrived. “It is a heady mix – getting all you want without having to immediately pay for it. At the time of purchase it doesn’t feel like you’re spending your hard earned money,” says Namrata Khedkar, a sales professional. Having settled a debt of nearly Rs70, 000 in 4 months, Namrata now feels that the have money, will spend attitude works best for her. She’s not the only one who has had to feel the pinch before giving it up. “I think it made me greedy; I was always aware that I was living off borrowed money,” says Zuheb S M, a marketing executive. Validating their experience, Dr. N Rangarajan, Consultant Psychiatrist says, “Thanks to credit cards, many youngsters end up buying beyond their means. To indulge once in a while is de rigueur. It demands attention if it becomes a frequent occurrence.”
YOU WORK FOR D R A C T I D R CRE MAKE YOU OW – H E R E ’S H
CHASE CREDIT BLUES! Experts advise that the best way to make a credit card work is by practising discipline. “Never revolve credit – that’s the thumb rule,” advises Matthews. “Cumulative interest rates can go up to 36 percent per annum so it is advisable that every month the bill is cleared,” he says continuing, “Cards should be a substitute to affordable cash, so it’s best to use one when there is assured income.” The repercussions of not being able to settle card bills are nightmarish, to say the least. “Apart from being in a poor financial condition, unsettled debt can take a drastic toll on the person’s life. Dwindling relationships, addiction to alcohol and drugs, loss of self-confidence and deviant behaviour are common,” says Dr. N Rangarajan. The credit card too, like most things liberating, comes with its share of responsibility. Like George Matthews concludes, “When used wisely, it wields power but in the wrong hands, it comes at a steep price, quite literally.”
99
Plan your purchases – Make shopping lists and decide in advance what you will buy with your card.
99
Set priorities – Prioritise spending on what you need rather than what makes you feel good.
99
Shop with a buddy – Having someone you can trust as company on that trip to the mall can go a long way in curbing impulsive purchases.
99
Draw the line – Let’s face it. There will always be things that you want but can’t have. Learn to say no and be firm about what you ‘want’ and what you ‘need’.
99
It’s all about the fine print, honey – Scrape off the gloss, read and understand terms and conditions of your credit card before using it.
99
Lesser the better – Stick to a maximum of two cards. More than that and you will find it difficult to keep a track of how much money you are spending.
99
Remember pay day – Settle the bill on time and you have nothing to worry about. Rolling credit is a big no-no!
99
Think, think and think – Before you pick up that Gucci bag, take a few minutes off, ask yourself if you really need it and then make a decision. Still unable to decide? Go home, figure it out and get back a day later if you still want to buy it .
99
Bad day? Cards stay indoors – If you’re on a shopping spree to beat a stressful day, leave your cards at home. Take cash instead and blow away your blues!
99
Seek a helping hand – If you foresee a crisis regarding settlement of bills, keeping your partner and family in the dark is no way of dealing with it. Reach out and discuss solutions.
18 TAXI August 2010
to
Instant
- More than just coffee
by Niharika
isn’t going to really alter the notion of South Indians perceived as being orthodox, conservative, isolated, nerdy, dark-skinned people whose vocations in life revolve around idly, sambhar and Carnatic music. Yes, I’m taking this slightly exaggerated description from Bhagat’s Two States. But in all honesty, the perception is what is still held by most others within the country (and he didn’t
help in changing that, of course!). We have come a really long way from that, but somehow regional politics always seem to be painting an unreal picture of what Chennai is actually coming to be. This has also got to do with the psychology of looking first at what is uncomfortable or negative, rather than the good side. With the government’s rule of making Tamil a compulsory language in all
schools and colleges, to imposing shops to have a Tamil translation below the English name (and only Tamil if there’s space constraint) and the likes, there is little hope that people are going to find a safe haven even as tourists. Many a family member has complained about how one can survive in the rest of the country with a passable knowledge of Hindi or English but never in Tamil Nadu. The August 2010 TAXI 21
A FOODIE’S PARADISE “Dewberry’s” by Nikhil Moturi
A
Dewberry is an edible wild fruit, which claims its origins from the southwestern parts of the United States. The fruit is usually within a thorn filled shrub, and is difficult to extract, yet it retains a cult following among its admirers for its succulent taste. It has a light texture, and is usually used as a staple ingredient in jams and pies. The struggle of plucking and eating the Dewberry fruit is an experience one cannot forget, and perhaps with the same intention in mind, Kavitha and Ajay have started a resto-café bearing the same name as the fruit, in our wild city of Chennai. The café is located within what used to be the garden 24 TAXI August 2010
of their home. Upon walking into the café, you cannot help but be awestruck by the stylish use of granite stone, which conceals the café from the outside world or the moss covered turtle sculpture resting peacefully in its pond. Once you settle down, the tranquil calmness leisurely surrounds you, while you take in the fact that the café was built around the 20 year old trees, which lend a rustic and an earthy feel to it. While watching the cool raindrops gracefully falling on the leaves, we finally settled into our table. I first tasted the bubblegum smoothie that contained pineapple, banana and an assortment of other fruits. I enjoyed it for the sheer fact that
it was simple, and was pureed excellently without thick chunks of fruit inside. What impressed me is the very fact that they were made in a bar like counter, right in front of you. So you can be assured that strict hygiene standards are being adhered to. The Dewberry’s menu consists of eclectic choices of food from various European countries. One can find the French inspired crepes, Mexican flavored deepfried tortillas, cheesy pastas from Italy and good ol’ burgers, wraps and sandwiches. Having an array of choices is what I found appealing, so I dived right into a vegetarian tortellini, which is essentially pasta tossed and coated
with breadcrumbs, lightly deep-fried with a cheese and jalapeno stuffing. Another dish to try would the “El Bandido” chicken sizzler, which is stuffed with bell peppers and onions, and finished with a tomato basil sauce. Dewberry’s lives up to its reputation as its indeed hard to find, however once you enter, you would not want to leave any time soon. It is an ideal place for individuals who want to take a break from the heat or the fast pace of life. My suggestion, when you want to be lazy and not be bothered by the world, take a stroll into Dewberry’s, and be prepared to unwind.
in a creamy white sauce. The texture was smooth and not crunchy, which tells me that the pasta was indeed cooked to the spot of tenderness, and then stirred into the creamy sauce. For those who prefer to stay away from the cream, the fruitlettes dishes are a better option for you. Fruitlettes are nothing but a combination of fruits and French style crepes and the very idea of pairing them together is nothing but intelligence. I was captivated at the meticulous plating of the food - an aspect that most cafes fail to focus on. The trend of pairing fruits and food is slowly emerging within Chennai, and Dewberry’s has successfully spearheaded the trend. The fruitlettes comprise of various fruits from apples to pineapples and bananas, each paired with a sauce that brings out the fruity flavours. For the vegetarian lovers, there are mushroom and broccoli dishes that are made with copious amounts of peppers, coated with mushroom and onion sauces. I recommend trying the “High on Hawaii”, a pineapple filled crepe with Suzette sauce. It is rich, and the caramelized pineapple is just perfect. For those who prefer their main course to be less fruity, you will not be disappointed with the rest of the menu. Two dishes I would recommend are the “Paneer Sizzler” and the “Chicken Cordon Bleu”. The paneer was grilled, so it is perfect for the diet conscious and the chicken with jalapenos provides the much needed spice notch. The cordon bleu consists of a chicken breast covered
August 2010 TAXI 25
you
tried
s ’ n w o r b y r Mar
Have
W E N
! u n e M
Anna Nagar l Adyar l Abirami Mega Mall l Besant Nagar l Central Station l ECR l Mahindra City l Kodambakkam l Koyambedu l Luz Corner l Mayajaal l Mogappair l Neelangkarai l Nungambakkam l OMR l Porur l Spencer Plaza l Selaiyur l Shenoy Nagar l T.Nagar l
Whose Body is it Anyway? by Rihan Najib
28 TAXI August 2010
Here are two women, telling each other it didn’t matter. Reassuring each other, reconstructing a distorted image of the body, and giving it to the other with love. Whose body is it anyway? And why are we never good enough for ourselves? Most of us treat our bodies and selves like remouldable clay. After a while, the clay sets a certain way, and then we wage pitched battles with a grotesque self image, trying to stuff the clay as hard as we can into a mould we borrow from cable TV and fashion magazines. I need to be better, I need to be beautiful, and I need to be beautiful in a certain way. Hang all that bunkum about inner beauty! Bring on bulimia, seduce a stomach stapler, and never ever eat what you really want to. We live in an age of paradoxes, don’t we? Obesity and eating disorders spread like plague through generations, existing side by side, and creating paradigms of their own. When my mother said the one word - ‘eat’, she didn’t cure me of a seething dissatisfaction with my body. She just meant that the body came before all those paradigms of the age. It’s an important sequence, and we owe it to ourselves to never forget it. In the movie ‘Gia’, there’s a very moving scene in a drug de-addiction centre, where Angelina Jolie, who plays the tormented supermodel Gia, tells the others present at a group therapy session about how she ended up abusing drugs even as her career soared to heights. After she finishes, a girl in the group exclaims angrily, “Wait a minute. What am I supposed to feel? Sorry for you because you made ten thousand a minute
30 TAXI August 2010
doing f***** nothing? ‘Oh it was so hard, so terrible, they treated me so bad.’ Listen girl, you had a free ride. And you f***** blew it. And me? I’m some kid from Ohio, reading fashion magazines, looking at your picture and thinking I’m supposed to look like that. And going f***** crazy because I don’t. Because nobody told me it was a lie. Because the magazine doesn’t come with a label that says, ‘Caution: This is a lie. Nobody looks like this.’ Not even you.” Not even them. Body image is a spatial buckle. It’s a form of dementia, if you like. Industries of all kinds buy and sell a body size, a skin tone, a facial arrangement. Size zero, plus size, medium, toothpicks and flour sacks. Our imaginations warp our sight and reason, and demand it from ourselves to not be ugly. It wreaks serious damage. Like my simple mother, healthy as she may be, wanting the grey hairs belying her age to be tweezed to oblivion. Like around 20% of women who are underweight thinking they are obese and taking up diets. I wish it could be as easy as saying, “Look! Even they don’t look like them! So what on earth are you trying to do to yourself, and more importantly, why?” But it’s too simple, right? And also a tad hypocritical, given how I often steal glances at passing women to size up my appearance. And then there are days when I feel dissolute, beauty belonging always to someone else. I frown at my short legs, the flab beneath the belly button, and my large nose. Happiness might come in easier through the door with a beautiful-ler body. But whose body is it anyway?
is built on a crag of mud that appears ready to collapse any time, but has lasted for eight centuries. Visiting the monastery in the early hours of dawn, I watched young monks recite in a small monastic school, saying prayers in unison in a dimly lit prayer hall. Ladakh’s charm spreads beyond the ancient monasteries and extends into its beautiful landscapes. While in Ladakh, I visited Pangong Lake, which stretched more than 100km across two countries, at an altitude of more than 14,000 feet. I saw mountain ranges standing higher than 18,000 feet, where one can simply drive through. I went past more than 200 kilometres of arid and harsh landscape where not a single soul lived.
Pangong Tso 34 TAXI August 2010
Leaving Indus Valley and driving north from Leh, I went in search of one of the marvels of Ladakh. Heading deeper into the mountains of the Ladakh Ranges, the road climbed up steadily and slowly, winding through the vista of mountains to reach up to Khardung La, claimed to be the highest motorable
Zanskar Valley
mountain pass in the world. The views from here are unrestricted, with lines of snowy peaks decorating the skyline in all directions, and the deep valley of Indus seen far below to the south. Despite the hardship of life in the difficult terrain, Ladakhis are a contented and friendly community who make visitors feel at home. The rich culture, high mountains and the smiling faces together make the experience of being there memorable.
Leh Palace August 2010 TAXI 35
APARTMENT BLOCKS Opaline will be completed in phases, bearing 1200 apartments in 19 floor- high towers and a club house. It has a range of living units from 2 bedroom units, to 3 bedroom units. The apartments are spread over from the first floor to the nineteenth floor, the parking being in the basement and stilt floor level (open parking will also be provided). An adequate number of premium quality lifts, including one service lift will be provided for each tower. Nature becomes a part of the design, with the towers over looking the green space and excellent views of the backwaters, creating picturesque views. LIVING UNITS - INTERIORS Clear architectural lines are followed in the planning. For a design like this, totality must be visualised and planned in advance, as is evident in this project. Thermal insulation is facilitated by the usage of hollow blocks. The design connects the
rooms to the living cum dining area by means of a passage. This corridor also reaches the kitchen area, with required provisions for a modular kitchen assemble, other appliances and a service area. Piped gas supply is available to individual apartments with meters, at extra cost. The living area and the master bedroom open out in a sit-out respectively, which establishes a connection with the exterior. Lighting and window treatments are essential elements in achieving the serene high style look, which is well achieved. Occupants can choose interiors according to their choice, but alterations or changes affecting the elevations are not allowed. The fitting, fixtures and flooring are of high quality, and security is assured by means of video phones and security systems provided to each apartment. Power backup is also provided for minimum essential points in every flat. It not only provides a place to stay, in but an environment to stay out
August 2010 TAXI 37
as well. The landscape features will include numerous gardens (linear, island and block), equestrian enclosures, water retention ponds, amphitheatres, etc. The pathways connecting different blocks and walk ways in the township are to be aesthetically landscaped .The backwater access will be a different experience. It will be harnessed for various recreational activities. Opaline is also said to have an in-complex club house, which would provide stateof-the-art club facilities. The central park, community facilities, climate sensitive design and the green building accreditation are the main advantages for this project. Altogether it offers a luxurious residential opportunity providing good, comfortable, economical and safe living by means of its luxuriant living units, energy saving and cost efficient amenities and facilities.
38 TAXI August 2010
tes a l y P Puhl
ates
…
. ………
M
any of us are yet to come to terms with pronouncing this right, and many of us are guilty of doing every other form of fitness routine, except Core training! To understand Pilates, we need to understand the Core. To make it simple and less complicated, if you chop off your hands and legs, the part of the anatomy you are left with is the Core. Typically, if you train and strengthen your Core, the efficiency of the extremities improves, and you are less prone to injuries. Pilates is a complete exercise method developed by its founder Joseph Pilates over the course of a lifetime dedicated to improving physical and mental health of his clients. Practiced all over the globe, this movement pattern, which was first known as ‘contrology’, has since come to be known as ‘Pilates’. 40 TAXI August 2010
?
ela e P . ……
t
.. … … z ee
by Anupama Gopal
Fitness Trainer, Consultant and Presenter Reebok, AFAA, PIA Master Trainer Pilates Institute of America Consultant, Prime Fit
Pilates movements start, stay and end in the core – the powerhouse of the human body. The benefits of Pilates are both emotional and physical. Pilates routines help you achieve inner awareness and calm, along with a sense of mastering the mind and body. Pilates teaches balance and control of the body and mind, and strengthens bone density while improving muscle strength, flexibility and posture. It creates the ability to maintain proper posture, increase joint range of motion, improve circulation, and have more stamina and better coordination. When practiced faithfully, Pilates yields numerous benefits. Increased lung capacity and circulation through deep, healthy breathing is a primary focus. Strength and flexibility, particularly of the abdomen and back muscles, coordination-both muscular and mental, are key
components in an effective Pilates program. Posture, balance, and core strength are increased. Bone density and joint health improve, and many experience positive body awareness for the first time. Pilates teaches balance and control of the body, and that capacity spills over into other areas of one’s life. It is clearly recognized as a positive form of a movementbased exercise that truly can be tailored to any level of not just fitness, but also of health. It can best be described as ‘The Inside-Out approach to fitness’. I like to describe this as a ‘work-in’ and not a ‘work-out’. Pilates requires you to stay focused and connected with your body, and therefore brings a huge level of awareness to the body’s strength and weakness nuances. Among the popular myths, that surround Pilates, it is believed that Pilates is a set of exercises that have to be performed in sequence
.
Soul Tarot Srini Aries, March 21– April 20
Libra, September 23 – October 23
Well, comfort yourself with the thought
You are bored and are looking for excitement.
that things cannot get worse than this. You
What was once hot and happening is not so
have done all you can, and now, from here,
any more and you will want to break free into
the only way to go is up. Sometimes, things
greener pastures. But do think twice, as with
are just not within our control, so let go and
a little care and watering, you own pasture
get ready to face better times, says the Ten of
can become lush and green again, says the
Swords.
Four of Cups.
Taurus, April 21 – May 21
Scorpio, October 24 – November 22
The flavour of the month is competition with
You are born with nothing and you will leave
a clash of ideals, either within you or with
the world with nothing. Stop indulging in
others. Either way, you cannot escape the
an “I, Me, Myself” attitude, enjoy what you
confrontation. To succeed, you will have to
have, and be generous with your time and
enter the fray and size it up. This is no time to
resources. A miser can never be happy, says
be a wallflower, says the Five of Wands.
the Four of Pentacles.
Gemini, May 22 – June 21 You may have vivid dreams of your
Sagittarius, November December 21
23
–
innermost desires coming to fruition. Give
You are going to be brought down to earth
yourself and all positive encounters a chance,
with a thud! All false concepts and notions
as by doing so you may discover your calling
will be sent flying out of the window. The
in life. Intuition and gut feelings should not
easiest way to ride out this upheaval is to
be ignored, says the Ace of Cups.
relinquish your ego and allow destiny to spring-clean your life, says the Tower.
Cancer, June 22 – July 22 A time of permanence and prosperity, this
Capricorn, January 20
month will bring to you lasting security
Change is inevitable in life, so ride out its
and contentment in the material realm.
waves. Not only will this keep you afloat
Build on this foundation in whatever way
but will also enable you to see the new
you can, knowing fully well that when
shores that you are going to land on. Great
you do let go of it, your benefactor begets
times lie ahead of you, says the Two of
the same fortune, says the Ten of Pentacles.
Pentacles.
Leo, July 23 – August 23
December
22
–
Aquarius, January 21 – February 18
Sell yourself hard this month as you have
Relief is on the way so keep up the great
the ability to draw success to you.
Your
juggling act. Finances are going to take a
all-pervading charm and persuasiveness
huge upward swing and all problems will
will convince even the most hard-bitten
be a thing of the past. Look out for great
naysayers to see things your way, says the
opportunities and accept them, even if means
Magician.
letting go of present outmoded endeavours, says the Two of Pentacles.
Virgo, August 24 – September 22
Pisces, February 19 – March 20
You will be all for freedom of expression and
Your psychic abilities will come to the fore
thought. Playing the Devil’s Advocate is all
and many will benefit from your soothing
fine and dandy as long as it leads to positivity
care and attention. Do not spread yourself
and empowerment around you, but if you
too thin though and wear yourself out. All
indulge in gossip and nasty rumors, the
in good time and good measure, says the
negativity will bounce back and cut you into
Queen of Cups.
ribbons, says the Knight of Swords.
52 TAXI August 2010