Horoscopes: 29 June- 5 July

It dawned a while back that there’s a growing need either to re-think a career goal or return to study. Ever acute, you’ve noticed a gaping hole in your knowledge which potentially puts you at a disadvantage. The solution is simpler than you fear and you have a fair amount of time yet to make the decision.

In one life area it’s a case of making the most of what you’ve got because the help you were banking on is not forthcoming. Or not as expected. This shouldn’t worry you. The resources (emotional or financial) are there to be discovered – and in the end, you’ll have demonstrated your independence. Only a fool would underestimate you.

The mental sparks are flying under Mercury; it’s as if an inner lathe is spinning as you consider ways of reshaping your life. Uppermost in mind is work, career direction or reputation – and don’t fear some of those crazier notions: this is an ‘experimental’ time to think the unthinkable. But try to hold off on making decisions right now.

Do you remember that Star Trek episode where an alien race moved far faster than humans – at such a speed that they were invisible? You’re feeling like those aliens. Why are people around you so cumbersome and slow? You could sit there whining about it. Far better to pace yourself and learn something you might have missed otherwise.

Not the quietest of weeks, it must be said, and it could be you making the noise. One or two people in your career or social circle are stepping on your pedicured toes and you could find yourself blurting out the most appalling insults. If you remember that not everyone is as self-aware as your shrewd self, perhaps you’ll show mercy?

With five planets moving backwards in the heavens (including your ruler Jupiter), the cosmos is giving you much more time to refine something, such as a business project/detail, financial plan or even working philosophy. There’s pressure in your world to find instant solutions, but you’d be wise to ignore this and proceed carefully but resolutely.

If it’s a holiday you’re planning, go online and do proper research first. You’re bound to find a better deal and destination. If you’re engaged in creative work and feeling bogged down, why not play with ideas and see what happens? The week’s theme is keeping your options open for a while yet. There’s much fun to be had this season.

Beware sparkly expensive things that catch your eye – online shopping makes impulse buys so much easier, if only because the transaction is so quiet and fast. You just click to the basket. This is not the time to fall out with the bank or partner. On the other hand, retail therapy does have the feel-good factor. The choice is yours!

It’s tempting to say – ‘Don’t do it!’ Don’t go redecorating the white painted walls at home just because some stylist has decreed that another colour’s in vogue in 2018. Your interior décor tastes are very peculiar now; you are bound to opt for a look guaranteed to upset the pet, if not kids or partner. Then again, you are a bit weird.

One problem with re-organisations is that the onus shifts to colleagues or loved ones to adapt to someone else’s decisions. And there lies trouble. Some sudden alteration you make to an itinerary is likely to cause friction if you don’t first ask people what they think (and then ignore their answers). At least pretend to be running a democracy.

The ‘comrades’ are revolting. That is to say, you’re in the mood to see a few colleagues, fellow travellers, business associates or even some friends as holding up your progress as you march to a different beat. Ruler Mars is now in reverse (until late August) – make the most of this by working harder on alliances by lowering ego temperature.

There is a prize to be won (could be a promotion or fabulous hike in social status), and it’s not yours. Yet. There are other contenders in the frame, people perhaps as gifted as you in some way. The challenge is to show what else you can do to demonstrate your strength or versatility. Focus on your immense talents.