Horoscope: Tuesday, Aug 18

You may be a bit withdrawn over the next few days as you go over in your mind all the things that have occurred in recent weeks. That’s good. You need to get your head together and decide what matters in your life and what does not.

You may believe that the best way to get what you want is by taking it forcefully but even if that was true in the past it certainly isn’t true now. By all means go for it this weekend, at home and at work, but don’t go too far.

You will be the center of attention over the next 24 hours and it may not be an entirely comfortable experience. It’s good to be popular but may not be quite so good when there are things you would rather not have the spotlight shining on!

Don’t listen to those who promise you big gains for a small investment. You of all people should know there is no such thing as a sure thing, especially a sure thing that comes cheap. Use your brains and keep your money in your pocket.

You don’t have to lose so that others can win and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is either stupid or lying. There is no fixed limit to the good things in life and there is no fixed limit to what you, and others, are allowed to enjoy.

There are so many beneficial cosmic influences in your chart at the moment that if you’re not smiling now you very soon will be. Travel and social activities are under amazingly good stars, so don’t stay at home – get out there and wow the world.

Today you might take up some sort of occult study, such as astrology, numerology, or alchemy that seems like Greek to you at first, Leo. As a result, you could be tempted to abandon it. Don't! Once you get past the jargon, you'll probably find it fascinating. Keep a dictionary handy, and don't worry if you have to go over something several times. You have the brains to do it. Now just put in the time.

You seem to be flavor of the month with just about everyone at the moment and that’s nice, but don’t take other people’s regard for you for granted. As with all relationships, romantic and platonic, you need to bring something to the feast too.

What you start over the next two or three weeks could make you a lot of money – or lose you a lot of money. Today though you should aim to finish a project you have been working on for ages – it’s taking up too much time and space

Your feelings for someone you are close to emotionally will deepen over the next few days but don’t smother them. Holding on too closely is rarely a good idea, especially when the people involved value their liberty as much as your loved ones do.

For best results today just sit quietly some place that makes it possible to collect your scattered thoughts. You don’t have to be sociable every day of the week – six days out of every seven is more than enough – so enjoy your own company.

You are more sensitive than you like to admit and what happens today will affect you deeply. No doubt you will put on a brave face as always but you should also open up to someone you trust. A problem shared is a problem halved.

You are rushing all over the place but not actually getting much done. The planets indicate the time has come to slow down a bit and use your energy more efficiently. Aim to get eighty per cent of results from just twenty per cent of effort.

The festive season is in full swing but you can’t get over the feeling that someone is lying to you. Maybe you are being too suspicious, and if you are you will find out soon enough, but it’s never a good idea to completely ignore your instincts.

Your level of health and physical well-being is likely to be very high, Capricorn, and thus you're probably glowing. As a result, you might find that those around you pay more attention to what you're saying than they usually do. You'll also find that your mind is especially sharp, and you're apt to be exceptionally quick on the uptake. Therefore, you might absorb a lot more from what you hear than you normally do. Make a note of it!

It's possible that the last few weeks have allowed you to become a little bit clearer concerning certain questions you have about your vocation, Aquarius. You may even have a little more clarity about your feelings regarding what you think your destiny is. It would now be better for you to stop thinking about such things and let life take over. You're well armed for this!

There may be a dozen and one things going on in your world at the moment but don’t start thinking you can ignore your responsibilities while you have fun. You also need to be aware that getting involved will cost you money — lots of money!

If you are finding it hard to get people interested in what you are doing that does not mean that what you are doing is not worth the effort. More likely it means they are too short-sighted to see the benefits. That’s okay: their loss is your gain.