Horoscopes: What your stars hold for 2011

ARIESThere is a strong emphasis on your personal relationship throughout the year and you're able to break new ground in your career. It's also a good year for tackling shared finances.

• Capricorn Kate Middleton is 29 on 9 January

2011 enables you to strengthen your inner resources. Work on self-improvement and you'll be amazed at how much of a difference you can make to your daily life.

Journeys are crucially important: think about what you want to achieve and you may need to re-arrange your travel schedule more than once.

On the plus side you overcome several of the difficulties presented during 2010, so just persevere and you can achieve considerable progress. You're ambitious and keen to improve on your home life.

It is important to distance yourself from the past in order to move forward.

January is fairly tough as far as work is concerned; you're under pressure but colleagues can help.

Students do particularly well during February, although travel is often hindered and you all need to allow extra time for even short journeys. March is excellent for those in the media, arts and crafts.

Both the spring and summer are high points for all of you. You're inventive and able to make huge strides during April when your confidence soars and you attract success.

Romance is in the air and you're very sensitive to your partner's needs or desires.

This is also a good time for home improvements and undertaking any activities to improve your health or wellbeing. There is a sudden opportunity to enhance your career in May, but watch out for the tendency to over-stretch yourself. You can expect a few dramas over the summer - there's plenty to keep you on your toes.

Your goals in life are undergoing a subtle shift: not all journeys are for rational reasons and you can expect several unusual, uplifting and maybe even magical, experiences while travelling. Your career goes well. It's important to work as a team during July, when demands are exceptional - this phase bolsters your image, but great changes are afoot and it can be very tiring.

Long journeys and holidays are best during the autumn, when you're able to afford a little luxury in your life. You're determined to do well at work and you can achieve a long-term goal.

Knowing the right people makes all the difference to your finances in October - talk to those in control of the purse strings. It's good for negotiating with bosses or other authority figures.

You have a tendency to drift off course in November but you can get back on track by December, when huge successes at work make other people treat you with greater respect. You're inclined to splash out more, especially on your loved one, and the end of the year is peppered with moments of exuberant indulgence.

LEO

Love is the main interest this year, with many single Leos tying the knot. Making your home more comfortable and improving your family life are also a high priority for you all. This comes about by judicious handling of shared resources and excellent financial planning. Career-wise, you need to be on the alert for opportunities provided by team projects, where the strength of the team depends on setting aside any differences of policy, or philosophy, for the good of the whole. While this is not straightforward, you will be amazed at what you jointly achieve when egos are put aside. It's also well worth persevering with a personal interest, even if it does not initially appear to be bearing fruit.

As you move through the year you find lots to spark your creative drive and you gain deep satisfaction from something you hold dear. There are four partial eclipses to deal with, all of which generate phases of frustration, followed by shared achievement. They occur in January, June, July and November. Tackle old bugbears at the start of the year - this is when prior experience really counts. Listen to the guidance of close friends or family and be prepared to move fast when the options arise. January may be tough, but February offers excellent support and plenty of tangible progress. There's less pressure on your purse-strings and you feel as though you're making headway.

You're particularly creative and full of ingenuity throughout March. Home and family are prominent during the spring and some of you benefit from moving house. All of you need to keep an eye on spending during April, but this is also the best time to clear debts or overcome hurdles. Try to relax or improve your health during the June eclipse phase, when tensions run high.

The summer provides many occasions for celebration and you're ridiculously happy once you get to August, when you can achieve a long-held dream. This is the best time for romance, inspiration and intense personal happiness. Your finances receive a boost in September and you seem to gain a whole new lease of life. The early autumn is the best time to push for career advancement. It is a time of expansion and development. The people you meet are most significant in September, when joint projects take a turn for the better. December is a time for pleasure and laughter.

TAURUS

This is a fantastic year for making a fresh start - if you've been putting anything off, for whatever reason, then 2011 is the right time to take the plunge. You feel more fulfilled by improving the quality of your love life. Broadening your social network makes all the difference so socialise as much as possible, plus it's easier to make new friends.

Don't turn down any opportunity to strengthen your ties, both at work and at home. It's by networking that you hear about any exciting new opportunities. You start the year feeling sexy and alive - January is a great time to have a romantic break with your partner.

Sudden developments may drain your finances during the winter quarter, but travel goes well in February. It's better to stay at home in March. Those in IT, acting or who work from home will make money.

The spring is great for your career: you're supported by friends and colleagues, plus you're extremely well-informed of any new developments.

It's a great month for single Taureans, who are very sociable and much more likely to meet someone. By May, every one of you feels as though you have overcome a significant hurdle, helping you to enjoy your life more thoroughly.

The summer is all about indulging your loved one. Make the most of the sunshine to gather friends together and have a memorable few months.

You're restless during July and keen to make changes at work. Teamwork and sports are highly rewarding. Don't take life too seriously during this phase, you're meant to laugh as much as you can. July is good for marriage, although it's easy to incur large expenses and you rush about a great deal. It's important to focus on your career during the autumn: it's time-consuming, but worth all the extra effort. August and September bring in more money for those working in administration, banking or health. Inevitably there are extra expenses but you should be able to budget properly. You're highly effective and very popular. It's worth choosing the right people to confide in: consider counselling as a means of discovering your true motives and take control of your life.

October can be confusing: sudden decisions do not go well and it all comes to a head in November, when you're tempted to throw in the towel. Despite this you're lucky in your friends and by December you're far more contented. The end of the year offers career developments.

VIRGO

There are interesting career developments this year - some of you may elect to change job and while all of you will work hard to obtain your objectives, it's the chances in the springtime that you don't want to miss.

There are some delightful times for your personal love life and those of you not in an existing relationship are liable to meet someone refreshingly good for you. January is not an easy month: you would much rather hibernate and the constant changes that suddenly occur make you feel as though it's all out of control.

Do your best to sustain healthy habits during February, when it's wise to spend on home and your own wellbeing.

Mercury is retrograde in March, August and November, so you can expect indecisiveness, confusion and uncertainty during those periods, although as none of the retrogradations occur in Virgo, they are much easier to handle.

You're able to put best foot forward in the spring, which is a time of hard, but worthwhile, work. Those of you working in medicine, counselling or marketing will do exceptionally well. A romantic holiday in April or May would benefit your love life.

At this stage you receive considerable support both in work and at home; ensure that you make the most of it. You need to focus on new ways to make money and celebrate your unique skills. Your fertility or virility is particularly high during June, when creative endeavours go well.

However, you cannot shy away from any previous mismanagement of your finances and this is the time to own up to past conduct.

You're inclined to splash out on technical goods during July and holiday costs are higher than you budgeted for - but this is not a time to be miserly with yourself, because by August you want to be in a steady position to tackle Mercury's retro-gradation. If you can take preventative action, it may help to alleviate any stress.

September brings considerable career success and most of all it's great for your personal relationship, so do something unutterably romantic. Most of the big changes have largely taken place by the autumn, which is a period for enjoying excellent company and boosting your immune system. Work-wise you're on a roll throughout October and you receive the credit you deserve. You're dreamy and unrealistic in November, so an escapist holiday would be good for you and your partner. Travel does not go so well in December, unless you're returning to a particularly welcome location. There are delays and it's crucial to ensure that any vehicle you own is well serviced before the winter. Spending is high and difficult to control.

SCORPIO

In many ways you are able to leave troubles behind you this year. 2011 is a year for fresh opportunities and while you keep your eyes fixed on the road ahead, you cannot afford to have past actions, thoughts or concerns interfere with the present. It's a time for creative ventures and you receive several unexpected lucky breaks; it's up to you to take them as they arise.

Your relationship can grow more enriching, but only if you work with your partner to make it deeper and happier.

Your own health improves and changes take place within the workplace - you find it easier to go with these if you voluntarily make several small adjustments.

If you're self-employed it is very important to pace yourself. Those who work in tourism, healing or anything connected with food and drink will do exceptionally well.

There is nothing of the tensions, so redolent of 2010, but you may have to readdress some left-over business from last year and ideally prevent any recurrence. There are some excellent chances available in January and major responsibilities do weigh you down, so that you're less than at your best.

There are also family pressures, but your financial judgement is more astute in February and a chance meeting provides the impetus for you to make considerable progress.

Talk over your concerns during March, when external guidance enables you to understand the breadth of your vision and raise your potential. Pluto is retrograde from April to September and it's in April that there may be some financial irregularities, which require your immediate attention.

It's important to make your relationship top priority in May, despite pressure from work - it is only when you operate as a team that the two of you can resolve matters.

Any temptation to break up is the lazy and most harmful way out of your difficulties. The summer heralds big changes, which you want to incorporate into your everyday life - it's great for physical exercise, enhancing your finances and home improvements.

Take full advantage of any unusual ideas that crop up. You're particularly lucky in June, largely because you can see everything in context. There is a peak in personal performance during July, when your intuition guides you well, although it's easy to feel beleaguered in August.

Technical problems and unusual financial fluctuations may be irritating, but they're not insurmountable. It does require some ingenuity and perseverance to see you through.

You're in demand socially throughout the autumn. This is a good time for travel. Journeys undertaken for pleasure, as well as work, make it easier to see any solutions. This is partly because Pluto is direct, but also because you attract a lot of respect for past actions. October is most enlightening and an excellent time to have a romantic holiday. You have a good selection of friends around you during November, when those of you in business do very well indeed.

LIBRA

This year the emphasis is on your career: not only are you at a point where change is inevitable, but circumstances beyond your control generate the most unexpected opportunities. This is not a time to hide your talents under a bushel. You will be thrilled and you're much more decisive than usual. This is partly due to the continuing presence of Saturn in Libra, making you more ambitious - it also presents challenges that can reawaken or transform your whole life.

You're very popular during the first quarter of the year and it's your social contacts that help you to make better financial decisions. A winter holiday would suit you perfectly, so book one in January if you can.

You benefit from spending on your home and personal well-being. There are several opportunities to participate in activities that raise your morale.

You're remarkably lucky in March, which is excellent for moving house or home improvements. Surround yourself with people who understand the deeper meaning of life and who encourage your own self-awareness. You want to build up your inner strength for a fairly hectic spring, when you're on the go most of the time.

This is when many changes take place within work and you need to be particularly flexible throughout April, as plans are made then remade. Your network of friends will help. It's not so great for your love life, but you should have made all the necessary changes by June, when you can devote more time to your relationship and you feel most appreciated. Enjoy what the summer brings your way.

Expenses may also go up in July, primarily for travel purposes, but you also spend on sporting activities and there are many occasions for celebration. Your earning capacity goes up dramatically by August and this is when many of you receive a well-deserved promotion.

You are more confident within yourself and emotionally contented in September. In fact you're in your element in the autumn - your plans come to fruition and the future looks rosy.

There's plenty to get your teeth into, by way of challenges at work, but nothing that you cannot manage. This is a period of growth and renewal.

Your creative drive peaks in October/November, so anyone working in the media, music or arts receives sudden recognition. It all happens very fast, but you rise to the occasion and there are many reasons to party.

SAGITTARIUS

Jupiter spends the first half of the year in Aries, stimulating you to start new ventures, be more creative and broaden your outlook. It's particularly good for any sporting activities.

When Jupiter is in Taurus from June onwards, it enables you to make good on promises you've made. The emphasis is then on gaining tangible benefits, such as improved stamina and self-healing.

There may also be a spin-off in terms of financial resources, but this depends on your actions during the winter/spring.

It is crucial to develop good communications throughout the winter quarter - tempting though it is to rush off into risky activities; you're better absorbing the advice of your more practical friends. You're able to do something stupendous for your loved one and your generosity knows no bounds.

Get ready to make a giant leap forward in January and utilise technical resources to the fullest extent. This is a good time to book a holiday which stimulates the mind and encourages new social contacts.

There are liable to be some financial hiccups during February, although your ability to negotiate remains second to none. The cost of running or maintaining your home is high, but the worst is over by March, when you're able to get on a more even keel financially.

You feel pulled in opposing directions during April - your desire to push forward is tempered by the requirement to be more down-to-earth and you may feel out on a limb, unless you're very careful.

There is much more support available during May, when you're able to initiate constructive changes without the drama. Your career blossoms and those of you in building and hospitality see the real benefit of your work. All sports are intensely rewarding and you're proud of your achievements.

Jupiter enters Taurus in June, helping you to consolidate your position.

The period of abrupt change is over and you're able to focus on your relationship, by being unequivocally supportive of your partner, for whom this is a very trying time.

The summer is a period of career success and you put the majority of your money worries behind you. This phase is good for those of you who work in agriculture, international trade or the financial sector. You're particularly astute in July when travel is good for you.

You're able to work on building up your physical and psychic well-being. Trusting the right person helps you achieve a long desired ambition.

August is fairly frantic, but you're pleased with the way things pan out in September, which is just perfect for romance. You may have to return what you have borrowed, in October, in order to maintain goodwill.

It is also easy to make a clumsy mistake, so avoid confrontations. November's Eclipse falls in Sagittarius and this is extremely confusing. It's easy to become disillusioned and your judgement is poor. It's important to seek good counselling, before you make an irrevocable decision. Luckily you have excellent advisors in December.

PISCES

Neptune journeys into Pisces, if only for a few months, during 2011: the last time it was there was in 1862.

Your on/off love affair with technology continues to be an important part of your learning and you can expect several enlightening breakthroughs.

You're more creative than ever and your sense of the mysterious is enriched. It's a time of increased fertility or virility, so some of you will see your family grow.

There are real opportunities for your career during the first quarter, largely due to your ingenuity and inventiveness.

Those of you working with the public do incredibly well. January is challenging but you're well supported by your colleagues.

You get to grips with your finances in February and this allows you to take a winter holiday. You feel you've turned a corner by March, when you make considerable progress on all fronts. Neptune enters Pisces in April and at long last you feel you're able to fulfil your potential - look for opportunities to excel.

You can make your relationship sparkle with true compassion and understanding: this is an excellent time to marry.

You're in strong position at work in May when you cannot put a foot wrong. You're sexy, desirable and popular, so find a multitude of excuses to celebrate. Any problems that crop up are easily resolved.

Neptune goes retrograde in June and you may have to rethink how to proceed. It's easy to make mistakes and any poorly negotiated financial arrangements are liable to go awry.

It's fixable, but only with perseverance and help. The summer is busy and you need to set aside time to mull things over, rather than let yourself be rushed into making decisions.

July is a fantastic time for your love life - you're charming, insightful and filled with confidence. Neptune returns to Aquarius in August, enabling you to be very dynamic. Use this period to develop your therapeutic skills and a promotion is possible.

Autumn is a time of consolidation, with the focus on home and family. Shared projects are most significant during September, when you continue to be very successful at work.

It's easy to be physically drained in October, so try to remain close to home. Neptune goes direct in November when you find yourself being chosen by your colleagues and it's important to clarify mutual expectations.

A certain amount of tension builds up with a younger individual and you need to nip it in the bud. Your authority is not in question during December, when you express yourself well. You're also incredibly lucky and feel most appreciated by friends and family.

AQUARIUS

This is a most exciting year - look for intriguing opportunities in the first quarter and make constructive changes during spring. The summer is all about enlightenment and romance, while autumn is about growth and consolidation.

Although Uranus dipped briefly into Aries in 2010, it was only hinting at the possibilities you can achieve this year. There are phases of very rapid progress.

You're on the go a great deal - learning new skills and putting them into practice. There is considerable support from those in a position to be helpful.

Some of you put your energy into moving house, while others expand or improve your existing home. You can expect a high degree of spending in January - this is a good time to invest in business and negotiate with bank managers.

It's also great for work in publishing or printing. Important decisions are made, by you and your loved one. You're keen to talk over plans and you can take immediate action.

You're very active in February, when you benefit from physical exercise and you're remarkably lucky. It's a good month to take a holiday that enhances your spiritual understanding.

Uranus enters Aries in March, remaining there until 2018. This is the best time to inaugurate new projects, make friends and be inspired by fresh ideas.

There may be teething troubles at work, mainly because other people do not fully comprehend what their role is so you need to remain flexible and vigilant.

Spring and summer are excellent for sports, both as a participant and as a spectator. All activities requiring speedy decision-making and a measure of risk are rewarding.

Your finances receive a boost in April, but the big successes are in May, when you're extremely popular. This is the time to build up your financial reserves.

June is perhaps the most difficult month - it's very poor for travelling.

Delays hamper your plans and you're frustrated with misleading information. You hear encouraging news in July and any nervous tension dramatically reduces.

Uranus goes retrograde on the 10th, when you need to renegotiate a financial commitment.

An impulsive gesture in August does wonders for your relationship, as well as for your general wellbeing. You deserve to take time off, so a holiday in September suits perfectly. This is also a good time for trading ventures.

You're most creative during the autumn - you gain insight and feel more appreciated by your colleagues. Go with your instincts in November, when you discover a most unlikely allegiance. It's a time to trust your own experience and good judgment. Uranus goes direct in December boosting your morale and your social circle exhibits a sense of fellowship.

CAPRICORN

This year is not nearly as tough as 2010. Although you may still have to deal with some unfinished business, the omens for 2011 are much more rewarding and you're able to make considerable headway.

It is a memorable year, so don't limit yourself in any way. Saturn remains in Libra, continuing the emphasis on worthwhile work. It goes retrograde in January, which is by far the most difficult month all year.

You feel under par and you have to deal with several emotionally fraught situations.

It's essential to keep your head and not succumb to any depressive tendencies - this phase will soon pass.

The financial pressure lifts during February, when you receive great news and you feel more respected by your colleagues.

This is a great time to be alive - you're physically strong and you feel capable of anything. Many of your plans come to fruition during April, but you do need to maintain a high level of immunity to passing infections.

You're exceptionally well connected and the support you receive over the springtime is stupendous - use this period to gather facts and information.

Any contracts you sign are highly successful. A romantic holiday would not go amiss. April sees you overcome any financial hurdles and you're enlivened by being able to instigate several positive changes.

You're creative in your thinking during May and this is a good time for making new friends. Saturn goes direct in June enabling you to branch out a bit. A holiday with a difference is mentally stimulating and highly memorable. Your perseverance pays off over the summer, when career advancement is most likely. You need to make a number of swift decisions during July, when you receive good financial advice and you're on a roll. August is physically tiring, but you're buoyed up by the events in September.

The best part of the whole year is in the autumn - by this time you're more comfortable in yourself and in a very strong position to further your objectives. Some of you will elect to marry and all of you feel the benefit of a secure, rewarding relationship. You need to network as much as possible in October when news travels fast. You enjoy attending some fascinating social events and choose to host quite a few yourself. Whatever problems there may have been at work are fixable during October. You find some ingenious solutions and luck is on your side. Let others make compromises in December, because your methods speak for themselves.

GEMINI

This is a year for fresh beginnings. You're offered the chance to be highly creative.

Use your ingenuity and imagination to engender respect and focus on ways to achieve personal satisfaction in your home life. One project is going to grow in significance, so some things may need to be placed on the back burner.

It's up to you to choose what needs to develop and what can wait. There are exciting new ways to make money and some of you will have a new addition to your family.

Mercury goes retrograde in fire signs this year, so it's essential to keep a close eye on your energy expenditure, as well as your financial outgoings throughout April, August and December.

These are the times when you experience fluctuations in physical wellbeing; you can also lose your sense of purpose. Use these phases to undo damage from stress.

The most difficult period of the whole year is in January. You're definitely over-stretched and unexpected news throws your plans out of kilter.

You may feel let down by work, technology and friends, but this is only a temporary setback. Regard it as a learning curve and value your experiences, they are designed to give you greater self-reliance. Don't make promises you cannot keep.

There are tangible benefits and support for your beleaguered finances in February. An inspired guess does wonders for your career in March. Those in the armed forces, or where direct action is required in their work, see considerable benefits.

Your friends provide concrete support and any extra effort leads to success. Your fertility or virility increases over the springtime, when all kinds of creative endeavours go exceptionally well.

April's setbacks are really teething troubles, designed to help you to improve on your plans: teamwork is essential to overcome most of them. The June eclipse is in Gemini, encouraging you to work extra hard - it may be rather frustrating, but it's important to let go. You are being asked to take a leading role in July, when you find luck on your side.

This phase is also deeply satisfying as far as your home life is concerned. It's important to reappraise your financial commitments in August, especially if things go awry. Then you're on a roll.

The autumn quarter is deeply gratifying - this is the best time for large social events, if you're planning a wedding you can't go wrong.

Your friends are immensely grateful to you and the feeling is mutual.

Shared activities are sprinkled with laughter and there are sudden unexpected bonuses. Any misunderstandings, within home, or work, can be patched up amicably during November.

The final retrogradation in December, helps you to work towards countering a local problem to great effect. It's necessary to make allowances for travel chaos over the Christmas holidays.

CANCER

The eclipse cycle, which started in December 2010, is still operative during January and this puts the emphasis firmly on your career or any large group project.

It plays a significant part in how you experience 2011, so pay close attention to what occurs. The main issues are about how you operate as a team player.

Get to grips with it in January or it will resurface in the summer and be harder to resolve as other people's positions become more entrenched.

If you can instigate a fairer sharing out of tasks and rewards it may save you a great deal of time and trouble. You receive a great deal more support during February and you can expect a breakthrough in March.

The spring inaugurates a most rewarding social phase. The worst of your money worries are over by April.

Try some innovative ways for improving your health in June, as the lunar eclipse is mentally stimulating and it's easier to achieve weight loss as you're fairly strong-willed.

However, try to avoid taking on extra tasks as the summer will be busy enough.

Friends in powerful places can intervene to help you improve your finances during July and most other negotiations also go well. The main focus is on home-improvements: you may need to pay particular attention to your water and drainage systems.

It's a good time for travel and you can fulfil a long-held dream. August is the perfect month for treating your loved one.

Married couples benefit from a windfall, but spending will increase for all Cancerians in September - it also happens to be the best time for making long-term investments.

You find yourself making swift decisions throughout the autumn quarter - there are interesting career developments which require an intuitive grasp of what's truly going on.

You need to stand firm over a financial agreement, but avoid litigation wherever possible. Team-work and shared goals are again the major focus in October and you should all see considerable progress during November. The lunar eclipse, on December 10th, drains your energy, so don't go travelling until it is past.

This article was first published in The Scotsman, 1 January, 2011