Starspeak: 2004

AS another year dawns, well-known astrologer Nirmala Sewani takes a peep into the future and predicts what the stars have in store for you.

ARIES
(March 21 -April 20)
You are likely to sign a new contact on reasonable terms with a large organization in January. The employed, who are keen to set up their own business, will receive financial support from their elders.

Simple economy measures like restricting purchases will relieve you of your worries in the month of February. You can fly to new pastures, pick up new interests and communicate more widely in the month of March. Around April or May, you will achieve a good deal, even though odd moments are inevitable. June makes you aware that you still are not committed totally to a joint venture, either emotional or financial. In July, you sort out relationships. Your social life bounces back to life around the last week of this month.

In August, new opportunities and friendships come to you. Love could blow hot and strong, but work is high priority in the month of October. November and December will be down to earth but you will take major decisions.

TAURUS
(April 21 - May 21)
A successful start to the New Year will make you optimistic about the future. Business people will expand or diversify with the support of financial institutions and technical expertise from overseas. In January, you get a grip at work and improve finances. In February and March, your determination and charm are on show. Be precise and ambitious about money. Health needs attention in these months. Cut away from the unnecessary aspects of your life in the month of April. Push your views as hard as you can and look for long term rather than short term rewards. In May, you need to boost your stamina and take care of your health. In June, you will be charming and persuasive and will be able to turn delays to your advantage. You may need to attend to the affairs of your parents or elders in the family in July. You must be careful and avoid the recurrence of a semi-chronic ailment in the month of October. November and December play a significant role in your future.

GEMINI
(May 22 - June 21)
This year you will achieve stability at work and your financial position will be quite good. Too much hard work and not enough support may be making you feel rather low at the beginning of the year. But treat it as a learning lesson. Your way ahead will be clear and your confidence will be revived in the month of February.

In March and April, money will be your first concern, so grasp the nettles, sort out the tangles and you will feel happier and more secure. You may be furious about one joint financial matter but there is no point in blowing a fuse. Try to negotiate a new agreement after May. In June, a pilgrimage will be enjoyable.

By incorporating new technology into your venture, you will make rapid progress in July and August. The situation is likely to turn in your favor and you will gain the desired change and freedom in September. In October, the management will be pleased with the results of the new procedures you have evolved. Love and romance will be a source of encouragement and strength in the month of November. Work issues will be in focus in December.

CANCER
(June 22 -July 22)
The year will start successfully for your business or career. Financial growth will be very satisfactory and favorable trends will continue for the rest of the year.

Better financial news will perk up your sprits; though you will still feel work progress is too slow for your liking. Reorganise as best you can and live with what cannot be changed instantly in the month of April. In May and June, you will not be short of social invitations or admiring glances, so soak up all the attention you can find. After June, you may have to work harder and be self -sacrificing, too.

In August you speed ahead feeling the support of the good relationship in your life. Now you know which persons have potential for development. In September, you have your personal worries but they will fade away gradually. Don't go crashing around too fast or you could end up tripping over your own feet around the October end. From November 2 onwards, you will be happiest at home, putting your feet up in familiar surroundings and being close to those who make you feel comfortable.

LEO
(July 23 - August 23)
The coming year seems to be divided into distinct halves. The first six months favour progress and prosperity, while the remaining months are fraught with little setbacks in your career. But don't lose your sense of humor. Sometimes a joke can break tension.

If you are willing to learn from life, you can make significant progress in February and March.

In April if a project is dragging you need to take it head on. Focus on essentials first. Money will at the forefront in the next two month. You are competitive when it comes to earning more. If things are not going quite as well as planned, be patient. After July, concentrate on confidential matters, both financial and emotional. You may feel puzzled initially about how best to tackle it all but keep persevering and the answers will come. If in September you feel that nothing is budging don't get discouraged, there are powerful pressures working below the surface. You should introduce changes and innovations and consolidate your enterprise before November. The trends around December indicate that you will be caught in a situation with little room to maneuver. If you have found love, be careful not to fritter it away.

VIRGO
(August 24 - September 23)
This year will be beneficial for work. Success through your own efforts will make you self-confident. Keep up the pace in order to retain your advantage. The jealousy of your opponents will make you even more determined to succeed.

Work will be completed on schedule in the first month of the year. The rewards will accur immediately. In February and March, your social life will keep you on the move. You may have to do a lot of entertaining, which could be expensive but some lasting and happy associations with result.

April is the time for investing in real estate or risk - free stocks and bonds. Several changes after an imminent merger may be beneficial for you in May. You are advised to undergo regular medical check-ups to prevent stress-related illness in June.

In July and August, fulfill your desire for more knowledge by joining a course. Funds that were blocked, perhaps due to pending legislation, will be released in September and October. By November, one problem is well under control but others may take a little longer. After November 22, you aim to make more sense of your financial situation.

LIBRA
(September 24-October 23)
Your financial position will be stable despite the risks you may have taken in new ventures. Profits from an earlier venture should not be reinvested yet. The employed should complete their assignment on schedule as this will bring new opportunities at the beginning of the year. Those keen on a career in cinema or television will get an important offer in February. Work will progress well and you will have the financial resources to make it unnecessary to cut corners.

For March and April there are strong chances for your getting on outstation or overseas assignment. You should accept the offer; it will provide long-term benefits. Despite your hard work and interpersonal dealings, you may feel that nothing is going right in the month of May. In June, think with your mind, not your heart. Dreams are fine so long as they take you towards your goal.

You feel relieved around July. You can fly to new pastures, pick up new interest and communicate more widely. But August is rather somber and a minor bore. There could be travel delays or a need to rethink one's opinion. In September, your charm draws compliments. Rethink one relationship. There may be surprising but positive news about money in October. Push your views as hard as you can and look for long-term rather than short-term rewards in November. At the end of the year, cut away illusions and play cool.

SCORPIO
(October 24-November 22)
Progress in your business or profession will give you the confidence to maintain the pace you established successfully last year. If you are looking for fresh avenues of investment, you will come across lucrative offers in February. You will achieve career stability and more freedom of action in March. In April, a creative snag will hold up the progress of your project.

In May and June, your hectic lifestyle may lead to the neglect of the family and you will have to convince them that it is necessary to exploit all opportunities to make a sizeable profit. You will be able to work out an agreement with a firm, which will give you a steady income for a long period.

In September, the way you handle public relations while running a campaign for your organization will be appreciated by the top management. You may have to postpone your travel plans in October due to an illness in the family. New opportunities and friendships keep you on your toes throughout the year. Your responsibilities still feel heavy as the year closes, but you are optimistic.

SAGITTARIUS
(November 22-December 20)
Financial growth will be very satisfactory and the favorable trends will continue. Business people will expand or diversify. Home and family life will be a source of happiness.

Better financial news will perk up you spirits; though you will still feel work progress is too slow for your liking in February and March. Reorganise as best you can and live with what cannot to changed till April. In May, money will come which means you will feel free to pamper yourself. In June and July, you will need to talk over joint financial arrangements and try to get everyone to lay their cards on the table. August will help you sort out relationships and work on your ambitions. Tensions at home ease around September. Money comes in unexpectedly in October. Love could blow hot and strong, but work is a high priority in December.

CAPRICORN
(December 21-January 20)
A lively year lies ahead for you. Self confidence increases. Detailed discussion on money will overcome problems. Push ahead for progress. You will complete your work well in time, leaving you free to attend to personal issues in February. In March, a trip to a prominent place will bring benefits. A visit to a close friend in April is on the cards. In May, put your savings in secure investments. Creative work, get-togethers and seminars will keep you busy.

Financially, June will be extremely profitable. Make the most of these trends. Those keen on making sports their career will find a good sponsor. In July, a reliable friend, who admires your skills, may offer you a partnership. A quick decision will enable you to make substantial profits from a one-time deal in August. The confidence reposed in you will encourage you to set up a larger enterprise next month. If you are involved in retail sales, you are likely to earn hefty profits from a product that will suddenly become popular.

AQUARIUS
(January 21-February 19)
This is a year in which you work and live better alone. Health needs attention in the first half of the year. Your skill and practical approach will bring anticipated results from your new venture in January. You may benefit from a recent interpretation of a legislative clause which is likely to release blocked funds in February and March. April will require you to maintain cordial relations at home, which have been affected by a minor understanding.

In May and June, important news will strengthen your resolve to implement your schemes, which are likely to generate more profit. In September, your efforts to conclude a long-standing deal will bear positive results with the help of a friend of the opposite sex who is interested in your welfare.

The employed may have some bad luck in October. They are likely to be pulled up for their poor public relations skills. Work will proceed smoothly, enabling you to new areas for rest of the year.

PISCES
(February 20-March 20)
This year you can get a grip at work to improve your financial status. Make your own decisions but be precise and ambitious about your goal. At the beginning of the year, you will achieve a good deal. Obstacles will be swept aside. A hectic schedule has you scattering your energy rather widely, but you certainly cover a lot of ground in March. Money comes in unexpectedly in the last week. Hard work, getting fit and being helpful are all part of the deal in May.

Success in every endeavour is predicted. You take personal interest in work and do not depend on others in July. August and September bring an increase in business activities.

By the end of year, if you are single and fancy-free you can look forward to a passionate romance with someone you will meet at a get-together. This relationship will become serious and you even consider getting married.

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