The year just gone was full of surprises and uncertainty…Trump… Brexit… volatility in the financial markets. Over the last 12 months, many have certainly been caught off guard, regardless of their star sign or astral awareness. Will 2017 be more of the same, another year where the apparently impossible comes to pass? Or can we expect a little sanity to reassert itself? Well, that all depends. It’s all down to how the planets align, for you. And that’s down to the month, the day and even the hour of your birth. Arm yourself with our annual insight as to just what the New Year has in store for you and yours…

Aries
March 21 – April 19
As with the year just gone, a few surprises will likely be in store for you again in the year to come. Your ascendant planet is Uranus, a planet that both shocks and stimulates, while also awakening long-dormant desires. How you will fare will depend on how emotionally prepared you are for this astral onslaught.

On the plus side, it’s a good year for travel, especially when business related, but beware of high expenses in March. For those hoping for wedding bells, September onwards augurs well for nuptial prospects.

As a fire sign, this year it’s crucial for Arians to temper their impetuous natures. While it can be quite liberating to tell others exactly how you feel, that sudden rush of emotions could leave you feeling regretful. You will need to learn how to channel your feelings constructively without hurting those close to you – be it at home or in the workplace – or else you run the risk of losing friends and gaining enemies.

Tip: The devil is in the detail. Being organised this year will pay off for you hugely.

Taurus
April 20 – May 20
This is a good year for new career avenues to open up but the opportunities will take care of themselves. A proactive approach is needed to make the most of your chances. Embrace workplace challenges wholeheartedly and you will reap the benefits. You could receive an unexpected windfall around the middle of the year.

Relationships could be less straightforward this year. Friendships could become tangled and will require all your level-headedness and patience to limit the damage of misunderstandings. Your creative spark will ignite in the second half of the year, making it the ideal time to act on artistic or business ideas.

Those born in early to mid-May may experience a spiritual awakening around February or March. It is also the time for single Tauruns to pursue that love interest you have been so coy about.

Tip: Seize your opportunities, this is not the year to be resting on your laurels.

Gemini
May 21 – June 20
A true air sign, you enjoy making intellectual connections with others and opportunities to do so abound, especially in the first half of the year. While at times your dualistic nature may have your new acquaintances confused as to your true character, your pervasive charm will win them over.

This is also an important year for you when it comes to keeping an eye on your health. Cut down on sweet or fatty foods and ensure you don’t overdo it with the alcohol.

The period between April and May could prove tricky for you, with an ego clash or a potential run-in with a rival looking likely to undermine your plans. Exercising persistence will deliver financial rewards in the second half of the year, while this is also a very well-starred period for those Geminis considering starting a family.

Tip: For those Geminis looking for romance, while flirting is fun, be careful you don’t miss someone with real long-term potential.

Cancer

June 21 – July 22
Planetary alignments this year indicate that you can expect hurdles on both the work and domestic fronts. As someone to whom home is particularly important – even if you don’t always admit it – ignore these problems at your peril.

As the year progresses there will be an upward surge in your fortunes. A change in residence could be on the cards, with the possibility of the purchase of a new apartment, and possibly that new car you’ve been promising yourself.

It is likely 2017 will also be a year of change and frenetic activity. Be prepared to tackle this head-on or accept the likelihood of being overwhelmed. Around October or November someone from your past could re-enter your life and take it in a wholly unexpected direction.

Tip: Brace yourself for potential change and for an unusually active and dynamic year.

Leo
July 23 – Aug 22
Your big-hearted nature and leadership skills come to the fore this year, with many of those around you impressed by your role as a stabilising influence. The year, though, will prove to be something of a roller-coaster for you personally, so it’s essential to focus on where you want to be come 2018.

Overall, though, the next 12 months will shape up as a financially positive one for you and should see your stocks rise throughout the first half of the year. Watch out, though, for unexpected expenses around July or August. Resist the urge to splurge despite one or two unexpected gains.

You may also experience a letdown on the home front and, for Leo parents, a child could disappoint too.

Tip: Don’t get too immersed in the needs of others.

Virgo
Aug 23 – Sept 22
Your year will get off to a slow start, but will build up a head of steam as it progresses. The first half of the year could prove quite demanding. Marriage and domestic issues are likely to test your patience, but things should start to pick up on the home front by early June.

Pay attention to your financial situation this year as it may not be all that you hoped for, so don’t fritter away your hard-earned gains on unnecessary frivolities. With Jupiter ascending in the second half of the year, luck will be on your side and this could be time to reward yourself. Possibly that long promised trip to visit a faraway friend? The second half of the year is the best time to pursue business interests and to capitalise on your good fortune.

For single Virgos, love may suddenly start to bloom in mid-May.

Tip: Preserve your energy for demanding times in the second half of the year.

Libra
Sept 23 – Oct 22
This year will kick off with something of a bang for you, with your renewed energy and optimism giving you the ability to take massive strides toward your goals. You are seeing things with unusual clarity, making this the ideal time to speak your mind and assert your financial rights or just to take that time off you’ve been promising yourself.

On the down side, with the undue prominence of Neptune this year, you may be feeling under the weather in May or June with an elusive ailment, one not easily detected by your medical practitioner. Adopting a holistic approach to your health and taking a step back from your hectic schedule will help remedy this.

This is also a good year to finally say goodbye to a role or individual that has been holding you back for some time. You may also have unexpected luck when taking a gamble in November.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to take a risk when the chance arises.

Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Scorpios should have faith in their own talents this year. This is the time to take on any challenge you have been shying away from, possibly because you felt insufficiently qualified or gifted. Take heart, though. The results may astound you.

For single Scorpios, love is definitely in the air. Don’t be afraid to make the first move on that one special person you’ve had your eye on for a very long time. Travel to a far-off land is likely around July or August, so ensure your documentation is up to date.

Beware, though, this year could also have a sting in its tail, with an unexpected financial burden rearing its head around November or early December. Set aside a little something for this impending rainy day.

Tip: Muster the courage to face your challenges head on.

Sagittarius
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Saturn is your dominant planet this year and, while it’s often seen as a malign influence, it may signal an opportunity to overcome a particular challenge that has long eluded you. The more you put into this year, the better placed you will be to reap the rewards of an upturn in your fortune from September onwards after your prospects begin to level out.

Work pressure will be high at the start of the year, so teamwork is crucial to weathering the storm. Use your considerable diplomatic skills to get colleagues on your side.

When it comes to romance, expect the unexpected. Don’t get yourself in trouble by settling for something you know is flawed. Instead, enjoy all the attention that comes your way, while awaiting that special person
to emerge.

Tip: The more you put into this year, the more you will get out of it.

Capricorn
Dec 22 – Jan 19
The period between April and August will sorely test your inner fortitude. In the workplace, mentally note those who help – and those who hinder – during this trying time. It is likely someone important to you will let you down, but don’t let your frustration show and resist the temptation of immediate payback. Their time will come.

On the bright side, you will have frequent opportunities to travel and explore new horizons. A business prospect may open up unexpectedly in February. Around October, a surprising new love interest may appear in your life, livening things up considerably.

You may be called to take care of an ailing loved one in the middle part of the year, but your charity here will be well rewarded in the long run.

Tip: Persevere through the tough times and keep focused on what’s truly important.

Aquarius
Jan 20 – Feb 18
The water carrier is going to be burdened by a high degree of responsibility this year, but don’t despair as this will prove to be a true learning experience and, ultimately, a stepping stone to bigger and better things. Time off around April will help you recharge your batteries after a demanding start to the year, with things suddenly getting a whole lot easier around mid-year.

You will feel like money is slipping through your fingers in November, with a number of bills seemingly coming at the same time. This short-term hit to your finances will pass. And quickly.

Overall, this is going to be an eventful year for you, on both the work and home front. A change of residence may be on the cards and, for married Aquarians, there is the real chance of an addition to the family.

Tip: Keep on your toes and deal with every task as it arises.

Pisces
Feb 19 – March 20
Your year will get off to a bright start, largely on account of a surge in your creative energies. January through March is the time to consider new projects or to reassess key relationships. You will feel on a roll through the first half of the year, so ensure you make the most of any luck that comes your way.

Towards the end of the year, your altruistic tendencies will be tested by an unexpected betrayal by someone close to you. Seek to ascertain their deeper motives and you may see things more clearly.

Your love life is also in for significant change. Marriage prospects are likely to quicken and new relationships can fall quickly into place. A short trip around July may reap unexpected benefits.

Tip: Take things as they come and ignore the negativity of others.