How Your Star Sign Affects Your Happiness

ARIES
You’re an upbeat, dynamic character, but can have a short fuse, so it’s important you seek balance.

1. Blow off steam with physical activities: choose gym workouts, walks or kick-boxing.
2. Consider assertiveness classes if aggression is an issue.
3. Balance high-impact workouts with calming activities such as reading, gardening or cooking.
4. Achieve work-life balance; schedule relaxation.
5. Work smarter not harder; streamline work schedules.

TAURUS
You’re a practical, earthy character, but can get restless when you feel stuck in a rut or you obsess over ideas.

1. Ground yourself in nature with bush walks or simply by sitting under a tree.
2. Allow yourself to let go of recurring thoughts; consider meditation.
3. Avoid stubbornness; consider others’ points of view compassionately.
4. Be aware of karma; keep a clear conscience and be conscious of your actions and their impact.
5. Indulge your senses with scents and oils.

GEMINI
You’re skilled at multi-tasking and you can exhaust yourself, so it’s vital you support your health.

1. Look after your nerves with an herbal tonic from a recommended naturopath or doctor.
2. Avoid skipping meals and eat a balanced diet.
3. Calm an agitated mind with relaxing visualisation techniques.
4. Adopt breathing techniques that can lead to a calm outlook.
5. Avoid over-working.

CANCER
You’re a caring soul, but you tend to look after everyone else and forget to self-nurture.

1. Put yourself at the top of your nurturing schedule. It’s not selfish, it’s practical.
2. Prepare comforting and grounding meals: eat with family or friends when possible.
3. Make mealtimes a conflict-free zone.
4. Enjoy swims or walks on the beach, by a river or a lake.
5. Meditate: this will increase your feel-good factor.

LEO
You love to shine and life can become a whirlwind, so it’s essential you top up energy levels regularly.

1. Recognise when you’re exhausted and bolster energy levels with superfoods.
2. Although you appear self-confident, you can lack self-esteem, so practice positive self-talk.
3. Balance your extrovert energy with soothing music and sensual treats.
4. Be prepared to agree to disagree if conflict arises.
5. Avoid pandering to your fears; be prepared to shine.

VIRGO
Ensure you balance your analytical ideas with realistic plans to avoid fixating on details.

1. Enjoy communing with nature: you’re an Earth spirit, after all.
2. Organise your itinerary to create more ‘me’ time.
3. Avoid obsessing over every detail; be prepared to be spontaneous too.
4. Be forgiving: of yourself, most of all.
5. Avoid overt self-criticism, which can cause low self-esteem and avoidance of new experiences.

LIBRA
To avoid indecision, try to combine your innovative ideas with practicalities.

1. Make decision-making easier: list ‘pros’ and a ‘cons’ and then stick to decisions.
2. Indulge in life’s pleasures, but avoid over-indulgence.
3. Practice the wisdom of acceptance: some things in life are inevitable.
4. Calm your mind with yoga, music and creativity.
5. Give yourself a break: you don’t always have to be the peace-maker.

SCORPIO
Passionate and intense, you crave peace of mind when drama prevails.

1. Call ‘time out’ when a situation is becoming dramatic.
2. Relax with massage or reflexology.
3. Keep a clear conscience. This promotes positive action and limits regrets.
4. Enjoy spa treatments: you’ll find water soothing.
5. Learn self-calming techniques such as breathing exercises.

SAGITTARIUS
You aim high, but can become disappointed unless you set yourself realistic goals.

1. Sports and recreation are integral to your peace of mind.
2. Keep your competitive nature in line with bigger-picture goals to avoid distractions.
3. Envisage already having obtained your goals; then it’s a case of doing it.
4. Think abundance, not scarcity, and fulfil your prophecy.
5. Keep a notebook handy to jot down bright ideas.

CAPRICORN
You seek prestige and success, and can push yourself hard, but must avoid being tough on yourself.

1. Ensure your self-talk is positive, not self-deprecating.
2. Feel ‘grounded’ by literally getting your feet on the ground: walk in nature.
3. Be fulfilled by ensuring your activities align with your values.
4. Believe in yourself. Seek like-minded people who believe in themselves – and you too.
5. Practice activities that promote wellbeing and confidence, such as t’ai chi.

AQUARIUS
You’re the zodiac’s maverick and yet you also have a no-nonsense side which, combined, can bring peace of mind.

1. Let your free spirit run free: schedule regular getaways.
2. Make time for fun and activities that promote lateral thinking, such as comedy nights.
3. Enjoy being individualistic, but avoid ostracising yourself.
4. Practice awareness of the present. This will help avoid worry and distractions.
5. Let your inner quirkiness out – be yourself.

PISCES
You’re a dreamer and an idealist, but life can appear harsh unless you’re realistic too.

1. Indulge your imagination; practice art and crafts, write, make music and dance.
2. Enjoy regular flights of fancy with film nights and book clubs, but avoid escapism.
3. Ditch bad habits that only delay facing reality.
4. Avoid victim-martyr roles; ban self-pity.
5. Enjoy the soothing effects of water: swimming, laying on the beach, spas, showers.

Patsy Bennett is the author of Astrology Secrets of the Moon (Rockpool Publishing $27.99), available at all good book stores and online at www.rockpoolpublishing.com.au