Horoscopes: Monday, August 17

ARIES: (March 21 to April 20)
A change of heart throws plans into disarray. You feel better coming from a position of honesty but are sorry for disrupting the lives of others. Further down the track your decision will pay dividends.

TAURUS: (April 21 to May 21)
You may be the beneficiary of someone else's good fortune. Finding yourself in the right place at the right time is unusual but brings sweet rewards. You take whatever treasure you can get right now.

GEMINI: (May 22 to June 21)
Questions are thrown at random but you answer them immediately. Quick-thinking Mercury gifts you with a photographic memory and mind full of trivia. Others are impressed by your mental versatility.

CANCER: (June 22 to July 23)
You put up with more than usual. Moon in your sign encourages you to turn a blind eye and allow others to live their own lives. A sense of well being indicates you are currently on track.

LEO: (July 24 to August 23)
Obsessive tendencies are a reflection of hidden insecurities. Most of the fears you hold are groundless but you find it difficult to break old habit patterns. Set some realistic goals and take baby steps.

VIRGO: (August 24 to September 23)
You are not easily intimidated and have a steadying influence on others. Inner peace is a worthy goal but to achieve it you must take charge at home and work. Quiet strength becomes you this week.

LIBRA: (September 24 to October 23)
Put the excitement back into life by setting fresh goals. You have a flair for thinking up left-field ideas and turning them into practical reality. Nothing is too much trouble when it comes to self-interest.

SCORPIO: (October 24 to November 22)
Before you make a promise check that your heart is in it. Common sense must override idealism or there may be regrets down the track. Persuasive people are best ignored at this time.

SAGITTARIUS: (November 23 to December 22)
You absolutely refuse to throw in the towel. Tenacity is your strong suit today and satisfaction comes from a job well done without help from others. Goal-oriented Mars is your main motivator.

CAPRICORN: (December 23 to January 20)
There is no satisfaction in having the last word. You prefer playing the role of umpire and letting others engage in games of one-upmanship. Moon in the balanced zone keeps your emotions steady.

AQUARIUS: (January 21 to February 19)
You accept that others think differently and stop trying to change them. Stubborn people more than match your hard-headedness but they also teach you lessons of tolerance and forgiveness. Equality rules your relationships.

PISCES: (February 20 to March 20)
Powerful allies allow you steam ahead with a plan. The renewed spring in your step helps you build strong foundations for the future, while putting past niggling worries to rest. Be a self-starter.

YOUR DAY
An elusive aura makes it difficult to pin people down or pigeonhole them. Keep plans and arrangements loose so that last minute changes can be accommodated. There is plenty of empathy in the stars.

YOUR BIRTHDAY
You are ready to pull the plug on a situation. You accept that change is part of life's evolutionary cycle and move on when things do not work out. Better times lie ahead.