Now 2006 is coming to a close, you're giving more thought to your professional ambitions. You're determined to gain a greater measure of control over your work. Whether this means getting a promotion, opening your own business, or going freelance is immaterial. The important thing is to cease being a cog in the machine. Contact the most successful people you know for advice on meeting your goals. Their help will prove immeasurable. You could even get some financial backing from them.

The bigger questions in life preoccupy your thoughts from now until mid-January. Reading books on philosophy, religion, and spirituality could be in the cards for you and whilst you may not adopt a new way of thinking wholeheartedly, you will probably stitch bits and pieces of different schools together to form your own ideology. The impulse to write a book or publish an article could be very powerful. What begins as a labour of love could evolve into a paying gig.

Setting goals and sticking to them should be your first order of business. You've always been a list maker, but the lists you make now will have a special importance. Making plans for your financial future feels pressing. If you've relinquished control of your money to someone else, take back your power. At the very least, take a closer look at your accounts. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to money. A loved one's scrutiny gives you pleasure.

The safety you seek is in close relationships, at least for the next three weeks. A lover or colleague helps you make sense of impending changes. Some of them will be to your benefit, and others will force you to make sacrifices. By looking to your friend for guidance, these changes will seem less scary. In fact, you may find yourself actually enjoying the transformations. That would be a breakthrough indeed! Don't be afraid to make yourself vulnerable to trustworthy people.

Work, work, and more work is at the forefront of your mind now. Now Christmas is over, and you're eager to get a head start on the competition. Keeping busy makes you feel virtuous and productive, but beware of burning out before the New Year arrives. If you really want to make good use of your time, step up your exercise routine. Strengthening your body will give you the energy you need to accept extra assignments. Cut down on junk food, too.

Finding time to play with lovers and children feels positively blissful. Cut back your schedule to accommodate activities like ice skating, dancing, and singing karaoke. Onlookers may think you've lost your mind, but you'll feel as though you've found your true spirit. If you're single, your joyful jaunts will put you in the path of many love interests. You're especially attracted to people with a dry sense of humour. Play hard to get with someone who shows interest in you. It's a winning strategy.

A desire for stability and beauty prompts you to cut back on frivolous pursuits. Relatives who have always been there for you prove supportive once again. If you are worried about the future, seek their advice. Buying a home or moving to a safer neighbourhood could be in the cards for you. Alternatively, you could decide to redecorate your living space to reflect your current interests. Out with the old and in with the new! After all, 2007 is just around the corner.

Your phone could ring off the hook over the next three weeks as everybody wants to speak to you. Whether you want to talk to them is another story! If you do want an audience with somebody, now is the time to arrange one. It will be virtually impossible to turn you away. If you've ever wanted to launch a website, now is a good time to do so. Spend a little extra money on a designer who can communicate your message to maximum advantage.

Getting specialised training to maximise your earning potential is highly favoured. Mastering a software program, getting a degree, or taking a specialised course are among the possibilities. Once you have these lessons under your belt, you will find it easier to maximise efficiency and productivity. There's no better reason to ask for a raise or promotion. Keep a detailed record of all the improvements you make to your workplace. In the face of all this evidence, it will be virtually impossible to refuse your request.

A realistic attitude about the future makes you a popular figure. These days, everybody is experiencing festive fatigue, and may look to you for guidance. You're happy to lend it, provided you're able to make executive decisions. If you are still being treated like you don't know anything you need to speak up. Refuse to let someone talk to you in a patronising tone, even if they have several years seniority. You paid your dues long ago.

Keeping your thoughts to yourself is probably a good idea over the next three weeks. Right now, everybody is fighting to be heard. Trying to shout over the din will be a waste of valuable energy. You'll have a better opportunity to present your ideas in mid-January. Meanwhile, you could be forced to deal with a lot of bureaucratic paperwork. You may have to make several phone calls to learn exactly what documentation you will need to satisfy the powers that be.

You're pretty reclusive by nature, but that will change in the coming weeks. Operating as a member of a team gives you a welcome feeling of support. Getting feedback for your creative ideas fuels your imagination even further. Older, experienced friends seem to especially appreciate your vision. At first, you'll be shy about speaking up in public. Over time you'll become more forthcoming. Socialising with neighbours, relatives, and colleagues will also become a regular habit. Remember, you are not alone.