It's hard to be gracious with someone who wears on your last nerve. Nevertheless, you should work hard to be civil to the person in question, or your reputation could suffer. Even being rude to an unpopular figure can backfire on you. If you want to distinguish yourself, think about learning something new or taking an extended trip. The more you challenge yourself, the easier it will be to tolerate even the biggest boors.

Beware of spending too much money on entertaining. You shouldn't have to resort to lavish displays to win your friends' affection. If someone invites you to an expensive outing you can't afford, simply decline. In the event you are pressed for a reason, be truthful. Your honesty will prove refreshing. These days, everybody is working hard to look posh, even at the risk of going into debt. Don't make the same mistake. Trust your intuition regarding a powerful woman.

You may be so wrapped up in your own troubles you fail to recognise someone else's problems. Take notice of the people around you, especially at work. A female colleague could use a little compassion. Others may not share your belief system - be careful about discussing religion or politics in public. Taking the lead in a business relationship is a good idea, as you have the ability to win the support of a powerful figure.

Resist the urge to run and hide from the world. You may be forced to deal with people whose beliefs are odious to you and while it will require every bit of restraint from lashing out at their ignorant comments, you must stand firm or you will miss a golden opportunity. It's entirely possible your presence will prevent these characters from inflicting more damage than they intend. You may not realise it, but people are intimidated by your principled behaviour.

You strongly identify with someone who is being made to feel like an outcast. Send a note of encouragement. Incredible as it may seem, your words will make a great difference to this person's morale. Beware of loaning or borrowing money, no matter how noble your intentions are. Taking up an extreme sport seems like a wonderful idea now; you crave a bit of danger. Just make sure your activities aren't putting loved ones in jeopardy.

Lately, you've been mixing with some impressive people. Don't let that stop you from associating with old friends, though. While it's true your nearest and dearest seem out of touch with your current surroundings, they still deserve your respect. It may be tempting to sacrifice your health in the name of important work. If your energy is starting to flag, cut back on your responsibilities for the time being or you won't be able to provide help when it's most needed.

Resist the temptation to look down on a popular art form. Yes, the public's taste may not be as evolved as yours, but at least they know how to have fun. Try abandoning yourself to a book, movie, or television show that seems lowbrow. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy it. Better yet, you may be inspired to blast through a creative block that has held you fast.

Jealousy could rear its ugly head, creating a rift between you and a lover. Instead of falling victim to this feeling, try channelling your energy towards a creative project. Painting, writing, or taking photographs can soothe your troubled heart. The subject of your work can be envy, if you like. You'll be surprised at how much more empowered you feel as a result. A relative seems to understand your black mood, and may do something special to lift your spirits.

Don't let a loved one walk all over you. Until you establish some boundaries, this person will continue to take advantage of your good nature. If you have a goal in mind, try visualising yourself as though you've already accomplished this aim. Seeing is definitely believing. You may want to bolster this technique by cutting out pictures that represent your dream, and then posting them in prominent places throughout your home and office.

The appearance of hard work is no substitute for the real thing. If you've committed yourself to a particular project, you need to give it sufficient time and attention your peers will know you are slacking off, leaving them with the lion's share of responsibility. You may be inspired to make a generous donation to a charity. You'll receive a pleasant but unexpected reward for this gesture. Giving resources away makes it easier to receive new gifts.

You're highly impressionable right now, and can take a woman's words too much to heart. If you're excited about a new prospect, don't let this wet blanket dampen your enthusiasm. It's especially hard for you to cope with a loved one's disapproval. You expect such opposition from enemies - in fact, you thrive on it. But when someone you trust and admire is sceptical of your plans, it becomes hard to carry them out.

Beautiful surroundings can't mask your despair. Resist the urge to put a good face on a bad situation. Share your feelings with a close friend you can trust and don't become paralysed by fear. A show of courage will intimidate your enemies. They underestimate your strength. Think back on a time when you faced a similar challenge. You overcame that situation, and you'll do the same in this instance.