Too much rigmarole makes you feel as if you're going through some sort of farce or parade. It gets complicated and sometimes frustrating having to abide by habits, rituals and other people's expectations in order to progress, but if it's what is expected of you, what can you do? Play the game or lose out. Plan a fun time with your partner this evening!

Your heart is not in the jobs you must do today but you will force yourself to concentrate anyway. What keeps you going is the fact if you focus your efforts you will get chores you aren't keen on out of the way. The whole day might be spent on basic routines; your thoughts are on distant horizons. The idea of getting away from it all strongly appeals.

If you don't like the sound of ideas people put to you today, don't go along with them. Plans others are making could be too expensive or time consuming. If travel is on the agenda, you could return home a lot later than you anticipated. People seem to underestimate time, expense and the effort involved in the events and activities taking place today.

Through circumstances outside your control you could find yourself dealing with someone else's responsibilities. Whether someone's reasons for leaving you with all the work are genuine or not, you suspect they are taking advantage of your good nature. Today you will do what must be done without complaining. In the future, you will avoid getting into a similar situation.

There is a gossipy atmosphere in the air both at home and work. There could be some interesting information in the snippets of news about to come your way so don't feel you are wasting time in small talk! If you agree to keep some facts to yourself, keep your word. A friend or colleague will be offended if you break a confidence.

You might feel uneasy or uncertain about an aspect of your job or a situation connected to your work. Refuse to allow small niggles of doubt develop into something bigger. If you stay calm you will discover the possibilities that caused you alarm, won't occur. If you are in a position of leadership, make yourself totally clear when talking to others. Misunderstandings can be avoided if you take care.

You will only feel as if you are making progress today if you adopt a down to earth approach. A friend or loved one will come up with some inventive ideas but how practical are they? You seem to have a good idea on what will work and what won't. For this reason, don't let anyone push you into plans you aren't keen on. Be assertive: insist on calling the tune.

Pay attention to messages and information others have to tell you today. Someone close could be in a strangely argumentative mood. If you misinterpret their words, they won't let you forget it. The evening hours will see a change of attitude but you will still feel slightly bewildered. It might take you ages to find out what caused the problem in the first place!

A financial demand could take you by surprise. Either you or a loved one has not shaken off the extravagant aura of the Christmas period and it is time now to wake up to the need to economise. Routine matters are easily dealt with today and you might feel you hardly have to exert yourself at all. You need a degree of challenge later to help prevent boredom!

Recent overspending might lead you to discussing some big alterations to shared budgets. You have all the right ideas but it will take time to get others to agree with you. Be ready with the answers because those you live with will argue all sides of your proposals. Romance will make the evening special. Don't be aloof: respond eagerly to sentimental and loving gestures.

You could hear an exciting secret today and it won't be easy to keep this to yourself. This is a good time to consider your life and examine just what you are doing with your time, knowledge and talents. If you feel a need for more challenge or satisfaction, you might seriously think about making some changes in the future. Heed the word future; it is not time yet to make new starts.

Excuses, excuses: others are full of the reasons why they can't be helpful today. Though this is bound to exasperate you especially if you were relying on someone for their support, it doesn't mean you can't get on. You could be surprised what you are capable of once you put your mind to it. By the end of the day you will discover you didn't need anyone's help, anyway!