As Mars dives into Leo so your popularity will rise with sexual attractions developing at a whirlwind pace. Close ties will be strengthened or severed over the next few weeks. You’re desires are unusually pronounced, enhancing your need for love but aggravating any bitterness or resentment.

Mars challenges all Taureans making a man in your life hard to live with. You can always humour him but it goes much deeper than that. He lacks stimulation and may take it out on you if he feels you’re getting somewhere whilst he’s not. You can’t be his keeper so accept no blame for his shortcomings.

Prepare well for tests, meetings or interviews; listen carefully to questions asked and don’t let your tongue get carried away. Between now and mid-September, you’ll be more impulsive in your thinking and it will pay to reserve judgement until you are more certain of your views.

Cut your cash coat according to your cloth as Mars puts you in the mood to spend. It will be impossible to go window-shopping as you’ll want to get stuck in. A severe case of robbing Peter to pay Paul will be the result if you purchase on an impulse and don’t take the consequences into account.

An exhilarating phase begins as Mars marches into your sign. You are more assertive and go-ahead than ever, giving you the single-minded focus to pursue a personal interest or goal and get it at whatever cost. Whatever grabs your mind, you have until September 17th to make it yours, and yours alone.

Behind the scenes negotiation is the one way to get around people who always think they have a divine right to have the last word. Softly, softly, catchee monkey: don’t be aggressive or impatient and use discretion and even manipulation to push things along in the direction that you want them to go.

You will only toss away good opportunities if you give in just because things don’t go your way or someone is being awkward. Restrain hostility and foster a team spirit to get the most out of social plans and club activities between now and your birthday. A new man friend is about to enter your life.

People are difficult to please and their constant criticism slows progress down to a minimum. Don’t resort to ego-games or below-the-belt tactics in order to get your own way: the enemy may be tougher and more powerful than you realise. If you think you’re ruthless, then they’re more so.

Mars becomes a driving force, upping the pace of your life and putting you in your element. The heady mixture of good fortune laced with the kind of brimming self-belief you haven’t felt in ages puts you in an enviable position to find success, happiness and satisfaction at home or abroad.

Yesterday I wrote about psychological changes occurring within you and the entry of Mars into this same area of your horoscope makes it even more pertinent that you delve into your inner self and get in touch with the real you. To ignore your deeper feelings only puts off the inevitable.

Take care before you speak as Mars creates tension and animosity through inconsiderate words and gestures. That old saying - you always hurts the one you love - springs to mind. Equally, if you want to cut through the crap of a rubbish relationship then you can do it now with surgeon-like precision.

Prepare yourself for busy times ahead, clear the decks and don’t overlook minor problems which could multiply into major ones. Heavy demands may also take their toll on your health, making you accident prone through anger. It would be wise to get your blood pressure measured and check for anaemia.