Your horoscope for the week ahead: Capricorn season will help you recognize your accomplishments

Venus turned retrograde over the weekend, an event which takes place once every 18 months and lasts for six weeks. The significance of these Venus retrogrades cannot be overestimated. Each one brings crucial lessons that help us grow emotionally and spiritually. So we've got several weeks to go. By the time it comes to an end on Jan. 29, you'll feel like a different person. 

The week gets off to a good start with two aspects of note: the Sun forms a sextile to Jupiter, and Mercury trines Uranus. Sextiles and trines are auspicious angles. The Sun-Jupiter connection will evoke sanguine feelings, leaving you with a sense of optimism. The Mercury-Uranus connection will promote innovative thinking. If you are searching for a solution to a problem or seeking clarity on a confusing matter, this alignment will be of great assistance. Conversations with people will kick up some great ideas. 

You may notice a pervading sense of heaviness in the air as a result of Mars moving through the degrees of the Total Eclipse of the Sun that occured on Dec. 4. Mars acts as a trigger, so activating that point in the sky can cause you to feel worried or anxious. Redouble your efforts to maintain a positive mindset this week and you'll pass with flying colours. 

Tuesday marks the official start to winter as the Sun enters the go-getter cardinal sign Capricorn. There are four cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, and each initiates a season — spring, summer, fall or winter — and tends to be a dynamic leader. 

Capricorn season is when we take stock of the past year. Armed with that knowledge, we can make the next year better than ever. 

Here is your horoscope for the week of Monday, December 20, 2021.

Aries

You may feel as though everything you have tried to do has failed and that there's no chance of ever finding anything that will work. But that dark cloud that is hovering over your life does have a silver lining. In reality, the entire cloud is made of solid sterling silver. So drop your pessimism and forget your fears: the Universe is on your side. You will find the inspiration to fine-tune and improve your strategy. An area where there has so far been no progress is going to change for the better. Something is about to shift, and once it has, you'll be glad for all that you have gone through. 

Taurus

You have been through some dark times, but the lessons learned will ultimately refresh your sense of hope for the future. Success is on the way, as long as you maintain your conviction to follow your heart's path. When the time is right, you'll find what it is you're looking for. It's more important than ever to be open to all possibilities. Consider new ideas, but until you know where they're going to lead, avoid acting on them. Don't act impulsively. It is time now to work out an airtight plan. Things will go much more smoothly with a light-hearted approach.

Gemini

You need to put some distance between you and a certain source of aggravation. However, there is no distance you could actually travel that would be great enough to supply the necessary perspective. It's not miles that you need to put between you and someone or something. Rather, it's a question of time. It's days or, even better, weeks that are needed. Although it feels as though you are going around in circles, the image is not quite right: those circles are spiralling upward. A lesson is being learned, and the quicker you ask the right questions and do all your learning, the quicker you will find your utopia. 

Cancer

You may or may not like the situation you find yourself in, but you do at least know more about where you are, what's going on and how your options are starting to line up. It's hard to resist the urge to feel a bit fed up. A surprise has been sprung on you — or perhaps it feels more like a rug has been pulled from under your feet. Either way, you are in no danger. There's no need to rush, especially since you have it within your power to set the tempo and slow things down. You will soon see a way to welcome permanent stability to an insecure and unsettled area of your life. 

Leo

You are no closer to living in that Hollywood dream you feel so keen to fulfil. Currently, you're experiencing moments of hope followed by periods of frustration. It is exciting, but you could do without all the exhilaration. It would be nice if things settled down for once. Don't be so critical of yourself. Trust your astute insights and observations. Materially and psychologically, you'll soon have good reason to feel stronger and more powerful. And hey, maybe they'll even make a blockbuster movie about your struggles!

Virgo

As of yesterday, the reasons for making and sticking with a bold decision seemed inarguable. Today, they no longer seem so clear. Other possibilities deserve consideration. Don't feel as if you are being inconsistent if you stop to look at these options. In essence, it feels as though you have invited several people to a meeting, held a long discussion and decided on a plan, only to have a late arrival burst into the room with urgent news. You cannot really justify keeping the door closed. This new and crucial information must be admitted as evidence.

Libra

Though it feels as though you are going nowhere fast, the reverse is true. Under the surface, there's something to celebrate and feel truly grateful for that is starting to take shape. Creativity and popularity are on offer to you now — not in the most obvious way, but in one that is deeply satisfying. This doesn't necessarily mean that your wildest dreams will come true any moment now or that all your problems will come to an end. But you can look forward to plenty of comfort, reassurance and happiness. The key is to stay positive.

Scorpio

Some people say there's no gain without pain. There is an element of truth in that, but only an element. Not every gain has to be painful; some types of pain are simply pointless. You are now trying to determine how difficult or beneficial a certain situation is likely to be. If it's only going to hurt a little, then accept it for now. But a permanent ache is not necessary here. The sky intends to start a process of healing that will ultimately bring resolution to a conflict you've been dealing with for far too long. Don't accept anything less.

Sagittarius

You are now in the process of accumulating information and learning a crucial skill. You have a lot more time than you think to achieve certain important goals, but bear in mind that there is a time limit. Try not to take too long, but don't blindly and hastily rush to what looks like a good idea either. It is far better to pursue your goals with discrimination, diligence and — most crucially — common sense. Easing up a little won't cause you to lose momentum. It will allow you the time to create and execute a better plan or strategy.  

Capricorn

Lately, progress has been a stop-and-start affair, and you appear to be pushing too hard. It's true that you are encountering one disappointing obstacle after another. But it may well be that the only way to cross the current terrain is in an irritatingly erratic flow of traffic. Better that than to cover no ground at all. A helpful astrological climate will get you through. Make sure you take care of yourself both physically and emotionally. Your courageous perseverance will pay off. What you desire will come in time, just don't expect it all at once. 

Aquarius

The lessons you've learned have been acquired the hard way, through trial and error. Be kind to yourself. You are beginning to get somewhere, and there is every reason to believe progress will accelerate. An inner voice is directing you toward a path that will bring certainty to what has been unstable. Make sure you've got the physical stamina to keep up with the pace of success. Give yourself what you need at a very basic level — and that includes sleep and plenty of it! Your mood will improve, inspiring developments will arise, and success will soon bless you. 

Pisces

In your desire to please other people, you have all but forgotten the importance of pleasing yourself. Without realizing it, you have decided you can only be happy if others are happy — and you will spread yourself as thinly and widely as possible to achieve this. To rectify the problem, you simply have to start paying more attention to and generating more enthusiasm for your own life. If you focus on what's best for you and try hard to set processes in motion, others will feel drawn to disregard their problems and return the help you've so generously provided them in the past.