Changes you’re about to make within the home and family environment are meant to enhance your day-to-day life. Don’t consider adopting any ideas you find pretentious, or spend hard cash you can ill afford. It’s time to allow yourself the freedom to say loudly and clearly what you want, and refuse to let anybody persuade you otherwise.

Somebody close is agonising about developments you consider unthreatening. Part of you will be afraid to say what you feel because you might come across as unsympathetic. Surely you owe it to yourself and the person involved to be honest. You’ve avoided the truth in the past and won’t want to do it again.

It’s all very well for friends or relatives to suggest an outing or get-together, but who’ll foot the bill? You certainly shouldn’t feel obliged to pay more than your fair share because to do so would leave you feeling resentful. Isn’t it time for a frank discussion with those who rarely, if ever, pull their weight?

Don’t be too disappointed when long-awaited news about professional or financial developments fail to arrive. It’s highly possible that any decisions that need to be made are in the hands of those who are under pressure in several different areas. Sometimes, we’re forced to play the waiting game, whether we like it or not.

Negotiations with tricky customers must be watertight. Prove you’re no fool as Venus befriends Saturn while also challenging Uranus. Be charming and business-like, and introduce innovative and surprising elements while remaining firm. One particular individual will be more admiring of you than ever.

Don’t overreact when expected to be the voice of reason with regard to a partnership, or a work- or money-related matter. Yes, there will be several controversial comments uttered when they are least welcome, but you’re more than capable of calmly deflecting them while talking great sense.

Don’t be too critical of a loved one or colleague who struggles to meet your high standards. And be diplomatic in mid-February, when a Saturn-Uranus set-to tests your patience. Never forget how inadequate you once felt in a particular setting and that nothing brings results like praise.

The thoughtless behaviour of others will need to be confronted. And you’ll feel you have to be the one to do it. Remember: You’ll get your point across far more effectively if you sound polite and measured rather than belligerent. It’s a sure way of taking the wind out of the sails of potential troublemakers.

Much as you might want to express yourself creatively, artistically or romantically, you’ll be afraid of the negativity of a particular individual. Promise yourself that you won’t allow this to hold you back. You’ve often felt inhibited by those who envy you for what you have and all that you can do. It has to stop.

As you consider carving out a new niche for yourself in unfamiliar territory, you might unnerve those close by. Be careful to disclose information in a way that’s crystal clear and keep the risk of misinterpretation to a minimum. Mercury’s retrograde phase ends on 21 February, reopening communication channels that had become problematic.

When you suggest that certain individuals are failing in their duty to society, you could be seen as a troublemaker. But it cannot be avoided, especially if you’re having to make up for their indifference. What you mustn’t do when confronting the issue is come across as biased or judgemental. Be as objective and even-handed as possible.

Diffcult though it might be, you’ll need to persuade someone that your creative or off-duty endeavours aren’t a waste of time or money. Any doubts will be emphasised by Mars confronting Mercury and Venus. Your challenge will be to show that you know when it’s worth taking a risk and when to play a safe game.