By Jack Fertig

Forecast for Dec. 27-Jan. 9, 2006

ARIES (March 20 - April 19): Your ideas and your accomplishments will be much noticed. Your reputation will fare better if you can maintain constructive continuity from thought to deed. Blowing your own horn can lead to embarrassment. Just let your work speak for itself.

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Although you generally prefer practical facts to theory, be open to some fancy notions that will have very real application in the near future. They could save you a lot of effort or maximize efficiency in the hard work that's ahead.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): A minor shock at work can show you what to clean up in order to avoid a major scandal. If there are no such storms, consider yourself lucky. Modesty and hard work now will pay off later, even if the benefits are not yet obvious.

CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Your own assertions are provoking others to respond with new ideas. Don't argue. Listen and let your brain explore the new directions they suggest. A shake-up of your political ideals will do you some good!

LEO (July 23 - August 22): Honing erotic techniques can lead you to insights that will improve your performance at work as well. On both fronts, be adaptive and attentive to criticism. Even you have room for improvement!

VIRGO (August 23 - September 22): Look for new ways to play with others. Sports, board games, sex, creative cooperation -- what you play doesn't matter. What matters are the insights and new perspectives that will open up for you.

LIBRA (September 23 - October 22): Community work -- or community building -- in any milieu will enhance your standing in an upcoming political struggle. The focus could be as simple as doing some housework before facing a roommate, or as big as campaigning in an election.

SCORPIO (October 23 - November 21): Playful new ideas or word games (from anagrams to epigrams) will jog your mind in directions that will help you make the most of challenging adjustments at work. Your new insights will also improve your relationships.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Budget your household expenses -- or just do the shopping -- and brace yourself for a surprise, probably a happy one. Attention to economy will give you new insights (it worked for Karl Marx!) and prove helpful at work.

CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Your outspokenness this week may surprise you as much as anyone, and it will open doors to new erotic opportunities. A hot fling or a new twist in an existing relationship will take a bit of daring and adjustment, but will be worth the effort!

AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Dig out some treasured memento that you keep hidden away. Let it bring up memories and feelings that you don't usually connect with. This should lead to challenging but liberating insights about your family.

PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Your political stock is high right now. Think clearly about your goals. A daring move will put you into a position of responsibility with more duties, in which you'll have a stronger voice. You've earned it!

Jack Fertig has been working as a professional astrologer since 1977 and is a founding member of the Association for Astrological Networking. He can be reached for consultations at (415) 864-8302, through his Web site at www.starjack.com, and by e-mail at QScopes@qsyndicate.com.