Dr. Prem Kumar Sharma , our celebrated resident astrologer, offers an opportunity to peep into the Year 2009 to reveal what the coming year holds in store for us

ARIES the Ram (March 21-April 20)

If you think you have not being doing well up till now, 2009 is the year that can turn your luck for the better. You are a risk-taker and more than willing to gamble to achieve your dreams and goals. The problem is you tend to lose interest and give up easily. The second quarter finds you sharpen your focus and get more involved in whatever you are doing. On the professional front you manage to overcome the odds and establish yourself confidently at the workplace. Some of you can expect to climb up the corporate ladder with minimal efforts. Financially, you remain secure and the months of October and November can find you exploring fresh avenues for earning. Domestic scene can witness some disturbance in the months of February and March. The third quarter is a good period for expecting mothers, but they need to take proper care of their health. In the last quarter, overseas journeys can keep some busy and bring financial gains. People related to law, judiciary or the forces will find themselves favourably placed. Those in love can face some hurdles from the family side, but as they say, “all's well that end's well”. Health remains satisfactory all throughout the year.

TAURUS the Bull (April 21-May 20)

You manage to take the bull by the horns to make major progress on both the professional and personal fronts in the year 2009. Your professional competence and strong business acumen will find you rise from the ashes, as it were, to come up on top. Your desire for a lavish lifestyle and love for luxury will make you own a new house or do up an old one with the best that money can buy. The financial crunch that you had been experiencing up till now will ease to a large extent. A new project, likely in the second quarter, can bring you in contact with new persons with whom you will cement a long-term professional relationship. The domestic front can experience some turbulence due to differences amongst family members. However, things will turn for the better by the third quarter, when an active social life is foreseen. Overseas journey is on the anvil for some. A casual relationship promises to develop into something more. Enjoy the time you get to spend with this person. Matrimonial alliance for a few lovebirds cannot be ruled out. Problems related to digestive system are indicated. Artists, designers, models and actors will rise through their efforts.

GEMINI the Twins (May 21-June 21)

Clever, imaginative, adaptable and with oodles of energy, there is simply nothing that can keep a Geminian down for long! The year 2009 promises to be excellent both career-wise and financially. Despite your propensity for scattering energy on different tasks, instead of focusing on one, you will achieve that rare feat of concentrating on a single goal and succeed. Mid-year indicates improvement in financial condition, thanks mainly to your past investments and finding new avenues for earning. On the domestic front, your enthusiasm and vitality will motivate those around you. Homemakers will remain at their creative best, as a home improvement plan can be put into action or a house renovation can be commissioned sometime in the month of June or July. Quite unlike your nature, you will tend to be more secretive on the romantic front by keeping your personal life under wraps and playing your cards close to your chest. Your persuasive powers can come into play when you snatch an opportunity of travelling abroad on an official tour in the second or third quarter. Health remains satisfactory, except in summer months, when minor ailments can trouble you. Those in the communication industry, personal relations and politics can expect an excellent year.

CANCER the Crab (June 22-July 22)

The year 2009 promises to be eventful for those born under the influence of the Moon. You will succeed in overcoming your insecurity and shine through, both in the personal and professional spheres. Connoisseurs of art and other creative professionals can expect recognition and awards. Students aiming to study in universities abroad will find the third quarter quite favourable. On the financial front, you manage to enhance your earning by using your intelligence, and powers of intuition and observation. Home front will be tranquil, but you need to play a major role in keeping it that way. Children will be supportive and make the atmosphere at home joyous. In the second half of the year, a sudden influence of an important person is likely to bring about a remarkable change in your life. Health, especially of the elders, may require some attention. Practicing meditation and yoga is a good way to benefit both physically and spiritually. If in love, strengthen your relationship with the love of your life, as a competitor can vie for your lover's affections. The prospects of marriage look bright for the eligible in the last quarter. Educationists, bureaucrats, bankers and financiers will succeed in achieving their targets.

LEO the Lion (July 23-August 23)

The roar of the lion ushers in the year 2009 for the confident and ambitious Leos and proves highly rewarding on both personal and professional counts. Making your mark on the professional front is child's play for you, thanks to your leadership qualities. Stars foretell career advancement on the strength of personality and commitment to the cause in the second quarter. You will need to curb your tendency to be melodramatic, as it may not find favour with those who matter. The financial front remains strong and you will succeed in adding to your wealth. Students desirous of studying abroad will manage to obtain admission in the college or university of their choice. Smooth sailing can be expected on the home front, if you keep your domineering nature on leash. However, some turbulence at home regarding a family member cannot be ruled out. The prayers of newlyweds are likely to be heard as they manage to have their way sometime in the third quarter. Those with romantic aspirations will succeed in finding their soul-mate and enjoy a blissful long-term relationship. Lifestyle diseases or other ailments will not prevent those afflicted with it from enjoying life. Engineers and technocrats will find the year exceptionally rewarding.

VIRGO the Virgin (August 24-September 23)

Intelligent and analytical, Virgos can expect their stars to shine brightly in the year 2009, as they acquire new skills to enhance their career prospects. There is a distinct possibility of receiving an award or recognition in your field of expertise in the third quarter. Financially, you will only be able to gain stability by the year-end. A real estate business deal proves favourable, but some opposition from a rival party or partner can be encountered. The year is especially favourable for homemakers as they start calling the shots on the domestic front and make the desired changes! The second quarter augurs well for children as they bring some good news. Shifting to a new house or posting to a new location is on the cards for some. This will come as a breath of fresh air. Your marriage or that of someone close can be solemnised in the third quarter. On the romantic front, your nature to become indifferent and cold at times can jeopardise your relationship. The months after August are highly auspicious to undertake a spiritual journey. Health remains excellent all throughout, except for some hiccups in the summer months. Those in technical and creative fields will do exceptionally well.

LIBRA the Scales (September 24-October 23)

The year 2009 holds much promise for the level-headed and graceful Librans. Your planetary position appears extremely favourable in the second quarter, when you succeed in achieving what you had set out for. Professional efforts in the right direction will help you reap rich benefits. Promotion is on the anvil for some. Students will be able to realise their dreams by the third quarter on the strength of their excellent performance. Your instincts are good at sensing where the money can come from and you put it to good use by seizing opportunities to enhance your earning potential. But, stars caution you against trusting someone close in financial matters. A journey to the west can prove fruitful and open new avenues for you. Domestic front remains uneventful and brightens up, as the year ends. Those in love are likely to take their romantic relationship to a new height and can even expect the wedding bells to toll by the end of second quarter. On the health front, your lazy disposition makes you shun anything physical! Better start doing something about it as some of you can succumb to lifestyle diseases. Painters, interior designers, actors, writers and composers can find the year immensely fulfilling.

SCORPIO the Scorpion (October 24-November 22)

Scorpios are suited for professional careers and make excellent doctors, surgeons, scientists and the like. The year 2009 is the year of professional enhancement for you. Sheer dynamism and passion, that you are gifted with, will take you to the very pinnacle of power by the third quarter. Your resourcefulness will come to fore in the month of October or November when you manage to acquire property at a bargain price. The last quarter seems favourable for adding to your wealth. Domestic front remains satisfactory as family stands firmly behind you in all your endeavours. Social engagements can keep you busy in the month of February or March and may even bring you into the limelight . Talks of matrimonial alliance for the eligible can be expected. The months of November and December seem auspicious for those tying the knot. Travel is indicated in the second quarter for those bitten by the travel bug. For them, visiting new places and meeting new people will prove immensely enjoyable. Health can cause concern, but it will be nothing alarming. Self-medication in any form should be avoided. Giving to charity will make the journey of life joyous. Those in the fields of academics, engineering and medicine will prosper.

SAGITTARIUS the Archer (November 23-December 21)

The year 2009 will find you starting with a clean slate, as you manage to resolve all your previous issues and problems. On the positive side, you will be able to consolidate your position on the professional front and move towards a brighter future through the power of your ideas and your propensity for taking calculated risks. On the negative side, impulsiveness and hasty decisions can harm your interest. So, inculcate the habit of deliberating on everything before committing . The financial front remains a bit turbulent from March to July, but the latter part of the year will bring in wealth. A vehicle or a major household item can be purchased then. Domestic sphere seems immensely satisfying as you set about widening your social circle. Functions and celebrations can be organised in the last quarter. Help in a crucial matter will be forthcoming from someone close in the second quarter. If in love, this can be the year when you cement your romantic relationship. Distant journeys, maybe overseas for some, will help accomplish much. Health remains satisfactory all round the year, but should not be neglected. Realtors, consultants and those in showbiz can expect the year to be most fulfilling.

CAPRICORN the Goat (December 22-January 21)

Your quest for the best is met in the year 2009 in a large measure on all fronts. The year sees you enhance your career by climbing up the corporate ladder. Your excellent time management and organisational skills will find you in a leadership position in the first quarter itself. The second quarter is especially rewarding for working women. On the financial front, things look much better than in the past. Agreements and deals signed after the second quarter will prove most profitable . Previous i nvestments will earn rich dividends , mainly due to your foresight of looking at the long-term advantages. You must, h owever, guard against making hasty decisions concerning partnerships and joint ventures. The domestic front seems immensely fulfilling for the homemakers, who will be able to put their creative ideas and skills into action on the home front. A long-term romantic relationship can turn into a matrimonial alliance. The months of July and August are lucky for the lonely hearts, when they find love. Health can have its ups and downs throughout the year, but nothing serious is foreseen. P eople associated with automobile and textile industries and those involved in import and export can find the year most promising.

AQUARIUS the Water Bearer (January 22-February 19)

The year 2009 is the year of victory for the Aquarians. This is because of your firm resolve to achieve what, at this juncture, appears unachievable. Being inventive, original and a progressive thinker, you possess the magic of thinking big. Your professional stars are the strongest in the second quarter, when you taste success. This, in a large measure, will be due to the support of your family. You will have to develop an eye for detail and tune out all distractions to enjoy continued success. On the financial front, your ambition to make it big will be realised as you start attracting money by increased earning and wise investments. You have an amazing way with people, little wonder you become popular in any kind of crowd! The second quarter can find you enhancing your quality of life and expanding your social circle. Confrontation with family elders can be disturbing and are best avoided. On the romantic front, you may have to put love on the backburner to fully focus on achieving your goal. Yet, love will continue to motivate you into giving your best. Good health is foreseen all round the year. Recognition is in store for scientists, researchers and social workers.

PISCES the Fish (February 20-March 20)

The year 2009 is a period of growth and prosperity for Pisceans, when they shine with a new confidence and enthusiasm. You can expect new opportunities and important career breaks on the professional front in the months of May and June. Your imaginative mind will keep you a step ahead of the competitors. Financially, you are cosily tucked into your security blanket and need not worry. Chance of adding to your wealth can come in the third quarter. The home front remains satisfactory, except for some turbulence in the second quarter, when difference of opinion and outside interference in your personal life can prove mentally disturbing. The months from July to September augur well for you, as long-pending disputes and litigations conclude favourably. Your spiritual side can come to fore and culminate into a pilgrimage in the last quarter, where you can receive the blessings from a spiritual person. On the romantic front, you will find lover supportive and caring, however, take care not to promise more than you can deliver. Health can cause concern due to your own negligence. So, exercise care in what you eat. People working in media, marketing, advertising and event management companies are certain to taste unprecedented success.