Horoscopes

ARIES (21 MARCH–19 APRIL)

This is a month where both singles and those with partners can advance at speed or change with dramatic intensity. Money and relationships figure strongly. There may be beneficial news, important opportunity and romantic meetings all coming at you.

TAURUS (20 APRIL – 20 MAY)

You will have luck on your side so make the most of it and strike while the iron is hot. Opportunity comes through those you meet and you may expand your activities into new areas through such influence. All of this may contribute to career development.

GEMINI (21 MAY – 20 JUNE)

This is an expansive phase where you can gain greatly through being out there, keeping a clear and positive attitude and being ready to take the chances that come. New ideas, new working associations and new social directions are keys to the future.

CANCER (21 JUNE – 22 JULY)

Your dynamic style will attract attention from on high, and you might shift career tracks within the same business or industry. Whether single or committed, some may have to leave a lot behind in order to pursue a new course or a new association.

LEO (23 JULY – 22 AUGUST)

You may decide to study or increase the dimension of your knowledge as you move from one level of wisdom to the next. You may develop new practices or skills to use later on. A new relationship may change the state of things, where you’re living and even life direction.

VIRGO (23 AUGUST – 22

SEPTEMBER) It will be a time of quiet planning, and you’ll need plenty of privacy in order to see things as they really are. Your perseverance in the love department pays off in a lovely way. Couples make interesting new sparks now, while singletons can find someone to warm their heart.

LIBRA (23 SEPTEMBER – 22

OCTOBER) Your big heart and grand intentions fuel you this month. Your natural optimism will be a spiritual optimism drawn from the deepest of wells within you. You’re electrified by a new vision, whether it’s one of reconnecting or starting fresh, and you’re electrically attractive as well.

SCORPIO (23 OCTOBER

– 21 NOVEMBER) You may

have dealings with wealthy or powerful people. You may discuss money in a new way. You may embark on a course of learning that brings deep knowledge. For some there may be a sexual liaison from the world of your associates.

SAGITTARIUS (22 NOVEMBER

-21 DECEMBER) There may be new connections that come into emotional and domestic sphere of your life and alter your living conditions. Singles can soar through, while couples might plan a great escape together. You may begin to devote energy to a cause or a new spiritual direction

CAPRICORN (22 DECEMBER

– 19 JANUARY) This month

will draw you on the path of a search for truth and deeper meaning. For some, this will bring an enrichment of current direction as you seek to know and understand more of what you do. Others will study them insightfully through detachment.

MANISH’S ZODIAC PREDICTIONS

MANISH KUMAT ARORA EMAIL: manish@ manishastrologer.com

AQUARIUS (20 JANUARY – 18 FEBRUARY) This is a

testing time and big decisions may be better left till later. You may feel pulled in different directions, and it can be hard to find a balance and to fill your own personal needs. You may fall out with someone or someone may leave your circle.

PISCES (19 FEBRUARY – 20

MARCH) New projects will go well for you, though they will occasionally reach a hectic pace. The investments may be an appealing prospect and you will want your money to work for you. Your natural optimism will no longer be in any way a surface or superficial cheerfulness.

GIN

Old Tom Cats ‘n’ Gin

Amongst the many types of gin currently being drunk today, lies Old Tom. There are many explanations for the name but the name probably comes from the wooden ‘Tom Cat’ plaques that used to hang outside public houses and drink houses in 18th Century England. As the government tried to control the excessive flow of gin with strict licensing and high taxes, pubs tried their best ways to avoid them, and there was often a slot under the cat’s paw, to put money in, and as the customer cupped his mouth over the paws, a leadtube would then spout a measure of gin. This old-timey ‘mother’s ruin’, known for its sweeter side, dates to the beginning of the 1800s, when gin drinking and making was rampant in England. There are no real rules to its making although it must include juniper, like any other gin. However, Old Tom gin can be aged—or not. It can have added sugar—or not. And it can use a neutral base spirit—or not. What is understood is that the distilled result falls somewhere between a malt-heavy sweet genever and today’s London dry gin. Inspired by the botanical rich and lightly sweetened Old Tom Gins of yesteryear, the House of Botanicals Classic Old Tom Gin was the first spirit from The HoB brand. The gin is sourced from a base gin produced in London; a subtle reference to the history of Old Tom Gin. Its base is a British grain spirit with juniper berries, angelica root, orris root, coriander seed, cassia bark, almond, orange peel and lemon peel creating a truly outstanding dry gin in its own right; rich in piney juniper, citrus and elegant spice. To create the Old Tom style, the gin is then shipped to The House of Botanicals in Aberdeen and macerated with delicate Moroccan saffron and chamomile flowers, as well as a hint of muscovado sugar, before bottling at 47% abv. This is a mighty powerful gin. It has a lovely golden yellow hue, with complex and lengthy aroma notes. Gentle floral, fruity and earthy aromas combine well, with spice and juniper also making their presence known. These last two also continue to shine alongside the warm piney flavour notes. Coriander and chamomile follow, culminating in lingering sweet sugared citrus peels. This is long on the palate and fragrant. House of Botanicals Classic Old Tom is a really pleasant gin, mouth watering, with an unmistakable Old Tom sweetness and a little warmth at the end. Personally, I like it with ginger ale but a simple dry tonic also lets this gin shine. A Tom Collins or Martinez would work well as a cocktail. This has appeal to those who do lean towards fruitier sweet gins whilst still being a solid option for those who like classic gins. It’s available as a classic version, a maple and seasonal raspberry.

Stanna Wieclawska Kyriakou