V-Day: Your romantic horoscope for 2012!

Astrologer Mandaar Naik tells you what you can expect from your love life this year! Illustrations: Uttam Ghosh

Last week, we brought you Valentine gifting suggestions and compatibility based on star signs. Today, to celebrate February 14, we bring you your romantic horoscope for 2012!

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Aries is the sign of the fire element, ruled by Mars -- aggressive, impulsive, quick decisions and an action-oriented personality. Arians take action first and think later.

And this is what happens in your romantic life as well. If you make any important decision about your soulmate in a hurry, let me warn you, it may end up in disappointment. If you're planning to pop the question this Valentine, hold on -- don't be in a hurry because the stars are not so favourable towards your love life at the moment.

Keep patient till June -- between June 5 and August 5 is the best time for you to propose. It's difficult for Arians to rein themselves in, but use your time till then to understand and further get to know the person you're interested in. There's a strong possibility that your prospective partner is already a friend, colleague or far-off relation. These are favourable choices -- don't waste your time on anyone who you've been recently introduced to. Stay away from such people. 

If you are married, let me suggest that you keep cool and calm this year, as things look troublesome. The only remedy, therefore, is to keep your head on your shoulders -- unnecessary disputes will lead to an increase in stress levels and that will affect your professional life.

Your lucky number: 9

Favourable dates: 9, 18, 27

This is a sign which belongs to the earth element, ruled by the planet Venus. Taureans are romantic by nature and artists at heart. They are active workaholics, with lots of patience and positive thinkers. They like a comfortable, luxurious life and that can make them a little lazy sometimes, but overall they believe more in action than idle talk.

This year, the periods between April 14-May 14 and after October 17 are favourable to meeting someone special. You may meet this person at a musical or art event. Your romantic life will be average throughout the year, but some friends or family members may be against your relationship. Facing such resistance may have you contemplating whether to give up on your love or your near and dear ones, so try to strike a balance that keeps everyone, including yourself, happy.

People who are married this year may have it tough -- you'll have to open up to your spouse, as a quiet or depressed attitude may spoil the situation. Discuss your issues as talking will work miracles and dialogue will sort out the situation. But you have to talk to your partner.

Your lucky number: 6

Favourable dates: 6, 15, 24

Gemini is an air sign; it represents duality in nature, intelligence, a sharp memory and a sense of humour. Geminians have an outspoken personality.

The first half of the year is good for your romantic life -- you may get what you're looking for, as your witty side will attract attention from the opposite sex. You will impress. If you're thinking of expressing your feelings to a significant other, do it now -- the stars are favourable till the month of May and the response will be what you're hoping for, a 'yes' or 'I do'. If you're planning on waiting a little longer, then do so till August, as mid-June and July are not good times. Once August arrives, you can go ahead with your plans.

If you want to marry this year, do it before May or after August -- in-between there are chances of misunderstandings between you and your partner. Be careful with your comments, as your humour may hurt your partner -- save your jokes for another time.

Your lucky number: 5

Favourable dates: 5, 14, 23

Cancer is a water sign -- emotional, sensitive, pure at heart -- basically lots of good qualities. If you look at the negative side, they are fickle-minded and oversensitive, traits which sometimes boomerang and end up harming them only.

Don't miss out on the opportunity you lost in 2011. If you keep asking other people's opinions on what you should do, especially the wrong people, then this year will also be wasted. Gather up your courage and don't dread hearing a 'no' so much that you don't even try proposing. If you want to achieve your goals in life, you have to learn to digest a 'no' gracefully, whether in a personal or professional capacity. But you don't have much to worry about, as most likely you will receive a positive response from the person you love. Happy now?

For those who have marriage on the cards, they'll most likely wed by the month of May. Some relatives or friends will work as mediators. Proposals will come from those known to you. Whatever doubts or troubles assail you will be sorted out.

Your lucky number: 2

Favourable dates: 2, 11, 20, 29

A sign ruled by the sun, Leo comes under the influence of the fire element. Confident, with leaderships skills and a straightforward attitude, they have an ambitious personality. At the same time, Leos can also be egotistical, show-offs and greedy for power, which creates a lot of enemies.

People get impressed with you easily, but don't take your attractive qualities for granted. By the month of May, your overconfidence may spoil the situation. Let your speech and actions be balanced over the first half of 2012, so as not to create a rift between your partner and you. There may be small problems at home or in the workplace, but don't take out your frustration on your soulmate; in fact, that's the person who should give you solace. Share your troubles with your loved one and your stress will reduce. When its comes to romance, leave your ego and authority aside.

For Leos planning marriage, go ahead with it before May 2012 -- any later and some misunderstandings may delay your plans. You have only a few days in hand, so use them to plan wisely.

Your lucky number: 1

Favourable dates: 1, 10, 19, 28

Virgo is also a sign of duality -- Virgoans are intelligent, keen, have a good memory and communication skills, make for good politicians and can be stubborn. Qualities that invite trouble for them, on the other hand, include their suspicious nature, habit of overthinking matters and hurtful humour.

Because of planetary positions, you will be a little irritable through the first half of the year. Small things will annoy you, but there's no need to react to them and the same applies to your love life. The situation remains like that till June. Your soulmate may suffer a minor illness, so take care of him/her. This is not a good time to impart lessons of health and hygiene to them. No doubt you have good knowledge of everything, but when it comes to love, caring is more than enough.

If you plan to propose to someone, hold on till June -- otherwise, small disputes will rise time and again till then and your habit of overthinking things will torture you. So stay patient till then and ask, at which point the answer will most likely be 'yes'.

Virgoans planning marriage should do so in the latter half of 2012. Even for those who are in relationships, this period will see your romance get stronger. Basically, the monsoons will be a good time for you, so plan a vacation then with your loved one -- that's my personal suggestion to crazy, busy workaholic Virgos!

Your lucky number: 5

Favourable dates: 5, 14, 23

This sign is ruled by Venus, a planet of love and passion, Most Librans are artistic, intelligent, beautiful, graceful, caring, loving and polite. Librans are more balanced than all the other zodiac signs, but they too have a negative side -- they spend too much money and indulge a lot in materialistic pleasures.

And this year you have to control your spending habits -- money can't buy love, even if it does buy you a smooth life. Your finances will be weaker in the latter half of 2012, which may create trouble in your love life too -- misunderstandings may crop up between you and your partner. A partner who splurges on you and then suddenly stops altogether may send the wrong message. The romantic life you enjoyed in the first half of the year will not be the same in the second half if you don't balance your expenditure.

Till May 2012 is a good time for weddings -- don't delay your plans later than that or you may have to put them on hold.

Your lucky number: 6

Favourable dates: 6, 15, 24

Scorpio is a water sign that is surprisingly ruled by Mars, a fire planet. Scorpions are very smart, secretive in nature and courageous; on the flip side, they can be stubborn and spoil things with their ego and jealousy.

This year, things are average on the romantic front. Nothing exciting is going to happen, but nor will you have too many problems -- any small issues between your soulmate and you will be sorted out by July. One thing you should look out for, however, is your partner's health -- there are possibilities of him/her suffering a minor illness, so take good care. Due to professional commitments and travel, it may be difficult to spare time for your partner, so plan your schedule well so you have enough time for love.

The month of May is a good time for a wedding and for Scorpios who are married already, this is a good year to buy a house -- you may shift residence with your partner soon.

Your lucky number: 9

Favourable dates: 9, 18, 27

Sagittarius is a fire sign, with duality in nature -- they can be polite and agressive, physically full of energy or intellectual in turn. They are ambitious, loving, caring, courageous, visionary and always ready to sacrifice. But they can also be fickle-minded, overconfident, extremists and selfish at times.

This year, you have to balance your negative side as it may cause disputes or temporary separation from your soulmate. You need to take particular care between May 16 and August 4 -- stick to your positive qualities during this period. Even if you do separate, you will be reunited shortly, but why put yourself and a loved one through that pain?

Saggis thinking of wedlock, go right ahead -- the planetary positions all through 2012 are beneficial to your marriage.

Your lucky number: 3

Favourable dates: 3, 12, 21, 30

Capricorn is an earth sign, ruled by Saturn. Confident, independent and polite, they are sweet talkers with a practical personality. But Capris can also be self-centered, suspicious and lazy.

This Valentine's Day may find you in a fluctuating situation with your loved one, but don't worry -- things will be sorted out by mid- or end-March. Even if you are in a relationship, it's your negative nature that makes you worry during this period. But that worrying is unnecessary. Being overly practical and seeking more makes you high-strung. And this excessive worrying may affect your health too, so put a stop to it.

If you are married and planning to buy a new house, there's good news for you. By the year-end, you can shift. Just keep your emotions in check for the next one month and everything will run smoothly.

Your lucky number: 8

Favourable dates: 8, 17, 26

An air sign ruled by Saturn, Aquarians are calm, steady, patient, higly intellectual people with a sharp memory -- philosophers and confidantes by nature. Their weaknesses include being introverts, lack of socialising and being overly practical, all issues which sometimes cause them losses.

When it comes to love, you have to reciprocate on both a mental and emotional level, else your introvert nature will create a rift between you and your partner. Romantically, this is not such a favourable year for you, particularly if you don't communicate well -- you need to convey what's happening in your life on a professional as well as personal level to your partner. And accept pampering from him/her -- that will definitely help the phase you're going through.

Aquarians who are thinking of getting married in 2012, reconsider your plans. There are a few obstacles difficult to tackle, so better postpone thing and have patience.

Your lucky number: 8

Favourable dates: 8, 17, 26

Pisces is a water sign, ruled by Jupiter. Pisceans are emotional, religious, helpful, polite, silent and satisfied souls. But they can also be egotistical, procrastinators, lazy and lack decision-making powers.

A slow life is not good for you and your partner -- there will be no problems, as, such, but gradually things will become boring if you don't make an effort to keep them exciting. The year 2012 is good for Pisceans in love and those who are married.

A small illness may occur, but you are good at taking care of things and balancing your family life, as compared to the other 11 star signs. Pisceans are luckier on the romantic front, so just relax and enjoy life.

Your lucky number: 3

Favorable dates: 3, 12, 21, 30