4+ week, 1+ hour ago (340+ words) The Standard is welcoming a new astrologer from Monday to provide horoscopes for our readers. Claire Petulengro, 54, is taking over from Shelley von Strunckel, who is retiring 34 years after writing her first column for the Standard. She has dedicated her life to astrology and has appeared in many national papers and magazines. Petulengro is the author of 18 books and her private clients include celebrities. Her grandmother was Eva Petulengro, a Romany gypsy who established her name as the palmist and clairvoyant on Brighton Pier. Her mother, also called Eva, also read futures and was well known in the sixties and seventies with dozens of newspaper columns and celebrity clients including members of the Beatles. Claire said: "I've always believed that horoscopes should inspire, not just predict. "Writing for The Standard gives me the chance to offer readers a moment each…...

4+ day, 15+ hour ago (512+ words) Dame Sarah Mullally has been formally elected as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury in another step in the lengthy and centuries-old process towards becoming the Church of England's top bishop. She was officially named in October as the next person to take the leading role, making history by becoming the first woman to do so. Dame Sarah will remain Bishop of London until a ceremony known as the Confirmation of Election, which will take place at St Paul's Cathedral on January 28. But on Tuesday a traditional ceremony took place at Canterbury Cathedral to see her formally elected. Dame Sarah did not attend. She was chosen earlier this year by a committee known as the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), chaired by a former MI5 director and made up of religious and lay members of the Church and wider Anglican Communion who had to…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (712+ words) The head of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland is to step down after an internal review found "serious and significant" failures in safeguarding. Moderator Rev Trevor Gribben said people within the Church had been harmed and others placed at risk. A press conference in Belfast was told failures included situations where the Church failed to respond when people who had suffered harm sought help and instances where offenders returned to worship in church but were "inadequately monitored". The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has around 180,000 members belonging to more than 500 congregations across 19 regional presbyteries across the island. Rev Gribben said: "Following an internal investigation and report, it has become clear that there have been serious and significant failings in the central safeguarding functions of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland from the period 2009 to 2022. "As a result of this, people have been…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (735+ words) There has been a "lack of clarity" around serious failures in safeguarding in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, a Stormont minister has said. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, a member of the Church, said he was shocked at the announcement that moderator Rev Trevor Gribben was to stand down after stating people have been harmed and others placed at risk because of the failings. Rev Gribben told a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday that there had been "serious and significant failings" in the central safeguarding functions of the Church from the period 2009 to 2022. It emerged that failures included situations where the Church failed to respond when people who had suffered harm sought help and instances where offenders returned to worship in church but were "inadequately monitored". Mr Lyons said he hoped more information could be provided. He told the BBC…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago (755+ words) Recent tricky situations required not only a frank review of the problems involved, but that you discuss struggles with certain troublesome individuals frankly. You've avoided mentioning their attitude, mostly because you continue to hope it will improve. That's unlikely. Knowing that, adopt a forthright approach, and the sooner, the better. Certain exciting activities and the people involved fascinate you, enough you've longed to be included. Now, you are. But it's become clear there's a high price for that excitement. It's your peace of mind. You could continue, in the hope that, somehow, things will improve. In reality, you're better off disentangling yourself, and soon. Long ago you committed to certain arrangements. While changes have forced you to rethink these, you're proud that you've kept your word. Discuss this with others. Once you're talking things over, you'll realise that a rethink…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (709+ words) Further learning and fine tuning our skills comes boldly, and in many cases, somewhat rudely, thanks to the Full Moon in Sagittarius. Some of you may even be thinking of moving into a completely new trade or profession. Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great. The Full Moon in Sagittarius brings to light all that is wrong with your career. You start to see where things went wrong and you also see how you can now fix them. Those who don't want to help were never the solution. Those you reach out to now welcome you with open arms Don't allow your mind to tell your heart what to do. The mind gives up all too easily. Your sign's need to play games could be your downfall tonight if you're not careful. Lay your…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago (498+ words) The symposium comes at a timely moment, when searching for the key to eternal life has made its way out of sci-fi and into Silicon Valley. Yet living forever is anathema to Bruce Parry, the explorer who has spent much of his adult life living among remote indigenous tribes, and is set to be the event's key speaker. "We're in an organic realm and we have to accept our part in the cycle," he says. "Look at the tech bros who want to be cryogenically frozen " that is my definition of hell." Parry believes that we are a death-phobic society. "We shy away from it, we hide from it and we're scared of it." But as philosophers love to say, "the only certainty in life is death" " so why bury our thoughts of it? Parry has spent time with some…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (741+ words) The Moon brings out your need to get answers, which you had said you would allow others more time to think about. This may seem like a problem, but I see that it's you taking back control of what should have always been your decision. When something really matters to a sign such as you, you should never give up or give in. Hold out for what you want today and keep the faith in those who are halfway through honouring a promise. Your lack of faith is giving them a lack of confidence. Try not to give into a competitive air in the workplace. More faces than you think are watching and judging the theatrics which have come with the time a certain person has spent in your affairs. Keeping your work and personal lives separate this week is…...

3+ day, 12+ hour ago (735+ words) Aries (March 21 " April 20) Others can try to offload their emotional baggage on to you, but you're clever enough to know they're trying to deflect what they now regret. Words can't affect a sign such as you. Confronting what they'll deny they said will only give them the kick they want. You may not be able to control your feelings, but you can control your actions. You'll regret playing into the hands of those who seem intent on casting you as the bad person in current dramas. Accept they were a chapter and not the book. Gemini (May 22 " June 21) Don't let them tame you. A sign such as yours never finds their destiny by following the path, but by following their heart. Someone you thought had not affected you emotionally shocks you with the emotions their absence evokes. Cancer (June 22" July…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago (745+ words) Do one small thing that makes you happy, and you'll soon realise how strong you are. Those who you let block your light were just full of noise. Jobs, or interviews, you go for at this time have all the makings of success. A day to be you, all you, both professionally and personally. Don't be afraid to test the waters in new areas at work. What you think you can't learn, I see you'll take to like a duck to water. The lack of confidence you're feeling is a cover for the next stage you're entering professionally. Don't feel like an imposter. You're worthy of all the luck coming your way. You're realising that it's never overreacting to ask for what you want and need. By doing so you realise who you need to spend more time with and…...