June 30 (Saturday)

This morning, Venus, the planet of romance, squares off with Uranus, planet of the unexpected. Serendipitous meetings are likely to spark up your love life. You may have more in common with someone than you thought. The Scorpio moon/Cancer sun combo helps everyone make gutsy impressions, and new introductions will be remembered.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Give yourself more credit, and invest in your talents. Casual outings bring you face to face with enchanting personalities. Be open to making new friends, and you will summon employment opportunities without even realizing it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Go with first impressions. A new love interest needs to know you’re intrigued. If you can commit to a strict budget when friends are doing otherwise, financial freedom and ease will be your rewards. You’ll be able to take your dream vacation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your high energy separates you from the rest. Find out why an unfavorable decision regarding your work was made. You have a right to know the details of your current position. People follow your lead tonight because you are in the know!

CANCER (June 22-July 22). A spontaneous gesture heats up your love life. Self-discipline is crucial to your success. Don’t be too flexible, or certain people become inconsiderate. If you don’t take charge tonight, nobody will. You are an excellent leader.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Whatever you do, do it your way, from start to finish. Expect to have the financial advances you have worked so hard to earn. Afternoon activities test your logic, common senses and tenacity. Nonetheless, add a little humor to such a serious day.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 30). It’s a year when you show the world what you’re made of. Be punctual, methodical and meticulous in July, and reap financial rewards by the new year. Singles find romance by joining organizations and actively pursuing a hobby. Couples will dedicate more time and energy to their relationship next month. Marriage is featured in December. Leo is a hot love match. Your lucky numbers are: 18, 10, 2, 38 and 3.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Culminating events give you a chance to let go of the past. The excitement of a scandal perks up the social scene. You need an incentive to relocate. Make exercise fun — invite friends to join you, or do something zany by yourself.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You follow a whim into a lucky situation. A financial risk has a 50 percent chance of making a profit. Don’t doubt yourself any longer in matters of the heart. It’s time to act. Spend the evening in solitude, pampering yourself until bedtime.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You hit the target with a romantic prediction. Social gatherings help you promote yourself. Sell your product as if your potential clients need it. Burdening yourself with others’ problems is taking its toll on your physical well-being. Relax.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). If you’re willing to start at the bottom, you’ll make it all the way to the top. Neither colleagues nor opponents can keep up with you. A fantastic romantic relationship makes it easier to keep up with your busy schedule. Praise yourself.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you take some time to sort out your priorities, being practical will come easy to you. Your mate is trying to control you. Re-evaluate the relationship — the both of you should be in equal standing, no matter what.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You and your distant sweetie make plans to be reunited. Take vicarious pleasure in the success of a close friend, and plan a big celebration. Ambitious friends keep you motivated, and you motivate others as a result.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You want a mate who is strong, sure and heroic. Don’t offer help when it’s not needed, or you’ll get just the opposite: a needy, weak romantic partner! You bring interesting people together tonight, so lay low when it is appropriate.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I’m marrying a Taurus! I’m excited about the plans we’ve made for the near and distant future. What’s life going to be like with him?"

His Venus-ruled sign is security-oriented, and if he’s comfortable with you, you’re in. But like all earth signs (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn), gaining his confidence usually requires solid performance and real results over (here’s the key word) time. If you don’t have the patience to wait for him to learn to value and depend on you, don’t bother trying to be really special to a Taurus. If you want to keep him forever (both males and females usually play for keeps), attune yourself to his sensory preferences — food, music and his other creature comforts possess very vivid experiences for him. If you know exactly how he likes his steak, or which spot in his neck needs rubbing at the end of a long day, he’ll feel secure with you. He’ll slowly grow to depend on your role in his life. Be practical and sensual.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Kelly Wigglesworth is a Cancer "Survivor" with the astrological chart to prove it. Outstrategizing thousands to get into the game won’t be the most remarkable of this Cancer’s accomplishments. Look for Wigglesworth to become the main spokesperson for a household product in 2002. In 2005, she’ll become an author!

To find out more about Joyce Jillson and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Copyright 2001 Joyce Jillson