May 04, 2002

Venus in Gemini will start the weekend off on an optimistic, fun-loving note. It’s time to entertain or allow yourself to be entertained. Go to the movies, the mall or the park; you want to meet new people. It’s also a glorious time for singles. You’ll discover new pals who have the potential to be fabulous summer love partners. Your phone will ring off the hook.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Tension over money or broken agreements with children is just part of a bad cycle. Deal with it, then move on. You can always change your mind. Remember, you’re the star of your life, so don’t act as though your needs are unimportant.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Try sharing the seldom-seen side of your personality with your special someone in order to increase intimacy. Bright career prospects may hinge on the decisions you make this weekend. Romance with a career dynamo is likely.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If you decide to take a chance, do it for the sake of learning something new, not for financial gain. Love is worth waiting for. New information will shed light on a family problem. A child’s need for freedom is real; learn to let go little by little.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Don’t be so defensive – be proud of the real you. Changes in your social environment may make the weekend a whirl of fun. Sudden passion shouldn’t surprise you, since love is not something you can predict or calculate.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may feel that it is extremely important to be right. Compassion is much more vital to your happiness than having power. Collaborate with your talented sweetheart. Put old grievances to rest. Don’t miss out on a key invitation.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 4). If you’ve been telling yourself, "something’s got to change," get ready for fate to give you the break you’ve only dreamt about. You’ll be in the spotlight in June. In late July, a job, invitation or opportunity may catapult you out of a mundane routine and into a crucible of success. Relocating early next year will improve your financial picture and social status. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 19, 24, 27 and 35.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You might be the witness to a weird turn of events – take a neutral stance since it is almost impossible to tell what will positively or negatively affect you. Get plenty of fresh air; the more time spent outside today, the better.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The benefits of a change will far outweigh the comfort of remaining the same. New information has you thinking about what the next step in love should be. You don’t have to solve the world’s problems in one day. Get out and exercise.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s time to review your goals and make any necessary adjustments. Take your time getting ready this morning. Someone is willing to help finance your education if you’re ready to take the leap. You’ll meet a cutie at the grocery store.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You are especially appealing to the opposite sex. Enjoy your popularity, and pass out your number to a few love potentials. Feelings of anxiety will go away when you air out your emotions, especially in a Leo. Splurge tonight.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Friends will set their single buddies up with fantastic dates. Take things slow. In regard to your personal work, no one can fix your problems but you, so don’t waste money employing someone else to do the job. Stay true to yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll succeed when you are forced to take action. An old love relationship may take a turn toward friendship, making it possible for new love to step into your life. A feud with a neighbor will finally end. Your talents are appreciated.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll realize that you can save a lot of time and money by doing things yourself. Someone dear to you may try to bear his or her burdens alone. Give this struggling person some advice. An old enemy is ready to make peace now.

ASTROLOGICAL FEATURE: DIETING WITH THE STARS (PART ONE OF THREE): If you feel the influence of the current full moon and have decided to start a diet, don’t do it for the next two days. The full moon, a monthly phenomenon, will bring out the emotional eater in all of us. As far back as ancient Egypt, the full moon has symbolized a full stomach to astrologers. Under this influence, we’ll want to be pampered and appeased. Still, if you wait three days, when the lunar influence wanes, you’ll be in the perfect cycle to lose weight. (If you are trying to gain weight, the exact opposite is true.) If your diet is one where you are just limiting the portions of the foods you regularly eat, then begin when the moon is in your sun sign. (The moon spends two and a half days in each sun sign every month.) You can check this out with this column, or go to any almanac. When you begin on that day, your emotions will be easier to reshape, and your motivations will link up with your logical goals, i.e. weight loss. If you are determined to alter your diet to lose weight and become healthier, you may be most successful if you begin this regime during the two-and-a-half-day period know as "the dark of the moon" (May 9, 10, and 11). More to come next week.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Tori Spelling is a Taurus with the intensity of the Scorpio moon. Aspects may confuse her sense of direction this year. She’ll run into obstacles that may make her blossom incredibly as an actress and person. Taurus natives born in 1973 are going through many personal changes. They might feel as if love isn’t on their wide. Wait! The low times Taureans may experience this year are the elements that will help them grow.

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Copyright 2002 Joyce Jillson