July 17, 2002

Even good friends appear to meddle in your affairs, as the universe bombards you with everyone else’s opinion but your own. It’s hard to make choices. Delay a day or two if you can. By Friday, your path is clear, and the toxic advice givers are mired in their own problems. Projects begun this week are completed on time and on budget.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Money is found in a formerly barren atmosphere. You can go twice the distance you set out to go if you keep encouraging influences nearby. Expressions of love are remembered for a long time to come.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Sweethearts are stunned by each other’s accurate psychic visions. Egotistical outbreaks by higher-ups are a temporary lapse, if you forgive, you’ll have a chance to make extra dough. Keep on course with unresolved family issues.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You may have to backtrack before you go forward. Friends save you big bucks by calling their connections, so before you go it alone, ask what kind of deal you can get. Find someone you trust to talk to.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Taking a new job will be more time-intensive than it seems now. If you want to have an emotionally rich life, you must give it greater priority. At heaven’s gate, are you going to wish you’d spent more time at the office.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A love interest reveals something that alters your relationship. Self-discipline and careful thought contribute to a brilliant performance; you are in complete control. Original thinking scores big points with an employer.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 17). You will win decisive victories all year. The person of your dreams chooses you over a competitor. The boss selects you as his or her heir apparent, and your family realizes you must be given more authority. In August, a check arrives, and you are on Easy Street. A chance meeting (with an old lover?) brings a new job offer or highly sought-after information. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 17, 18, 26 and 38.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A chat with a friend puts everything into perspective. Someone else’s faith in you helps you give it your best shot. Use your influence to give someone a chance to succeed. You are instantly attracted to someone you meet tonight.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Stepchildren or your partner’s friends may be a source of new insight. Your listening ear is very valuable today. Get over the pain of a past relationship by writing letters to the culprit – but don’t send them.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Of course, you deserve a raise, but you have to speak up. Your job will become very absorbing in the coming weeks, so start getting organized. Your sweetheart is contemplating moving in with you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Neighbors or relatives may need to call up a favor promised earlier. Communication with a partner is excellent today, and collective ideas are inventive and profitable. You enjoy a love of freedom and independence.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan 19). You can overcome tension with relatives or car problems with preventative maintenance. The power to discern is valuable now, and you may be too hard on everybody, including yourself. Listen to the wisdom of elders.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). This is one of the luckiest days to come along in a while. You may as well dream big, as unreasonable wishes are granted just as often as reasonable ones. The only limits are the ones you impose on yourself!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Personal changes are coming fast; you have a brand-new outlook. Your lover needs space; room to breathe will win his or her heart. A forgotten loan is finally paid. Involve creative people in social planning.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I’m an Aquarius working as a bellhop/waiter at a fancy resort this summer. Why do my pals end up with better tips than I do?"

The sign that finds making new acquaintances easiest is yours, Aquarius. Your question raises an issue that is often a problem for Aquarians. People whom they work for very quickly end up thinking of the Aquarian as a friend and thus are confused about tipping. Aquarian tour guides have this same problem, getting so close to their traveling clients that at the end of a trip, they exchange addresses but get meager tips. Now, your fellow waiters who get better tips often ask for them – directly or indirectly. Mentioning college or other expenses lets your customer know that as friendly as you are, this is work for you. At the point a resort visitor is about to leave, back off on the friendship. This is when Aquarians usually go all out to prove to customers that they like them and this is not a job. However, this is when the other signs appropriately start mentioning tips, saying things like "The tips have been great this summer. " This will set clearer parameters for your friends/customers and raise the amount they tip you, dear Aquarians.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Sylvester Stalllone is a Cancer family man who portrays characters that protect others. His acting and personal lives could resemble each other this year, when someone needs his help and he comes through like the heroic characters he portrays. Something similar happened to Cancer actor Tom Cruise last year when he got media attention for (among other things) being the first to "save" an accident victim.

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Copyright 2002 Joyce Jillson