July 22, 2002

The messenger of the zodiac, Mercury, enters Cancer, the sign of secrecy and diplomacy. Major gains can be made when opponents negotiate tonight. Artists who try collaborating with new partners produce winning, successful material. Anything involving photography, X-rays and new imaging equipment brings luck.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You could easily use your knowledge

for financial gain. Consider becoming a consultant on the side. A friend is influencing you too much. Get grounded, and find your own goals. Follow a hunch.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Focus on promoting your friends, and you'll look good, too! Selfless generosity increases your zeal for life. If you can maintain your sense of humor through this afternoon's mishaps, you'll come out of things relatively unscatched.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Strut your stuff at work and socially. Base a monetary decision on facts only. Your family longs to see you more often. You are instrumental in changing someone's attitude. Tonight, throw out mementos from the past, and move on.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Unfortunately, higher-ups pile on the responsibilities. Be decisive and forthright. Get on with your own project, letting nothing stand in your way. You may need to put in a little overtime. A co-worker offers to assist you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Handling letters and phone calls is the first thing on your list of priorities. Business agreements come together, but you should still hold your cards close to the vest. One follow-up call is all you need to get your answer.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 22). You'll be called brilliant, extraordinary and one of a kind. Parlay this celebrity into big dollars by seeking new jobs, outside work or some special compensation. In September, rivals are defeated. A move, marriage, unusual partnership or personal adventure brings undreamed-of happiness. Find new love with a Pisces or Capricorn. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 10, 18, 29 and 36.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your busy schedule hasn't allowed your time to pamper yourself. Make room for learning, relaxing and giving. You've got the opportunity to travel with friends, but lasting love connections are more likely met through solo excursions.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Teaching others will benefit you immediately. This is a great time to delegate, hire and train. Involve as many creative people as you can in work projects. After tonight, you'll know what to do about a struggling romance.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you simply keep going, you will be thrilled with the results of your work. If you stand up for yourself, a certain aggressive person will know not to challenge you in the future. Teamwork wins the gold.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Emotions run hot and cold. Be careful about whom you commit to and what you say you're going to do. Low energy can be the result of over-obligating your time. Pull back whenever possible.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan 19). Your skills are in demand. Do a little negotiating for the best compensation possible. New neighbors could be hot additions to your social life, and you may find yourself dressing up just to get the mail.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Leave the comfort zone, and try something daring. A lover responds passionately to your extra efforts. Somehow, you continue to find solid footing on shaky ground – a talent that is recognized and applauded.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Concentrate on what you do well, and the required tasks will seem light. Work environments get an energy lift when you brighten things up with your personal touch. Love that cramps your style will never last.

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF FAILURE (PART ONE OF FIVE): Astrology gives us a different perspective on our lives and ourselves. One of the areas where the stars can be most helpful is in understanding and using what the world calls failure. Every living thing responds to the yearly transit of the earth around the sun. Plants, animals, the weather and, of course, humans are all affected by the shifts in the amount of sunlight reaching them. Don't dismiss the importance of this in evaluating your own life. Each year, the earth moves through the four seasons, and every farmer and gardener knows that plants go through these four phases repeatedly. We begin planting in the spring using seeds. We see the blooming of the seeds in the summer and the fulfillment of the harvest in the fall. Over the winter, the crops are pared back – by nature or gardeners – to produce new seeds and to replenish the soil. This pattern is seen in everything from relationships to business and is the model of life that the universe has provided for us. When it appears that you are "failing," you are simply in a renewal interval while your subconscious plots the next challenge that will fulfill your personal destiny.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Actress/model Jerry Hall had terrific opportunities this year and last as a stage actress, winning the praise of a new crowd. More career success through the year could bring people from the past back into her life. Cancer women like Hall will be dealing with territorial issues this fall. One way to move through this period gracefully is to take careful inventory of all you've got, both physically and spiritually.

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Copyright 2002 Joyce Jillson