August 21, 2002

Fireworks. Spectacles. Extraordinary experiences. Why? The full moon today is in Leo and the sign of Aquarius. Be outrageous, and those who have ignored your brilliance in the past will notice you. Confessions bring couples closer. Women, if you’re dating a commitment-phobic man, your "friendship" with another male may push him to propose.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you’ve felt locked into your life, you will be sprung from your cell. The key words today are independence and freedom. There are definite benefits made to your career when you change your pace. Singles find bliss with a Capricorn.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have the final say in many matters. Approve plans, and make decisions. Nourish the self-esteem of those who’ve had setbacks. Home repairs need attention. Children are the focus; they need a steadying influence.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Power plays at home are only a minor inconvenience, so do not overreact. Substantial advances in your love life offer plenty of hope. Refuse to accept incomplete information. Teenagers finally see the light and appreciate your help.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your contribution is the driving force in a venture. A family debate needs more to reach a conclusion. Try being more complimentary to those you teach. There’s nothing wrong with exposing your vulnerability to a potential partner.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A brush with someone you admire inspires you to action. Test the waters before making plans with colleagues. An important break with the past opens doors to the future. Honesty is the best policy tonight, but be gentle.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (August 21). By October, you’ll receive the news you are waiting for. New contracts, job promotions and power are prominent by the end of the year. A proposal is accepted. In love matters, an old flame returns, bringing joy. New family members and reconciliation with distant relatives make this a year of moves and great pleasure. An Aries falls for you in December. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 9, 14, 21 and 39.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A few short phone calls can improve lives! When you make it a new rule to find a way (any way) to get along with family and powerful friends, resources for financial goal achievement are more abundant. Good grooming is key.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). You could fall for someone whose determination you admire. Tact and diplomacy are your strong suits. Resist the temptation to engage in a power struggle. Keep insights to yourself until they’re fully developed.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Family support makes you feel that you can accomplish anything. Sign documents only after you’ve done your homework. You are happier working than playing tonight, but both have merits.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A controversial undertaking is fantastically successful – don’t just settle for a respectable wage. A romantic situation falls right into your lap. You have better communication tonight with that hard to reach someone.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Teamwork is emphasized. Communication with a higher-up gets to the bottom of the problem. Luck is on your side regarding scholarships and grants. Relationships improve when you resolve to do better expressing your feelings.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Affectionate feelings are tied to shared goals. Additional job responsibilities do come with added privileges and financial benefits. Follow a relative’s suggestions regarding your well-being. A new love interest comes on strong.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Old friends take priority; they can help you toward goals. Social occasions won’t be the same if you don’t show up. You may feel out of touch, but you are more tuned in than you realize. People look to you for your wise insight.

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF FAILURE (PART 4 OF 5): One of the areas where the stars can be most helpful is in understanding and using what the world calls "failure."

To minimize the negative effects of these so-called "failure" cycles, refer to these fallow periods as times of "replenishment." The more you try to dance away from this seasonality, the less you acknowledge this natural cycle. Does that mean that every year we are going into a non-productive time? No, though it does mean that each year we must do the necessary internal weeding and refining. Just as you have to empty a computer’s old cache occasionally, you must do that with your priorities and life goals. Astrology points out the best times to do this with the least negative effects. Animals store food for the winter. We must store activities and ideas for when we hit a rough spot in life. Animals plan for winter chill; so should we. Secondly, we have to get out of the mindset of our culture that success requires non-stop, 365 days-a-year power and prominence. Says who? For fast trackers who insist on plowing ahead 24/7, your career success can be constant, but at least embrace the idea that you must replenish your inner spiritual and mental reserves.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Handsome Leo Antonio Banderas gets so much magazine coverage this year, he might start making up stories just to have something different to talk about! This sexy lion lives in a pride that includes wife Melanie Griffith, also a Leo. Two cats in the family usually works nicely, because Leo, though ego-driven, is also very secure in the knowledge that there is plenty of spotlight to go around.

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Copyright 2002 Joyce Jillson