May 03, 2003

A certain last-minute urgency accompanies the final day of the sun’s visit in Aries this year. Most rushing around can be avoided when you realize that you are the one putting demands on yourself. The moon in Sagittarius urges a look over the fence to see if the grass really is greener. Don’t just peek – knock on the neighbor’s door and chat.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Before you start praising and giving gifts to loved ones, consider what behaviors you prize, and then, align your merits with those behaviors. You may run into difficulty trying to keep up with what children need to do.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It’s fun to bat around great ides, but without action, what’s the point? Your creative life snaps into place when you set standards in other areas, like health. Remember the concept of different strokes for different folks today.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Make certain you are looking in the direction of what you want instead of dwelling on the fear that it’s all going to go wrong at some point. Confusing work becomes crystal clear when you ask for better instructions.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll find that you are the moving force in a relationship. You put forth so much effort that at the end of the day you could be wondering if it’s all worth it. A Virgo is a positive influence.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your outstanding qualities are sparkling as brightly as ever, and there’s no question that loved ones respect you for who you are and what you can do. That doesn’t make them comply to your standards of conduct, however.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (May 03). You’re in control this year, and you love it. Romance is fun ,but do finish your work on time, as a bonus comes in May. As for a loved one who is behaving in a less-than-optimal manner, you are able to alter this situation by talking honestly in the next three weeks. Gemini and Cancer make terrific partners in love and in finance. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 42, 19, 34 and 5.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your quest for authenticity will drive you all day long. Nothing compares to the real thing. Turn on the charm, and you make another conquest or acquisition before the sun sets. A Pisces will have tips for solving money problems.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Enthusiasm for a home project will give you the stamina needed for its completion. You have luck making a strategy you can stick to – and adding a Capricorn to the team will further ensure you do.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your home environment is impeded. What seems like a small problem now can quickly snowball. Handle the issues now, and things won’t get crazy. All confusions can be allayed by focusing on one task at a time.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Passions run hot – and so do tempers. Stop and take a look at what you’re doing. Feuding is so pointless that you’ll feel silly that you didn’t just sit down and talk it out right from the beginning.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Daredevils do it faster but not necessarily better. Slow down, and be a little more cautious. A jealous person might think everything comes up roses for you – set the record straight. Your financial picture comes into clear focus.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Hard work and dedication do pay off, but give it a rest! You’ve been so focused on career that you aren’t seeing the big picture. Seek other areas of interest – or better yet, do nothing at all! Leisure leads to romance.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You are feeling a bit removed from the action, so it now becomes a priority to get in the thick of it. Front-row tickets and extra fees for the best cut of meat are well worth the cost. Nothing you buy now will change your life.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I got serious about art late in life. I’m unsure which area to pursue: Painting, sculpture or stained glass design. I also have problems promoting myself. How do I deal with that aspect? I also have an interest in writing. I’m currently employed at a non-profit, but that position will not last forever. My birthday is Jan. 7, 1940. Can you help?"

In Capricorn’s artistic journeys, attention to detail and mastering technique produce beautiful works. Your Mercury placement makes me believe you are a natural storyteller, so pursuing writing would be the most viable for you as a career. Take a writing class to enhance your skills. Your energy is too quiet and idiosyncratic for you to be the only one running the show. Team up with a complementary sign like a Sagittarius as a partner in publicizing your artistic work. That sign will energize you when you feel like you can’t move forward on your own. Continue to do painting, sculpture and stained glass design, as your work in these arts will greatly inform your writing. Seek employment in a non-artistic field so that you have energy to work on your own projects.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Mega-producer Babyface is a man with much success and not much pretense. He’ll mentor a young male talent this year, and the reflected glory of this star’s success will put Babyface on the top of the charts. The inspiration for Babyface’s music this year is best found in the innocence of h is own children. Aries have a special connection with young people since they are the children of the zodiac.

If you would like to write to Joyce Jillson, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Joyce Jillson page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Joyce Jillson and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Copyright 2003 Joyce Jillson