May 18, 2003

With so much Taurus influence urging us to stay the path, it’s easy to see the right way to go. Even if it looks like hard work, nobody backs off because we realize the merits of such efforts far outweigh a momentary muscle ache. Mercury is retrograde, so hold off sending out your resume or a love letter until lucky Tuesday or even luckier Wednesday.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Attendance at a social function begins a popularity cycle. Resist attempts by well-meaning individuals to steer you away from a new love. You are misunderstood, but luckily, you know your own mind.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A loved one offers greater use of your ideas and your imagination. You have hope for the future, but remember that slow, painstaking work is more reliable than a whimsical wish. Do not be manipulated. Travel is uplifting.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Intuition is required with a tough decision – your instincts will guide you through. The remarks of close relatives should be taken seriously. A friend proves to be indispensable regarding advice for a romantic relationship.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Creative energy is a must today. Keep your mind open to new ideas and unconventional thoughts for greater success in business and happier family relationships. Unexpected opposition will only make you stronger.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You make others comfortable enough to communicate freely, which is why you’ll have all the information you need to succeed. Compromise in the name of love tonight. Wild ideas promote you if you promote them.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (May 18). Submit brilliant schemes and strategies to superiors this month, and for once, they are suitably impressed. A raise or promotion in June or July wipes the financial slate clean. You win a battle in October. Singles meet love interests through friends in December and January. Leo and Taurus are lucky friends this year. Your lucky numbers are: 39, 17, 37, 11 and 24.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Friendly advice leads straight to a gold mine. There is nothing that cannot be accomplished now through old-fashioned sweat and dedication. Accept presents graciously. You are as entitled to the best things in life as anyone.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Money prospects are sunny, but don’t be so quick to draw out your wallet! Others have plans you might not agree with right away. Go along in a friendly manner, but tell them you need time to think.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Being your own best friend is more challenging than you think, but you are capable! Having fun helps you be even more productive. Express your feelings. Tonight, you need to be alone to sort out your plan.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The boss is on your side. The truth of the matter is, you might be the favorite. Long-term friendships speak well of you – don’t let people go so easily. An old flame could flare up again.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’re brilliant, but don’t let your ego shoot down your chance for success. Stay composed. Business and pleasure mix. Intoxicating love inspires a romantic trip. Inconsiderate people do not deserve your favors.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Try a new perspective, possibly making a change. There will be no shortage of social events in which to test your social (or even psychic) skills. Once you’ve assured others of your competence, you can work on believing it, too.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Basic issues dominate, and until those are sorted out, ambition waits in the wings. Singles, it’s too early to hound someone with phone calls or e-mails; let elusive dates have plenty of space, and they’ll return faster.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: In this two-toned week, the sun waves goodbye to Taurus and gives cheek-to-cheek air kisses to Gemini. The hard work you do in order to get where you’re going is apparent early in the week, but after Wednesday, calling it "work" seems like a downer. After all, you wouldn’t be taking it on unless there was something rewarding in it for you – or even fun. Gemini encourages us to rely on others for information about how to get through life with greater ease. Lovely small talk is where most of the best tidbits get exchanged. Mercury goes direct midweek as well, lending even greater energy toward those breezy exchanges. They don’t bring the confusion they did last week, when you were wondering, "What did he really mean? And what is she really saying?" It’s all out in the open, and with Taurus in Venus, that’s just the way we like it – straightforward. The weekend brings opportunities to blow off steam with new people, and the more variety you get into your social life, the more laughs you’ll have. A jovial atmosphere includes a bit of mischief that’s not to be taken too seriously. Be a good sport.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Naomi Campbell’s wild streak and wicked words have put off many people in the fashion industry, but her impressive bod keeps landing her gracefully on the catwalk and in the high esteem of wannabes. This year, Campbell takes would-be models under her wing and starts a girlie boot camp for young beauties. Her strict coaching produces a fabulous new starlet.

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Copyright 2003 Joyce Jillson