June 01, 2003

As Venus and Mercury flirt up a storm, terms of endearment are free flowing. You might come up with a sweet nickname for your loved one that sticks for a lifetime. Don’t even try to hold back your affection. Everyone feels better for opening his or her heart to give and receive love. If your object of desire is a secret, good luck with keeping that!

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Quality family time makes you feel terrific, connected and whole. Being too polite to voice a different opinion is a mistake. What happens this evening could be the start of an interesting romantic chapter.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Do what you’ve been putting off. Workaholics re-evaluate the need for inner balance as well as worldly gains. A partner could blame you for what he or she is guilty of. Romance defies conventional logic – do what works.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Elaborate social outings put a strain on your pocketbook. Spend quiet time with a loved one instead. What makes you feel grounded is lucky. A new policy or decision helps an important relationship along.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Cook, clean and organize – honestly, it’s fun! Family gatherings are enjoyable for all ages, as the different generations communicate beautifully. To be helpful, all you have to do is listen.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Youngsters learn your lessons quickly, especially in regards to handling money. Romance is everywhere, no matter how far you go. Flirt to your heart’s content. Cheering up an elder is a small gesture with long-term benefits.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (June 1). Great passion and feelings of vitality are the hallmark of this year. You are kinder toward yourself and thus attract numerous offers in August. Be selective. Make a list of your favorite things, and choose 10 that you’ll have in your life in the next three months. Love progresses in July. New romance is found with a younger Leo or a studious Sagittarius. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 11, 20, 48 and 39.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Issues seem out of hand, but if you stay centered, all gets resolved. Financial problems are the easiest to solve. Even though you are skeptical, love will develop out of a long-distance relationship.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Independence is on the forefront of your mind, but staying around for a loved one will be worthwhile. You don’t have to feel obligated to baby-sit, entertain or give expensive gifts. Your friendship should be enough.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Growing apart from someone you used to spend a lot of time with is bittersweet. Focus on what you’re moving toward – a greater sense of self. It takes a strong person to stand on his or her own.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Desire takes hold in the morning. Practical, everyday actions seem hard to take, and drama excites you more than usual. Avoid getting caught up in someone else’s issues – you have your own challenges to face.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Much can be done with very little effort when you have a solid plan. There’s no time to go back and fix anything, so make sure you leave enough room to get it right the first time. Concentration is best at night.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Modeling yourself after one you admire is the easiest way to stay on track today. Children (and loved ones who act like children) have a funny way of showing their respect. You get what you’re willing to put up with.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Rise above social traps. People want to connect with you on more creative levels. Show your class. Don’t ask, "…and what do you do?" Initiate fun, sport and games of all kinds. A Libra sparks to you.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: The Pisces moon at the beginning of the week is introspective and a little moody. Try to accept everyone’s decision, and let it help you be more productive in the future. When Mercury goes retrograde, it’s common to see the uncommon. The petty activities we take for granted, such as parking, making phone calls and logging online, suddenly become more complicated, if not impossible. Just when it seems as if your messages can’t be delivered in their true form, they are. Sure, it’s more difficult to communicate while Mercury is in retrograde, but the messages we receive are perhaps more honest than the surface words we commonly accept as the truth. The full moon on Tuesday promises the release of all things withheld, including emotions we’ve been holding back. Just make sure that what you want will also be good for you to have, because there is a lot of power in asking for it. It may fall into your lap by the end of the week. By Saturday, the Gemini moon makes the social scene buzz. Friendship is the focus – make the most of platonic connections, instead of seeing them as a pale version of passionate love.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Media mogul Ted Turner is also a land baron. This year, he could be singled out by ecologists for a special award for preserving an endangered species of wildlife on a massive stretch of his land. Turner and other Scorpio men born in 1938 will be re-evaluating important relationships in their lives this December and will take grand measures to heal a rift with a loved one who was hurt in the past.

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Copyright 2003 Joyce Jillson