August 9, 2003

The Leo sun loves to blow everything out of proportion – in the most glamorous, fabulous way, of course. But the focus is less on a good story now and more on what really happened. The Capricorn moon urges us to get practical, but that doesn’t mean give up the dream. Face limitations, and see what you can do about them.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Active listening is the key to gaining the respect of an influential friend. Smile, nod, and respond to everything your buddy says. He or she schmoozes to your benefit within the next three days.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your gifts with language are put to use. You’re remarkable at not losing anything in translation, and all parties are amazed by your skill. Traveling is not just about getting there – it’s what happens along the way.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your eye for design impresses even the most discerning customers. Start playing with the idea of starting your own business. Love tip: Your natural talents are more than enough to attract a dynamic Leo or Pisces.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Things are not quite what they seem. A person who has been wearing a mask reveals his or her true identity. You two have a unique bond that you explore today. Your work is published in a new forum.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but why overexert yourself? Sometimes, rest makes you just as strong. Put your feet up. There’s no going back after you promise kids something, so choose your words carefully.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (August 9). How much do you want to win? It had better be a lot because that’s what you’re going to get this year! Projects you have been putting hours into finally pay off by the end of August. Sagittarius and Pisces are definitely impressed by your feats. A younger relative looks to you for guidance in October, benefiting both of you enormously. Your lucky numbers are: 10, 14, 20, 32 and 47.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A relative decides to include you in lucrative plans. You’re primed to profit when you separate family stuff from business. Pamphlets and magazines turn you on to new activities. Think of great ways to be romantic.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). A garage-sale find is even better than you think. You’ve really lucked out in your bargain hunting! Life today seems like an aimless art-house movie, but you always come away from those movies with a deeper understanding.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Gentle meditation winds you down after an exciting couple of days. Time in nature connects you with a feeling of satisfaction. Not sure about buying a gift? Creative projects where the effort expended is obvious are precious.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and all beholders have something to say about it today. You can’t please everyone, but you can sure stop them from giving you an unwanted critique. Don’t even leave an opening.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Forget about the odds – go ahead and do it. Singles: If you’ve got your eye on someone, all you need to do today is show up. Repeated exposure to each other is just what you need for a stellar romance.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Make sure everything is in tip-top shape. There’s an undeniable attraction between you and a Capricorn or Leo at a social function tonight. Don’t underestimate how charming you can be – you’re quite potent!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). On this freakish morning, fantasies seem to come true the very moment you dream them up. You are in tune with sources of fortune. Even casual business ideas build steam with interest from investors.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I’m a Pisces, and my girlfriend with whom I’m deeply in love is a Taurus. We were together for 10 years, and then, last May, things went haywire. I was unfaithful, and she started seeing someone else. She has now met a second man and has been dating him, but she says she feels guilty about it. She says she needs sex and passion back in our relationship for it to work. We are close and do everything together, and she says she will always love me. I want the relationship to regain its sparkle. How can I get things back on track?"

I’m not a believer that total honesty is always the best thing for relationships, but in your case, it’s the key to getting back her interest. You wounded her to the core, and unfortunately, Taurus is known to hold a grudge longer than most. She still can’t believe you lied, and there are parts of the indiscretion she wonders about that have never been explained or admitted by you. She’s convinced herself she doesn’t care. Going over the details with total honesty will be difficult, but the pain, tears and emotion that come from opening up the wound will also be proof that she can have strong feelings for you again.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Steve Martin is a versatile Leo with limitless creativity. A comic, actor, novelist, playwright, musician, producer, director and painter – you get the idea. Mercury retrograde in Virgo gives him an odd take on the world regardless of which method he is using to express himself. This year, Martin will make his prose come to life on the big screen. He could also hit the headlines with his love life this year.

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Copyright 2003 Joyce Jillson