October 5, 2003

The thing you don’t think is important has the potential to grow quickly into a monster with Mercury and Pluto squaring off with snarls on their faces. The way to defuse this astrological spat is to ask questions and root out potential trouble sources. Lay down the law like a good leader, and you’ll set the tone for everything to go smoothly.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The truth could heal a relationship, but timing is everything. Kindness is the critical ingredient in relationship matters. Your natural tenderness can make the persuasive difference in a decision involving family conflict.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have outstanding good fortune in love. You could be hit up to do something you really don’t want to do this afternoon. If you have trouble turning friends down, just remember that blowing them off is more painful.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Having art around you is energizing, heart-satisfying, and maybe even essential. Research ways to affordably get the kinds of pieces you want. In love, you don’t want to be chased, but you won’t pursue, either.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s a perfect day to let go of what you no longer need. Ingenuity is hot, and you could transform your place without purchasing a thing! Clean out the closets to remind yourself of what’s stashed away.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Being in nature is lucky now and has a stabilizing effect on your emotions. People who have been physically sucking your energy will stop. You won’t let it happen anymore! Loved ones get the message you are subtly sending.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (October 5). You come into your own this year. In the next three weeks, extravagance brings luck, as looking good is important. Decline job offers, and you get a better proposal shortly. Homemakers return to school. Love heats up in October and November; this is serious and could lead to marriage by February. Your best love signs are Leo and Aries. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 42, 11, 49 and 31.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Compassion is healing. Drop the stubborn stance about that situation that never seems to change. Dropping your resistance brings a breakthrough. Partnerships, both fun and lucrative, gain momentum with loving attention.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Shopping is a temporary but inadequate stress reliever. You can balance your head without causing an imbalance on your checkbook. Rearrange furniture and your schedule. Make room for exercise.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A loved one senses your new power and compromises to accommodate you. You have luck with contests, interviews and games – but don’t invest much in a risky proposition. Stay focused.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Today is adventurous. Make it a point to have fun no matter what. You may find you’ve been confusing material desires for basic needs. Separate your feelings for people from your feelings for the trappings that surround them.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Love may humble you and demand some kind of sacrifice. It’s worth it. Friends want your opinion about music, restaurants, wine – what makes you a valued friend could also make you a paid consultant!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Reach for what makes you happy. Even though you are bound to do it your way, friends offer time-saving help. Expel at least three items from your closet. You’ll be trading something tired for something sharp.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Continue to think positive because you will begin attracting people who fit into the mental pictures you create, whether they are positive or negative. Only partner up with true equals.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: Now that Mars is going direct, any ambitions that seemed to be thwarted in past weeks will be reinvigorated. The key to forward motion under Libra’s watchful eye is, of course, partnership. The more strategic the partnership, the more successful the venture. Those who have been multitasking as a way of saving time and energy, be advised: You may actually take longer to do things if your focus is split. Mars’ new course helps us home in on one goal at a time, and this choice will be far more effective than trying to do it all. Mars also cozies up with Uranus this week, so take nothing for granted. A deal isn’t a deal until it’s signed, and even then, there’s a chance it could fall through. Make sure all parties are satisfied with the arrangement, or there will be trouble later. The Capricorn moon on Wednesday night pushes business forward, but don’t let that get in the way of personal relationships. They are what makes the world go ’round! The weekend is social, lighthearted and so pretty you should have your camera ready to document the fun.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: "Sopranos" star Lorraine Bracco may play a doctor on TV, but real-life advice she gives to friends on the subject of peace of mind could be published this year, making her a practical expert, too. Bracco was born during a Mercury retrograde, so she has an alternative way of looking at the world. This helps in her acting by giving an unexpected quality to her work.

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– Copyright 2003 Joyce Jillson