April 18, 2004

Mercury is retrograde in Taurus, about to cross into Aries territory, where its effects will be more obvious, agitated and possibly explosive. Conflict is nothing to fear. Humans will be communicating more and more effectively in the future, but we have to realize what doesn’t work before we get onto what works. Frustrations can teach us!

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There are many reasons you’re the one who has to bring people together. You’ve got the respect of your peers, for one. It’s hard to relate to certain neighbors. They fear the unknown, so make yourself known to them.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your needs are evolving. You may even give up on something you’ve been chasing for a while now. There is magic in your surrender – something wonderful comes to you. Tonight brings sweet peace and quiet.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). A bit of obsessive/compulsive behavior is not necessarily a bad thing. All talented people have a touch of it, and it’s wonderful that you can lose yourself in a task! One realization is all that stands between you and your goal.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Sometimes when groups get together, the whole is definitely not greater than the sum of its parts. Figure out what’s wrong, and change it. The adjustments you initiate are brilliant. People listen to you because you listen to them.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The duty ahead is daunting or even impossible. You’ll have to access a deeper power. A Pisces can help. You’re tempted to spoil the kids or your sweetheart tonight, but stop to consider the standard you’ll be setting first.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 18). Opportunities spring from long-forgotten ideas and associations. By February, a legal or business decision favors you, turning a difficulty into a huge asset. Think big this summer, and new homes and vacations end up paying for themselves. In love, a Taurus realizes what a prize you are. You win accolades and promotions by August. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 7, 18, 20 and 38.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You get a sudden burst of inspiration this morning. Be playful, and you’ve got a sweetheart’s full attention. A financial review is lucky – it’s time to figure out exactly where you stand. If things are not working, make a different choice!

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Use your mental agility to get what you want out of life. There is no outside force that will provide what you haven’t made room for in your own head. Attitudinal patterns will slowly shift, allowing you to accomplish more.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Listen to your heart’s song. It chimes in with the psychic energy surrounding you to orchestrate an unusual chain of events. Your life takes twists and turns that seem more like fiction than truth! An Aquarius gives you a lead.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). For those who aren’t feeling their physical best: Talk to your body to find out what you are lacking or what you’ve got too much of. You get top-notch treatment when you enter an arena of students or fans.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Time management is key to pleasing friends, family and, most importantly, yourself. If you’re not happy with the path a relationship is taking, a radical move this afternoon will be like pushing "reset." Do business via phone.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Surprise developments in love are featured. Be on time for all occasions, or you miss out on the best stuff. A Cancer has financial tips that pay. Discuss and debate with family – it builds bonds.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Invitations are worth the taking. Being image conscious helps you feel great around new people, but your real friends couldn’t care less. Hang out with people who like you for you. Stop relying on superficial habits.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: Important breakthroughs are featured this week, although the actual victory dance probably won’t occur for several weeks to come. The victory dance could never happen at all without a frustrating period when we learn that our old way of doing things isn’t quite going to cut it. Realizations are centered in the realm of communication. We simply don’t have the right words to communicate our needs and wants now, and certainly, our timing is off. But this is all very positive. Experiment, and collect data. Figure out what isn’t working. It’s like the universe is taking us to communication training camp. Tuesday brings innovations. The moon is in Aquarius, and it’s the perfect time to bring yourself up to speed by updating your computer system, implementing a new accounting method or using the Internet to save time instead of waste it. Venus and Jupiter are trying to work out a rather stressful conversation having to do with how much is too much in matters of love and money later in the week. If you over-indulge yourself in any way, don’t waste time beating yourself up over it. Instead, consider what void you were trying to fill.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Comely and quirky Claire Danes has been working consistently since appearing in the short-lived but popular series "My So-Called Life." Aries are always eager to get involved in exciting and edgy projects. Taking risks for Aries is as normal as taking a breath. What’s next for Danes? She’ll soon appear in "Shopgirl," a film adaptation of Steve Martin’s novella of the same name.

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 2004 Joyce Jillson