June 16, 2004

As love planet Venus transits retrograde through breezy Gemini, some of you are consoling yourselves with a light case of denial. Being able to see the hopeful side of situations – otherwise known as wishful thinking – isn’t as dangerous as some people think. The line between optimism and denial is much thinner than logic would dictate.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You go into the workday feeling like hot stuff – you’ve done your homework, and you’re up to the minute with your information. Then, changes seem to put everyone back to square one. This is the best disruption in weeks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You can expect resistance, some internal, some external, to your goals just as soon as you set them. That’s just a sign that you’re on the right track. Tonight, the spotlight is on home. Redecorate, entertain, and cuddle.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Though you’re feeling bubbly and social, some of what’s on your schedule seems so banal that you’ll find yourself wishing you could edit it out. Surprises await, so show up in spite of your reservations.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The buzz that used to surround a key project has now turned into more of a zzzz. It’s up to you to stir up interest again, which you can do with a snappy campaign. Apply skills you use in one area of your life into another.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Though your intention was to meet the expectations of higher-ups precisely, you’ll probably discover that it’s so much more fun to meet your own expectations, approximately. Aries and Aquarius give you the freedom you need.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (June 16). You offer your best, and you’ve got the world eating out of your hand this year. Be clear about your career goals. You’ll be making a big push in July, and as a result, the money comes in this September. Sweethearts make sweeping gestures to please you in August. New homes are featured in September. Lucky love signs are Capricorn and Pisces. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 50, 25, 9 and 36.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You have the competitive edge, and in order to keep it, don’t be naïve. At the same time, don’t be skeptical. It’s super-fortunate to count your blessings. As Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing is wonderful."

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). You’ll grab those headlines with one of your signature moves – diplomatic and graceful. You could be elected to some kind of office if you keep this up. No matter how hectic it gets, pause to chat this afternoon – you’ll hear a hot tip.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Clever you! You figure out where you went wrong and remedy the situation. After all, looking for an answer in the wrong place is a sure way not to find it. In love, choose your words carefully, and sprinkle in some flattery, too.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Imagination is like a muscle, and it’s a good thing you’ve been working yours out. You can think of many ways to cut the fat, and cut the fat you must if you are to reach that crazy (fantastic, splendiferous) goal you set.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll be mixing up your world, introducing friends to one another. This makes you realize that there are certain people you would impose a five-second delay upon if given the power. Tonight, you have a talent for cooking.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Someone is standing in your way, but you don’t have to knock him down. The field is wide; go around. Honesty is always your policy, but maturity reminds you that there are many styles for delivering the truth.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A realization puts you in action. Establish what is worth fighting for before jumping into the ring. You’ll probably find a loved one very difficult to rein in, so focus your incredible disciplinary powers on yourself.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I recently moved into a house and have been decorating it to suit me. I worked in my home office for several months before I had the time to paint it the way I always thought it should be – pink. I loved the way it looked, but I realized that I was avoiding the room and preferred to work almost anywhere but the office. When I did work in the office, I fell asleep. Today, a friend of mine pointed out to me that the color pink might be making me tired. I read your column several months ago, and you talked about bringing the energy of different signs into a room. I was wondering what color I should paint my home office if I want to stay alert and make lots of money from that space."

I’m assuming that since your office is pink, you must work in a creative field. Usually, I like to invoke the energy of Capricorn into a home office to attract money, self-discipline and high-quality clients. However, going on my hunch about your field, I’m going to suggest invoking the energy of Aquarius – bright, inventive and creative. Paint your office a vibrant yellow, yellowish green or sea-foam blue.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Paul McCartney has got a new DVD out but it’s not of a rock concert. "Paul McCartney: The Music and Animation Collection" is full of engaging stories, music and artistic collaborations from McCartney. Gemini likes the kind of levity and playfulness that animation affords. This year, I predict that any further expansion into the children’s market will result in more commercial and artistic success for McCartney.

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