July 14, 2004

Mars, the planet of aggressive energy, is moving into fire sign Leo. It’s high-drama time on the career front – lots of the kind of excitement you see on television shows about a certain line of work. People rushing around, confrontations, high stakes – you’ll find yourself thinking "ER" and "The West Wing" are nothing compared to real life!

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The morning features something to brag about. Don’t name-drop, though, as it’s not at all becoming and could serve to turn off the very person you’d like to impress. Keep a sense of humor about family life.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Friends of all ages, genders and locales will enrich you. Make an effort to attract people who are a joy to be near. You need help with a project that is growing to overwhelming proportions.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ve got the magic touch, but do be careful how you use it. Don’t skip the research part of your project in order to get the high of being in action. You need mentors who can tell you the strengths and weaknesses of your project.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Learning more is what makes you rich. Financial questions are deftly answered by an expert you know personally, but be wary of advisers you have to pay right now. It’s likely their commission dictates their advice.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Everyone has his or her own way of making a difference in the world, and yours might be to simply be exemplary in relationships. Today’s deft handling of people is proof. Some have to work at it, but social grace is natural to you.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 14). This year brings remarkable changes for you, but you’re in control of what happens! This month and next, you finally feel that you’re steering your career in the direction of your dream. There’s a social swell through August, and you may even decide to travel with friends. A beautiful commitment from a loved one is featured in September. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 25, 1, 11 and 29.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Do your own thing this morning, while you’re free to do it. It’s no picnic to be in charge of as much as you are, but it is fulfilling at the end of the day to know that people can depend on you and you can depend on yourself.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Self-esteem fluctuates, but that’s because you care so much that things get done the right way. Remind yourself that you choose your thoughts. Tonight, you are adored, and if you go out, you will be publicly adored.

SCORPIO (Oct.24-Nov.21). Great reward requires equal risk. You’ll be nervous to try new tasks, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t do it. Analyze the fear, understand it, and then, make a rational, logical decision about what to do next.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov.22-Dec.21). You get such a thrill from the beginning stages of a project that it’s hard to duplicate the excitement in the middle and end stages. Stick to the plan. Finish! The reward come at the end. Give yourself a mental pep rally.

CAPRICORN (Dec.22-Jan.19). Although you like to stay positive, this is one of those days when being ready for the worst outcome makes you confident indeed. At work, take on the bits and pieces of a problem instead of trying to solve the whole thing.

AQUARIUS (Jan.20-Feb.18). It’s a psychic day, and you feel you’re some kind of a vortex for coincidental happenings. It seems these strange occurrences are only happening to you, but maybe it’s because you appreciate their meaning so readily.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Include comedy in the day’s events – your body loves laughter, and it’s scientifically proven that you could ward off disease and virus by laughing! In love, be the one to initiate and the one to say when enough is enough.

AN ASTROLOGICAL LOOK AT MEAN TEENS (PART THREE OF FOUR): Between the current wave of movies that feature teenage bullies and the rash of mail I’ve received from young people being hurt by their peers, it’s time to offer an astrological guide to dealing with these mean minors. LIBRA: This sign becomes distraught over the idea that someone might come between the Libra and his or her best friend or boyfriend/girlfriend. It’s one of the only circumstances in which this sign becomes a bully, and even then, the problem is usually contained to nasty scowls that could win the dirty-look-of-the-year award. A moderator is often helpful in sorting out the problem. SCORPIO: Adolescence brings out the scorpion’s sting, and this sign is the kind of mean kid movies are made of. Defusing the Scorpio can be accomplished by recognizing and validating the emotional complexity of this sign. It’s hard for a fellow teen to do this, but reporting the Scorpio bully to a counselor is a good start. SAGITTARIUS: Sag just wants to fit in and can be easily swayed by the group mentality, even if that means picking on the weak. This sign will stop bullying behavior when other kids consider it unacceptable.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Tobey Maguire currently stars in the big-time sequel "Spider-Man 2" and is set to star in a third installment of the trilogy. His girlfriend, Jen Meyer, is a constant companion, the way Cancer people prefer it. Because of their emotional nature, Cancer folks like having someone stable and ever-present with whom to share their feelings. However, I think Maguire still feels too young for wedding bells.

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