August 8, 2004

The spotlight swivels around to each and every one of us under the Leo sun, so be sure you know what you’re going to do when it’s your turn. Getting your story straight means being certain in your own mind how you really feel about what’s going on in the world. The moon enters Gemini tonight, bringing a second wind.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your picture of the perfect relationship is not wrong, but it’s different from a loved one’s ideas. A conversation will clear up misunderstandings. Long-running success is possible when you’re acting toward long-term goals.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You don’t need to say you are a good person because others can tell. You’ll get a second chance. Don’t tempt fate again. The gears are in motion toward commitment. Bone up on your talent; you’ll use it tonight.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Success is not without struggle. Challenges only serve to show others how accomplished you can be. You’ll be able to turn the tables in an unequal relationship. Be careful not to gloat, though, or this win becomes very temporary.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Enjoy the fun of having your true friends nearby, and don’t worry about everything being perfect. You are more attractive than you know. What you saved comes in handy. Sagittarius and Pisces bring luck.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Special projects can be all-consuming. Think twice before you even start. Couples easily gain one another’s trust but should carefully guard this because it is also easily lost. Dare to openly express emotions tonight.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (August 8). Reach down inside yourself for true grit! Your passion is ignited by competition this month – you do well when you concentrate on your own gains and not on your opponent. Relationships turn your world topsy-turvy in September – some of you will even move to be with a special love. A windfall in September is connected with your talent. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 41, 22, 37 and 53.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Make those plans for the future, but keep them to yourself for now. A jealous female should be handled with care. Put a little spice into your love life to keep things from becoming predictable.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct.23). You’ll get the green light on expansion or education plans. Make up for mistakes as soon as possible. Look behind you as you leave a bus or restaurant booth; it’s easy to lose things today. You could find what someone else left.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov.21). If you have been neglecting your dream in favor of a joyless reality, it’s time to change the bad habit. Unexpected and late guests make the day more interesting. Do what you can to include elders in the festivities.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec.21). You are now better equipped to handle a family responsibility. You also have the power to rekindle love if you choose it. Because of your selfless efforts, a better relationship develops with a parent, spouse or friend.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.19). Indecision interferes with luck, so be certain and clear. Pay no attention to what others think; do your life your way. Love is out to snag you. Enjoy the fun, but don’t go too far with spending or imbibing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.18). Envy could alter the dynamic of important friendship. Anticipate this problem, and stay away from potentially incendiary statements. You’ll have to interpret signals from loved ones.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll be in a poetic mood and will wish to share it. When people look at you cross-eyed, you’ll think it’s not easy being a dreamer. But when they applaud and laugh, you’ll feel triumphant – your whimsy is someone else’s delight.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: The Leo sun loves a good show, and the stars certainly put one on this week. The fun starts with Mercury’s retrograde in Virgo on Monday. There may be some confusion and mishaps at first, but as this transit wears on (it ends on Sept. 2), we start to see a pattern emerge. If we’re paying attention to the critical details, all goes well. But if we take for granted those small but important particulars, there’s a price to pay. Tuesday, Mars joins Mercury in Virgo’s ever-improving realm. This is a stabilizing environment for the aggressive planet, and it’s a time when careful planning and plotting can take place. Precision is fundamental – wins and losses are based on the exactitude of the actions taken. Much impressive progress can be made in career and money matters during this transition, which lasts through late September. The Cancer moon Wednesday and Thursday has many of us getting cozy at home. Thursday through Saturday will be a time to wrap projects up and make sure relationships are on track. The lunar cycle winds to a close. Sunday features the new moon in Leo, which will be a magical day to start new resolutions and relationships.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Melanie Griffith is an actress with a quirky style all her own. From the eccentric Honey Whitlock in "Cecil B. Demented" to the flippant and self-assured "Working Girl," she has worked hard to avoid being typecast. Leo people are fierce and do not shy away from fighting for their passions. They also keep their kin very close. This year, she could direct husband Antonio Banderas in a film role.

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