August 22, 2012

If you ever wondered why the legendary Greek monster Medusa sported snake-hair, it wasn’t always so. Once upon a time, she had beauti­ful locks, and she knew it. Her vanity was one reason that Athena decided to change Medusa’s locks to a more terrifying style. As the sun passes from Leo, let go of vanity before it turns into something scary.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The feeling of being in control is one of the keys to mental health. That is why you are careful not to get in the way of your loved one’s decision-making process even when you don’t entirely agree.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You are sensitive to another person’s needs, though you also feel that your privacy is a precious right. Therefore, you will take measures to prevent a possible imposition.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Though it’s tempting to stick with the people you know and adore, exclusivity can be hurtful. So you make an effort to include others. Lives are improved by your openness and kindness.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There is something lovely about your current awareness, though it won’t last. You’re on the brink of a revelation. Once your eyes are opened, you won’t be able to unknow or unsee.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Are you act­ing out of a sense of independence, or are you just being stubborn? “The dif­ference between perseverance and ob­stinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.” -- Henry Ward Beecher

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). In­crease your level of exercise in order to counteract the extra-strong energy you’re dealing with now. Physical ex­ertion keeps you from being quick to anger and helps you stay calm when it matters.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll have an increasing awareness of how the heroes of yesteryear paved a trail so that your life could be easier and better. You’ll do something in the name of progress.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Chil­dren will have fun with pretend games that involve acting like adults, and adults will enjoy taking part in activities of childhood. Such reversals will make you smile.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Something you once felt strongly about doesn’t currently seem like all that big of a deal. Your shift in perspective is a sign that you’re on to bigger and better things.

 CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You don’t have to pave your own road in order to get where you want to go, unless where you’re going is some­where no one has gone before. Make it easy on yourself. Use established roads.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Mon­ey that’s yours free and clear makes life easier for you. Money that has expecta­tions and strings attached to it makes life harder. You’ll make financial choices ac­cordingly.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Some say that first impressions aren’t impor­tant; others say they are all important. You’ll go out of your way to project the right message with your image, but you’ll be forgiving of others who don’t.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 22). Your optimism is warranted. You’ll fin­ish what you started last year, inking a contract in September. Love warms your heart when the weather turns cold. What happens at your request in November improves your life and the lives of others, so speak up. January sees you entertaining and wheeling and dealing. Aries and Capricorn peo­ple adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 49, 1, 24, 38 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “What do you have to say to a hygienist who is secretly in love with her dentist-boss? I’m afraid that the other hygienists know, because I caught them whispering, and when I approached, they shut up quick. I’ve been trying not to flirt as much ever since. But if they know, then he probably does, too. I can’t tell if he’s in­terested in me, or if he just has a fantas­tic personality and makes everyone feel as though they are the most important person in the world. He’s a Capricorn; I’m a Libra.”

Dreamy Libra, it’s time to face the fact that you are not so “secretly” in love after all. The co-workers talk­ing in hushed tones have issued you your warning ticket. Now you’re on probation. This is your chance to act as professionally as possible to save your status in the workplace. Capri­corn bosses tend toward conservative views, and yours is likely to take a hard line against dating in the workplace. When you’re at work, you should really be thinking exclusively of the job you’re doing, especially when your work in­volves sharp tools inside another per­son’s mouth.