Horoscope (August 27, 2012)

The Virgo sun and the Capricorn moon work together like a first-rate executive team, inspiring and motivat­ing us to do the work that’s necessary to get to the place we need to be. There’s a sense that others will hold us accountable to our word, and the po­tential for social validation is enough to keep us on track.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You can never fail in relationships; you just produce results by which to learn. Con­sider how you played it -- and how you might play it differently next time to get a different result.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your dreams are still alive, though it may feel to you that they are in hibernation now. It’s peaceful this way. Let them have the rest without worrying about how long this nap lasts.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Good news: The real world does not lie in wait just around the next corner. The real world is going on

 right in front of your nose, and you’re as much a part of it as anyone in the world today.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You are not content to do the best you can with the information you have. You want better information. You’ll further investigate both your problems and your passions.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A new per­son on the scene is quickly becoming an admired presence. You’ll model yourself after this person’s work ethic, attitude and approach to relationships.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There’s much to sort out, and you’ll get to the point, keeping your meetings short and simple. The more you delegate the bet­ter people around you will get at handling their responsibilities.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your current friends help you in every way they know, and yet what you need isn’t provided. Widen your circle; broaden your search. Expansion is your answer.

 SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You will use your time differently from the way your friends use theirs; your path requires this. You’ll wind up at differ­ent destinations, too, but the points of intersection are most enjoyable.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Everything is unfolding as it should. Re­lax and trust that if it’s supposed to hap­pen, it’s happening. Strained relation­ships ease up. Life becomes comfortable again.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Saturn pushes your buttons. You either want to be like your father or the complete opposite. Both the gray areas and the full spectrum of pos­sibilities hold no appeal. It’s a day of extremes.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). One of your biggest jobs will be to avoid distractions. Block out the things that could potentially obstruct your produc­tivity, and you’ll have much to show for your efforts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Reach out, ask more questions, and see whether you can’t get people to drop their masks. A friend who seems to have it all together could actually use more help than you might have guessed.

 TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 27). Even though you want to complete what you start, it’s not always worth your time to do so. You’ll strategize your efforts and profit from your abil­ity to prioritize well. September heals a relationship. October brings an in­vitation to explore. November is your chance to shine in a public perfor­mance. Business booms in Decem­ber. Aries and Scorpio people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 25, 49, 2 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “She’s the most beautiful woman in the world, and I have to marry her. The problem is that I have to get over the first hurdle first: introducing myself. The thought of talking to her makes my heart race. I have no idea what to say, and I don’t want to blow it. I feel that we’re destined to be together, so it’s very important that I get it right. I know she’s a Sagittarius because a mutual friend told me. I’m a Virgo. Please,

 Holiday, tell me what to say.”

If I told you what to say, your beautiful Sagittarius would be robbed of the opportunity to get to know the real you. But here are some pointers: Don’t let your inner Virgo perfectionist get in the way. Timing will be key. Make sure the scene is conducive to your ap­proach -- in other words, it’s not too loud of an environment, she’s not engrossed in deep conversa­tion, etc. Also, never approach from behind. Sidle up instead. It would be ideal to have your mutual friend introduce you after Mercury enters your sign on the full moon of the 31st. Until then, practice your con­versational skills on other women.