Horoscope (October 03, 2012)

Venus and Neptune in opposition offers this insight: When it comes to pleasing others, sometimes it re­quires that you bend, and other times you have to stretch. You shouldn’t have to do both, though. Pick one. Of course, it’s always best when the other person is happy with you just the way you are.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Stay­ing purposeful will be a challenge, but it’s one you can conquer with a simple household item: a pen. When you take the time to write out a plan before you leave the house, you won’t get bogged down with useless tasks.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You think differently than others now -- or rather you don’t think, and that’s what’s different. It would be easy to mentally obsess about an event and talk your­self out of it in the process, but you’re too daring for that.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you follow through with a commitment even though you had no idea how hard it would be, this is an experience. When you do know it will be hard, and you do it anyway, this is an act of love.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You un­dertake a big job that is also quite physi­cal in its demands. It’s as though you have a wagon that you’ll load and unload. This work allows your mind to rest.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You are not interested in pleasing the one person who can appreciate how wonderfully talented you are. You want your work to be accessible to all -- or at least to many -- and you’ll act accordingly.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It’s pretty easy to ignore a person who doesn’t bring anything memorable to the table. But you’re too kindhearted to let that hap­pen. You’ll create a safe environment and draw someone out of his shell.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re always happiest when your relationships are in good standing, which is why you’ll make an unnecessary gesture this after­noon. You’d rather err on the side of cau­tion than risk hurting someone.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Just as it furthers the interests of humans to visit outer space, your interests will be furthered by embarking on a difficult and gargantuan task. In the days to come, you’ll feel more and more up to the task.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Take advantage of the easy luck that befalls you today. Your guiding planet re­verses tomorrow, and you’ll have to work a little harder for your good fortune.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). No one likes to have to repeat the same

 words over and over to someone who refuses to listen. You’ll be inspired to take a different tactic with the stubborn and selectively deaf person in your life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The thing you do to cheer yourself up doesn’t need to be reserved for gloomy occasions. You’ll be in a decent mood as it is, so why not take it up a notch by treating yourself for no reason in particular?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s a difference in the dynamic between you and a loved one, and it’s something you could get used to. Even when you grow, you don’t grow apart. You find a way to connect along the way.

 TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 3). People adapt to your style and cel­ebrate your individuality this year. New adventures on the career front await. You could even decide that you’re bet­ter off working for yourself. You may be temporarily inconvenienced in order to make room for big improvements in January. March events feature the exotic and unusual. Cancer and Pisces people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 14, 39, 1 and 20.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “I’m a hurried mom, and I never have any time for myself. Do you have any tips for a Libra who seems to spend every wak­ing minute either taking care of my real family or my work family? Sometimes I think my boss, a Cancer, is more of a baby than my baby!”

Just as financial advisers often suggest that you pay yourself first by setting some savings aside before you make other payments and investments, “you time” is something that will prob­ably not happen unless you put it first. The best way, and maybe the only way, is to wake up one or two hours earlier. Fitting in a workout, reading time, or just time to think, meditate or pray will likely only oc­cur while the rest of your family is in bed. Libras find it relatively easy to be selfless, and as long as there are people around you, you’ll wind up serving their needs in some way, making it nearly impossible for you to concentrate on your own needs.

As for your Cancer boss, this sign’s intuitive style requires them to lead with their feelings. The emo­tional approach may come across as immature, but it often comes with a stroke of brilliance.