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In the early part of the day, it may seem that the magnificent offering called "life" is not quite up to our standards. Then again, only a fool looks a gift horse in the mouth. Try not to be so picky, and the day will get better. The evidence that life is good will begin to stack up, and by the afternoon, there is too much of it to deny. Be happy!

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You may be temporarily denied the thing you want. What's important here is to trust that you're on the path you were meant for. Your day is coming, with celebration and awards, too!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). An unexpected travel opportunity materializes out of nowhere. You may not be going far, and this is perhaps not the destination you would have chosen, but something special is going to come out of it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll have to talk yourself into an energetic state of awareness this morning. But once you get going, you are hard to stop. Schedule your important matters late in the day when you'll be on top of your game.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Life is your dart game and — gasp! — you hit the bull's eye three times in a row! That never happens. But it's going to happen yet again and much sooner than you think.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Look for common threads in your recent dreams. You'll remember them better than usual and with more color and clarity. There is a powerful message there just waiting for you to decipher it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). As ball players know, putting backspin on the ball makes it hard to hit. Similarly, if you put a twist in the plot of your love life, you'll be considered exciting, unpredictable and oh so attractive.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Anyone can "bring it" when they've done their homework. But it takes confidence and pluck to come up with answers on the fly. Wing it today. The stars gift you with amazing powers of improvisation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You've been worried about the competition, but fear not. You're inching ahead these days. And if you put just a little more stretch in your stride, you'll be practically impossible to catch.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Someone's disappointing action reminds you of an important truth: When it comes down to it, the only actions you can control are your own. Take heart and continue to do the right thing. You'll influence others.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan.

19). If you broke it down, you would see why you are so well-liked. But you have the wisdom to leave such mysteries alone. After all, "why" isn't important. It's enough to know you are.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Big projects assume overwhelming proportions just before you set out to accomplish them. Once begun, they grow manageable, even easy, in your very capable hands.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Shadows grow long and large when the sun hangs low in the sky. The illusions you witness are likely to be impressive distortions. Reserve judgment for tomorrow, when you are able to see everything in a more realistic light.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 12). You will be in high demand. Because you'll be so busy, you'll need to devote some energy to finding a healthy balance between your personal and professional lives. Romantic wishes will be fulfilled in March. A move or shift in your living arrangement is featured in April. Family ties bring opportunities this summer. Aries and Leo people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 2, 15, 40 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I've been considering switching careers for a long time now. I got into my current job because I thought I should be smart and make money before I followed my passion, but now I feel like I'm starting to turn into someone I don't like. I wear a suit, but my heart wears flip-flops. What career advice can you give a Pisces?"

You are fortunate to receive so clear a message from your heart, and you should honor it. Part of the thrill of following your bliss is the uncertainty — that what-is-going-to-happen feeling that stirs your guts up and keeps you awake. Courting the unknowable future is not a task for sissies, but thankfully, you've got the pluck to forge ahead. There are no guarantees in striking out for what you want, but the guarantee in staying is that you'll continue to hate your job. So what's to lose? Basil King, a famous Pisces clergyman, once said, "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid." I think you already have an inkling about what you might like to spend your energy working on. Give yourself permission to explore.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Wallace Shawn is a prolific actor who often brings comedic characters to life on stage and screen. And though he's contributed lighthearted characters to popular entertainment like the television series "Gossip Girl" and the film "Clueless," Shawn has a serious side. The intensity of his natal Mercury in Scorpio is reflected in his accomplishments as a playwright of dark and political works.

If you would like to write to Holiday Mathis, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Holiday Mathis page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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