Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Venus uses her feminine wiles to ease the tension between Mercury (word) and Mars (deed). For those who put their foot in their mouth yesterday, today brings forgiveness. And if harsh words were exchanged, the conflict can now be made right with heartfelt apologies. In any case, it's good to have the truth out in the open.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Good living becomes a rather simple and straightforward process today. You'll help others get what they need when they need it, and then you'll appreciate the smiles and happiness that follow.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The ones who say you are only as strong as your weakest attribute are being unrealistic and pessimistic. No one can be good at everything. Use your strengths, and let the rest work itself out.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You enjoy comfortable, warm spaces. But to really feel at home in a space, it also must afford you a good deal of privacy. Alone time is necessary to your health and well-being, so guard it like it's sacred.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You are feeling spiritually open, which will attract goodness to you, but also will make you vulnerable to negative attachments. Your best protection is to think happy, high-minded thoughts.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There's a fog of poetic energy that settles around you. Use it! The poet Lord Byron said, "Poetry is a distinct faculty — it won't come when called. You may as well whistle for a wind."

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You have to be able to feel a person's intentions in order to deem them trustworthy in your book. Unpredictable and complicated people will warrant further observation. Take your time.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Many times you follow through with an action simply because you want to know what will happen next. Your motive will be simple, and that is precisely why it works so well.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). For you, it's not enough to merely show up and do what you're supposed to do. You will dedicate yourself to taking things to the next level. You'll inspire others to do the same.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You will be affected by the decisions of someone very far away from you, but these decisions do not have to throw you off your path. There's a way to make it all work.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). In games of "good cop, bad cop," you don't care which cop you play. It's the end result — getting compliance from the perpetrator — that matters most to you.

You and a partner will work together toward an optimum end.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). This may be a strangely emotional day for you. There may be very little difference in the structure of your day from the way it was last week, but you are different, and that's enough to change everything.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You know what you believe, and articulating it will help you know it even better. So make a record of where you stand on this very day. The action will give you a surge of personal power.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 5). January features exciting and unusual interactions. You have something to learn from those whose interests are diametrically opposed to your own. You'll accomplish far more than you even anticipated in April. You'll push through barriers to give your talent expression. June brings commercial opportunities. Cancer and Gemini people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 2, 31, 24 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm a Taurus who will be turning 45 this April, and I'm dreading getting older. Maybe it's because I'm ruled by Venus, but I'm really afraid of losing my looks and attractiveness. I'm afraid of being alone and unhappy. I went to a plastic surgeon, but I'm not sure I can afford all that he wants to do. What do you think?"

Stop the surgeon! You could very well be on your way to the happiest and most beautiful stage of your life, no cutting necessary! In collecting figures on the emotional well-being of British citizens, the British government has statistics to suggest that after middle age, people get happier as they get older. Similar studies have been performed in China, Japan, Africa and the United States that point to the same conclusion. After age 46, people get happier. Earth signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn have particularly tenacious personalities, and this manifests in their physicality, as well. These signs become not only happier but more beautiful as they gain a stately presence, grow into their own style and let their inner beauty dictate choices instead of merely following along with society.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Walt Disney was born on this day in 1901. The icon of imagination who fathered The Walt Disney Company and changed the shape of the entertainment world forever was born under the independent-minded, curious, passionate and worldly influence of Sagittarius. Disney's natal moon was in Libra, the sign of art, beauty and relationships. Mars, Jupiter and Saturn were in ambitious Capricorn.

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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