Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Mercury is still at it. Yesterday he sassed Saturn, and today he takes a shot at Jupiter, the planet of abundance. What you say will affect what people feel like giving you. This could have to do with affection and attention, but it also has to do with cold, hard cash. Do you make an impression that inspires generosity in others?

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Being a good friend takes a lot of effort, most but not all of which is joyful. Your expectations of your friends will make a difference now. Dare to set a precedent.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You'll do interesting and respectable work. Look at what you've accomplished, and appreciate it. Your solid character is what makes this all possible. Acknowledge yourself.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Lately, many businesses want you to take a survey and give a good score regarding your experience. Does anyone really receive prize money from giving an opinion? Well, if anyone will, it's you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your life stories are interesting and varied. You should write them down. Really, you should! A story you've told many times will now find its best audience.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Whatever you put in, so shall you get out. Actually, that's not entirely true. You're putting such intensity into your work now that you're likely to get out three times what you put in.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your sense of loyalty will be highlighted as you work in a small group. There's a deal on the table to consider. Unless the arrangement will benefit the entire group, you have no interest.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Close your eyes and soften your heart. Your receptivity will now add what your logical brain could not: a certain kind of sweetness that helps you experience a more vivid and joyful world.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You were given a very special gift that you haven't yet had time to investigate. If only your gift had come with explicit instructions that included timing. Alas, it's on you to take initiative and follow the impetus to move.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You have distanced yourself from the one who has acted in self-interest, much to your dismay. Your friend senses that he's done something to upset you, but he'll never fully "get it" unless you spell things out.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Filter out the superfluous, and focus on what is truly important. Much of the cosmic racket is caused by others giving their opinion just to feel heard.

It makes for some unnecessary distractions.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will be quick to sort out what is going on inside you, be it in your family, education or social life. However, maintaining a willingness to take action to direct the process consciously will be a challenge.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You'll enjoy money management as an activity in its own right. You like to feel on top of financial affairs, and it will feel good to know, to the exact number, what you have to work with.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 28). You know the right course of action because you feel it in your bones. It's as though your skeleton is magnetized to success. Seek supportive personal relationships in February. Build your team. You'll be a hero in March. May is your chance to bond with kin. June brings domestic improvement. Capricorn and Cancer people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 1, 43, 19 and 50.

SAGITTARIUS 2012 AT A GLANCE:

JANUARY: A healthy level of stress will trigger a series of smart moves. FEBRUARY: Others won't know how to treat you until you teach them. MARCH: Take initiative, and shine when the moon is new in your fellow fire sign of Aries on the 22nd. APRIL: Helping makes you happy and inspires others to be generous, as well. MAY: Your intuition will be active. Keep track of your observations and gut-level impressions. JUNE: The lunar eclipse in your sign on the 4th reminds you that vulnerability is a bonding agent. JULY: Explore and discover fresh outlets for your creative energy. AUGUST: Friendship and romance are both favored. And there will be a novelty to enjoy during the blue moon at the month's end. SEPTEMBER: Easygoing personalities around you will make life a pleasure. A pressure will be lifted. OCTOBER: Mars enters your sign to rev up your schedule with an increased number of projects, errands and obligations.

NOVEMBER: A flexible attitude will help you weather the Mercury retrograde. Remember that there are many ways to get things done, and be open to the various approaches of those around you. DECEMBER: The sun turns up your influence, and you'll get followers after the new moon in your sign on the 13th.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Golden-voiced Sarah McLachlan has won Grammys and sold out concerts all over the world, but true to her Aquarian nature, some of her proudest professional accomplishments center around the millions of dollars she's raised for women's charities, AIDS sufferers and inner-city children. McLachlan was born when both the sun and communication planet Mercury were in Aquarius.

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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