The moon and the sun in earth signs at the day's start promises a surprise-free morning. It's easy to see the relationship between cause and effect. Practical efforts yield tangible results. Then the moon slips into Gemini, increasing the amount of speculation and conversation that must happen in order for things to move forward.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There's a time to get serious and share a deep connection, and then there's a time to go for the laughter. You'll do the latter, and a certain someone will find you irresistible because of this.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Worry has its place as long as it doesn't last long. If the stress puts you in action, it was worthwhile. Just be sure to use negative tension as a signal to move forward. Don't park in it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It may take you a while to get going this morning, but as the day progresses, so do the lightness and joy in your attitude. People will think you have a happy secret that you're not sharing. And maybe you do.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You want something, but you've proved you can live without it. This is the perfect energetic combination for getting exactly what you want. You'll be loose and playful enough to land your desire.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your intention of becoming closer to a person will be 80 percent of what is necessary to make that happen. The other 20 percent will be communicating that intention.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You dream of someday doing what makes your heart sing and having great success with it. This isn't the kind of dream that should wait for "someday," though. There is time today to engage in your happy action.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You recognize that while there is much you can influence, no one on Earth is powerful enough to control it all. You're willing to give up the reins in a situation and accept whatever happens.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll knuckle down to finish a project that really should have been finished last year. Better late than never on this one. It will feel amazing to go forward into your new year unfettered.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Whatever you are going through personally, you realize that others are in the same boat. And still others are in a sinking ship, looking at your boat and thinking it looks like a rescue.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You and the fates are working together today. People will tell you to do this or that, and it's all decent advice. But the whisper of fate that comes from inside you will be the best one to follow.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There will be a hurry and wait situation. One way to feel better about it is to skip the "hurry up" part. Give yourself plenty of preparation and travel time, and bring something to read.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). People will pick up on your signals, so it's best to know what they are. Check yourself, giving attention to what you normally might not. On a deeper level of consciousness, what do you really want?

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 5). Your fortunes will multiply as a direct result of your friendships and working relationships. You'll pull a plan together this month. February brings new partnerships and the opportunity to align with a winning team. Your professional and personal lives will blur together. Family issues will be resolved in May. Aquarius and Aries people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 2, 24, 15 and 47.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm a 44-year-old Scorpio who has been married for 10 years, and I have three children. One by one, it seems like my friends are getting divorced. At first I saw this as a tragedy, though it did make me grateful to be in a solid marriage. But as time goes on, I'm secretly envious of my divorced friends. They get time off from their children, as their husbands do more child care now than they ever did when they were married. Also, most of my girlfriends have gotten into shape and look better than they did when they were married. I'm going to have to get a new set of friends because I no longer fit in with all the happy divorcees, and hanging around them is making me feel like an underappreciated indentured servant to my family. Any advice?"

Just because you're married doesn't mean you can't get in shape or command more respect and attention from your husband. Your Scorpio ability to be in touch with the good, bad and ugly feelings and thoughts is admirable. So many people repress and deny their feelings, which only makes them surface at unpredictable times and in uncontrollable ways. You can, instead, let these feelings tell you what you need to make your marriage better.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Bradley Cooper embodies the energy of tradition and ambition associated with his Capricorn sun sign. An honors graduate of Georgetown University who speaks fluent French and has won medals on a men's heavyweight crew team, he is as well rounded as he is accomplished. Mars and Neptune in Sagittarius lend a sophisticated, worldly flair to his natal chart.

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.