Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Venus, the love goddess, and Jupiter, the Big Daddy of the zodiac, square off. There will be some tension in personal and professional relationships. It's challenging to come up with agreements that are mutually beneficial. Wherever possible, take charge of your own happiness and depend strictly on your own abilities and resources.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). If you feel like you're under a great deal of pressure, remember: Life only sends us the challenges we can handle. There is always a way through, and in today's case, it probably requires delegating or simply saying no.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The stress you might be feeling at the moment won't matter in the long run, so don't let it get to you more than is necessary. True, you have looming deadlines, but you're also pretty amazing under pressure.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Check out your employment alternatives. This is a good idea if only that it convinces you of the worth of staying at your current job. So poke around the job market. You'll avoid falling into a rut.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). People will lay their grievances at your feet. It's as though you are wearing a sign that says, "Tell me your problems." Maybe it's because you are famous for your ability to listen without judgment. Accept the implied compliment.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You'll take a scary, exhilarating risk. You know your limits. Remind yourself of them, though, so you don't push yourself too far. Taking this chance is a big step for you, and you'll get support from places you weren't expecting.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sometimes you're the ship, and sometimes you're the lighthouse. Right now you're the lighthouse, keeping someone else from crashing on the rocks during their dark and stormy night.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). A decision must be made. You'll choose between two roads. Both are positive, but one — while being the higher, more difficult path — will lead to the sunniest patch.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don't let yourself be rushed by seemingly pressing circumstances. In reality, hurrying through won't get you there faster. Can you make haste slowly? Good things happen when you are methodical, organized and thorough.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The stars gift you with an intellectual boost. It only takes a small effort to increase your brainpower immensely. For instance, memorize a famous quote, part of a song or a joke.

CAPRICORN (Dec.

22-Jan. 19). Play is not the opposite of work — not if you're doing it right. Play is work. In today's case, it's the work you do to access your creativity, to access your physical strength and to build your relationships.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Everyone loves a pleasant surprise. You'll provide one for someone you like. You'll also be on the receiving end of one that likely comes from an unexpected source.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The people you live with will drive you nuts. You know they mean well, and that tomorrow you'll love them more than ever. If you need to lie low in the meantime, it's fine. They'll still be there.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 23). Love is the force that moves you to explore and take risks this year. What you attempt in December will work! Social fun is featured in February. May brings financial increase. Be a cautious, responsible steward of your money. Travel in July. You'll be promoted to a place of authority and respect in August. Virgo and Pisces people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 43, 25, 11 and 19.

HOW TO GET THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS WITH GRACE: Oh, the joyful, stressful holidays. They seem to bring out the best and the worst in us. My holiday wish is that we can all follow our guiding star and experience the best of the season. For ARIES, the stress of the holidays comes from high expectations. There is a part of Aries that never grows up and still focuses on the magic and miracles implied in the season. Thank goodness for Aries for keeping this part of the holiday alive! It will be helpful for Aries people to remember that magic always looks effortless, but it almost always requires practice and work in order to be so, well, magical. This first-born child of the zodiac needs to be patient and understand the steps involved in pulling off even the simplest aspects of the season. If Aries is the one giving a gift or hosting a party or making a cookie platter, Aries needs to be patient and realize that sometimes things don't go right on the first try. And when they don't, it's not the end of the world. There will always be another chance. When things go perfectly, that's Aries' cue to celebrate big.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: This celeb's smiley nature earned her a nickname that later became a household name. Miley Cyrus has even more to smile about now that she's a major force in the entertainment industry — not to mention the clothing industry and countless other merchandising outlets. Her Venus, Uranus and Neptune all in Capricorn suggest she'll continue to make the business decisions that keep her on top.

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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