Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

There's no telling which relationships will be affected by today's Venus-Uranus alignment, as no type of affection will be immune to the zing of this conjunction. Friendships will be rocked. Romances will be turned up to a surprising intensity — or down to a simmer. Not knowing what to expect will help us tune in to one another more closely.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). An ill-timed comment could get you into trouble with someone you can't afford to offend. Watch your words. If you do make a mistake, follow it up with a sincere bit of praise, and everything will be saved.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Unreasonable requests can be frustrating. But you're also kind of flattered that someone thinks you can manage such impossible feats. And who knows? Maybe you actually can deliver a little bit more than you thought you could.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some flowers only bloom once. You are not that kind of flower. Yours is a bloom that won't quit, attracting all bees in sight, over and over again. Maybe your petals faded for a second, but they're back now, alluring as ever.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). While some around you blunder forward, bumping into every obstacle in sight, you prefer to parse out your time — observing, then planning, then acting. Your work style looks less busy, but you get more results.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You want to get in the mix. Working with others will sharpen you and make you better. You'll be attracted to commitments, partnerships and teams. Just be sure you know the exit strategy before you go in.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There's such a thing as being too confident, especially when you're faced with a new situation. It's important to take the time to learn the rules. Certainty could actually be a bad thing. Be open-minded and humble.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll deliver your wacky performance, and only a few people will really understand it. Don't let the numbers get you down. Keep honing your unique qualities. You're a true original.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Look in the mirror, and deem yourself a 10. You'll perform better when you estimate your looks, talents and personhood as top-notch. Indeed, you can go head to head with any that ever has been.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A bookstore is the ideal place for you now. When you follow your curious mind, life will unfold in strange and unexpected ways. Your ideal partner is as adventurous as you are.

CAPRICORN (Dec.

22-Jan. 19). Steer clear of people who are wasting time or wandering with a lost look in their eye. Stick with those who have a direction but don't mind being diverted by you, because you are interesting.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You can resolve issues efficiently, as long as they don't involve your emotions. Stay objective and you see the most logical and fair way to go. Remain detached and reasonable. Taurus helps you in this regard.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It's difficult to completely understand why you feel empowered around certain people and intimidated around others. And it's a relief today when you find that you feel the same around everyone.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (March 3). You'll get into great shape and will be physically and emotionally riding high. A new source of immense happiness opens up for you this month. Living improvements occur in June. There will be additions to your support system and perhaps to your family tree in August. Your practice pays off with an award in September. Aries and Virgo people adore you. Lucky numbers are: 8, 25, 19, 30 and 23.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "What's an ascendant in astrology?"

Your ascendant is more commonly referred to as your rising sign. So, if someone says they're a "Pisces with Leo rising," it means Leo is their ascendant. The ascendant is the constellation that was just rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of your birth. For those who believe in reincarnation, it is said that your ascendant in this life was your sun sign in your previous life. The Pisces in the example above was supposedly a Leo in a past life. Knowing your rising sign can give you a clue as to what sort of karmic lesson you might need to learn this time around here on earth and what your true purpose might be. Because of this, your rising sign is equal in importance to your sun sign, so be sure to read horoscopes for both to get a more accurate astrological picture of your life. To learn your rising sign, you'll need to get your astrological chart done. Many websites will do this for free — just Google "free astrological charts." You'll need to know the date, time and city of your birth to cast your chart.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Jessica Biel is a sensitive Pisces who, like many in her sign, caught on early to her career ambitions. She has been starring on stage since childhood, with an early start in musical theater. Her natal Mercury and Venus in musical Aquarius indicates that she's unlikely to resist future opportunities for singing performances. And with eight film projects in development, this young star is on the rise.

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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