Two influences frame the day: Mercury enters Aries, and Pluto moves retrograde. In the grand scheme of life, we're all initiates. We're continually embarking on new life passages, acquiring new skills. If Mercury hands out the pluck, grit and audacity to take on come-what-may, Pluto says a magical re-invention of yours truly isn't such a bad idea.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Why save your dollars for a rainy day? It's so much more fun to spend money on a sunny one! Anyhow, rain or shine, you're due for a splurge. You reinforce your belief in abundance by spending bigger.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A team project that was going so well may take an unharmonious turn. Work through the conflict, and you'll find this was all for the best. Discover what expectations are not being met, and discuss a compromise.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). A new way of looking at a work situation will be liberating. The problem itself is not causing you to suffer. It's your beliefs about the problem that cause discomfort, and, thank goodness, you can always change those!

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It takes one to know one, and it also takes one to heal one. You're an exceptionally empathetic person who will meet more of your kind through the next seven days. You'll nurture and be nurtured.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You make a riveting, persuasive argument when you need to. But today, the best argument of all is the one you don't have to make because your partner is so in sync with you.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (April 2). You learn to trust that your needs will be provided for. You have so much more energy because you stop worrying! You're able to express the romantic side of your personality in fun new circumstances in May. June pushes you to the extremes of your personality, which is why you're astoundingly creative in July. Capricorn and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 20, 34, 21 and 17.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If it's hard to get attention, that's because the level of self-involvement is pretty thick out there now. The good news is that when people are really going for what they want, there's a lot of movement for everyone.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're on a mission that few can relate to. Though you get offers of assistance, you're ultimately the only one who can really make it happen. Don't try to be perfect — just do what you can.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Write down your commitments, and get others to do the same in regard to your commitments with them. Otherwise, the cute game called "I thought you said" could cost you money and waste valuable time.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov.

22-Dec. 21). With your talent, you can afford to be audacious. You don't have to pussyfoot around in order to get your needs met. Of course, you'll find the most gentile manner in which to express your boldness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). No kind gesture is an isolated event. The sweetness someone is showing you is indicative of a world of affectionate feelings, thoughts and dreams. So when you return the kindness, it means something.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Exciting events and/or people come into the scene. Breathe! Keep your hands open, shoulders relaxed and a generally comfortable aura. You'll say the exact right thing.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Are you racing across town in crazy traffic to attend a yoga class? Or fretting over how you're going to clear the tension in a relationship? The stress of making life less stressful could be very stressful indeed.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "My sister, an Aries, foists her 'strong opinions' on others, especially during family gatherings. Of course, no one is asking, so she comes off sounding bossy and then leaves mad. She doesn't realize she's the one pushing people away. My uncle's birthday is coming up, and I'm dreading it. What can I do?"

While I would advise many signs to be more assertive and honest generally, I find that Aries is usually already more honest and assertive than necessary. Try pulling her aside before the next gathering and suggest (because you love her and care about her mental health) she try something new. Use this script: "Soften your approach. Avoid and defer. Try gentle. Try non-confrontational. Try a little flattery and sweetness before you duck out. It's going to feel weird at first, but you'll be surprised by how much energy you conserve by not going 'there,' and you know where I mean by 'there,' Aries — the place you are standing when everything starts catching fire. I mean, really, is it that important that your opinion be asserted in situations that typically only come up once a year?" (Got family issues of your own? Read my book for solutions that will "Rock Your Stars.")

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Ebullient Aries actress Amanda Bynes has been described as embodying "both everything her teen fans dream of being and everything they know they really are." What a beautiful aspiration from this youthful, bright and spiritually hopeful sign! Aries people do embody the essence of selfhood, the reality that our potential and promise already exist, and are alive within us — right now.

Holiday Mathis is the author of "Rock Your Stars." If you would like to write to her, 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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