Today Mercury enters Taurus, the sign of liquid green — money, that is — stimulating intelligence surrounding earthly resources. Economic viability has become a consciousness-shaping force with Jupiter and Pluto's current transits through Capricorn. Balance your checkbook and cultivate your prosperity consciousness? Absolutely.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). World peace starts at home. You're more tolerant than ever. And as far as love goes, you have lots to give. When you give it, you deepen your connection to those you love and also those you hardly know.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). As much as you've lately tried to ignore it, the fact remains: you have emotional and physical needs that are not being met. Declare exactly what those needs are and you'll start to get a handle on the issue.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As the sign of communication, you know that mouths moving doesn't necessarily equal an understanding. Be a listener. Listeners make good. Great listeners wind up with everything they want.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There's cleaning up to do, borrowed things to be returned and apologies to be made and/or accepted. Start by making a list. Once you organize your priorities, your schedule goes like clockwork.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're feeling scrappy because you know you can bring the goods. In this daring mood, you'll risk more than you usually would dare to. If it doesn't go your way, you have cat-like abilities to land on your feet.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (APRIL 17). This year is filled with breathtaking moments, mostly in response to the love in your life. You're physically getting into shape in June. The distance between you and a loved one will close up in July. Choose your company carefully in October when you are strongly influenced by the circle you "roll" with. Gemini and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 29, 25, 49 and 20.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The eruption of ideas that comes to you may not be socially or politically correct, but that won't stop you. Heated exchanges might actually be positive. What simmers under the surface needs release.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There's not an insect spray out there that could stave away your travel bug. Lately it keeps biting to remind you that there's a big, wide world out there for you to see and you'd better get moving!

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). An attraction could culminate nicely in a business arrangement.

In this case, commerce allows you to learn more about someone than you would by embarking on a purely personal friendship.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). In the social setting you're faced with now, it seems you're being forced to act like you're having fun. Don't be surprised when the act turns into actual fun, and lots of it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Do you have a stash of mad cash? A secret holding place for the money that's just for you to spend on whatever you want, no guilt? If you have one, you add to it today. If you don't have one, this is a lucky time to start.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're not asking for enough help. Maybe you're worried about making requests to people who will wrack up the points and feel you owe them later. If so, call on your angels. They are waiting, no strings attached.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your mind is easily pulled from what's going on and sprung into future plans and speculation. Nothing brings you back faster than getting lost. Navigating unknown territory helps you get back into the now.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm a Libra, unlucky in love. The person I thought loved me (Capricorn) really loved another. Then there's the guy who always loved me (Scorpio) but I don't know if he's right for me."

Libra, you're not unlucky at all. You just swing from one side of the scale to the other, in and out of love. No, not every Libra is destined to ride this up-and-down merry-go-round of love forever, but for a period even Librans in a committed relationship wistfully wonder about the one who got away. As the sign of partnership, you're always looking for the perfect fit. But this may preclude long stints without dating at all — which in my opinion is better than being with someone you're not that into. I say look at singledom as a (fleeting) opportunity — to cultivate inner peace, to beautify your appearance and environment. And work on self-acceptance, those things you think you need to change in yourself. And before you know it, you'll be at your best — and have more dates than you know what to do with. Love-stuck? Read "Rock Your Stars."

CELEBRITY PROFILES: It's a case of art imitates life. Hayden Christensen, the quintessential hero, is destined to meet and deftly triumph over a shadowy figure (or hostile space invader) in real life. As Hayden's Aries sun touches off Pluto in his natal chart, he encounters both the light and dark side of others, ones who appear to have "power over" him but in reality guide him to a truer sense of his own.

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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