Lady Love changes signs today, and hearts forego the heady rush of Aries for the natural ease of Taurus. What is love? For Taurus, love is obvious, unpretentious and true. Love is reliable, uncomplicated. We're romanced by creature comforts, sitting quietly side by side on a porch swing — proving love is a quality of appreciation and presence.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You always have a choice of responses. When the stress is on at work, you can let it get to you and panic, or you can see it as a challenge and excel (just like you usually do when faced with a challenge.)

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If you find the task that you're assigned to be less than fascinating, it may very well be that you're not giving it your full attention. The details — the glorious, captivating details — will enthrall you if you give them a chance.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Invest your time and patience in listening to the stories of those much younger and much older than you. You could single-handedly bridge the generation gap through your immense understanding.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You fantasize about getting someone else to do the mundane projects while you express the whimsy of your gray matter. However, it's the mundane projects that make you imaginative. Be hands-on and be a genius.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Lately your social obligations have you spending more than you expected to on things for other people. There is a way to be generous and also to be frugal. Ask around, find deals, be creative.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (APRIL 30). You've always known that you deserved the finer things in life, and this year you can afford to give yourself some of them. You're figuring out your niche. Loved ones who know you well have told you for some time now about your strengths, but you had to come to it on your own. Investments in June pay in December. Gemini and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 25, 1, 16 and 42.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sometimes you get a little bit uncomfortable with your own power. You can show how much you like and trust someone without allowing that person to make a decision for you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It's wonderful to know what you want. It's something to celebrate! Though you sometimes get discouraged, take solace in the fact that you know your heart. You'd be surprised how many people don't.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Being a hero is not always about running into a burning building.

People around you think of you as a hero because you pay attention when they need it, in the way that they need it the most.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Conflicting information is presented to you. Luckily, your sensors are set to maximum intuition. Trust the reality of your senses. Your connection with Pisces will be particularly strong.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have vision and talent. In stolen moments, you dream of your destiny. Someone might say you can't do it. That's the first sign that your desire is worthy of you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When you explain your circumstance, are you met with a glassy-eyed gaze? Are those who are supposed to be listening simply waiting to speak? Find a Taurus or Virgo to confide in and you'll be satisfied that you were heard.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The line between business and friendship gets blurred. However, the financial part of the equation is a reality that can't be ignored, for the sake of both friendship and business.

ASTROLOGICAL TOPICS: Venus enters Taurus today and the love goddess has returned to her home sign, modifying our love sense and sensibilities. Taurus is an earth sign, and if love isn't a tangible, sensual, demonstrable quality, it's not her thing. She appreciates physical presence, simple luxuries and anyone with a nesting instinct and a green thumb! Look at a Taurus' garden or houseplants and you'll know the nature of their relationships — if it's well tended and thriving, chances are their relationships are doing the same. In fact, one can apply all gardening principles to love during Taurus times. Consistent care, a stable environment and a stretch of time together are essential for Taurus love to fully bloom. So it goes that with an unreliable partner, it's practically impossible for Taurus to root and grow. Taurus companions learn the value of patience, too, for the bull is slow to make up their mind, or change it once they've made it up. In a scuffle, they're slow to forgive, but their loyalty wins out. Sweet on a Taurus? Get ready to nest. The wedding vow line "to have and to hold" epitomizes the way this sign equates love with loyalty: you're mine forever!

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Kirsten Dunst and other Taurus people are on a quest to slow down and find serenity this year. Slowing down is not only essential for any Taurus person — it's a move toward sanity. Maybe there's no better place to tap into the universal well-being than time spent in nature. Kirsten might find gardening healing and restful this year, perhaps even starting a new celebrity trend.

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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