Everyone loves Mondays. No? A hard-working, waxing Virgo moon actually helps folks back into the swing of things quite easily, making all too distant memories out of our joyously long holiday weekend by mid-afternoon. Break work into bite-sized chunks, prioritize tasks and be precise to effectively juice this productive day for all it's worth.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your mind is active. Though you are extremely creative as you mentally whirl about, you may find that it's hard to be productive. In order to get the job done, you must calm your thoughts.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You will be undertaking a new endeavor and will find it more useful to follow than to lead. You can sense when you most need to be quiet and receptive so you'll learn faster than anyone around you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Is life a little too hectic to revel in the special moments of love? The moments do come up, and it would be a shame to miss them when they are the only things that really matters. Keep priorities in check.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're spending most of your time in the service of a powerful person with a grand vision. And yet you have ideas, too, many of which are worth pursuing with all of your energy. Believe in your own vision, too.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You embody so many different roles today that it almost seems you're living several lives at once. You are. Each person sees you as a new character. Have fun playing the various parts.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (JULY 7). You eliminate what you don't need and succeed. Narrow your focus to one big goal and suddenly your horizons broaden. Your increased physical health in August helps you carry out new goals. September shows you doing a different kind of work to push a project forward, and it's an exhilarating change of pace. Gemini and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 31, 9, 49, 3 and 18.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Though you tend to exercise caution, behave effectively and plan for the future, you do have a fearless streak that comes out every once in a while, too — like today. Boldly embark on your adventure.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Settle matters fair and square — don't push off resolution for later in the month because it won't be as tidy then. Tonight, sweethearts relate to one another more as friends, but that can be the most fortifying bond of all.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You like having fans — people who favor you with their opinions. But you can't bank on good opinions. Luckily, fans become sponsors over the next few days. Bonus tip: Carry change, you'll need it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You're precious to someone. When you take care of yourself, you're taking care of that person, too, and hundreds of others you come into contact with along the way.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your attitude about money is becoming more positive as you realize to a greater degree that you are in control of how much you make. Exercise the theory today by asking for better compensation.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Sometimes you're a trendsetter, and other times you're happy just to ride the trend. Either way, you have an intuitive grasp of the state of mind the public is in and act accordingly.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You sharpen your skills as you engage in battle with the enemy. But wait — the relationship is changing before your eyes. Who you thought was your enemy is really your ally.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I am a Capricorn (1/9/63) and he is an Aries (4/10/64). We have been together over a year and live together now. We are very happy and I think both a bit cautiously optimistic, too, since we have each had troubled relationships in our pasts. What do the stars make of this relationship? Could there be wedding bells?"

Your caution is justified. But don't worry, you're both older and wiser of heart and living examples that Cupid can indeed earn his wings. Rather than letting the fear or memory of pain divide you, you can use this commonality you share to more deeply understand and bond with each other. Saturn, angling both your Venuses, is the polar opposite of a look-before-you-leap attitude toward love. Together, your charts suggest applying cool reservation and a take-it-slow mentality in heart matters. Sure, marriage is a real possibility; Aries' loyalty and commitment toward you is wildly strong, yet he's in no rush. Neither are you. Allow this relationship to grow legs, and then, like a wine that grows better with age, when the time is right to celebrate your love, you'll know it.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: The 14th Dalai Lama describes himself as a "simple monk" who rises to pray at 3 a.m. each morning, eats no meat, exercises lightly and treats his highly curious mind (Mercury in Gemini) to science-related news tidbits (Moon in Virgo). His aspiration for happiness is startlingly simple and attainable: "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion; if you want to be happy, practice compassion."

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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