A helping hand from Mercury to Saturn suggests we have all the tools to skillfully apply our knowledge base to a problem/solution and need only put our heads together. This may be motivated by a freedom mandate, as Uranus and the sun cook up inventive new ways of working within an outdated system.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your visioning powers are strong. It's quite natural and healthy for you to dally in mental escapism. In your head you can act out what you could not, or would not, actually live out.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Honesty defies the laws of supply and demand. Though it's extremely rare and therefore valuable, there are not many people who want to buy it. It is unwise to offer up the truth that was not asked of you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The key to understanding is knowing when you don't understand. Ask questions! Your naivete is so endearing, you'll attract the kind of mentors who want you to succeed almost more than you do.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have imagined a certain path for yourself, but perhaps haven't considered a second or third alternate that might satisfy you even more. Open your mind to new versions of your future.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Formerly tantalizing ideas seem to have lost their luster. It's a signal that you could use a break from this routine, and possibly from routine in general. Break the habits of time and location you've recently fallen into.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (JULY 14). You feel closer to your loved ones this year as you realize your journey is a shared one. The compromise you made in the past is no longer necessary and you can more fully be yourself. Invest in your future in August. Creatively, you're at a high in September. Lifestyle upgrades are finally affordable in October. Virgo and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 13, 2, 51, 6 and 19.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your keen intellect coupled with a healthy respect for words inspires you to sometimes take information too literally. Read the emotional meaning of a communication instead of focusing on the words.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sincerity is crucial to the successful outcome of your quest. You are so smart you could fool even yourself as to your true intentions. Question your own motives. When you fully understand, you win.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your preparations are not in vain. The cautious action you take will be a help to everyone. Tonight, stay out of conflict. Wait until tempers have quelled to offer your opinion or solution.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You and someone far off in different strata are living parallel lives. The similarities are brought to your attention. Empathize, but don't sympathize. Try to see your circumstances and the other person's as perfect.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). What comes easily might go just as easily. It's not a cruel trick of the universe but a gracious test as to how adamant you are about adding something new to your life. If you really want it, hold on tight.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Increase your popularity through generous acts. You can do this covertly so it doesn't seem to others that you are trying to buy their affection. Your casual attitude is wildly attractive.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It may take you a beat to recognize when someone needs your help — your brain just needs to catch up with the sensory input. Once you notice where you can be of use, you'll revel at the chance to prove your loyalty.

GETTING TO KNOW THE ASTEROID GODDESSES: As the precession of the zodiac leads us to the Aquarian age, the balance between the masculine and feminine energies in the world is shifting. Women rise to leadership positions, and more men are homemakers. The Aquarian dictates of progress, liberation and equality. Traditional feminine qualities of nurturing, cooperation, interdependence and sharing are being examined as necessary to the infrastructure of civilization. The precession of ages is one explanation for what's being called the "reawakening of divine feminine consciousness." However, this might've begun some 200 years earlier when the first of the four largest asteroids — Ceres, Pallas, Juno, and Vesta — were consecutively discovered. Their story reads like really good drama and illuminates the feminine experience in ways that the feminine planets, Venus and Neptune (and the moon), don't. The timing of their discovery was fortuitous, also: The 19th century began the suffrage and women's rights movement. Above all, these goddesses are relational. New choices and possibilities open up for men and women. Get to know Ceres, the divine mother, tomorrow.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Does Will Ferrell use humor as a defense mechanism? This sign likes to remain somewhat hidden, and humor could serve as a protective crab shell, disguising a more emotionally porous, even maternal, side. Astro-analytically, it's a Will-calculated strategy, ha-ha! Obviously he's a funny dude. I see a movie in the making — a "Mr. Mom" remake starring Ferrell.

Holiday Mathis is the author of "Rock Your Stars." 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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