Uranus stirs up the need for individuality. This surprising planet tips our tastes toward unusual when he spies lovely Venus from across the sky today. The original ideas, things and people we encounter hold a peculiar fascination, elevating our curiosity and intrigue. Love pairings go in exciting yet unsettling directions.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your friends love you and think of you often. Seize the opportunity to reach out and share — the moment you do you, you'll realize the amazing abundance you have to give.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Affection flows easily. You get the validation you need and your feelings are returned. And the best part is that you inspire another person to reach higher goals than he or she imagined were within grasp.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The green-eyed monster of envy rears his head. This isn't so bad after all. It shows you what you really want out of life. Welcome jealous feelings and let them motivate you to new achievements.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It's important that you feel challenged now. Add to your bag of tricks. Acquire new skills. You meet valuable contacts through classes, travel and following your very powerful, intuitive inner voice.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You'll be negotiating for the good of yourself and others. Lead with your love of justice and an innate sense about what is right. If the other person isn't cooperating, just walk away for now.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (AUGUST 23). You're loaded with self-confidence and charisma this year. Update your attitude and get a fresh look in September. There's a taste of the big time in October and you'll be working through the autumn to earn a permanent place in the arena of your choice. Your love life is a thrilling ride in the new year. Cancer and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 21, 49, 33 and 17.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your appreciation of beauty is featured. Whether you're checking out shop windows, museums or working on projects that require your aesthetic expertise, you'll have more fun doing it with a partner.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Realize when it's time to switch gears from business to family. Stop working when you say you will. Let your subconscious untangle work problems while you relax and enjoy your home.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your thirst for excitement is intense, so you're willing to leave your cozy comfort zone in order to quench it. Someone astute notices a change in you. Could this person have a crush on you?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Feed your mind and spirit. When you feel beautiful on the inside, your outside radiates. Tonight, you are flexible and able to connect with friends on a moment's notice. You'll be so glad you did.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). For some people, making plans and talking about them is more exciting than actually executing those plans. Enjoy the thrill of the conversation, but expect that you may be the only one to follow through.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Put away the to-do list. Cut your responsibilities down to the bare minimum. You need the rest, and you'll feel 10 times more energetic on Monday if you take every bit of relaxation you can get.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You don't need to be anyone other than who you are. Consider that the pressure you feel to perform, impress and dazzle your peers may be self-inflicted. You are accepted and loved exactly "as is."

ASTROLOGICAL TOPICS: Those born during the intellectually ambitious Virgo are always interested in knowing more. It's obvious why! The more you know, the more invaluable you are to those around you, thinks Virgo. What an angel! Virgo has a reputation for being a humble servant, but she's often far more Beyonce than Cinderella, as evidenced by her glamorous constellation where the virgin is (truly) angelic — possessing a set of angel wings and jewels to boot! Her jewels are called the diamonds of Virgo, and the most important of which is a bright star called Spica, also attributed to the discovery of the precession of the equinoxes. It appears Virgos have a natural affinity for astrology! Bright Spica shines as the wheat chaff held in Virgo's hand, offering her versatile abundance to mankind. Wisdom is a commodity that grows in spades for Virgo people, so they rely heavily on their mental processes, figuring they can deduce and influence practically anything through analysis. They often do! However, their need to be ultimately and completely prepared can sometimes hold them back. Those born under this sign know about timing their harvest; they patiently wait, intuitively knowing the right moment to do so.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Giada De Laurentiis has all the right astrological ingredients for rising to the top as a celebrity chef. The sun and Mars both share the personable sign of Leo, contributing to her attractive movie-star magnetism, while a natal moon in Taurus makes her a full-fledged foodie. Taurus moon also inclines her toward familiar comfort foods — yes, the kind you'd find in Italy, her place of birth.

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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