Like a bubble bath commercial, Neptune takes us away to a comforting escape. You might choose to leave the humdrum world behind by stepping into a fantasy world of your own making. This could take the form of a soak in the steamy tub, a jam session or getting lost in an Edith Wharton novel. Relaxation really does lift the ceiling of our minds.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You're unafraid. As long as you keep choosing the thoughts that keep you brave, you stay that way. Use the powerful astral attention you're getting today to turn a problem into a plus.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your mouth is saying one thing, and your demeanor is saying another. There is something valuable to be gained by paying attention to the subtle messages being passed between you and your loved ones.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're not the only one whose feelings are a bit raw, but you have a classy way of dealing with it. You're wise to avoid controversy. Let the big personalities around you war between each other and don't join in.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're figuring out why you should be grateful for the mixed bag of troubles you've been handed. As dysfunctional as a situation may be, having to navigate through it gives you an edge.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There's something magical waiting for you around the bend. In order to experience this mysterious celebration, you must let go of your preconceived notions, turn away from the known and drift into the unknown.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (SEPTEMBER 28). Your intuitive knowledge is strong, and you'll act on it. You may not be able to articulate what you want, but when you see it, you immediately grab it and hold on tight. A fine teacher puts you to the test in November. You'll go to the bank with what you learn. Romantic escapades make December a lark. Capricorn and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 14, 9, 42, 4 and 20.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Family, work, love — it all mixes together in one beautiful recipe in the week to come. The down time you have with your loved ones now will contribute in an important way to your financial and career picture.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Someone is trying to be supportive, however is probably saying and doing all the wrong things. Give instructions. Let others know how you like to be helped and, while they're at it, delighted.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Eventually you'll rise to the top. However, it won't feel any different from the place you are right now. So you may as well start fully enjoying the dynamics that are going on in this transitional place in your life.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You're not inclined to accept something just because it's not easy to change. Your defiance is appropriate and useful. Those who are weaker than you will benefit from the action you take to make a situation right.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You're the kind of adventurer who is willing to sometimes go against the grain in order to experience what only a few people ever do. You're due for another one of your brave escapades.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There's no need to push ahead. Progress is inevitable. You don't have to make a single move in order for things to develop to the next level. Relax and let it happen.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The question arises about how much you should share. How about everything? That would certainly put an end to the pettiness and squabbling. Astounding luck comes from your willingness to give your all.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: Tomorrow's new moon in Libra begins this week with the opportunity of restoring balance and harmony to our lives and our relationships. We can do this by recognizing where the picture is off-center and using both sides of our brain, the logical left and the creative-intuitive right, to fill out the whole picture. With Mercury in Libra still traveling retrograde, balance may lie in thinking like an artist. Van Gogh would approve! We can do this by dropping how our mind's eye has been trained to see a house, a box or a broken heart, for instance, and notice the negative spaces in our lives. This might be filling an empty spot on a windowsill, a vacant longing to write a book or remodel our house. Our willingness to see differently can change the landscape of our lives and mobilize our inner artist to bring balance into all areas of our lives. By that same token we could recognize that our need for art and beauty is as human as our need for air. Art-making, beautifying our environment or supporting local artistic talent nurtures creative intelligence on personal, interpersonal and celestial levels. Get smart — turn your life into art!

CELEBRITY PROFILES: What makes Libra people so easy to love is their unruffled charm. Light and easy Libra people make friends and influence people as a matter of fact, by ever so smoothly making like a cool breeze on a warm day. This social ease may come easier for a Libra starlet from Texas, Hilary Duff. But with her sun, Venus and Mercury in Libra, Hilary's winsome appeal is sweeter than sweet tea.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.