The dance of Uranus and Venus in water signs has romantic attractions flourishing in the unlikeliest of places. This may originate from boredom or curiosity, but all in all, our inclinations offer a fresh change of pace. If a wild, kooky or plain out-of-character person or thing tickles your fancy, dive right in. It's all in the name of good fun.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You handle anger well, in most cases preventing it completely. You speak your mind. Also, you kindly make your expectations clear so that people around you are extremely likely to meet them.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). What you started doing for money you're now doing for another set of reasons, not the least of which is that it feels good to be so useful. Your contribution gets more valuable and soon you'll be paid more, too.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your mind speaks critically to you. It's like a chatty friend whose remarks influence your viewpoint to an almost annoying degree. Quiet it down. The fewer judgments you have, the better you conduct yourself.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Everyone seems to need what you have. It's nice to be popular, but you'll soon tire of all the extra phone calls, e-mails and visitors. So you're ready for solitude this evening, and it's wonderful when you get it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may have thought that your good fortune was the luck of the draw, and now you learn something new. There has been unseen assistance. Someone is definitely favoring you, and you probably deserve it, too.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (OCTOBER 9). Your birthday gift from the stars will have everyone noticing a change in you — it's the ability to break habits, alter attitudes and modify behaviors that you feel have been holding you back. People are compelled to contact you in December. Singles: a new love might be an old love. Couples add to their collective family. Leo and Aries adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 21, 5, 31 and 16.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Material comforts that didn't matter to you before now hold a certain fascination. You're willing to work — not necessarily harder, just differently in order to attain a meaningful symbol of your effort.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Time feels more precious to you. You're not taking anything for granted. Toast your various freedoms, including the right to spend time with people you hand-picked to be a part of your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your maturity is impressive to others, though they might not say. You'll enjoy the benefits of an even mood. You don't get stressed out when obstacles arise. You simply try another way.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You don't feel compelled to react to everything that comes up. Being detached from the outcome, you're more patient than those who fear the effect that events will have on them.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Sometimes you're not so sure about how well you're being received, but you should get evidence enough to make up for those days now. You'll see that people enjoy using what you give them, and it's a fine feeling.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Seize the opportunity to really practice. Repetition is your success secret. Push through tired feelings. Go past the point of tedium. A whole new level of effortless mastery opens up to you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You'll be able to shake off a morning funk and get into a super-productive groove. Just imagine you are blowing out any darkness you have inside you. Once you psych yourself up, you'll attract whatever you want.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "On July 6, 2008, my cousin passed away in a fire. After her death, I've had strange dreams and I'm trying find out what actually happened to her. Is there an underlying meaning to my dreams and feelings?"

First, I'm so sorry for your loss. To answer your question, yes, but maybe not in the way you think. Psychologists say dreaming is one way the unconscious mind works out shocks or traumatic events that our waking mind can't handle or accept. The Greeks had a slightly different take on dreaming. They built dreaming temples called Aesclepions where people would go hoping for dream messages. They called these "healing dreams" and these dreams are common even today; though all don't contain literal messages, some do (other dreams were said to process the remains of the day). I encourage you to explore your dreams, especially if you have Pisces, Neptune or 12th house influences in your birth chart — maybe even with someone trained in this. Their healing potential is enormous. All your feelings are accepted in dreamtime. Deeper truths can emerge. And if you're really powerful, maybe you can arrange an astral visit with your cousin. It couldn't hurt to ask!

CELEBRITY PROFILES: We sigh when Mercury in Libra changes direction, as this tends to interfere with our busy life. However, those born during this retrograde period get their heads messed with — but in a good way. The eclectic Yo-Yo Ma was born during a Mercury in Libra retrograde period, influencing his innovative perceptual abilities. He arranges sounds and tones together in a startlingly lush way.

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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