This waning Leo moon is more introspective than usual, though no less dramatic. We can find great amusement in our own thought processes and invent games and stories to privately entertain ourselves. Inside jokes need never be shared. With Mercury and Neptune still squaring off, it may seem futile and so unfunny to try and explain.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Words are never neutral, and now they are even more transparent than usual. Choose carefully how you will describe and respond to things. The egos around you are tender.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Mistakes, while they are not pleasant, are natural and necessary. Lately you haven't been making enough of them, which only proves that your current game has gotten too easy. Stretch yourself.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're an excellent listener when you apply yourself. The people around you have come to expect and depend on you to give your full attention; otherwise they will feel minimized.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have faith in what you understand. When you know the way it works, it's easy to believe in it. So you don't have to work on having more faith, just more knowledge. Today's practical experience will help immensely.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Emotional states are as infectious as diseases. Associate with the happy and fortunate people and be one yourself. Limit your time spent in charity to the miserable and oppressed, so as to maintain your own good cheer.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (NOVEMBER 18). Your charms multiply this year. Communication skills sharpen as you head into the new year and you make many graceful requests that are gladly obliged. The interest of one person is all it takes to set a deal in motion. In January you learn what you need to know in order to increase your earnings. Leo and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 13, 20, 14, 4 and 18.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You clean and brighten your environment and everyone around you is glad for it. You rub off best on those who don't seem to notice or appreciate your efforts. Your cheerful influence is subliminal but powerful.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your discernment is needed in all social matters. Recognize who is good for you and who is a potential danger. Judge others by the effect they have on the world and not the reasons they give for their problems.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Oh, how you love being proven right! It takes all of your emotional strength not to say "I told you so!" It's best to demonstrate the correctness of your ideas indirectly.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Though you demonstrate your high energy on a daily basis, you know when to lie low, too. It benefits you to hide in the weeds and observe the dynamics of a situation before you jump into it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Between all of the birthdays and holiday gifts, as well as charitable donations, sometimes it feels as though you are a non-stop spending machine. Take heart — only generous souls achieve greatness.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). A new experience unlike any you've had causes a revelation inside you. You now relate to someone you found puzzling. In an instant, what you used to judge becomes cause for compassion and understanding.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). People move in and out of your life to varying degrees. The ones you spent many hours with last week may get only a little of your attention this week and it's all perfect. Flow with the changes.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm a Scorpio getting ready for my wedding on Saturday, Nov. 29 and I'm freaking out. I'm supposed to be having the time of my life right now and instead I feel overwhelmed and annoyed. How can I avoid being a 'bridezilla'? My fiance is a Virgo, and my mother, who is driving me crazy, is a Virgo, too."

You've been the star of the zodiac for the last few weeks and this can be wonderful and a lot of pressure all at the same time. But with the planetary mood shifting toward Sagittarius this week you'll start to relax and let other people do the worrying. Your Virgo mother and future Virgo husband have all the details under control and back up plans to boot. On your special day, the gregarious Sagittarius sun will be your party planner, making sure that everyone is mingling well and that your night is laced with excitement. The Capricorn Moon watches to be sure that every tradition is honored and the correct sentiments and respects are naturally bestowed to the right people. You have absolutely nothing to worry about, so just knock it off. Relax and seize every opportunity to laugh, love and have a good time.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Frat Pack member Owen Wilson is a charmingly sly Scorpio with four luminaries in the sign of magnetic appeal. Though his forte is obviously comedy, from "The Royal Tenenbaums" to "Wedding Crashers," his work resonates with a full range of emotion. He'll soon get the chance to do a dramatic role and his chart shows the potential to earn an Academy Award for it, too.

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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