Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Mercury may still be making mischief as he travels backward (at least from our point of view) in Virgo, but at least he stops in to chat with the Virgo sun today, creating an alignment that strengthens our sense of purpose. Not only do we know what we need to do next, but we will be able to quickly organize our lives to make it happen.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Magicians know better than to do tricks for anyone under 5 — it's harder to lead their focus away from the mechanics of the trick. When you know what to overlook, you can sit back and let the magic happen.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You can have an excellent time with someone who doesn't share your likes and dislikes. But in order for this to happen, at least one of you has to have an open mind. Today it has to be you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). We all tell ourselves lies from time to time, but a certain friend of yours makes sure to dispel yours as soon as she catches wind of them. This one, though not always pleasant, is a keeper. Tell her so today.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You can walk away from any problem. Remembering this today might keep you from feeling trapped. You have options other than the ones you currently see. To get a fresh perspective, ask a Virgo.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Risk is on the agenda, and the best kind will be both personal and professional. Perhaps you actually can make money at that crazy hobby of yours. This is an excellent day to suggest that someone pay you and find out.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your stream of consciousness is a wide one with influences spanning from a variety of sources. When you focus these ideas through a narrow channel, you will produce something of great worth.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your sneaking suspicion is correct. Someone likes you an awful lot. This person wants to show you, but isn't sure whether you'd be receptive. If you are, you need to give a big hint.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Tenacity is a talent that some are born with and others must work hard to attain. But anyone can attain it. And you should definitely give it a go. You might change your tactics, but do not give up.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You will go above and beyond what you were trained to do and what you are expected to do. You like it when people appreciate you with praise — especially the kind of praise you can put in your wallet.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19).

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). As much as you would love to swoop in and save the day, what is really needed is teamwork. If all the glory goes to one person, all the blame and resentment will go to that person, too. Get everyone to pull together.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The judge inside your head is keeping you from being as free and expressive as you really want to be. Don't worry. You can do your thing without going against social etiquette or making anyone too mad.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (September 3). This year is punctuated by an important personal victory. Unexpected invitations will lead to money, new friends and cultural expansion. In October, you'll trade in old goods for something you've wanted for a long time. Politics will affect your work in November. Professions of love ring out in February. Capricorn and Libra people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 4, 12, 48 and 14.

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST: ARIES: Your oddball interests will lead you to one as quirky as you. TAURUS: A different social lineup will put excitement into your love life. GEMINI: Talk to three strangers. At least one will make you glad you initiated contact. CANCER: Your accomplishments are impressive — even more so when you don't tell people about them all at once. Let it leak slowly. LEO: Hot prospects will be interested in you, but only after you loosen them up by showing interest in them first. VIRGO: There's an important task at hand. You could do it in your sleep, but let a loved one do it anyway — just to balance things out. LIBRA: Be ready with interesting topics to dish, in case the conversation devolves. SCORPIO: You have that special glow about you again. SAGITTARIUS: Trust a loved one, and this person will trust you right back. CAPRICORN: No need to look around for someone to sizzle up a humdrum scene. You are the spice. AQUARIUS: Your flaw is apparent, and that's good news — someone thinks it's one of your most attractive qualities. PISCES: Hang with someone who can groove without getting too offended by this imperfect world.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Virgo and Scorpio could curl up in a love nest and forget the rest of the world even exists. Their combined forces can create an impenetrable bubble in which the two can forge a kind of kooky, pleasant closeness that outsiders just wouldn't understand. Both have intense powers of concentration that, when focused on each other, serve to bond them in a unique and passionate union.

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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