Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

The moon enters her home of Cancer, breathing fresh air into our domestic realm. There's lots of cleaning, polishing, decorating, cooking (and let's not forget shopping!) to do. And though this kind of work can sometimes be joyless and often goes unappreciated, today is different. It's actually fun, and the effort will be praised.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There is no waiting around in your world today. You are always doing something — mostly working, sometimes watching to see what happens, but never just waiting around.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You are not boring, and therefore, you are not bored. You can always find some interesting way to turn around a static situation or to ask an exciting question to stir unpredictable answers from a rather predictable source.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your kindness disarms people and puts them in a warm and fuzzy frame of mind. Bottom line: Relaxed people take out their wallets. That's why you'll succeed in sales!

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Try not to be so easily irritated. Being socially successful requires that you let a few minor mistakes and annoyances go by without giving them too much of your attention. Ease up on the rules a bit today.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're after a goal that a lot of others are after, as well. Hold your ground as everyone jockeys for position. You'll settle into your rightful place by the end of the day.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are in such a fanciful mood lately that you may have to adjust your expectations to keep them in the realm of reality. Once you do this, you are happy with all you experience.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sometimes you get tired of having to put so much thought and energy into presenting yourself socially. Does it really matter what you're wearing? And how! It matters particularly today, so keep up the effort.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll be exchanging gifts. If a gift is extremely appropriate, it will be well received. A gift of much greater value that is not appropriate will be regarded with suspicion.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Whenever you mix it up with a certain someone, strange discord starts to happen around you. It's too consistent to properly fall into the realm of "coincidence," don't you think?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Someone slipped up, and it wasn't you. You don't want to go on a righteous crusade over the issue — that would take a lot of your energy and attract undesirable attention from others.

You'll be discreet and classy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will have to fight to stay focused, especially when you interact with someone as creative and diverse as you are. One topic will lead to another, and soon you are so far off that you can't even remember where it started.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There are times to stretch, learn and grow, and there are times when it's more appropriate to stay comfortable and contained — like today. Avoid those people who give you a strange feeling.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 17). Your success secret is simple this year. You plan, take action and complete the mission. Your determination is unparalleled, and when you reach the top of one mountain, you immediately set your sites on the next one. Admirers and fans flock to you in February. Family ties fortify you, especially in March. Taurus and Scorpio people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 2, 11, 24 and 19.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm going to start a babysitting business this year. What do you think I should do first? I'm a Cancer, and my friend is a Gemini. We're in this together. Do you think we'll succeed? We are both 13. Also, what's the best way for us to go into business and make money? I have plenty of experience babysitting my brother, who is 3 and a Taurus."

Cancer is the sign of mothers. Your sign is nurturing and loyal and has a strong instinct about what mothers expect of their children and their children's caretakers. Build your business around the idea that you are there to care for, protect and entertain your young friends, but also to make their parents' lives easier. That will involve attention to detail. You would do well to follow a manual or take a community class to ensure that you are completely ready for the very important responsibility of looking after young children. As for your friend, she'll be very helpful in the sales department. Gemini people are communicative, likeable and great at putting others at ease. Cancer and Gemini are next-door neighbors on the zodiac wheel, and you have a close and special relationship with your Gemini friend. Best of luck!

CELEBRITY PROFILES: First lady Michelle Obama is an Ivy League scholar, an advocate for healthy eating and poverty awareness, a fashion icon and a role model for women around the world. She describes herself first and foremost as Sasha and Malia's mom. Obama was born when the sun and Mercury were in organized and traditional Capricorn. Her moon and Venus in Pisces suggests a highly developed intuition.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CREATORS.COM