Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Yesterday's square of Mercury in Capricorn and Uranus in Aries may have inspired territorial squabbles. The full moon in Cancer is a healer, her balm of choice being the salve of sweet emotions that flow from forgiveness. Even those who are unaware of emotional wounds will experience a new sense of calm that indicates all is well.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There's a task that looks like fun, and yet you'll be a bit intimidated by the prospect of diving into it alone. Ask a friend to join you — ideally, a bold Capricorn, Leo or Sagittarius.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Take initiative. Someone has to make the first move. Your willingness to do so will show that you are confident, and it also will give you an edge on the competition.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You won't be able to force things to unfold. Think of life as a flower bud, still closed and waiting for the sun. If you try to open it with your fingers, you'll only ruin it. Beauty comes from letting things open when they are ready.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Situations that should, in theory, work out will be thwarted instead. Leave the scene for a while. Let the energy of frustration lift from the picture. When you come back to this tomorrow, you'll have a breakthrough.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Once you know what you're supposed to do, you do it quickly and without a problem. Getting to that point may take the entire day. Have fun in the "research and development" phase. All's well that ends well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You'll be inspired by learning about a variety of industries, cultures and subcultures. The lingo and ideas you pick up on will apply to your own business or personal life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your best solutions seem to come when you're not actively trying to come up with them. When you're thinking of something else — or more likely, thinking of nothing in particular — the perfect fix pops to mind.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Never doubt that big things come from small steps. For instance, the small step of meeting someone new could change your entire future. Be ready to introduce yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You like to give people the benefit of the doubt, and yet sometimes there just isn't any doubt. A person who seems to be judging you is, in fact, doing just that. But does it really matter what this person thinks of you?

CAPRICORN (Dec.

22-Jan. 19). Newton's First Law of Motion states that an object at rest tends to stay at rest — unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. You'll be that unbalanced force in someone else's life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You'll be monitoring your own performance, reflecting on what has worked in the past and evaluating all efforts in order to determine a future plan. Take a moment to celebrate how far you've come.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your mind has been chaotic, and now it's ready to calm down. It will be as though life gently released your preoccupations into the ether and handed you a blank page upon which to start a new chapter of your story.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 9). You'll be a beacon for lost souls. You may save someone from loneliness or other peril. You'll certainly bring levity and fun, making life more worth living for those in your company. Stylish influences will contribute to your ever-evolving tastes and interests. Make financial deals, especially with big institutions, in May. Cancer and Virgo people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 1, 24, 15 and 40.

STRESS AND YOUR SIGN: Each sign is different when it comes to stress. What one sign considers taxing another finds exciting, and tension remedies vary from sign to sign, as well. How does your sign deal with the more unnerving aspects of life?

ARIES:

GOOD STRESS: The ram is invigorated by interpersonal dynamics and is not as afraid of conflict as some other signs are. Therefore, Aries will often thrive in a situation that requires Aries to fight for what is right or show loyalty to a person, creed or principle. Challenge can release new stores of energy and purpose for the warrior sign.

BAD STRESS: When Aries feels trapped, the anxiety levels rise. Aries is independent and requires a great deal of individual freedom in order to feel relaxed.

STRESS BUSTER: Sometimes life happens, and it feels as though there is no choice but to react in one way. But there is always more than one choice. Being aware of all available options helps Aries feel in control. There are almost always more options than are readily apparent, though one must be somewhat detached and unemotional to see them.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: The National League of Junior Cotillions named Capricorn Kate Middleton the best-mannered person of 2011. The duchess of Cambridge was born when Mars, Saturn and Pluto were all in the mannered, diplomatic and socially graceful sign of Libra. Her Cancer moon suggests she would make a most nurturing and devoted mother. Mercury and Venus in Aquarius indicates philanthropy.

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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