The effectiveness of "beginner's luck" may hinge on the fact that a person who doesn't know what to expect also doesn't see limits. Such a person is open to the full range of what might happen. The Aries moon rules the better part of the day offering beginner's luck to anyone bold enough to try something for the first time.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You've learned a great lesson from your opposition, and the teaching has given you such an advantage that you are hesitant to call your opposition "the enemy." Only a friend could give you such a powerful gift.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It's not usually your style, but today you will be somewhat of a project nomad, wandering from project to project like a gypsy, lingering as long as you want and then moving on.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The fact that your friendships need constant care is not lost on you; however, you sometimes need the understanding of your loved ones, as you don't always have the time and energy to lavish them in your usual way.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The right job speaks to your interdisciplinarity, combining your many talents into a single task. Today you will think past boundaries and blur your skills together to a strong effect.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You've been a hard worker lately and have had a great deal of self-discipline, and yet you'll sense a creeping thirst for leisure. Tonight you'll crave spontaneity and be ready for amusement and play.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). To anyone who knows you and your situation, today seems par for the course. But some on the outside will be astounded by all you're able to do in one day.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Statistically speaking, there is always someone somewhere in the world fighting desperately for life. This sad fact is a call to action for you to appreciate and enjoy everything you have.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). One thing that will take the pressure off of you is to commit to making lots and lots of mistakes. It's what happens when you're in the game. Making mistakes isn't the only way to learn, but it's often the best way.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll do what few people can: You'll separate your identity from your opinions. It's easy for you because you realize that you are not your thoughts. You'll adopt a new point of view and feel how it empowers you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You work hard, but it doesn't feel difficult to you because your work isn't fueled by the energy of your body or mind. It's fueled by the reasons you chose that work in the first place.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). One interest leads to another. You'll be surprised where you end up at the end of the day. It certainly wasn't in the plan. But you find yourself in fascinating company.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You're a convincing actor. If need be, you can act like someone else and get away with it. However, you'd have to maintain the ruse, and that could get exhausting.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 9). This month brings sensational ideas. Act on them, and by the end of August, you'll be in a much different place from where you stand now. September brings your chance to invest in someone else's dream, and yours will come true in the future as a result of what you learn. Make a financial plan, and go for it in a big way in October. Aries and Sagittarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 1, 24, 38 and 17.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "My ex-boyfriend is a Sagittarius. I broke up with him because I found texts on his phone from another girl. The breakup was pretty angry and messy. I have two issues now. One, I want my stuff back. And two, I want him to stop going to the places I like to hang out. There are three main restaurants or clubs that I would like him to stay away from because I want to go there and have fun and not worry about whether or not I'm going to see his face there. How can I get him to do these two things? I'm a 23-year-old Taurus."

Your Sagittarius may be a passionate fire sign, but he's not unreasonable. He'll return your stuff without hesitation if you take the drama out of the request. If you're nice, neutral and calm and simply ask whether it would be OK for you to swing by and pick up your items, he'll say yes, and you'll have your stuff back. Your second request would be convenient for you, except that it also happens to be silly and immature. Sorry, I have to call 'em how I see 'em! Best of luck healing that broken heart, Taurus.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Happy birthday to Hollywood mogul Tom Hanks, whose winning career has developed front and center of the entertainment industry over the past three decades. His sun and Mercury in intuitive Cancer says Hanks is guided by strong instincts. His natal moon, Uranus and Pluto in Leo, the sign of the show business, suggests a knack for making the most entertaining choices.

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.