Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Are you good at pretending? The Pisces sun favors the pretenders of the world and encourages us to play new parts just for fun. As much as you may identify yourself by your various life roles, there is something valuable to be gained — empathy and perspective, for starters — from slipping into another person's shoes for a moment.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There's no need to cater your mood to what's going on around you. You will have one attitude for the whole world. You will feel positive about life, even when no one is watching.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your powers of focus will be challenged. Many people try to get your attention at once. Though it's nice to be needed and popular, you could also feel harried by all the commotion. Take a breather when you need it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll be extremely productive. You'll collect information and resources. Then, based on what you have, you'll clarify a goal. Lastly, you'll plan a sequence of steps that you can follow in the weeks to come.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Events out of your control threaten your workflow or the rhythm of your day, but don't let that make you grumpy. Stay positive, and you'll find a way to do everything you want to do.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Everyone's attention span is shorter than it has been in a while. Be brief wherever possible. E-mails, in particular, should be minimized, as long messages are likely to go unread or be misunderstood.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You'll work with colleagues who have strengths and talents different from your own. You may not share sensibilities, yet this collaboration will produce a fantastic result.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There are some problems that are best sorted out in your subconscious mind. Sleep, meditation and activities that require creativity will help you to synthesize and process your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You've picked up certain qualities from your relations, culture and environment. You'll now take notice of this inheritance and figure out how to make the most of it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Stop letting your age dictate your choices. Take action according to how you feel, not according to how society says you should feel based on the number of years you've been alive.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Exercise doesn't have to be difficult to benefit you. A playful approach to moving your body will have a powerfully positive effect on your mood and health today.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will be struck by a sudden insight. And although it won't be entirely clear, you'll use both sides of your brain to build on this inspiration and ultimately solve a problem.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Harmony makes life pleasant. Dissonance puts people on edge. Let go of the petty grievances. Technically, your argument or complaint is correct, and yet expressing it will only put a damper on the feeling of the day.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (March 7). You'll be lavished with affection this year, and it will seem that no one is immune to your charm. You may have to coax yourself into challenging experiences in April, but as a result, you'll meet lifelong friends. Your emotional well is filled by work in May. June features an exciting new arrangement. Sagittarius and Virgo people will be stellar advisers. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 49, 35, 41 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "With Uranus going into Aries this week, should I expect the worst? I mean, the planet of revolution going into the sign of war — sounds like doomsday. Just wondering if I should prepare my disaster kit..."

You are not alone in your doomsday interpretation of the omens, though it should be noted that there has never been an era in which someone did not think the world was going to end. There are records of such predictions that are almost as old as writing itself. From the Roman martyr Hippolytus' prediction that the world was going to end in 500 AD to the Y2K scare and the more recent expiration of the Mayan calendar in 2012, there is no shortage of fear mongers if you're in the mood for a scary story. The world will end one day. I don't think it will be because Uranus is going into Aries. Whether it will be zombies or killer bees, comets or gamma rays, one thing is certain: You will probably have no control over it. What you do have control over is how you're going to interpret this omen. Let the transit empower you to approach change with enthusiasm, to fight for personal freedoms and to embrace human evolution.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Versatile Pisces actress Jenna Fischer is best known for her role as Pam in the hit television series "The Office." With Mercury, Venus and Jupiter in Aquarius, Fischer feels strongly compelled to help those who cannot help themselves. An avid supporter of animal rescue, she has worked hands-on in animal rescue units, as well as fostering animals and hosting events to raise money for animal rescue.

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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