Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Mercury and Jupiter in opposition suggests that the truth will be elusive. "When distant and unfamiliar and complex things are communicated to great masses of people, the truth suffers a considerable and often a radical distortion. The complex is made over into the simple, the hypothetical into the dogmatic, and the relative into an absolute." — Walter Lippmann

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You'll do something creative. People will come together to experience your work. This is one of the most satisfying feelings — to know you've contributed to the bonds between people.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Though you are as concerned with physical necessities like eating and sleeping as everyone else is, you have one foot in the spiritual realm today. You'll feel connected to the wind.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you expand your identity, you don't all of a sudden leave the old you behind. It's more like that version is absorbed into the new you. There are new layers and dimensions to you that form every time you grow.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). A loved one's history will color the action today. Romantic matters may figure into the plot, as well. Here's a tip to remember: It's better to be a person's last relationship than his or her first one.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The motivational speaker Zig Ziglar suggested that people hide their goats. He said, "They can't get your goat if you don't tell them where it is." You'll communicate wisely, telling people only what you want and need them to know.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are still in the process of training your brain to be positive even when the situation is clearly not optimal. This training requires repetition. So be happy for any chance to practice.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You may lose track of something or have so much going on that a key element falls through the cracks. Forgive yourself. Vow to slow down. You deserve to go at a comfortable pace.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There will be interesting people around for you to talk with, though you might feel at a loss about what to say. Observe your environment. Comment on what you see and hear. A lively conversation will come out of this.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It is sometimes hard to let things go. Then again, being just a tad obsessive does have its benefits. For instance, you can focus intently on something you want to accomplish and not quit until it's done.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There is some kind of magic in the ritual of writing. Commit your goals to paper. You will stick to them if they are written down. Also, write down your wishes and dreams.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You'll go to a quiet place to get away from problems. When you return to the noisy world at a later date, you'll feel refreshed and able to handle all that needs resolution.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It will be important to take notes and keep them somewhere you can return to easily later. Labeling things well and being organized with your work will also be key.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 17). You believe that you deserve to have good things in your life, and you do what it takes to make it happen. The next five weeks bring unusual attractions and adventurous whims. You look out for loved ones, and your loyalty and protection help them to thrive. Your talents grow through 2012 with the help of a teacher. Pisces and Capricorn people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 25, 41, 2 and 29.

THE MAJOR ARCANA OF THE TAROT — THE MOON XVIII: It's no wonder the moon brings out our more primal instincts. With all of her changing, reflecting and hiding, she invites chase. Even the oceans race to find her. On the 18th card of the tarot, the full moon arouses wild creatures of the night, starring a moon-loving crab. The Cancer symbol emerges from the water onto a path flanked by a wolf and a dog. One canine may be tamer than the other, but make no mistake: They are all feral beings. Even if the crab makes it past these creatures, the road ahead is long and winding, leading seemingly to nowhere.

If you draw The Moon card in a reading, you may feel a kinship with that noble crab. The creature clearly has aspirations and seems determined to move things along - to travel and evolve. Yet there are all of these elements to contend with: getting past the canines, handling the curves of the road, trusting that it's all going somewhere or, if it's not, that the journey is still worthwhile. The Moon card might inspire you to do some serious reflecting, just as she does.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Grammy award-winner Eminem was initially rejected by fellow rappers because of his race. His anger grew and became part of a style that catapulted him to the top of the music charts. Libras thrive when they are in harmonious circumstances. Discord is highly upsetting to this sign, as Libras really want everyone to get along. In the case of a difficult domestic scene and hard living conditions, Libra's saving grace is the ability to turn the problem into artistic expression.

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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