Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Jupiter went retrograde yesterday, beginning a review of our recent efforts to expand our realm of influence or add to our material possessions. You might already be thinking of taking back something purchased, refinancing a loan or renegotiating the terms of a financial arrangement. Always remember that relationships are our true wealth.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You will do purposeful work. It may not be related to the job you do for money. Amateur status frees you to be creative and unbound by the rules that bind others who must make a living at this.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You may be feeling shy, but don't think for a minute that this gets you out of social obligations. You'll show up and make more friends than anyone else. After all, people feel comfortable with those who are shy.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If you want to be creative, you must go beyond the fear of not knowing enough or being good enough. It should help you to realize that most creative people are insecure — it comes with the territory. Man up.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Moments spent disliking your job or not knowing what to do are wasted time. Change your inner dialogue about work. You are a healer and a helper. When you are at peace with this, your talents will be put to good use.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There will be a funhouse effect on your day. It's like you wait in line to enter a great hall of mirrors. And while you're inside trying to find your way out, you may wonder why anyone would pay for such an illusion.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are many things, but one thing you are not is a faker. In a world of posers, you know what you know, from the inside all the way out. You're a person of substance, and that's what everyone notices now.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). What is going on in the black box of this person's mind? You may never know, and for some reason that might bother you now. What's important is that you know what's going on in your own black box.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You're not looking for a love that will lift you up and carry you away. A love that will stroll alongside you and make a few amusing comments will suffice on a day like today when you have plenty else to concentrate on.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). If they held a World Cup of charm, you would almost certainly win these days. When you turn it on, your way with people is almost completely irresistible. Use your powers for good.

CAPRICORN (Dec.

22-Jan. 19). Look through pictures, listen to old songs, get out the yearbook. A trip down memory lane will remind you who you are and how far you've come. It will also inspire you to shape your future.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You might be disappointed in the level of attention a loved one gives you, but at least this affords you some time to yourself. You are too wise to rely on others to entertain you anyhow.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A sudden shift in a relationship between two friends means you have to make a difficult choice. Or do you? Neutrality works for Switzerland. There is still a way to be friends with everyone.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 24). This birthday is a fresh start — it's like you press the "reset" button and whatever was holding you back before disappears. Relationships will be especially harmonious through the next five weeks. September features a sweet deal. November brings travel and excitement. You'll be picked for an honor in February. Gemini and Sagittarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 40, 30, 13 and 4.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "What is an astrological cusp?"

The cusp is the borderline between two houses of your horoscope chart. The sign on each cusp determines the ruler of that house and, therefore, its qualities. By way of example, let's say that your Gemini is on the cusp of your eighth house. This tells me that you take an intellectual interest in the big life questions, particularly those pertaining to life after death, resurrection and the transformation of the soul. You may write or lecture on these topics, as you find them endlessly fascinating. The four most important cusps are those in your first, fourth, seventh and 10th houses, as these are the cardinal points on your celestial compass, so to speak. The sign on the first house cusp is especially noteworthy, as this is your rising sign, or ascendant, and reveals much about your personality. The fourth house cusp reveals the symbolic foundation of your childhood. Your seventh house cusp shows how you relate to other people one on one. Your 10th house cusp reveals your public image: how you act as an authority figure and how you're seen by your superiors, as well as your area of expertise.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Anna Paquin once had the unusual honor of winning an Academy Award at age 11. Then again, this Leo, with Mercury in Leo, too, fits into the entertainment business with stellar grace. Add the emotional depth of Venus in Cancer and Jupiter in Scorpio to the equation, and the rare raw quality that emerges is practically screaming, "Award me!" Paquin could earn another Oscar in her lifetime.

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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