Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Once upon a Roman Republic, the calendar had only 10 months, beginning with March. That made October the eighth month of the year, thus its "octo" root, which is Latin for "eight." The worldly Sagittarian moon suggests we take notice of such factoids, as they add interest and help us appreciate the rich history we build upon daily.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). For you, unconditional love isn't an emotion; it's a state of being that allows you access to a number of powerful emotions. You're at your best when you love this way.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You wouldn't make a goal of being nice, because you know that being nice should be a given at this stage of your game. But try not to judge the goals of those who are in a different stage.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Today you may be an unwilling participant in the process of growth and change, and yet you show up and do your part. It will get much easier for you from here on out.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You stop looking for the easy way to fix a problem and instead go to the source. If you can pull this "weed" up by its roots, it won't come back anytime soon.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It's time to get shrewd with your focus. Ignore anything in your life that suggests you will have a different or lesser outcome than the one you really want. If it feels like a worry, doubt or fear, ignore it. Do not engage. Just walk on by.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You welcome the opportunity to practice over and over until you are quite masterful at a task. You realize that having the time and resources to learn is a sort of luxury, and you appreciate this.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). People who care about you will show their caring in funny and unexpected ways. You'll take each gesture in stride, sometimes more amused than pleased, but it's touching to see the effort.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll speak your truth and be tempted to elaborate on it endlessly. It takes restraint to quit when you're ahead, and that's precisely what you should do. Short messages ring the loudest.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll really go for what you want today, and you'll make sure to do this in a manner you can later be proud of. Your courage and tenacity are tempered by your deep wells of compassion.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You'll be surprised at the words that come out of your mouth.

Perhaps these words aren't really how you feel at all, but they somehow spring from the awkwardness of the moment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your interest in a person is growing. There's a quality or bit of knowledge you hope to achieve, and this person could be the key. Trust that there are many "keys" that will unlock this part of you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A scene that was once exciting has lost its charm. When it all gets a little too familiar, you feel the impulse to roam. You'll come back with new inspiration and inject fresh energy into the tired scene.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 1). This year features travel opportunities. You'll win a sort of prize in November. Your desire to improve and learn brings you into an educational setting. A fascination leads to a source of income in January. Your animal magnetism is turned up in May. Take initiative in business in June. Gemini and Cancer people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 25, 12, 24 and 16.

CARDS OF THE MAJOR ARCANA — THE CHARIOT: The illustrations on tarot cards vary from deck to deck, though many decks try to stick to the main themes and symbols that have been handed down for 500 years. Recently, Italian-born artist Francesco Clemente took on the challenge of the tarot with interpretive paintings featuring his friends and family in many of the roles. For instance, his exhibit at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence features Fran Lebowitz as Justice and Philip Glass as The Judgment. And this brings me to my own casting interpretations. I cannot look at The Chariot without putting Anthony Robbins at the helm of the vehicle. The Chariot is the card of motivation, goals and focused drive. It is the impetus for high-level achievement and the courage to invoke the "giant within." The Chariot is, in a word, passion. Passion is the engine that fuels accomplishment or, in the case of The Chariot card, the horse that makes the whole race happen. The Chariot card urges you to gather the tools and skills necessary to succeed in your endeavor, and to take the actions necessary to stay focused and motivated for the entire race.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Julie Andrews was named Dame by Queen Elizabeth II. She brought her honorary regality to her role as Queen Lillian in the "Shrek" series, as well as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in the "Princess Diaries" series — and these aren't the first times she's played royalty. Libran natives often have a certain graceful carriage suggestive of the well-born, and they enjoy cultivating noble manners.

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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