Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Challenges abound as the sun in Libra squares off with Pluto, that far-off dwarf planet named for the ruler of the underworld. Many will be curious about the mysterious world that lies around the corner. For some, the curiosity drives them to make the turn. For others, the mystery is repellant. Maybe all fear is fear of the unknown.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It seems almost unfair the way it only takes you a moment to conjure up an image of your ideal scenario, but it can take a lifetime to bring this imagining into reality. Don't worry. Your current dream won't take quite as long.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have the ability to plant a lovely thought in someone else's mental landscape. Put something there that is conducive to growing in the unique conditions of a friend's world.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Short breaks are a good idea, unless, if given the choice, you think there's a chance you won't come back to finish your task. You are on the final stretch, so don't give up now.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). When you observe people, sometimes you can read what they are thinking as clearly as if they were cartoons with thought bubbles over their heads. Today will bring several such instances.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). While dealing with artistic types, keep in mind that they can be insecure and often need a good deal of praise and nurturing. Actually, it helps to remember this in all of today's dealings.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The most important job to do is the one you agreed to do long ago. It might not be the most glamorous job, but its importance cannot be argued. Your future good fortune springs from this work.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You could still make your aim, but if you fall short of the goal, it won't be by much. So stay friendly to yourself. Anyway, you're much further along than you would be if you hadn't made a goal at all.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Delayed reactions are a normal part of life. For instance, you may not even realize how you feel about today's events until a week from now, when the excitement has completely blown over.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You are in high gear all day. Your friends will regard you as some kind of superhero, even though your tasks are mostly domestic and there are no villains to fight.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Of course you want things to work perfectly at all times.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Some are content with the information they are given. You like to know the backstory of those you come into contact with. Go easy on the questions, though. You'll learn more through observation.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The ones who have something to teach you are not always wearing classroom-appropriate clothes and carrying textbooks. You'll get valuable training from an unlikely person.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 25). You are in demand, and it will take skill to give everyone the love and attention they want from you. You'll be pampered in October and will upgrade important tools in November. In January, your investments are seeds that you plant and then leave unattended. They grow naturally, and you'll see your fruits in August. Cancer and Taurus people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 21, 25, 14 and 37.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm a single father (Aries) with sole custody of a 6-year-old girl (Cancer). My ex-wife has visitation rights and rarely exercises them. Yet she continues to fight me for custody. I'm being persecuted by lawyers and representatives of the state. I am an excellent father who only wants the best for his daughter, and in our case, the best thing is for her mother to stay far away. I'm the one who should be angry — my ex-wife became a drug addict and left me for another man. If she really loved her daughter like she professes to, she would leave us alone. What should I do to get my ex-wife off my back?"

In this highly stressful circumstance, the best thing for a hotheaded Aries to do is get into a peaceful mode of operation. It is unhealthy for you to carry around this negativity toward your ex-wife, and this will sorely affect your daughter's self-esteem, as well as her future relationships, as she picks up on your anger. Cancer people are very sensitive! Find a healthy way (perhaps with the help of a therapist) to deal with your anger. As you become less angry, the situation will clear itself up as if by magic.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Academy Award-winner Catherine Zeta-Jones is a sharing and caring Libra. She even shares her birthday with husband Michael Douglas. They may be 25 years apart, but these Libran loves have so much in common, including two children. Libras are sophisticated and artistic. They enjoy an intellectual connection, prize friendship and devote themselves to a harmonious lifestyle.

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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