FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2011 by Holiday Mathis on Creators.com

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FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2011

Mars and Jupiter throw down fighting words, adding extra stress and strain to the world of economics. Luckily, this aspect only occurs once this year. Ambition is a funny thing. Without it, nothing much gets done. With too much of it come imbalance and destruction. That's why ambition is a force best tempered by humility and compassion.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Think about the skills you've already learned in your life. It wasn't easy, but with practice you got there. And you're about to add new tricks to your bag. Your brain is like a muscle that gets stronger when you exercise it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your powers of visualization are pumping. You will put this state of heightened imagination to good purpose. For instance, you might use it to gaze into the future and see the person you will become.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Take advantage of downtime and rejuvenate your energy. There is no right way to relax. If you are feeling carefree and loose, then whatever you're doing is working.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). In many ways, you are just being born. Giving yourself too much to think about and do will stunt your growth. Pare down your schedule and focus your attention on the obviously essential tasks on your list.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). This day is all about partnership. You cooperate well with others, and you get things done quickly and easily. You get the same benefits from giving as you do from taking when you give with joy and take with gratitude.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Stress can hurt. Strain becomes pain. The best way to avoid this circumstance is to resolve not to worry so much in the first place. Detach yourself emotionally, and you will be able to handle things easily and maybe even joyfully.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're looking good today, but why settle for good when you could be ravishing? All it takes is 10 percent more attention to the details, and suddenly you sparkle and shine.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll excel without trying very hard. This will probably annoy your peers. What's your winning secret? You view the work involved as a form of play.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You will listen to your inner voice. If there are secrets being kept from you, you'll sense what they are about and slyly poke around until you get an answer.

CAPRICORN (Dec.

22-Jan. 19). A game that was fun in the early stages has rapidly become a joyless struggle. You hate to quit, and yet quitting just might be the smartest thing to do.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The clock seems to be laughing at you. It's speeding up and slowing down at will, just to mess with you. Remember: You can be a great manager! You've got to show Time who is boss.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A boost in your physical vitality has a domino effect on the other areas of your life. Your self-esteem percolates, your love life shimmers, your financial horizons open up.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 2). Some previous roles won't apply, and you'll happily embrace your new incarnation. A new relationship helps you transition smoothly in letting go of who you used to be. Through fall, you will have greater freedom and heightened creativity. You'll teach and share your wisdom in January. Finances pick up in March. Cancer and Sagittarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 1, 20, 44 and 29.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: This week is better for lovers than it is for fighters. Mars and Jupiter square off, adding extra stress and tension to the realm of economics. Maybe it's a rat race out there, but a few dogs and sharks have entered the contest, and they're in it to win it. Your best defense is a laid-back attitude. Ambitions will backfire, the competition is mad-stiff, and the more you try to control your scene the less control you'll have over it. But if you keep this one principle at the heart of your dealings, you could succeed in spite of the odds. Here it is: People first. Nothing good happens when you proceed without the cooperation, agreement and trust of people. Even if you're acting in the best interests of everyone involved, it won't work unless they believe this, too. And it won't be a rational choice, either — you must win people over on an emotional level. This week's transits present the opportunity to lay down your arms. Forget about what's at stake for a moment, and focus on the people. What are their wants, needs, worries and wishes? Once you know this, you'll be able to do good business together.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Preeminent American portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz is a wielder of bold choices, a natural provocateur and an engineer of surprise. Her artistic and iconic photographs have heavily influenced the look of celebrity culture for decades. Leibovitz was born with the sun, communicative Mercury and dreamy Neptune all in Libra, the sign of artistic harmony.

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.