This Scorpio moon is a quarter moon, meaning that she's completed a quarter of her turn around Earth and also that she's showing us a quarter of herself, which is half of her illuminated side. She squares Mercury, then goes void, of course suggesting that most of what's communicated will not be said aloud.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Consider that you may not actually be the most qualified person to assess your own life. An outside view will help you understand a part of you that you didn't before.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Because the task before you seems to warrant your full focus, you will ration your attention. The ones to the right and left of you can't compete with the job that's at your center.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Though you may think it's no big deal, there's something impressive in your presentation today. It's spontaneous. You'll do what you feel and it boomerangs back to you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It does take an effort to keep current, but you'll manage to stay abreast of people's lives that interest you. The ones who matter most to you will be aware of their honored place.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). This is the day to honor a loved one with the kind of thing that will matter most — a special look, body language that speaks big time, and a quality of attention you haven't given up for a while.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Enthusiasm goes a long way toward helping you accomplish professional goals right now, while personal goals, in contrast, require more restraint and sensitivity.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It is rare these days that you do something for the sake of doing it, because the experience is the main goal. Enjoyment and expansion is the focus now, so get ready to have a good time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Spending too much time watching television is dangerous because passive entertainment keeps you from interacting with the ones who will profoundly influence your future.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Boldness is not about putting your head inside the crocodile's mouth. That's foolishness. Boldness is putting your heart in the hands of another person and hoping for mercy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You take ownership of your actions, partly because you're hyper-responsible and partly because you recognize that it's the best way to guide and control your destiny.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There are always things in life that you must do and don't much like doing. Taking out the garbage and paying the bills are things that will make their way into your day.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You'll be in the position to choose your focus. Look at the moral implications, and let them weigh heavily on your decision-making process. Enjoying what you do is not a sufficient reason for doing it.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (JULY 26). Keep your ears and eyes open through the next six weeks as exciting changes and subtle shifts are happening behind the scenes. In September, you'll feel like a veil is lifted. November and March bring accomplishment and financial bonus. February features a contract. You'll like seeing a different part of the world in April. Libra and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 3, 5, 49 and 1.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "My mother told me that I was born on a bitter moon. That always bothered me because it sounds so difficult. I do have issues with my mom, but I don't think it was because I was born on a bitter moon. Do you have any advice for a "bitter" Capricorn?"

If you were born on what Chinese lore calls the "Bitter Moon," it means that you were born on the full moon of the 12th month. Surely that Moon got its name for the harsh cold that happens that time of the year, and I wouldn't take it personally. The Full Moon in December has been named all kinds of weather-related names by various cultures. It has been called the Snow Moon and the Cold Moon, and, quite practically, the Twelfth Moon. My suggestions is that you re-write the story that disagrees with you, and counter your "Bitter Moon" with a "Peach Moon" which is what the Choctaw Indians call a Full Moon in December. You're mother will surely go along with it, as few can argue with a Capricorn's conviction.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Sandra Bullock's Sun and Mercury in Leo suggest she can be as powerful as a queen and as playful as a kitten, depending on her mood. Her different tones will be reflected in her work next year. She'll appear floating in space with George Clooney in the Sci Fi thriller, Gravity, then lighten things up with the comedy Heat. Venus and Mars in Gemini show versatility, intelligence and wit.

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