Mercury decides to help out our domestic scene, sweeping through Cancer between now and June 25. This will kick up some dust around the homestead, and like many improvement efforts, things might appear to get messier on the way to a gleaming end result. For luck, work with your nearest and dearest for a better home life.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Sometimes other people's drama is hard to distinguish from your own drama, especially when those "other people" are your loved ones. Unless someone really needs your protection, stay out of it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Even if the only person you're competing with is yourself, it's still not a fair game because you're never the same person two days in a row. Competition isn't the point. Showing up consistently to do your best is what matters.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The voice inside you, frankly, can be a bit of a bully if not kept in check. You'll be more aware of your mental self-talk, and through that awareness, you'll tame this harsh influence.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You've known true happiness before, and now you may feel like you're chasing after it, powerless to bring it back. The answer is to stop chasing and start building.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your love of stories isn't an indulgence; it's a necessary part of your growth. A good book will suck you in, and you'll never be quite out of it. It will become part of the way you see the world from now on.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Even if you wanted to, there are not enough hours in the day to reply to every call, letter, email and sales pitch that comes your way. Furthermore, you might be happier replying to none of them today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If you're in a hurry, the first thing to do is slow down. This will prevent you from making mistakes — and since you don't have any time to lose, mistakes will be even more costly. Go fast by going slow.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Strangely, taking on responsibility makes you feel lighter. The more people depend on you the less likely you are to give up. You gain strength and become capable of more.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You've been thinking and planning long enough. It's time to jump in. You probably don't feel completely prepared, and no one ever does. Get in motion anyway.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Thomas Jefferson advised, "When angry, count to 10 before you speak. If very angry, a hundred." When frustration levels rise, hit the pause button, and they will fall just as quickly.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Only you know what pleases you the most. This is a day to slide through that conduit to happiness instead of taking one for the team or compromising for the pleasure of others.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You have a feeling that you can help people, and you're right. The first one you should help is you. Test out your methods, and see whether they work. Keep track of the results.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (June 7). You get to know yourself better this year and discover what you really want in life. The next six weeks are experimental, and a series of temporary situations helps you understand what your next move has to be. An unusual education begins in August. November brings healing for your family. Aquarius and Sagittarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 1, 24, 38 and 40.

12 ASTRO-REMEDIES FOR SOCIAL AWKWARDNESS: Inside the energy of each sign is a lesson that can be applied to remedy the ailment of social awkwardness. The foundation of social ease starts with the Aries dictum: Know thyself. Your awareness of your own preferences and delights will magnetize anything in your environment you are likely to prefer or delight in. People with similar sensibilities will be attracted to you, and you'll hit it off because of all you have in common. You don't have to be an Aries to take this lesson to heart. But what is the best way to get to know yourself? And how will you know that your education is complete?

That last question is easy: It never will be complete. You're always changing. That said, you should be able to answer some basic questions about your likes, dislikes and interests, so self-inquiry is the best place to start the journey to you. What do you like to do? What are your favorite foods, music, sports? What have been the most pivotal moments of your life thus far? How would you describe yourself? What's your story?

Devote time to writing down the answers to these questions and more. You might be surprised by what you come up with and where it takes you.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Gemini Liam Neeson is busier than ever with four major film releases in 2012 alone. From "Schindler's List" to the "Star Wars" trilogy and beyond, this Gemini actor born under a worldly Sagittarius moon has explored characters from many countries, time periods and worlds. The strong intellectual air-sign energy in his natal chart suggests he's a quick study.

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