The opposition between Mercury and Neptune will be exact today, though the energy of the aspect has been felt for weeks now. This cosmic tug-of-war causes tension between the realm of communication and our belief systems. Discussing your beliefs will bring them to inquiry. Just because you take a fact for granted doesn't make it true.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It will be easy for you to think of others. You'll be treated with the respect you deserve, largely because you are so respectful of everyone with whom you have dealings.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When you look back on what you once thought was a huge problem, you can't believe how complicated it seemed. Once a problem is solved, the solution seems so obvious.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Don't be too timid to ask for help. The more you involve others in your process the more cooperation you will receive. By asking for help, you will give others the opportunity to do something they will later be proud of.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Keep your energy contained. Don't let friends lead you off your path. Stay focused. Instead of doing a million different tasks and being busy, do one task a million times and be successful.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may find it challenging to stick to your schedule. Much of it just doesn't sound appealing to you anymore. You crave new and exciting twists. Your association with a Gemini could provide just what you need.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are highly imaginative and will benefit from pursuing your artistic whims. Be careful not to seek a metaphysical explanation for a problem that could be solved easily through practical means.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You will find inspiration as you withdraw from the mainstream and investigate new venues. You may do this via the Internet, though it will be more motivating to talk to people face to face and see an environment first hand.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are some things in your life that you haven't thought to question until recently. Now you're filled with questions, and you will find answers as you bring your quiet and luminous gaze to the moon.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You will be analyzing someone's contributions and interactions with you. To you, it feels like the kindness this person shows is motivated by fundamentally selfish reasons, and you may very well be right.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Parenthood, friendship and romance are not normally classified as competitive events. However, today presents an interesting scenario. If it's not a competition, you don't know what is.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What you consider to be trivial, someone else considers to be deeply profound and personal. You are aware of these differences in opinion and will tread carefully.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You are even more resilient than usual and will shake off the troubles of yesterday and come bounding into brand-new troubles that are far more interesting, exciting and glamorous.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 8). This year sees you becoming a master of your time. You'll make meaningful connections this fall, and many hours will be spent with a special loved one. October brings a happy development in the realm of health. A work cycle ends in December, and new exciting projects start in 2011. April and August are ideal for travel. Pisces and Aries people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 14, 38, 11 and 27.

ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS — MERCURY IN VIRGO: If you could sit and stargaze from planet Mercury, you might be struck by the awesome contrasts in the heavens above you. The Mercurial view features the sun appearing about twice the size of how it looks from Earth, but in spite of the big bright sun, the sky looks black, even in the middle of the day. This is because of Mercury's lack of atmosphere. A Mercury dweller could conceivably stargaze at any time of day or night, which would be a convenient way to pass the time, since one day/night cycle takes about 180 Earth days. Of course, said Mercury dweller would first have to get past the thousand-degree weather.

The reason I bring it up is that Mercury is featured in today's astrological events as he travels retrograde from the realm of Leo into the realm of Virgo. In Virgo, Mercury is "exalted," which is an astrological omen that has lasted through the ages. Also, Mercury rules Virgo, so this placement is doubly auspicious. The lucky omens may even override some of the more tricky aspects of a typical Mercury retrograde.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Pink may be a rebellious pop star, but motherhood suits her nurturing Virgo instincts beautifully. Her sun, Mercury, Venus and Saturn in Virgo indicates a highly involved parenting style, as well as a vigilant and protective motherly instinct. Mars in Cancer, the sign of mothers, suggests that Pink will be reborn artistically as a result of this new influence in her life and work.

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