Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

Mars and Uranus are the baddest bad boys of the solar system. These planets square off in a cosmic barroom brawl. The damage could be as minimal as a few knocked-over chairs, though it's not an energy to be underestimated. The streetwise way is to steer clear of conflict. Don't like someone's vibes? Cross to the other side of the street.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your big idea is becoming a full-blown ambition. Stay theoretical. It's not time to act yet. Seek patient, understanding and flexible teammates to help you work out the details.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Needing everything to be smooth is a detriment to success. The better you can tolerate small, bothersome details, the farther you will go in business and pleasure.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You may find that you are easily distracted by things that don't really matter. Take it as a sign to change tracks. Go for a walk, call a friend, or do something else on that lengthy to-do list of yours.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your will is not the same as what the others want from you, though a certain loved one is so slick that you may not notice this right away. Do not make any decision when you are feeling overloaded or pressured.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Though you try not to expect too much from loved ones, you also know that patterns are likely to repeat. The one who has impressed you before will soon impress you again.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are willing to take a risk when it comes to love, but not when it comes to commerce. Keep your money where it is until you completely and thoroughly understand and trust the investment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Love erases discomfort. This afternoon, knowing that you are accepted and adored will come as a psychic relief. And tonight, you will in turn give similar emotional support to someone else.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Children want to be grownups, and grownups want to return to a life of few responsibilities and limited liability. Make the novel choice — enjoy your age. You could start a trend.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll plan your workout well, though unpredictable events will challenge that plan. Your strength is your astounding adaptability. You could even be promoted for this talent in the weeks to come.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Just because someone is a supporter of yours doesn't mean that an exchange will be easy.

Dealing with good friends could cause you much more stress than it's worth now.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There is little to be gained from fame. Pursue usefulness instead. That is what will make you happy and wealthy. Capricorn and Virgo people will be helpful business partners.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Get on top of the wave, and you'll glide like the freest of beings. Get underneath it, and you'll be pummeled and dragged down. So make a strong effort to leap up and take the ride that's offered.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (August 9). You have serious projects to complete this year, so you plan well, guard your time and keep everything on course. October brings a victory. Your personal life sparkles with opportunity and surprises. You'll journey with a kindred spirit in December. There will be many amusements. You'll close a deal in May. Aquarius and Virgo people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 25, 2, 24 and 35.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I would be thrilled if a certain Gemini returns my feelings. I've had a crush on him for almost three years. The reason I haven't acted on it is that he was in a relationship. Actually, he still is, but I have reason to believe they are on the outs. Should I sit around and wait for him to become single, or should I let him know that I like him in hopes that it will speed up the process? He's a Libra."

Two air signs have an easy rapport, and I'll bet you clicked together with this Gemini so easily when you first met that you immediately had the feeling you were meant to be friends, if not more. However, you should take into account the absolute devotion that Libra tends to have to his sweetheart. He doesn't take his commitments lightly. Even if he is the one to break up a relationship, he will need space in between to grieve the bond. Libra feels that love is sacred. Cheating is not something that comes easily to him, and if something like that were to happen with you, he would feel so much guilt that it would tarnish his feelings for you.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Whitney Houston is a Leo with a lion-sized voice. With well over 400 career awards, including Grammys, Emmys and American Music Awards, and more than 170 million records sold, Houston is one of the world's best-selling recording artists. Houston's passionate moon and Jupiter in Aries signifies a warrior spirit, and Venus in Leo shows a love of entertaining that will never fade.

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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