Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

With Mercury and Venus so close together in Scorpio, many will feel compelled to name their deeper feelings, investigate them and share them. This needn't happen in a serious way, though. The moon in Gemini, the sign of witty conversation, keeps things light and lively. Much is revealed through humor and friendly exchanges.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You have many advantages, and you play them. That doesn't make you a heartless opportunist. You have plenty of compassion. But if you're not going to be on your side, who is?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You know and like yourself, and you feel relaxed. It's wonderful for everyone around you — they will enjoy being near you. Your laid-back attitude will encourage all to go with the flow.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Time is on your side. Look for opportunities to play with the elastic nature of moments. When you're very focused on an engrossing task, seconds seem to speed up or slow down at your will.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your work doesn't have to happen at the cost of a fulfilling private life. You can have both. In order to do so, you'll have to draw the line and then defend the line you've drawn.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Don't forget about the work you've already done. You don't need to produce the answers from scratch. This is also a good time to check your cupboards before going grocery shopping.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Why hide your talents? Bring them out in the open so people can see what you do. If nothing else, this is great practice. But likely, once people realize what you are good at, new opportunities will arise.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll need physical and emotional strength to power through the challenges of the day with grace. That's why good nutrition and rest are such important parts of your personal equation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll deal with those who can dish it but can't take it. Note that the ones who are critical of others in their social group will likely become defensive and angry if the criticism is directed at them.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). If you've never hidden money in a book before, you'll be tempted to do this, or something equally clever and secretive, with your personal property. It's fun to have a secret known only by you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have a tendency to make strict demands of yourself. That's because to you, the impossible seems possible — and you're right.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Many will offer suggestions as to where you should go next, though there are few who really know of what they speak. Find out who has a stellar sense of direction, and ask that person.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Even though brilliant things can happen when you shoot from the hip, it still helps to have a plan. Upcoming events involve many people and elements. Planning is an absolute necessity for success.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 26). You get swept into a fabulous adventure in November. Love elevates you to a higher plane. In December, you will use your keen intellect to solve a problem that faces your team at work. February brings a personal breakthrough, and you'll establish new healthful habits, too. Family additions come in June. Sagittarius and Virgo people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 2, 3, 15 and 33.

ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHT: Why and How To Bring Cancer Energy into Your Life. Cancer, the fourth sign of the zodiac, is the sign associated with home, domesticity and nesting. A sense of belonging is a basic human need. Knowing where home is and feeling good about that place are essential elements of success. This is true whether we live alone or with others. If the environment where we rest and rejuvenate is one that nurtures us, we can go out into the world with confidence. Every person has Cancer represented somewhere in his or her astrological chart, and it's either prominently flowing through our lives or lying dormant, just waiting to be activated. You can bring this energy forward by making your domestic world a sacred place that expresses who you are and gives you both the peace and the stimulation you need. Does your home have an orderly flow? Comforting, soothing Cancer energy is abundant where there are regular routines for cleaning, eating and doing other activities that help to keep things organized. You don't have to be an interior designer to know what you like. Visit other homes and look in books and magazines for ideas. When it comes to home improvement, where there's a will, there's a way.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Grammy Award-winner Keith Urban is a country music phenomenon who was born when the sun, the moon and Neptune were all in sexy Scorpio. These influences signify a deep-seated need to understand the emotional world and communicate in a way that disarms people and opens them to new levels of honesty. Urban has a natal Leo moon — the moon of entertainment, glamour and fun.

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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