Horoscopes by Holiday by Holiday Mathis

The waning Virgo moon is like a concerned mother urging us to clean our rooms. You might feel like you shouldn't go out to play until your personal effects are in order, and indeed, you'll have tons more fun once they are. Take the necessary steps to feel good about yourself and your environment. A vacuum will figure in to this equation.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You don't have time to make extra work for yourself. Finding reasons to feel insecure or trying to get the attention of people who aren't inclined to give it will only spin you off in a bad direction. Stick to the subject at hand.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The more you can do on your own today the better. Working with others could slow you down unnecessarily. However, when it's time to play, you definitely have more fun with a group.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll be so busy all day long that relaxation will seem like a luxury you can't afford. Do it anyway. You need time to decompress. It's important to your overall energy level.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You'll do for others quite naturally. But remember that people like doing things for themselves, too. Be careful not to be so attentive that you accidentally prevent others from the joy of being involved in the action.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Today's recipe for success includes: one part doing your own thing, three parts defying convention, half a cup of marching to a different drummer and a whole lot of dancing to music no one else can hear.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are drawn to abstract ideas, art and music. In a weird way, you can see the reason and truth in it. It makes more sense to you than so-called conventional representations of the world.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When your inner life is in order, your surroundings are in order, and vice versa. It will take a great deal more effort than usual to attain a state of organization, but it will be worth the extra work.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You are interested in subjects that others find difficult to get into. That's why you'll be promoted or given a particular job. No one else could do it as well as you will.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Today, a certain zany courage takes hold of you once again. You'll reject the standard proceedings and opt for a truly unconventional approach to work, love and life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you want people to buy what you are selling, you have to make your product more visible.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're getting good vibes from a distant member of your team — maybe from your adoring grandmother or a kindly teacher who remembers how sharp you were in class. Their happy thoughts bring you good luck.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Raise your profile. People like you once they get to know you. And if people don't know about you, they don't know to invite you to the party. Make it a goal to meet at least one new person.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 5). You will guide the lives of others and, as a result, wind up in your own beautiful spot. Your loved ones treat you right, and the rest of the world follows suit. In November, there's an exciting career breakthrough. Your love life sizzles in May and then hits a comfortable groove in June. Daring travel happens in August. Libra and Sagittarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 14, 33, 23 and 17.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "Wow, am I ever sick and tired of people telling me that if I think positive thoughts I'll have more money. I'm flat broke. What's so positive about that? What advice do you have for a Pisces who is feeling less and less spiritual by the minute?"

Yes, it's difficult to think in spiritual terms when your stomach is rumbling. And positive thinking alone is not going to fill your piggy bank. But isn't it better than thinking negatively and being broke? You do have resources. List them. You have things to be grateful for — relationships, people who care about you, somewhere to sleep, places to go for food and, apparently, good communication skills and a talent for reaching out and speaking your mind! Continue this list on your own. This exercise isn't going to fill your bank account, either. Not directly. But it will get you in the mindset to approach your problem more creatively. Bottom line: What good or service can you provide to others that they will pay you for? And/Or: How can you reduce your expenses? Also note: Pisces are highly impressionable and can pick up good and bad luck through osmosis. Hang out with people of means.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Lovely Libran Kate Winslet may be the youngest actress to have received six Academy Award nominations, but this Oscar winner doesn't let such things go to her head. Known for her down-to-earth qualities, Winslet was born when Venus was in hardworking, fastidious Virgo. She's even had a few laughs at her own expense, as she showed playing a version of herself in the comedy series "Extras."

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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