Mercury has been on our side lately, lobbing bright ideas into conversation, removing obstacles to understanding and opening channels of self-expression. So perhaps the winged messenger can be forgiven for today's thoughtless confrontation with Mars. It's never a good idea to anger a warrior. Watch your words to avoid doing the same.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It's mighty difficult to stay focused when you're extremely bored with the task at hand. Break it up somehow. You need new perspective. Welcome the input of someone intelligent who makes you laugh.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). This day seems specially designed to shake up the assumption we all fall into from time to time: that power is located somewhere other than within ourselves.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your belief that things happen for a reason will hold you in good stead. You don't have to understand the reason now or ever. Just knowing that there is one will give you power, the power of faith and of acceptance.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Relationships are knitted together with shared experiences, not a shared point of view. You and a loved one will each tell a different story about what happens today.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). While some jabber on and actually say very little, your tendency will be to pack so much information into short correspondences that the other person really ought to be taking notes.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your exceptional taste will be an important part of the presentation you make to the world. If you have to compromise on these matters, you won't like the end result. Persuade others to do it your way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your work is coming together, slowly but surely. Consistent progress will be better for you than getting what you want all at once. Document where you are for future reference.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll partner with people who are needier than you, and you'll selflessly give. This is not always easy for you to do, but you know that it's the difficult acts that build character.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll start off on a cheery note, but sustaining that mood will be a challenge. A forgotten responsibility or some offhanded remark will test your resolve. Don't give in. See how long you can stay upbeat.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You single-handedly could make things better, but you may find that there's not much fun in that. When you pick a few friends to work alongside, a task becomes most pleasant.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Because philanthropy and social conscience are second nature to you, you forget that not everyone possesses these qualities. You may have to remind others to be good to one another today.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Finally, a certain person understands what you've been trying to express. Next, you'll win this person's support, too, which will make it easier for you to move forward.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (May 30). June's developments keep you on your toes. There's a new chapter unfolding, and a special relationship reflects the change in you. Through July, your perspective broadens and your resources double. August and November are the best months financially. You'll reach expert status in September. Cancer and Sagittarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 1, 24, 38 and 18.

SCORPIO MOTIVATIONAL SECRETS: As the sign of transformation, the thought of a complete makeover of any aspect of life that Scorpio finds currently unsatisfactory makes Scorpio feel positively effervescent. However, the idea of making a small change might leave Scorpio feeling nonplussed and unlikely to act.

Most of the things that a person would want to do in life are accomplished in incremental steps that, when taken alone, might seem unappealing. For instance, while the idea of becoming a doctor may seem grand, giving up social activities for school studies night after night may not seem as glamorous. And yet the daily choice of studying is critical to the goal of becoming a doctor. For Scorpio, staying focused on that big-picture goal will be the challenge and the key to motivation.

If you're a Scorpio and you want to stay highly motivated, document your progress. The small changes won't seem that exciting to you, but when you can look back and see how far you've come, you'll feel accomplished, capable and excited about reaching the end. Documentation doesn't have to be anything fancy to be effective. A notebook in which you write about your progress is all you need.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Multifaceted soul artist Cee Lo Green has a flamboyant style that makes him stand out as a star among stars. Whether he's dominating the radio waves or shining on television as a celebrity vocal coach, Green makes sure to deliver a memorable performance. Geminis like Green are known for versatility and intelligence. Green was born when the moon was in artistic Libra.

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.