Folks are optimistic and happy as this work week begins. With Mercury and Jupiter shaking hands in benevolent earth signs, it's a good time to pitch an all-important proposal or reach out to someone who can help you achieve your goals. The Moon in Aquarius contributes to the friendly tone of this day. Lend help wherever possible.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You don't have to be a fine painter or poet to be creative in your work. Even the most straightforward tasks like filing, cleaning or clerking will be creative endeavors because you approach with great style.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You don't learn or grow much from goals that are too easily attained. Strive for the hard aims now. Likewise, make it a little more difficult for others to win prizes from you. You'll be doing them a favor.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You realize that there are real consequences for not moving quickly now. The omens suggest that you be forward thinking and proactive. Make choices to keep things from choosing you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Uninspiring plans make you feel lethargic. Move on to the next thing. Once you get onto a project you feel good about, you have a power plant's worth of energy at your disposal.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You'll be tempted to play it low key around people you feel might be envious of your success in a certain area of life. It's better to say nothing at all than to downplay your winnings or speak ill of them.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (APRIL 28). This year brings amazing evidence that contrary to popular belief, life may really be fair after all. Things turn out the best way possible in May. July, you're thrilled when people love you "as is," but you surprise them anyway with beautiful improvements. You educate yourself in September. You hit it off famously with Gemini and Pisces. Your lucky numbers are: 45, 3, 25, 31, and 8.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you're not getting along with a loved one as well as you'd like to, the perfect, healing moment arises this afternoon. You can say what you need to say and the other person won't be the least bit defensive.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll be around inspiring influences. You don't have to know why you like someone to recognize the effect it's having on you. You feel you can do more, just knowing that "more" exists.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The secret to success is there is no secret. The obvious choices to work, follow through and have a terrific attitude will carry you exactly where you want to go. Don't over-think, just do!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Everyone has a self-image and a public image. How they align today is curious. But when you act for yourself, not seeking validation from any other, you harmonize the two.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Give away what you don't need. It sounds so simple, and if you can pry your hands off of the stuff, it will be. There is no better way now for attracting what you really do need and want.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). There's an ace up your sleeve and you're about ready to play it. Once you do, your favorite work, project or relationship goes from good to fabulous. What better prize could there be?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Accept all invitations for joint ventures, especially work related ones. Your dreams are celestially tied to people who support them. And if you've temporarily forgotten your dreams, you're reminded today.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm a Taurus that up until just recently had been seeing an older Aquarius. He's driving me crazy emotionally. There are times when he is his charming self and he makes me happy; and others, he doesn't remember to call or just acts like I exist when he feels like calling."

Taurus, it sounds like this Aquarian is showing you his true colors, which is to say he can be as erratic as he is predictable, as devastatingly unappreciative as appreciatively charming. Here's the rub: there's nothing wrong with him, and there's nothing wrong with your wants. His affections may be true, and hot and cold behavior can confound any even-keeled Taurus. Aquarians of both sexes have a real need for experiencing their self outside the relationship, and of that ilk, the freer-spirited ones really do need periodic reprieve from emotional demands and expectations accompanying a relationship. In the ideal world, he's aware of this need, and discusses it with you before leaving town for a few days. But he may not. So talk about your differences. And if this issue continues to vex you, you've learned more about what you need from a partner.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: For the two Venus-ruled signs, Taurus and Libra, there's much to love. There are differences. Libra energies are notably elegant and refined while the Taurus possess an uncommonly subtle animal magnetism. Penelope Cruz embodies our attraction for the winsome loveliness of the female bull. And Venus in Pisces brings an unearthly beauty to this enchanting creature.

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