The opposition of Mercury and Saturn turns up the volume of our inner critics. Some are silenced by uncertainty over what is and isn't appropriate to say. Others boldly fight the censor, with shocking utterances to prove their freedom of speech. Great learning occurs by listening to your inner dialogue in order to choose your outer one.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Originality is vital to doing your job well. The late, great, Aries blues artist Billie Holiday said, "If I'm going to sing like someone else, then I don't need to sing at all."

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Any task you take on can be done from an artistic standpoint. Your work is creatively inspired and perhaps even beautiful. Something tells you that this time you've touched the truth.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If you allow someone else to determine the worth of your work, you may be angered if they undervalue it or, worse, falsely pumped up if they overvalue it. Determine the worth of your work on your own.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your point of view isn't a given, fixed place. It's a work in progress. You make your mind up, and then you make it up again. It feels like you're scattered, but really something special is coming together, bit by bit.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're usually the candle, not the mirror that reflects it. But today you could take great pride in being the one who sees a flame in others and spreads light throughout the world by helping them see the light in themselves.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 26). This year bolsters your sensitivity in ways that allow you to imbue your life with greater meaning, your relationships with deeper trust and your hours with more reasons to laugh. Romance is in your heart this spring, but it's in your schedule through the summer. An April investment pays. Libra and Capricorn people are your enthusiastic supporters. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 2, 25, 34 and 16.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Though your choices are many, there's only one decision that matters now. When you feel defeated, keep going. All the other decisions are minor by comparison.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Though it's rare, unconditional love isn't at all hard to do. You decide that you love someone, and then you release that love from all qualifiers. Tonight, be the yin to someone's yang.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Worldly sophistication is your secret weapon. Favored activities include business overseas, learning a language or chatting up a mysterious person passing through from somewhere far away.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Relationships will be put to the test. When you're comfortable with family, you're comfortable with yourself. Compromises save finances and energy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your generosity has the potential to cause you to go into the hole if you're not careful. Know that you have more to offer with your spirit than your wallet.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're not into waiting, and so you'll be the squeaky wheel that gets greased — and you'll make sure that your friends get "greased" along with you. A smile and a kind word seals the deal.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A shameless self-promoter has something to teach you. Take this lesson all the way to the bank. Sensational news on the social front is featured — when friends have something to celebrate, you do, too.

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST: ARIES: You're in the driver's seat of love, but a partner has the map. Consult often to make sure you're headed in a direction that serves mutual purposes. TAURUS: The moon juices your mood, boosts your confidence and inspires you to ask for what you need. GEMINI: You're committed to having love in your life, but resistant to demonstrating it the way a certain person wants you to. CANCER: Reserve the right to change your mind, because you will! LEO: Travel is an extra-lucky way to celebrate romance. VIRGO: You rise above drama to pursue real love. LIBRA: You hit it off with someone who communicates on your level. SCORPIO: You've had some humorous insights of late and will be gleefully attended to by those who can appreciate your charms. SAGITTARIUS: Those who are trying to get close to you have a funny way of doing this. CAPRICORN: Keep well-meaning types out of your love life. You're better off not listening to too many opinions. AQUARIUS: Getting to know loved ones is a pleasurable adventure — especially the ones you've known forever. PISCES: Try to see it from the other person's point of view — peace and harmony prevail.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Sagittarius and Libra are cultured creatures who believe in being spontaneous. They'll inevitably create adventure wherever they go together. Woe be to the people who await their return — these two get caught up in tangents, and there's no telling where they'll wind up or when they'll return. The only thing to be certain of is that experiencing the world together bonds them tightly to one another.

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