You can live in your own little mess during the Virgo moon, but you can't be happy about it. The Virgo moon is a neat freak. Now, cleanliness is next to godliness, and organization is a private paradise. If you work for a container store, you should see record sales numbers. Favored activities are filing, bleaching and clearing.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). On an emotional level, you're feeling the pinch, similar to the uncomfortable clamp of pants that are too tight. Ideal situations must grow with you and allow you freedom of movement.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If you deny yourself enjoyment for too long, it catches up to you. This could explain your strange priorities today. That thing you were supposed to do gets lost in the pink, fuzzy mist of pleasure seeking.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're a bit of a savior now, though you do this in a hands-off, instructional kind of way. A friend is being drawn to the dark side of things. Be this one's personal Yoda — tell him or her to "use the force."

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Almost anyone can make sense of rational behavior, but you're the kind of sensitive person who takes a greater interest in irrational behavior. When you understand this, you hold the key to relationship bliss.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If you wait until the delight of certainty, decisions won't get made today. And maybe that's just fine. There's no rush, even when — perhaps especially when — there seems to be a rush.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 7). Contrary to popular belief, character building doesn't have to be painful. It can be wild fun, which you prove this year. A relationship develops this month. Your talent emerges through encouragement, and you're able to make money from this in April. Giving to your family produces a miraculous result in May. Libra and Scorpio people adore you. Lucky numbers are: 22, 10, 5, 3 and 49.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your power and glory are like a marvelous flower. They bloom because you weren't afraid to reach into the grit and dirt to do the work it takes to create a stable base.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Though you venture where you've never been, your way is obvious. If you knew any better, you might be afraid of falling. But you don't, and so you walk the tightrope of your current project with precision and grace.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There's no doubt in your mind that there are other worlds overlaid onto this one. You'll peek into such a world in your daydreams, during a meditation or on one of your various flights of fancy.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You embody your role — whether it is "parent," "spouse" or "friend" — like an expert actor. You play inside it beautifully without allowing yourself to be swallowed up or defined by it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Living to the limit means something different to you than it does to loved ones. You're both right. Tonight, make 'em laugh. Nobody minds too much if you stretch the truth.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Maybe it's easier to live through others than to become whole on your own, but you never were one for the easy route. However, don't be surprised if those close to you take vicarious joy in your endeavors.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Friends are the family you choose for yourself, but occasionally your judgment is a little off. Distance yourself from a person who drains your energy with their constant complaints.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: The Capricorn sun has an agenda: "To the top of the mountain!" He ignores the tiny voices that pipe up about how cold it is or how thin the air is getting. He pays no attention to the increasing difficulty of the climb. He puts his head down and moves upward, upward, upward — until there's no more "upward" to go. This week is a productive one. It's no frills, no complaints and no explanations. It's follow the path until it runs out. It's locking your mind to a single purpose, even if it means putting blinders on or putting off life's little urgencies. Phone calls, cooking timers and doorbells all seem to demand immediate attention, but what would happen if we just ignored them? Maybe nothing more than a little burnt toast, or a solicitation averted. Wednesday's Libra moon reminds us that we don't have to toil on without company. No matter what you're doing, there's someone else doing the same thing. Walk side by side. Unity of purpose is motivating for everyone. The weekend brings a slinky Scorpio moon to add a dash of sizzle, intrigue and ooh-la-la to the mix.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Great personal happiness is ahead for Capricorn Nicolas Cage in his marriage to Alice Kim — I see a second son around the bend. Capricorn men have definite requirements and goals for family members — tradition and family are top priority. When family life is smooth, Capricorns soar to professional heights that couldn't be hit otherwise. It only gets better for the inimitable Cage.

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