Between Saturn and Uranus orbits a class of objects known as "centaurs," named for the half-horse-half-man creatures of Greek mythology. The most famous centaur is the planetoid Chiron, otherwise known as "the wounded healer." This object aligns with Venus now to show how we can help even when we're in less than ideal circumstances.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). A sacrifice for the sake of family is so easy to make you'll hardly realize that you're doing it. Helping your loved ones is automatic — it's just who you are.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A certain someone makes you smile on the inside, but you don't dare react on the outside in the same way. You'll see the benefit in playing your cards close to the vest.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It will be necessary for you to work alongside someone with whom you seem to have absolutely nothing in common, other than the fact that you're both carbon-based life forms. You'll enjoy this!

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Delays can't be helped but frustration can. You'll practice patience and look for the opportunity inherent in every problem. You'll overcome obstacles and succeed.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Anything worth knowing takes time and practice to learn. Be patient and go through all the steps. Learn the rules first. It will make breaking them a lot more fun.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You have a strong sense of practicality, and it will be difficult for you to act in any way that seems inefficient or wasteful. Just make sure you don't skimp on fun — laughter is nothing to be frugal about.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). People respond favorably to you. It will feel as though everyone wants you to achieve your goal. The better you can communicate your desire, the more likely it is to be met.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You can explore the world via books, computers and television but there's nothing like exploring it in person. Your mind will expand in surprising ways as you visit new places.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Status quo is fine for some, but you're far too restless to accept it for long. You're ready for a pattern to be interrupted. You'll be open to new ideas, and you'll generate a few of your own this afternoon.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Important introductions will be made. Don't wait for someone else to break the ice. Your warmth does the trick every time. You'll find conversation both informative and inspiring.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Just when you think you've adapted to a new reality, things develop unexpectedly. Stay flexible. Changes on the outside will eventually prompt internal changes.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You like being on the cutting edge. Your curiosity comes alive and you'll be motivated to learn a new hobby or enhance your job skills — whatever it takes to stay ahead.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 16). There will be new delights to savor. Your tastes and preferences will continue to develop and even those who know you well will find that there's much to learn about you. February brings a commitment and perhaps a contract, too. March is your chance to turn over a new leaf with someone. April brings a windfall. Pisces and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 9, 21, 29 and 19.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "What do you think about the Mayan Long Count calendar ending on Dec. 21, 2012? Will it be, as some have suggested, the end of human civilization as we know it? And what are you personally doing to prepare for this day?"

I'm not doing anything to prepare, as I remain very happily in the "now" moment. Neither do I have reason for alarm. For starters, the correlation problem between the Western and Mayan calendar is a fundamental issue that has not been satisfactorily resolved. Many scholars believe that the Mayan Long Count calendar ended 200 years ago.

Furthermore, there is no indication that the Mayan's believed the end of the calendar suggested doomsday. If you were to hop in a time machine with your Mayan translator application and head for the 5th century B.C. to talk to a Mayan party planner, you might learn that the Mayans considered the end of a calendar cycle a perfect excuse to beat the drum, play sports, knock back some maize ale and maybe make a human sacrifice or two. One can almost hear the party planner now: "A harbinger of apocalypse! Where did you get that idea?"

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Lovely Kate Moss is born under the sign known for longevity and good looks at every age. Mercury, Venus and Jupiter in Aquarius suggest generosity and philanthropy. The supermodel uses her celebrity to lend support to a great number of charities including War Child, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Make Poverty History and others.

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.