Jupiter retrograde reinforces a minimalist approach. To eliminate the nonessentials, you must first realize how a thing works — what all the moving parts do to keep it alive. If you suspect that something has no purpose to you, don't jettison it immediately. Run a test first. Move it to a temporary holding place to see how you function without it.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Whether they put themselves up there or you did, all who stand on a pedestal will eventually have to come down. Let's hope the reality will come as a relief instead of a surprise.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You focus intently on your loved ones as they express themselves freely. Whether they understand it or not, this loving quality of attention is a rare and special gift.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It's a blurry line that separates excitement from fear. You're the one with a steely reserve even as others come unnerved. When the stakes are high, you'll keep your cool and solve the problem.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There's no benefit to finding out who tipped over the apple cart. Unbalanced situations will topple sooner or later, and it's usually more of a cumulative effect than it is the fault of one person. What can you do but laugh?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The stardust you are made of may be billions of years old, and it still wants to shine. You are most luminous and attractive when you commit to the goal and get moving.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you succeed at something that doesn't matter to you, whose success is it? You will have a heightened awareness of the how, what and who of influences affecting you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Most of it is noise today. Luckily, you are very good at separating the static from the signal. The message will fit you like a key in a lock. It will be the exact password to open the gates.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll be extremely sensitive to how your mood differs depending on whom you're around. Maybe you didn't realize this before, but you're in a position of appointment. To a great extent, you get to choose your company.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Don't assume that everyone wants the high status. Low-status positions have just as many benefits, if not more. The lowly messenger boy knows what's going on throughout the entire kingdom.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You don't need to change anything, yet change you will. You may even decide to overturn a verdict you made long ago, as you're seeing things differently now. The more you experience the better you understand.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Though you have no ulterior motive, someone not used to compliments and niceties may be skeptical. You'll earn trust over time as people get to know you and see how consistent you are in your kindness.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Zoom out of this scene, because the big picture will be much lovelier than the small one. Avoid expending too much attention on minor, ugly details that don't really matter anyway.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 6). You've remarkable timing; it's among the most useful talents to possess. Next month's financial upswing can be attributed to it, as well as the sweetness you experience in June relationships. You'll give your word in May and keep it thereafter. Sometimes this will be a lot of work, but in October, it will pay off huge. Virgo and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 4, 33, 21 and 17.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "What is the difference between being a doormat and being agreeable? I have a dear friend who is a Gemini. When her husband comes home later than he says he will, leaves a mess or does things that she finds irritating, she tells him, and they argue. She says that he is less likely to repeat the behavior afterward but that his compliance is short-lived and soon he is back to the old pattern. I'm a Leo. I let my husband do whatever he wants. If he's thoughtless or irritating, I steam about it privately or tell my girlfriend, but I don't tell him. Then I just get over it. My Gemini friend says that I'm a doormat and that I should stick up for myself. What do you think?"

It sounds as if your Gemini friend is tired of being your venting buddy. And truly, it's not fair to complain to her when you're unwilling to do something about your situation. Being agreeable is a nice style to have, especially for the ever-gracious cat. But if something is really bothering you, you should find a better place to work it out — e.g., in your diary, in a professional counselor's office or with your husband directly.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: The golden rule of entertainment is: "The show must go on." Rip Torn takes the adage quite seriously, noting that he has worked with broken legs, arms and ankles and that he even passed a kidney stone on one opening night. His moon and Mercury's being in Pisces suggests that this Aquarius show business veteran still thrills to the feeling of dissolving himself into a character for the theatrical effect.

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