Thoughts are influenced by emotions just as much as emotions are influenced by thoughts. The moon swelling to tomorrow's fullness lends enthusiasm to our effort to chip away at this from both ends. Decide to feel better, smile, sing a little and hug yourself. Tell yourself you're doing mighty fine because... you are!

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Take some of the pressure off yourself. You don't have to change the world. The world will change — you can count on that — and you'll be there hand in hand with it through the passage.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You will grow in power as you grow in love. Assess what is important to you. Consider the price you are willing to pay to make this area of your life conform to your ideals.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Distant people root for your success. You can accept the support and leave it at that or take it further by inviting them into your world with a gesture to kick off the friendship.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You know your story better than anyone. Where you've been, what you've seen and what you think about it is all yours. And you're allowed at any point to change your thinking, find a new spin or rewrite it as you wish.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You live courageously and don't even realize it. Sometimes it's daring just to be the first person to say hello or to be the one who takes the initiative to make things nicer for people.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your best will rate somewhere between "good enough" and "way more than the situation needs." Watch for the feedback. Go until you get their smile, their comfort, then stop. Don't sell it when it's already sold.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Beginnings are always harder. You have to be brave and willing to withstand some degree of discomfort while you get used to things, then the job gets easier once you're in the middle of it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There's no need to take on the grand complexities of the universe. You'll make a difference heading in the opposite direction, simplifying things, ordering them better or making them more accessible to all.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It doesn't matter if you're sweet to yourself or someone else first; it's the kindness that makes a difference, not where it's going. Keep it flowing and soon it will be like love is everywhere.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There will be moments of losing yourself in the task, becoming one with it, being its puppet one moment, its master the next, back and forth. Because of this, your choice of task is crucial.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). When socializing, vigilant effort can have the opposite from intended effect unless it looks, from the outside, to be rather breezy. If you don't quite pull it off, you will in time. It can take years to perfect a "casual" move.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your curiosity, appetite and attractions are your guides. Be bold enough to follow without concern for what's reasonable. It's not for you to say what's possible or impossible. The world will show you where you're needed.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 15). There's a first time for everything — at least there should be. The year will be alive with new experiences and people. Keep track of these firsts, which will occur at least once a month. A service project you take on will unexpectedly advance your interests. In the summer, cashflow increases. Your family will grow. Scorpio and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 16, 21, 5 and 7.

COSMIC QUESTION: "My friend just got an award that I have dreamed of getting ever since I can remember. Seeing her receive this was like swallowing a bitter pill. I could hardly fake being happy for her. All I could think is: Where did I go wrong? Maybe I didn't work hard enough or maybe I gave up too soon. Or I'm just not as talented or lucky as she is. I now can't stand being around my friend. Even hearing her name makes me want to go back and do my life over, which of course I can't. I'm in agony over this, but I have no one to tell since I'm well aware how it makes me sound. How can a Leo get over being jealous?"

You truly can't help how you feel, so accept these feelings and know that they do not categorically make you anything but human. Jealousy is normal, especially for a Leo who is hard-wired to crave attention and public recognition. The good news is that you are clearly passionate and driven — otherwise you wouldn't be feeling this way. Answer the questions you are having without being too hard on yourself and choose a new goal.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Matt Groening is a poster child for the zany, creative spirit of Aquarius. The creator of "The Simpsons" and other wonderful cartoon worlds was born when the sun was in intellectual Aquarius and the moon was in Leo, the sign of entertainment. Mercury and Venus were in Pisces, indicating that Groening's artistic method is so intuitive that the process is mysterious even to him.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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