You may have an excuse for not getting something done, but it won't include Mercury. He's sick of being the scapegoat for lost documents, cars that don't run and bad cell phone reception. He goes direct and won't be retrograde again until mid-June. If you've been waiting to get your message across, this is your green light.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You're done with circling around. The path to accomplishment is straightforward. Sensible instructions, followed exactly, add up to big results. It's remarkably easy — you'll wonder what took you so long.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You're appreciative of what you have because you once tasted such adversity. You're glad to know the difference. And you may even be glad for the negative experiences that helped you to be grateful.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're reading people well. You understand emotional complexity — that laughter can cover sadness, and that joy sometimes has a somber face. This understanding makes you a favorite among wise people.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're feeling sassy enough to do what you probably shouldn't and say what you normally wouldn't, and walk away with no regrets. A Scorpio person is your partner in mischief.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your actions reflect a personal policy, which is either unconscious or conscious. Observing a recent situation in this light makes you happy your policy is to be generous, even when you're not sure if that's the right thing to do.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (March 7). You rise above the riffraff this year and embrace the life you were meant to have. Your light spirit leaps over situations that once would entangle and distress you. Intense concentration is one of your astral gifts, and you apply it to solving an insidious problem this month. You're especially psychic in your connections with Libra and Sagittarius people. Lucky numbers are: 9, 13, 20, 44 and 5.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Whatever your problem, the solution is in taking a 180-degree turn from where you thought the solution was. Instead of fighting it, give in. Instead of proving yourself, humble yourself. Instead of talking it over, pray.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Everything is going pretty well for you compared to last year at this time. Give yourself a pat on the back. Tonight is perfect for renting movies about people whose families are more dysfunctional than yours.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll get what you want, but not in the way you think you'll get it. Your job is to not worry about the "how" part and concentrate on the "what." A Capricorn person provides sound leadership and maybe even a loan.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Boredom is easily turned around by hanging out with the celebrity of your group — wait, that's you! So get busy raising morale. A new creative project, contest or game might be exactly what's needed.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). A financial situation may force your hand. Make the hard decisions — you're ready. When you really take the risk, you'll no longer have to wonder "what if?"

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Even though you're busy enough trying to keep yourself afloat financially and emotionally, giving back to society is a theme in the back of your mind. Bring it to the front, though, and you'll be super-lucky.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Welcome controversy. Friendships with people who don't agree with you are among your luckiest relationships. Somewhere between your differing points of view is a golden key, an "aha!" moment, a brilliant fix.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "Can you help me with my singing career? I've always thought I was meant for the stage, but alas, I'm too old to try out for "American Idol." What should I do? I was born April 25, 1957."

On the bright side, you don't have to worry about being criticized by mean old Simon, and you can bring your life experience to your work. Taurus rules the throat, and you have a natural ease and richness to your voice. Your Pisces moon lends a special talent: You know how to sing a song from someone else's point of view, almost like an acting exercise. This allows you to open up your repertoire to include a wide variety of works. But I advise you to stick with the more emotional songs, like lonely ballads and wistful melodies. As far as making money goes, this is strongly linked to your image this year. Knowing where you fit into the market place will help you get the going rate for your performances. I'm sure you're well aware that, in many cases, that rate is, well, FREE, but as long as there's a crowd, you've got the potential to sell CDs. Your best months for recording on a budget and still getting a pro sound are next month, and again in October. Best of luck!

CELEBRITY PROFILES: It's a very Piscean concept to walk a mile in another person's moccasins — one that Pisces Ira Glass explores weekly on his National Public Radio show, "This American Life." Millions listen to Glass regularly and may feel they know him personally. Yet, he walks the streets as anonymously as the next guy. This could change this year as an on-camera show brings him another dimension of fame.

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.