In Roman times, the first fruits of the season were offered to the goddess Pomona and her consort Vertumnus, rulers of gardens and orchards. We'll appease them when our efforts bear fruits in two weeks' time — at full moon. But during this new moon, we'd rather snack on a juicy pear or settle downwind of a blooming gardenia bush than work.

ARIES (March 21-April 19.). You're relatively free and clear of the past couple of months' hang-ups. But the minute you start judging other people's actions and responses instead of your own, they return. A maternal female figure tells it how it is.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You've made peace with the things you simply have no control over. It's finally time to move on. No need to crawl from the wreckage. Stand up and walk with your head held high. You've done your part.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Is a leader born or made? Both — you're proving it. You won't have to use intimidation tactics to win people over, though it's a strategy. Your real coup: You can change yourself into any shape they desire.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Self-talk is a nurturing mama hug. Self-talk can also be a mean mama. Get more control over what floats between your ears. That voice gives you an edge — professionally and personally.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The Talking Heads sang, "You may ask yourself, how did I get here." You'll experience similar moments of awe and wonder now. It's so fine that you can still be mystified by your own life.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (April 17). You succeed in unplanned ways this year. In some instances, when you look back, your plans will seem too small compared to what you were able to accomplish! New business partners give your finances a boost in May. Someone invests his or her heart with you in June. Travel in July. You make a soulful connection with Pisces and Virgo people. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 21, 5, 19 and 16.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). What you're afraid of is an opportunity for learning. And there's a gift in there somewhere, too. Sometimes lessons are really blessings, and you can call those "blessons." Three small blessons come today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You attract more happiness into the "us" equation by including in your prayer for love your deepest wishes for someone else's happiness. It actually works out darn well for you, too!

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You could write a book on becoming your personal best, but you don't have time. You're too busy living it. Keep your eye on the ball, and worry about where it'll take you later.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your own romantic flourishing depends entirely on your ability to see into the spots that have previously tripped you up. Let history teach you. Observe patterns. Look back for the future story.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The mixture of hope and healing you're experiencing is a pleasant side effect of your self-care. Your primary relationship honors this burgeoning tenderness.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're punch drunk on your latest information-ingestion bender. Whether you joined a book club or downloaded a year's worth of material onto your computer, it's now time to rest and process.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When you're thirsty for spiritual water, you go to your favorite source for inspiration. Basically everything you need in life can be found by pulling out your handy divining rod. Contact inspiration, and the rest happily flows.

ASTROLOGICAL TOPIC: Tarot and the zodiac: Cancer through Virgo

Tarot's survived the ages because it puts timeless human experiences in a handy package of images. Anyone can use them. All it requires is jumping to the part of your brain that "intuitively knows" rather than "tries to understand." Each zodiac sign has a corresponding card in the tarot deck. For instance, CANCER CARD: Rivers of change are navigated by being still when it's time to be still, and moving when you're moved. Change is an internal, emotional process before it's an external one. This is the Chariot card, which relates to Cancer. Cancers are at the helm of the Chariot when using their powerful intuition. LEO CARD: What is it that puts butterflies or fire in your belly and makes you feel ALIVE? That's where your Strength or Lustre (card) is. Leo, the Lion, is that tickle of creativity. VIRGO CARD: When the volume of life gets turned up or our environment is overly chaotic, we withdraw and attend the inner world. Introspection and contemplation characterize the Hermit card, and Virgo. It's a joyful process, not a stark, lonely figure. At this stage of life we're focused on completion and what's meaningful on a personal level. Check back later to learn more.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Of the famed Judd family, Ashley Judd has a fabulous four planets in Aries — sun, Mercury, Venus, Saturn. That's a lot of fire! In 2006, she made the courageous commitment to heal her addiction to people-pleasing by checking into a rehabilitation center. Although we may think of Aries as self- rather than others-focused, the Aries journey is about independence and self-assertion. Go, Ashley!

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