As solace to suffering, the spiritual teachers suggest that the wound is the place where the light enters you. On Mercury's final day in Aries, it's even harder to watch the growing pains of those we love than it is to sustain a wound ourselves. Yet few would deny a loved one the spiritual illumination of wisdom's process.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You are prepared to feel new feelings. It's part of the price tag of growing a relationship, expanding your capacity for kindness and deepening your wells of love.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Restraint is called for today and will be among the most difficult values to uphold. At the end of the day, you'll be as proud of what you don't do as you are of what you do.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It's a day to place your value on all things very carefully, especially in regard to how you value your own efforts. The world will believe you and will take your price as the going rate.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're gifted at seeing beyond the physical. Even as you gaze on the beautiful face of one you love, you realize that the beauty you are seeing is the light of a bright spirit and radiant heart.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When the choice is between a beautiful lie and a painful truth, much will depend on the degrees of pain and pleasure involved. Most things are a mix. And therefore, you remain flexible and aware.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You mean what you say, but you mean a lot more that you don't say. Some of the messages that you hide in your heart will have their day. And the ones that belong hidden and stay hidden will be felt on the skin like a breeze.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Most would agree that sooner or later love hurts and that the ones we love most will hurt us the most. Yet most would also agree that it's worth it. Open your heart cautiously, but definitely open it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It seems that lately you've been struggling at the tug-of-war rope, unsure of how to play it — fighting to let go, fighting to hang on. Bottom line, this is a game. If it's not fun, it's not worth playing.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Introverts get immediate and obvious benefits from solitude. Extroverts are less sensitized to the energizing effects, yet quiet time alone will still be soul-fortifying today.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). People will give you the oddest things, both physically and emotionally. It's almost silly to expect to get what you ask for — and quite wise to expect to get whatever it is they have to give.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You can be confident that all is well. Don't take another person's silence as a bad sign. The one who is not talking may just be very at peace with his or her thoughts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You will be among familiars, communicating as usual, yet very much in your own world, too, as your imagination works through a knotty circumstance, searches for freedom, lifts off toward a secret sky.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (May 15). This year, you'll get to apply yourself to what you truly love to do. It's as though the desire for this work has been hiding in your heart all along. You'll enjoy the company of honest and true people, which will add to the elegance of your life. You'll be paid handsomely in July and October. Passion will heat the colder months. Libra and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 30, 50, 12 and 14.

VACATION BY ELEMENT: When you want to get out of your element, consider using your element to choose the ideal vacation! The FIRE SIGNS (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) are adventure-oriented individuals who've spectacular expectations of their vacations and are seldom disappointed. They enjoy the challenge of exploring a big city, the drama of a volcano, the otherworldly wonder of the northern lights and the chase of hunting — for bargains, rare treasures or wildlife. EARTH SIGNS (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are grounded individuals who appreciate the beauty of mountains and the majesty of different landscapes. Whether it's the unique and magical rock formations in Arizona, the hard labor implied by the Egyptian pyramids or the manicured gardens of Versailles, the earth signs will be fascinated by the relationship of man and earth that these places represent. WATER SIGNS (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are drawn to bodies of water and enjoy the relaxation and recreation that can be found by serene pools, placid lakes and vast oceans. AIR SIGNS (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) want to learn something while on vacation and often find that the way to do this is to become absolutely immersed in the destination. Walking tours and cultural excursions hold appeal, and these signs also love to be expanded by tasting local foods and experiencing quality entertainment.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Legendary Baltimore Ravens linebacker and former ESPN contributor Ray Lewis says, "With all the things I've been through, the No. 1 thing that I've learned is that we're supposed to help people through this world." Lewis was born under a well-rounded balance of astral influences, including a hardworking Taurus sun and an adventurous, passionate Sagittarius moon.

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