Is it summer? Is it spring? You might say it's a "springer" — or perhaps a "spummer" — day, because partway through, the sun leaves the springy realm of Gemini and enters Cancer, the first constellation of summer on this the longest day of the year. Mercury and Saturn square off, stirring up some drama on this split-toned day.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Follow the muses, listening intently to all they whisper in your ear. Befriending your inspiration is important. You'll develop this special relationship to a fuller extent today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If you were asked to describe your life, only happier, how would that look? You'll feel compelled to make the adjustments that point you in a joyful direction.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Some questions show kind interest in what another person is up to. Other questions feel more like prying and can be defused with vague, noncommittal answers. You have a right to your privacy.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The one in charge isn't perfect and, in fact, may do rather annoying things today. It would be unwise to draw attention to any breach of the rules. It takes self-control to show deference to authority.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Happiness is not automatically granted to you; rather, it's a choice you sometimes have to work a bit to accomplish. Emotional work doesn't look like other kinds of work, but it's just as strenuous as physical endeavors.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Distance has a way of warping perception. You may think life is moving fast, but to another person who is very far away, your progress seems minimal. The most accurate judge is someone close to you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There are tantalizing offers out there, but they won't be readily passed out to everyone who looks in need of an opportunity. Only the seekers who take action will be rewarded.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The one who drifts in and out of focus when it's your turn to get attention can be invalidating to your spirit. You offer excellent attention and should expect the same from others.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When there's a question of who will go first, your trailblazing nature has you boldly moving forward. It's like you were designed for adventure. Others will be relieved to have someone to follow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Not everything has to be a group affair, and you definitely need your alone time. But meals shared with loved ones offer a precious opportunity to feel like a part of a group.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The rules get somewhat iffy, and much will be left to your own judgment. One way to check yourself is to ask, "What would this scene be like if everyone were doing as I'm doing?"

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Once you come to a conclusion, accept it and go forward. Try not to doubt or overanalyze yourself, because you'll waste valuable time and energy that could be spent in creating momentum.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (June 20). Love grows, and you become increasingly attracted to the one you spend the most time with this year. July brings an exciting trip. September is your chance to shine and share your knowledge, too. You'll land a deal in November and finish the year out in style. February brings family additions. Cancer and Pisces people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 29, 31, 44 and 19.

12 ASTRO-REMEDIES FOR SOCIAL AWKWARDNESS: Inside the energy of each sign is a lesson that can be applied to remedy social awkwardness. Capricorn suggests that social grace is found inside of time-tested traditions.

The problem is that many traditions have faded in modern times. Families are spread out over the world, and influences are as likely to come from the Internet as they are from Grandma. The structures handed down from generation to generation that once were the cornerstone of social behavior have a tendency to get lost in the fast-paced world of too much information. Keeping tradition intact used to be the only option. Now it takes a concerted effort.

As the sign of tradition, Capricorn reminds us that there's no need to reinvent the wheel. Building on the knowledge of our elders isn't old-fashioned; it's practical. You don't have to be a Capricorn to benefit from a return to tradition.

What are the traditions in your family? Are they effective in building bonds and memories? What traditions would you like to keep? And if your family traditions were not effective, what tradition could you start that would build the kind of relationships you want in the future?

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Lovely Nicole Kidman recently played Martha Gellhorn to Clive Owen's Ernest Hemingway and will continue the trend of playing famous historical characters with her upcoming portrayal of Grace Kelly. Intellectual Gemini loves historical study, and the challenge of role-play is made even sweeter by learning the events and dynamics that affected the life of a real person.

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