Happy birthday, America! With your sun, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter all in Cancer, you are truly an ever-changing nation in sync with the moon's rhythm. Your natal moon in the forward-thinking and humanitarian sign of Aquarius suggests continual innovation and the tendency to rush youthfully forward to embrace the fresh challenges of the future.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The simple desire to make another person feel positive and good is the essence of charm. You're feeling so confident now that you're able to focus on others without a worry as to your own gain from the situation.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Other people's wants do not always require an automatic response from you. Think about the best way to help first. Be careful not to fly to someone's aid out of a compulsory need to be the rescuer.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You have an openness about you now. Maybe it's your smile or twinkling eyes, or maybe it's because your head is held high. Whatever it is, interesting people will approach you because of it.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You don't believe that the leader is better than everyone else, only more experienced. Someone has to take charge, and you'll decide that that someone is you. You do this in a very humble, human way.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Everyone wants to be loved by a person who doesn't demand gratification in return. Unconditional love doesn't want anything. It's rare and hard to find, and it's the kind of love you feel for someone now.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You can't force a plant to grow. You can only create the conditions that are most conducive to its thriving. There are many things about your life that will blossom in time if you plant the seed and then back off.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Short-term fixes only lead to future problems. Find solutions that are going to help things once and for all. Any action you take that speaks to the big picture will be good luck.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Success means actively seeking the kinds of activities that fit your skills and talents. When an activity makes you feel less than excited about being you, look for something else to do.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A strong desire to feel wanted may lead to becoming overly involved in the business of others. Make yourself happy in other ways instead. Develop a strong core of self-acceptance.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your energy is a sacred currency; your time, a holy commodity. Therefore, you'll be extremely mindful as to how you use these resources. Your actions will be slow and deliberate.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You are not likely to forget the time you tried and failed in the past, because it taught you the lesson that will help you succeed in breaking through a barrier today.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You're already on the ride. All you have to do now is sit back and let it take you where it goes. As with all rides, you'll wind up back where you started, but you'll have a new adventure under your belt.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 4). You are the rock for your loved ones this year, and they will build their lives on your steadfast attention. Because people trust you, you'll be promoted and well paid. This month and October are the most lucrative. You'll make a stellar arrangement in August. September is the most romantic. Travel in November and June. Pisces and Taurus people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 49, 25, 4, 15 and 27.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "My husband likes my hair long, and I like my hair short. My husband also likes his own hair long, and I like that short, too. This didn't used to be a problem when we were younger. I guess I've changed. I feel like he'll have a better chance at getting a good job if he cuts his hair. He calls me 'Delilah.' Who is right? I'm a Scorpio and he's a Leo."

Though these lovers have been depicted at times on Tuscan wedding trays, make no mistake, the tale of Samson and Delilah is no romance. In the Bible story, Samson is extraordinarily strong because he promised God he wouldn't cut his hair. It is very possible that Samson was a Leo, as they are especially fond of their mains. Delilah was hired by the enemy army to figure out the source of his strength. Samson lies to her several times, but finally she wins his trust and figures out his hair secret. Then she has him shaved, and in his weakened state, the enemy blinds and beats him, and he's forced to work in a prison. The moral of the story is clear: Love means staying out of each other's hair.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: First daughter Malia Obama had the gracious timing to be born on Independence Day, which had to be considered a harbinger of good fortune for a father contemplating the presidency. Malia's natal Venus and Mars are both in Gemini, indicating verbal ease and an impressive intellect. Her Mercury in Leo suggests that she's cool in the spotlight and likes a certain amount of public attention.

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