In the animal world there is no revenge. Animals live in the moment and handle their conflicts immediately. Attempting a more civilized approach, humans measure out punishments to fit the sins. The quest for justice often leads to injustice. The lunar shift to Pisces calls for a rise above the animalistic and humanistic, too, seeking a higher love.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). If "someday" hasn't come over the span of a year, it may not come ever. As you get rid of the things you're holding onto for "someday" you're also making room for fresh energy and interests.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Learning is faster than relearning. Children learn fast because they've a clean slate that doesn't need to be erased and overwritten. You'll pick up new subjects quickly but be slow to change the way you already do something.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). People have different tastes. What you make, do or present is not going to be everyone's cup of tea. Success occurs when you focus on offering what you believe in and are proud of, not what you think they'll want.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Doing it right once is a good start. Twice creates early momentum. Three times is the beginning of a pattern. For an action to be called successful, though, it must be able to be repeated time and again with predictable results.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You delight in entertaining others, if not in the formal sense then in the impulse you have to keep people guessing. It's a relationship skill (maybe even a public service) that keeps you creative and engaged.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You've a rather unreasonable agenda for yourself today, and that's no cause for worry or doubt. Unreasonable things get accomplished all of the time. Just be compassionate toward yourself as you push on.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Decisions are hard enough without the extra pressure of needing to be right all of the time. Before you enter a situation, remember that it's OK to be wrong sometimes. You make better choices from a lighter mindset.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The very young soak up the positive, the pretty and the well-intentioned as if these things were gospel. Even their grievances are taken and absorbed from other sources. Maturity is a firsthand understanding of your likes and dislikes.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The way you think is beautiful. It's often accurate, organized and kind, but not always. Anyway, beauty has as much to do with quirks as it does consistencies.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Just about anyone can hear you when you talk. It's the one who hears you when you don't talk who deserves a special place in the pantheon of your personal life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Hearts are heavy around you, but they'll become lighter once they vent a little. If you have to hear out a few complaints, consider it a help to society.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Perhaps it doesn't look like much, but this is actually a pretty interesting crossroads you've come to. No pressure or anything, but one decision could change everything!

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 8). You've earned the promotion; enjoy the rise. Your need for greater independence will be fulfilled without struggle as past education gets a perfect application and old debts are repaid. The sweetness of loved ones makes October one of your favorite times. There's a move in February — a vitality infusion. Sagittarius and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 45, 21, 1 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I have always been a dancer, and I have taught dance and choreographed many productions. I would like to start a musical-theater school to share my love of musical theater with children. I don't know where to begin, though. My husband, a Virgo, thinks this idea sounds very expensive and risky, and he is not sure that I should devote my time to it. What do you think? I'm a Gemini with a Leo moon."

Gemini's strength is in communicating ideas and starting a dialogue between people. You can use this talent of yours to get more information and seek mentors. You might begin at the library, in bookstores or online, where you'll find many resources about starting a business. Tell your idea to people at your local chamber of commerce as well as in your neighborhood, church, school and activity centers to learn how you might meet the needs of your community. Your conservative Virgo husband has a good point about the risks involved in starting a business, but you needn't dive in on a large scale right away. You can start small — perhaps with an after-school class — and build toward your dream.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Cinematic treasure Dustin Hoffman has played a cross-dresser, a card counter with autism, a small red panda and more than 70 other diverse characters, all with poignancy and vulnerability that keeps audiences coming back. Hoffman was born when the sun was in Leo and has other strong astral influence in hardworking Virgo. Hoffman stars with Adam Sandler in the upcoming comedy "The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)."

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com/author/holiday-mathis and click "Contact."