It is said that a very excellent way to prepare for a test is to study hard and long for many days, and then, the day before, make sure you have good nutrition, plenty of rest and an optimistic attitude toward it. Use this formula to get ready for the moment of truth that will be coming with the new moon on Friday, Sept. 30.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your role in the group project is vital. You will not be solely responsible for the success or failure of your team, but you will definitely be a key influence and take your responsibility there rather seriously.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You'll go into this day with a sense of wanderlust and no solid plans. Very quickly the people around you will want to change this status by giving you somewhere to get to and something to accomplish there.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There is never a day when it's a bad idea to seek balance and align yourself with the best and highest within you. However, some days you need the adjustment more than others. This is one of those days.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're not running scared from conflict. You're not afraid of it; you just know that it's not something you need to be a part of. As you retreat from the drama you advance toward your own peace.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Some people get nervous when they see you regrouping. It means you're about to go somewhere new, and there will be those who don't want you to leave. It will present a social bugaboo to work out.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It just doesn't always work out so neatly that the punishment fits the crime. This is why the bit of righteousness that happens today is particularly savory.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Test.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). This is not a "me, too" situation. You can afford to give your two cents: In fact, it's your responsibility to do so. If you withhold your distinct point of view, the whole group will suffer.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Watch for the trail markings of those who have journeyed here before you. They will alert you to danger, point the way to sustenance or, at the very least, remind you that you're not the only one who has been here.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You respect those moody people who have the decency to try and hide their moodiness so it doesn't bring others down. You still sense the pain, though, and it will be healing to touch on it for a moment today.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Uncertain situations are not always dangerous situations, though you may have to convince your brains otherwise this afternoon when anxiety is a natural (though not very helpful) reaction to what's going on.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your taste and training will make it difficult for you to accept mediocre results. Take a step back. Maybe this is just a mismatch of standards. Or maybe you can do something easy to make it better for all.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 25). Your birthday gift from the sun is powerful focus. You'll grow in fame for the very thing you most want to be known for. The lifestyle upgrade in October happens as a byproduct of something you'll do for the community. Finances get sorted out in December and January, so you can see more of the world in June. Leo and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 8, 18, 3 and 45.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: Many environmental refinements happen under the aesthetic Libra sun. This is the sun that designers such as Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan and Yohji Yamamoto were born under. Libra energy is graced with charms of Venus and concerned with delighting the senses in surprising and beautiful ways. "Update" is such a tricky word, because what's considered the fashion of the moment could very well be a downgrade from the last fashion. With more functionality often comes more complication. You prefer to be surrounded by stylishness, but at the end of the day what really counts is that you're surrounded by good vibes. What's loveable and livable is more beautiful than any amount of fantastic, sensational glamour.

The other important theme here is justice. One would think that the delivery of justice would bring elation, but it seldom does. The relief is often tinged with the reality that the conflict that happened is a part of life that no one will get back. It's nice to have the fiasco in the rearview, though many wish it had never been in any view at all. Spiritual evolution will depend on finding something good in all that occurred. Truly, every experience has a lesson and a gift inside, if we are willing to search for it.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Catherine Zeta Jones shares a Sept. 25 birthday with her husband Michael Douglas. Both are ruled by a Libra sun. Jones has a passionate Aries moon and Douglas has a determined Capricorn moon. Jones has Venus in Virgo, foretelling a certain practicality in matters of love that responds well to Douglas' Mercury in Virgo. Look for Jones in the upcoming series "Feud," based on a legendary Hollywood rivalry.

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