What's the purest thing on earth? A mother's love? Not all mothers. Falling snow? Depends on the sky. Hermetically sealed packages of semiconductor-grade silicon? Obviously, it depends on whom you ask. The alignment of Mercury and Venus will favor any attempt to get to the pure essence of a thing to understand it more fully.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The concept of "closure" is a construct. Most things run on a continuum. So while there is no real ending, there also must be an ending, or life becomes too overwhelming to take in. The ritual of finalization will be key today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Today is another chance at unfinished business. The thing you don't want to do will be the thing to do first. Get it out of the way. Nothing will be harder than beginning.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Socializing will be tricky. You don't want to leave anyone out, but the bigger the group gets the more complicated and difficult the event becomes. How far to take your sense of social responsibility, that is the question.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Even if a person is suggesting something that is in your best interest, if their approach is off, you will resist. You're not into being controlled. You're the authority of you, now more than ever.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If a belief is causing you stress, remember that you have many, many choices about what to believe. Also, there are ways to frame the truth to make it more appealing.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It will be appropriate and wise to extend a little blind faith. Even if the other person doesn't exactly deserve the trust, you might be surprised by how people rise to the occasion, and that's a nice kind of surprise to get.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). To say that people don't always use logic to make decisions is to understate things severely. People will use logic to justify their very illogical choices though!

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). What used to seem like a big deal just isn't anymore. You've grown bigger than the circumstances and therefore you're now more able to give balanced attention to different parts of your life.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You don't want to upset the apple cart. It's not because you're afraid. You're receptive to change, though only if you can see the purpose. Strategy takes self-control. You've plenty of that today.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You're the cheerleader, the encouraging friend, and the confidence and morale booster of your group. This kind of support will be invaluable and germane to today's best outcomes.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People can learn new skills all day every day and yet still be in stuck in the same work and life patterns if they don't also know how to implement the learning. A coach will help. Get one or be one.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You're not waiting around for someone to tell you what to do. You'll see the big picture better than most will. The next move will seem rather obvious, though don't be surprised if you have to politely point it out.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 15). You're a problem-solver, and you'll handle at least a dozen problems of various sizes before the year is over. You'll reach a new level of honesty in a relationship and that's when things get really interesting. More excitement: a cash surplus, the mastery of an old skill and a brief romantic getaway. Sagittarius and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 10, 7, 16, 28 and 34.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTION: "I'm a Sagittarius with many wonderful friends, professional successes and much opportunity ahead. As I approach my 30th birthday (on Dec. 13) of course I can't help but evaluate... I've been dating, but haven't had a boyfriend in over a year, and I always wonder about my eight-year boyfriend. We were a good couple through very important years of our lives, but we broke up six years ago. The last time I wrote to him (We'd write birthday wishes annually. He is a Leo born July 26.) he asked that we don't write anymore. If it is because he is married, I'd walk away content knowing he is also content. Unfortunately, I'm not sure what the reason is. Is that hope something I can hang onto or should I let go and move on?"

I feel he is in a committed relationship. Also, it seems this love is most beautiful in the poeticized past. There is already another romance coming together for you — one that's appropriate for this time in your life. So yes, definitely let go and move on, telepathically sending your Leo a blast of love and good wishes in the parting.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: The writings of Friedrich Nietzsche caused upheaval among his contemporaries, as the philosopher challenged the religion, morality and the culture of his time. The Libra intellectual's ideas continue to have a strong influence in philosophy, science and even pop songs, as evident by the Kelly Clarkson classic based on this Nietzsche quote, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."

Write Holiday Mathis at [email protected].