Mercury and Mars don't exactly see eye to eye, but they do see one another's perspective. And that's a start. Jupiter and the sun meet nearby for an enlightened response, easing escalating emotions with judicious reasonableness. Meanwhile, Venus and Neptune trust higher love to get us through the tough stuff.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You have no problem telling it like it is. If only you could figure out how it is. Today — not usually, but today — that's a real challenge. Your perception is muddled by how you want it to be.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You'll have to build up your nerve and then rebuild it. Anxiousness is a good sign, though. It means you've got important enough stuff going on in your life to really care about what is at stake.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). No one wants to admit to bad behavior, but your refreshing honesty drives you to do just that. You're respected for knowing yourself. Truth is the essence of cool.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Synchronization is beautiful — yes, even breathtaking — the way it occurs now. Like people practicing tai chi by the Whangpoo River, there is no leader, just energy that moves together as if it were one organism.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There is no "dirty work," just work that you are more or less suited for. You get a sense of accomplishment from doing the very job that someone else hates, and someone else is thrilled to take a nagging task off of your list, too. It gets paid forward.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 22). This year brings you much laughter and love because you're willing to create that dynamic. In March, you are on the inside of a scene that many outsiders long to be a part of. Be compassionate, teaching those who want to learn. Planets support your getting in terrific physical shape this summer. Lucky love signs are Virgo and Taurus. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 13, 22, 30 and 25.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Let yourself be inspired by someone — Leo is a good candidate. A creative project taps your little-used talents. Applause from a crowd makes a difference in your confidence, so get in front of the audience if you can.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Renew your contacts, especially with people who probably wonder what on earth happened to you. Talk about what you want. Who knows, you may be talking to the exact person who can give it to you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Get physical. Planets align to inspire you to become a leaner, meaner version of yourself. This weekend, it behooves you to see new places. Travel has a rejuvenating affect on your love life, even if you travel alone.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). This weekend, you're like a young Harry Potter, playing around with your newfound powers and testing your inner will. When you assume you have influence, people bend to it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Someone you meet (probably Virgo or Libra) leads to something more. Romance? Business opportunity? Only you can say. Open your heart and watch what happens.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). If you sense that others are having a hard time relating to your journey, consider that it might be a you-to-you issue. When you approve of you, others (especially Virgo) will follow suit.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The more demonstrative you are the better. If you love someone, show it with a hundred flowers, shout it from the mountaintop, write it in the sky. If it's not bigger than life, the sentiment could be missed altogether.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I was born March 25, 1973, and I am still single. I've only had two long-term relationships, and the rest only lasted a few months. I can't make anything stick. Will I ever find "the one," or will I be alone forever?"

Buckle up, Aries babe. Your luck is turning in 2008. An intriguing, intense stranger will enter your life and change your spin on love. All you have to do is remain open to meeting someone completely different. But you're an Aries with Venus on your sun, making the ritual of romance a little hairy. Venus in Aries is notorious for jumping to premature conclusions. You go from zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds flat, which can be scary for him. Your emotional impulsiveness is simply too much, too soon. But we're really talking about Pluto, which is about to transit your natal Venus-Pluto opposition. Lay off the gas. Let him come to you. Beware that love is delicate at the beginning, and like a flower, it's crushable. You may you're finally ready to be taught a new way to love.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Socially aware Sagittarian Jake Gyllenhaal has said that young actors have a lot of political power — he's voiced his by promoting environmental issues, reforestation and global warming. With his moon in tree-hugging Taurus, he has a healthy love and respect for Mother Earth, a seed his own mama likely planted in him. This year, Jake's popularity soars.

Holiday Mathis is the author of "Rock Your Stars." To write to her, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Holiday Mathis page, or send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.