You may not be able to stop your brain from scanning the environment for threats, but you can definitely use the energy of this wily Leo moon to keep it from obsessing on unhelpful factors in the environment. When focused on threats, the human brain goes into "fight, flight or freeze" mode. It's not the best mode for getting things done today.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You're more likely to keep a commitment to a friend than you are to honor your own private and personal wish. This is why, when you really want something for yourself, you absolutely must get other people involved.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Existential angst can be alleviated through practical means. Environmental improvements will contribute. Maybe this has to do with getting more sunlight and fresh air. Perhaps there's a nutritional issue to be addressed.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Once your internal parent decides what's good for you, your internal child will spend a good amount of time whining, complaining and trying to talk you out of it. Good parents stay true to their word.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It will take many hours of research and development to make an effective presentation. The amount of time you get to actually present your ideas may be extremely short: Make it count. Relevant details go up front.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You may be interrupted. It's an opportunity to extend respect to the other person, even though he or she is being rude. When you make a mistake, it's an opportunity to show poise. Catastrophes are opportunities to touch your true grit.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A partnership that drains you is defeating the very purpose of partnership. Partnerships should contribute to your sense of well-being. Go get a partner who shares your goals and complements your skills.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you come to the roadblock, you don't automatically turn back. Instead, you move laterally until you find a way through. This is a day when sideways moves can be counted as progress.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your least-satisfying lunch would be the best thing a person in another part of the world has had in months. There may be little you can do about that, but a global view should help your mood, at least.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Believing differently from your friend can cause a rift. Well, it's not the believing exactly; it's the expression of that belief. Diplomacy, softness, warmth — this is a dance, and you're a wonderful dancer.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You know what you want to do, yet you're not doing it. Baffling! You may have to trick yourself to get going. Write down the "when" and "where" in your calendar. Once in motion, you'll figure out the "how."

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Give and receive and receive and give. That's the way the day will go. Try not to pay too much attention to the math of it. Dollar amounts will be particularly deceiving. It's the care. Focus on the care.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Socializing with a friend or partner has its unique challenges. If only you could telepathically convey the message "stop talking" or "save me," it would smooth the way. Perhaps you could work out a signal.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 17). Your intensity will be appreciated by equally intense individuals. This is a bigger blessing than most people can understand. Your unique style and concerns — the one who pays attention to this will be of particular interest. Weddings happen in July and October. Family expansion is an exciting boon of March. Capricorn and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 20, 33, 10 and 50.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm 15, and I'm a Pisces. My Aries mom is always harping on me for going along with the crowd. She says that I'm not my own person. It's true that I've done some things because my friends convinced me to do them, and I'm sure I wouldn't have if they hadn't pressured me. I'm not proud of it. But I like having a squad and that's just what goes along with it, right?"

No. Your mom is right. Pisces is one of the most impressionable signs of the zodiac. You have a gift for feeling what other people are feeling, and you rather enjoy getting caught up in the moment. Peer pressure can be a positive force in your life, but only if you have the right peers. For instance, a group of friends who works hard to get good grades and contribute to making the world a better place will inspire you to do the same. It doesn't sound like your squad is doing you any favors. People who pressure you to behave in a way that goes against your gut feelings are not true friends, and you're better off without them.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Sagittarius brings the fire, the confidence and the superstar passion — all evidenced in remarkable boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, a Sagittarius who takes his fight from the ring to his community and beyond through politics and philanthropy. Pacquiao's natal chart boasts the sun, moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune all in fire signs. Venus and Uranus in Scorpio indicate depth of soul.

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