March 5, 2001

The retrograde status of Mercury, albeit inconvenient, is a blessing in disguise. It provides a chance to explore alternative methods of getting our message across. Send it off in a bottle, write it in the sky, whisper it to the wind – the wackier, the better under the Aquarius sun. The Cancer moon amps up the psychic energy, too. It’s a good day to talk.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Confidence on the job enables you to take over when the opportunity presents itself. Your love relationship needs excitement. Plan an excursion, or do something wild with your significant other. Having patience helps you get your way.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If this week’s social possibilities seem boring to you, take this as a sign to spend time working on personal goals. An investment opportunity should not be taken at face value – do some research. You’ll think about self-employment.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Read the paper, look at art, go for a walk – do whatever it takes to get your mental wheels rolling. Your creativity gets you out of a tight spot! Perseverance is sexy to a Capricorn. Let down your guard when you are with your friends.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Botched projects will have to be redone, so take the time to get it right on the first go. A new technological product solves your problem. You have a sixth sense that will guide you in romantic matters. Aimless thinking helps you out.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A long-distance message affects plans for the near future. Stay optimistic, even if friends aren’t. Romantic strategies are successful when followed to the letter – so are diets, for that matter. It’s not a good day for borrowing or lending.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 5). Be bold and unique, and you’ll attract love, money and recognition in the year ahead. Sudden career and financial assistance this month gives you a motivating start. An Aries or a Scorpio is your ideal partner. Legal problems will end in June. Start fresh; don’t try to make an old business work. Raises will arrive in July, but only if you plant the seeds now. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 10, 49, 21, 37.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Even though you’re not willing to take orders, it won’t hurt; take notes! A friendly gathering brings with it a temptation to overspend – you should resist with all your might! Travel and changes are beneficial to your personal life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your fun-loving mood makes life exciting for others! So loosen up and let people be attracted to you. Your superior is of great assistance on the job, even if you don’t believe he or she can help. Take care of important correspondence tonight.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Productivity suffers until your love life is put back in order. Have friends call to remind you of what you promised. Relationships gone by still have merit. A job down memory lane will propel you into the future with greater momentum.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Treats and fun are as important as discipline. Socialize and make contacts that can help your financial future. You receive special privileges; they are well-deserved! Support from friends will teach you about your hidden strengths.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Small sacrifices bring big rewards. Use a neutral party as a sounding board for relationship issues. A silly caper bonds friends together. A big flirt is actually serious about you. Don’t underestimate the power of his or her feelings.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Take pride in your assets or there’s no incentive to accomplish anything more. Taking part in your favorite recreation attracts money. Forgiving someone (even yourself) is not as difficult as you thought it would be.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Strong passions can get in the way of objective decision-making; take a few minutes to meditate before acting. Set some definite deadlines for yourself, and then tell everyone you know what you’ve decided. Marital rifts are healed.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: A Gemini mother writes: "I just sent my daughter, a Capricorn, to a new (expensive!) school in hopes she will find the friendships that eluded her in her last school. Does she fit in? Did I do the right thing? Will it work?"

When your daughter’s mind is being challenged, she shines. So if this new school is more academically accelerated, her competitive nature will surface – a quality that many children of other signs admire and respect. At the same time, she will reciprocate the feelings toward other children she observes doing well in their chosen interests. This mutual admiration begins friendship. Don’t think it will happen overnight, though, and don’t push her by asking too many questions. Capricorns are private. They also have maturity beyond their years. Their selective attitude about people may result in fewer – but more enduring – friendships. Remember that you, a Gemini, are much more comfortable around a variety of people. Also, large groups are exciting for you, whereas your daughter is nervous in a crowd. To help a Capricorn find special friends, enroll her in classes, such as painting, gymnastics, tennis, or dancing. Most of all, give her all the love and support you can.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Jennifer Jason Leigh could double her fee per movie this year by taking on a role in a futuristic flick. As an Aquarius with her sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn all in Aquarius, she is truly a child of future-thinking stars, as well as an adept, brilliant and highly social creature. It is the case with many Aquarian performers that their work gains tons more appreciation several years after it is first released.

To find out more about Joyce Jillson and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com

Copyright 2001 Joyce Jillson