August 13, 2001

The Sagittarius moon and Leo sun are highly cooperative influences, ensuring that everyone is smiling, interacting, making new friends and impressing them straightaway. Leo’s energy makes us want to show off, but afterward, we may feel foolish about what we say. Appreciate each moment of the day, and throw vanity out the window.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Use your spare time to develop an ambitious plan. Obstacles to success will disappear when you decide upon a goal to pursue. Educating others is extremely rewarding. A romantic adventures is right around the corner.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Plan a splashy party, or attend someone’s else’s An old-fashioned romantic attitude attracts commitment from someone special. Communication is largely intuitive – pay little attention to the words themselves. The sentiment matters most.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Clean up the mess – you made it! Only by sorting through the chaos can you find order. Acting on principle will allow you to feel great about the outcome, whatever it happens to be. Think though situations before acting.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Others may not see the value of your views until much later, but don’t let this deter you. Be wary of overly friendly strangers, but don’t become cynical of everyone. Emptying your life of distractions will restore your sense of creativity.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Familiarity and deja vu suddenly strike you this morning. Use this opportunity to choose a different path according to what you think is best; it will be more lucrative than the last time. Trust your romantic instincts. Rejection is the least of your worries.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (August 13). Dig in and pour a solid foundation for the ambitions you’re entertaining. In September, a thorough job performance is insurance for the future. Meet those who’ll enhance your career options in October. The last half of the year will be profitable, creative and romantic. December will bring you momentary power and fame. Your best bets for love are Taurus and Cancer. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 29, 19, 21 and 34.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Agreements can be reached easily if you are prepared to compromise. Devote yourself to a new hobby, or find a good book. A friend who has monopolized your time will be temporarily amused elsewhere. Beware of love traps.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). An artistic project deserves your undivided attention. Don’t blow it off! Assert yourself more in the office. Your boss is looking for a competent manager. Your mate’s courageous bout of honesty makes him/her appreciate you more.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll experience bliss if you keep your opinions to yourself. Let nothing stand in the way between you and self-confidence. Love will jump out at you in your immediate surroundings, so keep your eyes open for that special someone.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You won’t be able to resist an outing, perhaps to window-shop for a new computer. Make good on a financial deal, or there may be unpleasant consequences. Romance develops only when nobody is forcing the issue.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Events this morning restore your perspective on life. Money and respect go to those who give a slick and thorough presentation. This afternoon favors quick decision-making. What you say and do has great influence on others.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Be honest about personal issues, or expect a close pal to call your bluff. It may be time to take control of the family budget. Pick up bargain items, and sell your junk. You’re only unattractive when you lack self-confidence.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Change your daily routine to make it more exciting and fulfilling. Spur-of-the-moment actions bring you luck. Your boss is full of surprises. Job applications may go awry, but you’re on the road to success. Help out a stranded friend.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "Although it seems really unlikely that my horoscope will actually apply to me, I remember one day when it said: ‘the survival of the fittest is the name of the game, and you’re at home in the jungle." That day, we played a basketball game on our home court. It was close, but we pulled it out at the last minute for the victory. I have checked the horoscope every day since to see if it coincides with my life."

Thank you for writing; this is exactly the kind of example that is most gratifying for astrologers to read. Although the advice and description we offer can’t be specific to an individual’s exact chart, we can provide the reader with the general color and atmosphere of the day, which can be surprisingly accurate. The dynamics of the solar system, especially the planets near the earth (Mercury, Venus and Mars), combine to create the energy environment for daily actions, encounters and events. Astrology is sufficiently rewarding when it "coincides with life," as you say, to be of continuing fascination to its students.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Hilary Swank, the Leo who won the Best Actress Academy Award for "Boys Don’t Cry," has the typical fiery personality of this celebrity-laden sign. Hilary’s newest passion may not be her career, but a new man she met or will meet on the set of her latest movie. Her husband Chad Lowe may find out about this possible dalliance in a very public way. It will shed new light on what makes this beautiful girl tick.

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