August 25, 2002

The Capricorn moon and Leo sun create conflict between what makes us money and what gives us recognition and pleasure. You’ll be torn between handling work details (or at least giving them some thought) and investing your time and attention in playing hard. The "id" wins out, and you don’t even feel like going back to the grindstone Monday.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Appearances reflect inner growth and transformation; you could even change your favorite color! Accept all invites – you’ll be introduced to someone who can help you get a job or improve business.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Egos are difficult to rein in, but you’re an expert at helping others see past their own wants and needs. A thoughtful gesture means more than an expensive one. Take steps to prevent minor things from ruling your life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). A possessive loved one should be treated with kindness, even as you hang on tight to your freedom. Romance is a roller coaster of emotion. What you do for others will be long remembered. Get some extra rest.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re an attentive listener for a good friend, and it’s much appreciated. An enthusiastic sales pitch is sincere, but give it a few days before you sign up. Prevent illness by getting plenty of rest and laughs.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). While you’re not working, explore new ways to advance your career. Added sex appeal gives you the upper hand in love. People who love you truly don’t care how much you spend on them, but gestures are appreciated tonight.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (August 25). Remarkable coincidences are part of your karmic destiny. By October, a new career or financial path opens up, leading to bonanzas in early 2003. Last-minute decisions prove lucky this fall. Your intuition about a love or family dilemma is right on; follow it. Crucial information is found, adding to bank accounts, respect and honor. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 18, 19, 27 and 39.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Interact with those who are instrumental to your personal growth. One of them, possibly a Capricorn, presents a financial opportunity. Be carefree with your time tonight. Partners are learning to genuinely give of themselves.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Devote the morning to catching up, rehearsing and delegating. Travel helps your romance grow more passionate. Competing with friends is pointless, though troubled pals keep trying to engage you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll find allies where you look for them. Unstable, emotional people take your precious time, which costs you money in the end. Try not to take on baggage that clearly isn’t yours. Relationships get spicy.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your ultimate goal is only unattainable until you begin to pursue it. Challenge yourself to do your best work at the smallest of jobs – in the end, it all matters. A friend is not as discreet as you’d hoped. Keep secrets to yourself.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Loved ones understand that you need to work, so today will be productive. Others trust you even when you don’t trust yourself. You have a genius for handling difficult people and can be the calm strength that tames the wild lion.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Romantic luck involves the ability to articulate your ideas. Pay close attention to children’s activities, and guide them where necessary. Real joy is found volunteering your services; you’re astounded at what you get in return.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Have fun in the moment, and stop worrying about the future. Even flirt for the mere diversion of it. Singles: The person you fall in love with is someone you’ve often depended upon for friendship.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: All the performing done over the past four weeks is put into perspective in this, the close of the sun’s journey through the great extrovert Leo. Whether you were doing impressive numbers in a sales position, speaking in front of your group at work or coming through for your kids in a big way, there were solid, quantifiable gains from your activities. In the last week of Leo, it’s easy to look back on those gains and see where we can really give credit to ourselves for being brave, consistent, strong, determined, fun to be with and certainly effective. Putting it all on the line also gives you an opportunity to see where you stand. When you really reflect, you’ll remember times when you fell short over the past two months. When you think about these instances, you’ll feel bad enough that you’ll want to go back and examine the ways in which you weren’t all you could be and home in on what was missing. Isolate one or two areas for self-improvement. With the coming of the Virgo sun on Thursday and Friday, it’s prime time to solidify how you want to get better. The next four weeks bring a growth spurt to get you there faster.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Fiery "X-Files" diva Gillian Anderson is a lovely lioness who will have no problem whatsoever crossing television out of her life over the next two years. Exclusively as a big-screen actress, she’ll delight audiences with a much sexier side of herself next year. Her performance will make Scully a dim remembrance – well, at least for that silver-screen moment!

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– Copyright 2002 Joyce Jillson