August 17, 2003

If this day were a movie, it would be a lively family flick along the lines of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Family, generosity, children and togetherness are the themes. With the sun and Mercury in bigger-than-life Leo, the tiniest gesture sets off a chain reaction of fireworks. Couples just getting together will have a hard time slowing down this train.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Developments in buying and selling look promising. Shop around carefully before committing. Keep up with current events in order to make an informed decision. Romance: Avoid getting too serious too fast.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). While speed is of the essence regarding a financial transaction, go slowly with a new love relationship. Knowledge puts you in control of a situation. Be careful whom you trust. Seek out friends who think you are special.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Do what is right, not what is most convenient. A family member offers sound advice regarding your ambitions. In love, it’s sometimes better to keep your options open, at least until that special someone has made a commitment.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). New attitudes attract new solid friendships. Try a cutting-edge hobby or sport. If you exceed budget resolutions, try not to punish yourself, but realize that it could have been helped. Stop feeling like a financial victim!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your sweetie might be flirtatious, but it’s nothing to get wound up about. You can dish it, too – your engaging, coy banter is enough to turn a mild-mannered partner into the incredible hulk. Try not to let romantic drama rule the day.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (August 17). In this adventurous year, the more you learn, the better your choices and the happier you are. A partnership formed in August adds to your life in a profound way because it creates room for more to happen. You are shown the proper respect on the job in September and could get paid well for something you’ve been doing all along for no money. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 9, 33, 38 and 25.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Someone you haven’t spent much time with lately will be thrilled to monopolize your afternoon. You’ll have so much fun that you’ll find yourself wondering why you didn’t do it sooner. Get straight answers from kids tonight.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct.23). Management skills will come in handy in your personal life. If you can get someone to do what you need, your load becomes lighter, and your mood lifts, too. Aiming for your highest potential, you’ll start a competition tonight.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your blunt and forthright style needs a little tweaking today because you’ll be surrounded by sensitive types who can’t handle the heat. Useful items are found this afternoon; bargain your way into a sweet deal.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Today features pleasure trips (and you’re thinking, is there any other kind?). Fresh faces offer proposals that make you prick up your ears. Tonight, don’t lose your cool. You’re being watched by an amorous Aries.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Get as much time in as you can with children, young or old. Your spirit will be lifted by all of the laughter. It’s easy to be curious, but you’ll regret sticking your nose into a sibling’s business.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Enhancements to your appearance might go unnoticed by loved ones, but at least you feel like a million. Expect passionate moments from a loved one who is used to controlling the scene – watch out for a tantrum.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Love is a wonderful feeling, even if you’re not totally getting along. Forget about the small stuff in favor of making a sweetie feel important. Neither a borrower nor a lender be tonight.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: It’s a high-energy week. Social doings have big importance, and we’re naturally drawn to participate in the party or create one of our own. Absolutely anything can be turned into a celebration, including keeping up your possessions (car-wash party), getting yourself to work (commuter party) or making dinner for the family (cooking party). Success is an attitude now, and the attitude everyone is drawn to is "I’m fun." Leo infuses the air with drama, creativity and childlike enthusiasm for anything remotely interesting. It starts with the sun and Mercury in Leo, and by Tuesday, Venus and the moon join in the fete. This is an excellent time to shake your friends down for all the contacts they might have to move your pet projects forward. Everyone is feeling generous. When one person makes money, others benefit, so that cattiness and jealousy you might have dealt with last week will give way to a sincere encouraging spirit. Mercury transits into Virgo on July 30 and will be spending a while there due to retrograde antics in the middle of this transit. Communication will get a little more conservative, but by then, we’ll need the break.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Lean and lanky Elizabeth Berkley is a die-hard vegetarian. This year, she could start her own column in a women’s lifestyle magazine about the green life. The leafy good stuff could be the key to her unbelievable physique. If Leos are an expert at something, they want to share and share it loud. Berkley’s veggie bites and the skinny on her body would make great glossy-page fodder.

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Copyright 2003 Joyce Jillson