January 12, 2004

The moon in the sign of Virgo is a fabulous complement to the Capricorn earth-sign energy. Improvements are made, even the smallest of which can make a huge difference. Look for ways that you can be of service to the people around you. Virgo energy is best utilized by getting busy, especially physically.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The first thing in the morning, do that one chore you’re not happy about doing. The rest of the day, you’ll be free of overhanging guilt. Notice how a potential love treats people to whom he or she does not have to be nice.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll be wondering why you agreed to take on a certain responsibility – it’s not what you expected. Life is happier when you resolve to give up gossip. A tall, dark and attractive person walks into your life tonight.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Apathetic feelings about work will turn around when you partner up with an Aries or Capricorn. Love tip: Infatuation is born of a feeling of insecurity – a fact that you can make work to your advantage.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Open up – not by complaining about the powers that be but by sharing your goals. Be as objective as possible. Ask questions that will help you get to the key issues. Favored signs to chat with are Libra and Aquarius.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Someone at work may be making it feel unsafe to express your ideas. If you can’t communicate for fear of being unpopular or, worse, fired, then it’s time to leave. But before you do, say how you really feel.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (January 12). This year, you deepen your commitment to your own vision. It’s not about discovering or changing your path but about accepting the path you are on and enjoying the sights and sounds for all their splendor. This month and next, you inspire others and will have plenty of help getting a project off the ground. Lucky love matches are Leo and Pisces. Your lucky numbers are: 42, 14, 38, 2 and 9.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You speak with confidence and come across as a warm, caring person. In fact, you might attract someone who not only approves of you and likes you but orbits around you for the next week or so.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The world will act as your distorted mirror this morning, reflecting back your attitude times three. Letting the wrong person and assist you could take longer and cost more than doing it all by yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Some of you are having trouble getting a romantic partner to feel the same way you do. This person is not running from your love but rather running from the potential of feeling trapped. Love with open arms.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You have real maturity. You’re not sure why loved ones are behaving so strangely, but give them the benefit of the doubt. Genuine attention and empathy are more valuable to a loved one than displays of affection.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Intimidating folks are around the work site, but you’ve got nothing to be afraid of. So what if you don’t have extensive knowledge of this person’s chosen conversation subject? Let others do most of the talking.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Strategic success is your aim – direct communication with superiors is crucial. Your best qualities come forward, and you make a positive impression. Apply dating strategies to friendships and business associations.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There are plenty of opportunities to develop something of your own, but just because you’re in charge doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. The right partners make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself.

SIGN AND THE CITY (PART ONE OF TWO): The hit series "Sex and the City" features four archetypal characters that, I venture to say, could also represent the four elements in astrology – fire, water, earth and air. Miranda, the practical lawyer, is earth. I think her character is a Capricorn. She is both driven to rise to the top of her profession and the first to become a mother, an interesting twist in the show since, besides Samantha, she was the next maternal figure of the group. And although she took on the role of motherhood in a rather unconventional fashion, in spite of herself, she upheld traditions such as baptism and eventually the nuclear family. Samantha, the quintessential Scorpio, is Water. I’m not saying by any means that all Scorpios are promiscuous in the way Samantha is, but there is a certain attunement to the sexual drive that Scorpios seem to naturally fall in line with. It is perfectly healthy if channeled in ways that support the Scorpios goals, lifestyle and relationships. And though Samantha rarely shows emotions, this is because she feels them so deeply and is afraid that if she becomes vulnerable, she’ll open up the floodgates and be deluged in her feelings.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Melanie Jayne Chisholm, formerly known as Sporty Spice, is turning 30 this month! I’m willing to bet that what she really, really wants is what all Capricorn girls want – mega success! But the definition of that is changing for Cappies born in ’74. Artistic integrity moves up on the list, and making a financial killing moves cautiously down on the list – at least temporarily.

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– Copyright 2004 Joyce Jillson