February 16, 2004

The moon in Sagittarius tells Pluto, in astrological terms, to "talk to the hand." You may hear or say the same thing in human terms as a response to people being petty and ridiculous in their expectations. Try to see others on their own terms instead of requiring that they think like you. Mars amps us up with a little too much aggression. Keep cool.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Realize your uniqueness. Your story helps others – that is, if you tell it. Potential romantic interests want to call you but are too shy. Make it easy for them. Flash your sexy smile, and flirt with your eyes.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You could come up against old-school advice. Just be gentle with those who think they have authority over you. These folks are sensitive. Friends comment about how wonderful you look. Keep up the fitness regime.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’re attractive to many, but be careful with whom you get involved. The wrong influence makes you act quite unlike yourself. Material possessions are overrated, but if you are truly determined, you’ll use your plastic anyway.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Enthusiasm for life shouldn’t be so much work. Figure out what makes you feel vital, and continue doing that. Every area of life improves. Romance runs hot and cold. Soon, you’ll have to call it what it is – an infatuation.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Loved ones who feel insecure will act out. A stable environment is necessary for those folks to calm down. Your popularity at work increases after you are instrumental in getting current policies revised. A phone call is great news.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (February 15). Life is funny – when you see the bright side, you’ll keep being shown the bright side. Fortuitous perceptions are your key to a life of abundance. March adds a bit of unpredictability to the mix. Lump sums of money in May allow you to buy a home or make a move to a better neighborhood. Your best signs in love are Libra and Aries. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 20, 3, 45 and 32.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sticking to the plan might be just plain stupid. Instead, you are flexible, checking to make sure it’s working along the way. If you’ve infringed on a loved one’s space, it’s the perfect time to get things right.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your influence extends more broadly than you think. You can make a huge difference, though you may never know how or why. Love requires the kind of commitment you are conditioned to resist. Instead, surrender.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A cheerful attitude will win over skeptics. Take time to be by yourself – people at work get overwhelming in the afternoon. Discuss music and film with that attractive new friend over dinner. You connect with an Aries.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re thinking into the future. Read up on how you might acquire new skills that will secure your income. Regarding feuding loved ones: The one who makes the first move will get more personal benefit from the resolution.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Public appearances are important; taking extra care with dress can make the difference. Give romance the same attention you give work. In regards to a domestic project still undone, finishing makes you feel strong.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Be happy that you have wants and needs. If you didn’t, you’d be depressed. Necessity is the mother of your greatest invention yet! If reason says one thing and intuition another, trust the latter.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). All lucky moves have one thing in common: They take you out of your comfort zone. In a weird way, the more uncomfortable you are, the luckier you are. New friends are featured. Generous acts are absolutely for real.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: The moon and Pluto have an exchange at the top of the week that could bring out some petty behavior. If you remember to see the world from the other person’s point of view instead of expecting everyone to think like you, you’ll be ahead of the game and may even see an advantage and an opportunity in human foibles around you. Tuesday, aggressive Mars gets with the program, helping you figure out how to make a career splash instead of a dribble. Projects that you initiate are where the gold is, and helping others be original is also favored. Wednesday brings the new moon in Aquarius and the Chinese New Year. It’s the year of the monkey, a time when human intelligence is lifted to a new level and superior solutions can be found for age-old problems. Brainstorming is lucky. Friday, the moon transiting from Aquarius to Pisces helps you clear up personal business in order to spend time this weekend on the things that really matter. The Pisces moon is wonderful at seeing the big picture and how all the parts of the puzzle fit together. It’s not about deciding right now so much as taking on a state of being that automatically takes care of business.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Actor, writer and Scary Movie star Shawn Wayans is a Capricorn with a chart for leadership in the entertainment industry. This year, he could become a board member for a media group that focuses on improving awareness of negative stereotypes perpetuated in the media. Learning how to operate as a political being comes naturally to Capricorn, but a Libra moon gives Wayans true talent in this.

If you would like to write to Joyce Jillson, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Joyce Jillson page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Joyce Jillson and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. – Copyright 2004 Joyce Jillson