HOROSCOPE

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018

Double Solar Trines

Sadly, the most important message in the world might be missed if it comes via a source that people do not want to listen to. Take this into consideration and today’s double solar trines will be twice as lucky for you. When you have something important to impart, frame it in the best way, and give it to a messenger who commands respect.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). To prevent miscommunication, ask people to explain -- to spell it out, to paint you a picture. There is no shame in wanting to make sure that your understanding is thorough.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Brave people aren’t fearless. The fear is what makes an action brave. It may be the case that your body and mind feel anxious about a choice, but your spirit will be strong and undaunted as you move forward.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ve a clear idea as to the next step. The ones who are in your way may very well be standing there just because they don’t understand your plan. Break it down into smaller ideas, and explain it again.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Maybe you’re feeling a little bored with a job you’ve done time and again, but the other options don’t seem any more thrilling than what you already have. Not true! A “lateral move” will turn out to be a huge boost.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You do not have to work hard to be charming, and it’s also not a complicated matter. You simply give each person the attention and respect that he or she deserves, to tremendous effect.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your realm of influence will grow, though this is not your aim. You’re just trying to do your thing to the best of your ability. It turns out that this is precisely why people trust you and give you power.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If the problem seems to remain the same, consider that you may be currently a bit too narrow with your definition of the solution. What else can you do to try to knock a problem out of deadlock?

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll be a director today -- perhaps not in title (not officially, anyway), but directing this action is what you’ll do very well. You’ll assemble and align all the elements to represent your vision.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It will be wonderful for your heart to spend time with those who know you well and think of you often. Familiarity will bring a feeling of comfort and security.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Creative dilemmas are your favorite kind. Almost anything you choose will be tasteful, but the question now, dear artist, is which choice most represents you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Fight for your own happiness. After all, no one else can feel it, really. And as much as they might like to see you smile, your happiness can only truly belong to you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll wonder when the right time to call someone out is, and how best to do this. If you’re not sure, wait. It’s the mature thing to do. And you’ll likely feel differently about it later.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 25). You’ll put yourself in just the situation to grow your talent. So it’s no accident that your skills compound and that you’re paid much more for them, too. New lands and cultures will attract you in 2019, and this will be a year of research, education and travel. Also, loyal and loving new people will come into your world. Libra and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 3, 13, 29 and 44.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “I’m 40 years old, and I still can’t seem to change my flaws. For instance, I have a big mouth. I tell stories I shouldn’t tell, and I have a really hard time keeping a secret. Also, I eat too much and drink too much, and I don’t exercise enough. I say the wrong things at parties. There is a lot about my life going right, but honestly I just can’t stand my personality. I wish I could be beautiful, cool and funny and really connect with others everywhere I go. But instead I’m a dork, and now I’m an old dork. I feel really bad about myself. Can you help a 40-year-old Leo?”

Because Leos are so into presentation, they sometimes mistake their public persona for their true self. But how you look and what you say at a party doesn’t define you. Also, Leos are very attuned to what entertains others, so they have a tendency to find what’s exciting about a conversation and amplify that. Thus, they tell stories that sometimes have a touch of the inappropriate to them. So what? You get more attention and laughs and, you may notice, people keep inviting you back. So isn’t this getting old, this you-on-you meanness? Stop trying to change your flaws, and start accepting yourself. Believe it: That’s a change that will make the world a better place.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Virgos thrive on work, and Blake Lively is no exception. Next up for the “Gossip Girl” star is the crime mystery “A Simple Favor,” in which a mommy blogger seeks to uncover the truth behind her fabulous friend’s disappearance. Virgo is the sign of health, vitality, improvement and nurturing. Lively was born under a remarkable number of Virgo influences, with her first five luminaries in Virgo.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018 Full Moon in Pisces

“Until the lion has an historian, the hunter will always be a hero,” says the African proverb. Perhaps no one can tell a totally unbiased story, but those who at least try for a level of justice and fairness will be favored under the full moon in empathetic Pisces. Much good will come of trying to see and feel the world as others do.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You may not know it yet, but you’ve already been accepted by someone whose opinion really matters to you. Of course, what counts is your ability to accept and appreciate yourself.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A request that you deem reasonable is nonetheless extremely difficult for someone to deliver on. It’s probably a case of mismatched supply and demand. Stay upbeat while you politely pass, in favor of shopping around.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). So many tried, but you’re the one who is here. You only tried a little. You were a natural, and so you landed exactly in the spot. Don’t back off. Apply your talent and effort. You’ll make more of it than anyone could.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll hone your technical skills. Practice makes better. You’ll need these skills in the weeks to come. Tonight, you’ll vibe with someone who moves through the world differently.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). While some look around and see problems, you’ll sense that there’s opportunity in it. Some of the opportunities are harder to see than others. Just keep your eyes open and wait. All will be revealed.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You may be operating under the radar today, without attention or compensation, consequence or reward. Enjoy the low stakes while they last. It’s a great way to learn.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You don’t think for a second that just because you’re a certain age, you’re grown. There’s a lot of growing up to do at every age. Mostly it happens through new experience, so you’re sure to go out and get some.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When the logistics don’t click and the plan doesn’t pan out, this is nothing more than signpost to a better idea. Make a quick shift, and start the new plan.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s one thing to keep a finger on the pulse and do your best to stay current, and it’s another to be enslaved by the need to be on trend. You’ll take what you can use from the culture without following it blindly.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The immature assume that if it’s not going right currently, then it will never go right. You’ll help them calm down as you take a breath and try again. Persistence wins out.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Imagining the worst-case scenario is an entertainment for some, but don’t worry yourself. Go forward with velocity. When you’re willing to face the worst consequence, it often happens that it doesn’t come up.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A change of scenery will not solve a problem, but it will put you in a different mindset so you can see new sides of it, or perhaps choose not to identify with it at all.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 26). You’ll dig a problem up by the root and life will improve immediately. Over the next seven weeks, you’ll follow whims and be surprised and fulfilled with the outcomes you experience. Family needs and promotes you. An important paper will allow you to move forward in February. Wedding season brings love to you. Leo and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 20, 11, 24 and 50.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: As it is with people and shoelaces, there seems to be a string on the right that ties with a string on the left. They can come together to pull the situation in tight, and wind it all up with a bow. Or they can become unraveled and loosened up. Take that even further and what we are faced with the reality that it never really was two laces at all, just two ends of the same long string. Such realizations will be prevalent this week as Mars ceases his backward travels and puts our endeavors on a more logical and straightforward path.

The full moon that starts the week comes with a grand trine, augmenting our blessings. Of course, we have to know how to spot them first, as many come to the party disguised. What if the blessing in disguise never unmasks itself? Or worse, what if it takes off the disguise and still no one recognizes it? Does it still count as a blessing, or does it become part of the scenery known as “status quo”? Here’s hoping these questions will be moot as the Virgo sun urges us not to take our surroundings for granted.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Look for Chris Pine as the Outlaw King in the film that’s true to the life of the great 14th-century Scottish warrior Robert the Bruce who bravely defeated armies much bigger than his own. Pine was born when four luminaries were in hardworking and vital Virgo. Pine’s moon is placed in Pisces, in the realm of sensitivity and artistic brilliance -- an ideal lunar position for actors.

Write Holiday Mathis at Holidaymathis@gmail.com. COPYRIGHT 2018 CREATORS.COM