HOROSCOPE
(July 12 Thursday)
Solar Eclipse and New Moon Offerings Most people can see what’s wrong with another person, but it takes an emotionally mature person to see what’s wrong with oneself. Perhaps “wrong” or “right” isn’t the most helpful way to look at it. We’re all doing our best to adapt in a complex world. The solar eclipse and new moon promise a fresh start for those willing to self-reflect.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your love is a rare and beautiful gift best invested where it can be appreciated. If you’re not getting feedback that you’re appreciated, then you’re probably not. You deserve better! Go find it.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If you got into love a little deeper than was good for you, you have it in you to save your own heart like a hero. Of course, it’s a lot easier just to choose the right people upfront – people who can love you back and just as hard.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). People on the offense will make moves to defend themselves, and this creates conflict. So if you want avoid conflict, refrain from threatening people’s beliefs, possessions or position.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). In order for something to make you happy, you must really feel as though you’ve earned it. When you’re putting in the quality attention and work, even the tiniest things can bring you a great sense of accomplishment and elation.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You love your friends and family, but the most satisfying relationships featured today will be with mere acquaintance. When people barely known to you do kind things, it restores your trust in the good of humanity.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A deeper look into your possessions will reveal what you have, what you thought you’d lost and what you’d totally forgotten about. It will also help you avoid making unnecessary purchases in the future.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). “Taking stock” is a term used by merchants accounting for their wares to track what’s available, what’s been sold, ordered, broken or stolen. Take stock of current resources, material and immaterial; you’ll soon reopen “shop.”
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). For whatever reason, others seem fine with all that’s going on. But everyone is different. Suddenly you’ll feel creative. This is a response to discomfort – your way of trying to cope or adapt to conditions that don’t naturally suit you.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Do people really belong to each other? It depends on whom you ask. This will be the question at the heart of the action: To what extent do and/or should you allow yourself to be controlled by others?
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll combat difficult people with tolerance, acceptance and love. You’ll win with this approach, not a trophy or a monetary award but something more valuable: peace and self-respect.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You like people, but you also thrive on solitude. Lately, you haven’t had enough tranquility to do the deep thinking that connects you with the most intelligent and creative parts of yourself. Arrange for it!
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Follow instructions and you’ll be a hit with the boss. Whether the “boss” in this instance is a friend, a partner or your actual boss, deference to authority is a skill that will serve the whole team well today.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 12). The Chinese word “guanxi” describes a network of trusting relationships essential to conducting business. This year, such a network will bring happiness and prosperity to you. You’ll develop a system of measuring goodwill. Those who learn your ways and earn your trust will get your business, your love or both. Sagittarius and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 20, 4, 16 and 23.
ASTROLOGICAL QUESTION: “I’m a Pisces. I’m 43, and I want to get into comedy. Do you have any advice for me? Is it too late? Do I have what it takes?”
No, it’s not too late. Do you do impressions? Consider adding that to your act, because Pisces has a unique gift for absorbing personality traits, and you might be surprised what you can come up with in this regard. It’s certainly something to explore. Also, Pisces has innate acting chops, so you might find that expressing your humor through playing characters is a good fit, or at least something to be open to.
As for stand-up, just be aware that it’s an art form that is only mastered through experience. There’s no amount of rehearsing that can take the place of the experience one gets from performing live. Get into a regular routine of doing open mics and taking every opportunity to get up in front of people to work for laughs. Expect to fail often and mostly. It will be harder for you than most, just because you’re so sensitive and if they don’t laugh you’ll take it to heart. But comedy is for warriors. That’s why they say that joke “killed” or “slayed.” It’s emotionally bloody business. You can do this, but only if you want it badly enough. Best of luck!