DAILY HOROSCOPES

MOONALERT: After 9: 45 a. m., we have the “all clear” today to shop and do business. The moon is in Gemini. IF OCT. 18 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Actorsinger Zac Efron ( 1987) shares your birthday today. You are purposeful, fearless and alert. You have courage as

ARIES ( March 21- April 19):

Avoid ego conflict with bosses, parents and VIPs today even though you are tempted to give someone a piece of your mind. ( Hey, don’t give away a piece of your mind; you need all of it for yourself!) Conflicts with authority figures will be messy and regrettable. Chill out.

TAURUS ( April 20- May 20):

Steer clear of contentious subjects like politics, religion and race today because they will be too hot to handle. Discussions will disintegrate into power struggles and arguments. You need this like a fish needs a bicycle. Stay frosty.

GEMINI ( May 21- June 20):

Battles about shared property, taxes and debt or who is responsible for what might explode today. But this is a terrible day for an argument because it will be nasty and possibly even be violent in a few cases. If you have a disagreement about shared property, wait for another day to tackle it.

CANCER ( June 21- July 22):

Be patient with partners and close friends because if you challenge someone today, they will bark back! It will be a blow-your- hair- back- over- your-ears conversation. This is not what you want to hear from others. And you don’t want to get involved yourself, either. Tread carefully.

LEO ( July 23- Aug. 22):

Equipment will probably break down today at work. This will frustrate everyone, which in turn creates a breakdown in communications. ( You see where this is going. Specifically, nowhere.) Your only recourse is patience and tolerance for others.

VIRGO ( Aug. 23- Sept. 22):

Parents should not be pushy with their kids today because this is an angry day for a lot of people who will say things they later regret. This also applies to romantic partnerships. Count to three before you react. Don’t take things personally.

LIBRA ( Sept. 23- Oct. 22):

You have a lot of energy to make changes at home today, especially big improvements. This is the classic day to begin jobs like renovations, recovering, reupholstering, refinishing, resanding or redoing anything. You have the energy for this. However, avoid family arguments. Definitely.

SCORPIO ( Oct. 23- Nov. 21):

In communication with others today, you’re coming on like gangbusters. This generally does not get you what you want. Instead it leaves people paralyzed and discouraged. Don’t play the heavy! Use your persuasive powers to mediate and keep the peace.

SAGITTARIUS ( Nov. 22- Dec. 21):

Youmight be obsessed about financialmatters today. If shopping, you absolutely have to have something. Or if you are doing a financial deal, you will be obsessed about winning. Lighten up. ( Sit up and be a Sagittarius.)

CAPRICORN ( Dec. 22- Jan. 19):

Today you are PowerPoint on steroids. Fiery Mars is in your sign lined up with big daddy Pluto, which makes you strong, convincing, unmovable and ruthless. You’re not ready to compromise or see the other person’s side. You have blinders on. Just be aware of this so that you can avoid some serious conflicts.

AQUARIUS ( Jan. 20- Feb. 18):

Something going on behind the scenes is big. This energy could grow and ultimately be more than you really want to handle. Knowing this, you might want to nip it in the bud, as it were. ( Think: “Little Shop of Horrors.”) Aaggh!

PISCES ( Feb. 19- March 20):

Don’t be insistent about getting your way today, whether with a friend or a member of a group. If you come on too heavy with someone, they will resist you. You will only increase opposition to you. You don’t need a power struggle like this. Instead, look for a win- win solution.