Last word on astrology

Happy Birthday:

Be open about how you feel and what you intend to do this year.

The dialogue you choose will help set the tone for how you live and the goals you create. Choose your words wisely, and you’ll find a way to convince others to tag along. Your discipline and determination will set the stage for what’s to come. Your numbers are 5, 17, 21, 23, 32, 37, 45.

Aries (March 21-April 19):

Don’t overdo it or put your emotions on display. Use intelligence to figure out how to do your best and get the most in return. Distance yourself from those who want to argue or put you in an awkward position. ★★

Taurus (April 20-May 20):

Confusion will occur if someone says one thing and does another. Listen carefully and discover how to use the information you receive in a fashion that helps you without hurting someone. Document every move. ★★★★

Gemini (May 21-June 20):

Use your connections to get ahead. Don’t limit what you can do because you are afraid of rejection. Step up and rearrange your schedule to ensure you can take advantage of whatever comes your way. Orchestrate your next move. ★★★

Cancer (June 21-July 22):

Take advantage of an opportunity someone brings to your attention. Find out all you can, then up your game in preparation. Added skills and experience will help you outmaneuver anyone who wants to compete with you. Personal growth is encouraged. ★★★

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):

You’ll be able to get on with your life and follow your heart once you share your feelings. Arguments can evolve only if you choose to engage. Looking at the big picture will make it easy to recognize what’s best for you. ★★★

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

You may crave something new, but before you initiate change, consider the outcome. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Test the waters, do your research and take one step at a time to ensure safety. Patience will pay off. ★★★

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

Reach out to people you can count on for support, good advice and hands-on help. Listen to your body and incorporate a health regimen that helps you lower your risk of disease. An open conversation will assist in resolving pending problems. ★★★★

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

You’ll need plenty of stamina and discipline to deal with unexpected or last-minute changes. Welcome a challenge, and apply unique techniques and plans to overcome any obstacle that gets in your way. A personal improvement is featured. 2stars

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

Put your plans in motion. Limit spending and invest wisely. Handle situations at home carefully. Don’t give others jurisdiction over the lifestyle you live. Satisfy your needs first, and incorporate outside influences as you see fit. Financial gain is favored. ★★★★★

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

Change begins with you. Size up your situation and rethink the way you want to live. Don’t limit what you can do because of cost. Size down or adjust your overhead to fit your plans. Be the one to initiate change. ★★★

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

Stop worrying about what others do; concentrate on what you want. Discipline and hard work will help you reach your goals and eliminate what’s no longer working for you. Keep the peace, but don’t fold under pressure. Walk away from bullies. ★★★

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):

Things won’t go according to plan when dealing with pending financial, legal or health issues. Have a backup plan to ensure you come out ahead. A social or networking event will give you a platform to strut your stuff. Don’t overdo it. ★★★

— Eugenia Last

DEAR AMY » My wife of over 25 years is foreignborn.

She travels to her home country for an extended period almost every year. I’ll join her for a few weeks, and she’ll stay a while longer after I return home.

Recently when she returned home, she told me that after I had left, she was introduced to a male acquaintance of her family’s.

She said that they did not have a conversation, but did notice that he stared at her constantly.

Afterward this man tracked her down and sent her a text message, which she let me read. It was quite lengthy and frankly, incredibly audacious. He told her how attractive she is, how he wanted to spend time with her, and suggested how to discreetly contact him to arrange a rendezvous.

Her response to him was overly polite: “I’m flattered, but I’m busy. Perhaps some other time.”

I made a note of his phone number and a few weeks later sent him a terse message (I’m fluent in his language), that he was rude, unmannerly, interested only in a sexual encounter with my wife, and to back off.

He did not answer my message; instead he forwarded it to my wife, who got angry and said that I embarrassed her and violated her privacy.

I told her that while I may have ruined her other man fantasy, someone had to put him in his place, and I was proud to do it.

My wife is a very attractive woman. I am aware of the attention she receives.

To me, however, that man went way over the top.

Did I do the right thing, or was I being meddlesome?

— Just Wondering

DEAR WONDERING » Your wife shared this man’s text message and her reply, which you describe as “overly polite.” I interpret her message differently.

In its ambiguity, “Perhaps some other time” can be read as something of an invitation.

The politeness she extended was to this acquaintance, but not necessarily to you.

In response, you stewed about this for weeks and then acted out in anger toward both of them.

You were trying to protect your marriage by being direct, but your wife is the one who should have drawn a firm boundary around your marriage.

You could have asked her to make a more definitive statement, rather than doing it yourself.

She was honest with you regarding how your behavior made her feel.

At this point, without discussing his behavior or hers, you should talk to her sincerely about how this has made you feel: “This text exchange made me very sad and angry. I’m worried about our relationship, and I’m trying to protect it.”

DEAR AMY » You recently wrote: “I have mentioned this many times (especially lately), but the ubiquity of DNA testing is basically coming for everyone.

Each of us should try to anticipate the possibility of being contacted by DNA relatives.”

Our situation is that an uncle who was an ob-gyn donated sperm to a bank many times throughout his career. (He’s 94 now.)

Children that were conceived from his generosity and kindness are NOT our relatives! They are members of the family that raised them!

This seeking out of bio parents, in many instances, is an invasion of privacy and totally disrespects the love, sacrifice and support of the family they were raised with.

— DNA isn’t Everything

DEAR DNA » You say your physician uncle donated to a sperm bank. I assume he was NOT a fertility doctor. (If he was a fertility doctor using his own sperm to inseminate women without their consent, then he was not “kind and generous,” but a liar and a criminal.)

If dozens of infertile couples within his own community used his donations to conceive, these children all have important reasons to learn their DNA heritage. Dna-related siblings growing up in the same community could conceive children together and face extreme health, emotional, and social consequences.

DEAR AMY » “Overwhelmed asked about a yard sale to get rid of a deceased girlfriend’s stuff. My idea of a brutal hell is holding a yard sale, and I’m not the only one.

You should have suggested arranging with the owner of a second-hand store to come get ALL the stuff and negotiating a price to load it in a truck and haul it off. Easy, quick, relatively painless.

— K

DEAR K » This is a great suggestion, and thank you.

Contact Amy Dickinson via email, askamy@ amydickinson.com.