Horoscopes

Aries (March 21-April 19): A lot of the work that relationships require will have to do with being tolerant and understanding that the other person’s brain works differently from yours. Be patient with those differences. Taurus (April 20-May 20): Earning won’t be a problem for you, but your spending style could be. Expensive tastes are the reason. Delay your gratification until you can truly afford it and you’ll suddenly feel rich. Gemini (May 21-June 21): There are fundamental differences between you and a partner, but none of it needs to hinder the relationship’s progress — quite the opposite, in fact. You’re your teamwork will be made stronger for your varied strengths. Cancer (June 22-July 22): Does a seashell know sacred geometry; a flower, perfect symmetry? Beauty will fall perfectly into place because nature is elegant that way. All you have to do is let things unfold naturally. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Success will come as you observe your world and use what you find. Don’t worry; you can be original and still utilize what’s common. (It’s too costly and time-consuming to invent everything you need!) Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Long stretches of peace and quiet are a rarity now, but if you can make this happen even for an hour you’ll be healthier and more productive for the effort. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): Your winning mindset is unstoppable, though some will try to stop you. The games you choose are hard enough on their own without teammates dragging you down. Seek supportive company wherever possible. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): The mental chatter will distract you from your goals if you let it. First of all, a lot of it is static you don’t need and shouldn’t put much stock in. If you can’t separate the noise from the message, disregard both. Hard work is the answer. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): When things seem to get a little too ordinary, you feel genuinely out of place. True, you were meant for the extraordinary, and in today’s case it’s up to you to create the transformation. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You are nature. When you interact in the untamed realms, you get back to your animal self. Interacting in nature will restore, energize and change you for the better.

You’re lucky to know what will make you happy and pursue it: Many do not have this kind of happiness compass. Just be aware that the magnetism of “happiness” will move for you like the magnetic poles do. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t be too worried about the disapproval of others. A little conflict will spice up the scene. On a related note, adrenaline is good for romance, maybe even essential.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com/ author/holiday-mathis and click “Contact.” DEAR ABBY >> My husband decided to buy a house. I never wanted one and now I’m depressed.

I am thankful that my husband provides for the family and puts a roof over our heads, but now that we are in our house, my days are spent doing chores, yard work, and cleaning, cleaning and cleaning. This is why I never wanted the responsibility of a house. I don’t have time for my family because I’m so busy maintaining this house I never wanted.

I have been distant from my husband because I secretly despise him for putting me in this position when he knew it wasn’t what I wanted. Am I being selfish? — Don’t want the responsibility

DEAR DON’T >> Selfish? No. Passive-aggressive, yes. The problem with passive aggression is that the problem never gets resolved. If you feel you have too much on your shoulders, tell your husband how you are feeling so he can either help you with the chores, or hire someone to do the yard work and some of the cleaning.

DEAR ABBY >> I love helping others, but I’m ready to quit every volunteer job I have. I’m tired of people who are not volunteers telling me I am doing my job wrong.

When you volunteer, you are given training on how to do your job. You drive to the site using your own gas, spend your time helping others, and a lot of times you spend your own money to obtain the supplies you need to do the job. I could be spending my time — and resources — doing things like shopping or getting my nails done.

Volunteers don’t want to do all of that only to hear how we’re not doing the job right, suggestions on how to do it better or complaints that we didn’t do enough. I am so sick of people who delight in telling you that you’re not doing enough. I can’t save the world, but I can help one person each day. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

— Sounding off in Texas

DEAR SOUNDING OFF >> You’re welcome. That’s what I’m here for. I hope writing this has made you feel better. Now get back to work, because what you do is IMPORTANT.

DEAR ABBY >> I am tattooed. I started getting inked when I was 22. I am now 31.

Recently, I decided to get an extensive design on my left arm. It will take four sessions to complete. The first session is scheduled on a Tuesday, not normally my day off. I can use PTO hours to cover it, but what do I say when — and if — management notices my ink, puts two and two together, and realizes I took time off for this?

— Inked in Indiana

DEAR INKED >> If that happens, you should tell the truth — that you took PTO for a personal errand. That’s what personal/paid time off is for.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)