If it’s your birthday

Others respond to you before you even say a word. Your physical presence is so unusual and so palpable that people will feel they know you before you even introduce yourself. Those you know and love will have a similar experience. Take the time to patiently help others clear up any mysteries or misunderstandings they may have about you. You share a birthday with Michael Jordan, Denise Richards, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. MARCH 21-APRIL 19 Today, the Aries planet Mars encounters Neptune, the planet of belief, delusion and creativity. It would be good to avoid the first two, and emphasize the third. That, however, presents a challenge, since nobody likes to admit they could possibly harm themselves. Pay attention, and be your own best friend. APRIL 20-MAY 20 Take what partners say with a grain of salt today. They may be lacking in self-awareness, despite their usual practice of being considerate. You may not ever find out what was going on, though you can afford to let minor infractions go, without ever compromising your own integrity. MAY 21-JUNE 20 You may be more sensitive to insults and judgments today. It doesn’t help that others might be acting in ways that seem self-destructive. You need to be the bigger person, stand back, and leave others to their folly. You may, however, get some useful information about how others really feel. JUNE 21-JULY 22 Don’t get involved with the self-destructive activities of others, and make sure you remain true to your values. Today’s tense meeting of Mars and Neptune is advising you to remain sober and in control of yourself at all times. Pay attention to where you are, and who is around you. JULY 23-AUG. 22 Whatever you may do, for fun, for pleasure or for creativity, make sure you’re willing to accept both the benefits and any downside. Safety does not need to be your first concern -- there are more important things in life. The important thing is that you understand the risks -and have fun. AUG. 23-SEPT. 22 What you need to take an interest in is not so much what someone has done, but rather, whether they’re being honest with you. You can also observe the degree of someone’s self-awareness, though remember that it’s not actually possible to eat food or walk down the street while sleeping. SEPT. 23-OCT. 22 If you do anything but tell the truth today, you will soon come to regret it. The problem with deception in any form is how complicated it becomes, and how fast. It’s simply not necessary to waste all that energy. Others can deal with the reality of who you are -- though you must, as well. OCT. 23-NOV. 21 You must be careful with your finances today, particularly where they intersect with a romantic encounter. Nobody needs to spend a lot of money to have a good time. What you are seeking is contact and understanding, which is usually best found in places without a cash register. NOV. 22-DEC. 21 You must draw strength from your insecurities. It makes no sense to spend your life avoiding situations that you’re afraid of, particularly given how little can actually go wrong. It’s good to avoid being selfdestructive, as long as you remember that an overabundance of caution qualifies as such. DEC. 22-JAN. 19 Your fantasy life is running way ahead of you, and you may be thinking things you reckon are way too bold to actually try. But how will you know, unless you dare? Your conservative exterior is just a thin veneer over your radical and revolutionary nature. You remain well-disguised. FEB. 19-MARCH 20 You’re usually so laid back that, when you’re even a little competitive, that feels like a big deal. However, you can afford to give things a push, to pick up the pace of your life, and to aspire to greatness as you define it. That, however, is the key: your definition, not that of someone else.