TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Aries (March 21-April 19): The beautiful thing will be a simple thing. But there’s a process to finding this. Along the way, things will get mighty complicated indeed, which will be your cue to go back to the basics and start again.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Where do you draw the line with your mischief? Too far to one side and it’s criminal. Too far to the other and it’s such a weak strain it could hardly be considered mischief at all. You’ll employ your best judgment and hit the perfect tone.

Gemini (May 21-June 21): When you hear what you don’t like, how do you punish the messenger? People only lie because the truth seems too dangerous a thing to tell. The way to get to the truth is to make it safer for people to tell it to you.

Cancer (June 22-July 22): Relationships are always a cocreation. It may seem that you’re responsible for what happens in them, but only partly. Consider carefully the various motives at play in today’s matters of love and friendship.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Asa Leo, you understand that the king isn’t the king because he’s better; he’s the king because his position got him crowned. Doing good work from where you are, wherever you may be, is the aim that serves you best.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Of course nothing is certain, but who wants to live with that ethos? It’s not very productive and even less exciting. Anyway, some things are more certain than others. Choose one and go for it.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): “Face your fear” is the common advice. Putting your face into fear’s face isn’t always required to solve the problem; it can be solved through action. Today you could do the action blindfolded and have the same result.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): A1 percent improvement will have a 360-degree effect. What makes you better in your personal life will make you better at everything: work, business, art, parenting, friendship, self-care and on and on.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your signmate former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill suggested, “Never hold discussions with the monkey when the organ grinder is in the room.” But if you can separate the monkey from the organ grinder, you’ll get a good story from each.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): While there are times when a passively experienced amusement is just what you need to relax, the best entertainment for today is the sort that engages your brain at a high level. Former Secretary of State George P. Shultz is 98. Actor-comedian Dick Van Dyke is 93. Actor Christopher Plummer is 89. Country singer Buck White is 88. Music/film producer Lou Adler is 85. Singer John Davidson is 77. Actress Kathy Garver (TV: “Family Affair”) is 73. Singer Ted Nugent is 70. Rock musician Jeff “Skunk” Baxter is 70. Country musician Ron Getman is

70. Actor Robert Lindsay is

69. Country singer-musician Randy Owen is 69. Actress Wendie Malick is 68. Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is 68. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is 65. Country singer John Anderson is 64. Singer-songwriter Steve Forbert is 64. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

You’d like to do more with less, and indeed you’ll feel happier, lighter and more productive when this happens. The first step is getting to less, though. So what three things can you let go of?

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):

You’ve been good at doing you for years now, and yet there are still people who think they have the answer to how you could be doing it better. Steer them off the pursuit, either gently or abruptly, because they’re wrong.

Today’s birthday (Dec. 13):

You’re a visionary, a big idea person. To make it happen, get better at delegating. The universe brings you competent people happy to be a part of your plan. Other treasures of the solar return: some silly fun that turns into big publicity, an approach to health to amp up your vitality and the worthiest wingman ever. Libra and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 30, 33, 8 and 47.