TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Actor Armin Mueller-Stahl is 87. Pope Francis is 81. Singer-actor Tommy Steele is 81. Rock singer-musician Art Neville is 80. Actor Bernard Hill is 73. Actor Ernie Hudson is 72. Political commentator Chris Matthews is 72. Comedianactor Eugene Levy is 71. Actress Marilyn Hassett is 70. Actor Wes Studi is 70. Pop musician Jim Bonfanti is 69. Actor Joel Brooks is 68. Rock singer Paul Rodgers is 68. Rhythmand-blues singer Wanda Hutchinson is 66. Actor Bill Pullman is 64. Actor Barry Livingston is 64. Country singer Sharon White is 64. Producer-director-writer Peter Farrelly is 61. Rock musician Mike Mills (R.E.M.) is 59. Pop singer Sarah Dallin is 56. Country musician Tim Chewning is 55. Country singer Tracy Byrd is 51. Country musician Duane Propes is 51. Actress Laurie Holden is 48. DJ Homicide is 47. Actor Sean Patrick Thomas is 47. Actress Claire Forlani is 46. Pop-rock musician Eddie Fisher is 44. Actress Sarah Paulson is 43. Actress Marissa Ribisi is 43. Actor Giovanni Ribisi is 43. Actress Milla Jovovich is 42. Singer Bree Sharp is 42. Singer-songwriter Ben Goldwasser is 35. Rock singer Mikky Ekko is 34. Actress Shannon Woodward is 33. Actress Emma Bell is 31. Actress Vanessa Zima is 31.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): There’s something to be gained from dabbling casually in different worlds and interests. A little contact here, some knowledge there, a sprinkle of practice time now and then — before you know it, you’re an expert!

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You’re willing to sacrifice sweetness if that’s what’s necessary for health, but what if the two aren’t mutually exclusive? You’ll find a way to get it all, at least for the day.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): As for those emotions that are not so easily defined or understood, there’s healing power there. The benefit will be released through expression. If you can’t talk about it, could you write, dance or draw about it?

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You think, Now why would a person behave like that? The truth is that people act unconsciously all the time. You’ll strive to be extra alert and mindful — a counterbalance to what you see in the world.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): You’ve been known to attract what you want without ever asking out loud, but that’s not the norm, and it’s really not today. If you’re uncomfortable talking about it, practice in a mirror, but don’t stay silent. Ask aloud!

Today’s birthday (Dec. 17): Your intelligence will be sought time and again. You’ll be invited to boards, think tanks and elite groups. The first part of the year, you’ll be a tourist or feel like a tourist in someone else’s life. How far do you go with an exciting quest in April? As far as you dare! Your social life goes from warm to sizzling in the summer. Libra and Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 40, 4, 44 and 20.

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