TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Aries (March 21-April 19):

You’re not asking much out of this day, but you would like to know that you’ve made a difference in the experience of others. You’ll get the feedback you desire. Taurus (April 20-May 20): There was a time when it took extra energy to be thoughtful and considerate. But that was long ago, when you were still learning how you wanted to operate in the world. Now it takes no energy. It’s just who you are. Gemini (May 21-June 21): You pay attention to the tone of interactions and try to raise the energy level, if only just a little so that you’re always leaving people in a better mood than they were in when you started. Cancer (June 22-July 22): While it may feel like you’re giving more love and attention to someone than you’re getting back, that’s only if you’re capping off the count at the end of the day. Extend the deadline. This has potential to be a long relationship. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): There are more moving parts today but don’t let it overwhelm you. The only moving part you need to concern yourself with is your own, and you can trust that it will connect beautifully where it’s supposed to. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): People respect your power because you use it quietly, applying influence only where you really think it is necessary, and where it will do the most good for the situation. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): The third eye is the one that sees what’s really important. But it’s vision can vary in accuracy, which is why it will be interesting to write down your predictions so you can look back later and track what you got right. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Sure, you have your preferences — certain people you care to be around more than others — but you see things to love in many people around you today. Do you think it’s possible to love everyone? Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your mind doesn’t always fire off thoughts that create the neural pathways to feeling good, but luckily today you can take hold of the situation and feed it what it needs to get some favorable chemistry going. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Doing what you don’t want to do because you feel you should is the most direct route to wasted time. Your best bet is to either figure out a better reason to follow through, or bail fast. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Actress Cicely Tyson is 94. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark is 91. Actor Roger Mosley is 80. Rock singer-musician Keith Richards is 75. Writerdirector Alan Rudolph is 75. Movie producer-director Steven Spielberg is 72. Blues artist Ron Piazza is 71. Movie director Gillian Armstrong is 68. Movie reviewer Leonard Maltin is 68. Rock musician Elliot Easton is 65. Actor Ray Liotta is 64. Comedian Ron White is 62. R&B singer Angie Stone is 57. Actor Brad Pitt is 55. Professional wrestlerturned-actor “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is 54. Actor Shawn Christian is 53. Actress Rachel Griffiths is 50. Singer Alejandro Sanz is 50. Actor Casper Van Dien is 50. Country/rap singer Cowboy Troy is 48. Rapper DMX is 48. International Tennis Hall of Famer Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is 47. DJ Lethal is 46. Pop singer Sia is 43. Country singer Randy Houser is 42. Actor Josh Dallas is 40. Actress Katie Holmes is 40. Actor Ravi Patel is 40. Singer Christina Aguilera is 38. Christian rock musician Dave Luetkenhoelter is 36. Actress Ashley Benson is 29. Actress-singer Bridgit Mendler is 26. Actress Isabella Cramp is 14.

Don’t worry about success or winning or anything along the lines of gaining approval. The only approval you need now is your own. Honest contemplation is in store. Can you still stand behind your choice? Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Mostly, things are going in your favor, and will continue to do so, as you show more enthusiasm for your good fortune, however small it may seem. Today’s birthday (Dec. 18): You never stop educating yourself this year, and you become freer with every hour of study. Knowing how things work — emotionally, spiritually, practically — gives you advantages you’ll use time and again. Major fun at the start of 2019 happens because you dare to do things different from your predecessors. Leo and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 20, 14, 4 and 32.