TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Aries (March 21-April 19):

The good ideas rain down on you today, so many that you’ll forget unless you catch them with notes or by taking pictures. Little reminders can turn into big profits.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): You’ve been influenced enough. Taking yourself out of the chatter of the world for a block of time will help you connect to a well with something timeless and rich inside.

Gemini (May 21-June 21): Some social arenas are easy to navigate. Their rules are clearcut, and you’ve obeyed them so many times the behavior is automatic. The other social arenas will get easier, too. You just have to experience them more.

Cancer (June 22-July 22):

It’s hard enough to know what to do for yourself. How are you supposed to know what to do for others? Sometimes you do just know, and it works. When that’s not the case, stick with doing what makes you feel most alive.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): There’s a stronger-than-usual inner commentator to deal with, and that’s only because you’re in a state of flux. Who you are is changing. Knowing how to act like you isn’t as certain as it was.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Getting carried away with an idea or activity can be a little embarrassing, especially when the others don’t take to it with your enthusiasm. This is the best kind of embarrassed to be and highly recommended by the fates.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): You want to know about your faults. You don’t mind when they are gently pointed out. In fact, you gravitate toward friends and seek teachers who can do this for you — Miracle-Gro for your soul.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Until you fully understand a thing, it is dangerous to praise it, and even more dangerous to reject it. The gift of penetrating curiosity combined with the discipline of study will serve you well.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Personal fulfillment doesn’t come from success. Instead, like sweat, it’s a product of work. Because it’s not contingent on the win, personal fulfillment can come equally from success or failure.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Let some of the praise from your last success soak in and juice your ego just enough to fuel the start of the next thing. It’s a safe thing to do, only because you’re too modest to dwell there and get a big head.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

In a dog-eat-dog world, you’re vegan. That doesn’t mean you won’t compete. You can and will. Actor Don Murray is 90. Jazz composer-musician Kenny Burrell is 88. Actress France Nuyen is 80. Actress Susan Flannery is 80. Singer Lobo is 76. Actress Geraldine Chaplin is 75. Former movie studio executive Sherry Lansing is 75. Singer Gary Lewis is 74. Actor Lane Davies is 69. Actress Susan Wooldridge is 69. International Tennis Hall of Famer Evonne Goolagong Cawley is 68. Actor Barry Van Dyke is 68. Actor Alan Autry is 67. Jazz composer-musician Michael Wolff is 67. Actor James Read is 66. Actor Michael Biehn is 63. Rock singer-musician Daniel Ash is 62. Actor Dirk Blocker is 62. Entrepreneur Mark Cuban is 61. Rock musician Bill Berry is 61. Actor Wally Kurth is 61. Actor Wesley Snipes is 57. Country singer Chad Brock is 56. Musician Fatboy Slim is 56. Rock musician Jim Corr is 55. Author J.K. Rowling is 54. Actor Dean Cain is 53. Actor Jim True-Frost is 53. Actor Ben Chaplin is 50. Actor Loren Dean is 50. Actress Eve Best is 48. Retired NFL quarterback Gus Frerotte is 48. Actress Annie Parisse is 44. Actor Robert Telfer is 42. Country singer-musician Zac Brown is 41. Actorproducer-writer B.J. Novak is 40. Actor Eric Lively is 38. Country singer Blaire Stroud (3 of Hearts) is 36.

You’ll just do it by minding your own business and committing even more fully to the same work you’ve done all along.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):

Even though your friends and family members would like to have your back, they won’t think ahead like a professional would. For the things that matter for your bottom line, hire the right person.

Today’s birthday (July 31):

Paradoxically, this year you will simplify your life and make it fuller. You’ll build with people you’ve known a long time, and these joint ventures and shared successes bond you. Conversations lead you to a new interest. Take vacations. You become more passionate about work after a rest from it. Capricorn and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 49, 3, 25 and 10.