TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Aries (March 21-April 19):

A belief might be life-changing, but who knows? Its power is all potential power; its reality theoretical. In other words, it’s not in reality. Action is what matters. Make your move.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): You will be visited by a muse, either your regular trusty inspiration source or a new spring of effervescence. Either way, capture the moment. These don’t come along every day.

Gemini (May 21-June 21): How self-directed are you? However you’d rate yourself previously, you’ll raise it up a few percentage points now as you’ll notice that the best actions to take today will be the ones you order up for yourself.

Cancer (June 22-July 22): It is easy to undervalue your own skill set when no one around you understands what you do. It helps matters to work on skills that cross over into many areas, such as social skills.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): In situations unknown, you tend to take the lead. The best move, however, will be to check the group to see if there’s anyone who knows more than you do about how to proceed. If not, go for it.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ll come across situations that are best to blow by like the breeze. You’ll learn through observation, not involvement. When you’re not sure you can make things better, the graceful way is to leave no trace.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): Don’t help people who don’t value your help. It does no one any good. Your efforts are wasted in this regard because people don’t take help that they didn’t pay for in some way.

Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): You may not feel important to the action today, but your behavior proves otherwise. The one who follows through on an instinct to protect and care for others is strong, powerful and built to lead.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): People feel your absence. When you’re not participating, they wonder where you are, what you’re doing, who you’re with. Check in, if only to stop them from obsessing.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll summon your courage and do the thing you were afraid to do. This will feel good, somewhere between relief and liberation. The world is a more exciting place when you feel like you can affect it.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Unless you’ve taken a vow to obey orders and follow instructions, you’d do well to secondguess and analyze the commands issued in your direction. Children’s performer Ella Jenkins is 95. Actor-director Peter Bonerz is 81. Actress Louise Sorel is 79. Actor Michael Anderson Jr. is 76. Actor Ray Buktenica is 76. Actor Dorian Harewood is 69. Actress Catherine Hicks is 68. Rock singer Pat MacDonald (Timbuk 3) is 67. Country musician Mark DuFresne is 66. Actress Stepfanie Kramer is 63. Actress Faith Prince is 62. Rhythm-and-blues singer Randy DeBarge is 61. Actor Leland Orser is 59. Actress Michelle Yeoh is 57. Country singers Patsy and Peggy Lynn are 55. Basketball Hall of Famer David Robinson is 54. Actor Jeremy Ratchford is 54. Actor Benito Martinez is 51. Country singer Lisa Stewart is 51. Movie writer-director M. Night Shyamalan is 49. Actress Merrin Dungey is 48. Singer Geri Halliwell Horner is 47. Actor Jason O’Mara is 47. Singer-actor David Campbell is 46. Actress Vera Farmiga is 46. Actress Ever Carradine is 45. Actress Soleil Moon Frye is 43. Actress Melissa George is 43. Rock singer Travis McCoy is 38. Actor Leslie Odom Jr. is 38.

Does the order-barker really know what’s going on?

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): There are those who provide tension just to watch people strain under it. It lets them know they are in charge. If people aren’t suffering, they don’t feel powerful. Be aware. This is their move. Now, what’s yours?

Today’s birthday (Aug. 6): A theme emerges having to do with a vivid awareness of living. You’ll figure out exactly what’s needed for you to feel joyously alive. Vitality often hinges on your environment and the people around you, or, as the case may be, not around you. You need quite a lot of solo time for reflection and growth. Libra and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 20, 1, 28 and 27.