Horoscopes

Aries (March 21-April 19): You’ll encourage a loved one to give you frequent feedback. You don’t want to be in competition with your love, and you’ll shy away from situations in which there will be a clear winner and loser.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Your conversational choices will make a difference. This is a matter of destiny. Choose topics that are likely to lead to enjoyment, optimism and happiness. This is no time to stir up controversy.

Gemini (May 21-June 21): You have more in common with an interesting stranger than you do with many of the people in your own family. So go on and strike up a conversation. See what there is to know about others.

Cancer (June 22-July 22): You’re in the running for an important role. Your previous success qualifies you for the job, but it will be your charm and your excellent listening skills that get you the position.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): You love to give: You’re a giver! And you expect nothing in return — well, almost nothing. You do like knowing that your contribution made a difference. So a smile and a report back later will be awfully nice.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your cosmic gift will be strength, stamina and energy to burn. That’s a mighty gift, though it comes with a responsibility. Where should you apply it? Bonus: Exciting people will be drawn in by your vitality. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): There will be some frustration in the way events unfold, but don’t be discouraged. It’s bound to happen with smart, quick people like you who might prefer to have life go at their pace. Life has its own pace, though. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Listen to your critics with an open mind. Maybe they don’t know the proper, kinder or ideal way to phrase things, but there will be something valuable in their words nonetheless — something that can give you an advantage.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You didn’t make the impression you wanted to make on someone. Good news: Now you will get another chance at it. Present your best self and you’ll become your best self. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): It’s said that there’s a price for every gift and all advice. Indeed, this is often true. But the cosmic forces can be kind in this regard, as they will be today, naming a price in the realm of what you’re more than prepared to pay.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Maybe you want people to like you, but you care more that they respect you. It’s not because this is what you need; rather, it’s for the good of all.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): The social secret is very simple, and it’s a one-size-fits-all maxim. All people care about is how you make them feel. That’s all. If they feel powerful, happy and significant around you, they will come back for more.

Today’s birthday (Aug. 16): The solar return shows you surrounded by people who love and support you, as well as those who challenge and defy you. You would be hardpressed to say which is better, as the first category will give you comfort and the second category will make you great, which in turn gives you a way to help many. Virgo and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 20, 24, 48 and 12.