HoroScope

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Venus Favors the Exotic

Venus does a cha-cha-cha into Sagittarius, inspiring a fascination with the spice of distant lands. And though it seems improbable to crave something you’d never tasted in the first place, such cravings will become a regular occurrence between now and Jan. 8, 2013. Expectation and imagination mingle to create exotic appetites.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Go directly into the situations you are likely to fail. It’s the only way you learn the beauty of making mistakes. The only real failure is avoiding the unfamiliar situations that will help you grow.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re not always the self-assured bull. Sometimes you’re the sensitive, flower sniffing Ferdinand who has no interest in fighting, no matter how insistently the matador taunts you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). How can you praise what cannot be known? With a hopeful heart, that’s how. Your capacity for imagination, magic and wonder is boundless today.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It is natural, preferred even, to question what you can do. Humility and success will walk hand in hand. The ones who are completely confident through and through are all, coincidentally, quite mad.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You have a private agenda and a public agenda -- the two are closely related. It’s just that you can’t tell everyone the extent of what you want to do. That would ruin the surprise.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The ones who ignore or reject reality are at a distinct disadvantage. You may not entirely like what’s handed to you, but accepting it is the first step to change.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Everyone senses that you’re an independent. For you, social approval is not required. You act according to your values and the approval that comes or doesn’t has no bearing on your next move.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You will grow in awareness. It’s almost like you’ll spend the whole day waking up. You’ll become more alert with every hour and make an important discovery toward the end of the day.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When you were a child you sometimes would forget to finish things. But life has taught you the importance of completion. Today you’ll wrap up all the loose ends so as not to leave things hanging.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your clear goals are an attraction magnet. The people who are attracted to you may not be able to help you with those goals, but they will help you in other regards because you they admire your focus.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your sign mate, Abraham Lincoln, said, “Reputation is the shadow, character is the tree.” Even though some of what you do to build your character is difficult, life is easier for those of excellent character.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There is not one correct solution, but many correct possibilities for solving today’s problems. You are clever and creative, so you’ll come up with fixes that are interesting and not obvious.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (DECEMBER 15). As you count your blessings, more show up to be counted. Your work changes in 2013 and life improvements follow the change. January celebrations bond family. February ends a dispute. March brings fresh focus on love. The best times to invest are May and July. Do your research and follow known paths. Cancer and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 11, 15, 48, 37 and 28. ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “I think I need assertiveness training. Everyone walks all over me, especially this time of year. I’m always over-scheduling myself, cooking, hosting and giving until it hurts. How can a Leo woman be more assertive?”

Leos are known for their generosity, and they hate to let others down. Alas, if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t have anything to give others. Try these assertiveness tips on for size:

--Use the words “no, thank you,” or “I’m sorry, I can’t” instead of “maybe,” “not this time,” or “we’ll see.”

--Keep your communication short and sweet. Most times, you don’t owe anyone an explanation, and if you do, a simple one is best. For instead of droning on about why you can’t make it to a particular event, say, “I’m sorry, I have other plans.”

--Appreciate the other person’s feelings, but don’t let that change your answer. Example: “I can sense how my response is disappointing to you, and I’m sorry for you that it has to be this way right now.”

--Suggest alternate solutions if they come to you. If not, remember that there are two kinds of problems in the world, your problems and other people’s problems. Recognize the difference.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Heartthrob on the rise, Charlie Cox (12/15/1982), stole the spotlight in the 2007 romantic fantasy film Stardust and brings passionate tension to season two and three of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. The fiery Sagittarius was born when the Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Uranus were all in the sign of travel, adventure and other worlds. Moon in Libra indicate softhearted romantic with artistic flair.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2012

Moon Inspires Philanthropy

Under the Sagittarius sun and the Aquarius moon, we think of those whose needs are more basic, urgent or pronounced than our own. As one 19th-century Sagittarian journalist and abolitionist suggested, “Never respect men merely for their riches, but rather for their philanthropy; we do not value the sun for its height, but for its use.” -- Gamaliel Bailey

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Many will offer help, opinions, ways for you to spend your money. Get away and listen to your own inner guidance. You won’t regret the decisions you make independently.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have lofty aims. Human failings must be accounted for, too. Knowing it’s not going to be easy, you’ll go after your goals with the fortitude required to meet them. Otherwise, what’s the point?

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ll be drawn to mysterious types -- those who seem like they’re hiding something good. Can you be discreet? People sense whether or not you can keep a secret.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ll pose important questions. How can you judge the worthiness of a pursuit? What is a worthwhile use of your time? The answers will start a lifestyle change.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your day will be filled with pleasures to savor, like the taste of your favorite drink, the iridescent thrill of an unpredictable sky and the dulcet sound of a loved one’s voice.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The best part of your day includes a harmonious assemblage of personalities. Look around and appreciate the people you’ve attracted in your life. You fit together.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You feel so strongly about your loved ones that you know you’ll do all you can to be there whenever they need you. If you could sum up your emotions

in one word, that word would be “always.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The joy of life is dancing under your skin. You’ll share your taste, zest and spring. You may even be able to get a smile out of that depressed person you know.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Organization and happiness go hand in hand. Sometimes there’s a natural order, and life falls into an easy groove. Other times, order is an ideal that requires effort to maintain.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll encounter people far more reserved than you. Don’t take it personally. You may be willing to take social and financial chances that others simply can’t afford to take at this time.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your social savvy will come in handy. Stay aware of the subtle cues. If someone wants to give you a gift, let it happen. Accepting graciously is an act of generosity.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Something surprising will be revealed. You could learn of intriguing relationship developments or get wind of the sordid details of someone’s past.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 12). You’ll feel connected to loved ones and will be able to share openly. This helps you have confidence in other areas of life. You’ll make a mound of money in January and May. 2013 brings an interesting and meaningful new relationship. You’ll finally be able to focus on taking care of yourself in February. Pisces and Aries people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 3, 26, 1 and 16.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK

AHEAD: According to Greek mythology, Venus, like many attractive young females, likes to travel with an entourage. The grouping might include a winged Zephyr to blow her hair with gentle breezes, a maiden to carry a high-fashion garment for her or a muse to perfume the air around her with sweet music. But the most constant member of her entourage is Cupid, the winged baby armed with a bow and a quiver of arrows, ready to target whomever Venus chooses to pierce with the acute sickness of desire. This week, Venus transits into Sagittarius. Cupid will draw the bow.

In Sagittarius, Venus will invigorate love lives everywhere with spicy variation, excitement, culture and a snappy sense of timing. Singles will feel emboldened to cast a wider net and mix in different circles. New and surprising social configurations will emerge. There’s an openness and a curiosity about how romance is played in other parts of the world. In some cases, blinders will be lifted. In other cases, passion ignites. Infatuation starts its slow, devouring burn.

Neptune offers a warning in the form of a squared aspect: Take the ride of romance, but don’t mistake the illusion for reality. Remember that most magic can be accomplished with smoke and mirrors.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Krysten Ritter currently stars in the television comedy series “Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23” and, unlike her character, has a real-life reputation for being bubbly, outgoing, charming and compassionate. Her sun, Mercury, Uranus and Neptune in Sagittarius served her well as an international model, as these influences indicate sophistication and a love of travel. Venus and Mars are well positioned for luck in musical, political and philanthropic ventures

If you would like to write to Holiday Mathis, please go to www. creators.com and click on “Write the Author” on the Holiday Mathis page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.