HOROSCOPE

(January 9 Monday)

Moon of Breezy Social Mores Through the years, you’ve made many friends. Some you no longer know, and some are loose connections; others have a more constant presence in your life. This is as it should be. Being OK with different levels of closeness makes life easier. The lunar trip through breezy Gemini helps us keep a healthy perspective. Codependent no more!

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You don’t assume that you know a person inside and out. You’re experiencing only what this individual wants to show you, after all. Yet your intuition is deep. You’re getting more insight than others would guess.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s a danger in being too micro-focused today. Your efforts are better spent on big-picture fixes. So what are some ways you might reduce your overall stress level?

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You know that you can’t preserve the peace by publicly shaming people who are disturbing it. Try a light touch; try empathy; try humor. It may not work, but you won’t regret giving it a whirl.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’re tougher than the challenge at hand, but that, in and of itself, isn’t a good reason to take it on. You have nothing to prove and no one to prove it to today. Make sure there’s something good in it for you before you agree to play.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Give positive focus proactively and a certain needy someone may back off and give you the space and peace you need. If this doesn’t work, consider reacting to this person’s attention-getting antics with no reaction.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It seems they want a piece of you, but not a piece of your mind. You don’t have to give anything you don’t want to give. There are people around you who will ask for more than is healthy for either of you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Greatness requires that you push past the part of you that doesn’t feel like making an effort (let alone making extra efforts). This is the time to work harder, be kinder and extend more generosity than you feel.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You respect all. Respect isn’t something you give because the other person has good character; it’s something you give because you have good character. Is respect deserved? That’s beside the point, in your book.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It’s a pretty good show you’re putting on today, and your audience will eat it up. Probably this has to do with a role you’re still growing into. Keep it up and it will be more comfortable (with less effort needed) in the future.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s so much to be excited about. First of all, you’re experiencing something you dreamed of long ago, which is evidence of the likelihood that you’ll build the thing you’re dreaming of now.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your full focus is needed to execute the next step. Get rid of all distractions. Along those lines, maybe it’s time to wipe the slate clean, because it’s not worth it to you to give one iota of attention to the debt that’s owed to you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You wouldn’t expect a valiant effort from one who has never behaved nobly before, yet you wouldn’t rule it out, either. You’ll leave your mind open so that if people change, you’re ready to catch, acknowledge and build on it.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 9). Love is fanciful and whimsical and will take you new places. When it comes to business, you’re not messing around. The world gets the picture, moves over and makes room for what you offer. In March, old conflicts will be resolved; new dreams will be born. An April investment opportunity will require a quick response. Cancer and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 4, 28, 5 and 16. ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “When my boyfriend, a Libra, and I first started dating, everything we did together was exciting. He could show me a new shirt he bought and I would be thrilled. I was just happy to drive with him to the grocery or anywhere. Being near him made me feel as if I was the luckiest person on earth. And I couldn’t believe how much he seemed to like me. He wrote me notes. He bought me funny presents. We made out for hours. Then he went on a trip to Holland, and when he came back, everything seemed different. He started to withdraw from me. And then one day, he called to break it off. I’m devastated. I will never love another person as I loved him. I feel forever broken. Signed, Heartbroken Leo.”

You’re right. You won’t love another person the way you loved him. But you’re not “forever broken,” just wiser. It’s an innocent love you gave him, and that innocence is lost now. Ouch. And though the pain will take time to heal, in the future you will not be so apt to base your self-esteem on one person’s attention. You’re the winner here. Don’t forget it.