HOROSCOPE

(May 19 Friday)

Venus and Jupiter’s Heavenly Tension Venus and Jupiter face off, pulling tension across the heavens. For all of his largess, Jupiter can hardly overpower the love goddess, who is fiercely feminine in her Aries armor. Anyway, neither will win. The lesson: There are many different kinds of power and just as many ways to wield it. Force is often the least effective use of power. ARIES (March 21-April 19). The current cosmic bent will help you realize the wondrous power of saying no, setting a boundary and enforcing a limit. Such a gesture will make love stronger and life simpler. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll take back your time from the digital bandits. You won’t answer the phone just because it rings or act on every electronic impulse demanding attention. You’ll enjoy a few distractions – distractions of your own choosing!

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Either your prayers will be answered, or that thing you do that’s a little like praying will be linked to some interesting results. Tonight, hone social skills, including the art of making a powerful entrance and a smooth exit.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). For today, “Why?” is not the right question to ask. The question “How?” on the other hand, could change your life. It’s also a lucky day for running into the exact people who know about the “how,” and you should definitely take lots of notes.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You refuse to think of yourself as a victim of circumstance. There are alternatives to explore – hard to see when you’re invested in one way of being, but they are there nonetheless. Decide to see them. You always have choices.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sometimes all it takes is a simple decision to feel different. It’s as though you’re an actor and the director has just walked up to you and told you to play the scene confi-

dent, empowered and ready to make the next winning move. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The potential for trouble lies in reacting to events in an emotional and unthinking way. Take a breath and be thoughtful and deliberate in your response instead and you’ll avoid the trouble altogether.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Embrace the paradise of imperfect circumstances. Right now, exactly as you are, you’re good enough to do what you really want to do, to the best of your ability. Also, you’ll never be more ready. Go!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There are people you you’re not happy around and yet can’t avoid altogether. When you

have to deal with them, involve others. More people will dilute the power of one negative influence. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you contradict someone, or even yourself, the energy of conflict will be ignited. This isn’t necessary! Acknowledge the things you can’t agree on. The validation may be all that’s necessary to discharge the bad energy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll be given gifts today, although they may be disguised as other things. Your definition of the term “gift” will be thereby expanded. Whether something is a gift or a bane is best determined over time.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You know

what fun is to you. Stick with that today and the smiles keep coming, whereas subscribing to other people’s idea of fun might actually make you feel irritated, uncomfortable or worse.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 19). You are very much your own person this year, and you’ll be shedding old myths and definitions. The next10 weeks will do wonders for your satisfaction at work and also for your social ties. July presents a fun challenge and the ideal teammate. November brings romantic proclamations. Save up through the colder months. Cancer and Leo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 40, 2, 22 and 18. WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST: ARIES: Once you’re in, go along for the ride. You’ll enjoy life much more fully when you stop planning your exit strategy. TAURUS: Take a chance on friendship. New people will complement your life in unexpected ways. GEMINI: For love to work, one of you must change. You’re the only one whose change you can guarantee. CANCER: Your compliments will go right to the heart (by way of the ego)! LEO: You’ll act like you’ve already got what you want in love. You’ll wind up feeling like it’s the truth – and then making it the truth. VIRGO: Most things about relationships are about as wonderful (or annoying) as you allow them to be. LIBRA: A loved one will provide many comforts and advantages. SCORPIO: Unguarded words are as dangerous as knives unsheathed. You show your care through what you say and what you don’t say. SAGITTARIUS: Seemingly accidental happenings shimmer with a glittery dusting of hope. Love feels destined. CAPRICORN: Someone finds your stories fascinating and the way you tell them totally hot! AQUARIUS: You’ll be attracted to unpredictable people. Enjoy guessing what they’ll do next only to get it wrong. PISCES: There’s someone or something you itch to be reunited with, and finally you will be.