Horoscopes

Aries (March 21-April 19): One sign of deep affection is the ability for partners to relax around one another. Another sign is the resistance to relaxation, wanting to continually impress and improve for your love. You’ll dally in both sides of affection. Taurus (April 20-May 20): Negativity is like arthritis to the soul. It makes your emotional body stiff and achy. Stave off negativity; gently stretch into hope. Your worries will dissipate as your emotional flexibility increases. Gemini (May 21-June 21): Awkward stages happen to all. Furthermore, everyone is weird in some regard. You see beauty in this. Your hospitable demeanor is comforting to one who sorely needed comfort, and it’s attractive to all. Cancer (June 22-July 22): You will skillfully calibrate a person’s interest level and then match it with a response that will ratchet that interest up a few notches. That’s real talent there, and you’ll be paid well for it, too. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): To volunteer or not to volunteer — that is the question. “Not” is the answer, unless you’re strongly feeling it (and if you were, why would you be asking the question in the first place?). Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You have your eye on a role you’re not exactly qualified to play. It’s what ambitious people do and it’s how you grow. A low-grade razzle-dazzle may be all the distraction you need to get your foot in the door. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): If you knew that your fond dream would come true eventually, would that allow you to relax and enjoy what’s unfolding right now? Trust that the future favors you so you can pay more attention to today. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): There are many sides to you, and sometimes you’re not sure which “you” to bring to the moment. Breathe, relax and focus on the other person’s needs and wants. The “you” who emerges to help will be the perfect fit. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): So much of who you are is coming from a deeply entrenched moral belief, a moral belief that someone close to you does not share. Today this could cause an interesting intellectual clash. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): It feels like the work is being put upon you, like the meal comes with the package deal, like the circumstances are dictated by another. Is that really so? Or do you have choices you’re not seeing? (Yes!) Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Nothing fits its definition completely, and that goes for people, too. You can sum people up in one look today with a high degree of accuracy. Just know there’s more to learn. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): More spontaneity is what’s needed, and you probably know just the character who will give this to you, too. This person makes an art form out of the pursuit of happiness, and when you’re around this person you’ll follow suit.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com and click “Write the Author” on her page. DEAR ABBY >> I have a hard time differentiating between enabling and just helping out my sister. Throughout her adult life, even while she was married, she has never been able to make ends meet.

She’s single now and in her 50s, a hardworking but underemployed, depressed individual. I have a good job and I feel guilty if I don’t help her each month. (She doesn’t ask, but drops enough hints that I know things aren’t going well.) I have suggested repeatedly that she needs to find a better job. I even send her job leads, but I’m not sure she actually ever applies. My friends and relatives say I should use tough love and stop helping her. But I hate to see her struggle, and I don’t want her kicked out of her apartment.

I will be retiring soon and won’t be able to continue giving her money. What should I do?

— Sympathetic in San Diego

DEAR SYMPATHETIC >> Have a frank talk with your sister NOW. Ask her how many of the leads you gave her were followed up on. Because you say she is chronically depressed, encourage her to see a doctor and find out what kind of help there is for her. It may be the reason for her divorce and for her inability to seek other work and improve her financial situation.

That you will no longer be able to continue assisting her financially is something your sister needs to know ASAP, so she won’t be cut off abruptly. This isn’t tough love; that you will be on a fixed income is a fact of life. You have been a wonderful sister. You have done more than many people would, so do not feel guilty for taking care of yourself. DEAR ABBY >> It has been eight years since my first love, “Oliver,” and I broke up. It was amicable and we both had closure. I have been in my current relationship for six years. We love each other very much and have two beautiful kids together.

I don’t often think about Oliver and we haven’t spoken since our split. But the crazy thing is, I dream about him constantly. The dreams are pretty tame and they don’t make sense. I don’t understand why this is happening. I know myself and I know I don’t miss Oliver. I’m happy in my current relationship. So what gives, Abby?

— Troubled out West

DEAR TROUBLED >> I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about. I was taught years ago that the things we see in our dreams are manifestations of our subconscious and are not meant to be taken literally. What you are dreaming about may not actually be Oliver at all, but something he symbolizes. Perhaps it’s freedom, or youth — who knows? But if the dreams persist and they bother you, I’m sure a couple of sessions with a licensed mental health professional would ease your mind.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www. DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $14 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)