Horoscopes

Aries (March 21-April 19): Today is rife with potential for emotional excitement. Steer clear of touchy conversational topics and hot buttons in general. Stay alert; some seemingly innocuous items could have symbolic significance to others. Taurus (April 20-May 20): The hardline approach just isn’t working. Let things slide a bit today, in the name of selfcompassion. Do the best you can, and let the cards fall where they may. Gemini (May 21-June 21): When you’re distancing yourself, you’re doing it for a reason. More reality is often more stress. For now it’s enough to be a kind observer of yourself. What do you think you’re trying to accomplish with your behavior? Cancer (June 22-July 22): High-tech scales can report water and body fat percentages now. Regardless, what’s controllable in the scenario is what always has been: what goes into your mouth and how you burn it off. This plays large into your day. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Extreme cuteness has a way of melting your heart. So do extremes of pathos, need, affection, vulnerability, softness, beauty and more. You’ll come across remarkable instances of at least one or more of these qualities today. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Studies show that daily hassles can have a more significant impact on health and wellbeing than big life events do. That’s why it’s important to fix the small things that are bothering you. Do it now. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): People who are overly dramatic (or who, through no fault of their own, just happen to need lots of attention) make it harder for you to choose the actions that will uphold values that reflect what you care about. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Food could be and should be a pleasure. Instead of wondering what will work adequately for your next meal, you want to delight in the daily practice of eating. What would be ecstatic on the taste buds? Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The ability to observe external and internal information is governed by different parts of the brain. Switch back and forth often today. There will be magic in the fusing of your outside and inside worlds. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You would like to have more empathy, love and compassion, but you also have goals to reach that disallow you to spend too much time trying to sort out and cater to those messy things called “feelings.” There’s the rub. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your friend seems happy to accept what is. Why can’t you be? Sometimes it’s problematic to have this kind of mind that reaches here, there and everywhere for answers, but thinkers like you are integral to the human race. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): You’ll embrace differences, dance with complexities and have your way with the contrasts that make life so interesting. With your open mind and big spirit, you’ll accomplish unusual things.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com/author/ holiday-mathis and click “Contact.” DEAR ABBY >> My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost two years, although we have known each other for almost seven years now. He is sweet, compassionate, always puts me first and is the best friend and romantic partner I could ever wish for.

My question is, is two years too soon to know that I want to spend my life with him? We have discussed getting married and we would both like to, but I have heard countless stories about couples divorcing because they didn’t wait long enough before getting married, and I don’t want to be one of those people. Please help.

— Loving in California

DEAR LOVING >> In many cases, two years is long enough for a couple to meet, know they are compatible, become engaged and marry. Having known this man for a total of seven years, I would like to think that you have had a chance to observe him in many situations and possibly in other relationships. I would hope that you have both dated others and gained some experience.

What concerns me is that you felt the need to write and ask me this question, because it makes me wonder if you are completely convinced that your marriage would last forever. Premarital counseling might put your mind at ease, and that’s what I recommend.

DEAR ABBY >> My husband and I have been married for two years. He keeps asking about a tattoo I have on my ankle and making fun of it. The tattoo is small and has my initials, or so I tell him. I think he knows I’m lying. A guy I dated had the same initials and we got matching tattoos, but I have never admitted it to my husband. Am I lying? Should I tell him whose initials those really are? — Initially confused

DEAR INITIALLY CONFUSED >> Many people today have tattoos, and some of them include the names or initials of former boyfriends, girlfriends and spouses. You should have fessed up at the time you were being married. The problem with lying about something as trivial as this is that it makes one wonder what else you would lie about.

I see several possible solutions: First, tell your husband the truth. The second would be to have the tattoo removed. The third would be to add your married initial to the ones already on your ankle, at which point they WILL be your initials and yours alone — unless you’re still using your maiden name.

DEAR ABBY >> I have noticed that you often tell people to talk to a spiritual adviser. As an agnostic, I am curious whom you would recommend I speak to. — Rick in Denver

DEAR RICK >> In a case like yours, talk to someone who is not personally or emotionally involved with you, such as a licensed counselor.

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.

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)