TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Aries (March 21-April 19):

Being constantly up for critique is a grind, but at least you can take heart in the fact that this is a direct result of being known, significant and integral to the lives of others. Taurus (April 20-May 20): You’ll be entering into new challenges, and you could really use a coach. There are behaviors that will be expected, and it will pay to know what they are and exactly how to execute them. Gemini (May 21-June 21): There’s an ancient part of your brain that couldn’t care less about your hopes and dreams. It wants what it wants — and now. It’s completely irrational and extremely strong. Success depends on your ability to trick it. Cancer (June 22-July 22): Should you punish yourself for a mistake? Your aim is to avoid repeating it, and you think the harshness would help you remember. It might indeed motivate you in the short term, but in the long term it would do the opposite. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): You know what you want with great clarity and detail. You can see it in your imagination. Taking the time to visualize this again and again will help you have the willpower to overcome obstacles and prevail in weaker moments. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Get on your own side. It’s especially important on days such as today, when you’re taking on something new. Keep reminding yourself that you’re just as worthy as anyone else who’s done this before. With confidence, you’ll excel. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): Love is a very real human need, but you can’t eat it. However, with a degree of contentment, care and a sense of belonging, you will be relaxed, clever and resilient enough to figure out how to make money. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): One great thing about the past is that it got you here. Another great thing about it is that the bad parts are over. So bless it and leave it back there, where it belongs. Better days are ahead. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): To realize our full potential, our ego needs to shrink, not grow. The desire to feel special is understandable, yet no one should have to feel superior in order to feel worthy of respect and love. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take a warm and understanding approach to yourself. Your suffering won’t lessen if you’re hard on yourself. You won’t overcome perceived shortcomings by merely demanding it. Try self-compassion instead. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Accept yourself with an open Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 85. Actor Kevin Tighe is 74. Former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is 72. Opera singer Kathleen Battle is 70. High wire aerialist Philippe Petit is 69. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke is 69. Golf Hall of Famer Betsy King is 63. Movie director Paul Greengrass is 63. Actor Danny Bonaduce is 59. TV weatherman Sam Champion is 57. Actress Dawnn Lewis is 57. Actor John Slattery is 56. Actress Debi Mazar is 54. Actress Quinn Cummings is 51. Actress Seana Kofoed is 48. Country singer Andy Griggs is 45. Actor Gregory Fitoussi is 42. Country musician Mike Melancon is 40. Actress Kathryn Fiore is 39. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is 36. Actor Sebastian Stan is 36. Actor Eme Ikwuakor is 34. Pop-rock singer James Morrison is 34. Actress Lennon Stella is 19.

heart. The constant need to assess how you’re measuring up is exhausting and benefits no one, least of all you. Drop it and enjoy the sense of wholeness and oneness with others that follows. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): The correctness of an action may be difficult to discern right now, as there are many facets to consider. Think in terms of doing what’s helpful and what’s useful instead of merely what’s correct. Today’s birthday (Aug. 13): Interesting meetups, family connections and professional alliances are part of the excellent social luck that visits you over the next 10 weeks. A change in what you offer the world (perhaps as a result of new training) will show you making a dream come true in November and making an important deal in June. Libra and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 28, 44, 3 and 19. Celebrity profiles: Alfred Hitchcock was one of the great pioneers of cinema, having profoundly influenced the suspense and psychological thriller genres and developed techniques that are still used in contemporary films. His theatrical sun and Venus were in Leo, the sign of entertaining, and that fact was accented by his moon and Jupiter’s being in Scorpio, an energy of sometimes spooky intensity.