Remember the Stephen King novel called "Needful Things"? In a (fictional) town, a shopkeeper offered anyone who asked the thing they most wanted — for a price. Granted, it's a dark twist on the sweet Taurus moon, but today is the dark of the moon (the day before new moon) and the objects we desire, those needful things, have obvious appeal.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Liking someone a lot might seem like a good reason to lavish an enormous amount of attention on him or her, but it's not. Take it slow. A reserved approach builds trust and a lasting bond.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). When presented with another person's problem, you know instantly how to solve it. However, hold back your answer. What is most needed is advice and encouragement.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Does your mom need help around her house? Does your child need assistance with next week's homework? The activities you do to help your family, though likely to be a lot of hard work, will also be the most fun for you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Big payments are due. Money is going out in chunks instead of being paid out in small and regular amounts. Stress not! You also receive your money this way, so it works out.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You have a silent and powerful advocate standing behind you, making sure that you get the credit you deserve. This may be an unseen force, or a person who is on your side, no matter what.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (MAY 4). You're validated this year, and it comes with a prize — independence. You're accountable when you need to be. You also revel in the freedom to come and go as you please. It's empowering to know that you are the boss, even if getting your paycheck requires that you occasionally answer to someone else. Cancer and Libra celebrate you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 52, 30, 15 and 16.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). What's on the agenda might not be extremely thrilling to you. But you find a way to make it enjoyable. For instance, playing music or making a game out of doing something quickly and well speeds along otherwise boring tasks.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Making your mark on the world isn't about dressing well, saying the right thing, or taking the perfect action. It's the overall impact and timing of your presence. Go where you're needed and when you get there, just be you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When you find yourself among apathetic people, don't get discouraged. Inspire with your passion. Your show of commitment will impress those with the potential to care as much as you do.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It's hard for you to live in the moment unless you have an idea of what's next. Knowing the overall plan about where you're headed helps you feel secure and relaxed enough to enjoy what's going on now.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You prefer your effort to have instant results, and many of your endeavors are on the fast track. However, when it comes to your body and the healing, strengthening or slimming of it, try to accept that nature has a slower pace.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It's time to air out a problem that's been stuffed in the closet of your mind for a while now. Take it out and talk about it. You'll be surprised at the wisdom your supporters show. Your chosen solution works right away.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Whatever you do, you're in the mood to do it with gusto. This may momentarily startle the mild-mannered folks around you, but soon they, too, will be infected by your enthusiasm.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: This week celebrates Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May, commonly misperceived as Mexico's Independence Day, but actually marks a battle won by Mexico over France (independence wasn't achieved until later). Cinco de Mayo is a reminder that smaller victories add up to larger ones — never is this more true than the lifelong pursuit of financial freedom. Taurus is a prosperous sign, and for many of us, that means money, honey. With Pluto's longer transit through Capricorn, the earth's resources need to be used differently. So where does that leave us? If prosperity is a state of mind, in reality, it fluctuates — a lot. Effort spent on earning more of it, and preserving the wealth we have, varies too. And whatever your attitude, earning money at times is a true pleasure, and others, a true grind. Its pursuit can create quality of life or take time away from what we really enjoy. Our relationship with money is funny and uniquely individual. So what financial victory are you ready for? The new moon in Taurus celebrates it.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: George Clooney has irrefutable charm and class, and not just onscreen — apparently he's a fabulous host, too. Taurus-born have a knack for nesting, and this Venus-ruled sign knows how to make others feel comfortable, too. Says director Tony Gilroy in a recent interview with Time Magazine, "He's really smart about figuring out what people need and want. Are they hot? Happy? Cold? Thirsty? He has that ability to ... instantly adjust to the group he's with."

Holiday Mathis is the author of "Rock Your Stars." If you would like to write to her, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Holiday Mathis page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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