The moon in Cancer is a homing device, guiding our awareness toward true north, toward our emotional and spiritual needs. This can manifest as moodiness or sensitivity to minor annoyances, but only if we're out of sync with our natural rhythm. A back-to-basics approach to self-care, and loving kindness toward others, restores harmony.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You know what the incendiary topics of conversation are likely to be, and yet you can't keep yourself form starting that fire. At least you're honest. By the end of the day everyone will know where they stand.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your teachers have given their best. Putting their lessons into practice isn't easy — adjustments must be made to apply the new system or information. It takes longer in the short run, but it's better in the long run.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your responsibility is greater than you realize. Your energy and your decisions make things happen, and not just for you. You're a vital part of the human community even when you lie low.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Educate yourself to keep up with professional competition. Shop around and you'll get classes or books for the best price. If there's no discount, ask for one anyway, just for good measure.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Exertion makes you stronger. Go on a long hike or go crazy at the gym. If you're angry with someone, it only motivates you to work harder. Bonus: after you've sweated, you probably won't be angry anymore.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (MAY 8). You make your mark in the world this year. You're not content to be standing in the background, playing your family role or slaving away at work you don't even like. You're motivated to do what it takes to shine and move ahead this month. Shared activities in June heal a relationship. Sagittarius and Virgo adore and support you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 20, 1, 15 and 10.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Communicate delicately and with humor and you'll put relationships on a positive track. A happy home life helps you concentrate on career and financial aims.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You have important appointments. Waiting until the last minute to leave your house will only cause extra drama. On a day like today, there is excitement enough without having to drum up any extra.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Intention is everything. If you say something silly accidentally because it's the first thing that pops into your head, it's uncool. But if you say the same silly thing deliberately, it's very cool.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Can you be instinctive and reasonable all at the same time? It's easier to accomplish when you're in your comfort zone. You make your best decisions around supportive, easy-going people.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You won't dream of playing a game without a strategy. Here's one that might help: If you persist in a fight, be firm. But if you give in to your opponent, be gracious and humble.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Deciding to learn what you don't know takes courage. You have to trust that others really do know, and that they will show you. Once you ask for help, be sure to accept it when it's given.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You're forging a new relationship. Be mindful that in this beginning stage, every action you take means something. You set a precedence with your behavior. Think it through first.

ASTROLOGICAL TOPICS: The elements: air. Butterfly season must be nature's equivalent of a gala ball, with beautiful creatures wearing their new spring digs, mixing it up with the flowers and insects — surely the social soiree of the season. The air element (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) has its own creaturely sort — social butterflies. And in motion, they're as fascinating to watch, too. Air signs move quickly, flitting from thought to thought, person to person, appearing quite friendly, at least on the surface. They need to keep moving, to keep covering more experiences and more ground, and heavy socializing allows them to cover more. While they easily offer their opinions, airy folk appear as neutral as air, owing to their reputation as detached. Air is the only invisible element, so they live inside their mind, in a world most of us can't see. If you light a stick of incense, you get a sense of the way air moves — in patterns, then eventually spreading out all over the place. How does fire mix with air? Fire inspires air toward bold aims. Earth brings air "down to earth." Water is receptive to air's need to connect. Air and air can't stop talking. Come back tomorrow for water.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: In the Tarot deck, the Hierophant (teacher) card signifies Taurus and the part of us that knows how to take the sacred within and use it in the outside world. For Taurus, time spent immersed in spiritual empowers a way of being a more productive, prolific individual. Wayne Dyer is only one of many Taurus-born spiritual teachers, including Pope John Paul II.

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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