We are part of a tribe. Those we cherish and protect through thick and thin would do the same for us. That's the cozy mood of today's new moon in Cancer — also sweetened by a second influence from Venus and Jupiter. It's not only obvious who we want to commit to, but also the pretty rings and things we're hoping to give them.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Getting along with your loved ones in perfect harmony feels fantastic. But not getting along is good for you, too. Your differences are lessons in opening your heart. Scorpio teaches you the most today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You're noticing what motivates other people and using it as leverage to get them to behave as you prefer. Now, if you can do that for yourself, you'll rule your world. Use what you see in others as a clue to your own psyche.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're full of warmth and charisma. So how will you radiate this in the conservative settings you'll be visiting today? Probably quietly, perhaps even subliminally, and everyone feels it anyway.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're finding it easier to be centered in your relationships with others, likely because your internal sense of balance is stronger. All that quiet contemplation you've been doing is paying off.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your sign is not known for being cautious or meticulous. However, that all changes when you realize that you are dealing with a one of a kind, rare and precious commodity. And now there is very little that doesn't fall into the category.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (JULY 2). Your curiosity leads you through a colorful and creative year. There are new relationships in July. A fervent yearning of your soul is fulfilled in August. There is not one awakening, but many through the fall. A move invigorates you in September. Family harmony is the centerpiece of your winter holidays. Sagittarius and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 11, 30, 37 and 52.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It doesn't take much to get you in touch with life's pleasures: a ripe strawberry, the color of the sky, the sound of life around you coming together like the best music ever composed.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're getting the diagnosis and hoping it will be a quick fix. If the first answer you hear doesn't satisfy you, don't hesitate to get another and another. Persistence is rewarding.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). History repeats in a good way. Get back in touch with someone or something that played a special role in your development. Whether it's piano lessons or an ex-love, there's still valuable learning to be had.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). A competitive relationship takes center stage. You're quick on your feet — every move has a counter. By the end of this whole deal you'll have sharpened each another.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). All your plans may go out the window, only because new opportunities are so much better than anything you expected. Being flexible and open to something better for yourself is the way to fabulous luck.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Sometimes you know what you want, so you take a step. And other times, like now, you take a step for no good reason at all and then discover what you want. Pisces can inform your choice.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It's hard enough to be impartial about things you don't care about, but when it comes to people you love, forget it. You're 100 percent biased with a mouth full of opinions and they wouldn't want it any other way.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "My fiance and I are planning our wedding next year. Can you suggest some times that might be good for us?"

First, there is absolutely no wrong time to wed. If two people want to get married badly enough, they will do what it takes. In this way, love is mysteriously unscientific and non-astrological! However, just as our sun sign represents the core of who we are, the sun sign we marry under speaks to the core of our relationship. A Libra sun marriage will be uniquely interdependent, presenting the polished patina of a collaborative unit. Libran marriages are extremely sensitive to one partner falling off the pedestal in the public eye — take Bill and Hillary Clinton for instance, who married under the sun in Libra. Compare this to a sun-in-Aquarius marriage (the Cosbys), which thrives on the individuality and autonomy of two very strong people; the challenge here is maintaining a unified partnership that won't head in altogether different directions. No marriage is exempt from the trials of coupling, but knowing your sun sign can help you understand yours.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Family is central to the lives of Cancer folks — their identity and sanity often depends on the health of the family unit. So imagine Liv Tyler's shock when she, as a child, found out the guy called "dad" wasn't really her dad (Liv's real dad is Steven Tyler)? They worked it out, though. Now rocker dad and his Givenchy spokesmodel daughter even trade beauty secrets on face creams!

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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