Profound Pluto caresses Venus on this bright summer's day, bringing depth of feeling to lighthearted Lady Love. Those of us experiencing heart trials especially feel this empowering force. We observe as our self-understanding grows, our relationships get stronger. Even sustained periods of hardship offer reprieve to mine for their good.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Make up your mind to have uplifting interactions with colleagues. This will turn out to be the decision that brightens everything, even relationships unrelated to your work.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People feel it when you accept them for who they are. They appreciate that you you're not imposing an agenda on them. Virgo and Cancer extend themselves to you with appealing invitations.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll probably opt to pay someone's way, even though it's not expected of you. You're generous like that, and the help is appreciated. Your kinship with Aries will be fantastic for your personal life.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Go on, dream. There's nothing to be lost by letting yourself get deliriously caught in an upward swirl of fantastic thoughts. Being realistic is for pessimists. Your partner in positive thinking is Sagittarius.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It hasn't been a walk in the park lately. Life is your boot camp, and the vigorous effort you put in is making you stronger by the day. Rest is equally essential to your process. Hold your leisure time sacred.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (AUG. 4). Your stock goes up this year. Within the next 10 weeks, it'll be amazing how powerful you feel. The problems you wanted someone else to solve are easily solved by you. You may find that in October you need more time to yourself. Introspective hours help you hatch your next great plan. Virgo and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 23, 11, 49 and 17.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Take people up on their offers to assist you. You'll be sharing in ways you've not shared before and this may take more courage than you expected, too. It's all worth it in the end.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're so close to a particular family member that you could solve every problem in this person's life. But don't. The greatest gift you give loved ones is your belief in their power to direct their own destiny.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your powerful mood sets off a chain of events. Just be sure you're in charge of your feelings and not the other way around. The atmosphere tonight is about as comfy-cozy as it gets.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll probably notice those little things about yourself that have fallen out of order — maybe you need to file a pile of papers, pay a bill or get a hair cut. Do it today and you're luckier tomorrow.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You're running at a different intensity than the others and you're the perfect counterbalance. This afternoon, you'll be right next to the person you need to meet. Lob the opening line, and you're off!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Knowing you're unique is important now to your self-esteem. Spend time with the one who appreciates the funny little things you do. You don't even realize how quirky you are until this person giggles.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your confidence is refreshed. Bold moves seem like the only moves worth taking. Choose to apprentice under the toughest taskmaster around — your higher self.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I have been in a relationship for several years. Lately, it feels that there is someone else on his mind besides me. I would like to know, but am afraid to ask. I am still hoping for happily ever after. I am a Cancer."

First, it is possible he's thinking of another person. Just because we're in a committed relationship doesn't mean we turn off attractions to other people. However, this doesn't mean he's not devoted to you. Many of us have been conditioned to feel threatened by the prospect of our partner becoming intrigued by another fabulous person — and look around, the world is happy to supply plenty of gorgeous and amazing members of the opposite sex! Yet while it may be perfectly okay to be genuinely fascinated with another person, you're responsible for your emotional needs. This is the real issue. As a Cancer woman, you're vulnerable to not asking for what you need, and then you get so emotionally backlogged it comes out as demanding or needy. Consider your need to be reassured that you are his one and only. If you approach him from the standpoint of what you need he's freer to be vulnerable and honest with you.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Dylan and Cole Sprouse lead pretty busy lives — drawing comic characters, skateboarding, surfing and acting, just to name a few. Not unusual for kids, but the Leos who refuse to grow up can probably relate! Adult Leos never outgrow a basic need for entertaining childlike joy and sense of wonder, in all areas of life. For the Sprouse twins, if it doesn't involve playfulness and curiosity, why bother?

Holiday Mathis is the author of "Rock Your Stars." If you would like to write to Holiday Mathis, 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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