Bad habits are hard to break. Anyone who's ever gone on a diet knows it's difficult when the unwanted behavior returns like a lonely stray. For greater stick-to-it-ness, try quitting a habit during this weekend's waning moon in Virgo, graciously offering the opportunity to clean house and feel great on all levels: emotional, physical and spiritual.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You are filled with intention and so it's not difficult for you to believe that the universe is also on purpose. There are no random happenings. Every event is a crucial part of your soul's development.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You simultaneously hold contradictory attitudes. This makes it hard to move forward. A past hurt is over, but there are still mingled memories to sort through. And it's good to remember where you've been.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're as versatile as Silly Putty. You're not only able to lift whatever image or lingo you're pressed against, but you're also able to be formed and bounced into whichever situation seems fun to play in.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). New friends make an effort to know you. When in doubt about how to respond to a gesture, take it to the books. Your research will lead you to rules of etiquette you can use to great affect in the future, as well.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're getting involved with new people and exciting happenings. You're not just meeting people and shooting the breeze for the fun of it. You're looking for something, and you find it not a moment too soon.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (SEPTEMBER 27). Your success secret for the year is simple: You imagine what you'll accomplish and then you do it. Your love life clicks into high gear in October. November brings lifestyle adjustments to help you realize a vision. There's a fantastic journey in December. February brings a once in a lifetime financial opportunity. Taurus and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 30, 19, 47 and 35.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You have a strong sense of what people want. You readily see the motive and intention of each person you meet. Take advantage of this new clarity by deciding which needs you might like to fulfill.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your overriding impulse to be attractive, connected to others and generally positive will override the other stuff you're feeling. You can't help but put on a smile, and soon you're smiling on the inside, too.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You need extra care and tenderness, and that's exactly what you get. Your own name is like a magic mantra. Tonight, when someone says your name with love, you are mesmerized.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The divide between where you are and where you think you should be seems wide, but in fact you're in the perfect place. Once you get comfortable with your current status you start moving forward again.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Friends invite you to do things that at first don't sound appealing. You don't know until you try. You get along famously with people whose idea of fun is completely different from your own.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). If relationships would automatically snap to your ideals, that would be lovely. More likely, you'll need to train others how to treat you. Subtlety works best. It takes time. Be consistent and patient.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There's a lull that allows you to simmer down, especially on the inside. Quiet your mind and you'll figure out the one pressing issue that won't stay mum. Visualize the resolution of this problem.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I am a Virgo. I want to know what it means when Saturn is transiting through your sign."

Virgo people now have the help of this levelheaded, pragmatic planet. I imagine Saturn as a pair of pruning shears because it's by cutting back and sometimes cutting out goals, activities and even people that no longer work for us that allows us to grow and bloom in new ways. As Saturn's heft impresses upon your sun, it's time for anything that weighs you down, blocks your path or inhibits your growth to go buh-bye! "Time" is a key concept, too, as the urgency to achieve, complete or move on creates pressure. Life may demand more from you during this time; efforts often do take more energy, and the rewards are longer in coming. However, with Saturn it helps to remember every positive step you make has far-reaching effects. That's because this earthy planet rewards the small steps of discipline and hard work, and earth-born already know how to do this. Healthier lifestyles and fitness routines matter with Saturn in your sign, and strengthen your endurance for the planet's long haul through Virgo where it remains (accounting for retrograde) through spring 2010.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Gwyneth Paltrow — love her or admire her (there are really only two choices aren't there?) — is a Libran who always looks fabulous. With two children, husband and demanding career in tow, the lady simply can't take a bad picture. Don't kid yourself — looking that good is not without effort. Appearance-conscious Libran women and men expend serious behind-the-scenes energy into being that beautiful.

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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