Neptune puts fantasy flourishes on love goddess Venus today, intensifying our hopes and dreams for the ultimate love or beauty, and the potential rejection of those. Why rejection? By nature, fantasy is an emotional ideal impossible for any person to embody. We enjoy our ideals and fantasies, but the spiritual essence of love is reliable.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Something in your life is no longer serving you. Maybe it's a toxic friendship, or maybe it's a printer — you can jiggle it and unplug it until the end of time and it's still not going to work. Admit what's broken for good and be done with it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Try and tolerate those who really do think they are perfect. You, on the other hand, are so down to earth that you cannot imagine what it would be like to think your brand of morality is superior to anyone else's.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're in the mood to exercise your wit, be clever and perhaps even cunning. It helps to have a sticky problem to finesse with your savvy. There's nothing duller than a plan that goes off without a hitch.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're not going by the book, which throws some people off. Innovation is not everyone's first inclination, but don't let that stop you from forging ahead on your unconventional path.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You'll be in a position to argue your point. Making a case for yourself is illuminating. You probably don't even realize why you believe what you do until you have to examine it in this way.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (OCTOBER 11). You're the consummate team player this year and your unique talents will lift everyone. Though you may be trying to do invisible good deeds, your example of generosity has a profound effect on others through December. The result: You're in the spotlight in February. Adventure and travel happens in May. Aquarius and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 20, 40, 16 and 22.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You love to have an assignment. You're eager to work, even if the job at hand is about how to pack the most fun into your day. You don't have to worry about finding inspiration because it can't help but find you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're not trying to make people laugh, but don't be offended if they do. Putting people in touch with their joy is a good thing. And if you can be the one to laugh at this crazy scene you're a part of, all the better.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You may not think you're working with the polish and panache you want to be known for, but you're doing just fine. Besides, you're simply scrumptious to that certain someone who's had an eye on you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Go ahead and get started on a cleanup project, even though you know you probably won't be able to finish it for weeks. In the abstract, things seem harder than they are. So don't think, just do.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Because a certain aim has been extremely difficult to follow through with, you've had to recommit yourself to again and again. Some goals are just like that. It doesn't mean you should give up. Keep trying.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're so likeable and difficult to say no to. Keep your good energy flowing. You won't be able to conquer the giants who oppose you, but you can disarm them. It's amazing what your smile can accomplish.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The friction between people is the interesting part. Wherever people mix and cause tension, that's where your creativity will blossom. So get out of the house and go where the action is.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I am a 21-year-old Cancer, and my ex-boyfriend is a 29-year-old Taurus. We broke up last February because he is working abroad. He still tells me that he loves me. I thought I was slowly moving on. But whenever he tells me that he still loves me, I can't help but to hope and pray that soon he will come back. What's the best thing to do? Wait for him? Is a love for the second time around still possible?"

If there were a shelf life for love, Cancer people are darn good at preserving it well past the expiration date. Of course, this can work to your advantage or detriment. If your relationship has a solid foundation, there's no reason to abandon it entirely, but with one footnote: Keep your heart open to others who may ignite yours. I've known Cancerians who held a torch to finally reunite with a person they loved years ago, while others wrote beautiful love poetry while pining for a reconnection that never materialized. So I'd say, even if this relationship is worth keeping alive, don't pin all your hopes on it. You deserve the day-to-day reality of a real-time love.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Librans are born with the power to bring harmony and justice to the world. Bishop Desmond Tutu took this charge on a global level using his Libran traits, a balance of diplomacy and charm, with just the right amount of pressure to accomplish this mission. Yes, pressure. Libra is a peacemaker, but a strong-willed one. Libra uses the arts of persuasion to build consensus and get what they want.

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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