Today's capricious Gemini moon provides the proper stimulation to get the ball of recently directed Mercury rolling. Conversations take interesting twists and turns. Passing thoughts catch our fancy. A clever spin really gets us thinking. The order of this day may not follow any predictable pattern, but it certainly is interesting!

ARIES (March 21-April 19). People do funny things when they are nervous and some of these behaviors can be destructive. You do well to put those around you at ease. Get calm yourself so you can be a calming influence to others.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You are enraptured with the romance of nature. You can see pictures in clouds, decipher messages in the wind and understand the dance of falling leaves. Take the time to notice and your heart rejoices.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There may be awkward moments and bouts of conversation in which nobody is really listening. These social dead zones make you appreciate tomorrow's interactions, which will really be "clicking."

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There's a reason a job keeps coming back to you no matter how often you try to pawn it off on someone else. This task belongs to you, absolutely. If you don't do it, nobody will.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Just because your troubles are few right now doesn't mean you should borrow anyone else's. Hurry — get deeply involved in a creative project so you'll be too busy for distractions and drama that's not your own.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (OCTOBER 17). You have many responsibilities though there is an overriding sense of being carefree this year. You're laughing and having a good time with this life you've built. In December you meet people who bring out the best in you. You adjust your scene to accommodate family, and good financial fortune follows in May. Cancer and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 21, 54, 2 and 17.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There are some experiences you enjoy so thoroughly it would be a shame if you didn't reward yourself with them often. One experience in particular probably comes to mind — you haven't indulged in a month!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll be coming into contact with just the sort of interesting people you'd like to know better. You may not see how someone could fit into your life, but collect phone numbers and e-mail addresses anyway.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your way of seeing relationship issues is completely unique. You might be able to see someone else's way to love better than your own. Verbalize your advice. It's probably the same advice that will work for you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Some of the choices you make about your life's plan are conscious, but many are not. It's a good thing, too — your instincts know better than your intellect about finding happiness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your wild side makes an appearance on the scene. Can a person live on the edge and still remain gainfully employed? You're intent on finding out as you whoop it up in one way or another.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Bring only good cheer to the world. Negative emotions like fear or jealousy could cause you to make decisions you won't like later. Make sure you're in a happy place before you do anything.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A forceful attitude is ineffective. Your best power play is to admit that you're not all-powerful. Loved ones have a mind of their own. You're more influential when you let them express that mind and just listen.

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST: ARIES: Changing up where, how or with whom you choose to spend the weekend enlivens romance. TAURUS: You love with abandon, but first abandon regrets or old grudges. GEMINI: New romantic interests cleverly packaged in the form of people bearing gifts enter your life. CANCER: Certain relationships seem up in the air, but actually everyone's just adjusting their costume for the next act. LEO: Doing what you love for the sake of doing what you love attracts others to you. VIRGO: Don't worry — the restlessness you feel is just a sign to fold one new element into the mix of your relationship. LIBRA: You're taking on the appearance and behavior of the people around you so spend time with your better twin flame. SCORPIO: You generously share a resource you have with others, and this magnanimousness pays off in loyalty. SAGITTARIUS: A partner's willingness to humor your romantic whim proves a delightful time for you both. CAPRICORN: Share those dreams you've been hiding out of fear or cautiousness with someone you love. AQUARIUS: Friendships nurture you now, especially those bringing happy news about the future. PISCES: Explore the nature of love together, through your faith or a spiritual practice.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Does love mirror art? Gemini appreciates what's modern, novel and eludes definition. While browsing, the twins could find a Rubenesque beauty, Taurus, contemplating the composition of a still life. The bull's earthy realism is attractive to Gemini. Yet for one to enhance the other, they must combine all their contrasting strengths — like cleverness and sensibility. Voila, art!

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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