Venus is swept off her feet and into lighthearted Sagittarius. Surrendering to your whims brings on delicious prospects that may involve socializing, travel, storytelling or getting wildly entangled in a fascinating new relationship. It's an exciting life development, though do try and keep your options open — you'll cover more ground that way.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). So much of your life is an open book, so it's surprising when you remember a buried secret from long ago and realize that you haven't told a single soul. What would happen if you did?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your kind, forgiving heart will make it easier for you to negotiate with unprepared and otherwise less-than-perfect counterparts. The rewarding end to this interaction will be well worth the patience required.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll be looking back, so try not to judge yourself harshly. Some of the activities in question were things you did strictly because, at the time, you were in love — which was its own form of temporary insanity.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Stars caution against pouring your loving care on too thick. Your relationships are like plants that require balanced care. Over-watering causes as much duress as under-watering.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're witness to delicious juxtapositions and studies in opposites. A wise child, a foolish professor or person who is self-congratulatory in describing his modesty — the ironies of human character amuse you.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (OCTOBER 18). You have the awareness that you are doing your best and that is all the approval you need this year. November offers you a new hook in which to hang your star. Your career takes off when you decide on your aim and own it in January. The spring features education and moves. July brings an important purchase. Leo and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 35, 26, 11, 32 and 30.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You can do tricks and you have the potential to delight an audience. You'd rather keep them laughing en mass than open up on a more personal level. You have every right to keep your private life close to the vest.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your next smart move depends on your ability to observe what others don't. Aim to be a person upon whom nothing is lost. Do more listening than speaking and you will accomplish this.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don't usually try to fit in — at least you don't think of it that way. You'll be inclined to double-check yourself now though. Wearing the appropriate garb, and small talk on the appropriate subjects.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). This is no time to go up against someone higher on the food chain. But it might be a time to stop seeing the food chain. Everyone is an equal, from the VIP on the helicopter pad to the mailroom assistant.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Life is a potluck dinner — you never know what you're getting, and the one thing you can count on is the dish you're bringing. You'll be exceptionally pleased with the metaphoric feast your friends cook up.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Go on, make your extravagant plans! So what if they don't quite match the budget you're working within. A few calls to friends, a favor here and there and you'll be amazed at what you can make happen.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You've been accused of moodiness, but what they don't understand is that you're like a sponge. You pick up the vibes of the people around you. It's more important than ever that you're around happy people.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I am a Capricorn. I have been waiting for changes, but it appears that I hit a brick wall. Will things get better soon?"

Jupiter is still visiting your sign through the month of December, and there's no time like the present to dust off your suit and reach beyond your previously defined self-limits because this Jupiter responds to real efforts. About those walls: The putting off of tomorrow's pleasures for today's nature of your sign (mind you, the exact opposite of hedonistic Jupiter!) has made Jupiter rather sluggish. Pluto has newly entered your sign also, signaling major changes ahead, immediate ones for those born Dec. 21-25. You will receive superhuman power, but it is an outer planet, so there's a trade-off: your new strength will come through universalizing lessons about death, power, destiny, fate, sexuality and change. These are designed to make you more fearless, powerful and compassionate. Like a very ancient tree, there's this amazing chance to uproot and begin anew. The old life needs to be removed first because that's the cycle of life. Embrace the elimination process at work and then move in the direction you're called, Capricorn!

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Some say Librans are blessed by romance, as Venus, the love goddess — who is all about romantic options — is their ruling planet. Oh, the decisions. I'd qualify this by saying Librans like to settle with one partner, and do try their best to make it work — way more romantic! John Mayer is an example of how this sign basically attracts all types, but when he settles down, it'll be for keeps.

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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