As autumn's chill circulates in the atmosphere, the heart works harder to keep the body warm. We can help the heart do its job by listening to ours. This won't be difficult. The Cancer moon and Libra sun combination voices a message about our well-being. Soothing companionship and a comfy environment helps, warming body and soul.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your welcoming energy brings all kinds of interesting characters into your life. You have complete control how far to let someone into your home, your world and your heart.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It's all easy going and pressure free until you include that high-maintenance person into the events of the day. Resolve to focus where you want to focus instead of getting distracted by a disturbing element.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Hard as you try, it's extremely challenging to live the advice you delve out to others. This realization is humbling and it bonds you to the rest of the flawed humans. Everyone is doing his or her best.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Moods, thoughts and feelings are contagious. You have to slip into an unkind state to decide that someone else is being unkind. You are vigilant and aware of your own behavior, even if you cannot yet control it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Would you really be more secure if you heard those special words, "I love you," from the one you hold so dear? Maybe temporarily, and then again maybe not. Work on loving yourself — it's much more dependable.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (OCTOBER 20). The storms you have weathered in the past make you appreciate the emotional sunshine this year brings. Love is deliciously overwhelming in November. Developments in your personal life could spur you to move before the new year. A blossoming talent earns you money in February. Capricorn and Cancer are your loving admirers. Your lucky numbers are: 39, 7, 50, 4 and 13.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It's essential that you build your confidence now. Dare to take on this difficult task: Look in the mirror and like what you see. You know your good points. Start there and find a few more while you're at it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're noticing a pattern of behavior in yourself for the first time. The repetition of events happens more out of habit than conscious choice. Consider whether or not this pattern should be interrupted.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Things are returned to you: phone calls, favors, affection … whatever you put out there. It's nice to know that what you thought was lost in the void is not lost at all. Everything matters.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Emotionally you are out on a limb. Instead of asking another person to join you out there, it's better to return to the trunk, shimmy down and touch the roots. Talk yourself back to your center.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You'll meet someone who lives in a way you once imagined living. Visiting with this person is an eye-opening experience. You'll come away from it very grateful for the choices you've made.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Exert yourself. Give your opinion whether or not it's asked of you. You'll find that others are willing to go with your ideas, follow your lead and generally let you do what you want.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Traveling is excellent for your personal development, but you needn't go far. Even a visit inside the next-door neighbor's house will fortify you. The important part is that you learn about others. Ask questions.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I was born 7/20/64 and have been dating a woman born 12/29/73. We've had a rocky relationship. We both know that we need to cut our ties and move on, but haven't been able to. What's our problem?"

There's a strong parent-child component to the Cancer-Capricorn pairing. This creates ties so familiar, yet you know how it goes with that kooky clan. It can get real dysfunctional, real quick. Just think of Thanksgiving. Someone inevitably overcooks the turkey, prompting a snarky comment during the toast, and soon everyone lapses into the kind of habitual behavior especially reserved for family. Yet there's something comfortable about this pairing, and the sense is you both could settle into this relationship for a long time. Your ruling planetary bodies, the moon and Saturn, both enjoy the stability of a nested relationship and if it's a little dysfunctional, heck, that feels just like home, too. The trick to making this work is not letting lax behavior, parent-child dynamics or acting out cannibalize the good stuff you do share. This relationship shows you both your old familiar, unconscious patterns. What you do with this information is up to you.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Mild-mannered, artistically inclined Libra men don't fit the traditional mold of masculinity. That's why the support of family plays a strong role in nurturing these creative sensitives to their full potential. Libran Tom Petty was introduced to Elvis by an uncle at age 11 — and the rest is history! Still, Tom's father didn't understand his gentle nature, so he had healing work to do with this paternal relationship.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.