Horoscope, Monday, July 23, 3012

The Virgo moon has been accused of being overly critical, but she argues tonight that her criticism is precisely what keeps standards high and people striving to uphold them. As long as we are careful to be constructive with one another, quite a lot can be achieved where the structure of the Virgo moon meets the passion of the Leo sun.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Someone feels good about you and perhaps even better about how you make them feel. It’s no surprise that this person wants to be around you more often.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your story follows you wherever you go today. Whether you choose to highlight a tale of woe, a romantic comedy or an adventure will determine the reaction you get from others.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It’s like you’ve landed on another planet, as you seem to have little in common with your surroundings or with the other beings who share them. Relate as best you can. There’s something to be gained from this alien culture.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There’s something so flattering in your willingness to reach out and make the first move. Your friendliness will reduce someone’s fear of rejection. You bring people together.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The one who helps you isn’t waiting for acknowledgement; however, if that help goes on for a while without so much as a nod, it won’t continue for long. The bigger your response the better.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll be getting rid of a need and reducing it to a want or a mere preference. The magic happens when you add an interest to your life to help satisfy the cravings of your soul.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). As in landing a job or a relationship, the “interview” is crucial. There’s an important conversation on the horizon. The work you do now to consider and highlight your strengths will be of great value.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You are diligent, smart and hardworking. These qualities will help you finish a job before the day is done. Be sure to let others know, subtly if possible, of the accomplishment.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The way you view the general public will have an impact on today’s experience. Try to adopt a positive viewpoint. If you think people are not to be trusted, they will prove you right.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ve been too hard on yourself in some regard. A gentle approach will reduce and perhaps even erase the hurt and tension. If you can simply settle down, there’s much to be gained.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your sharp wit will be highlighted. You’ll notice what’s going on and comment with such acuity that people can’t help but laugh. Your ability to live in the moment makes you ultra-attractive.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). One way to protect yourself is to back up your work. A backup ensures that if things go wrong, you can recover what was lost. You owe yourself this kind of security.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 23). Your imaginative powers put you in the spotlight. Ebullient attitudes rule August. Personal and professional endeavors ignite your passion. You’ll make tough demands of yourself in September, and as long as they are in line with what you enjoy, you’ll be successful. Family news is wonderful in December. Pisces and Sagittarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 40, 1, 24, 27 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “I’m a Cancer; he’s a Leo. We’ve been together for three years. Since he’s at my apartment three or four nights of the week, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be living together, but he says he’s not ready to take our relationship to the next level. He’s going on vacation with a friend in August. He says they’ve never been a couple and that he’s not attracted to her, but he doesn’t want me to go along. He’s caring and funny and seems very into me, except when he doesn’t. How can I get him to move things to the next level?”

I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I think it’s pretty obvious what’s going on with your Leo. All kinds of images pop to mind for me involving your Leo having a nice slice of cake (and eating it, too) with a tall glass of milk (from a cow he didn’t buy). But you’re neither bakery nor bovine. You’re a caring Cancer with deep feelings, which you have, for some reason, neglected to protect. Men don’t take vacations with female friends they’re not interested in without their significant others. Time to lose the Leo and raise the self-esteem.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman won high praise for his portrayal of the iconic Willy Loman of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” This thespian of the first order known for his range and surprising acting choices was born on a day when the sun was in both Cancer and Leo. With Mercury in Cancer and Jupiter in Leo, both signs powerfully influence Hoffman’s chart.

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