Horoscope, Monday, July 30, 2012

For those wanting to make a radical change, an auspicious arrangement of the sun and Uranus will favor and fuel the effort. These stars are especially fortunate for Leo birthday people, as their ruling luminary flirts with the revolutionary tendencies of Uranus. Just remember that you don’t have to be against one thing to be for another.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The truth doesn’t have to be hard, and love doesn’t have to be tough. Relationships can have the comforting quality of a soft, gentle breeze on a sunshiny day. You’ll prove this today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Just because you’re sophisticated doesn’t mean you lack passion. You’ll pour your heart — and a good deal of high-level attention — into your work and inspire others in the process.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Too many choices hang a question mark over your entire experience. Quickly narrow it down. Don’t be too precious about this. Let your instincts guide you to the top three options, and then don’t even look at the rest.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You will impose voluntarily a restraint on your life because you clearly see the benefit of doing so. Not everyone has the maturity and self-control to follow through with such a thing, but you do!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll see that becoming the person you want to be requires that you educate yourself, and you’ll make plans to do so. Don’t be afraid to sign yourself up for a long process.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). On a morning like this, dust bunnies under the bed look like monsters that used to hide there when you were a child. But when you focus and apply yourself, everyday beasts are easily tamed and swept away.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You use your time so well that it’s almost like you’re getting away with something. You can do more with your downtime than many people do with their entire workday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). If you know exactly how to reach a goal, and yet you don’t do what’s necessary to get there, it may be time to accept that you don’t really want it that bad. This can be liberating, freeing you to find out what you really do want.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll use your fire-sign energy to illuminate where things stand. Then hold out your light so that you and those around you can see the way to higher ground.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). When you sense that you’re in for a bumpy ride (and the most exciting rides usually do include some bumps), it’s always good to keep yourself loose, yet in alignment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Despite all you’ve experienced, you still will maintain the hope of the innocent and the faith of the uninitiated. You will see parts of life that are precious, wondrous and beautiful.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Even though pushy people can sometimes get you to do what they want, in general, the people who are easy to be around make you feel more generous, open and kind.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (July 30). Doing your favorite activities will be a priority this year, and there’s much to look forward to. In August, you’ll collaborate to brilliant effect. Your sunny outlook goes well with the environment you find yourself in charge of in September. November brings new findings and professional advancement. December offers travel. Cancer and Gemini people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 20, 4, 7 and 50.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “I’m doing a report in school about amulets. Are amulets evil? Do amulets really work? Do they do any good, and if they do, is there a price to pay? If so, who can pay it, and to whom do they pay it?”

Amulets are small charms used for magic, protection and/or worship. They are, in essence, lucky charms. Amulets have been found in the tombs of ancient Egypt, in ancient Rome and among the ruins of most early cultures, and they are still used today. There are amulets for almost every religion. For instance, a crucifix or Star of David on a necklace could be considered an amulet. Amulets take many forms: gem, statue, coin, drawing or other. Some amulets are inscribed with symbols or are shaped like animals.

There are many schools of thought as to whether amulets work. I believe they are imbued with the power you and others have given them with focus, energy and intent. Therefore, they are not inherently effective, good or evil. Rather, an amulet is a reflection of the intention of the person using it. As for the price, everything in life is an exchange of energy. So yes, there is always a “price,” but it is not always painful to pay it.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank discovered her love of acting as a child and has worked steadily at it ever since. Swank was born under a fiery Sagittarius moon. Her Jupiter in Pisces suggests that she’s luckiest as she explores the outer reaches of her artistic inclinations, playing characters that are quite different from her.

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