Horoscope, Saturday, August 18, 2012

Yesterday’s new moon lent a fresh perspective, and it’s easy to see how the success of any venture will depend on the level of involvement and participation of those present. New rules of engagement will apply. No one can be “engaged” without giving something. Make sure that everyone is included and asked to contribute in some way.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Advertisers understand that when a message has multiple exposures, the response rate will increase. You’ll use this principle to your advantage, putting an idea out there several times until you get interest.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You don’t expect people to be on your side, but you’ll be pleased to find out who is. They might not think of it as “your side,” but without a doubt, they share a similar point of view.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Nothing is haphazard in your world now. You put everything you have into what you’re doing. If that is not possible, you won’t take it on in the first place.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Seeing yourself as victorious is the first step in making it so. It gives you the focus you need to figure out the “how.” You may not get it right the first time, but hang on to the vision regardless.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Smart shoppers know that “special deals” are only truly “special” if they happen very infrequently. Using this principle, you’ll be careful not to overuse the special thing you have to offer.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Avoid the one who makes mysterious promises. There is no magic formula to follow now. Logic prevails. Efforts that are correctly focused will lead to success.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There’s a point at which too much negotiating hurts a relationship. Out of respect and a need for simplicity, you may just go with what another person wants without making a counteroffer.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll be better off tomorrow because you followed the plan today. You may be tempted to veer off, but get right back on track. Repeat the same action several times; a habit is being formed.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll rely on word-of-mouth for your best information and will be unlikely to buy into anything without a personal referral. It’s an excellent policy now that will keep you from getting what you don’t need.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your imagination is strong, and it fills the gaps in your knowledge with plausible answers. With intelligence, you’ll rule out some of what the imagination presents, and some of it you’ll investigate further.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will influence others with whatever small acts you can do for the environment. For instance, using your own water bottle or grocery bags could be part of the change the whole world needs.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Even though you may change what you’re doing in order to harmonize with the dominant desires, fears and beliefs of the times, you never completely lose your unique “you-ness.”

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 18). Your body-mind connection will be strengthened in many ways throughout the year. You’ll enjoy being social, and the fun you create with friends will relieve stress and contribute positively to health. Celebrate love often, most notably in October and February. Long-distance travel invigorates business. Libra and Gemini people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 1, 24, 38 and 19.

TIPS FOR TURNING UP YOUR A.Q. (Attraction Quotient): AQUARIUS: Limit your exposure to negativity. When you’re up, everyone is up. So stay up as often and for as long as possible. It’s kind of like a responsibility that you bear. You don’t necessarily have to be a cheerleader, but when things get dim and there’s not a happy thought in the room, it’s on you to think of one. Eternal optimism is hot. BONUS TIP: Schedule regular alone time to replenish your mojo. PISCES: Accept yourself as a work in progress. It’s through your humanity, not through your perfection, that you bond with others. When you let go of needing to do things right, you’re sexier. People feel they can be themselves around you. When you’re relaxed and others are relaxed, the magic sets in. BONUS TIP: Choose your company carefully. You’re the most impressionable sign of the zodiac, which is one of the reasons why you learn so quickly and often the hard way. If other people in your life are telling you that someone is bad for you, listen. — Excerpted from Holiday Mathis’ “Rock Your Stars: Your Astrological Guide to Getting It All.”

CELEBRITY PROFILES: “Ice Age: Continental Drift” star Denis Leary plays Diego, one of the world’s original ferocious felines — a smilodon — which is a fitting role for this Leo who has his sun, Uranus and Pluto all in the sign of the cat. There is also a great deal of earth-sign energy in Leary’s natal chart, revealing a sensible, hardworking nature and a talent for tenacity.

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.