ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You can start the day in a manner that has those around you excited about what you'll do later on. You can use surprise to your advantage.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You may find yourself grappling with a familiar personal challenge. Someone comes to your aid just in time.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You can focus squarely on your own needs without ignoring anyone else's -- especially those of the people closest to you.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You'll receive news from afar that takes you very much by surprise -- at first. You can adjust quickly to this new reality.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You can show a great deal of drive and initiative as you address a problem that no one but you has even recognized. Expect smooth sailing.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You're not likely to get the reaction you had expected from a friend or loved one. In fact, it will be much better than you hoped!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Give someone a helping hand, as you never know when you're going to need one. He or she will be more than willing to return the favor.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You can zip through your work with ease, provided you choose the path that offers little in the way of obstacles or distractions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Whatever direction you head off in, you'll discover something about yourself in the faces of the people you encounter.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You can charge ahead with confidence. Put your primary needs on the front burner and don't settle for anything less than success.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Others will appreciate your efforts, though some may not understand precisely why you chose to do what you have done.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- There's no point in grumbling about something you could not have anticipated and cannot control. Its effect should be minimal, anyway.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You can offer up something that has others excited about the possibilities for future collaborations. You'll bring your best to bear.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You needn't fabricate a story to explain what you've done; the simple truth will be enough to satisfy even your harshest critics.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You can use the time to your advantage while waiting for someone else to come through with his or her end of a joint venture.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You may profit from another's mistakes, but don't make a big deal out of it. You can offer help at your earliest convenience.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You may be waiting on a friend or co-worker to provide you with the last piece of a rather tricky puzzle. You have more time than you think.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You will have to consider travel time when putting together the schedule for your day. You may have to go farther than expected.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You may not have time to revel in the day's success, as you must move on to your next project with alacrity. Others give you what you need.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You receive a promise that seems, at first, to be unrealistic. Later in the day, however, you realize that it can and will be fulfilled.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Someone gets a rise out of you by doing something wholly unexpected. Once the initial surprise has passed, all will be well.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- While you wait for the formalities to come to an end, you'll be able to put together a proposal of sorts that is well received.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You don't have all that far to go, but you'll still want to get an early start. There's much to do once you reach your destination.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You can set aside your work to accommodate another's needs -- if the timing is just right. Otherwise, you must simply plug ahead.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You can trust that someone close to you has your best interests at heart and will keep you from any real dangers. Show your gratitude.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Someone may want something from you that you are not necessarily prepared to give. Or perhaps it's just that you don't really want to!

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You are expecting your creative energy to rise very soon -- and it will. In the meantime, you can deal with mundane issues very well.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- The one who recently offered you precisely what you want isn't going to wait forever for a reply. Make a decision as soon as possible!

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You may be called upon to tend to an issue that is too sensitive for others. You know the history better than anyone else.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You can do much to ease someone's tension over a necessary evil. You know that things will be looking up very soon.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You have the ability to make things much more pleasant for someone who is going through a difficult time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You can share your views with a certain acquaintance without any risk of being misunderstood. He or she gets you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You are not in a position to make demands of a certain individual -- yet. Soon, however, you'll be able to ask for whatever you want.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Don't neglect your own physical needs. If it's rest you require, get some! Be sure to eat right and stimulate your mind as well.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You have something very big on the docket. Tend to lesser issues as soon as you can, and give yourself ample time to prepare.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You may not have understood precisely what steps you had to take to get where you are, but it all should make sense now.