ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- Preparation is the key to success, and you mustn't let anyone keep you from doing what you know is necessary. (April 5-April 19) -- You'll have more than one opportunity to stand up for yourself; those who oppose you will be surprised by your ability to navigate all kinds of unusual situations.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- Avoid that which promises to be productive only while you are on the job. You would prefer to be involved in something that will feed itself. (May 6-May 20) -- Pace is important, but there are more important issues than speed. What you really want to concern yourself with is efficiency.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- You can devote more time to a certain project than you had originally anticipated, provided a certain family member is on board. (June 7-June 20) -- A personal situation demands attention, but you must first address a particular business development. You may find yourself going back and forth.

CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- Be sure to answer questions and respond to requests for your time with alacrity. You don't want to keep anyone waiting. (July 8-July 22) -- You're not likely to turn your back on anyone in need -- whether on the home front, at the workplace or on the road. Rest assured that your charity will be paid forward.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- Your attempts to balance personal needs with family matters may bring you face to face with an issue you have not yet seen or acknowledged. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- Focus on that which can provide you with a clear picture of what lies ahead. You don't want to be guessing as you peer into a cloudy future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- You can trust the usual tools, but take care that any shortcuts you try to take aren't putting progress at risk. (Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- You must present yourself and your ideas in the best possible light. You may be required to restate your case again and again, in fact.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You'll feel compelled to come to another's aid even though you know that it may set you back -- in both time and money. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- Someone far from home is eager for you to make a move regarding something that both of you have wanted for a long time. This could be the week for it!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- Whose definition of "normal" are you subscribing to right now? Clearly, you need to educate yourself just a little more. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- It's time to set your own prejudices aside for good, in the interest of fairness -- and self-worth. How you see yourself matters a great deal right now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You're involved in a creative process that demands much more of you than you had expected, but you can and will deliver the goods. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- You have had your fill of "should," "can't," and "won't." You're far more interested in what is desirable, not just acceptable.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- Evidence may have you changing your mind about something you thought you were sure of. This isn't the only surprise in store! (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- You've been operating under an assumption that is likely to be proved false. The changes that are made as a result may not be easy, but they are certainly positive.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- It's time to let others see what you've been working on. There is little risk that anyone will try to steal your thunder. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- You may want to take credit for something that was entirely your doing, but you know that now is not the time. Soon, however, you'll have your chance.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- The situations in which you find yourself will all have something in common. When you know what that is, you'll really hit your stride. (March 6-March 20) -- Competition is unavoidable, but if you approach it in the usual way, it may prove quite damaging to your spirit. Adopt a new attitude!

ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- A little courage goes a long way and serves you well when the time comes to reveal yourself to an unsuspecting someone. (April 5-April 19) -- You mustn't let anyone tell you that your desires have no value. To you, they are a guiding light -- if, indeed, they have sprung from a positive place.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- You may be struggling with some physical symptoms, but they will never dampen the enthusiasm you feel for a new interaction. (May 6-May 20) -- You will want to examine your history for any indication that where you are headed is unsafe or unhealthy for you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- It's all about moving forward, not back -- about looking up, not down. Progress depends on your willingness to make it. (June 7-June 20) -- You mustn't let anyone tell you that the contest you are now engaged in is not worth the trouble. You may lose the battle, but the war is still being waged.

CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- You can score a major personal victory, but you will also be carrying a major burden. It may be time to gamble. (July 8-July 22) -- Someone else's "wait and see" attitude isn't for you; you want to be far more proactive and effect change wherever you can.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- Pride of self, together with pride of family, can serve you quite well. Don't make the mistake of overvaluing mere baseline numbers. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- You're after some guarantees, and you may have them if you approach the powers that be with the right attitude and tone.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- Your interaction with someone who knows you very well may develop into something that takes you wholly by surprise. (Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- You may wonder why you've never done this or that before, and simply exploring the possibilities has you in a rare state of excitement.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You've been experimenting with different versions of yourself, but you may want to get back to the real you. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- Questions you ask as the week opens may remain unanswered until the eleventh hour. Even so, you will be able to use those answers to your advantage.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- What you have planned is not likely to win the support of everyone around you, but those who do support you will prove to be quite helpful. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- When the opportunity for personal growth presents itself, you'll want to be ready. This requires looking at yourself openly and honestly.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- Others will give you the encouragement you need, but success isn't assured! You must be ready to work harder than usual. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- You'll receive what you have asked for, but you will also have to pay for something you thought would be free of charge. It's a trade-off.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- Money matters may have you thinking that you've been on the wrong track lately. At the very least, you'll want to slow down a bit. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- You may not be as actively involved as you had hoped, but if you continue to pay attention, you'll have the chance to do more very soon.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- Rather than listening to the conversation, you can steer it, but you'll be required to work longer hours than you had planned. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- Pay attention to the numbers, and you'll understand how you got where you currently are -- and how you can move forward when the time comes.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- You may have trouble keeping up with a competitor until you realize that he or she is actually bending the rules. (March 6-March 20) -- Others will react to you in ways that may have you wondering why you haven't been doing the same things all along. It's a good week for making personal plans.

ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- Someone close to you will make you feel special, and you can return the favor, but not right now. That time will come a little later. (April 5-April 19) -- You may find yourself traveling farther from home than you had planned, but you know how to use the extra time on the road to your advantage.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- You may have expected to have better luck early in the week, but as the weekend approaches, things are sure to improve. (May 6-May 20) -- You won't receive any guarantees, but what you promise yourself, you can surely deliver. It's vitally important for you to know what you really want!

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- You know where you're supposed to be, but you may not be able to get there the usual way. Expect things to take an unusual turn. (June 7-June 20) -- The old-fashioned and the newfangled are likely to meet in an unexpected way, giving you the chance to maximize your rewards.

CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- The more ingredients you add to the mix, the more you'll enjoy the results, even though things come out looking a little alien to you. (July 8-July 22) -- You can turn things on their ear and provide something a little fancier in place of that which is simply routine. Others appreciate the extra effort.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- Where there's smoke, there's fire. You're likely to encounter more than the usual heat wherever you go. You'll have to act fast! (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- You'll approach perfection, but you may not know it. Others, however, will be inspired by your ability to stay the course under harrowing circumstances.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- As many people as you encounter, that's how many versions of the truth you're likely to hear. Sort through them with care. (Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- You can provide yourself with something no one else can, and it's very much needed, in fact. Others will want you to share this rare ability!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You may be the only one who knows just how far you are from the finish line. Take advantage of any opportunity to fire up your team. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- You're not going to want to share your ideas with anyone. You are confident that what you do alone will be of the greatest value to you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- While you are usually interested in connecting with others, you are likely to be more content with your own company than usual. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- There are rules to follow, as usual, but you can bend them just enough to give yourself a little more of an advantage than you had expected.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You aren't likely to assume the No. 1 position just yet, but your rise to the top will continue at a healthy pace. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- Despite any signs to the contrary, you should be able to do more with your money than usual. You can turn one bargain into many and work a number of special deals.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- You're likely to be challenged in a way that requires you to dig deep and bring all of your talents to bear. It can be a memorable week. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- You needn't indulge in anything fancy. The humble and down-to-earth can be just what the doctor ordered and serve you better than anything else.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- You can remind everyone that you know exactly what you're doing -- and why you're doing it -- while giving yourself the solitude you need. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- You know what you're getting when you ask for "the usual" -- usually! This week, you may be surprised by what actually comes your way.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- You may be missing something that others see as quite obvious. When you finally recognize it, it will mean much more to you. (March 6-March 20) -- More of the same comes your way, and you'll have to batten down the hatches in order to prepare and protect yourself.