ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- A showdown of sorts cannot be avoided this week. You and a rival have been preparing for this for quite some time, and only one of you will come out on top. (April 5-April 19) -- Timing may not be everything this week, but it will surely prove an essential component of your success -- or failure. Watch the clock, and get out of your own way!

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- You're eager to raise the bar, but you may not know how. Get the advice of a friend who has been in your shoes; he or she can guide you quite effectively. (May 6-May 20) -- You're not willing to take full blame for something that was only partly your doing, but where are the others who were involved? Don't let yourself be abandoned.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- You'll be on the road more than expected this week if your plans come to fruition. You may have overlooked key commitments that must be met. (June 7-June 20) -- It's a good week for combining efforts, especially when it comes to assembling a team. Try giving someone you've had your eye on more responsibility, and see where that goes.

CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- You'll be back in the swing of things very quickly this week after a brief hiatus that may have been forced upon you. You don't always enjoy time off. (July 8-July 22) -- A matter of style over substance keeps you in the game this week and has you working with others to get better results across the board. Nothing must be discarded, however.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- You may be fearful when it comes to doing something new, but preliminary activities fill you with enthusiasm. You'll be inspired by a new team member. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- Putting your focus squarely where it belongs will be no mystery; you'll know when you've done it -- and you'll begin to enjoy almost immediate rewards. Someone is watching you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- You need others to pitch in and help you this week. Don't expect to be able to do it all on your own. Someone close may need a talking to. (Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- You're more than willing to do your part, but you need someone to meet you halfway. Arranging things to your liking may require some careful negotiation -- or something more direct.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You may think you're getting away with something, but the fact is everyone is aware of what you're trying to do. Deception will backfire this week. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- You may be expected to do more than your fair share by those who are used to doing very little. It's time for that dynamic to change, and you know just how to get that done.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- You don't like to be kept waiting, but this week you may find yourself waiting for something that won't get to you any faster, no matter what you do. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- Someone has been forgetting the rules of late, and it'll be up to you this week to remind everyone what is expected -- and what is not to be tolerated. Hold the line.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You may find yourself running behind throughout much of the week, but perhaps this is not to be avoided. Things are changing in subtle ways. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- You may have forgotten why you are sticking with a certain plan, despite difficulties; this week, you'll be reminded in a way that sticks with you from now on.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- It's time to pick up the pace -- and to insist others do the same. You have much to accomplish this week, and only so much time available. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- Now is not the time for a repeat performance. You'll want to try something new, and you're likely to discover you have recently set yourself up for success.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- You're almost certain to have choices this week, but you may not be ready to make them until you've done a little more homework. A friend gets involved. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- You're willing to try something this week, but you may not want to repeat it. Still, what you learn about yourself -- and someone close to you -- proves valuable.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- Your efforts of late have only scratched the surface, and it's time this week to dig deeper. Don't rest until you have all the answers you need. (March 6-March 20) -- A discussion early in the week has you thinking of new ways to do things, but not everything you try is going to be successful. You must be willing to learn from your failures.

ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- How you spin a story will affect everyone around you; the decision to depart from the truth is a dangerous one that you don't really have to make. (April 5-April 19) -- Someone may ask you to lie, but by sticking to the truth, you can do more to promote your agenda than at any other recent time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- Now is no time to take shortcuts or do anything that has others thinking that you can be bought. You must play by the rules and do only what is aboveboard. (May 6-May 20) -- You're going to put yourself on the line, and you can expect handsome rewards if things go your way. You have an important request to make of someone in charge.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- Keep your ear to the ground this week, and be on the alert for anything out of the ordinary. Your connection to someone in charge will count for much. (June 7-June 20) -- You may have to color the truth just a bit this week when dealing with those who think they know you better than they do. Avoid any outright deception, however.

CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- You can work things to your advantage this week by juggling what is certain with what is only possible. You must be willing to take a risk. (July 8-July 22) -- You're likely to be affected in a new way by what someone else does this week. You may have a question or two for someone who is assuming a central role in your life.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- After you get the cheering up that you likely require early in the week, you'll be good to go and able to accomplish everything on your to-do list. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- You may be confused about what someone else is up to, but your attempts to get more information are likely to result in little if anything at all. Avoid getting too involved.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- Someone is likely to put in a good word for you this week, and the connections you make as a result can propel you forward at an increased pace. (Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- You don't want to have to say "I told you so" to a friend or loved one, but the facts are supporting your position on a certain issue, and not the opposing view.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You have more to prove this week than you have in the recent past, but if you cast your mind back, you'll recognize that you've been in this position before. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- Information at your fingertips may not be as useful to you as you had hoped. You are going to have to improvise when things get rolling. Avoid a direct conflict.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- You can make up lost ground this week and get yourself up with the front-runners. Someone may let you down in a personal situation later on. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- You have much to be proud of and thankful for this week. A friend is likely to come to you with a request that takes you by surprise at first but makes sense after careful consideration.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You're likely to receive a confirmation of something you've only suspected, which means you can move ahead with plans you've kept under wraps. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- It's a good week for getting the lay of the land, and any new situation in which you find yourself is likely to develop in your favor, at least for the time being.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- You must guard your resources with great care this week. If you find yourself running out of energy, a visit to a certain someone can prove restorative. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- A dangerous situation is recognized as such by someone close to you, but you've not been willing to listen. This week, events transpire that begin to convince you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- You may not be as far from where you want to be as you had feared, and this week you can reach your destination with the help of a good friend. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- You don't need permission to do what needs to be done, but you may need to ask for forgiveness if you do what you want to do and things don't go quite according to plan.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- You may have to engage in some tricky negotiations this week on behalf of someone who doesn't know all that you know. You'll impress the boss. (March 6-March 20) -- You'll be able to hold things together this week, despite someone's attempts to pull them apart. Do what you can to avoid a one-on-one confrontation.

ARIES (March 21-April 4) -- There are sharks in the water this week, but you have to make the swim. You will want to surround yourself with those who will help keep you safe. (April 5-April 19) -- You know the best way to get from here to there, but you may not have the proper conveyance. A little creative thinking will enable you to make the journey on time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 5) -- You're in the mood to get things done this week with little or no trouble or fanfare. Stick to doing what you know best; leave the rest to the experts. (May 6-May 20) -- A case of mistaken identity makes this more difficult than expected this week, but a solution will be near at hand. You'll have a tale to tell when all is said and done.

GEMINI (May 21-June 6) -- You mustn't agree to do someone's dirty work this week, no matter what rewards are promised to you. It's time to do what you know is right. (June 7-June 20) -- An unlikely source gives you information that can prove quite valuable to you throughout the week. Your focus can remain where it is, though your view may have to broaden some.

CANCER (June 21-July 7) -- Toe the line this week, or face the consequences. You may think that certain behaviors will be overlooked or ignored, but that's where you are wrong. (July 8-July 22) -- You may be after something that remains elusive throughout the week. It may be time to shift your attention to something that is more attainable -- and more valuable.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 7) -- Once you get started this week, you'll surely keep up the pace, maintain productivity and achieve your goals. Much depends on who is by your side. (Aug. 8-Aug. 22) -- You fear that someone is looking over your shoulder or tracking you for some reason, but this is something you can turn to your advantage. Start thinking outside the box.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 7) -- You may lose something that is difficult to recover during routine business hours this week. You will have to get creative and schedule your time wisely. (Sept. 8-Sept. 22) -- Success is more likely this week because you are willing to do what you are told. Even then, you can put your own spin on things and improve the odds.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 7) -- You're eager to go somewhere you've never been and do something you've never done. This is all possible, as long as your plans are quick to come together. (Oct. 8-Oct. 22) -- You cannot afford to attract the wrong kind of attention today, and yet you will need to be in the spotlight on a few occasions in order to win necessary support.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 7) -- You are beginning to build a strong foundation upon which can be built a bright and profitable future. Your dreams may be about to come true. (Nov. 8-Nov. 21) -- A run-in with someone who has made your life difficult in the past isn't likely to pan out the way you might suppose. By week's end, you may be working closely together.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 7) -- You can get a head start early in the week, but that doesn't guarantee that you'll stay ahead of the pack. You must remain nimble all week long. (Dec. 8-Dec. 21) -- Someone may accuse you of being disingenuous at this time, but everything you've said is the truth, and you're in no way trying to inflate your accomplishments.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 6) -- You're expecting things to pan out according to the rules, but you may not be aware of someone else's efforts to derail yours. Look beneath the surface. (Jan. 7-Jan. 19) -- Even someone working against you is going to admire your efforts this week. Keep it up, and in the end he or she is likely to prove your most valuable supporter.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 3) -- Communication must remain open and clear throughout the week if you're going to complete the tasks assigned to you. You can't do them all on your own. (Feb. 4-Feb. 18) -- Attempts to show off may fall short this week, but you'll realize that there's more to what is going on than your own image or reputation. Someone else matters more.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 5) -- You may have to take someone else's hand this week and lead him or her through the basics. Your version of the rules may not be the official version. (March 6-March 20) -- You can make a valuable contribution without attracting a great deal of attention this week. You may only be allowed to maneuver freely this week undercover.