ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- In order to stay in control when working on a critical task, you must maintain your patience throughout the job. If you try to rush your work, a mistake is likely.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Forget about trying for a huge gain by gambling on a big risk. If you can't pull it off, it might cost you far more than what you would have spent doing things the normal way.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- By refusing to let others run certain things that you're ill-equipped to handle, complications are likely to arise. It behooves you to take your pride out of the picture.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Be very selective as to which of your friends you can poke and tease without eliciting rancor. A sensitive pal might misinterpret your playfulness and take things seriously.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- If you don't handle your commercial matters prudently, any opportunities that do exist could slip through your fingers. Situations in which you would normally do well could end up a shambles.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- When you lack focus, you'll be unable to bring your forces to bear on important objectives. It's OK to do less, as long as everything is done to the very best of your ability.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Be a positive thinker and behave accordingly. If you start feeling sorry for yourself and making unreasonable demands of others, even those who planned to help you will reject you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- When it comes to involvements in which money is being exchanged between friends, things must be handled with extreme care, or someone, perhaps you, will end up feeling cheated.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Even after you've achieved an objective, you must take steps to solidify what you've gained. If you don't, all could slip away.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Friends and companions will be more impressed by the example you set than by the philosophy you espouse. Engage in more doing and a lot less talking.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- You shouldn't have to be told not to take any gambles on people or things that you know little about. There's a chance you'll be more gullible than usual, and you could easily be had.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Inconsistency substantially lessens your possibilities for success. It's quite likely that you'll do things in ways that'll only confuse the people who want to help you.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- When you start to demand perfection from others, you had better be prepared to be flawless yourself. Your slightest mistake will be held up to ridicule.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Several significant objectives can be achieved if you have the necessary fixity of purpose. However, in going about your business, you need to be careful that you don't sacrifice efficiency for speed.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Guard against being overly possessive of friends and/or loved ones. Even if you are one of their favorites, they need the chance to socialize with all kinds of people, the same as you do.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- If you plan to do a little shopping, take along one of your more tight-fisted friends who can help you monitor any extravagant urges. You could be more impulsive than you realized.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- When your decisions are based upon practical premises, your reasoning is usually sound and effective. Allow sentiment or emotion to dominate, however, and it could be another story.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Keep in mind that prices aren't always carved in stone. If there is something you'd like to buy but you think is too expensive, don't hesitate to haggle for a better deal.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Make it a point to keep your nose out of a close friend's commercial affairs unless you're invited to do so. By the same token, don't let anyone get in your business, either.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- When it comes to career matters, what you know is of far greater importance than whom you know. Trade on your experience, knowledge and capabilities, not on your social contacts.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Be careful, because a friend's well-meaning advice might be more emotional than practical. If you're in dire need of good counsel, seek out the opinions of a pal with a level head.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Being a bit too susceptible to other people's viewpoints could quickly get you off course. Instead of relying on other people's opinions, follow your own logical evaluations.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- It's OK to be as frank as possible when dealing with others who need the facts. The truth might be a trifle abrasive, but turn out to be less harmful in the long run.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- This could be a rather disruptive day, in which you might have to deal with more unexpected changes than usual. Deal with each crisis separately, and everything will be manageable.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Someone who is only looking out for his or her own affairs might try to entice you into an involvement that wouldn't serve your best interests at all. Be firm about declining.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- It's important to be extremely firm about your position when trying to smooth over a domestic disagreement. Don't point fingers at anyone.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Your chances for achieving success will be considerably enhanced if you're open-minded about altering your thoughts and/or tactics when given a good argument.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Certain adjustments can be made pertaining to a situation that has not worked out too well for you financially. If you employ your ingenuity, you can recover more than you thought.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- What you can't do with your muscles, you should be able to do with your brain. Instead of trying to bully your way through obstacles, use your smarts to think around them.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Because your first assessments are likely to be far too negative, none of them will serve your best interests. After you've taken plenty of time to study the situation, a good alternative will be evident.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Do not let your emotions override your excellent reasoning. This becomes especially important if there's a chance that you'll be doing something constructive with someone you dislike.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- An important objective can be achieved, but not necessarily in accordance with your original game plan. Be prepared and ready to make on-the-spot adjustments.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- Don't allow your pride to cause you to cling to something that you would be better off renouncing. You need to be open-minded about replacing unproductive concepts with effective ones.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You'll have a difficult time keeping your priorities in order if you start to place greater emphasis on meaningless projects than you do on your serious ones.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Accumulated stress weighing on important relationships can be alleviated if you're more tolerant in your thinking. It's up to you to adopt a strong desire to forgive and forget.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- Don't think the numerous assignments that you have to contend with need to be done all at once. The quickest way to accomplish things is to rank them in a prioritized list.