ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- A contest is heating up, and today you may be required to do something you had promised another you would never do.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Others are expecting you to move in one direction, but at the last minute you may choose to head off in another -- quite by surprise.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Remember just what you are being asked to do at this time. You can't let the difficulties you encounter distract you.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Someone or something is compelling you to do things that seem to make you a target of sorts; you can expect some criticism.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- What others find daunting, you are likely to do with ease -- though you are far more prepared than others to face this challenge.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You've been courting someone else for quite some time, eager to gain his or her support -- and today you're likely to get it at last.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Reaching out to others is important today, but you must be ready to share certain information and be clear about your own plans and agenda.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You may not be feeling quite yourself at this time, but you can forge ahead and get things done -- if you pace yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You'll have to make adjustments to your schedule in order to accommodate the needs of someone who is going along for the ride.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You'll want to look carefully at the reasons behind another's comments, not just the comments themselves. Something is going on!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Now is no time to let your own bias stand in the way of an agreement that can help a great many people -- including yourself.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Despite any uncertainty you may be feeling, you can forge ahead confident that your motives are sound. Your strategies may need tweaking.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Your native sassiness is likely to show even more than usual -- or perhaps it is the surroundings that make the difference right now.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- An imaginative approach to a long-standing problem can finally put an end to it -- and give you hope that you can avoid a repeat in the future.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- What seems clever at first is likely to seem only overly simplistic when it is truly analyzed. This first attempt can lead to something else.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You won't believe what lies ahead when you finally get a clear glimpse of it. A friend seems to know what to do -- and what to avoid.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You are not working at peak efficiency, but you can still get a great deal done simply by the force of your own considerable will.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You're eager to reach the top, but you have a long way to go before then. Each rung of the ladder offers a valuable new lesson.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- What you think you know is likely to change throughout the day, when you realize that your experience has not taught you every possible lesson.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Take care that you don't become childish in your response to those who are critical of your work. Stay the course, and let yourself evolve.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You will have to minimize the kind of pressure exerted by a competitor today through unusual means. It may be time to cut and run.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You may want to experiment with certain methods that were considered off-limits not so very long ago.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- The money you spend can be considered an important investment; take care that you don't fall prey to one who doesn't walk the walk.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You must be willing to follow the rules to the letter today -- at least when starting out. Later, you can improvise a bit.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- The simpler things remain, the better -- for you and for those around you. Avoid anyone who tries to overcomplicate things.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Your willingness to work with others and arrive at a productive compromise will give you the advantage -- and let you remain competitive.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Check in to see how things are going elsewhere on a regular basis. You'll need such up-to-date information to keep your own efforts relevant.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You don't have to share all the information to which you are entitled; indeed, you were best to keep some of it to yourself.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Progress may have to be measured in very small increments today. See if you can't persuade a friend to accompany you on a journey.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Others will appreciate your enthusiasm -- so long as it is genuine. If you overdo it in any way, it is likely to backfire.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You may be after something that a friend also has his or her eyes on -- and this time it may actually be better for you to give way.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You may have to make more stops along the way than expected -- mostly because you are trying to get past several key distractions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You can make something of a name for yourself -- if only for a short time. Don't let nerves get the better of you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You may not have faith in the plan that has been laid down for you to follow, but you are allowed to do some things your own way.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You have what it takes to try something new -- though you'll certainly want to rely on some trusted friends to help you out if possible.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You may not be able to change everyone's mind today, but you can certainly have an influence that will be felt for quite some time.