ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Showering others with gifts and praise is one way to win allies, but there's a better, more honest and down-to-earth way to do it, too.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You may find yourself immersed in a situation today that others have done their best to avoid. By day's end you'll surely be in control.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Take a look back at the last few days -- or weeks, even -- and you'll see what it is you have to avoid, and what you'll want to repeat.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You'll see much around you today that sparks interest in the unusual, and you'll be tempted to drop what you're doing to explore something new.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You certainly want things to turn out your way today, but for a time you'll have to focus on someone else's progress instead of your own.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You may encounter something rather mysterious today which sidelines you for a while as you try to get to the bottom of it. Be patient.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- If your plans are not solid and clearly laid out, how can you expect others to follow them faithfully? Be sure to be clear and explicit.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You're ready to go off in a new direction perhaps, but take care that you think of this excursion just as seriously as another endeavor.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You're after something today that isn't likely to come to you of its own accord, so active pursuit will be necessary at times.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- The complaint others may have about you today is that you are less than clear in your expectations. This is only part of a temporary phase.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- If you want things to be constant and uninterrupted today, you're likely to be disappointed. Be ready for some stop-and-start progress.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Situations that evolve today are best addressed one at a time as they arrive. Don't wait until you have too much on your plate to handle.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Try to do something routine in a new way today, just to see if you can do it. Such experimentation can teach you a few valuable lessons.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You may be comforted by the thought today that you’re not alone in dealing with certain prevailing circumstances. Reach out to others.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You may have a little trouble today getting used to new rules and regulations. They’re really only a matter of style rather than safety.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You’re likely to find that someone else is far more supportive of your efforts now than before, and this lets you enjoy yourself more fully.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- A new opportunity is likely to arise today from the ashes of one that was never allowed to come to fruition. Don’t make the same mistake twice.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You feel you need something that you can’t quite yet identify, but closer study of your circumstances will make all abundantly clear.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Don’t try to hide your feelings today when you are surprised by someone else’s words or actions. You can keep tensions from boiling over.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- What you do singlehandedly today is sure to benefit another even more than it benefits you, but in a very different way. Try it again!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Something develops today in a way that might have been considered negative the first time a while ago, but now it’s resoundingly positive.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You’re going to have to work very closely with someone else today in order to avoid being overwhelmed by a rather large, unexpected obstacle.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Reach out to another today and you’ll be sending an important signal that not everyone around you can read, and that’s just fine for now.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Someone else’s fears are likely to affect you today in a way you would not have expected. You can deal with them directly and effectively.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Anyone who makes unreasonable demands on your time today is going to be disappointed, as you’re guarding it carefully at this time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- You’re eager to learn what is going to happen in the future -- and who isn’t? But first you must understand what’s happening to you today.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Something you’ve been after for quite a while may be close yet still out of reach. Don’t let impatience push you out of your comfort zone.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- You have much to do today, but if you tackle it a little at a time you should have it done without exhausting yourself -- and with time to spare.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You’ve been relying on your reputation perhaps a bit too much lately. Today you may have to prove that you are what you say you are.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- The decisions you make today are likely to propel you very quickly down a path you may not have traveled before. Pay attention to all you pass!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You’ve been racking up a lot of private victories lately, but now it’s time to publicize the fact and let those big wins begin paying off.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You’re trying to keep something under wraps at this time, but what is it that you’re really afraid of? No one is likely to do you harm.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- You’re in a position that will allow you to see things as they really are if you so choose. It’s not guaranteed, but it’s possible today.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Success will surely elude you today if you’re uncertain about where you’re going -- since you’ll likely not know when you get there!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You may think that there is much to avoid today, but the fact is that if you face your fears head on, they shouldn’t have much power over you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You’re going to have to prepare carefully today for a meeting that could go off the rails if you’re not careful. Be the voice of reason!