HOROSCOPE - December 1, 2008

The moon shifts from Libra to Scorpio so the morning has a different feel than the afternoon. You may believe you need help with a project and then after a few hours decide to do it all yourself. You could also realize your reliance on another person and decide to pull back to establish a boundary or increase the respect between you.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’re emboldened by an idea that you’re sure will work. When your conviction is this strong, you can’t help but act. You might even orchestrate a takeover and usurp the powers that be.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There are no hidden costs in the deals you do now, and also it’s unlikely that you can make a payment plan. You’ll be paying as you go and the price is higher than you thought, but at least it’s all upfront.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The hullabaloo can go on without you for a while – you’re too busy to bother, and you won’t miss a thing. You’ve chosen activities worthy of muting your cell phone and will be glad for your choice.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Put your feelers into the world and avoid making any rash moves. Tonight you’re willing to open to your significant others as long as you know you’ll be tenderly received.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’re curious about the nature of those around you. You may press people’s buttons just to see what they’ll do. The shakeup could cause you to connect with someone in new and surprising ways.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (DEC. 1). You hone in on your abilities and learn to trust them. Find people and methods to make your work more pleasurable and creative. Your ability to read people is put to excellent use in December and can either earn or save you a bundle. April brings stellar love connections. You sail toward a shimmering horizon in July. Gemini and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 8, 39, 44 and 18.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You business is your own and you’re entitled to keep it that way. Protect your reputation and guard your motives. Be discreet. Say very little, especially on subjects you know a whole lot about.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You don’t want to seem too impressionable, but an enticing marketing attempt could ensnarl you. Is this the answer to your pesky problem? Your mind reels as you weigh the pros and cons of an expensive change.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Shrug off your cloak of mystery long enough to have a chatty and revealing conversation with someone you find interesting. It’s nice not to worry about how you’re perceived as you lose yourself in conversation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll be asked expound on your reasoning for a certain decision. Even though you probably acted in accordance with your logic-defying, strong gut instinct, a fair explanation will pop into your mind.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Get your internal monologue out on paper and you’ll see the true parts from the false ones. Silliness, anger, joy and fabulous ideas will come pouring through your pen. You’ll feel lighter afterward.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Remember when the very sound of someone’s name would make your heart skip a beat and your ears prick up? That’s why you’ll enjoy today. The giddy feelings return.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’re invited to take advantage of an opportunity that your friend cannot exploit. You have earned this generosity, though it’s still crucial to show your friend how appreciative you are.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “Do you believe in miracles, Holiday? I’m a Leo who is feeling down and out, even though everything about my life is pretty much fine. I’m lucky to have a job I take care of my family and everything is going along. But I just feel so low most of the time. I wish someone would strike me with a magic wand and bring me up. What do my stars say? (8/12/69).”

Sounds like you’re looking for the miracle of enlightenment, literally translated as “lightening up.” You’re living an interesting paradox, though, because you have relied on your weighty sense of responsibility to get you this far – your accomplishments have happened because you have taken your work and your relationships seriously. But now with Mars in Sagittarius, where it was when you were born, you are driving yourself so hard to keep all of the wonderful things you already have – like your home, your family relationships and your job – that you’re leaving very little time for the kind of play that Leos absolutely need to feel buoyant. As for miracles, most all of them happen out of action. Your action step is to create larger margins in your life to play and enjoy yourself.