HOROSCOPES
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 30). You’ll often get the choice between now and later. Choose now. Later has a way of disappearing. This is a year to seize your moments whether or not you feel ready. Your talents and instincts get shaped this year because you use them often and deliberately. Gut-based choices bring you love and profit. Gemini and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 40, 1, 18 and 27.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll handle attention with your usual modesty. Your charms are further enhanced by the illusion that you are unaware of them. But of course you must have some small idea of the effect you create, right?
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Coordinating timing between two or three people shouldn’t be this hard. Maybe there’s a reason. Pull back for an objective view and ask, “What is the best use of my time?”
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Common sense tells us not to risk what we value, yet there is something more complicated about the matter. Competition, jealousy, passion and other heated emotions can cause people to put strange things on the line.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If today were a slot machine it would be coming up all sevens, paid out in fortuitous connections. Seize opportunities because they won’t come again in exactly this lucky way.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There will be a little drama, but no need to accuse, blame or complain. You’ll simply speak about how you feel from a very loving heart and finally be heard.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). If life is a classroom, you’ll need to sit up front today to hear the teacher. Do the cool kids sit up front? No. But it’s better to understand the lesson than to hang in the back with the glamorous ignorant.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). If you can look back and see that you’ve made many mistakes, it means you’ve lived, risked and grown. Experience will be its own reward, but that’s not the only one you’ll get for your trouble.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Supposedly, while doing what you love you’re not working at all. That doesn’t mean you won’t sweat or come away with sore muscles. You’re a child on the playground of life.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). No good comes of perseveration. No one else is thinking of your past mistakes, so you should let them go, too. Distract yourself with adventure.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Some people settle for trying to look busy when others are watching. You genuinely want to be of service, so when you don’t have work to do, you’ll find some.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). To embrace life is to willingly wrap your arms around traffic jams and noisy neighbors, inconvenient tasks and unreliable friends. But with your stellar attitude, you will also find much sweetness in today’s hug of reality.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). While your high level of personal responsibility can’t entirely make up for the inconsiderate general public, it will set a precedent that others will follow, making more of a difference than you’ll ever know.
FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: The sun, moon and Saturn will all be representing the qualities of Aquarius this week, including philanthropy, innovation and community spirit. Even so, the final days of the Mercury retrograde and a difficult square of the sun and Uranus will graciously contribute obstacles to keep the course interesting.
Mercury Retrograde Check-in: It is said that the truth hurts … or maybe they’re just telling it wrong. There’s a way to state the facts and still speak to the delicate feelings of others. The intention of the truth-teller will matter, and tone can make all the difference. Also, forethought as to what other people might need out of a situation will smooth the way for painless reception.
Happy New Year! The new moon in Aquarius kicks off a year of the Water Tiger, an omen for action, pride, power and the swift execution of justice (or something like it). May you be filled with the confidence of the tiger. May you give ferocious chase to your opportunities, pounce with precision, and may your pursuits bring you prosperity.