Horoscopes, Dec. 11, 2012

Talk is cheap when Mercury and Neptune square off and because Mercury is traveling backward, this aspect will happen yet again, coloring the action until the 13th. At least this is the last time this year for such a square. Do your research. Check references. Ask for proof that people can do what they say they can do.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s a challenge to make everything spotless and orderly, but one you’ll take on gladly as you’ll see the necessity and value in this endeavor.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There’s something inside you controlling the external scene. Your emotional changes are quickly reflected in the world. It’s not at all surprising to you when life defies the notions of cause and effect or space and time.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You know what you’re doing, but this is no time to slack. Rather, go forward, fully assimilating the skills you’ve acquired until they are second nature — until even your perseverance is second nature.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Sometimes you have to be relentless to make your desire real. This is not a problem for you. With your crabby pincers poised to fight, you’ll embody the values of continuous improvement and hard work.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll release your energy into an aspiration. But for that energy to become a real force in the world, it needs to be organized into a plan. You’ll spend many hours this week coming up with that plan.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The overly-assertive person will give you much more than you want or need. It’s almost abrasive the way this person contributes to your world, and it makes you want to go the other direction, giving precisely what’s asked of you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Tune into what others cast off. You’re just the person to make something glorious out the items, jobs and relationships that others no longer value.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’ll care for yourself in special ways, adding to your attractive qualities. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone felt like the luckiest person alive because he or she met you?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s much you want to do by the end of the year, and you’re not the only one going for the prize. Undaunted by the competition, you keep your nose in your own business, advance and achieve.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have a talent for communicating clearly and thoroughly. You can talk to, and listen to, anyone. You will bridge the gap between generations, cultures and economic status.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You already know what you think, so you’ll try on other people’s opinions and viewpoints for size. Doing so will increase your capacity for empathy as well as your knowledge of the world.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). People don’t know whom to trust until they meet you. Your honesty opens doors. You have no agenda and are not looking for what you can get out of a situation. You simply want to contribute.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY. Take things at your own pace this year. You’ll choose optimistic leaders and let positive messages infect you with happiness. Also, you’ll be impressed by who follows you. By January, you could gain more support and attention than you know what to do with. February highlights a spiritual calling and inner journey. Leo and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30,14, 48, 22 and 3.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “I’m a Gemini who suffers from an anxiety disorder. As part of my mental health plan, a doctor suggested that I keep a journal of my feelings and experiences. I admit that I fantasize about one day writing a book. But my problem is that picking up a journal triggers a lot of negative feelings for me. When I was a child I was forced to write for long periods of time in what I now see as a bizarre form of child abuse. Will I ever get over this? What do you suggest?”

Born under the sign of communication, your drive to express yourself is part of your healing process. Because of this negative experience with writing, maybe you could ease into journaling by expanding your view of what a journal is. You don’t have to write words in it. You could draw pictures or tape photos to the pages. You could fill the pages with collected mementos from your day – flowers, tickets, wrappers etc. Or you could journal in audio or video form. The important part is that you develop a practice of expressing yourself and reinforcing the idea that your experience matters.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Honored with an Oscar nomination for the full-length feature film she was ever in, Hailee Steinfeld embodies the adventurous enthusiasm of her fiery Sagittarian sun sign. Expect to see much more of Steinfeld as she will star in a string of upcoming films in 2013 and 2014. Moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune in Capricorn suggest that Steinfeld won’t be satisfied until she’s an entertainment mogul!

If you would like to write to Holiday Mathis, please go to www.creators.com and click on “Write the Author” on the Holiday Mathis page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail.