Horoscopes for Dec. 17, 2012

The opposition of Mercury and Jupiter highlights differences of opinion, contractual disagreements and alternative viewpoints on singular issues. Most people would agree that there is more than one way to skin a cat, though hardly anyone knows why such a thing would need to happen in the first place.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Self-parenting will be part of your mission. You’ll have to do for yourself what another person would’ve liked to do for you but for whatever reason could not.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll be reminded of some of the gracious things various people have said and done for you in the past, and you’ll pay it forward in some unique way.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Part of your routine is to change your routine. Because you’ve done it before, you have the right mix of courage, hope and motivation to do it again and again.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). If you’re going to argue – and you are – then plan to do it right. Like a lawyer preparing a case, know what you’re going to say when the other person says X, Y or Z.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Manners will be important to the outcome of your day. If someone knows good manners but doesn’t use them, you will question that person’s character and rightly so.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Look to the sky with the eyes in your head and the one in your heart, too. If you watch for a message, it will come into your heart in the form of a feeling and travel to your head in the form of an idea.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Beware of the need for personal achievement, affection or approval. Though these are completely natural things to need, needing them too much is a sure way to attract exploitive personalities.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The very young or the exceptionally ill-mannered need to be taught gratitude, and you’re just the one to deliver the lesson. Politely require shows of appreciation. Give examples of what you expect.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Acceptance isn’t approval. You don’t have to like the facts or condone them in order to accept them. Acceptance is basically acknowledging that, like them or not, those facts exist.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You don’t want to be left with all of the work in a relationship, and if you’re not careful, it could go in that direction. Set clear boundaries in a warm, concise, firm manner.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Homer wrote in “The Iliad,” ”Whoever obeys the gods, to him they particularly listen.” You will perform an act of obedience and earn certain rights and privileges in the process.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You don’t need another person to make you happy, nor do you require your partner to fulfill your expectations and responsibilities. However, it’s always nice to see that another person is making an effort to please you.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY. You’ll strike new levels of comfort and happiness. Relationships change because you draw boundaries and establish fresh habits. Finances improve over the next 10 weeks. Plan well in January. February features a renovation. March fills you with confidence, and you’ll make impressive presentations. Leo and Taurus people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 25, 48, 2 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “I’m a 30-year-old female Sagittarius comedian. I want to be in love. I’ve been told that I make it hard for people to love me because I put up so many walls. I’m not aware that I’m avoiding intimacy, as has been suggested. I think what I’m doing is keeping away potential harm, plus weeding out the men who don’t have a good sense of humor. When will I find someone who gets me? P.S.: I have been in love twice before, so I know it’s possible.”

In love and comedy, timing is everything. Good news: Your timing is impeccable! Venus just entered your sign and will keep stirring up the romantic possibilities through Jan. 8, 2013. During this lucky time, you can give all of the self-analysis a rest. It’s a waste of time. Trust that however you are and however you deal with people, it’s fine. You have your reasons, and the right person will not be impeded by your walls. Rather, he’ll consider them to be an interesting architecture to navigate. Focus on having fun and keeping it light. Be carefree. Put yourself in the line of romance, and let life do the rest.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Sagittarian superstar Manny Pacquiao is not only a world champion fighter in the boxing ring, but a champion who fights for his community and the world at large with his politics and philanthropy. Passion is the prevalent feature of Pacquiao’s natal chart, with the sun, the moon, Mercury, Jupiter and Neptune all in intense fire signs. Venus and Uranus in Scorpio indicates depth and soul.

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