Horoscopes for Feb. 26, 2013

As Mercury retrograde aligns with Mars in Pisces, it’s as though the drill sergeant yells “forward march,” and the soldiers curl up for a nice nap on the tundra. Maybe they didn’t hear the command. This kind of conjunction can be like fluffy cotton balls to our ears. More than likely, though, the need to dream is simply more pressing.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll win points and gain favor just as long as you don’t let anything restrict the way you feel about yourself. When your confidence is flowing, so will your good fortune.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll have two clear choices: play big or play small. It’s better to choose big or choose nothing than to go tentatively forward. To the others involved, you’re either in or out. Nothing else will matter.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Everyone loves a happy ending, but not all happy endings read the same way. Be careful not to settle for the generic version of the story. Your own version of a good result is likely a quirky and very specific one.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You may find that you like to tease people today, mostly as a way of showing them you like them. The attention you give is sweet, even if your words are salty.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You don’t need approval, but when you get it, you can’t help but savor the satisfaction. Be careful, though. If you get too much pleasure from the approval of others, you could become accidentally reliant on it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Sometimes you feel like a one-winged creature looking for another one-winged creature to fly with. But you really do have two wings. You just need a teacher who can give you flying tips and a push.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You wouldn’t leave a mess for someone else to clean up. And yet, you also realize that the well-lived life is occasionally messy – and it’s not always possible to fix it by yourself. At least you ask for help.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Be the leader in social interaction by stating what you want. You know what would please you. Simply say, “I would like it if . . . ” and fill in the blank. You’ll be surprised who moves to meet your request.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It will occur to you that a situation possibly has played its course. The show, as they say, must go on. Whether it will go on with or without you is the question of the day. Only you can decide whether this role is worth playing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There is faulty reasoning behind a professional or familial structure. The powers that be did what they had to do to suit a period of time, but that time has passed, and new rules need to be instated.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You are in a daring mood and will feel like testing the boundaries of a relationship. Rocking the boat a bit can be lively fun, but rock it too much, and you’re asking for an upset.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When circumstances seem to be keeping you from a choice, it’s something to take seriously. The barriers erected in your path could be a case of divine intervention.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY. You know what you have to do to make harmony in your life a reality. You will let go of certain childhood attachments and move into the new. March brings a rest, so you can approach business with vigor in April. Dumb luck leads to smart moves in June. You’ll commit, follow through and win an award in August. Scorpio and Leo people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 1, 22, 39 and 50.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: “I’m a Leo guy, and I have the same problem over and over with the girls I date. I take them out, and no matter how romantic the date is designed to be, I always end up in the friend zone – and a lot poorer than I was at the start of the night. I don’t mean to be a jerk about it, but I would hope that girls would go out with me because they like me, not because they want me to buy them a nice dinner. How do I keep from going broke whilst being rejected? I deserve a nice girlfriend. And what sign might she be?”

You could hit it off with girls from any sign, but a close encounter with Aries, Sagittarius or a fellow Leo might do wonders for your confidence now. These fire-sign women can be feisty and direct, which you might find to be a refreshing change. But before you change your astrological agenda, consider changing your entire approach to dating. Instead of spending your hard-earned cash on a fine dining experience, consider investing in your own ability to create rapport and communicate effectively with women. More on this tomorrow . . .

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Grammy-winning artist Corinne Bailey Rae named her second studio album “The Sea,” in which the Pisces singer expresses soulfully that the majestic sea takes all and cleanses all. The larger themes are favorites for Pisces artists, who feel it is their responsibility to unite people on the journey of life. Rae has her natal sun, moon and Mercury in Pisces.

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.