Horoscopes: Friday, Aug. 11, 2023

ARIES (March 21-April 19). As you embrace the best within you, you might be surprised to find some of your top qualities are things you considered to be flaws. Ignoring your shadow side would weaken you. Acceptance sharpens and empowers you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It feels like you’re blending in too much. You’re a unique presence in the world, and yet you’re not getting the level of attention this deserves. Eventually the right audience will change this. For now, keep honing your style.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Someone is smiling through hurt. Your acknowledgment has healing powers. Don’t worry about saying the right words. That you notice and care enough to reach out says everything.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Helping others be comfortable is a chief aim of many of today’s interactions. It’s good for everyone. When people can relax around you, trust is built, connections are established, and mutual interests are served.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ll be hosting or planning social arrangements. One person’s refreshing entertainment is another person’s been-there-done-that. Find out more about the experiences of others before you solidify a plan.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Wishes that exist in your “maybe someday” realm will remain there forever. You’re starting to realize which goal is important to you, and you’ll move it to a different category when you give it a deadline.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Every season of life comes with its own level and form of drive. If you’re among the many who don’t have a specific goal these days, don’t worry too much about it. A sincere desire to be useful will open your world.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Don’t go on a fact-finding mission to make a case, as pursuits with such an aim make you vulnerable to bias and falsehood. The truth comes easily to those without an agenda or preconceived notion about what it should be.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s a multitude of easy ways to contact someone, but connecting still feels a little hard. When you’re the initiator, the emotional risk, however small it may be, takes courage. You’ll be rewarded for the effort.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The only difference between you doing your life to the gold medal standard and an athlete training for the games is how you regard the stakes. You determine what makes you a winner and how important it is to get there.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). One way to conserve your energy is to not let anything take up more mental space than it’s worth. Handle things in the moment so you don’t have to think about them again. Make speedy decisions about things of little consequence.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). People who don’t get you attention when they want it will whine and pout. Can you blame them? Your attention is gold. You can comfort, energize, motivate, support or protect. Turns some of that love to yourself.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 11). You apply brilliant creativity to endeavors people don’t normally approach that way. With emotion as your paintbrush, you design experiences and lead people through them. More highlights: Something you’ve waited for will be yours within 10 weeks. You’ll be ahead of a trend; hang on to make your money. Your family grows. Scorpio and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 11, 5, 8, 18 and 31.