Horoscopes: Friday, Aug. 18, 2023

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Understanding nuance is a blessing and a curse. Overwhelmed by the complexity of an interaction, you hesitate to proceed. Focus on what is simple and positive. Go forward in good faith, trusting the guidance of better angels.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A story will reveal quite a lot about a person. The choice of topic is the first tell. The second is not the facts of the tale, but how they are prioritized. You’ll learn what’s important to someone and know how to proceed with them.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Popularity has its perks, but it can also be draining. When you’re alone, you can spend your downtime doing whatever you want. Take the break you need from the world of friends. You’ll recharge by laying low.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Connecting comes easily to you. You find something to like in each face you greet. You’ll be naturally “on” and when you’re not, take the time to recharge. There’s no need to force anything.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Archimedes said, “Give me a place to stand and I will move the earth.” You have the leverage part down, so sort out the positioning. Keep making adjustments to get this right. You’ll be amazed at how powerful you can be.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Overwhelmed? It’s a sign that your life is big, broad, rich and full. The tasks before you may be multitudinous, but they will be accomplished the same way anything on Earth ever is — one thing at a time.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Some things are important to do, and some things are nice to do. Try and check off everything in the first category before you move to the second because it will make your life easier down the line.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The gap between a certain dream and the reality of the situation has been wide for a good while. Now you’re in for the thrill of closing that space. Tonight, you’ll have the best time clowning around.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Solving a predicament will be about responding to the motives of others, which is only possible if you know what they are. Motives are often secret, even to the people they are inhabiting, but you’re astute and will figure it out.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You feel pressured to give a top performance, and think it’s the world’s expectation, but it’s really your own. Stop expecting to do everything right. You’ll naturally do many right things when you show yourself more love and leeway.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Oh, the pitfalls of familiarity! Here’s one you can avoid: People close to you know how to push your buttons, but you can outsmart them by rewiring the circuitry, so they get something different than expected.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There’s magic in paper today. Take your plan out of the digital realm so you can hold it in your hand, or tape it to a mirror, or give it to someone. Something about the physical copy that ushers in reality.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 18). A surge of courage is your cosmic boon! You’ll challenge norms and break through barriers. More highlights: You’ll repeat a lucrative action many times to build up a nest egg. You’ll be freely taught something that people pay thousands to know. The prayer, wish or request you most consistently make will be answered. Gemini and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 15, 2, 22, 28 and 13.