Horoscopes: Monday, Aug. 19, 2024

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There’s no reason to focus on the shame of unrealized goals, past mistakes or current shortcomings. Your courage can be put to better use by focusing on what’s going right and well. You hold the keys. Break free.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your time and attention are precious, and you’ll figure out just how to apply them to the best effect. Knowing what matters will save you from fussing over what doesn’t.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ve seen things, yet you’re not jaded. This is the beauty of your mind, a mind that remains open and curious. Who else benefits from your optimism? Anyone you’re close to, as your perspective brightens the way.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Responsibilities have weight. Some feel heavier than lead. But if you don’t raise yourself to the highest standards, who will? Your commitment to excellence will make you strong and shape you into a person of integrity and resilience.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Greatness has little to nothing to do with perfection. In fact, things that are “too perfect” are widely considered uncool. Your greatness will come in a less-than-perfect form. Be proud and soak in the applause.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Problems take up mental space, and solutions free up space. The real trick is in protecting that space and building something intentional there instead. If you don’t do this, a new problem will drop right in.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’ll stand where fellow travelers stood. A feeling will come over you. The smooth stones underfoot hold stories of countless others, each faced with their own decisions, which brings the choice ahead of you into vivid focus.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Those who do nothing aren’t criticized like those who put themselves on the line regularly. Temper the feedback by giving yourself a lot more credit for having the courage to initiate. Your courage is admirable and should be commended.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When you choose who you want to hang out with, you are, in a sense, choosing who you want to be. People pick things up from those close to them. The company you keep will influence you in noticeable ways.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You’ll improve your lifestyle in one way that ends up touching several other areas of your life over the course of the season. This is why you can never underestimate the power of small, lovely gestures.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Avoid competitive people today. Their covert mission to best you will only complicate your mission to (SET ITAL) be (END ITAL) your best. It’s more fun to be around agreeable people who keep it light and bring a spark of playfulness to the scene.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Even though it’s stressful to be battling it out, either side you’re on is going to be less stressful than the middle position, striving for diplomacy and neutrality. At least on one side, you know where you stand and what you’re fighting for.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 19). You will create, live and tell many stories in the months to come. Cycles of excitement will be tempered by periods of tranquillity. Comfortable rhythm develops between extremes. Stress melts away as you focus on making yourself — your life, your environment — a nurturing place to grow the riches of your soul. Cancer and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 15, 30, 31, 13 and 8.