Horoscopes: Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Before you decide to join or align with a community, pay attention to how they tolerate nonconformists. The security of being in a group is valuable, but not as valuable as the freedom to be yourself.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People need your help. You’ll consider this a blessing, as you’ll benefit in ways you couldn’t have conceived of. The call of generosity and the call of adventure will be one in the same.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If partners work at cross-purposes, either nothing gets done or the strongest force in the room gets their way and the process will be a slog. Get everyone going on the same aim, and the progress will be quick and easy, the work, brilliant.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Whatever happens first, it will stick in the mind and be an indication of what is to come. Pay close attention to all that transpires. If someone cannot deliver the first time around, you will not return for a second time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Making things better for yourself often makes things better for others. However, today brings a situation in which what’s clearly needed is a sacrifice for the good of the team. It’s the right thing to do, which makes it easier.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Oddly enough, you’ll have confidence doing something totally new to you. What makes this possible is your experience in an adjacent area. Your success there will translate. Solve one problem, and you’re a problem solver!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Anger requires a great deal of energy. Letting go of a grievance gives you more fuel to put into improvements or even just into a leisurely pursuit of happiness, which would be an improvement too.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The universe will pose interesting questions. Whether you know the answer matters much less than your general wittiness. Life isn’t about knowing things; it’s about showing up and participating.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). What matters today isn’t whether you win or lose, but how badly you want the prize. Desire has energy. If you want something enough, your life will change shape, bending itself around the object of your desire.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Often people discover where the boundaries are by crossing them. Some boundaries are lines, others are walls, and still others have a gate that swings open when approached by the right smile.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It’s better to go through bad times with good people than to experience good times with bad people. Knowing there’s little that influences your quality of life more than the company you keep, you choose very carefully.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’re open and spontaneous. Saying “yes” will be like a one-word magic spell. Because you’re game to join people in their adventures, you’ll experience something you wouldn’t have planned on your own.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 17). Your solar return comes in like a hero, removing obstacles from your path. Watch and you’ll gain the knowledge, strength and courage to do this on your own. More highlights: proud family moments, great skill in your favorite game that allows you to exceed previous levels, and meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds. Capricorn and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 13, 5, 17, 19 and 27.