Horoscopes: Wednesday, April 5, 2023

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Competitors show up — a gift that motivates you to up your game. There’s no reason to doubt yourself. You’ll be whatever you decide to be, so decide to be confident. Your sportsmanship will set the tone.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People who want to change and believe they can change will do so. This will occur regardless of background, finances, education or any other factor. Improvement is not only possible, it’s highly probable. Refuse to listen to any unhelpful beliefs.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There’s a good chance you’ll get what you want for free or cheap. People trying to make a sale will tell you to act fast, but if this is really for you, you’ll be able to get it tomorrow, next week or next year. If it has to be sold via hard-sell, it’s probably not that great a product.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The lumberjack felling a tree does not fret over where the wood chips land because the focus is on the bigger issue of the trunk. Similarly, you’re handling the essential issues now and can safely let the chips fall where they may.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Don’t wait until you feel focused to act. It’s the action that brings you focus and not the other way around. You won’t know which ideas are good until you follow through and test them out.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). First impressions are the beginning of a relationship and set a tone for everything that follows. The most important thing to take note of is how you feel around a person. There are many energizing people around, so keep moving until you find them.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You care a great deal about doing a job right. The nervousness you feel makes you human. Eventually, your body and mind will get used to this and it won’t affect you so strongly. Until then, do it scared.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A paradox: You’ll have to guard a thing to keep it free. You’ll make sure that no one and nothing can get to the things you hold sacred. You’ll protect your time, your joy and your inner being.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). People want to tell you about their lives because you listen with your heart and they feel heard and seen by you. You don’t offer up advice, opinions or fixes. Listening well is powerful and more than enough.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). As an actor or writer does, you’ll learn through people-watching. You’ll guess how closely — or loosely — different people are bound to one another. You’ll listen to what’s said and unsaid to gather insight about the feelings of others.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your energy is high and you’ll speed through tasks. It’s frustrating when lines or traffic slow you down, but a pleasure to be slowed down by the needs of a loved one. Love and patience go hand in hand.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). However massive the project is, it’s accomplished the same way any floor is swept — one sweep at a time. You’ll make incredible things happen today by simply repeating the easy action. And if the action doesn’t seem easy, chunk it down until it is.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (April 5). It’s your year of being on the inside, in the know, first on the invite list and other exclusive perks. You come by these signals of validation honestly, as they spring from trusted relationships and earned status. More highlights: A family win brings pride and opportunity. There’s a chance to learn an entirely new language, code or cultural system. Fortuitous and smooth travel is also in store. Taurus and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 10, 13, 16, 1 and 8.