Stars -- Horoscope

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Repeat after me: "You are not the boss of me!" Say this three times in the mirror before you go to work so you won't actually say it to your boss. There's something liberating about acknowledging who the real boss is.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You're having a conversation in two different languages. But it's not a language barrier. You're both telling two versions of an old story that loops on repeatedly until you get it. Your understanding bridges differences.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're in a tight spot, heading down the court with no one to pass to. It's all a matter of timing, and you're on it. You have to shoot for the hoop like Charles Barkley, and you may miss. But what a game!

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The best things in life are free, right? Ugh. Not that one again. Such truisms may annoy you, but nonetheless, hopefully you won't be shopping indoors, missing the beautiful sunset.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You stub your toe on something that's been there all along - metaphorically, at least. Sometimes you need to make contact with a hard object just to get oriented.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Everyone's got weaknesses, such as fear of failure, or second-guessing oneself. But no one in the course of history has accomplished anything by letting those weaknesses stop him or her. And you won't, either.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You may not feel like making a big deal over what you want (because it's against your nature), but if you're not worth a big deal, who is? Be fair - not just in regard to everyone else, but also to yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). People will show up to support you. None of this makes a lick of difference if you can't self-validate. You're OK - really, you are. Give yourself a gold seal of approval.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You say you should be further along in your journey and have more tangible measures of success to show for your efforts. Relax. Put down the yardstick. Where you are and what you have are perfect.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Excess pride has boondoggled heroes and love relationships. Yes, feelings of superiority won't get you anywhere, but neither will denying your ambition. There's no shame in wanting to be the best.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). A relationship challenges you to own your inconsistencies of character. Everyone has them, but frankly, yours are so adorable to the ones who love you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Poor little Cinderella wondered as she put on her ragged clothes whether she would ever be queen of the ball, and then someone saved her. You're better off behaving like the winning prince - with certainty and action.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (May 9). You're assimilating your life's experience and growing wiser for it. It's not a year to make big demands; it's be-nice-to-you year. Instead of kicking yourself over the past, ask "What next?" For the next six weeks, let your energy build. In July, you're gangbusters, full of passionate, sensual magnetism. Aquarius and Sagittarius people share your interests. Your lucky numbers are: 35, 17, 10, 8 and 3.

If you would like to write to Holiday Mathis, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Holiday Mathis page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.