TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 20). Through hard work and friendly connections, you will meet a financial goal. In both personal and professional matters, take pleasure in delivering beyond what is expected of you. You will be extraordinarily versatile, moving with ease in all kinds of social circles. You gain power and confidence in 2011. Aquarius and Aries people adore you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). New information might throw you momentarily. You may even fall out of the game for a few minutes or hours, or the whole afternoon. But you'll be back–mostly because you love this game!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). What is commonly agreed upon will be accepted as truth and the basis for all group activity. You may feel it's your job to rock this foundation. And this you may do just for the fun of it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll be wheeling and dealing. Don't take the first package you're offered. Think about a number that makes you smile, and see whether you can get it -- or at least get closer to it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Doing the same thing for and expecting the same thing from your love time and again is the antithesis of romance. It will be up to you to add the variety, the surprises, the zest, the spice...

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll deepen your own knowledge by teaching others. Remember that each person has a different way of learning. Be patient and try to accommodate those whose style is varied from your own.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Any good speaker who has ever delivered a eulogy knows the No. 1 rule: Do not speak ill of the dead. It's bad taste and bad luck. The rule applies today in some way, perhaps regarding a historic figure.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It's so easy for you to be cheerful since you're usually in a happy mood. You'll be in a position to welcome others and set a positive tone for events that will unfold over the next few days.

PISCES (Feb. 19-Mar. 20). The day is filled with words and sounds of deals coming together, the hashing through of agreement and disagreement, the lively ping-pong of conversation. Tonight calls for a long pause to reflect on the value of silence.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 19). The menu of life is filled with feelings. You usually prefer to order up strong emotions that make you feel confident and powerful. Yet today you may dally in lighter fare like whimsy and wonder and be fulfilled in the process.

TAURUS (Apr. 20-May 20). See if you can turn the high-pitched longing down in the stereo of your mind. Fiddle with the EQ. Definitely bring the volume down a few decibels. Stop yearning, and start acting like you already have it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). There has been a blip in the harmony. You'll be able to make light of the disagreement. Your big, generous spirit will allow you to skip past the discord and get on with the business of getting along.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Good news: Your happiness does not have to come at the expense of anyone else's. If you are hearing otherwise, it's a sign that it's time to pick up your business and take it elsewhere.

To write Holiday Mathis, go to www.creators.com and click on “Write the Author.” To read past columns, visit Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com