My Creator, if I get into a situation today that needs me to respond with silence, help me to use my silence in a good and sacred way. In my silence, let me be talking to You and You talking to me. Silence is the way of the warrior

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Watch for feelings of frustration, annoyance, apathy. These are signs that the person involved (which may be you) is engaged in tasks for which they're unprepared. Additional training is required, as well as a motivational pep talk.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are aware of the lines of authority on the job today. Duties seem strictly controlled now. It's best to stick with your assignments and not stray too far outside them.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You may have trouble allowing yourself or others to have fun. People learn better when they're enjoying themselves. You may have to monitor the right mix of enjoyment and discipline and that's a hard thing to do.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You want to stay close to people you know, especially your family. You're apt to be fearful of the unexpected or of circumstances you can't control. The challenge is to improve your confidence and self-reliance.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You have important work to do and you prefer being around serious people. You have little patience with distractions or with people who aren't as dedicated as you are.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You feel the need to keep busy today. You can be satisfied with ordinary work but you can stay active in leisure time as well. You enjoy being engaged, whether it's inner- or outer-directed.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You're prone to defer to others, stifling your own originality. This is probably not the best thing to do. Open up more and let people know what you're capable of. Better opportunities and responsibilities can come your way.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You are in murky waters now. You fall back on strict childhood training in order to cope. You need to be aware that this may not be adequate so stay alert for situations that don't fit preconceptions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can take a role as a leader or moderator today. People look up to you, perhaps too much. You need to take responsibility, but in a limited fashion, and let others take on their own proper responsibilities.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You are sensitive to the possibility of failure today. You need to make an extra effort to avoid it so you must be willing to eliminate extraneous activities. Once you're finished, you can reward yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You're prone to be satisfied with what you already know and not to be open to learning more or learning different. This can impede success, because adapting to new information is very important now.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your romantic feelings are strong but circumstances can get in the way of connecting. It's important to keep your feelings under control, otherwise you'll only feel frustrated. Bide your time.

My Creator, Let me live today with an open heart. Let me realize to be vulnerable is a strength, not a weakness. Let me realize the power of an open heart. Let me be available to truth. If I get into trouble, let me hear the whisper of your guidance. Let me make heart decisions and let my head catch up to that decision

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You're apt to lose all interest in being responsible today. You want to wander around, having fun doing pointless antics. Some, however, can be having a quest for knowledge and can learn a lot from it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your financial standing is so bad that you may feel compelled to borrow from friends. If so, you surely know you have probably mismanaged your money. A few, however, can be in this state not through their fault, but by fraud.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): People will interfere with your intentions if you let them. It can be easier to go along than to exercise your will but you shouldn't let this happen. Your welfare is preserved when it's in your hands, not someone else's.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You have a deep perception of what people are like today. There is a great temptation to draw them out and take advantage of their trust. It's important that you prove worthy of the friendship you're cultivating.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Your certainty of success is premature and makes you less watchful and more complacent. You could lose out due to lack of vigilance or from differences with the friends you should be cultivating as allies.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your job is a source of problems today. Biases and preconceptions prevent you from seeing situations afresh, as they actually. Your spouse can help, if you discuss it together.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): It is very easy to see only part of the picture of your success. You can think that you did it on your own but be unaware of the support you've gotten from others. Be aware of this and be generous toward them.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You're prone to think that an opportunity will always be around. Get going and follow up immediately. Complacency -- even laziness -- will work against you and leave you even worse off.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You have trouble taking responsibility today. You'd rather someone else take on the effort. It's important to learn how to take care of yourself, instead of expecting someone else to do it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You take extreme measures now. You are seeking approval from someone; a few may be acting out of revenge for not getting it. In any case, self-examination is necessary so you can act from pure motives.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): This is liable to be a very bad day regarding finances. Reduce unnecessary spending as much as possible; increase reserves. It is possible to avert catastrophe but expect to go through a crisis.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): There are problems at home. Small issues can expand into huge arguments. In many cases, money is a major issue. Resolve arguments by first agreeing that income relative to expenses is a real problem.

Great Spirit, whisper the secrets of the Unseen World in my mind's ear

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Discussions with partners are very serious today. Almost everyone gets included, no matter your degree of affection. Very serious emotional issues around love and relationships are involved.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You have to display a lot of maturity today. You may feel like the only adult in the room but it is a teachable moment and you can tell and demonstrate how others ought to behave and speak.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You take a serious tone today. Be very careful how you express yourself; use just the right words. You may have to go through your thinking in painstaking detail. People need to hear and understand you.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A career breakthrough occurs today. A long-sought position can open up for some. For others, the routine is upset and overturned completely. Still others don't wait for luck good or bad and take a risk for what they want.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): This is a good day to take an assessment of what you have accomplished recently. You should list successes as well as failures, and try to understand the reasons for each. This is to improve your next go-around.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Beware of taking risks today. You anticipate thrills from living on the edge but you are also prone to errors of judgment. There is too much chance of overlooking important safety measures. For some, malice can enter the picture.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You prefer to keep the company of a small, close-knit group of friends. It's easier to control that way; you like the diversity but you dislike the unpredictability a large crowd creates. You want to be in charge.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In your job, it's very important that you know where you are going. For many, this can involve the end result of the current project. For some, it can mean the end-point of retirement and the conditions that are looming for it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Politics of some sort becomes important to you today. You start to take into account how words and speeches are interpreted. More than usual, you speak for effect more than to communicate.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): This is a good day to evaluate what career matches your personality. Try aptitude tests and get guidance that way, or through some other personality and aptitude assessment.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You can make a gift of your knowledge and experience today. You know what others don't but need to. Don't be shy about explaining the reasons behind the end lessons.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your adventures must be spiritual, not physical. You need to learn about meditation, prayer and other such practices that suit you and uplift you. Subconscious drives, mostly negative, are very active today.

My Creator, You have said "Know thyself." Today let me see the wisdom of this Truth. Give me Your insight of myself. I am always walking the talk and most people can see it. Today, help and guide me on the Red Road

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You take decisive, if abrupt, action regarding your job. Some try to force reforms where they work, others are willing to suddenly change into another field.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You make a radical shift in your beliefs now. For some, there has been a buildup of contradictions and these people see the way to resolve it. Others may not be that far but the cognitive dissonance builds noticeably now.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Some can see that a drastic change in financial arrangements is necessary. You make adjustments in your investments, alter wills or change insurance provisions. You should see there is no time for half measures.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You take challenges head-on today. You want to force issues and create deep change. Some are active for social reform now. Others may experiment with changing their lives into a more authentic manner.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): This is a great day for exploring alternatives to your current line of work. An actual change may not be necessary but definitely seek to be in tune with the kind of work that makes you feel spiritually fulfilled.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You are at a crossroads when it comes to professional success. You should follow the urge to make a change and not talk yourself out of taking risks. If necessary, take small experimental steps that don't break the status quo too much.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You're liable to go head-to-head with authority figures today. It's very important that you stay in control of yourself and not escalate a situation. You want real change, not a confrontation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Difficulties with religious, legal or professional systems comes from not understanding their underlying philosophies. You need to know how to deal with them effectively, without necessarily believing in them.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your integrity is challenged today. You must be very clear about your personal and professional values. You must stay devoted to the truth and to peace for those hold greater power than any physical force.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You place emphasis on inner work and inner change. Outwardly, you can seem compliant, but you are going with the flow and cooperating with the Universe. You have a clear idea of the outcome you're expecting.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You are attracted to situations others don't want to deal with. You like the challenge, especially since it has personal ramifications that help to define and strengthen your character.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You want to be successful and also be able to impress people. It's very important that you be the best at whatever you do professionally. Let people know that difficult situations can be overcome honestly.

Oh Great Spirit, I humbly stand before You along with the new sun, the Mother Earth and the smells of the morning. I ask You to direct my thinking today. Let me live in the silence. Teach me Your wisdom, Teach me to love my brothers and sisters. Let me respect the things You have made

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You focus on your relationship with immediate family members. While you can communicate easily with them, you may also be prone to playing tricks on them. Focus on meaningfulness.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are shaken out of humdrum living and can realize the importance of making wealth, as well as seeing the means to do so. You have a greater appreciation for the good things money can provide, giving motivation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): This is a very expansive day as your mind encounters new and powerful ideas. Personal, intellectual and spiritual growth gets a kick-start today, so don't close off new opportunities and new leads away from routine living.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You can easily turn introspective and generally become concerned about issues of value. For some, this can be monetary or property value; for others this can be ethical or spiritual values. Expect to encounter challenging idea.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Allow your social world to expand today. Contact or meet more people and take time to learn about them in depth. Don't, for example, try to increase superficial internet friends. Show an interest in them.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Many are heavily involved with advancing their career today. You should be extremely careful what you say, and not be too self-revealing. Others can emphasize being alone and should use this private time constructively for research.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): New ideas, especially in religion or philosophy, help to expand your spiritual horizons. Those who are younger are more self-directed; those who are older may be energized by their example. Put into practice what you learn.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): An unexpected change affects your career path or your decisions concerning it. These are generally favorable so don't fight new developments; explore them instead. Go where there is intellectual excitement.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your friendships and other social contacts are expanded today. You can benefit by meeting people from other countries or from very different backgrounds. Once you find common issues of interest, the results are amazing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You are concerned about paying for health issues today. Doctor's bills, medical insurance,or simply paying for vitamin supplements are the sorts of things you are paying attention to now.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): There are sudden developments in relationships today. You can find common interests with people, and so find a connection leading to friendship. Follow your curiosity and share your questions and your answers.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): This is a good day to work cooperatively with people. You could be critical if others aren't as dedicated or aspirational as you. Be more easy-going and it will be easier to draw them back into what you are doing.

Oh Great Spirit, today let me do the best I can with what I know, with what I have. Let me experience acceptance of Your will

ARIES (March 21-April 19): It's easier to comment on life than it is to meet its challenges directly. You like to put on the airs of an observer but that's because engaging it is too hard for you today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You're apt to form unrealistic goals and expectations today. Financial matters need to be run through someone you trust to have your interests at heart. Your imagination gets in the way of seeing things clearly.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You're shy and hesitating today, though you need not be. All you need is confidence, or at least the appearance of it, to get the respect you deserve. If certain people sense weakness, they could prey on it.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): This can be a difficult day as you take core of someone who is helpless. Your highest, most selfless nature is required now. When you show compassion or forbearance you will be rewarded with gratitude. Don't stand by and watch.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Strong subconscious forces are influencing your conscious mind now. When hang-ups become active, you can step outside, watch them and analyze them. This awareness is your chance to overcome them, instead of being victimized by them.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You feel that it is better to watch and comment than to get involved. You tend to feel you are not up to direct participation so you leave that to others. For some, writing commentaries seems like the best role.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You can meet people whose backgrounds are so different that it is next to impossible to come to an understanding. Some can be introduced to a foreign cuisine that is enjoyable.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Love and money get put together in interesting ways today. It's important to keep reasoning faculties sharp. You may want to borrow money, or someone may want to borrow from you. Assess the risk and the necessity.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can get involved in a relationship that meets severe disapproval from others, especially your family. You need to be very careful how and when introductions are made. If you can't stand on principle, then it's a scandal.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You feel you can't defend your position in an argument today. It's more a matter of standing up to criticism than any facts available. You may have to deal with bluff and bluster; it's easier to moderate others' disagreements.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): It is easy to fall victim to enticements to spend money. Be hard-hearted and keep to your budget. Whimsical spending can suddenly become more expensive than you can afford. Don't be ruled by fancy.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): This is an excellent day for self-study. Try to understand your genetic roots and early upbringing. Insights can be valuable, both as positive guides and as warnings for corrective action.

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Jul 12, 1389:
Geoffrey Chaucer is named chief clerk by Richard II

King Richard II appoints Geoffrey Chaucer to the position of chief clerk of the king's works in Westminster on this day in 1389.

Chaucer, the middle-class son of a wine merchant, served as a page in an aristocratic household during his teens and was associated with the aristocracy for the rest of his life. In 1359, he fought in France with Edward III, and was captured in a siege. Edward III ransomed him, and he later worked for Edward III and John of Gaunt. One of his earliest known works was an elegy for the deceased wife of John of Gaunt, Book of the Duchesse.

In 1372, Chaucer traveled to Italy on diplomatic missions, where he may have been exposed to Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. He also visited Flanders and France, and was appointed comptroller of customs. He wrote several poems in the 1380s, including The Parlement of Foules and Troilus and Criseyde. In the late 1380s or early 1390s, he began work on the Canterbury Tales, in which a mixed group of nobles, peasants, and clergy make a pilgrimage to the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury. The work, a compilation of tales told by each character, is remarkable for its presentation of the spectrum of social classes. Although Chaucer intended the book to include 120 stories, he died in 1399, with only 22 tales finished.

At the center of all human beings is the place of good. That includes myself. At my very core is good. I can find this place by staying free of resentments, fear, dishonesty and self-seeking motives. My Creator, keep me free this day of resentment, selfishness, dishonesty and fear

ARIES (March 21-April 19): A crisis point is reached. You're in a hostile environment and you attempt to force change. You exert influence and money to turn the situation your way. Whether you succeed or not, it's something people will remember.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You have an inkling of profound changes happening today. Events can mark a long-term trend, so be aware and responsive. Events may seem negative but a positive response sets you up for positive change over the years.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Important changes are happening all around you. They're likely to be unhappy ones, involving loss. You need to take a philosophic or spiritual attitude; hold on to good memories and keep your own purpose in life at the forefront.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Watch your relationships carefully today. Be attentive to common goals. A rift can become evident and this needs to be understood. Understanding can be healing but resentment makes it worse.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You encounter problems and changes in your job. Be alert for the signs, as a trend is developing. Watch your health also as stress can be affecting it. Diversify your ability to earn money and tailor your diet and medical treatment.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your creativity is stimulated today but probably through adverse circumstances. You should make a positive response to events but be careful. You become engaged with politics and resentment isn't far below the surface.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Today, you can sense changes in yourself and your life but it's hard to pinpoint what they are, exactly. Meditation or dream-work can help bring them to consciousness. Your unease should motivate you to understand better.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your typical expectations about people get a rude shock today. Many of your beliefs become challenged now, especially in ordinary living. People change or you may have to reassess your neighborhood.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Important developments are affecting your earnings capacity. Be on the lookout for job retraining opportunities. You need new skills for what's coming so start breaking away from what you know and explore something else.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You have definite ideas about what you should and shouldn't be doing. These are rooted in habit more than principle so you should be more flexible and understand the true extent of your capabilities.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Old problems thought long-buried come up again today. It's important to face them and deal with them because that's the only way to put them to rest once and for all. You can't spend the next several years scared and in hiding.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Some friendships are drifting apart, or even are cut off entirely, today. This reflects inevitable changes in your needs. It's important to seek new friends that are more in line with your developments.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Direct parental guidance, or the memory of their example, is strong in your life now. You need to put a personal stamp on family traditions or characteristic family traits. Don't be locked into the past.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): This is a good day for seeking a job and getting a job interview. Those who are secure can add to their reputation by making an excellent presentation. You may need to help a family member with financial planning.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You are focused on earning and spending. You feel as though you have to get things before the chance is over. Perhaps there is a sale or some other last-time chance at getting what you want and need.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You're in a mixed state of confidence and anxiety. You're mostly uncertain whether events will turn out as you want. While they may not, you are almost assured they will turn out to your benefit.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The day can be stressful. You have the work-week to finish up and you're already anticipating the weekend. As much as possible, be present in the here-and-now, to ensure that problems are addressed fully and completely.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You need to set an important issue as a project and work on it until it's done. You excel now at researching problems and solutions. You can create an important program to submit to bureaus, representatives or courts.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You tend to ignore lines of authority because you are so self-confident today. Beware that you may be stepping on toes trying to do everything yourself. You need to respect people's turf and scope of operations.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): This is a good day to discuss anything with spouse and business associates. Troublesome issues can be resolved amicably. Important ideas can be brought out and developed through brainstorming.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your enthusiasm and example can encourage people to be self-supporting and positive. Otherwise, you can be joyful and have no trouble assisting those who can't help themselves.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You enjoy having a dynamic and constructive partnership today. Energy is high, enthusiasm is overflowing. Take advantage of the day's opportunities and mood so that important projects can be advanced.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Success lies in returning to the basics in whatever you do. Look for tried and true procedures that underlie the topic and hand. Strip away complexities that have been added on.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You're apt to be naturally successful in your activities but you're also liable to be complacent. If you can make yourself try harder, you can get results beyond what anybody expects.

Jul 14, 1099:
Jerusalem captured in First Crusade

During the First Crusade, Christian knights from Europe capture Jerusalem after seven weeks of siege and begin massacring the city's Muslim and Jewish population.

Beginning in the 11th century, Christians in Jerusalem were increasingly persecuted by the city's Islamic rulers, especially when control of the holy city passed from the relatively tolerant Egyptians to the Seljuk Turks in 1071. Late in the century, Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comenus, also threatened by the Seljuk Turks, appealed to the West for aid. In 1095, Pope Urban II publicly called for a crusade to aid Eastern Christians and recover the holy lands. The response by Western Europeans was immediate.

The first crusaders were actually undisciplined hordes of French and German peasants who met with little success. One group, known as the "People's Crusade," reached as far as Constantinople before being annihilated by the Turks. In 1096, the main crusading force, featuring some 4,000 mounted knights and 25,000 infantry, began to move east. Led by Raymond of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, Robert of Flanders, and Bohemond of Otranto, the army of Christian knights crossed into Asia Minor in 1097.

In June, the crusaders captured the Turkish-held city of Nicaea and then defeated a massive army of Seljuk Turks at Dorylaeum. From there, they marched on to Antioch, located on the Orontes River below Mount Silpius, and began a difficult six-month siege during which they repulsed several attacks by Turkish relief armies. Finally, early in the morning of June 3, 1098, Bohemond persuaded a Turkish traitor to open Antioch's Bridge Gate, and the knights poured into the city. In an orgy of killing, the Christians massacred thousands of enemy soldiers and citizens, and all but the city's fortified citadel was taken. Later in the month, a large Turkish army arrived to attempt to regain the city, but they too were defeated, and the Antioch citadel surrendered to the Europeans.

After resting and reorganizing for six months, the crusaders set off for their ultimate goal, Jerusalem. Their numbers were now reduced to some 1,200 cavalry and 12,000 foot soldiers. On June 7, 1099, the Christian army reached the holy city, and finding it heavily fortified, began building three enormous siege towers. By the night of July 13, the towers were complete, and the Christians began fighting their way across Jerusalem's walls. On July 14, Godfrey's men were the first to penetrate the defenses, and the Gate of Saint Stephen was opened. The rest of the knights and soldiers then poured in, the city was captured, and tens of thousands of its occupants were slaughtered.

The crusaders had achieved their aims, and Jerusalem was in Christian hands, but an Egyptian army marched on the holy city a few weeks later to challenge their claim. The Egyptians' defeat by the outnumbered Christians in August ended Muslim resistance to the Europeans for the time being, and five small Christian states were set up in the region under the rule of the leaders of the crusade.

Today, my Great Spirit, let me remember to touch the earth. Let me slow down and live just for today. Let me be gentle, patient and kind

ARIES (March 21-April 19): This is a good day for spending time with your immediate and extended family and with your neighbors as well. Create or renew contact and strengthen friendships. Easy, friendly conversation is very informative.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): This is a good day to study the financial aspects of your long-term goals. You may find that it isn't as solid as you had assumed. While this is unpleasant with attention you can device a workable plan.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You rely on popularity to get ahead. This can get you only so far, even though it may be very far. At some point, today or in the future, you will have to prove your abilities as well, so don't overreach beyond what you can learn.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): So much tension comes out of you today that you are liable to abandon all discipline and fall into bad patterns. You need more, not less, positive thinking, spiritual devotions and dietary sense.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It's important to think big but to realize your present limitations. Barriers need to be overcome but you have to start small, do what you can at present, learn more. Prepare for the future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You rely on intuition at work but there can be more experienced people who know better ways. Accept instruction from them gladly. Welcome any chance you get to become more practiced and proficient.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You are engaged in disputes today and you may have to retract from an earlier position. If you can overcome shame, you can thoroughly learn new information and a new outlook on the world.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You can learn about yourself by learning about other people. Be of service to others and get to know their stories. You can find a lot to relate to and also a lot to learn vicariously.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You are liable to be too protected from difficult situations. Test your strength and ability. You need practice and graduated experience. Avoid sink-or-swim situations if at all possible.

Jul 15, 1606:
Rembrandt born

The great Dutch master Rembrandt van Rijn is born in Leiden on July 15, 1606, the son of a miller. His humble origins may help account for the uncommon depth of compassion given to the human subjects of his art. His more than 600 paintings, many of them portraits or self-portraits, are characterized by rich brushwork and color, and a dramatic interplay of shadow and light.

After deciding to pursue painting, the young Rembrandt was taught by various teachers, among them Amsterdam painter Pieter Lastman, who interested him in biblical, mythological, and historical themes. Rembrandt was also deeply influenced by the Italian painter Caravaggio, whose chiaroscuro technique--the strong use of light and shadow--would become central to Rembrandt's work. He soon developed his own distinct style and by the age of 22 was accomplished enough to take on his own students in Leiden. During this period, he painted the first of nearly 100 self-portraits produced during his lifetime.

Rembrandt moved to Amsterdam in 1631 and began to achieve fame and commercial success as a portrait painter. Notable works from this period include the group portrait Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp (1632), the biblical-themed Sacrifice of Isaac (1635), and the mythological masterpiece Danae (1636). In the 1630s, Rembrandt also began to produce ambitious etchings of biblical subjects. These masterful prints, such as Annunciation to the Shepherds (1634), had a lasting effect on printmakers for centuries. During his prosperous decade, Rembrandt's studio was filled with numerous assistants and students, many of whom became accomplished artists in their own right.

As a fashionable portraitist, he began to go out of style after the 1630s. Popular taste preferred Baroque refinement and detail over his increasingly expressive brush strokes and use of shadow. His human figures, inspired by the real people around him, were criticized as being coarse and indecorous. Despite the decline in prominent commissions, Rembrandt maintained an extravagant lifestyle, particularly as a collector, and this ultimately would lead to his bankruptcy in 1656. Financial difficulties were also coupled with personal miseries, particularly the death of his wife in 1642, the death of his mistress in 1663, and the death of his only son in 1668. These troubles scarcely affected his artistic output, however, and the 1640s saw such masterworks as the 1642 painting The Militia Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq (also known as The Night Watch) and the monumental etching Christ Healing the Sick (1643-1649). He also developed an enduring interest in landscape during this time.

Financial ruin came in the 1650s, but he continued to work with undiminished energy and power. Many of the Rembrandt paintings most celebrated today came from this later period, which saw a profound penetration of character in pictures like Aristotle Contemplating the Bust of Homer (1653) and Bathsheba (1654). Some of his biblical-themed works from this period so closely resemble portraits that their religious subjects are obscure, such as the Jewish Bride (1664). Many soulful self-portraits were also produced in the last years of his life. Rembrandt died in 1669.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): This is a great day for socializing with people you normally take for granted. Get involved in your local neighborhood issues but do it by building alliances and trust. Avoid being unpleasant or partisan while you learn.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You're prone to accept gifts and donations today. You might be feeling a financial pinch, making this necessary. It's important to make note of whom you owe. You must resolve to be financially responsible.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Emphasize your intellectual receptivity today. You don't need to decide who is right or wrong or what is true or false. Just pay attention and gather the facts. Observe non-verbal cues as well.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You feel held back today. Your plans are stalled and your ideas don't get a following. There is a lot of criticism now; you have to answer to valid points. However much you've led the discussion before, there is delay now.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You're apt to take a passive attitude toward events, when you should also be providing direction and feedback. Events aren't as out of your control as you think. Press others about your preferences and intentions.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your job can cause a lot of concern today. Many will normally have the day off but cannot escape continuing issues off-work. Some can rise to public attention in some favorable way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You come into contact with friends who are far away. You're in line for a pleasant journey or else some can have a lot of fun learning through unusual methods or at least one that's not tedious.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Important financial matters come to your attention. You need to work out insurance, shared bank accounts or legal documents. For many, this encounter with officialdom generates deep fears or uncertainty.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): An important relationship can be developed and advanced today. Some may have a pleasant time traveling. A strong sense of romance and attraction dominates the day.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You want to succeed through focused effort but you would do better to diversify and have several tracks running at once. Your mind thinks in terms of just one way but you need to appreciate the value of several ways.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You're very concerned about your appearance and acceptability today. You want to look good for somebody special. An important date could be happening or some other situation where making a good impression is mandatory.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): This is a good day to shut the world out and spend quality time with your family. It's important to watch what you east but otherwise it's time to relax, reduce stress and enjoy the family life you've created.

Mine is pretty much spot on...I am going on a pleasant journey...next year...going on tour with a couple of Scottish bands in Scotland....anyone heard of Albannach?  Oh you must see them on ytube...very primal....

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You take decisive, if abrupt, action regarding your job. Some try to force reforms where they work, others are willing to suddenly change into another field.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You make a radical shift in your beliefs now. For some, there has been a buildup of contradictions and these people see the way to resolve it. Others may not be that far but the cognitive dissonance builds noticeably now.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Some can see that a drastic change in financial arrangements is necessary. You make adjustments in your investments, alter wills or change insurance provisions. You should see there is no time for half measures.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You take challenges head-on today. You want to force issues and create deep change. Some are active for social reform now. Others may experiment with changing their lives into a more authentic manner.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): This is a great day for exploring alternatives to your current line of work. An actual change may not be necessary but definitely seek to be in tune with the kind of work that makes you feel spiritually fulfilled.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You are at a crossroads when it comes to professional success. You should follow the urge to make a change and not talk yourself out of taking risks. If necessary, take small experimental steps that don't break the status quo too much.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You're liable to go head-to-head with authority figures today. It's very important that you stay in control of yourself and not escalate a situation. You want real change, not a confrontation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Difficulties with religious, legal or professional systems comes from not understanding their underlying philosophies. You need to know how to deal with them effectively, without necessarily believing in them.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your integrity is challenged today. You must be very clear about your personal and professional values. You must stay devoted to the truth and to peace for those hold greater power than any physical force.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You place emphasis on inner work and inner change. Outwardly, you can seem compliant, but you are going with the flow and cooperating with the Universe. You have a clear idea of the outcome you're expecting.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You are attracted to situations others don't want to deal with. You like the challenge, especially since it has personal ramifications that help to define and strengthen your character.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You want to be successful and also be able to impress people. It's very important that you be the best at whatever you do professionally. Let people know that difficult situations can be overcome honestly.

Oh Great Spirit, I know of Your power. I love the days when I can feel Your presence. Let today be one of those days. Let me walk today in Your beauty

Oh Great Spirit, let me live today as if it was my last. Let me express Your joy and be happy today. Let me see the joy and honor of living on the Red Road

My Creator, today I will love myself so I can love my neighbor. I will look at each person today and see Your light within them. If I do this, I will hold my brothers and sisters without guilt

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You're feeling inner turmoil today. Your appearance of moodiness is a clear reflection of what's happening inside you. It's easy to feel confined, thwarted, unable to express yourself, with resulting volatility.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You like to appear nonchalant but you are very observant. You're assessing everything and everybody. You tend, however, to process information through a jaundiced internal filter. You need to be less judgmental.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You feel empowered today. You make a mighty effort to achieve your desires, to force the changes you sense are mandatory. You're not playing games now and the biggest danger is that you can go too far or try methods that work against you.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You get into highly competitive situations now, in which you seem to get the worst of it. You try many strategies to get on people's good side but others give up trying to please someone else and awaken to their own will and desires.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Intellectually, you trust your gut instincts about what's true. This seems like a contradiction but you probably have enough experience to sense what works and what doesn't. Yours is a practical knowledge.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You feel the need to spend a lot of time with friends. You don't want to feel alone so it's important to reach out to others. For some, the chance of a romance is a strong motivator.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Before engaging in antagonistic activities, it's important to know that you have the winning strategy. Knowledge is power and you have to know what you're truly up against, in both defense and in come-back.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You're apt to encounter bureaucratic red tape and, of course, you can't wait for that. When unavoidable, cultivate patience. However, it doesn't hurt to cut corners, pull strings, call on favors, if you can.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Issues over your rights and freedom are particularly acute today. Events cause you to draw a sharp distinction between how things have become and how they should be. Your patience is strained to the limit.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Anger isn't far beneath the surface today and it could erupt at any moment. An antagonistic attitude isolates you now. It may be that people end up avoiding you or you feel like an outsider isolating yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your attention is on political developments, whether nationally or locally. There is a lot of convincing, activism or competition going on. The day is full of efforts to win people over to one side or another.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You are prone to be too demanding today. Your standards are too high or your patience is too short. Stay patient with people and work with them to get the results you know are required.

Jul 18, 64:
Nero's Rome burns

The great fire of Rome breaks out and destroys much of the city on this day in the year 64. Despite the well-known stories, there is no evidence that the Roman emperor, Nero, either started the fire or played the fiddle while it burned. Still, he did use the disaster to further his political agenda.

The fire began in the slums of a district south of the legendary Palatine Hill. The area's homes burned very quickly and the fire spread north, fueled by high winds. During the chaos of the fire, there were reports of heavy looting. The fire ended up raging out of control for nearly three days. Three of Rome's 14 districts were completely wiped out; only four were untouched by the tremendous conflagration. Hundreds of people died in the fire and many thousands were left homeless.

Although popular legend holds that Emperor Nero fiddled while the city burned, this account is wrong on several accounts. First, the fiddle did not even exist at the time. Instead, Nero was well known for his talent on the lyre; he often composed his own music. More importantly, Nero was actually 35 miles away in Antium when the fire broke out. In fact, he let his palace be used as a shelter.

Legend has long blamed Nero for a couple of reasons. Nero did not like the aesthetics of the city and used the devastation of the fire in order to change much of it and institute new building codes throughout the city. Nero also used the fire to clamp down on the growing influence of Christians in Rome. He arrested, tortured and executed hundreds of Christians on the pretext that they had something to do with the fire.

Oh Great Spirit, teach me the laws of the unseen world. Today I pray You open my eyes so I can better see the Red Road

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Be extremely careful today. Rash decisions go wrong, uncoordinated actions cause disruption. Your sense that time is short can cause you to make serious blunders. Make quick decisions without feeling panicked.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You're prone to live in fantasy today. It's hard to get out of your imagination and focus your senses on the physical world. You generally have a hard time dealing with problems but can be very creative otherwise.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Sudden, abrupt changes are likely now in your association with organizations and with friends. You may feel that procedures are too confining and time-consuming. You can't wait for permission; you want to do it now!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are easily discouraged today. Fight against this feeling of gloom today. The situation isn't as bleak as it appears or as you make it out to be. You may need to act, though without enthusiasm, before you see results.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Challenging ideas create disorientation today. Comfortable beliefs are challenged, maybe even uprooted beyond deniability. For some, extreme care should be taken when traveling both in your familiar neighborhood and afar.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You cede a lot of power and decision-making to a partner today. You have trouble making up your mind so you must try extra hard to apply logic and to become more aware of what you really want out of a situation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You are easily angered, and can make incorrect presumptions about people. Agitation and anger are signs you're thinking incorrectly. There is also high risk of accidents; keep safety first around machines, especially cars.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Your imagination is at a high point today but it can also be matched by an incredible lack of good judgment. You may need a partner with common sense to steer you through practical decision-making.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You're prone to disregard expectations; you can see this as a trap to escape. You need to consider your responsibilities, and weigh them against your freedoms; you emphasize the latter at the expense of the former.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You have trouble today. Events move slowly or perhaps it's you moving slowly. You can be too shy or afraid to take a chance, when doing so could give you what you want. Don't fear, or regret, failure.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Unexpected news can throw you into confusion. It's important to wait until you have all the information. The situation is fast-moving and you can expect that the initial news is very wrong.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You feel you have a lot of wisdom to dispense but something is missing the mark, You may not be perceiving the situation right or your advice is amiss or too impractical. Wait patiently for your insight to come to consciousness

Jul 19, 1553:
Lady Jane Grey deposed

After only nine days as the monarch of England, Lady Jane Grey is deposed in favor of her cousin Mary. The 15-year-old Lady Jane, beautiful and intelligent, had only reluctantly agreed to be put on the throne. The decision would result in her execution.

Lady Jane Grey was the great-granddaughter of King Henry VII and the cousin of King Edward VI. Lady Jane and Edward were the same age, and they had almost been married in 1549. In May 1553 she was married to Lord Guildford Dudley, the son of John Dudley, the duke of Northumberland. When King Edward fell deathly ill with tuberculosis soon after, Jane's father-in-law, John Dudley persuaded the dying king that Jane, a Protestant, should be chosen the royal successor over Edward's half-sister Mary, a Catholic. On July 6, 1553, Edward died, and four days later Lady Jane Grey was proclaimed queen of England.

Lady Jane's ascendance was supported by the Royal Council, but the populace supported Mary, the rightful heir. Two days into Lady Jane's reign, Dudley departed London with an army to suppress Mary's forces, and in his absence the Council declared him a traitor and Mary the queen, ending Jane's nine-day reign.

By July 20, most of Dudley's army had deserted him, and he was arrested. The same day, Jane was imprisoned in the Tower of London. Her father-in-law was condemned for high treason, and on August 23 he was executed. On November 13, Jane and her husband, Guildford Dudley, were likewise found guilty of treason and sentenced to death, but because of their youth and relative innocence Mary did not carry out the death sentences.

However, in early 1554, Jane's father, Henry Grey, joined Sir Thomas Wyatt in an insurrection against Mary that broke out after her announcement of her intention to marry Philip II of Spain. While suppressing the revolt, Mary decided it was also necessary to eliminate all her political opponents, and on February 7 she signed the death warrants of Jane and her husband. On the morning of February 12, Jane watched her husband being carried away to execution from the window of her cell in the Tower of London, and two hours later she was also executed. As British tradition tells the story, after the 16-year-old girl was beheaded, her executioner held Jane's head aloft and recited the words: "So perish all the queen's enemies! Behold, the head of a traitor!"

Elder's Meditation of the Day - July 19
"We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that He never forgets, that hereafter He will give every man a spirit-home according to his deserts: If he has been a good man, he will have a good home; if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home."
-- Chief Joseph, NEZ PERCE
I cannot hide my true spirit and intent from the Creator. He created a system of justice. This system of justice says we will get back whatever we plant. If we plant good then good returns - if we plant bad, then we will suffer the consequences. Whatever we think about another person, the same things are thought about us. Whatever we send out is sent back. Man cannot alter this system of justice. It doesn't matter what we say or do. What really matters is what we really, really did.

Oh Great Spirit, guide me today to do good, to have good thoughts. Let me remember the things I do are to honor Your way of life

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You're very sensitive to others' moods today but you may not fully understand them or know what to do about it. You're challenged to stay on an even emotional keel and to shield yourself from too much empathy.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You are apt to make wasted effort today. Don't just jump into a situation; have patience and use your intellect first. Careful research is necessary to know what you're getting into; don't trust quick intuition.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You don't perform well under pressure or under observation. You are perfectly capable, but may have trouble verbalizing what you know to others. You may want to practice putting vague thoughts into coherent words.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You're thrown off-kilter today. It's hard to stay focused on your intentions now since there are many distractions. Events don't go right or normally now and you must deal with many delays and unusual events.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Your attention is wayward today. You're distracted when you need to focus. Temptations are strong but you must be strong and keep what's important uppermost in mind.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take extreme care of your finances. Look over your transactions carefully and guard personal information. There is extreme risk of fraud, so don't fall for common scams. Change and improve your Internet passwords.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Pay close attention to your health. Be aggressive in treating symptoms but be sure you address the cause. You're in a long-term period when you must focus on building strength and avoid bad habits that debilitate you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): It may require an emergency to focus your thoughts today, though there may not be one. You are generally scattered and may respond inappropriately to situations. Pay attention to social expectations and don't scorn them.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can make strides in some areas but only at the expense of others. For many, a career path opens up but the family is left in need of help. Don't leave your foundations unprotected.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You accept challenges, but the ethical dimension of your actions is important to keep in mind at all times. Don't do anything you would be ashamed of if known publicly. Don't create dirty little secrets.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You would rather take on too many responsibilities rather than admit you're in need of help. Try to communicate honestly, without either over- or under-statement. People need to know exactly what's going on.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): This can be a day full of humiliation today. You should probably draw the conclusion that a goal has been too fanciful or your methods have been too unrealistic. Think about the weaknesses very carefully.

Let me focus on what needs to be done today. Give me clear thoughts to accomplish the results that you, my Creator, would have me accomplish

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You are studious and withdrawn today. You may have trouble conveying the importance of anything you learn. You may need to practice enthusiasm or excitement because moods are catching, even sober mood.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You take on a great deal of responsibility today. You're willing to adapt and learn what's necessary, primarily from experience. You put a premium on accurate details now.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You have religious or political questions now and you want definite answers. According to your needs you can accept anything from practical advice to hard proof. One thing you're very sensitive to is evasion.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You may have to make the most out of a reduced amount of resources. You must struggle with your ideas that things must be just so because they're not. You're challenged to be creative.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You must overcome self-doubt. Accept that there are certain tasks you must do alone; the fact that others aren't interested shouldn't discourage you. People will appreciate the results of your efforts.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Today you take a realistic assessment of you income. This is a good time to make economic projections of all sorts but especially the ones that relate personally to you, especially matters of income and debts.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You think that you have to learn and discover on your own now. This may not be so. At least try to find friends who as interested or motivated as you. Share what's going on and make an invitation to join you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You like to spend a lot of time alone today. For some reason, you fear you're not up to certain challenges, so you avoid them rather than try. This may be a good time to study such difficult issues some more.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You turn attention to practical matters with an eye to building and repairing. Many have to start in the study and preparing phase; this is necessary if you haven't already done your homework.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You take time to study a technical area today. You're ready to tackle a topic that's difficult but necessary. You may see some sort of career growth in this at some point.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You are trying to coordinate the activities of a lot of people today. Out of a group of people who have their own schedules, you are challenged to work out a schedule all of them can meet.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You become aware of a career opportunity, and so this is a good day for learning more about it. You can take steps to learn more and get more experience. You need to deal with a lot of information, some of it disappointing.

Jul 21, 365:
Tsunami hits Alexandria, Egypt

On this day in the year 365, a powerful earthquake off the coast of Greece causes a tsunami that devastates the city of Alexandria, Egypt. Although there were no measuring tools at the time, scientists now estimate that the quake was actually two tremors in succession, the largest of which is thought to have had a magnitude of 8.0.

The quake was centered near the plate boundary called the Hellenic Arc and quickly sent a wall of water across the Mediterranean Sea toward the Egyptian coast. Ships in the harbor at Alexandria were overturned as the water near the coast receded suddenly. Reports indicate that many people rushed out to loot the hapless ships. The tsunami wave then rushed in and carried the ships over the sea walls, landing many on top of buildings. In Alexandria, approximately 5,000 people lost their lives and 50,000 homes were destoyed.

The surrounding villages and towns suffered even greater destruction. Many were virtually wiped off the map. Outside the city, 45,000 people were killed. In addition, the inundation of saltwater rendered farmland useless for years to come. Evidence indicates that the area's shoreline was permanently changed by the disaster. Slowly, but steadily, the buildings of Alexandria's Royal Quarter were overtaken by the sea following the tsunami. It was not until 1995 that archaeologists discovered the ruins of the old city off the coast of present-day Alexandria.

Today, the anniversary of the tsunami is celebrated annually with the residents saying prayers and marking the evening by illuminating the city.

Allow me to have the courage to speak Your truth

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You ability to communicate is enhanced now. You like to be kind and reassuring. Children can like you because you are willing to teach them honestly and simply but without threats.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You become very concerned about your ability to provide for your family now. Your expectations of success aren't met and this means reduced ability to meet projections. You're foundering for alternative plans.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You feel an intense need for privacy and contemplation today. For some, extreme sleepiness make you stay in bed for extended periods or else because of a lack of responsibilities makes it easy and enjoyable to sleep in.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You can relax and pay attention to matters that have little to do with the workaday world. Many can get caught up in a good fiction novel or movie. Others may study paranormal or unusual phenomena with which they have no experience themselves.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You're optimistic about success but there is emphasis placed on social cooperation as a prerequisite. Some are suspicious of would-be helpers; yet others fear they can't succeed on their own. Do your best and the rest will follow.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It's important that you remain alert and try to be decisive and proactive. Idleness will only be an invitation for someone else to try telling you what to do. Try not to be influenced so much by your moods.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your goals are modest and personal now, not grandiose life-path issues. For now, you're content to set an intent of the day and to make the day busy with chores that cry out for attention.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You get caught up in family dramas today, even though you'd rather not. It's hard for you to bring any reason into the discussion. Be alert to hot-button issues; it may be better to let them rest for now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Authority figures seem confused and contradictory today. There can be dissension in the upper echelons, outside your influence. You're challenged to take the initiative in matters that are entirely your discretion.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You can intuit the right techniques but for some being taught what others have done is also very instructive. You are guided not only by what you have learned, but also from your creative imagination.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You make extra effort to get along with people, as well encouraging everyone around you to get along. Some can secretly fear that if they don't bring people around, they will be left out.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You're apt to believe what people tell you. You must try to be at least a little bit suspicious, or to think that not everyone is as right as they feel they are. Be aware of how much people are fooling themselves.