Horoscopes: Friday, August 18, 2017

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You're not interested in being an adequate leader. You want to be great. That's why you'll work out the solutions before you point out the problem. Why complain if you can't make it better?

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Research suggests that for many, talking about themselves is more rewarding than food or money. Giving someone a chance to do this is a valuable gift.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When you feel blue, you're apt to behave in ways to reinforce the mood. It's why having a reason to fake happiness - interacting with children, strangers, or your boss - can be a path to happiness.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're trying to keep it classy. You behave as if every moment were to be broadcast to people you most want to impress. It will help to keep those people in mind through your day.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You've a ritualistic approach to things in your life that don't require such care. It's working for you. Don't skip steps, and don't change details or the order. Rituals give things meaning, make them interesting, have habit-forming potential.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You'll be the most disciplined and mentally sharp within the first four hours after waking. Take advantage of this by getting the hard work over with. By lunch, you'll already be ahead of the game.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sleep is a process of phases. It doesn't work if the phases are interrupted. You'll have to start all over. Work is the same. Guard against interruptions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). No matter how hard you look, the workings of the heart can't be seen or understood. Some things are best approached with the cursory attention that keeps daily life moving. Ruminate later.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll be in a position to be rated, judged, critiqued, or followed. Your audience will be skeptical, but you win them over with delivery of information you believe in. They'll feel your integrity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Your original plan won't seem as exciting once you realize that other people are out in the big, wide world having some fun. Review your priorities so that whatever you decide, you can do it consciously and feel good about it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Whatever you get into today (work, relationships, projects) leave yourself an out. As things develop, so will your feelings, and right now, you don't know how you'll feel about it next week.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Entitlement is contagious. One person says "I deserve this!" and the next gets the bug: "If he deserves it, maybe I do, too, and more." Choose your company carefully. Prize humility, modesty.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 18). Your commitments follow a natural course; They ripen and fall from the vine. This frees up your time. You'll get a thrill from learning. Each skill you acquire will double your odds of success. To you this is about much more than money, but you'll love the extra cash. And you'll buy something big in June. Libra and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 3, 24, 39, and 45.