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It's nice to have a healthy, gradual transformational process, but change often happens through some kind of discomfort. It's nothing to fear. To fear the pain that never comes is to worry needlessly. Besides, if pain really is in the cards, it's a gift. Without such a consequence, nothing would evolve. What feels bad is the catalyst for positive change.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It's appropriate to "leave well enough alone" as long as it's your own version of "well enough." It's OK to care more about small things than others do. And if it's not up to your standard, don't leave it alone just because everyone else seems to think it's fine.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The blessings of life are deeper than what can be appreciated with the physical senses, and you are open to experiencing multidimensional levels of gratitude for what you can't quite explain.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The future is wide open, and the smallest shifts can change everything. To alter what you're doing or how you're doing it, even ever-so slightly, will yield a much different result. If you're going to take a risk, make it a calculated one.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). What you're doing won't make sense to everyone. Your experience is unique. You have intimate knowledge of something many can't understand. There's no time to explain now. Go with what you know.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). As a friend, you sense people's pain points and navigate away, or tend to the soreness to heal and soothe. Marketers and others wishing to influence, seduce and sell will do the opposite. They find the pain points and press.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You'll honor the tradition, follow the recipe, conform to the expectation... then twist it. You've a knack for novelty and a flair for the flourishes that will surprise, delight and fascinate people.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Challenges will only strengthen you. These are early stages. You're still figuring out a method and rhythm that will work for you. New tools are around to try, too. Don't doubt there will be lasting benefits for these efforts.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You are constantly striving for better understanding of others, even though you have more than most. Empathy is your strength, and yet you never quite believe you have enough of it. The quest betters you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You can't always be around your favorite people. You communicate in shorthand with your favorite people. Responses are quick and involving a code the two of you may not even be aware of, and yet it does the trick, getting straight to the meaning.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You're ready to turn a wish into a goal. In time, you will think this through, plot it out, chunk it down and approach it systematically. But before that happens, it's enough just to do the next right thing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your steadiness can create a safe space for others. Some intense individual with fervent passions could use your stability as an anchor around which they stir a whirlwind of drama. Don't let it happen at a cost to your well-being.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The mind can be tricked into believing a version of reality that causes insecurity. We imagine we're being judged when it's not so. Question the validity of certain thoughts. Focus on positive interactions and the evidence of genuine connections.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 31). You master the art of claiming certainty in an uncertain world. Your confidence brings you to brilliant strategies. You will often assess risk and benefit accurately. Your true genius emerges when you stay the course for a long game and find steady, continued success. More highlights: Your favorite companionship, cross-generational education, proud group wins. Gemini and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 1, 10, 4 and 17.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Chris Tucker brings his sharp wit and impeccable timing to a variety of genres. Whether the film is science fiction like "The Fifth Element," funny like "Rush Hour" or dramatic like "Silver Linings Playbook," the commonality is the high caliber of artistry and performances reflecting a deep dedication to perfecting his craft. Tucker's natal Sun and Venus are in Virgo and communication planet Mercury is in entertaining Leo.

Holiday Mathis' debut novel, "How To Fail Epically in Hollywood," is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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