Animals can smell fear, and it interests them an awful lot, as it could indicate something delicious to eat. Animals also note the absence of a fear-smell, which could indicate the chance of being eaten. Reminder: you're an animal, too. This message was brought to you by the tension between Mercury to Uranus.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Andy Warhol discovered new ways to use silk-screening. Duchamp discovered the high art in found objects. You'll hit on your own amazingly specific discovery today to put a finer point on your "voice" in the world.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The fastest way to gain the approval of others is not to need it or care about it in the least. An organic process will take you there. It starts with being a little more selfish. Are you up to it?

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It's flattering when someone is so impressed with you that he or she wants to show you off. Don't let all that parading around take the life out of your smile or turn your wave automatic.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You won't have to get too creative to do your work in the best way possible. The normal methods will do. Efficiency will count for more than anything, and keep you within the budget, too.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Once you tell someone where you are going, there will be no turning back. Go on and mention what you plan to do along the way and with whom you will be sharing this adventure, and you're as good as launched.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Life has brought you to many a crossroads, but this time is different. It appears to be more of a dead end. You'll have to cut through on foot for a while to get to the next obvious path.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sometimes when you endeavor to re-cut it, re-shape it and keep whittling away at it until it's right, it becomes too small to be workable. Don't be afraid to start over.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Play around with formats that are entirely new. You may just find that you're able to put your entire self into it and create something that is so perfectly "your thing."

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As long as you don't let it stop you, frustration is actually a very useful emotion. It's better than self-delusion — that's for sure. Frustration has a simple message: What you're doing isn't working. Now go find what will.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Things are getting better, and part of the reason is you, so go ahead and take the credit. Do it quickly and you'll be relatively inconspicuous enough so as not to inspire jealousy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The new project is packed with potential. It's safe, appropriate, necessary even to apply your fervor. A touch of madness will take this from "exciting" to "brilliant."

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If you take up too much room with your kindness and efforts to make the other person happy, there will no space left for reciprocation. Back off and let the other person come forward with a bigger effort.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 21). Finally, a worthy application for your big personality: You'll stand out amongst less-animated folk and be singled out as someone with the vitality to lead the group. Your kind works of the past will boomerang back in February. You'll be a hero to family in March. July brings a new professional calling. Cancer and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 41, 25, 45, 28 and 3.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I am a Virgo (born Sept. 18, 1972, at 3 p.m. in Ottawa, Canada) and keep meeting noncommittal men. One is a Leo (born Aug. 4, 1962) and the other is a Cancer (June 24, 1972). I'm trying to live and enjoy life, but the biological clock is ticking. Are either of these men viable options?"

I'm confident that this year you'll meet someone who is as ready for real intimacy as you are. These options you describe aren't half-bad, either, though. Pursuing a relationship with Leo will be a romantic affair, as he stirs your emotions toward developing deeper sympathies and attachment. But if you're getting signals he's not available, don't stick around for the build up and letdown. There's a chance that he's not being honest with himself. You'll fare better with the Cancer, with whom you're on equal footing. It looks like his interest is true. The chemistry and commitment you share resembles the stable relationship that appeals to your Virgo planets. I still feel there's someone else who will walk onto your love scenery at the end of February. The instant spark will be undeniable.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Jeremy Shada is the voice of Finn the Human in the much-awarded and celebrated Cartoon Network series "Adventure Time." The role has attracted a cult following for the young Aquarius, which he is uniquely qualified to command. Natal Mercury, Venus and Neptune in assertive Capricorn are a compliment to Shada's sun, Jupiter and Uranus in Aquarius.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com and click "Write the Author" on her page.

Photo credit: Rodney