CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Mischa Barton, 19, Tatyana Ali, 26, Mary Lou Retton, 37, Neil Diamond, 64

Happy Birthday: Move in the direction of the least resistance this year and you won’t find things nearly as difficult as they have been the past couple of years. The time for change is now. This is a turning point in your life, and you must allow yourself the freedom to do just that. Embrace the year ahead with optimism, but do not stray from your usually conservative nature. Excess will continue to be the enemy, so keep things on a small scale. Your numbers are 4, 13, 27, 31, 38, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t take things personally. You will excel if you are congenial and do your best to pull your own weight. Take care of your own business. Getting angry will hold you back.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Give it your best shot and you will accomplish more than you had hoped for. You can do no wrong today if you voice your opinion and follow through with your plan. Love is hot.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Like it or not, the focus should be on home, family and taking care of responsibilities. You should be able to solve existing problems, but don’t overextend yourself in the process.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take a moment to discover how you feel about your personal life and the people in it. You may want to make some adjustments that will not go over well. However, the sooner done, the better.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Not everyone you are dealing with will be upfront about what they think and what their intentions are. Don’t be too vocal or you will give the competition the edge.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take a look at where you are and think about where you would like to be. Don’t wait to take the first step in a direction you know will satisfy you both personally and professionally.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Keep an eye on the people closest to you. Someone is not giving you a fair deal. Stay on top of matters if you want to come out on top. Your ideas are good, so protect them.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Traveling a short or a long distance will provide you with some valuable information about someone who means a lot to you. Love can be yours if you plan something special.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): It will be up to you to pull things together and make everything perfect. Property or investment deals will pay off. Money is in the picture, so collect if there is any owed.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): There is a lot to think about today. Someone may be pushing you to make a decision that you aren’t ready to make. Consider why you aren’t and you’ll have your answer.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Dealing with officials may be unnerving, but if you are straightforward, it will be easy. Focus on what you want to do and how you plan to make more money. Take care of your health.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The more you push yourself, the better you will do. Showing your dedication and loyalty will attract friends and lovers who have similar interests. Children may be on your mind.

Birthday Baby: You are sensitive, loving and very commendable. You are passionate about your beliefs and always stand up for your rights. You are known for your valor and desire to take care of everyone around you.