CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Kirk Franklin, 38; Ellen DeGeneres, 50; Eddie Van Halen, 53; Lucinda Williams, 55.

Happy Birthday: Focus on mingling with the people who can help you get ahead. Your drive and ability to find solutions will lead to offers that take you in a direction more suitable to your needs. Don’t let anger or jealousy stand in your way. It will be a fine line you walk this year, with no room for mistakes.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Concentrate on your future, not your past. Let go of people and ideas that just aren’t good for you. Work behind the scenes on projects that have potential. Research, travel and group involvement will help you advance.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You may be feeling a little used if you’ve been helping others lately. Do what you think is right regarding love and relationships. It won’t pay to burn bridges but let others know what you will and won’t do and put up with.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You can’t let anyone bog you down with trivial matters. Added responsibilities will stand in the way of your following your own pursuits. You can learn something advantageous if you focus on doing the things you enjoy most and gaining professional knowledge.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t shy away from a past partner or associate. This person has something to offer you that will benefit you professionally, financially or even personally. This time around, however, be prepared to barter so that you get a fair deal.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t give into emotional blackmail. Refuse to let anyone make you feel guilty for something that is inconsequential in your world. You have matters of finance and moneymaking to deal with.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Opportunities are heading your way, so keep an open mind and an open heart. A change will inspire you to go the extra mile and obtain everything you can to reach your highest potential. Don’t slow down now.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You may be in a hurry to get things done but, if you don’t wait to make sure that everything is in its place, you may have to backtrack. Be smart and focus on the little details that will make the most difference in the end.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You can build something solid using a little ingenuity. Follow your intuition and don’t let anything lead you down the wrong path. Strong convictions and ethics will help you see matters through to the end.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can learn something very interesting today that will help you mold what you are working on into something worthwhile. Don’t let an emotional encounter with someone ruin your plans. Stand up for your beliefs and your ideals.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Financial matters will turn out better than expected. Reevaluate personal or professional contracts. Don’t let an emotional matter cause you to make a mistake.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Be sure that you are being honest with yourself and the people you deal with today. Think about what someone is telling you and consider whether this person is trying to manipulate a decision you have to make. Consider the consequences before making a promise.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Things will not be as they appear. As much as you try to sort through what someone wants or is really asking of you, you aren’t likely to find out in time to make a decision. Emotional problems will influence your productivity.

Birthday Baby: You have an electric personality with vast intuitive insight. You are industrious, practical and in control. You are a great master but not necessarily a good student.