Horoscopes: Wednesday, August 16, 2017

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You didn't do any special thinking to grow yourself to this level of human development, and you can't think your way into the next phase either. So just relax! Breakthroughs will happen naturally.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Make an agreement with life. For the next 24 hours, give it your all and expect nothing in return. You'll be an enthusiastic servant to the fates and to goodness.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're just not in the mood to compromise. Some call it stubborn. The bottom line: You want your way. Anyone wanting to negotiate should try again in a few days.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Two people stand in the same place: One of them is lost; the other is home. The shift from lost to found is one of accepting a place and getting to know it instead of rejecting it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Do you believe that there are some people you were meant to know? The fates don't seem to be acting as efficient social directors these days, so you're going to have to take it into your own hands.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your imagination and creativity are exceptionally strong today. Point them in the direction of fleshing out a task as only you can. Make yourself indispensable.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If an actor were to play you in the movie version of your story, what defining characteristics and behaviors do you think would be the focus for this current period? Objectivity will help you see how you can be more powerful in your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your brain fills in blanks constantly throughout the day, faster than you're aware of. Create habits of mind to stay positive, such as: "I'm happy because ... ." SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The world is full of egomaniacs, and you urge is to counter with selflessness. Check your motives. If you're yielding to others so they'll approve of you, you're not really helping anyone.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you deprive yourself of what you want, you'll be more attracted to what's on the "restricted" list. Your best bet will be distraction. What totally different thing might interrupt this pattern?

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Relationships get complicated. Love gets messy. Romance disappoints. You wonder if it's worth the hype. Pull away to gain perspective - a positive and restorative choice. The turn is coming. Love is worth the effort.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Just because someone is happy with what you are doing doesn't necessarily make it right for you. People's approval can be fickle, impermanent, and nothing to base your sense of self on.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 16). You'll change simple and small behaviors and get incommensurately favorable results. It turns out that your healthy choices don't affect only you. As you do the things that help you command good energy, you'll improve your career, family, and social ties in the process. There are domestic upgrades in March. Libra and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 45, 20, 21, 32, and 38.