For Friday, Aug.17:

This year marks a new beginning in your life, and you feel as if nothing can stop you. Use this powerful time to manifest a key desire or long-term goal. If you are single, you certainly will be noticed. If you are attached, the two of you might have very different approaches to reaching your goals.

The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult

Aries (March 21-April 19)

•••• Your spunk comes out no matter what you do right now. Your humor and grace appeal to many people. Tonight: Out with pals you see often.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

••• Your focus is on home and perhaps an emotional or financial investment in a property or domestic matter. You might be too serious as you look at the pluses and minuses of this situation. Tonight: Get loosened up for the weekend.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

•••• Keep communication flowing, and know what is necessary to accomplish what you want. It would be easier with more support. Tonight: Home is where the action is.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

•••• Balance your budget before you make any decisions to spend more money. You need to tame the wild-spending child within. Tonight: Let the discussion continue.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

•••• Make the extra effort to understand an unhappy friend or somber situation. You can say everything you want, but you cannot change the prevailing mood. Tonight: Know when to call it a night.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

••• Enjoy a short period of being in the background, where you can ponder and observe what is happening. Before you know it, you must take a proactive stance. Tonight: The world is your oyster … finally.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

•••• You get through a situation quickly with certainty and direction. You also have style and determination. Tonight: Take some much-needed personal time.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

•••• Others bend — with some difficulty — to your way of thinking. You might feel some resistance from someone, but ultimately this, too, will pass. Tonight: The more, the merrier.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

•••• An overview helps you gain understanding. You might not be ready to take the lead just yet. Tonight: You might be more visible than you would like.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

•••• Reach out for someone you care about, and do more listening. You could be challenged by someone who considers him- or herself to be your supervisor. Tonight: Loosen up to good music.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

•••• Others come toward you. Clearly they know what they want and will ask you for exactly that. Tonight: Go for togetherness.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

•••• You might be overwhelmed by what remains on your plate. Dig in, and get as much done as possible. Tonight: Go with someone’s suggestion.