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Some people like a chocolate-covered espresso bean because the crunchy combination of chocolate sweetness and bitter coffee is a contrast that enlivens. This moment of Leo season recalls our own little snap of bitterness -- the part that wakes everyone up, the bit that provides the edge. And a sweet covering is a contrast that works.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You can tell that the way things are just doesn't work. The wrong values are being elevated. Challenge the status quo. It's OK if someone finds it irritating. People adapt; it's one of their strongest qualities. Sand makes the pearl.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Most people budget money and forget to budget time. Keep an eye on both now and in the weeks to come. Some things cost $20 and three weekends. Know the full price before you commit.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When everything suddenly feels wonderful or terrible, urgent or pointless, hit pause. Check whether you're tired, overwhelmed or simply too close to the problem. Black-and-white thinking often accompanies stress. Come back to it later.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The point of knowing yourself isn't to think about yourself more. It's to think about yourself less, ruminate infrequently and resist second-guessing every decision. You don't have to figure yourself out. You just have to keep noticing what fits.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). As long as people can change, the world can change. Think of the change you want and test the theory. You're so powerful these days, and when you apply yourself, you make a difference.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you can explain a thing simply, you'll understand it better yourself. And if you can condense it to one line, or a good title, even better. Once you know the short version, the rest comes with less effort.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Stuck? A distraction will help. It brings you back to what matters to you. Your attractions and distractions are clues about your priorities and preferences. When something makes you stop and stare, it's telling you something about yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You don't define people by their worst moment. The proof? You've nearly forgotten that someone wronged you because you've focused on the many things done right. You naturally notice what's good in people, and it brings out the best in them today.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You're catching on. It's almost easy for you now. Remember when you were only dreaming of being in this position? Now you're doing it -- not at the level you want to be, but every repetition counts toward that aim.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). People will check you out, watch what you're doing or simply take more interest in you. Sometimes their curiosity feels nice, and other times it feels like criticism. Either way, you're the only one who needs to feel good about your self-expression.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Competition isn't just something people do for fun or reward or the satisfaction of meeting goals. We evolved in social groups where status, skill and cooperation had real consequences. Today a "harmless" contest taps into ancient instincts.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Surprisingly, the situation from last week is still on your mind. Something that was said is hard to let go of. Sure, the interpretations are endless. To examine them all would be exhausting. Choose one and move on.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Aug. 1). It's your Year of the Puzzle Box when astoundingly complicated things just come together piece by piece, patience pays off and each solution reveals another opportunity. More highlights: A stressor is lifted from you almost by magic and you have room for new interests and relationships. A side project becomes a real source of income. You become the person who brings people together. Scorpio and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 44, 13, 2 and 7.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Like a Leo, Jason Momoa has that mythic presence that's as much symbol as it is person. Whether he's Aquaman, Khal Drogo or someone climbing a mountain with a guitar strapped to his back, the charisma is larger than life. Underneath the warrior image is someone who laughs a lot, photobombs friends, dances and doesn't seem overly concerned with looking perfectly cool. The Leo star was born when the sun, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter were all in the sign of entertainment.

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