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Today’s Birthday (05/08/16). Prioritize fun this year. Romance and family figure prominently. Grow knowledge bit by bit. Transitions at school this spring lead to a busy and creative two-year phase after summer. A personal breakthrough precludes a course shift in a group effort this autumn. Raise the love factor.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

— Today is a 6 — Study work. Keep written records, as communication problems may arise. Shyness, lack of self-confidence, school problems, or trouble in a partnership keep your mood quiet. Express your feelings with a trusted friend.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

— Today is a 6 — Travel beckons, but take care. Unexpected expenses could slow the action. Stick to basics. Handle duties and obligations before running off; a brief local escape could be delightful. Try new flavors.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

— Today is an 8 — Work on your plan. A disagreement about priorities could stall momentum. Figure out basic logistical details. Stick to the plan, and stay in communication despite breakdowns. Self-discipline serves you well now.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

— Today is a 5 — Take time for health and well-being. Push yourself too hard and you could get sick. Rest and think about upcoming plans. Limit procrastination. Decrease stress with peaceful exercise, meditation and music.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

— Today is a 7 — Do something nice for a friend. Hang out together without a big agenda. Resolve misunderstandings and listen to what they’re up to. Find out if there’s a way to contribute. Sometimes listening is enough.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

— Today is a 7 — Keep your head down and focus on getting the job done. School challenges could present a tangle to unravel. Avoid arguments and disagreements. Keep your attitude positive. Get productive behind closed doors.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

— Today is a 6 — Find a quiet nook to hide away and study. Research and gather data. Explore options and opportunities. New information disrupts old assumptions. Postpone doing stuff you don’t have too.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

— Today is a 7 — Keep your partying and working conservative. Find ways to reduce risk. Don’t lose what you’ve got to get more. Wait for a better time to act. Avoid disagreements or controversy. Pursue something important .

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

— Today is a 7 — Compromise provides workability today. Take time to clear up misunderstandings. It’s easy for the message to get muddled. Slow down to get done faster. Rush efforts provoke mistakes. Collaborate and support each other.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

— Today is a 6 — Anticipate resistance at school. Obstacles and roadblocks proliferate. Practice is required. Take things one step at a time, maintaining calm despite chaos or confusion. Keep your eyes and mind open.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

— Today is a 5 — Wait to take action. Explore alternative routes. Attitude is everything. Slow down and reconsider your methods. Value a loved one’s opinion over that of an authority figure. You’ve been doing things the hard way.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

— Today is a 5 — Family matters hold your focus. Don’t overlook a loved one’s needs. Keep emotions out of your communications for now. Provide stability and comfort. Conserve resources. Private time at home restores domestic tranquility.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and www.nancyblack.com)

(c)2016 bY NANCY BLACK. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.