Although you are likely to be exposed to many substantial opportunities in the year ahead, you'll pick and choose exactly which ones you want to pursue. In doing so, you might treat some promising situations more casually than you should.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- Be polite and listen to advice being given to you by someone who believes that he or she has the answers you're looking for. There is a possibility this person knows more than you suppose.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- You're likely to be more comfortable issuing orders than following them, but if the latter be your fate, grin and bear it. It might work out quite well.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- If you find yourself facing a financial shortfall, you can probably blame it all on one recent foolish purchase. Let's hope it'll serve as a deterrent for you in the future.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Don't push your thinking on unreceptive ears. Your views are likely to mean more to you than they will to your listeners, while their outlook will be what counts to them.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You're in a dangerous head space at this time. You could lull yourself into a false sense of security by believing you're in a stronger position than you actually are.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Be realistic and pragmatic about the resources you have at hand instead of depending on what you believe to be coming in. If the money isn't in your pocket, it's not a sure thing.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- The only folks you can expect to come through for you will be the little people in your life, not the big shots. Don't embarrass yourself by making a request of the latter.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- If you feel you've been taken advantage of, the blame could actually fall on you, for making a commitment you shouldn't have made in the first place. Learn from this experience.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- Don't be taken in by a carrot dangling from the end of a stick. You should know that no one is likely to give you anything without you contributing the initial favor.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -- Keep in mind that optimism can be an asset, but wishful thinking does nothing. Make certain that unrealistic objectives aren't a contributing factor to a downfall.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- When you set your mind to acquiring something, you can be an extremely industrious person. Take care you don't spend more time discussing your intentions than fulfilling them.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- There is a strong possibility that you could be tempted by a tantalizing challenge in which the odds are tilted against you. Remember Don Quixote when he jousted with windmills.v

Trying to patch up a broken romance? The Astro-Graph Matchmaker can help you understand what to do to make the relationship work. Send for your Matchmaker set by mailing $3 to Astro-Graph, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167.

** ** **

COPYRIGHT 2012 United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK FOR UFS