HAPPY BIRTHDAY for Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012: This year you focus on broadening your inner circle and forging stronger friendships. If attached, a partner frequently could be angry or jealous. Indulge your sweetie more often, and treat them like your best friend. If single, a friend could become more. Sagittarius gets you energized. A baby born today has a sun in Aquarius and a moon in Sagittarius if born before 9:03 p.m. Afterward, the moon will be in Capricorn.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) • • • • Use your strong sense of direction to enlist supporters and get the job done. A situation that usually is more complicated than necessary is a piece of cake today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) • • • • • Deal directly with a key person in your life. You do not need to agree with each other, but right now, the likelihood is high that you will.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) • • • • • Continue being more passive. Someone’s attempt to get you into an argument might result from his or her discomfort taking the lead.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) • • • • You might want to understand why someone is under your skin or vice versa. You could point to this person as the reason, but this behavior is a trigger for you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) • • • • Pressure builds, causing you a problem that is unexpected. Think positively about what you need to do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) • • • Deal with a situation before it deals with you. You could be angry and internalizing it. Your anger could pop out when you least expect it to.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) • • • • Read Virgo’s message for a hint, especially with your feelings. Know that you might be better off expressing even difficult feelings in a manner someone can hear.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) • • • • Make sure that what seems like a good risk really is. If you feel unsure, back off. Instincts guide you in a powerful manner.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) • • • • Do not let early morning aggravation become total day irritation. If need be, indulge in a pastime that helps you become more carefree.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) • • • Your low profile might be a little boring, but it will prove worthwhile. Someone opens up and reveals much more of his or her thoughts and feelings.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) • • • • • Continue to forge ahead, even if a partner becomes irate. Clearly you cannot control this person, and it seems quite possible that they cannot even control their mood.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) • • • When someone is upset, you often take it personally; try not to. Instead, focus on one project after another, one issue after another.