Moon Alert: After 5 a.m. today there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. After that, the Moon moves from Libra into Scorpio.

Happy birthday for Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022: You are confident, focused and determined about going after what you want. You see the big picture, then you act, generally with great success. This is the last year of a nine-year cycle for you, which means it’s time to take stock, finish projects and prepare for new beginnings next year.

Aries (March 21-April 19): This is an excellent day for doing any kind of mental work, because you will be more attentive than usual to details and will use special techniques. You want everything to be as perfect as possible. You will especially enjoy making plans. Tonight: Check your finances.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): This is a good day to express your thoughts to others and tell people where you stand on issues. Meanwhile, you will want to use your mind for playful amusements like reading, writing and playing games that require mental agility. You feel a bit prankish today! Tonight: Cooperate.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Today you want to sidestep any confrontations, especially with family or someone at home. Instead, you would rather make plans and examine your personal and domestic life. How well does where you live meet your needs? What changes would you like to see? Tonight: Work.

Cancer (June 21-July 22): Group discussions and conversations with others will go well today. You might meet new people. You might take a trip, because you are mentally eager to learn new things. Stay busy, because this is not a good day to settle down and relax. Au contraire! You want mental stimulation! Tonight: Play!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Today you will be more concerned than usual with business and commercial affairs. You might be interested in shopping. You also might have excellent moneymaking ideas. Basically, you’re thinking about what you value in life. Tonight: Cocoon.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your ruler Mercury is in your sign, which definitely helps you express your point of view to others. This is because you are able to put a great deal of yourself into whatever you have to say. You’ll find that your mind will move very quickly from topic to topic. Tonight: Chatty discussions.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Today you will be inclined to keep your opinions to yourself and not share them with others. Meanwhile, someone might accuse you of holding something back. That’s not what’s happening. You simply feel like being by yourself. Tonight: Money issues.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): This is a good time to think about your goals. Are your goals your own goals, or are they the goals of someone else? Make sure your goals are appropriate for you and they are what you want to do. You also might examine your thoughts about a group. Are these your people? Tonight: You’re in charge.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take some time to make some plans about where you want to be in the future. Where do you want to be five years from now? What do you have to start to do this year in order to go in that direction and achieve those goals? Talk to your boss? Take up new studies? Tonight: Solitude.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Explore the possibility of new courses, new training or any kind of new study or gathering of knowledge that will enrich your life or promote your professional world. Some of you also might do this through travel. Ideas? Tonight: Talk to a friend.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Today you might be caught up in discussions and negotiations about finances or shared property or dealing with anything that you hold jointly with someone else. This also includes details about inheritances, taxes and debt. Tonight: You are noticed.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): With Mercury opposite your sign now, this is a good time to clarify and explain important issues with someone, especially someone close to you — a spouse or business partner. You have enough detachment and objectivity to state your case in a sensible, logical way. Tonight: Explore!

Find Georgia Nicols horoscopes at georgianicols.com.