Horoscopes for Feb. 5

BIRTHDAY GUY: Director and producer Michael Mann was born in Chicago on this date in 1943. This birthday guy created the innovative classic 1980s series "Miami Vice," after beginning his career as a writer for both "Starsky & Hutch" and "Hawaii Five-O." Mann has directed films such as "Public Enemies," "Collateral" and "Thief," and his latest project is producing and directing Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman in the new series "Luck."

ARIES (March 21-April 19): If you want to make an omelet, you've got to break a few eggs. Now is not the time to be playing it safe. To make progress, you may have to ignore peer pressure and take a chance during the week to come.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don't fan the flames. A small problem could turn into a bigger one, depending upon how you play your cards. To nip the crises in the bud and make things run smoothly, act as a mediator and don't take sides.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Success or failure is decided in the planning stage. Plotting a sound course of action is the easiest way to achieve your goals this week. Don't be pressured into taking action before adequately prepared.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The best solution is often the simplest one. There's no need to waste valuable time and resources on a major overhaul when a quick fix will do just as well in the week to come. Verify the authenticity of facts.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Finish what you start. You may be ready to move on to more-lucrative endeavors due to the slow progress of current undertakings. Don't be sidetracked by frustrations or boredom during the week to come.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don't rely on what has worked in the past to keep the flames of romance burning. Use creativity ideas to make that special someone feel special during the upcoming week. Old standards no longer work.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): When in Rome, do as the Romans do. It is unwise to try to impress higher-ups with untested techniques or different ideas until you've earned their respect. Paint by the numbers during the week ahead.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You can't have your cake and eat it, too. Focusing too much attention on career goals could cause relationships to suffer and vice versa. Find a happy medium during the week to come.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): When it comes your turn to ante up, your best bet is to fold. What you stand to gain from taking gambles is insignificant compared to what you stand to lose. Play it safe and don't play with your finances this week.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): If you're going to lead people, you must have somewhere to go. You may find an opportunity to grab the reins of power in the week ahead. Be sure that you actually have a viable plan on hand.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Squash the doubts of others by proving them wrong. Take care of financial responsibilities early in the week, while you have the means. Impulsive spending could cause a problem when bills come due.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Pace yourself. Working at a frenetic clip will do nothing but wear you out by midweek. Sudden doubts and suspicions about a relationship are best ignored before they create their own problems.

IF FEBRUARY 5 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Between now and the end of April you can sit back and enjoy life and all of its pleasures without too much effort. You could currently be attracted to someone who is lots of fun but not marriage material or else you might be fascinated by chasing rainbows of a monetary type. Enjoy inspirations and gather material for future ventures, but don't invest too much time or money into something that won't satisfy you over the long haul. Late July and early August is the very best time to make business or career decisions.