Artificial Inteligence

Current neural network technology is the most progressive of the artificial intelligence systems today. Applications of neural networks have made the transition from laboratory curiosities to large, successful commercial applications. To enhance the security of automated financial transactions, current technologies in both speech recognition and handwriting recognition are likely ready for mass integration into financial institutions. RESEARCH PROJECT TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Purpose 1 Source of Information 1 Authorization 1 Overview 2 The First Steps 3 Computer-Synthesized Senses 4 Visual Recognition 4 Current Research 5 Computer-Aided Voice Recognition 6 Current Applications 7 Optical Character Recognition 8 Conclusion 9 Recommendations 10 Bibiography 11 INTRODUCTION • Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine additional areas where artificial intelligence technology may be applied for positive identifications of individuals during financial transactions, such as automated banking transactions, telephone transactions , and home banking activities. This study focuses on academic research in neural network technology . This study was funded by the Banking Commission in its effort to deter fraud. Overview Recently, the thrust of studies into practical applications for artificial intelligence have focused on exploiting the expectations of both expert systems and neural network computers. In the artificial intelligence community, the proponents of expert systems have approached the challenge of simulating intelligence differently than their counterpart proponents of neural networks. Expert systems contain the coded knowledge of a human expert in a field; this knowledge takes the form of "if-then" rules. The problem with this approach is that people don't always know why they do what they do. And even when they can express this knowledge, it is not easily translated into usable computer code. Also, expert systems are usually bound by a rigid set of inflexible rules which do not change with experience gained by trail and error. In contrast, neural networks are designed around the structure of a biological model of the brain. Neural networks are composed of simple components called "neurons" each having simple tasks, and simultaneously communicating with each other by complex interconnections. As Herb Brody states, "Neural networks do not require an explicit set of rules. The network - rather like a child - makes up its own rules that match the data it receives to the result it's told is correct" (42). Impossible to achieve in expert systems, this ability to learn by example is the characteristic of neural networks that makes them best suited to simulate human behavior. Computer scientists have exploited this system characteristic to achieve breakthroughs in computer vision, speech recognition, and optical character recognition. Figure 1 illustrates the knowledge structures of neural networks as compared to expert systems and standard computer programs. Neural networks restructure their knowledge base at each step in the learning process. This paper focuses on neural network technologies which have the potential to increase security for financial transactions. Much of the technology is currently in the research phase and has yet to produce a commercially available product, such as visual recognition applications. Other applications are a multimillion dollar industry and the products are well known, like Sprint Telephone's voice activated telephone calling system. In the Sprint system the neural network positively recognizes the caller's voice, thereby authorizing activation of his calling account. The First Steps The study of the brain was once limited to the study of living tissue. Any attempts at an electronic simulation were brushed aside by the neurobiologist community as abstract conceptions that bore little relationship to reality. This was partially due to the over-excitement in the 1950's and 1960's for networks that could recognize some patterns, but were limited in their learning abilities because of hardware limitations. In the 1990's computer simulations of brain functions are gaining respect as the simulations increase their abilities to predict the behavior of the nervous system. This respect is illustrated by the fact that many neurobiologists are increasingly moving toward neural network type simulations. One such neurobiologist, Sejnowski, introduced a three-layer net which has made some excellent predictions about how biological systems behave. Figure 2 illustrates this network consisting of three layers, in which a middle layer of units connects the input and output layers. When the network is given an input, it sends signals through the middle layer which checks for correct output. An algorithm used in the middle layer reduces errors by strengthening or weakening connections in the network. This system, in which the system learns to adapt to the changing conditions, is called back-propagation. The value of Sejnowski's network is illustrated by an experiment by Richard Andersen at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Andersen's team spent years researching the neurons monkeys use to locate an object in space (Dreyfus and Dreyfus 42-61). Anderson decided to use a neural network to replicate the findings from their research. They "trained" the neural network to locate objects by retina and eye position, then observed the middle layer to see how it responded to the input. The result was nearly identical to what they found in their experiments with monkeys. Computer-Synthesized Senses • Visual Recognition The ability of a computer to distinguish one customer from another is not yet a reality. But, recent breakthroughs in neural network visual technology are bringing us closer to the time when computers will positively identify a person. • Current Research Studying the retina of the eye is the focus of research by two professors at the California Institute of Technology, Misha A. Mahowald and Carver Mead. Their objective is to electronically mimic the function of the retina of the human eye. Previous research in this field consisted of processing the absolute value of the illumination at each point on an object, and required a very powerful computer.(Thompson 249-250). The analysis required measurements be taken over a massive number of sample locations on the object, and so, it required the computing power of a massive digital computer to analyze the data. The professors believe that to replicate the function of the human retina they can use a neural network modeled with a similar biological structure of the eye, rather than simply using massive computer power. Their chip utilizes an analog computer which is less powerful than the previous digital computers. They compensated for the reduced computing power by employing a far more sophisticated neural network to interpret the signals from the electronic eye. They modeled the network in their silicon chip based on the top three layers of the retina which are the best understood portions of the eye.(250) These are the photoreceptors, horizontal cells, and bipolar cells. The electronic photoreceptors, which make up the first layer, are like the rod and cone cells in the eye. Their job is to accept incoming light and transform it into electrical signals. In the second layer, horizontal cells use a neural network technique by interconnecting the horizontal cells and the bipolar cells of the third layer. The connected cells then evaluate the estimated reliability of the other cells and give a weighted average of the potentials of the cells around it. Nearby cells are given the most weight and far cells less weight.(251) This technique is very important to this process because of the dynamic nature of image processing. If the image is accepted without testing its probable accuracy, the likelihood of image distortion would increase as the image changed. The silicon chip that the two professors developed contains about 2,500 pixels- photoreceptors and their associated image-processing circuitry. The chip has circuitry that allows a professor to focus on each pixel individually or to observe the whole scene on a monitor. The professors stated in their paper, "The behavior of the adaptive retina is remarkably similar to that of biological systems" (qtd in Thompon 251). The retina was first tested by changing the light intensity of just one single pixel while the intensity of the surrounding cells was kept at a constant level. The design of the neural network caused the response of the surrounding pixels to react in the same manner as in biological retinas. They state that, "In digital systems, data and computational operations must be converted into binary code, a process that requires about 10,000 digital voltage changes per operation. Analog devices carry out the same operation in one step and so decrease the power consumption of silicon circuits by a factor of about 10,000" (qtd in Thompson 251). Besides validating their neural network, the accuracy of this silicon chip displays the usefulness of analog computing despite the assumption that only digital computing can provide the accuracy necessary for the processing of information. As close as these systems come to imitating their biological counterparts, they still have a long way to go. For a computer to identify more complex shapes, e. g., a person's face, the professors estimate the requirement would be at least 100 times more pixels as well as additional circuits that mimic the movement-sensitive and edge-enhancing functions of the eye. They feel it is possible to achieve this number of pixels in the near future. When it does arrive, the new technology will likely be capable of recognizing human faces. Visual recognition would have an undeniable effect on reducing crime in automated financial transactions. Future technology breakthroughs will bring visual recognition closer to the recognition of individuals, thereby enhancing the security of automated financial transactions. • Computer-Aided Voice Recognition Voice recognition is another area that has been the subject of neural network research. Researchers have long been interested in developing an accurate computer-based system capable of understanding human speech as well as accurately identifying one speaker from another. • Current Research Ben Yuhas, a computer engineer at John Hopkins University, has developed a promising system for understanding speech and identifying voices that utilizes the power of neural networks. Previous attempts at this task have yielded systems that are capable of recognizing up to 10,000 words, but only when each word is spoken slowly in an otherwise silent setting. This type of system is easily confused by back ground noise (Moyne 100). Ben Yuhas' theory is based on the notion that understanding human speech is aided, to some small degree, by reading lips while trying to listen. The emphasis on lip reading is thought to increase as the surrounding noise levels increase. This theory has been applied to speech recognition by adding a system that allows the computer to view the speaker's lips through a video analysis system while hearing the speech. The computer, through the neural network, can learn from its mistakes through a training session. Looking at silent video stills of people saying each individual vowel, the network developed a series of images of the different mouth, lip, teeth, and tongue positions. It then compared the video images with the possible sound frequencies and guessed which combination was best. Yuhas then combined the video recognition with the speech recognition systems and input a video frame along with speech that had background noise. The system then estimated the possible sound frequencies from the video and combined the estimates with the actual sound signals. After about 500 trial runs the system was as proficient as a human looking at the same video sequences. This combination of speech recognition and video imaging substantially increases the security factor by not only recognizing a large vocabulary, but also by identifying the individual customer using the system. • Current Applications Laboratory advances like Ben Yuhas' have already created a steadily increasing market in speech recognition. Speech recognition products are expected to break the billion-dollar sales mark this year for the first time. Only three years ago, speech recognition products sold less than $200 million (Shaffer, 238). Systems currently on the market include voice-activated dialing for cellular phones, made secure by their recognition and authorization of a single approved caller. International telephone companies such as Sprint are using similar voice recognition systems. Integrated Speech Solution in Massachusetts is investigating speech applications which can take orders for mutual funds prospectuses and account activities (239). • Optical Character Recognition Another potential area for transaction security is in the identification of handwriting by optical character recognition systems (OCR). In conventional OCR systems the program matches each letter in a scanned document with a pre-arranged template stored in memory. Most OCR systems are designed specifically for reading forms which are produced for that purpose. Other systems can achieve good results with machine printed text in almost all font styles. However, none of the systems is capable of recognizing handwritten characters. This is because every person writes differently. Nestor, a company based in Providence, Rhode Island has developed handwriting recognition products based on developments in neural network computers. Their system, NestorReader, recognizes handwritten characters by extracting data sets, or feature vectors, from each character. The system processes the input representations using a collection of three by three pixel edge templates (Pennisi, 23). The system then lays a grid over the pixel array and pieces it together to form a letter. Then the network discovers which letter the feature vector most closely matched. The system can learn through trial and error, and it has an accuracy of about 80 percent. Eventually this system will be able to evaluate all symbols with equal accuracy. It is possible to implement new neural-network based OCR systems into standard large optical systems. Those older systems, used for automated processing of forms and documents, are limited to reading typed block letters. When added to these systems, neural networks improve accuracy of reading not only typed letters but also handwritten characters. Along with automated form processing, neural networks will analyze signatures for possible forgeries. Conclusion Neural networks are still considered emerging technology and have a long way to go toward achieving their goals. This is certainly true for financial transaction security. But with the current capabilities, neural networks can certainly assist humans in complex tasks where large amounts of data need to be analyzed. For visual recognition of individual customers, neural networks are still in the simple pattern matching stages and will need more development before commercially acceptable products are available. Speech recognition, on the other hand, is already a huge industry with customers ranging from individual computer users to international telephone companies. For security, voice recognition could be an added link to the chain of pre-established systems. For example, automated account inquiry, by telephone, is a popular method for customers to determine the status of existing accounts. With voice identification of customers, an option could be added for a customer to request account transactions and payments to other institutions. For credit card fraud detection, banks have relied on computers to identify suspicious transactions. In fraud detection, these programs look for sudden changes in spending patterns such as large cash withdrawals or erratic spending. The drawback to this approach is that there are more accounts flagged for possible fraud than there are investigators. The number of flags could be dramatically reduced with optical character recognition to help focus investigative efforts. It is expected that the upcoming neural network chips and add-on boards from Intel will add blinding speed to the current network software. These systems will even further reduce losses due to fraud by enabling more data to be processed more quickly and with greater accuracy. Recommendations Breakthroughs in neural network technology have already created many new applications in financial transaction security. Currently, neural network applications focus on processing data such as loan applications, and flagging possible loan risks. As computer hardware speed increases and as neural networks get smarter, "real-time" neural network applications should become a reality. "Real-time" processing means the network processes the transactions as they occur. In the mean time, 1. Watch for advances in visual recognition hardware / neural networks. When available, commercially produced visual recognition systems will greatly enhance the security of automated financial transactions. 2. Computer aided voice recognition is already a reality. This technology should be implemented in automated telephone account inquiries. The feasibility of adding phone transactions should also be considered. Cooperation among financial institutions could result in secure transfers of funds between banks when ordered by the customers over the telephone. 3. Handwriting recognition by OCR systems should be combined with existing check processing systems. These systems can reject checks that are possible forgeries. Investigators could follow-up on the OCR rejection by making appropriate inquiries with the check writer. BIBLIOGRAPHY Winston, Patrick. Artificial Intelligence. Menlo Park: Addison-Wesley Publishing, 1988. Welstead, Stephen. Neural Network and Fuzzy Logic in C/C++. New York: Welstead, 1994. Brody, Herb. "Computers That Learn by Doing." Technology Review August 1990: 42-49. Thompson, William. "Overturning the Category Bucket." BYTE January 1991: 249-50+. Hinton, Geoffrey. "How Neural Networks Learn from Experience." Scientific American September 1992: 145-151. Dreyfus, Hubert., and Stuart E. Dreyfus. "Why Computers May Never Think Like People." Technology Review January 1986: 42-61. Shaffer, Richard. "Computers with Ears." FORBES September 1994: 238-239.

SOFTWARE AND HIGH SCHOOL

The beginning of the 1990's is marked by the era of computers. Everywhere we look ,we see computers. They have become an essential part of our every day life. If the world's computer systems were turned off even for a short amount of time, unimaginable disasters would occur. We can surely say that today's world is heading into the future with the tremendous influence of computers. These machines are very important players in the game, the key to the success however is proper software (computer programs). It is the software that enables computers to perform a certain tasks. Educational systems in developed countries realize the importance of computers in the future world and therefore, emphasize their use in schools and secondary institutions. The proper choice of software is very important especially for beginners. Their first encounter with the computer should be exiting and fun. It should stimulate their interest in the computing field. First and foremost is the fact that computer software is a very important educational tool. Students in high schools experience computers for the first time through games and other entertaining software. These help develop youth's mental pathway in the way of logic, reflexes and the ability to make quick and concrete decisions [Lipcomb, 66]. The next step requires them to think more seriously about the machines. Secondary students learn the first steps in computer programming by creating simple programs. Here, the assistance of useful software is necessary. The computer software has many applications in the real world and is found virtually everywhere. The new generation of very fast computers introduces us to a new type of software. Multimedia is a of computer program that not only delivers written data for the user, but also provides visual support of the topic. By exploring the influence of multimedia upon high school students. I have concluded that the usage of multimedia have significantly increased students' interest in particular topics(supported by the multimedia). In order get these positive results, every child has to have a chance to use the technology on a daily basis [jacsuz@]. Mathematics is one of the scientific fields that has employed the full potential of computer power complicated problem solving. By using the computer, students learn to solve difficult problems even before they acquire tough mathematical vocabulary. The Geometer's Sketch pad, a kind of math software, is used in many Canadian high schools as a powerful math tutor. Students can pull and manipulate geometric figures and at the same time give them specific attributes. The next best feature of the software is a drawing document. It allows for easy drawing of perfect ellipses, rectangles and lines. Over all students' marks in the particular subject that have used helpful software have significantly increased. [mhurych@]. Computers have been used commercially for well over 50, their significant use in modern society however has never been so high. People rely on computers in every aspect of their lives. Medicine, engineering and other highly specialized fields of science use computers in their work. Computer education is very important. It builds the basis for future generations which will be more dependent on computers than we are today. The usage of computers depends mainly on the software. It is software that navigates computers through series of commands to a desired goal. Computer programs used in high schools must motivate students to study. The degree of difficulty of the computer software has to increase with the age of the user. Games are introduced first as icebreakers between children and machines. Later, more difficult software is used. Overall I think that computer software is very important tool in high school education.Drake (1987).

The Hope of the Phoenix

The word phoenix had symbolize immortality, but for the people in Fahrenheit 451, their only hope was that the phoenix would be burn out, and be reborn again. The myth of the phoenix gave optimism to the life of Montag, to the books, and to the world of Fahrenheit 451. The world was now dying, and nobody seemed to care, because the government had brainwashed the people. It was a situation, where not only the brave, but the ones who can think for themselves, who can help break the government's control. The life Montag had been a bumpy road. He thought he had a good life, because he enjoyed his job, and was happy. Soon Montag discovered that he was not happy at all, and that his life was nothing. His wife Mildred did not love him at all, and his only friend (that he could remember) Clarisse died in a car crash. All of sudden, he was not happy, but he did not know why. He thought maybe because his wife had pulled the fire alarm on him, but really it was he did not love her at all. "It's strange, I don't miss her at all(155)" Montag had uncertainly about his marriage, because marriage was suppose to be bonded with love, but with his marriage love was extinct and nowhere to be seen. His life had died, when his wife Mildred pulled the alarm and had told the firemen that Montag had books. To Montag, the books was like a sweet piece of candy. He did not know why he liked them, but he always wanted more. But when Captain Beatty forced Montag to burn his own house, Montag's soul had died, but then resurrected. His life which was suppose to be happy was burning right in front of his eyes. How ironic, that Montag was a fireman himself but like the phoenix, Montag rose from his own ashes. Montag was now reborn, because he knew his life was wrong, and that the world was wrong. He did not know why it was wrong, but he knew that he had to do something about it. He started that by burning Captain Beatty into "a charred wax doll(119)". Montag now had the feeling of hope, not much since he believed he could not do anything. But Montag had now broken the control of the government and was using the books as his aid. How ironic, in the real world, people were always talking about how people wasted paper, which mean wasting trees, but in the world of Fahrenheit 451, every tree that had been cut down, and was use for books was now being burned away. To the people of Fahrenheit 451 "books show the pores the face of life,(83)". The people were scared and uncertain about books, so society decided to hire firemen to burn the books. Although most people were scared of books, the books acted like their own phoenix by giving people some hope. People like Montag, and Faber. If it wasn't for the law of prohibiting books, Montag might have never seen the light, and if wasn't for the old woman burning herself with books, Montag might have seen what the books actually meant to people, therefore the books themselves have been reborn. Ironic, that books were made to be read, but even without reading, Montag was able to see what they meant to society. The world of Fahrenheit 451 WAS quite different from the world now. Instead of people fighting for equal rights, people were already equal. Equal in everything from physical abilities to mental abilities. No problem right? But one constant problem was everyone were always trying to commit suicide. They tried this, because living in the world of Fahrenheit 451 was like hell, because nobody was allowed to think, express their ideas, or to enjoy life. It seemed the world had no hope in changing, because the government thought that they had destroyed the main force against them, books. But the people themselves were optimistic about living a better world, and now had formed an alliance to help restore the world. Montag was one of them, he and many others believed a new world with individuality. All a sudden the phoenix symbolized the suicides, the books and hope. If it wasn't for the suicides, the books, the hope, many people in Fahrenheit 451 would be still living in a nightmare, because they would live in a world, where they would living a life that was controlled by someone. Like the old saying goes out of the old and in with the new really fitted as the motto for the world of Fahrenheit 451 . Many people were dying because they just wanted to escape from the world, but some believed that if they die, a new world will be born with individuality, hoping this time the world would not fly too close to the sun. Hope was a word, many people used to help them succeed in something, but for the people in Fahrenheit 451, the word phoenix was the driving force that would help them fly over the fire. This was a world, which many people had hoped to live in, because in this world nothing happened, and that was the problem. Nothing did happen. Nothing. It was a world where being equal had a price, a price which many people would never want, their individuality. How ironic, although the government tried hard to control the people, it was a myth that came and helped guide the people through the way. A myth that came from books, that were now being burned. It was a myth which people were not allowed to read about, but at the end, the myth over came all obstacles and now had brightened the sun for many. This event had helped proved that not everyone could every be equal, because there would always be people who would write the other way.

The Trojan War

Homer was the god who wrote three famous poems, the Illiad, the Oddessy, and the Beowulf. The Illiad was the story of the Trojan war. Here's how the trojan war went. Helen, Clytemnestra's sister, was married to Menelaus. A while later, Menelaus went hunting, and Paris from Troy came and took Helen away. Agamemnon heard the news and was furious. So, he got together troops and set off to Troy to get Helen back. But, they couldn't sail out of the bay..the wind held them back. So they had to sacrafice a maiden. Agamemnon sacraficed Iphigenia, his daughter. Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's wife, was NOT happy, for Iphigenia was her favorite daughter. Clytemnestra set out to murder Agamemnon, but it was too late. He was already on his way out to Troy. During the war, Hector had killed Achilles' best friend. Achilles was FURIOUS. So Achilles dragged Hector in a circle 3 times by his hair and gave killed him. Then Agamemnon came back, married to beautiful princess Cassandra. Clytemnestra had even more reason to kill Agamemnon now. So, she killed Cassandra, then took her husband's live. Orestus and Electra, Clytemnestra and Agamemnon's other two chilren, then killed their mother for killing their father. After the war, Odysseus set out on a journey, and killed Achilles.

Astrology Applications in Business

Astrology is the science of certain cryptic relations between the celestial bodies and terrestrial life. It is considered an art and a practical science. It lays no claim to be what used to be called an exact science, but studies certain predispositions or tendencies in human life, which are sometimes indicated so clearly that they become virtual certainties. The possible uses of astrology are endless and may be used to a variety of means. Since the days of the Chaldeans, it was known that the sun, moon, and planets followed similar paths, the zodiac. It is a zone of the celestial sphere that extends from 8.5 degrees on either side if the path of the sun. As a primitive calendar, the zodiacal belt was arbitrarily divided into twelve sections of 30 degrees each. these are the famous signs of the zodiac. The orgins of the names given to each sign extend into the most remote regions of antiquity. Terrestrial animal gods, whether real or imagined , were one day projected onto the constellations which, in the Chaldean imagination, they resembled. This celestial menagerie has furthermore given the zodiac its name, for in greek, it means "route of animals." The sun enters the first zodiacal sign, Aries , and then continues its path through the remaining eleven signs. The twelve signs of the zodiac are: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. The moon and the planets pass through the signs too, but obviously at different speeds from those of the sun. The moon, which is close to the earth, circles the zodiac in twenty-nine days, while the planet Pluto needs two hundred fifty years. Planets also can be seen to slow down, stop, and even reverse directions in relationship to the constellations that they cross. In reality, the planet inexorably continues along its way. But the speed of the earth itself interacts with that of the planet to occasionally give this impression. The symbolism of the twelve signs is a very ancient tradition passed along from Manilius and Ptolemy of Alexandria. It ascribes well-defined properties to each sign, influences transmitted to the child at birth that determine his character, health, and destiny. Passing through twelve signs, the planets, play different parts. Being born at the moment when one of the signs is occupied by several planets confers the properties of this sign on the individual. The most important celestial figure is that of the sun. This what determines what sign the child was born under. In this way an ancient tradition has divided human beings into twelve psychological types whose descriptions are intuitive of human nature. This interpretation of the twelve signs is a blend of several different works but generally agree on the signification of the signs of the zodiac. ARIES (March 21-April 20) Ruled by Mars, the Aries is the incarnation of violent will, impatience, impulsiveness, and rapid, often precipitated, decisions. The principal qualities are enthusiasm, courage, independence, and pride. But Aries is too aggressive and impulsive. Like the animal that it symbolizes, he has a great tendency to thrust ahead with his horns without having reflected beforehand. To succeed in life the aries must keep his enthusiasm but moderate his ardor. The Aries essence is the principal of acceleration personified. "Fast" is the word that governs all activities from falling in love to saving a hopeless situation. Ariens talk fast, think fast, move fast and have no patience for people who don't. Ariens thrive on challenge and are born leaders, eager to break through old barriers to watch their ideas take hold. Their nature is dynamic, fiery and fiercely determined to have its own way, regardless. And because they can be such an audacious, impassioned, overwhelming force to handle, they get their own way more often than not. A displeased Aries can be like a tornado: if caught standing in the path of either, there is no way to remain impervious. There may be disturbing sounds and things may begin to fly, but it doesn't last long. Ariens are highly generative and immensely positive in their approach to all they undertake. There is an extraordinary courage in this sign that springs from vitality and confidence that sings of miracles. This is a sign that senses possibility in the improbable and that can create new conditions out of chaos. The Aries vision is progressive and expansive, and their approach enthusiastic and inspiring. They bring an incandescence to everything they care about. One strength this sign is missing is subtlety. And one way this deficiency comes through is with the kind of candor that can kill. When Ariens are good, they are very good; when they are bad, they are very bad. Taurus (April 21-May 22) It is Venus who governs this sign. In general, Taurus is a concrete being, firmly attached to the goods of this world. He has a strong but peaceful sensuality. His anger is rare, in the image of the peaceful beast that is his totem, but it comes abruptly and violently: he easily "sees red." Most often however, he demonstrates his good sense, stability and fidelity. He can sometimes be reproached for lack of detachment and disinterestedness. Taurus is archetypal earth, steady and enduring, solid as the ground beneath one's feet. By nature, Taureans are strong and basic, practical and uncomplicated in their approach to life. Taureans are loyal and loving in pragmatic ways that promote positive feelings. Builders of bonds, nests, and families, Taureans know instinctively how to make a house a home. Taureans have a way of consuming their own possessions, or preserving and cherishing them like objects of fine art. The sheer sensuous pleasure that a Taurean is capable of taking in life is something the more mental signs can learn from. However, like anything else, it is prone to excess and can pose problems. The Taurean tunes negative can be cold, brutal, violent, and sadistic, the type of person to take a life simply to make an angry point. Bottled up and often displaced anger is a key problem for they do not deal well with their deeper emotions. When fixed in a chosen direction and highly motivated, the typical Taurean can outendure all competition, opposition and obstacles of every kind. However, the motivation has to spring from something that is highly valued. Gemini (May 21-June 21) It is Gemini that influences the gemini, the crafty Mercury, god of eloquence, merchants and thieves. He is above all a shrewd being, constantly proving his adaptability in all circumstances. He enjoys social contacts. All recognize Gemini's brilliance and spirituality. He must nonetheless guard against falling into easiness that would make of him a superficial, unstable and mixed-up individual. He should put intelligence in the service of a durable cause. In love,he must be careful of artificiality, and put more sincerity into rushes of feeling. "I think therefore I am" is the classic Gemini code for carrying on with life. Geminis meet all of their problems "head" on and have a set of reasons for all their motivations-including those that are purely emotional. People born under this sign are smart and glib, social and superficially clever. Gemini is the sign of communication, and most Geminis can talk their way out of a maximum-security prison. Or, when the guileful trickster takes over, they can manipulate somebody else behind bars. Geminis tend to be self-involved and fear those who sabotage their sense of freedom. Seeking stimulation but having a strong sense of self-preservation, they will avoid anything that seriously threatens their ego base. Instinctively, they select and sort out what or who is most important in their scheme of things. Quite often such discriminations are based on a desire for power. Highly verbal and gregarious, Geminis have a gift for talking and taking advantage of the attention that their clever words attract. There is great power in their ability to generate an eager and receptive audience. Caught up in the moment, they lack self-consciousness and have the ability to get the most dolorous crowd to break into contagious laughter. Because the thinking process overrides their ability to feel, Geminis have to train their minds to work for them rather than against them. A powerful mind is a calm, focused and disciplined one. On the other hand, a mind that is out of control gets nowhere, and is a Gemini pitfall which finds expression in many aspects of life. Cancer (June 22-July 22) Like the moon that governs this sign, Cancer is an imaginative, sensitive, and dreamy individual. Somewhat self- effacing, he enjoys family life, where his timidity- and somewhat weakness- seems to be protected from the hardness of this world. The feeling for the past is more attractive that the future. He often feels a nostalgia for childhood and the protection of his mother and must try to overcome this attitude. Cancer must strive to impose his qualities of shrewdness and intuition on groups of people. In love, it is not good for the cancer to give too much importance to the wounds of self-love, and he must learn to declare himself at the right moment. Ruled by the tides of their fluctuating emotions, Cancers are Moon people, mysterious as the sea at night, delicate as a moon beam shimmering on the surface of a still and haunted lake. In their own unique ways, Cancers are haunted-by their fears and anguished fantasies, their attachment to the past, their driven compulsions and their quiet, self-obsessed dramas that sometimes move them to the brink of madness. Self-enclosed and saturated with their own emotions, Cancers feel everything that they don't deliberately shut out. it is a highly strung inner world of intense emotional velocity that is ignited by any threat to their sense of control. Sometimes sensitive and compassionate, sometimes cold and cut off from the world, Cancers are influenced by both the inner and outer atmosphere. The result is a person easily pressured by onslaughts on their self-preservation. In the Cancer mind, the unconscious is very close to the surface. as the first of the three water signs, much of life is about learning to live with this emotional makeup in the middle of a cold an insecure material world. Cancers are often criticized as being extremely self- centered people. However, it is, in truth, as if there is no self, only a self-protective shell. With emotions so close to the surface, Cancers are hopelessly sentimental. Generous to a fault, they can be a fool for love. When it comes to work , the classic Cancerian has the concentration of a brain surgeon and the drive to go along with it. Tenacious, task-oriented and intense, Cancers tend to be perfectionists who take their work personally-and sometimes a little too seriously. There are Cancers who leave the office at the office. However, it is likely that they work overtime, don't take time for lunch, and go home hours after the cleaning lady. Leo (July 23-August 22) Having elected to reside in this sign, the sun confers its force, amplitude, and radiance on those born in Leo. Leo is a proud, individualistic, and generous being. Authority and willpower are among the dominant character traits. Thus he has strong trump cards to help obtain success in life. Leo must be wary, however, of pride and unmeasured action, and govern ambitions with the measure of his abilities. He must avoid being too susceptible to flattery. In love, he has a tendency to transform his life into the stage of the theater. He should be more reserved in the manifestations of his rushes of feeling. those who love him will be grateful for this. Leo is the sign of the sun, and like the sun itself, Leos shine with stellar incandescence. Leos' magnetism makes them highly memorable people who exude power and personableness. Personality is the Leo strong point. When so desiring, the Leo charm can tame serpents and turn the world at large into an adoring enclave. At their best they give off a scintillating sort of radiance. They are positive and enthusiastic, spirited, dynamic and larger than life. Leos expect the best from themselves and everyone around them. It is this attitude that helps them achieve their dreams. This is the sign that is determined to do things its own way, at all costs, with no patience for the opinions of others. When this works, the Leo energy and willfulness can create miracles. When it backfires, it's probably more comfortable hanging out in a towering inferno. Although Leos are overachiever with highly successful track records, they tend to underestimate their accomplishments. The anxiety deep within them concerning performance never allows them to rest and gives them problems delegating authority. They embrace perfectionistic standards and feel contempt for mediocrity. Virgo (August 23-September 23) It is mercury that rules this sign. But it is not the subtle and airy Mercury of gemini. Intelligence is more matter-of-fact: less gifted but deeper. The Virgo is rightly considered calculating, prudent and attached to minor details to the point of fixation. For the Virgo, reason overcomes the heart; precision seems to be more important than intuition, of which he is wary. In love, Virgo is not very demonstrative, or at least, unable to decide, a late marriage will be his lot. Commonly known as the sign of the nitpicking perfectionist, Virgos often consider themselves to be discriminators graced with divine sanction. Seeing flaws like Librans see beautiful faces, Virgos are often controlled by their visions. In time, their visions go into what makes up a life. The single most important challenge in the Virgo experience is to see things in larger terms. Virgos' visions determine their career success, quality of experience in relationships, health, and overall quality of life. The perfectionism so often associated with this sign, has in fact far less to do with perfection than with a diminished view of the whole. It is the sort of perception that focuses in on the loose thread rather than the color of of the fabric. Virgos are victimized by a deadly dreariness that is born of duty and discipline, self-control and routinized regimes. People born under this sign often have to wake up to the possibilities of their own life and the power within themselves. Shortsighted, Virgos settle easily for the minor roles that are so often assigned to them rather than stretching them beyond and utilizing the gifts of what could be a superior mind. Libra (September 23- October 22) Governed by Venus, the planet of harmony and arts, one word characterizes Libra: equilibrium, as the sign it symbolizes. Libra is sociable, refined, and understanding, party to conciliatory solutions. But be careful, for he is gifted with a very fine sense of justice, and will engage in battle if he considers that he has been ridiculed. In sentimental relationships, Libra is praised for hi sweetness and elegance, with an occasionally somewhat exaggerated coquetishness. Aggressiveness must be stimulated, for Libra's distinguished nonchalance can prevent his social success. In many respects, Libra is a sign of paradox. Librans sprout from a series of contradictions: self versus nonself, mental versus emotional, pleasure versus pathos, generosity versus greed, control versus chaos. Underneath the smiling face and stellar charm lies a character with many convolutions, confusions, frustrations and ambivaleces concerning its identity. Combine this with very high intelligence and you have people who think a great deal about how they ought to be, how they should have been, how they might have been and how they will be if only...and so on. While this highly complicated process sounds self-centered, it is in fact the workings of a self that doesn't feel complete by itself. It always seems that something is missing, and whether that appears to be another person, a significant promotion, or a successful project that will prove one's worth, the day-to-day drama is often a torturous spiral. The need to affirm one's self is so strong in Libras that it makes many of them burn with ambition. In the intensity of striving and accomplishing, one leaves a sense of lacking behind. Alas the fuel for such ambition is the kind of anxiety that never lets one calm down. The satisfaction that comes from having achieved one's goal is soon supplanted by the necessity for a new creation. And so continues the rise and fall of doing and being. In between each gap is like a gasp in which a threatening, self- diminishing voice sneaks through. Scorpio (October 23- November 21) Mars, the god of war, and Pluto, the god of the underworld, share this kingdom. It suffices to say that the child of Scorpio is not a being of rest. There is in him a depth of violent aggressiveness and undiscipline, but also of anguish. Scorpios enemies must contend with his piercing critical sense, which permits the rapid discovery of the chinks in their armor, for it is certain that he has flair. There is also scientific curiosity which penetrates the depths nature's secrets, even if they are dangerous. Passionate and jealous in love, possessing strong sexuality; in a word, Scorpio has the best and the worst. By developing the best, he is able to have exceptional success in life. Scorpio might be the most misunderstood sign in the zodiac. It is a convoluted sign, commonly associated with mystery, sex, power, and intrigue. In social gatherings where the conversation has descended to the most superficial astrological chitchat, Scorpio gets more than its share of abuse. Much of this has to do with the fact that at any given point a great deal of the Scorpionic agenda remains hidden. Intensely private, strongly secretive and rather suspicious, Scorpio does not reveal itself to anyone, nor does it form close overnight friendships. For the most part, members of this sign stand aloof from more obvious social interactions. Scorpios prefer one-to- one situations to large parties at which people present their social facades. This is a sign of depth and depth perception. Scorpios see and feel more than most people, and not infrequently these feelings are complicated and problematic. Because of this, at a very early age, they develop a deep need for control, along with a list of goals and game plans that will take them where they want to go. Scorpio is the power behind the throne, and has the substance of which CEO's are made. Success is what they are after. They ca be secretive and ruthless to achieve their desired position. Sagittarius (November 22-December 20) Jupiter is the master os this sign. He confers an honest, generous and loyal nature. Sagittarius has true nobility of character that works through goodness and moderation. He enjoys escaping from the banality of day-to-day life, and travelling attracts him. Furthermore, these travels can be imaginary as well as real. Sagittarius is a sign of the philosophical mind. In love, he prefers legality and lasting feelings to brief and violent passions and adventures. The essence of sagittarian nature is possibility personified. Diminishment of any kind depresses the classic Sagittarian, as does anyone or anything interfering with the Sagittarian's sense of freedom. Sagittarians always want to feel free to make choices and to move in any direction that suits them. Sagittarius is the sign of the adventurer, bound only by his own beliefs. Sagittarians have expansive minds and are eager to learn, and experience, always restless and impatient to move ahead. The classic Sagittarian is a democratic individual with ideals that often define the lifestyle. The Sagittarian soul desires expansion at all costs and is sensitive to social issues that affect the functioning of self and fellow man. Sagittarians want the best possible worlds. They will never stop searching until they find it. For a great many members of this sign, the entire experience of life is one endless exploration. Sagittarians see possibility where other signs perceive limitations. They also have a genius for seeing splendid things that the common mind might consider silly. The Sagittarian nature wants to soar, and after landing, to remain unimpeded. This can cause some unsettling problems when encountering the situation called "daily life." Sagittarians want life to be perfect, and they don't want to waste their perfect time dinking around with petty, boring details or being bothered by a moronic boss with no vision. Capricorn (December 21-January 19) This region of the winter sky has been attributed by astrologers to the morose Saturn. Capricorn is serious, often on the defensive; decisions are taken in a calm atmosphere, and he is farsighted. He is very ambitious, but is careful not to show it, preferring to act in the shadows rather than in the broad daylight. It is not worth the trouble to attempt flattery, for Capricorn will not be susceptible. He is cold, objective, and wary by nature. He will not try to please in love, and some might reproach a lack of spirit; feeling exist, but they are buried deep inside. Capricorn will never sacrifice his carer to a passing fling or even to a passion. A born executive with sky-high goals, Capricorn is the classic accomplishmentarian. Driven beyond high ambition, this is a sign that doesn't believe in giving up. Patient, enduring and steadfast in the face of all obstacles, Capricorn instinctively understands the value of time. This is a sign that can outwait all opposition and then confidently move in for the kill. Invariably, Capricorn gets what it wants because it goes about it in all the right ways. Hardworking, highly organized, diligent, down to earth and quietly determined, Capricorns make great tycoons, business chieftains, politicians, presidents and entrepreneurs. The Capricorn mind is intrinsically materialistic. It knows the value of a dollar in several different countries and the most recent fluctuation in the price of gold. Capricorns value their possessions like some people value their children, and they look at life through a prism of appearance-what you see is what you get. Capricorns are born climbers who will make it to the top and eventually own it. And once securely positioned in place, attest that there is no other way to go. Like everything else. Capricorns take their status very seriously and never tire of their material rewards. The material to Capricorn is worth, their worth. Having an eye for fine quality, they fully enjoy the luxury of owning the best. To the Capricorn mind, excellence is always its own reward. Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Modern astrologers have assigned this sign to the planet Uranus. Like it, Aquarius is gifted with a lively intelligence, and taken dy the new, sometimes by the utopian. Originality and idealism are two principle character traits. Very disinterested, Aquarius is enthused by great revolutionary causes, but will not descend into the arena. The battle of ideas is sufficient, for the Aquarius always has a depth of reserve, dreaminess, and sensitivity. He is not very realistic in love, and demonstrates much independence and fantasy. He is able to please and to be devoted but does not like to become attached. Aquarius must beware of solitude. Authentic airheads, Aquarian minds are airborne and aglow with ideals that often have to do with utopian empires and progressive, inventive lifestyle alternatives. In astrology, the element of air has to do with the cerebral realm and all that this implies, such as mental creations and concoctions, communications and intellectual vistas contained by the frameworks of the mind. Aquarians are often brainy people, full of brilliance and visionary explosions, seeing so far ahead that they leave the present behind. The characteristic Aquarian is far more mental than emotional. Aquarians, in fact, have feelings about their mental constructs and intellectual aspirations. Their most beautiful love experience passes straight through the brain. The craving for a sense of possibility is a pervasive one in the Aquarian's scheme of things. It is the motivational force behind the humanitarian involvements and strongly cherished dreams and ideals. The end of the sixties, which sang of the "Age of Aquarius," epitomized the spirit of blind ideas put forth as truth, without deeper understanding of the comprehensive whole, or the complicated timing of social change. The Aquarian mind, rolling on a track, does not take detours. Nor, is it intellectually open to their possibility. This is a sign associated with a great deal of fanaticism and willful rebellion. Aquarians are heedless and reckless, throwing caution to the wind creating situations that are self-destructive. It is this blind which brings them their share of headaches, heartaches and trouble. Pisces (February 19- March 20) Naturally it is Neptune, god of the sea that governs this sign. Everyone agrees that Pisces is emotive and impressionable. He is praised for intuition, poetic ability, sense of compassion, and devotion. But Pisces must overcome the indecision of his character as well as his nonchalance; for activity can suffer from them, and Pisces can be thrown into a dreamy existence, one that is more than a little inefficient. Feelings are marked with a blend of mysticism and sensuality, and the feeling of sacrifice dominates. Pisces is the sign of the psychic, the healer, the intuitive who is in tune with the synchronicities of the universe. Pisces nature is emotional, sensitive and subjective. Their imagination and intelligence are subtly insightful. The Pisces soul is one of mystery and longing. Deep inside a slumbering divinity haunts a more conscious experience of life. There is an unearthly quality to the Pisces sensibility that is associated with the twelfth house. This is a place of monasteries and hidden meanings, astral experiences, dreams, drugs and superconsious states of mind. Pisces is a sign that deeply reflects its ruler, Neptune, the planet of fantasy and illusion, romanticism, compassion, sympathy and the supernatural. Like the vibration of Neptune, the Pisces mind is changeable and fluid, fanciful and ready to flow in any direction. Pisceans are secretive and hold a place inside themselves that they share with only a soul mate. Because they are so psychic, subjective and idealistic, this soul experiences often unsatisfied. Instead, they will merge with and see themselves mirrored in their life supports and security blankets and the deeper need for unity will be sublimated by the experience of sharing. They are constantly searching for their true soul-mate. There is no real way to know if astrology is reality or fiction, but it does broaden our horizons to a new way of thinking. Perhaps time and seasons have caused the similarities to be there, perhaps it is just a coincidence. You must be the judge.