Today is Easter Sunday, the most important day of the year for almost a billion Catholics and several hundred million other Christians as well. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, on the third day after he was crucified and died on a cross in Jerusalem more than 2000 years ago. Few of the people then alive had heard of Jesus. Fewer still knew of his claims, to be the Son of God in a special way, come to fulfill the ancient promises of the Hebrew prophets, and redeem humankind from a life of sin. What does that mean? That Jesus came to teach people how to live in a way that would make them happy -- not by a selfish pursuit of pleasure, but by giving themselves to others. In that way, as Jesus said, we would "have life and have it more abundantly." You know the rest of the story. From that obscure beginning -- their teacher's ignominious death on a cross and his coming back from the dead -- the followers of Jesus have helped make more gentle the life of the world. Despite the fact that many of them spend their lives teaching the ignorant, feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, the world is still a brutish, violent place. But imagine how much more brutish and violent it would be if Jesus had never come and his followers hadn't been trying to follow in his footsteps. Jesus love-message hasn't worked? Well, maybe, it would be closer to the truth to say it hasn't worked where it hasn't been tried.

In your face. If you were born on March 30, you have an strong, direct personality and rarely water it down for others. This can cause a lot of antagonism and block your tremendous drive to succeed. Ruled by the number 3 and the planet Jupiter, you are ambitious and can be dictatorial.

Unstoppable. You may fail again and again to reach your goals, but you won't be denied. Eventually, you may succeed, though recognition doesn't come soon. This recognition is important, since you are very concerned of what others think of you. When appreciation is denied, you are likely to throw a fit.

Abrasive. As an employee, your big mouth and opinions tends to annoy coworkers and bosses. Because you are only capable of doing things your way, you'd function better as a self-employed freelancer, where you are free to follow your own vision. Most March 30 people are self-taught, since they have little patience with formal schooling.

Demanding and difficult. You are so intense and energetic you can wear other people out. Your childlike, naive view of things can make you emotionally difficult, too. Having lots of friends is not real important to you. In fact, if you should succeed, the flood of social contact may leave you yearning for your lost privacy.

Some Advice : Relax. A little diplomacy and compromise doesn't mean you are selling out your vision. Indeed, it could bring it closer to fruition

Also born on this day:
Vincent van Gogh (Dutch painter) Francisco de Goya (Spanish artist) Warren Beatty (actor, director) Eric Clapton (blues-rock guitarist, singer) Paul Verlaine (French poet) Sean O'Casey (Irish playwright) Naomi Sims (model, writer) Richard Helms (CIA director, 7 years) Dennis Etchison (horror writer) Anna Sewell (British 19th c. writer) Melanie Klein (Austrian child psychiatrist)