Horoscopes by Holiday, Weekly

Inside every spirit, in even the mildest of souls, lies a sleeping dragon dreaming of liberation, just waiting for the moment to free itself from the shackles of conformity. The moment may be now! This week, rebellious Mars and Uranus are a dynamite duo, blasting old dungeon doors in the name of progress. Princess Venus moves into helpful Virgo, too, soothing the fire-breathing among us. We're amidst a potent period of change.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There's a prejudice against short attention spans, which seems rather silly from your point of view. What's so wrong with flitting from fascination to fascination? While people around you are eager to devote themselves to concrete attachments, you're packing in as much knowledge and fun as you can.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It's your chance to cut the static out of a relationship. Act with confidence, especially if you're insecure about how you'll be received. Speak from the heart and then move on without a second thought. Explanations only cloud the matter. Trust that either you're understood, or you will be in time.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Conflict seems inevitable, but it's not. Have more faith in others, specifically in their ability to work out differences in their own way. Your interference isn't necessary, so you can relax. Getting involved would only make things more dramatic and important than they need to be. Stand back and watch what happens.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You know what you want to be doing, and yet it seems nearly impossible to get down to business. Interruptions and enticements are determined to keep you from your purpose. Consider that these distractions might be in your best interest and will most likely add to your life in important and memorable ways.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You know the secret: Spirituality isn't a matter of how you worship once a week or what charitable causes you give to. It's reflected in your daily routine, your attitude at work and your willingness to get along with your neighbor. This week you live mindfully, as though your every action is a prayer. Maybe it is.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: A burst of creativity and intellectual stamina sets your year off to a productive start. The potential of what you might accomplish is exciting, not only to you, but also to people who will be hiring you and accompanying you on your journey. By January you're like a new person — not so different from who you are now, but with greater star power.

In response to your newfound charisma, doors swing open to financial opportunity and love alike. Family makes encouraging gestures in March.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You're oscillating between belief and disbelief. The subjects change — someone's outrageous story at work, the explanation a child gives you for a seeming misbehavior, your own ideas about the divine forces of the universe… You can see the truth and also the untruth in anything you choose to focus on.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). As the sign of diplomacy, peace keeping and neutrality, you might find it surprising that you have competitive feelings inside you. Yes, your subconscious spins with potential methods of one-upsmanship. The spirit of competition isn't necessarily negative. Aim to better your own best instead of someone else's.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You're stronger this week and thus more able to see and enjoy things as they are. The person who hasn't been able to love you in the manner you desire is loving you in other ways — the only ways that he or she is capable of loving. It's acceptable to you now that you understand it clearly. There is harmony in your word.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The omens do not make it clear whether you should avoid extravagance or indulge in it. What is clear is that you will have the opportunity to indulge in whatever thrills you — especially around Wednesday — and your choice regarding this is a definitive one as far as your character goes.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You're consumed with mental images of finally obtaining the prize you've worked so long to have and hold, not to mention parade about for all to see. The gusto you feel at the top of the week is muted by Wednesday, just long enough for a few profound insights to sink in. Weekend plans change as a result.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You realize what's working for you and you work it. Your powerful attitude helps you leap over obstacles on Monday and Tuesday, and make some money, as well. Relationships could use an infusion of fantasy or something to look forward to. Make this your weekend focus as you discuss your dreams and make plans.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It's comforting to believe that your will is not the only force guiding your schedule. You get evidence that this is true when forces beyond your control take care of you in ways you couldn't have done yourself. The weekend is about team building. You attract people whose skills and temperaments complement your own.

Holiday Mathis is the author of "Rock Your Stars." If you would like to write to her, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Holiday Mathis page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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