Horoscopes by Holiday, Weekly

Mars sets the tone as he makes an entrance into Taurus. Challenges will be issued; exciting rewards will be promised. With Mars in Taurus we are more likely to work hard for baubles and bling. Symbols of status and luxury become too enticing, sometimes blinding us to simpler pleasures. Stay on course by realizing the difference between what you want and what you need. Choose emotional sustenance over materialism.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Instead of starting something new, pore over the old news. Review and reassess. There's a good chance you missed something important. Maybe one of your projects was abandoned near the finish line and you can pick it up, perhaps Thursday, and cross with your head held high. Completion feels amazing!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You are doing your best to keep up with it all, and yet you can't help but feel cheated out of valuable, elusive leisure. To sit and do absolutely nothing for a few days — well, this fantasy's time has come. Figure out a way to make it happen in the not so distant future. Give yourself some total relaxation to look forward to.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll work bravely on your issues this week. There are many ways to do this, though. You don't have to face up to every gritty little piece of the past. You could do just as much to reduce a problem by affixing your focus on something pleasant and staying in that mental space over the course of a nice long walk.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have recently made remarks to yourself that were completely out of line. Apologize and forgive so you can go back to being the chief cheerleader of Team You. After all, if you're not on your own side, how can you expect anyone else to be? Confidence renewed, you stand to gain love and money this week.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You believe that whatever people do in life, they have their reasons. There's someone in your midst making an unpopular choice. Though it would be easier to take on the same view as everyone else regarding this instance, it's not in your nature to be judgmental. Your tolerance will promote compassion.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: This year brings progress. In some regards, the most positive development of all is that you do not try to change unchangeable things. You work on yourself, and the world around you transforms because of this. June shows you going with the flow and winding up in a kind of relaxing oasis. June and July are filled with love and adventure, partly due to the new characters you meet in those months.

In November you'll capitalize on past investments or put your talent to lucrative use.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You have a high degree of self-discipline, though you probably don't see it that way. In your mind you are just doing what must be done to get the results you want, and that process is actually fun for you. Friday, pat yourself on the back for all you have accomplished during the week. You did it all by just being you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Games are so much fun this week. You impose limitations on yourself for the sport of it. Metaphorically, it's as though you are taking what you would normally be able to accomplish and challenging yourself to do it blindfolded or with one hand tied behind your back. The rules are artificial, but the struggle is real.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You gain a better perspective when you drop out of the fight for a while. There will be several instances this week, particularly Friday and Saturday, when doing nothing is a better use of your time than doing something. Through relaxation you'll mentally rise above your situation and see it from a higher place.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Some believe you only live once, and others think this is only one of your lives. Either way you look at it, you win. You'll be living to the fullest because you think you won't get another chance like this, or because you know you'll have endless chances and, therefore, nothing to lose.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Life in the fast lane gets a bad rap. You don't have to be involved in unsavory craziness to want to move quickly this week. An exhilarated pace invigorates you, and you love all of the experiences you can fit in when you remain succinct. Brief and interesting encounters will be your favorite kind.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You want to move forward in a relationship, and you sense correctly that in order to do so you must break a pattern of the past. It isn't enough to merely interrupt the pattern. You must put it behind you for good, and you have the strength and determination to do this now. Create a ritual to cement your new choice.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Too much compliance is dreary! Take detours, go off script, stray from the rules and blow the budget. You'll be sending an important message to yourself: You are strong at your core and don't rely on external structures to live your life. Once you assert yourself, you will get back on track with a fresh perspective.

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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