FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012 by Holiday Mathis on Creators.com

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FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2012

Do good in the world while guardian Neptune is still chaperoning Venus through the intellectual and altruistic realm of Aquarius. If you know how you'd like to make a difference in 2012, this is a stellar moment to head toward it. Aim yourself like you're about to shoot out of a cannon. The Aries moon will bring a bang-up start to the new year.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You'll defuse tension by telling someone that you have heard his or her complaint and you understand it. Acknowledging this person's reality might be all that's necessary to resolve a conflict.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A loved one may seem to take your attention for granted. You may notice that this person is willing to talk more than listen right now. Later, the pendulum will swing, and you'll be on the receiving end.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It takes courage to love. Sure, you've had relationships that didn't work out quite the way you thought they would. You should be proud that you were brave enough to enter into the relationship at all.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You'll solve problems and stretch the bounds of your creativity. You'll fit things together in such a surprising way that people won't be able to take their eyes off of your work.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Enormous reserves of vital energy will be available to you when you commit to doing something just for you. Simple activities like walking, running and deep breathing reconnect you to your joy.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are ready to be free of past frustrations and disappointments. It will be as though yesterday suddenly releases its hold on you and you can look hopefully into your future.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Take a moment to imagine your day before it happens, and you'll prevent a snafu of some sort. There's something you can set right by simply having the forethought to prepare properly for the day.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Sometimes you wonder how brave you really are. It's the kind of thing that can't be measured hypothetically. You'll jump at the chance to put your courage to the test.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You have a message today, and it's one people will care about — or at least they should. Much will depend on your ability to get to the emotional heart of the matter.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Avoid relying so heavily on technology now that you forget about the most magnificent computer on Earth inside your head.

Common sense will lead you where no robot can go.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You'll be aware that your every move is painting a picture of you. How you are perceived will matter. Be careful not to talk too much about what you've already demonstrated. Your confidence will read loud and clear.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You may feel stuck in an unsatisfactory pattern and not quite ready to make a change. At least you're ready to start thinking about it. A symbolic ritual of transition will help you move forward.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 1). You will be presented with excellent financial opportunities, and you'll have a strong sense of how to make the most of them. A new friend comes into your life in March. Your professional life is a bit of a game this spring. Play with those who have just as much at stake, and the game becomes more interesting. Virgo and Pisces people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 32, 19, 5 and 11.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: If you're the owner of a gym, prep your sales staff for major action. The start of a new year is always the busiest time for self-improvement efforts, but this year will be unusually momentous. People are so motivated that you practically will be able to hear their internal motors revving. All the enthusiastic optimism provides a strong start that bodes well for continued momentum.

It's not only the will to improve that drives people; it's also the general impetus to make the most of every area of life. In the celestial realms, all systems are go, with 100 percent of the planets moving forward this week and a waxing solar and lunar cycle to boot.

If you're one of the minority of people who don't feel the surge of can-do energy, consider how you may be blocking the flow. Perhaps there's something you need to forgive in yourself so that you can feel worthy of receiving happiness. More than likely this is about having the courage to stand up to oppressive forces. You may not be able to live fearlessly, but you can live courageously, which is even better.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: "The Catcher in the Rye" author J.D. Salinger was a New Year's baby who wrote the quintessential novel about youth that has resonated with every generation of young people since its release in 1951. Salinger's natal sun, moon and Venus in traditional Capricorn are juxtaposed to Mercury, the communication planet, in iconoclastic Sagittarius, and Mars and Uranus in futuristic Aquarius.

If you would like to write to Holiday Mathis, 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.