HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY by Holiday Mathis on Creators.com

Recently

FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2012 This week the sun and Neptune are exploring the early degrees of Pisces, the sign of faith, spirituality and deeply held beliefs. A conjunction of these dreamy influences will inspire contemplation and new insight regarding belief systems. Soul …Read more. FOR RELEASE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012 It's the last day of the Aquarius solar journey of 2012 and a perfect moment to push for the future of your dreams. The possibilities are limitless. Neptune and the sun come together in an inspiring conjunction to bring about imaginative vision as …Read more. FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 The Capricorn moon is a doer. The energy of this determined lunar placement reminds us that action speaks louder than words. The alignment of word and deed builds reputation. Because Capricorn is also the station of social standing, you may be ultra-…Read more. FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012 For an instant lift, count your blessings in all areas of life. The expansive Sagittarius moon helps you get a perspective that's as optimistic as it is broad. The Aquarian solar transit is wrapping up this week, and there's pressure to get as much …Read more.

Horoscopes by Holiday for January 14

Today features the new moon in Capricorn and a solar eclipse. The energy settles around our public personae. Our fantasies about how others see us will be quite informative. It will be helpful to think about the steps we could take to bridge the gap between how we'd like others to see us and how we are actually perceived.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You'll feel a connection with someone from a distance. This isn't a sign that you should try to get to the other person. You can deepen the connection just by wondering about what makes it so.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You were born innocent, and in many ways you are innocent still. Embrace that. Though it may be fun to discover how the magic trick works, it's far more fun to believe.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll be an excellent judge of character, but the question is whether you will follow what your inner voice suggests. In order to do so, you must let go of needing the situation to go a certain way.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have a greater effect on those around you than you realize. Try to see it. If you can be more aware of your effect on others, you will realize the perfect next step in your plan.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). First take the time to decide what will be the best thing to focus on. Then get to work. You will break through another restriction. It's a small victory, but it's an important one — a signal of things to come.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Ask for introductions. A friend who shares his or her connections with you is sharing one of the most valuable assets of all. Be sure to show your appreciation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Mind readers will be scarce. Ask for what you want. You'll be surprised at who can deliver it. It's not who you think. Tonight, a friend's excellent sense of timing will favorably affect you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It may seem that you are being held back from tasting the fruits you so deserve. The best person to remove the spiritual obstruction in your path is you. Tell it to go. Believe in your own powers.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll be the top dog. It means you have to make decisions for the rest of the pack. This requires almost no mental effort for you. It's simply a matter of using your instincts.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You'll indulge someone in a one-sided conversation. You won't mind hearing this person go on and on about him or herself.

And in the end, you'll learn something truly interesting.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You'll be presented with a tempting opportunity that sounds a little too good to be true. Indeed, there's something unscrupulous about the arrangement. Your caution is warranted.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Though your working philosophy is in line with the thinking of many others in your field, some of your methods are quite unorthodox. That's why you'll get some extra and fantastic attention today.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 14). You have a secret wish to rise to the top position in your sphere, and this year will ready you for that eventual responsibility. Assistance, knowledge and resources come to you over the next seven weeks. Love is your priority in April. You'll be elevated by a quest in June. Investment brings good fortune in September. Cancer and Leo people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 49, 51, 29, 17 and 32.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "Is a solar eclipse a good or bad omen in astrology? I was born during one."

I believe that no omen is inherently good or bad. The astrological aspects just are, and our interpretation of them creates an effect that we either like or dislike to varying degrees. However, throughout ancient history, a solar eclipse has traditionally been interpreted as a negative omen — understandably so. To primitive people, the idea of the sun going away, even for a few minutes, would be gravely distressing. "When is it coming back? It's kind of our everything!" In fact, there are documented cases of astrologers being executed for failing to predict a solar eclipse! The Greeks considered the sun going dark to be a sign that the gods were furious. And other cultures assumed that evil entities ate the sun. But there have also been cases where the solar eclipse was taken as a sign that it was time to stop a war. Since you were born under a solar eclipse, I would guess that you are magnificently generous and selfless. You have the unique ability to extend an unbiased opinion and are oftentimes remarkably broadminded.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Capricorn Patrick Dempsey plays Dr. Derek Shepherd, a.k.a. "McDreamy," on the popular television series "Grey's Anatomy." That is, when he's not racing cars, being a movie star or raising millions of dollars for cancer research. With his sun and Mercury in Capricorn, competition, whether among actors or drivers, motivates Dempsey to turn in a top performance.

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.