True compassion includes compassion for the self, and this week, it manifests as the spirit of protection. Often, those we most need protection from are the ones closest — not because they're bad but because they have access. There are many moving parts in this transitional week. Just as undergarments shield skin from chafing as limbs move together, we too need light, soft layers between ourselves and those we encounter most often.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Taking time to articulate your experiences isn't self-indulgent at all. It's how you make meaning of your life. We need the integration, the retelling, maybe even telling others your story or writing it down. Memoir becomes self-care, a way of affirming: My life matters enough to be understood and shared.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Go ahead and make a big deal over the little things you enjoy this week. Anticipation is a big part of the experience. Delight in the ramp-up. A bit of exaggerated enthusiasm will become very real, adding spice to the mix. It's not just about what happens but how you remember it and what it means to you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Looking back, you can see that what felt like rejection at the time later turned out to be a stroke of fantastic luck. "Rejection" is protection! You'll see this dynamic again this week. What doesn't work out saves you in ways you'll only know later. You can trust that the universe is conspiring to thrill you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). This week finds you even more sensitive to the moods of the people around you. When they're happy, you naturally light up; when they're unhappy, you're glum. You can't fix or manage everyone's emotions, but you can try to spend more time around people whose vibes feel good to you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Performing takes energy. A role that's very different from who you are inside takes more energy to perform. Sometimes it's worthwhile. There's no right answer; it just depends on what fits energetically with your world and your wants. The role is only a role. The you inside the role is the real you — intrinsically worthy regardless of the role.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You'll face the thing you've been avoiding. It won't take as long or hurt as much as you imagine. Just dive in. At some point in the journey, you'll be met with what you need, such as momentum, support, resources and good company. Before you know it, what started out as a trudge will become a lighthearted process.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Ideally, you are your own soulmate. Your relationship with "self" can be the sweetest, longest, most rewarding relationship of all. Centering on your own needs will be the move that helps everyone this week. Self-acceptance and care set a positive precedent. You radiate confidence, humor and love.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You will observe people in a variety of circumstances and heed signals to their inner character. How a person treats service workers, children and the vulnerable is always the most telling indication of their integrity. It's no accident — you are surrounded by the best people because you find them, see them and choose them.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Rules, when framed as constraints, can feel like infringements on one's freedom and autonomy. But rules that are framed as features can add a sense of structure and safety to the scene. This week, you'll declare a boundary that helps everyone — a limit that's hospitable and creates a sense of order.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). How you approach daily life is unique, though you'll be the last to notice. People typically can't see themselves with the objectivity necessary to detect what's special about themselves. The curiosity, tenderness and initiative you bring to your tasks is remarkable, and it's why someone is falling in love with you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The uncertainty in this week will be both thrilling and dangerous. You can't prepare for everything. Life, like a winding road, hides what's ahead. You never know what's around the bend until you are in the bend. But you can drive at a pace that matches your visibility and gives you the time to react and adjust as needed.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). This week, your creativity thrives, not despite the problems but because of them. So the obstacles are blessings, not inherently but because of what they bring out in you. Your workarounds will be brilliant. Inside every challenge is a seed of greatness. You give yourself over to the challenge, and greatness grows through you.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: Welcome to your Year of the Wild Card. At least three times, the action takes a surprising turn, and you play it to your advantage like a poker player who was just dealt the best hand. You make money for your family, you advance your teams in both productivity and fun, and you twist fate before it has a chance to boss you around. Your moves are lucky, perhaps because you execute them with such love. More highlights: a transportation upgrade, a skill refined, and a certificate you've long been working toward.

Holiday Mathis' debut novel, "How To Fail Epically in Hollywood," is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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