The zodiac is born in spring with the sun's entrance to Aries. This fresh solar zest reminds us that though life involves what's required, expected and requested of us, that's only the half of it — and not even the good half. It's what we do beyond the request — what we ask of ourselves — that will matter most this first week of the Aries sun. The sun and Venus align in the sign of the warrior's heart, offering courage to the quest.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Problems in and of themselves are not necessarily draining, though there are some approaches to problem-solving that are downright exhausting and other approaches that energize. You'll come at things with curiosity, which is its own kind of fuel. Keeping the intensity and drama lo-fi definitely helps, too.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You see the same external circumstance many others are seeing, but your experience of it, and the meaning you draw from it, will be so different that were you not to share on the topic, an important voice in the matter would go missing. So speak up, knowing that others will have to shift to absorb what you say.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll make the mood better by making better moods. You're excellent at this, not so much because it's an innate, magical power but because you quite practically observe the elements of a good interaction, take note and repeat the behaviors that seem to be contributing to harmony. As a result, you look like a genius.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It's true both realistically and metaphorically: People who are carrying a lot have a really hard time opening doors. This week, you'll find yourself in a position of choice. You either put things down for a minute so you can twist the knob of destiny, or you ask someone to open for you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Weird question: Do you like the way you sound? Most people are, at first, surprised at their own voices. We hear ourselves so much that we don't. Even if you're confident in your voice (and not just the one that comes from your vocal cords), you'll still develop and sharpen its uniqueness on this week's challenges.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Do not underestimate the necessity of a witness. Being seen and heard is a basic human need. As a species, humans were not built for solitude, and to hit the limits of alone time is to feel a kind of hunger. This week, you will be company to others who need it and find that your own needs are met beautifully as well.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Counting the cost isn't the same as paying the price. In fact, this week it very well may be the case that those who are counting aren't paying, and those who are paying aren't counting. Your sense of justice will be called on. You'll jump at the chance to advocate for someone one who clearly needs a champion.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It will be tempting to stand with the others and say what they say, which is by far the safest move. But there's a different voice in you, too. It's not radically different, but it's different enough to change the conversation. Since the conversation really does need to change, inserting your honesty will be best for all.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). What you bring to the party this week is more than sufficient. If it doesn't seem like that, it's likely because you are comparing yourself to a picture on a screen, a magazine page or a secondhand story. Fake, fake and fake. You're too close for an accurate perspective. Let friends weigh in from afar.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There's no need to stockpile your thoughts and more reasons than ever to give freely. Creativity is communicable. When you're around idea people, you'll have more, they'll have more, and everybody near is touched with the transmission. Sidenote: You're so supportive of others, that they'll rely on you for props.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You do demand quite a lot from yourself. Where there are problems, you try to see opportunities. Where there is chaos, you impose order. Where there is muck, you build a bridge so that you and the others can cross over without getting into it. The weekend brings the kind of luck you don't have to work for.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Just when you think you know what people are going to say and do, they surprise and delight you. Of course, this is only true if you get in there and connect with a few of them, which you will this week. It takes more effort and technology these days, but the efforts you make will definitely pay off.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: Your intuition and creativity will be rewarded many times over this year. You improve things around you and will be generally and generously focused on others, which brings you all good things — things that would be out of reach to someone primarily concerned with furthering the self. You'll learn from stories you hear and even more from stories you tell. You'll be changing those somewhat because you see your history differently and will be highlighting new aspects of yourself going forward.

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