Compared to the daily conditions humans have historically endured, most people in the modern world live like royals, with amenities that would have been, in other times, so impossible they would have been considered supernatural — from shaved ice on a sunny day to indoor plumbing and round-the-clock entertainment. And now if we could only have the contentedness to match, we'd be golden. The sun and Neptune align in spiritual Pisces to help with this.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You'll strike a lovely balance between assertiveness and restraint. In fact, your approach in this regard is so nuanced, it's like a blend of spices all your own. You might be inspired to think of your thought processes as proprietary, like the secret recipe of Coca-Cola, or the original recipe of Col. Sanders.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Because you know your own power, you have no need to engage with obstacles that do not engage with you. Keeping your distance from trouble is wise. There are only two reasons worthy of your involvement — to defend the defenseless or to protect your own interests. Mostly, these will not come into play.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You are always interested in self-development. What you're not always sure about is which direction you want to take it. You've been known to say "yes" to things that scare you because you sense they will also grow you in just the right way. You'll do it again this week.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're a master of focus this week and will feel empowered to zoom in or out as needed. This helps you understand where you are in relation to other things. There are many around you who can't connect the dots because they don't recognize them as "dots" to begin with. You'll help people see the big picture.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Why are you attracted to some people and not others? Resonance. Someone's presence vibrates within your own depths. Do not chastise yourself for being attracted to the "wrong people." There's no such thing. You're drawn to your soul's best education. You will evolve from every interaction, as well as every conscious choice not to engage.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Love has many forms, tones and aspects. Though it's a force of goodness, it's also an uncontrollable force. This is a time to go slowly. Trust small doses of affection to build. Love often inspires you to choose what's good for the relationship over your own interests. Let this be a gradual move, not one big decision.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The more you like someone, the warier you are about saying the wrong thing or making an undesirable impression. Dare to share an unvarnished version of yourself. That's how you'll learn whether it's really a good fit. Regardless, you can bet that the real you is more lovable than anyone you could try to be.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). At first, you took on a task because it paid you. And though you may still be paid, perhaps better than ever, you're driven by something entirely different from money. You love how people benefit from what you give. Being useful feels wonderful, and making a difference feels even better.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You know what you want and you'll keep going for it. When one way doesn't work, try it on repeat. Next, change up the intensity, recipe or approach. No matter how many times you change tactics, you'll stick to the same goal. Because you're willing to come at it from different angles, you'll be successful.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). When you're in the swirl of a problem, you're losing some of your power to it. Can you detach? To take a step back mentally is a movement in stillness. It allows you to observe with greater scope and objectivity. It's a way to conserve energy or even to fortify yourself.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Even though you are perfectly capable of self-reflection, you are not the ideal mirror for yourself. It's like using a hand mirror. You can only see one small view at a time and then you have to mentally piece together a bigger picture — a process that is sure to bring distortions. Rely on friends, coaches and wise counsel.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You're on a quest to know and express yourself, to realize your full potential and to get the most out of your experiences you possibly can. Your path will intersect with one on a similar quest, and you'll walk together for a stretch. Collectively, you'll come up with effective solutions neither of you could have made work on your own.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: A year in which your mind grows in power, your body in vitality, your personality in magnetism. Your main way of bringing resources to yourself and others aligns closer and closer to your purpose. You'll offer clarity in the midst of confusion. Your counsel will be appreciated, and you'll be well compensated for it. More highlights: You'll be naturally drawn to the people who need you and who have much to give back. This emotional balance allows a clear channel of joy to flood into your world.

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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