Many around the globe think of the cow as a holy creature and a selfless giver because we can make so much with the cow's milk. The Taurus new moon on Wednesday is a strong dose of cosmic bovine energy, which is robust, determined and productive. The aspects made by Mercury this week also favor bursts of productive energy, even though Mercury is still retrograde. If you got it wrong, do-overs abound.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). A great distance exists between your current self and your younger self. It's not that you got off track with your youthful projections so much as life dispelled a few myths and you course-corrected accordingly. As far as what was lost along the way, this week offers a chance to go back and pick it up.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People can be bad at life and good at their jobs, terrible at loving and amazing at depicting love in art, socially irresponsible and personally devoted. You'll grapple with contrasts this week and be constantly asking yourself whether the benefits outweigh the shadow aspects of an interaction.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). To ask only the questions that are likely to elicit the answer you were hoping for is to indulge the ego's need for control. If it works, you'll be bored in no time. If it doesn't, you'll be frustrated. The real answer is to drop the assumptions and aim to understand people and circumstances for how they really are.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). As far as showing your work goes this week, you'll either hear overpraise or a view that's too critical. Put the work in a drawer instead (metaphorically, if said work isn't drawer-sized), and distract yourself with something else. Come back to it next week when your perspective will be refreshed and clear.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The environment you find yourself in this week is the kind of crazy mixed bag that requires you to be discerning in your choices. Don't trust the one who says this is "all good." The person who is cool with all of this probably shouldn't be trusted with scissors or money. That said, you can handle this. Just be smart.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You're still not really over the disruption that put you so on edge over the last four months. You feel that you deserve better, and you're not wrong. But you didn't become this awesome because of your easy life. Truly, the trial (which is wrapping up, by the way) has made you better. Take heart and keep going.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). "Be yourself," they say, as if it were that simple. It's a pretty special and amazing thing to find that sweet spot somewhere between your natural talents, the role you've been cast to play and the aspirations you long to express. You will accomplish that! You will settle in, if only for moments or days. But it's a start!

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The question arises: "Is this love?" And there are only two things to be said: "Yes" and "obviously." But that's not the best question. What you really need to know is how to proceed, how to meld worlds in a way that helps and feeds you both — and whether that's even possible at this juncture. Address the practicalities.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It happens a couple of ways. Maybe you were criticized too much in your early years. Or maybe you witnessed a role model criticize himself and you followed suit. This is an excellent cosmic moment to undo the damage, rewrite the script and start pumping yourself up instead. An air sign can help.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). To make a decision to document something is to become aware of it in a new way. It's a magic pathway to enjoying and appreciating life. To photograph, draw or write about a subject commands an intensity of focus that connects you deeply to your environment, the people in it and your feelings about it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Some ask, "What's in it for me?" at every turn, approaching life with a repellant and alienating selfishness. You, on the other hand, don't ask it nearly enough. Start advocating for yourself! Otherwise, you'll wind up resentful with little to give. This week, get in touch with your own needs and wants for a change.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There's an exceptionally busy 48 hours ahead of you. With so much work to be done, ponderous philosophizing seems superfluous. And yet, if you don't think deeply into the situation, all the busyness will be for naught. So you're right to ask the hard questions, such as "Why?" and "What's the point?"

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: This solar return shows you a new side of love. The magic of relationships stems from honest communication. Temporary situations turn into fixtures in June. You'll ink a deal in July. Lay down new rules for yourself in September. The physical strength you gain through training and eating better will give you the stamina to handle the pursuit of one of your biggest goals. This one will take a while. A mentor comes along in December to help you plan and manage the scope of the project.

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