Around the turn of the 21st century, the original purpose of Memorial Day had begun to drift, from honoring fallen soldiers to barbecues and department store sales of linens and towels. In 2000, a bill was signed establishing a nationwide moment of silence to honor those who gave their lives in service to the ideals that make American life possible. The Mars-Pluto tension underscores themes of sacrifice and consequence, echoing the gravity of this remembrance.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It can feel like days are spoken for before you even arrive in them. Deadlines, logistics and people's needs have you squeezing your own activities into the margins. A new vibe is coming — one in which you prioritize interesting things of your own choosing. It doesn't require becoming a different person, just changing the structure around your time.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Mistakes are a normal part of life. They prove you're interacting, moving and shaking, doing business, taking risks, really living. Address mistakes quickly, fix what you can and keep moving. The way you handle errors becomes part of your reputation as surely as your wins.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You've the superstar instinct to end things on a high note. A good way to accomplish it is by naming what went well and why. This trains your attention toward the positive. Account for your good experiences and decisions, and name the helpful actions and outcomes. Cherish the bonds and share the feelings. Much is going right.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Protect your time like it's part of your brand. It really is. Good time management helps you keep your appointments, make your deliverables and oversee smooth operations all around. Avoid overextension at all costs. It will cause missed details and rushed thinking. A full calendar doesn't impress; dependable output does.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're used to your habits, your usual ways, the version of you that knows how to run the day on autopilot. That part likes what's familiar, even if it's limiting. When you try something for the first time, it's normal to feel awkward, nervous or resistant — telltale signs of being in new territory. Keep going and this too will become your "normal."

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You may feel like you have to sell yourself today when you didn't have to yesterday. Marketing is simply making it easy for the right people to find and understand you. Say what you do, who it's for and why it matters. Repeat it until people know you. They'll start to think of you and how what you do fits in with their life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Strong feelings affect your perception. Before you act, take a moment to check in with your emotional state. If you're feeling "some kind of way" about what's going on, press pause and walk it off. That will ground you and help you respond in a way that reflects your values rather than a momentary impulse you're having.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). This week, you'll let go of something that's been tying you into looping thoughts and patterns of obligation. Letting this one drift won't be nearly as hard as you thought it would be. You'll instantly have the space to think, make moves and be more powerfully in charge of your own destiny.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There's something you'd like to do that you still feel quite unequipped for. You assume there's a recipe or some kind of instruction manual, perhaps a teacher — but when you try to find it, you come up blank. This is the universe telling you the answers are within, or that you'll learn them by doing.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You'll question what you were taught. Sure, it's worked thus far, but the future has new challenges — challenges that require you to innovate and build on what works for you and what you've discovered all on your own. The week ahead shows you putting beliefs to the test. The truth holds up while the rest crumbles around it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You'll notice when someone isn't quite who you hoped they'd be. Once that's clear, you stop trying to stretch them into the role and put your attention where there's more to work with. You'll use the experience to inform future decisions and get better at casting people in roles they can actually fit into.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Information can be received, but not knowledge. Knowledge is relationship with the information — an integration that is far too complex and personal for simple transference. This week features a very satisfying learning process, and you'll thrive as you apply, test and practice what you know — intelligence embodied.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: It's your year of Talent Optimization, in which your natural gifts take root in the perfect atmosphere for their thriving. The experience of doing what you seem built for is an experience of calm joy and easy commitment to the moment. Because the sensation of being in flow is satisfying, external validation feels unnecessary, yet you'll often be acknowledged and encouraged along a path. More highlights: You'll request and receive more money, you'll alter your schedule for greater ease and less commuting, and you'll sign three important contracts.

For more Holiday magic, visit HolidayMathis.com. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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