In the last week of a Venus transit through Cancer, the sign of home and mothers, Venus turns up the maternal and domestic energy. The investments we make in the beauty, ease and comfort of home will continue to pay us back in the months to come. A midweek alignment of Venus and Jupiter brings immediate returns for efforts made to smooth relationships, forgive, forget and move forward with love in our hearts.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Here's something billions of humans who have ever walked the earth never got to experience: Stepping into a hot shower regularly. Washing with a fine-smelling soap. Seeing yourself in a mirror. This week, you'll experience these and many other luxuries, like feeling safe, interacting in good fun and love's sweet embrace.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Because brains build pathways more readily than they erase them, it's easier to learn something new than to unlearn something old. This week has you creating new thought patterns, doing different moves and committing to something fresh. Unwanted ways will become a thing of the past. They weaken with neglect and eventually fall off.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). People see a successful outcome and assume that the win was brought by luck. But the wins are more likely made from preparation, discipline, judgment, persistence or simply showing up consistently enough to notice the opportunity when it appeared. Luck tends to find people who are already in motion.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Noise, novelty, constant input and excitement will grab your attention quickly and create immediate engagement, but they can also exhaust your nervous system over time. This week, it benefits you to gravitate to calm. You'll find it less instantly rewarding, but give it time. You'll earn deep satisfaction from giving your mind space to wander and imagine.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). While contemplating his reflection, Narcissus got stuck there. Was it his beauty? The perfect glass of water? Human nature in general? The trap is avoidable if you keep moving. This week, you will focus intently on what you're doing, and you won't give a single worry about what you look like doing it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Seeing new places with someone will create a shared sense of discovery. Away from routine, people reveal different sides of themselves, form vivid memories and develop trust through experience. A change of scenery refreshes connection and gives a relationship new emotional territory to explore together.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). This week shows you examples of people pursuing things that won't actually fulfill them. Wanting well is an art. It takes wisdom to desire what will truly support your well-being. What you want will point in the same direction as what you need — brilliant. It will be easy to progress and sustain your momentum.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You love it when an entire day feels magical and cinematic. But meaningful experiences don't have to be long and sprawling to count. This week, one brief, concentrated moment will pack the same emotional power. Let go of the expectation of sweeping excitement and drama. Stay tuned to small moments of impact.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). This week taps your extraordinary skill for reading rooms. Effective communication depends on it. Instead of coming in strong with what you want to say, you'll shape your message to fit the audience. People respond well to you because they feel like you see, understand and care about them.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Sometimes you look back in fondness, and other times memories are painful. This week, you're happiest when you look forward instead. The challenges you face are not about understanding the past but forgiving it or accepting it to the extent that makes it easy for you to keep stepping into the beautiful tomorrow you are building.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Life isn't a simple board game with a clear set of rules. It's multidimensional, with countless paths and changing rules. But don't let the multitude of options overwhelm you. You know yourself. You know your values. This week keeps bringing you back to them. Trust yourself. Give inner guidance more credence.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You'll have just the right amount to do — enough to make the days snappy but not stressful. Opportunities are a bit hidden. But even when you feel like you're in a cave, there are gems to be mined. When you see the glimmer of potential, investigate further. Put some muscle into it. Carve out the time and collect the value.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: It's your Year of Celebrated Skill in which the universe simply won't let you take your many abilities for granted. It's true that amazing things you do every day are so familiar they feel ordinary, but this solar return shows how rare, useful and impressive your behaviors are as you add distinct value wherever you go. More highlights: Investments pay off, especially the ones that require you to commit to education — your own that you teach. Home enhancements give you security and fun at once. You'll have special relationships of closeness and excitement.

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.

Photo credit: Dawn McDonald at Unsplash