The ancient Romans believed that before the world became complicated, there was a Golden Age ruled by Saturn. The seasons were gentle, life was abundant, and people lived without war or the daily struggle to survive. It's a myth, of course, but Saturn's retrograde still asks an interesting question: When you picture your own Golden Age, what does it look like? And what would it take to spin some of that gold into your days?

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You're changing whether you're paying attention or not. Paying attention lets you have a say in who you become. To avoid accidentally drifting into becoming something you never consciously chose, make sure you're the one steering. Then the growth is emerging instead of happening to you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Some people have a quality of attention that makes the moment feel fuller than usual. When they're with you, they aren't rushing ahead, checking out or dividing their attention. They are there. That presence changes the experience of time itself. Seek such people. Be such a person.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Are you thinking too small? The way to test it is to see how big you can make things in your imagination. Pretend you have more resources. Pretend you trust your ability more. Then ask: How big can I make this? Let life show you what you're capable of.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Humility is strength in disguise. One of its greatest forms is intellectual humility. People who assume they already know stop looking. But when you accept that there's always more to learn, even familiar places reveal new dimensions. Success will come from questioning your own assumptions and seeking other viewpoints.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Are your wishes practical? Well, the realms of reality are different for each person. What's within reason for you is outrageous to another and far too small for someone else. The only question worth asking is whether the dream is big enough to excite you. Walk toward what you want, and reality will expand to meet you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Independence is admirable, but it isn't always the smartest move. Outsource tasks — not because you can't do them yourself but because it's good to give someone else an opportunity to feel connected to you. Some relationships deepen not because of what you give but because you let someone give something to you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The first version of a relationship tends to become the template for what follows. You're writing the precedent. Today's "sure, I can do that" becomes tomorrow's job description. Since the habits you establish now could become the default for years to come, it's important to set them according to your strengths, desires and boundaries.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Identity can work more like preference than philosophy. It's like tasting food. You don't sit down and decide whether you're a cilantro person. You eat cilantro enough times, and one day, you think, "I guess I like this." This week, you keep coming back to something. It fulfills a need, even if you don't yet know what that need is.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Imitation is the flattery that feels like an insult. Being copied can be irritating when it seems like someone is taking your ideas. Yet the act of copying also acknowledges you're worth copying. Someone will mimic you this week. What it really means is you're doing something noteworthy and it inspires people.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Spend as much time thinking about how people will experience your work as you do creating it. Whether you're giving advice, making art, leading a meeting, decorating a room or writing an email, the delivery will be part of the gift. This week, a small shift in tone or presentation will make all the difference.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You know what's worth jumping into and what to avoid at all costs. This keeps you productive and purposeful. Like a diner who leaves room for dessert, you leave room for fun, and so you shall have it. You also have a sensor for when the fun has hit critical mass and it's time to bail before the denouement.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The person who understands the assignment will have the greatest impact. You want that to be you. Leaders have an assignment, too: setting the direction and helping each person contribute their strengths. This week, knowing when to lead is a strength. Knowing when to support someone else's leadership is one, too.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: It's your Year of the Ongoing Party, and you're the host. Whether it's a group or a party of one, you'll pick the menus, the music, the activities and the invites. You're constantly inviting fun, integrity, meaning and feel-good choices. You'll often be surprised and delighted by who shows up to celebrate with you. More highlights: A windfall with family ties, an achievement that goes down in the personal history books, going deeper with a hobby and significantly raising your skill.

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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