Most of the animals — fish, bugs, reptiles — don't do much in the way of heavy thinking. Their brains are built mainly for the day's living and survival. Though you may find wonder, excitement and satisfaction in the higher mental processes, the Jupiter retrograde suggests immense benefits to turning them off to let animal wisdom take over.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The way to misery is absolutely simple. Set up an expectation. When it doesn't happen, voila! Misery! If, on the other hand, you do not have an expectation, good luck finding misery. Happiness is wanting what you have.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Today begins an uptick in support for you. Note the increased encouragement, constructive criticism, leadership and resources around you, and by all means, take advantage of it!

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It's as if today is a movie and there's an impressive cast, A-list all the way. The other characters will play their roles much to your satisfaction, but do keep in mind that they're only roles. Don't mistake the actor for the character he plays.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). An introverted mood rules the day. If you have to be around people, you'll be happy to stand back and watch them converse, compete and posture while you make your exit plan.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). People may change their opinions because more information comes to light or the circumstances shift — a change that represents strength. But an opinion that changes to conform represents weakness.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It's all going your way, so don't question it! Do nothing to interrupt the energy flow of a winning streak. Bonus points: Be happy! These are the good old days!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're getting good at something, and as you improve, expect to vacillate between humility and egotism. All states are helping you get better — that is, unless you stay egotistical for too long, which can only end in stagnation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Even though you intellectually know better, you still forget to set your goals solely around the things you can control. For example, the goal should be about not how many pounds you'll lose but how many calories you'll consume.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Talk is depleting, even the kind that never leaves your lips. Self-talk uses up energy you could be applying to getting the job done. Silence the board of directors in your head, and focus on doing instead of saying.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You've been able to float lately, showing up here and there with minimal commitment and impact. That's going to end soon, though, as life will bring a roll call. You will have to make a decision and be counted.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). To be important and known might be cool. But if you could do something important instead and never be particularly well-known for it, which would you choose?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Even if you think they know what you want, it can't hurt to make it even clearer. Articulating this will help you, too. As you home in on the most specific and essential elements of your desire, a new plan comes together in your mind.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 5). Life events will unfold as you had hoped they would, and then new hopes will texture the scene. Your efforts to be strong and able will pay off in the handling of a very important responsibility. April is wall-to-wall fun. May shows you different ways to make money. July sends you on an exciting chase. Libra and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 33, 4, 18 and 20.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: The fifth planet from the sun is 2 1/2 times more massive than all of the planets in the solar system combined. No wonder the mack daddy is associated with all things big and plenty. Most of the time, he blazes onward through the zodiac, casting his version of luck and abundance in the color he's passing through. But what about when he slams on the brakes and does the whole thing backward? Minimalism! That's what.

Whether a minimalist mindset comes naturally to you or not, this Jupiter retrograde period promises luck to those who entertain the idea that less may very well be more (if not all). Sooner or later, what you own starts to own you.

Much of society lives in relative excess. But instead of being comforted by the number of choices available on the regular, many find the options stressing. Analysis paralysis is a hot study for marketers, many of whom have come around to realize that having too many options leads to indecision and thus: no sale.

On a personal level, making life simpler saves time, money and energy. On the extreme side of it, the dream of living in the big house with all the stuff is being replaced by the dream of being a free agent, with the world as a home base. Jupiter retrograde seconds the motion.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Renowned star of stage and screen, Aquarius actor Michael Sheen has gained critical acclaim and box-office bounty playing real-life figures such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, David Frost and Tony Blair. His natal sun and Mercury's being in Aquarius shows a great social conscience. And the fact that his moon and Pluto are in Virgo suggests he pays attention to detail in a way that is necessary for executing accurate, compelling work.

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