It's an enduring image: The soldier comes home from duty to flags waving, signs held high, parades, celebration, and embrace. Today, Mars comes home to Aries. The atmosphere crackles with initiative. Wandering energy suddenly knows where it belongs. Choose a direction. The next move doesn't require perfect planning, only courage and motion.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Today is a groove. Your life is music. Your interactions are rhythmic and right in the time signature of the world. You contribute, create it, walk and dance in the tones that feel like home — sometimes classical, then pop, then jazz... mostly indie.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You'll be attracted to true confidence, which presents itself in a low-key way. A credible person won't try very hard to convince you of anything. They don't need to, because there are plenty of people who have already bought in, and there will be plenty more to come.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Being great at business doesn't make someone great at relationships. Athletic skill doesn't guarantee emotional maturity. Domains have different rules, different muscles... but certain basic principles apply universally. With consistency, patience and delayed gratification, much will come together for you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). There's something you want to fix, and suddenly it feels like the problem can't wait. Starting is the hardest part, but then you'll make quick work of it. You'll be direct, stating what you want, giving clear instructions and getting it done.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). What is trust? It's just a prediction. Trust is essentially the belief that someone's future behavior will resemble their past behavior. You'll give your trust today because you think you now know what a person is likely to do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Relationships bring out your creativity, and that's why people find you so fetching. You don't just show up hoping to fill the role; you show up with the burgeoning creative energy to make it your own.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It is someone's actual job to search for extraterrestrials in a scientific way. You may relate to them today as you search intently for a distant affirmation. In both cases, the probability lines up: It's out there. Hold on to hope.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When thinking about what to do gets boring, it will be refreshing to think about what you're not doing. Today, your noes are more powerful than your yeses, because they open up your time and energy. "No" is a liberation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The thought appears: "Maybe I should try that again." Alas, whatever you left behind was probably left behind for a reason. Try to remember what it was. Assess what has changed since then.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). When things settle, they settle into balance. They settle into loveliness. But you have to be able to see it. The most beautiful thing there is to observe that today will occur naturally. Instead of seeking beauty, you find it by observing all as it is.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Healthy relationships need both connection and space. Sometimes the work is getting closer. Sometimes the work is stepping back a little. You're the one who can sense which adjustment would feel better right now.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Many will get the information today, though few will apply it. This will give you an advantage, as it's in your nature to try things. You'll make the time, create the scenario and go for it. Action, not education, creates change.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (April 9). It's your Year of the Streamlined Endeavors when your efficiency and alignment with goals makes for multileveled success. Working in a group of like minds and diverse talents, you'll build something big and meaningful. More highlights: Your passion becomes a job. A series of fascinating encounters makes you consider writing your memoirs. You'll be a consummate host, and you'll also be received by wonderful hosts. Cancer and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 6, 46, 50, 42 and 8.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Elle Fanning glides between indie films, fashion runways and sharp comedic turns such as her acclaimed Catherine the Great in "The Great" or Margo in the upcoming series "Margo's Got Money Troubles." A child actor born in the sign of youth, Fanning grew into daring, playful and self-possessed roles with her signature mix of radiance and nerve. Fanning's natal chart features the sun, Mercury, Mars and Saturn all in the realm of the warrior.

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: Daniele Colucci at Unsplash