Mercury in the social sign of Gemini reminds us that the need for attention is baked into the human experience. But getting attention isn't always so straightforward. Asking for it directly is like a comedian standing on stage and literally asking people to laugh — which either doesn't work or isn't sustainable. We enter a cycle of meeting attention needs with playfulness, mischief and wit.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Organization is the name of the game today. You'll decide what matters, then give each thing a place and a time. Scattered effort becomes directed movement. You begin to see more of your time as something you can arrange, not something that happens to you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). It is within your power to take a relationship somewhere it's never been before. So lead the way. You can bring the magic by simply asking a deeper question, veering from the default plan or saying something more honest than usual.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Ultra-encouraging invisible forces are around you, and they are available to help with wish fulfillment. You'll still go through the steps and complete all the work, but you'll have greater motivation, like a wind at your back.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You not only share what inspires you but you add to it, give it a spin and move people with your fresh take. You'll never know the extent to which your ideas connect and lead to real changes in the world.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You weren't the problem, but you still want to be the solution. The world is changed by people who do more than their share. The trick is to find balance. Know and respect your limits to avoid burnout.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Intuition works best with thinking, not instead of it. You'll get useful signals from your instincts. Pay attention to them, but check them against reality. The best choices come from using both your gut and your judgment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You are in a position of leadership. Many will benefit from your organized, direct and efficient manner. There will also be those who are intimidated by this unless it is served up with great warmth and gentleness.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When is neglect a good thing? When you're neglecting what's unhealthy or unhelpful. When you're ignoring what's no longer relevant or necessary. When you're letting the husk fall away to the wind behind you, eyes ever-forward.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You're safe to go with your feelings. Saying "no" is your prerogative. So many very successful plans include a whole lot of "no," which puts you way ahead of anyone who said "yes" and didn't follow through.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Knife makers spare their noses by sharpening the blade without getting too close to the grindstone. Likewise, you will avoid dangerous friction by getting a bit of distance from the work. Objectivity is the safest point of view.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It's one thing to get advice you can act on, but it's another to have the time, tools and support to follow through. Too much unused information can overwhelm. Start with one move you can complete today and build from there.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It's said that a lie told often enough becomes the truth. But of course, it doesn't really. Real facts cannot be transformed by what people choose to believe. Insist on truth-telling today, especially from those who wrongly benefit from convenient lies.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (May 17). It's a Year of Collecting. Objets d'art and curios, adventures and romantic moments, investments and skills — you decide what you want, focus and make it happen. You are especially drawn to what helps you appreciate time's natural process and honors the beautiful fragility and strength inside you. More highlights: love expressed differently, histories discovered, and participation in fancy and memorable events. Pisces and Aries adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 12, 17, 30, 2 and 7.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Ethereal, atmospheric creations such as "Orinoco Flow" continue to captivate listeners decades after the song opened up the pop charts to enchanting new sounds in world music. So adored, mysterious and possibly reclusive is the Irish artist Enya that she made news by merely leaving her home in Manderley Castle to attend her sister's funeral. Enya was born when the sun was in Taurus, the sign of the voice, while the moon and Mercury were in Gemini, the sign of communication and trends.

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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