In 2 million years the human brain has nearly tripled in mass, a pretty remarkable change for the species in a relatively short time. Mother Nature must have really thought we needed to get smarter — and quickly — in order to survive! The maternal Cancer sun is shining on the full, fatherly Capricorn moon, urging common sense and smart love.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). In certain situations it can be quite risky to say what you think and share your beliefs. But you have ideals you hold dear — things you'll stand for and fall for. Today you're willing to take that risk.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You don't have to invent your whole game. Borrow some of it, too. Other people's knowledge (especially on the topics of courtship, communication and business) will help you direct your relationships successfully.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Start where you are. This is different (and a million times more effective) than thinking from where you are. Thinking is good, but you need to make the start official with an action.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The last thing you want to be is that person who just doesn't feel complete without having all of the attention on them. If you have something to say, you'll say it. Otherwise, your mood is pretty quiet all day.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You are the landlord of your own head. Don't let others rent space there if they aren't going to be good tenants. In other words, your influences need to pay up. If they don't, kick them out of your head and get better influences.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There will be no understanding (nor will there be progress) without the benefit of multiple perspectives. The breakthrough will be induced by zooming way, way in then zooming way, way out.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Is the silence half empty or half full? Probably it's much more than half full. In fact, the silence will overflow with meaning and answers if you're willing to let it stretch out, unbroken, for a long while.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). St. Ambrose said, "No one heals himself by wounding another." Of course, this was before organ donation was a viable medical technology. Today a small sacrifice will be made for the healing of all involved.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Language makes things happen quickly. Without the right words, today's task will be difficult to pull off. But if you know the right thing to say at the right time, it will be a snap.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Would you rather be successful or popular? Unfortunately, you'll have to choose just one today, because the road to success will take so much focus there will be little time left for the social swirl.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're far too busy to grieve for what you don't have. You love and enjoy what you have. The more you use and appreciate it, the better things get for you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). On a spiritual level, mistakes represent tuition paid. Just as it is in school, a paid tuition is only the minimum needed for entry. It's up to the student to learn the lesson.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 8). Your friendly nature pays off in the way of fortunate opportunities that occur because you dared to break the ice with a stranger. There's also a treasure in the form of someone who acknowledges you often, understands you usually and is a faithful companion. Financial highs come in September and March. Taurus and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 40, 33, 39 and 15.

ASTROLOGICAL INSIGHTS: FULL MOON IN CAPRICORN. When the sun is in Cancer, the sign of mothers, it is opposite to the full moon in Capricorn, the sign of fathers. This parental cosmic configuration is a metaphor for creativity. This is a time when seed meets soil. It's the big bang for many things — projects, friendships, recipes, inventions, generations, destinies of nations and species...

Many of the gurus of creativity believe that ideas are like children in that they come to life through their parents but they aren't really owned by anyone. They are more invited than assembled. They are like spirits floating in the ether, waiting to be claimed and nurtured and loved. They are beings with lives of their own that may be tamed and otherwise influenced but never fully controlled. In this school of thought the originator of an idea can be largely, but never fully, credited for an idea or responsible for its life.

If you're ready for something new, this weekend will bring you creative good fortune. The ideas are hovering just above. There's no need to stress or try to come up with anything. Instead relax and make your mind and body an appealing place where felicitous manifestations would love to land.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Jaden Smith is guaranteed to steal and break hearts in the upcoming "Life of a Year" with co-star Cara Delevingne. Smith was born under a maternal Cancer sun and has a natal moon in Capricorn, the sign of fathers. His communication planet, Mercury, is in Leo, the sign of show business. Smith is not only guided by famous parents; he's also mentored by family friends Kid Cudi, Drake and Jay Z.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com/author/holiday-mathis and click "Contact."