The very nature of a dream is that it's nearly impossible to live up to. The question, as Pluto pulls across the sky from the sun seated smugly in the proud realm of home and country, is not whether we've embodied our ideals; we haven't. The question is, How far off are we? Can we adjust? And what needs to happen to shore up the difference?

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It's a lucky time to invest in your own education. You'll gravitate toward results-focused programs and teachers. If it can't produce a measureable outcome, it's not for you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You'll use the finite resource that is your mental energy to focus on what is completely under your control and be indifferent to the rest. To focus anywhere else is to rob yourself of power.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Don't wait for people to give you feedback or money or any sort of validation. Ask for what you want, request what you need, and adjust your offerings along the way until you get the response you desire.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It is possible to upset yourself by judging a thing as good or bad. Ask the following: Must I judge? Who am I to judge? What would happen if I just kept going as though this were none of my business?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Instead of jumping to the next trendy thing that has the potential to take off, hang back to see what happens. You're better off using the tools, methods and teachers that have a proven track record of success.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Guilt by association is a real danger, though easily avoided by a simple decision to keep your distance from the mischievous and troubled, as loveable as they may be.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). This is one of those days when your purpose is clear. It calls to you, and instead of taking a roundabout journey of discovery, you need to go straight to the source of that call.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). One-sided relationships are no fun. There are plenty of reciprocal situations out there to explore. So if a person, place or thing isn't giving you anything back for the energy you put in, keep moving.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You get to decide where to place your attention. Though there are very strong influences outside and inside of you, also present will be the option to override or ignore those forces, favoring other choices.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Spoiler alert: At the end of this week, you'll understand that performance matters far, far less than relationships do. You really can't go wrong by giving quality attention to the ones you love.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Because you're curious, empathetic and open to new experiences, containing and protecting your own energy is no easy task for you. You'll have to consciously prevent it from draining in leaks and bad investments.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Helping a powerful person feel good will be the best way to increase your own power. The opportunities abound. Don't ask what's needed. Pay attention, spot it, and jump in with an assist.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 14). It's terrifically validating how in-demand you are the remainder of this year. When this has to do with business, you'll be paid handsomely. The start of 2020 brings a much needed break and creature comforts followed by an influx of exciting inspiration in February and a travel schedule that kicks off in May. Aquarius and Taurus adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 34, 2, 28, 47 and 6.

FORECAST FOR THE WEEK AHEAD: Considering the Pluto opposition, the lunar eclipse and full Capricorn moon, and the strife between Mars and Saturn, we can pretty much count on the fact that serenity will be hard to come by. Happiness isn't something that just happens. It takes work, but it's doable with the right approach.

It helps if you want the right things — that is to say, the things that you can make happen. Train yourself. When you want something you do not have agency over, change the focus of your desire. For instance, you cannot control how much weight your body sheds in a given amount of time, but you can control how much you exercise or what you put into your mouth. Center your desire around that with an affirmation like, "I'll exercise 6 hours this week."

Another example is that you may want a person to love you or hire you, and, of course, you have no control over what another person does. But you can center your desire in such a way as to wish to be unrelentingly pleasant, interesting and capable around this person. That's an aim you can control. The bottom line is that happiness and effectiveness go hand in hand when we train ourselves to want things that we can actually make happen.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Adored as the world's nastiest P.E. teacher on "Glee," the Emmy-winning Jane Lynch continues to deliver nonstop and irresistible comedy with a packed schedule including several voiceover projects like the movie musical, "UglyDolls." Her sun, Mercury and Venus in Cancer highlight the sensitive nature Cancer comedians (like Sofia Vergara, and Jennette McCurdy who once played Lynch's daughter) are famous for.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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