If you swim with sharks, you either are one, or you need the gear to survive the dive. The solar conjunction to Mercury in vigilant, practical, detail-oriented Virgo is an omen for logistics, reminding us to gear up for the journey ahead. Whether this means sharpening your pencils or tightening the bolts, packing the lunch or buying the ticket, think ahead to set yourself up.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You'll be reminded of the strange beauty in unfinished work. Go ahead and leave your project a little rough around the edges and you'll also be leaving room for curiosity and input and possibilities you haven't yet thought of.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). With some conversations, it's been hard to find your way in. But here comes the opening, so take it and run. You have the chance to change the tone, make 'em laugh or make their day.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll be reminded that long-term love isn't about holding someone frozen in the version you first met. Seasons change. People shed identities, habits, ambitions... To stay in someone's life is a consistent witnessing and constant adaptation.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). What stands between you and what you want may be small indeed, but it's a barrier nonetheless. Small things can pack big fear inside them, but it's fear that can be overcome with a different mindset. The goal is still attainable.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There's challenging work ahead, and the expectation should be that you'll stumble or struggle at the start, because that's normal. But "difficult" isn't a stop sign; it's a cue to break the task into smaller, lighter pieces until each part is manageable.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Try out the new idea, and don't stop there. Keep generating new visions for what could be and keep trying to bring them to life. Dream more, try more. That's the formula for the change you desire.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll learn something you thought you already knew. This is the trickiest and noblest learning to do because it requires you to first recognize the gap and then be humble and reasonable enough to drop any accompanying shame, blame or embarrassment.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Analysis can burn more mental fuel than you expect. "Paralysis by analysis" is just running out of gas. Today, you don't need to solve or judge. Awareness alone is enough. Let the information exist without overworking it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Healing isn't an arrival point. You'll meet old triggers again, but with new awareness, patience and humility. You'll never be above being human, and that's the beauty — to keep showing up, fully and intentionally, for the life you're in.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Writing and reading will expand your sense of life and feed your soul. There's a lot of absurdity in the way things are unfolding, and the more you learn about the world, the easier it is to accept and even laugh about what's going on.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Acceptance changes your energy. You stop trying to fix anything about yourself. Your "flaw" turns into a feature, and it becomes part of your power. Your confidence fills rooms and draws people toward you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When energy dips, movement will be a better wake-up than stillness. If your body's willing, push through; momentum has a power of its own. Step away too soon, and you may lose the rhythm that's carrying you forward.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 13). Welcome to your Year of The Heart's Wish. One new habit starts the actualization and seasons of building and gathering until a new lifestyle is born and the dream becomes real. Your values and good character are driving this plot. You'll be a volunteer and advocate. More highlights: A reunion — you've both grown in beautiful ways. A fully-funded deal. A big sale. Taurus and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 2, 20, 18, 1 and 11.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Virgos are naturally inclined to help others and often do so quietly, which has been the way for many of Niall Horan's charitable efforts, which include supporting autism awareness and organizing benefit events for various causes. True to his down-to-earth Virgo-ness, Horan said, "I'm just a normal guy with an abnormal job." The chart-topping One Direction star was born when the moon and Venus were in Leo, indicating a natural-born entertainer. The One Direction star is currently working on his fourth solo studio album, and is back as a coach for season 28 of "The Voice."

Holiday Mathis' debut novel, "How To Fail Epically in Hollywood," is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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