Before a Retrograde

By Holiday Mathis

September 8, 2026 5 min read

Everything has its nature. Birds fly, fish swim, pigs also swim. Some pigs swim the ocean and even run their own beaches in the Bahamas. As Uranus stations before a long retrograde, don't be too quick to judge what others can do just yet. In the months to come, they are sure to surprise you.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Maybe your progress has been hindered by other people's perceptions of you, but likely it's your perception of you that has made the biggest impact and some of that is inaccurate. You're capable of more than you think you are.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Creating involves stages and steps that are much more fun to execute than they are to watch. That's why when you're creating, it's wise not to invite an audience until the end. Let the process be unselfconscious.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It would be physically impossible to give your attention to all who want it. And whether or not you realize it, you have a system for determining where to focus. What you learn today will help you tune up the system.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Rest allows you to catch your breath while your best ideas have a chance to catch up with you. The time you spend away from your responsibilities will improve the time you spend returning to them.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're always in the middle of a learning process. As long as you have curiosity, this will be you. The little frustrations that happen when you don't know what you're doing yet are badges of honor for the lifelong learner.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). One small improvement will make a real difference. For instance, a loved one's tone of voice can give you a new feeling about the relationship, a belief that you're allied and that beautiful things are possible because of this.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Today you'll be like a journalist with taste, hunting down the story just because it fascinates you. And if you're curious, you can bet others will be, too. You'll get to the truth of the matter.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You're moving fast and you'll experience multiple locations over the course of the day, so it's only natural for certain details to get lost in the blur. This is not a warning to slow down but a suggestion to adjust expectations.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It's worth learning what your project will be without the influence of others. You can always do new drafts later, but you can't go back to the original impulse once you invite outside feedback.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Imagine if everyone wanted the same job, admired the same people and chased the same dreams. Life depends on differences. You'll lean into those particular interests that fill a space no one else occupies quite the same way.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Last week, you were last-week-you. This week, you're this-week-you. There's no continuity expert who is going to complain if you're doing the character different now. You're allowed to change in whichever direction you want.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It's better to connect with a person while you have the chance than wait until you're ready. You don't have to perfectly present yourself. A story doesn't have to have an ending to be worth telling. People want the play-by-play.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 8). In your Year of the Faun, life dances with curiosity and playfulness. Even your most serious pursuits have their roots in enjoyment and your keen instinct for finding and sharing happiness. More highlights: A partner makes ordinary things more enjoyable and extraordinary things more possible. You'll be well paid for your judgment and taste. You create something once that continues earning long after it's complete. Sagittarius and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 19, 4, 20 and 33.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: P!NK adds another milestone to an extraordinary career with her first nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Showcasing the versatility that has made her one of entertainment's most admired performers, she also hosted this year's Tony Awards, which she deemed the "honor of an entire lifetime" as her own concert performances have been deeply influenced by Broadway music and staging. That can-do spirit is pure Virgo, strengthened by an Aries moon, Mars in nurturing Cancer and Jupiter in showstopping Leo.

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: Jakob Owens at Unsplash

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