The tug of tension between Mercury and Jupiter lingers, recalling the paradox in responsibility. It seems like the opposite of freedom, but the more we take responsibility for, the more we can control. And that sense of control gives us freedom from helplessness. This is the gift of this Libran solar journey — a perspective to help us balance and integrate our daily work into a bigger picture.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You're willing to take things on, follow through and own the outcomes. Responsibility signals maturity and reliability, and that naturally earns respect today. People see your capabilities, and your influence grows.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Joy can get blocked not by its absence but by our own judgment of it. Don't overthink or criticize what makes you happy. It's not silly if it works for you. Second-guessing is a needless interruption of the natural flow of pleasure.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Your interests shift. Attractions change. Curiosities get satisfied, and then new ones spark. You're easy with it all today, allowing yourself the leeway to explore and the freedom to move along according to your own timetable.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Don't worry, you're not missing the point. The point is yours to name. Sure, the journey may meander, but you always end up somewhere, and you're the only one who can decide if it was a hit or a miss.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Many of the responsibilities you have now were once things you wished for. Your present reality is built from past dreams. Seeing it that way transforms drudgery into appreciation.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Where many are struggling, resources of empathy, time or money get stretched thin, and the compassion fatigue is real. Today it feels like everyone's battle is competing for limited attention. It's why your deliberate act of noticing matters so much.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you decide to do something, it's as good as done. That's why it will be wise to take your time with decisions, test them and gather opinions from experienced folks. Your well-executed plan pays thousands.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It's hard to present information without bias, but the closer you get to impartiality, the closer you get to wisdom. Today you'll be very aware of the tension between perception, emotion and truth.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Sometimes you gaze into your own glory, and sometimes you avoid mirrors. These fluctuations signal health. You are leading the examined life, and therefore it is normal, necessary and even wise to weather periods of uncertainty.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). When it feels like you're existing but not quite living, you take it as a signal to push yourself to experience more. Uncomfortable? Sure. But that's also how you know you're doing it right.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Honesty takes a specific kind of courage. Those inclined to please and flatter might not be up to the task. You can get directness if you ask the right people for it — children, the elderly and those who have nothing to lose by saying the truth.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Feeling angsty? Not necessarily a negative. Angst is part of your motivation and creativity. You don't need to grow out of your feelings; you're growing with them. They keep you alive to mystery and art.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 2). Welcome to your Year of Perpetual Sunniness; your stellar attitude is perfectly matched for challenges and pleasures alike. You're drawn to acts of service that make a difference. You courageously commit to correct action and follow through. More highlights: expressions of heart, creating special events and a contribution to the education and thriving of youth. Sagittarius and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 12, 1, 19, 45 and 32.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Kelly Ripa is celebrating her 25th season on "Live" and moving to a new studio location for the show's next era. Like a Libra, whether she's acting, hosting or producing, Ripa radiates charm and relatability. With natal Sun and Uranus in breezy Libra and four luminaries in Scorpio, the "Generation Gap" host shines in each new project with her never-ending Libra enthusiasm and sparkling sense of fun.

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.

Photo credit: Vedrana Filipovi? at Unsplash