Long ago, you bought fool's gold and getting it so cheap was a thrill — an experience best had but once. Now that you know what things are worth, you'll look past what glitters and get your hands dirty searching for what's real. On a day seemingly devoid of meaningful aspects, the industrious Virgo moon stands out with a no-nonsense message summed up in one word: Work.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). "Don't judge a book by its cover" was said in simpler times when covers were either expensive or not. These days the countless artistic choices that go into packaging are often an accurate indication of what's inside. Judge away.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Things have occurred that you didn't deserve to have happen to you. Acknowledge this truth, and if there was a lesson in it, assume you already learned it — no need to keep processing, digging, ruminating. Onward — ever onward.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You decide who to trust by noting how they show up over time. This is no time to be distracted by ideas about core goodness, soul ties or anything too mystical. Look at the hard data. Facts won't lead you astray today.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Even genuinely remarkable people may be living inside a curated identity. People choose their words and angle toward their best light. Tune into the intent behind the words, the vibe behind the visuals and the energy behind the smile.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). What seems like a bad mood is actually just stuck energy. To find it, do a body scan. Locate the tension and touch it. You intuitively know how to release the bind and open so joy can circulate once more.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). A lot of mundane maintenance comes with just existing. The people who are actually "into it" have the most opportunity for joy. Enjoy the challenges in cooking, cleaning, fitness, emotional hygiene or finance? Then today will be a blast.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). A lucky change of circumstance calls for a fun rewrite of your plans. You can keep the heart of it and adjust around that. A good outcome has many possible routes, and today's detour will be more interesting than the original idea.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The stability of your closest relationships has given you a secure base, and now you're ready for someone or something less predictable. The challenge ahead will feel stimulating and manageable — enough to wake you up without overwhelming you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll be among those with fragile egos and high sensitivities. Too bad it's so risky to be honest. Though the truth happens to be an uncomfortable one, it's time to either share it or distance yourself from this scene.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Someone falls outside the official borders of your responsibility, yet their welfare matters to you. You'll step in because your conscience has a wider jurisdiction than any job description. What you give changes their path and strengthens your own.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You used to think about the day you would finally win at a particular game, get to a number on the scale or restore the balance in a difficult relationship. Today you may remember the era in which this mattered so much to you and note the current level of importance: zero.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You give love as you feel it. But you also give love in acts of care that do not read as particularly emotive. Giving someone a ride or filling their plate count. Walking a dog counts. Doing the dishes counts, too.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Oct. 8). In your Year of the Healing Touch, you've a nearly miraculous gift for restoring both physical and emotional vitality. People (including you) feel better because of your work and presence — remarkably so. Your profound impact will be celebrated and rewarded. More highlights: Collaborations with unique results, temporary access to different lifestyles, two items checked off the bucket list. Capricorn and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 1, 19, 24 and 6.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Bruno Mars is proving once again why he's considered one of the world's greatest entertainers, captivating audiences on his global The Romantic Tour. Libras have a gift for creating harmony, and Mars has turned that instinct into unforgettable collaborations, timeless songwriting and electrifying live performances. As he sings, "At night when the stars light up my room, I sit by myself talking to the moon."

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: James Day at Unsplash