Welcome to the sun king, who enters Capricorn, and a happy winter solstice to all! Here's the paradox of the season: Sunlight is increasing, but it's still a promise — we can't yet see it. That's what the Capricorn sun asks us to do: Take it on faith, and power on. Somewhere in the cold ground, a bulb patiently pushes against the hard earth.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Bringing people together is your forte. Call, write and generally use your influence. Tonight, your mind must oversee your heart. A romantic impulse may be unwise.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Loved ones share crazy sounding ideas with you. No need to be too skeptical. Find the part of the plan worth supporting. Love the ambition, even if you don't totally get it.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). In order to be well served, you first must serve others well. And to make it even more challenging, you probably won't be acknowledged for several weeks. The reward for getting the job done is that it's done.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your stars are right for effective networking. You can make connections easily without even trying. Don't over-sell yourself. People get a good feeling from your understated style.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Old rivalries pop up for another round. You'll find interesting ways to even the score. Talk nothing of your recent accomplishment, and let it speak for itself.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 21). Your creativity is strong this year. and you use it to improve your life in every way. Your call to action comes in the form of an important need in January. In February, loved ones will be surprised and delighted by the depth of your talent. Share with a bigger audience in March and April. Money luck comes in June. You hit it off with Libra and Leo. Your lucky numbers are: 50, 11, 28, 5 and 27.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). What you get may somehow fall short of your expectation. This is an opportunity for personal growth. See what happens when you play The Opposite Game and give love when you feel like giving criticism.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Let nothing infringe on your peace, including people who seem to take up all the air in the room with their constant yapping. Go where it's quiet so you can plan a beautiful weekend.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It's not hard to figure out where you fit in, though you might not like the role you've been taking on. Just because you agreed to something in the beginning doesn't mean you have to keep agreeing.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll roll easily through moods, from highly energetic and social to introspective. Tonight, notice who helps you grow and who enables you to stay where you are.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It's not necessarily comforting to know that you are the center of someone's world. It's a lot of responsibility, too! Listen carefully to the signals you're getting, and respond quickly.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Limbo-land opens her gates to you today. Waiting is the worst — get active, building an interesting life outside of the main event. Fresh air can do wonders, so go on out the door and enjoy it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Still waiting around for someone to deliver as promised? It's worth the wait since this person's organized and methodical way will make your journey easy.

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST: ARIES: You take a stand on family matters, and they do matter. But taking a thing on principle isolates your partner. TAURUS: Sometimes you have to look past an obvious criticism to hear the good intention behind it. Now is one of those times. GEMINI: You know it's the thought that counts, and they do, too. But you so appreciate gift-giving. CANCER: Your empathy keeps a tender discussion from becoming overtly prickly. LEO: Travel involves one crazy hoop after another, but when you finally get there, their expectant love makes it all worthwhile. VIRGO: Allow your good-humored playfulness to make an appearance at a social obligation, and others happily oblige the fun. LIBRA: A feeling of belonging is the better part of home. SCORPIO: The shortest distance between you and the ones you love is an open mind. SAGITTARIUS: Traditions take on new meaning when you start one of your own. CAPRICORN: A primary relationship needs your sensitivity and guidance, which you happen to have in spades. AQUARIUS: Before asking another to accept your wounds and weaknesses, you need to see his or hers, too. PISCES: Someone from the past pays you a visit, and you're so pleased they did.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Quick-thinking Gemini's feet barely touch the ground, while Capricorn remains firmly planted in terra firma. Capricorn models consistency of character to the restless twins. The twins teach the goat the value of laughter and change. In this student-teacher relationship, when one makes up for what the other lacks, they discover the best of both worlds in each other.

Holiday Mathis is the author of "Rock Your Stars." To write to her, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Holiday Mathis page, or send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.