Despite all the lights, colorful decorations and merry singing designed to lift the spirits (or perhaps because of these things), there is a part of the general population who becomes sadder around the winter solstice. With this in mind, stock a little extra love in your heart for those who need it. After the longest night, things will start to look up again.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Unlike bears, cougars and sasquatches, humans are social animals who are best suited to spending time in groups. This is where you'll find the greatest satisfaction today — among a small number of kindred spirits. Enjoy!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). To adopt the disguise necessary for "fitting in" is to deny the real you. So don't worry about fitting in or not. Honor who you are and you'll find you can get comfortable in many different situations.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Not all stress is harmful, especially if you don't think of it as such. You can make stress work for you today. That's what it's there for, after all. When you hit that tense moment think: "This is happening so that I can ..."

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The direct route to making friends is often, oddly, not as effective as other ways. But as you decide what else you want in your life and act on that, you'll get human contact as a bonus side effect.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You believe in the value of what you're doing. Hold on to that as you go. Sometimes your action will be popular, sometimes it won't. Don't worry about how you're being seen or thought of or experienced by others.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Hypothetical scenarios rarely play out like real life. To get the twists, turns and thrills, you have to throw your whole self in, not just your mind and imagination. It is only through interacting with others that you'll find out who you are.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Remember when you didn't afford someone the benefit of the doubt, and you turned out to be wrong? This memory will play into today's scenario. Anyway, now you'd rather be wrong and kind than right and unkind.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In general, you just want to lighten up, and this can be accomplished in a number of ways. Take the pressure off of your to-do list. Get more help. Take breaks to visit and laugh. It's the practical things.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). As much as you try, there are no guarantees that you can control your experience so you won't suffer. And yet, it is often the case that when you don't try, you don't suffer, either. It's more like a ride. You let go and enjoy it.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It's easy to point out how things could have been done better. But to initiate an action and follow through, this is the proof. You'll show your integrity and strong character at every turn.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The time for thinking about it is over. Decide. Are you willing to take the risks necessary to getting what you want? In order to get the fruit, you have to go out on the limb.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You work in the world of the mind, and you play in the world of the heart. One person brings these two worlds together for you, and that's a beautiful relationship, certainly one to be appreciated and celebrated now.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 21). You'll put a great deal of yourself into your friendships, and one special relationship will create many opportunities for adventure and financial gain throughout 2017. You'll win a contest in February. There's a chance to change your family karma for the better in March. June and August bring the financial opportunity. Sagittarius and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 17, 20, 31 and 22.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I'm madly in love with a Capricorn girl born on Christmas. Her ex left her, and she is having a hard time getting over him. We dated for six months, and she now wants time off to get over her feelings for the other man. I'm a Gemini. Do you see us getting back together?"

Sorry, Gemini. She's a Capricorn woman, and she has already made up her mind. Lyle Lovett even wrote a song called "She's Already Made Up Her Mind" that explains it all: "There is nothing so unwavering as a Capricorn woman/ When she's already made up her mind." OK, I may have added the "Capricorn" part. But don't give up just yet. There is hope. Use your Gemini charm — on another woman. Yes! Capricorn gals are fiercely competitive, and she'll probably fight to get you back. (Don't lead this other woman on, though. That's not only bad karma; it's just bad manners). For more love advice questions answered, check out my book, "Rock Your Stars."

CELEBRITY PROFILES: The winter solstice often falls on Kiefer Sutherland's birthday, and though this second generation superstar was born right on the cusp of Sagittarius and Capricorn, he is in fact a Sagittarius with Venus in Capricorn. The international influence of Sagittarius is well-represented in Sutherland's early life, as he was born in London and was granted both an English and Canadian citizenship.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com/author/holiday-mathis and click "Contact."