Holiday Mathis

The moon moves into young Aries and then to a playful trine with the sun. Here come the fun and games! Note: Games are more satisfying when the players are well-matched. Like the bowling alley technology that erects guards in the lanes to allow beginners an avoidance of the gutterball, the cosmic influences aim to balance the odds.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Saying “no” will be more important than saying “yes.” This “no” will clarify the sacrifice you’re willing to make in order to have what you want and be who you aspire to being.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’re used to people thinking you’re amazing at something because you are. You’re also afraid that if they knew how terrible you were at other things, then it would detract from your reputation. That’s the part you’re wrong about.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You have a strong desire to learn, and it only gets stronger when you have an excellent teacher, an enticing model and an exceptional method. All will be made available to you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It’s wonderful to get your way immediately, but even more wonderful to get your way eventually, as the anticipation makes winning all the sweeter and gives you the sense that you’ve earned the reward.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You don’t know what’s in another person’s mind. However, if they keep showing up for you, then that’s a good indication that you figure strongly in their thoughts. This is an honor you won’t take for granted.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The newborn baby doesn’t cry out of weakness; the opposite is true. The crying announces life in all its glorious pain. Whatever emotion you feel, accept and embody it as the natural gift it is.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You have to ask what’s in it for you. Otherwise, you’ll be living and giving at half-capacity. When you know you’re getting what you want from an exchange, it will be easier for you to commit to delivering wholeheartedly.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Whether you signed up for it or not, you’re a role model. It’s not always fun knowing that people are watching and likely to copy what you do, but it does inspire you to make the best choices you can.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re always happier when you have outlets for your creativity. This time, you won’t have to go looking because the project finds you. Tonight, you’ll be rewarded for what you did ages ago.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Thoughts can be a kind of worship. To think of a thing is to pay homage to it. Repeated thoughts are veneration. If you are “worshiping” something accidentally, you’ll be empowered to change that.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People have different reactions to your curiosity. Some are flattered and want to be known and understood. Others are threatened, likely because they have something to hide. Take their skittishness as a warning sign.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your influence is more potent than you realize. If you aim for the kindest way to direct others, you won’t regret it. People really want to impress you and are wounded by anything less than your favor.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 24). You excel in your talents and do so in such an agreeable manner that you’ll be promoted, applauded and five-star reviewed. You’ll become more necessary to your various roles and jobs than they are to you — a powerful position to be sure. And you will be mindful to use that power for the good of all. Capricorn and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 44, 3, 19 and 50.

COSMIC QUESTION: “What is the best way to start a gratitude practice? I have read that it makes people happier. I could stand more happiness! But every time I start this, the habit never sticks. Maybe I’m just an ingrate. Can you help this ungrateful Capricorn?”

Nothing feeds the soul like gratitude. And yet, modern emphasis on the concept has taken it to a cliched place where gratitude can feel more like an obligation and a chore than the wellspring of joy that self-help gurus purport it to be. A task representing gratitude, such as writing a thank-you note or expressing verbal appreciation to someone who helped you, is often laced up in expectation about saying the right thing in the right way — hitting a note that will go over well with the other person. It can become an uncomfortable exercise in social skills rather than a source of uplift.

One reason for gratitude’s burdensome turn may be that many times the things we are expected to be grateful for are not things we actually enjoy. Asking ourselves to be grateful for them is akin to asking ourselves to fake emotions. Not everyone has natural acting talent. More on this tomorrow.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Katherine Heigl is strongly Sagittarian with four luminaries in this worldly sign. Sagittarius people are known for their high energy, love of travel, adventurous nature and cultural sophistication. Natal Jupiter in Leo is a secret superpower for navigating Hollywood. Look for Heigl in the soon-to-be released television series “Firefly Lane” about a friendship bond between unlikely friends.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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