Fractals of a Retrograde

Just when we think we know the ins and outs of a situation, we discover new doors and hatches. And if we think we know how a person will behave, they will invariably bring the surprise that makes us wonder if we ever really knew them at all. This is the lens of a Saturn retrograde. It's safe to assume that it's not safe to assume.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You strive to have zero lag time between the time when someone needs you and the time you arrive on the scene, ready to help. Quick responses convey affection and tell people they are important to you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Do not underestimate the power of a group of humans with a singular purpose. Today, the collective instinct of your group could put ants to shame, if they had such an emotion, and if they don't, the lack of shame is something that aids production for all.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Virtue is attractive. Vice is attractive. But one is only attractive in sprinkles, and the other is the whole cake. You know who is good for you and who isn't. The good for you people will be your sweet sustenance now.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Neatness is not inherently better than wild chaos, but it's what you need now to make the day run right. If you take two hours to clean things up, it will be worth 10 hours of smooth production.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Feeling restricted is a good thing because it implies that your spirit is bigger and stronger and aware of your ability to do much more. You'll be set free, or more likely, you'll find the tools you need to cut yourself free.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You'll handle complex problems, mostly without thinking that you're thinking. The stress only comes when you don't want the same goal as the people around you want. It's not something to remedy, just something to note.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). "Friends are born, not made," said writer Henry Adams. Maybe it was true in a time when social skills were enacted in real time, but modern connections are more work than Henry Adams could have imagined -- also, worth it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The cosmic tide turns toward an inevitability. You'll share more than you expected or wanted to. It's not because you have loose lips. It's because you have a big heart, full of intent.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You can speculate about a person's character but it is best proven through action. Apply the principle. Challenge yourself to do the thing that proves your strength and kindness.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The pressing question will cause you to take things apart to see how they work. This is more than physical tinkering and will more likely involve concepts, stories and people -- asking the questions to really get to know what's going on in your world.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Problems can fix themselves, sure. They can also become non-problems because people get used to them. Who you are right now and what you want in this moment is real and deserving of the energy it takes to solve a problem.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You have better things to aim for than the myth called "balance." Things are always toppling in one direction or another. There are moments it looks pretty. That's balance -- an illusion of time, space and perspective.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (June 30). Whatever dreams you have that are still floating in the mist, you'll bring them down to earth and live them one at a time this year. More highlights: You'll level up your style, cutting out what you don't want and living what you do. You get to know a network that's more "net" and less "work" because you're surrounded by supportive givers like you. Aries and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8,10, 4, 44, 28.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: He has the clout to endorse whatever he chooses, and Michael Phelps chooses to put his star power behind the star of our solar system with his endorsement of solar panels. Focusing on what's available and using it to its maximum potential is a theme for Phelps. The world's most decorated Olympian, he was an anxious youth in need of an outlet for his abundant energy. The champion swimmer was born under four water-sign luminaries.

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.