ArcaMax

Since the unpredictability of relationships is a given, why waste time trying to figure out who is right, wrong, truthful, delusional or anything else? The move is to simply trust that each encounter serves a purpose, even if that purpose is not immediately clear. In the aftermath of a tense square of Mars and Neptune, hidden patterns and meanings will be unveiled.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Wherever you go, aim to be fully present. It's naturally harder when you get roped into going places you had no intention or desire to see in the first place. Your efforts to engage and make the most of these situations are admirable.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Your attitude of defiance is more than a rebel spirit rising up in you. When you question the norms, you change tomorrow. Deviate from what's expected of you and you become an agent of progress.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Don't worry about what's popular or who is supporting what. Instead, focus on what's right, true and helpful. Oddly, you're very likely to get the support just as soon as they sense you don't need it.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Some struggle to align their tone with the typical expectations and norms of their surroundings. You'll have compassion for all. You'll be part of a developing awareness and the adaptations it invites.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). When you ask, "What would (insert idol) do?" you might just as aptly be asking what the best version of you would do. The answer will be clear to you, and you will fulfill the order to the best of your ability.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). There's a tendency to mistake our own personal knowledge as "common knowledge," but it isn't so. You know things that others don't, and those things have value that others would gladly pay for.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). People can be as addictive as substances. Each good feeling you share deepens your groove together. You'll nurture the connection, growing this source of comfort and joy and raising your overall well-being.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). An adrenaline rush can go in a pleasant or unpleasant direction, depending on your interpretation. Lean into the thrill of this kind of energy spike and memories get made.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Everyone is unique and exceptional in their own way. You'd rather not have to judge, compare or assign value to anyone's work. What you're looking for is a good fit. If it's for everyone involved, the other qualifications are irrelevant.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If you think someone's answer is "no" but they are saying serving "yes/maybe" instead, trust your gut. Hear it as a "no" and move on. It's a waste of time to hang around for weak communication and flakiness when you could be finding a better match.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It is often your policy to trust people until they give you a reason not to. But sometimes, said reason is simply a feeling, which is valid enough. Open-door policies are best managed with a screen so you can see what's coming and keep the bugs out.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The kind of help you can buy may very well be worth the money, but what you can do when you take dollars out of the equation will be much richer. Get to know people. Figure out what you need and want and what you might trade to make it happen.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 3). The year brings quiet and contented moods as often as it does adventurous feats of heart, travel and entertainment. Your work contributes to a major improvement, and you'll get the awards to validate. You'll make attempts without wondering if you'll be good at them and achieve amazing results regardless of skill level because your timing and sense of trend is on point. Taurus and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 20, 4, 48 and 1.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Literary rock star Malcolm Gladwell has made contributions to journalism and literature that influence people's understanding of social dynamics, making him a prominent figure in contemporary thought. The prolific Virgo sheds light on overlooked or misunderstood events and ideas in the podcast "Revisionist History." Like a Virgo, Gladwell says, "Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good."

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.

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