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The way we think about stress changes it from a condition to avoid to a condition to play with. Beauty is born in tension. It's the conflict in a story, the colors that pop side by side, the mechanisms that make music possible. Today's double oppositions are guitar strings suspended across the neck of the universe, inviting us to strum.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You don't feel the need to be in the spotlight all the time, and if it were required of you, it would only drain your creativity. Instead, you focus on what's happening now and let your work naturally find a home, whether it's in the light or behind the scenes.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Every human has an ego. You usually try to keep yours in check, but if it's fighting you, there's a reason. It needs more attention. Get ahead of this. Giving yourself what you need will prevent you from leaning on others to fill your cup.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). It takes experience to realize when expectations are set appropriately. Even so, unreasonable expectations made by someone who doesn't know any better can be just the thing that makes magic unfold.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The ebb and flow of emotions is the undercurrent of every relationship. "You can steady your own boat, but you can't control the tide" is a statement that is true for many, but because you're a moonchild, you have special magnetism pulling for you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You've helped others with your wisdom, touch and kindness. Trust that the same healing power is moving through you now. Also relevant: Your body built itself in the womb, and there's no reason to doubt its natural ability to fix itself.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). While it may be appropriate to consider the value you create for a company you work for or a community you are a part of, note that this has nothing to do with your inherent value as a person, which is something you don't have to create because it is your birthright.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Measurements are all relative. Someone will always have more or less of what you desire, but the quantity really doesn't matter. Happiness, effectiveness and success are about things like fit, meaning and how it all connects in the bigger picture.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In your world, waiting around isn't a thing. You're always filling in the so-called downtime with a productive task -- for instance, organizing the pictures in your phone. When it's time to take a breather, really take one. Don't fill it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Expectations are the foundation of every interaction. The power move today is to manage your own expectations well and get ahead of other people's expectations to guide how they set them.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You're in the mood to cut the dead weight, clear your energy and chase a single burning goal. It's easier to be tenacious when you're well supported in other areas of life and not hauling emotional baggage.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It takes maturity to get comfortable with gradual progress, but the more you count the small wins, the more they count. Day-to-day movement forward will contribute more to your success than a sudden sweeping victory.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The problem of the day is new to you, but don't be too quick to call in the expert. A small amount of research will bring you three solutions to try before it's worth it to consult a stranger and pay for the answer.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Nov. 18). You'll choose your paths with clarity and confidence, feeling grounded in your decisions and knowing that each step is taking you toward a richer, more fulfilled life. Some routes feel circuitous, which is only so you can learn them better. More highlights: Family bonds deepen, a project brings you public recognition, and love flourishes in unexpected places. Cancer and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 16, 3, 18, 9 and 31.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Known for his improvisational abilities, many of Owen Wilson's funniest film lines are the ones he makes up on the spot. The quirky comic icon was born when three luminaries were in Scorpio and three were in Libra, the perfect balance of stinging wit and social acumen that lends itself to compelling portrayals of character types such as lovable scoundrels and charismatic criminals.

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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