ArcaMax

The Mars retrograde emphasizes how useful it is to know what people want. The ones that tell you up front honor you with the directness of their honesty, saving you time and making your options obvious. Those who hide what they want may want too much, or they want something that is not in your best interest to give. As always, heed intuition.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Brevity flatters almost anything you pick up today. Make quick work of tasks and communications and you'll breeze through the dutiful part of the day, leaving plenty of room to stretch your time around the enjoyable parts.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Belonging isn't about fitting together seamlessly, rather it's a willingness to seek harmony in the imperfect and tolerate the edges that don't quite align. The ideal moment to start friendship is the moment you think to do it. Seize the day.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You trust the one you're following. You trust the universe. You trust yourself. And yet, moving forward still may seem a bit scary. It's OK to fling your arms wide open and keep your eyes shut.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Just a reminder: You're inherently interesting and worthy, so you don't need impress anyone, nor should you attempt to hide anything about yourself out of fear of being uncool. Embrace your quirks. They're your superpower.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A return on investment is not a selfish thing to want. Maybe you should even expect it today. After all, you gave everything that was asked of you. If you gave in the right direction, you'll either get back or feel like you don't need to.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). While you're deeply moved by recent developments, it feels incomplete unless you know someone else is sharing in the benefits. This is why you'll reach out and share the bounty at every mile marker of your journey.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). A reputation is like a pet or a child. It's called "yours," but it has a life of its own. You didn't create it, and you don't total control it, but there's much you can do to influence it. That's the work of the day, which you're well equipped to take on to successful effect.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You're really onto something. And when you start to get a little tired, push past it. The good stuff is on the other side, after the slump and the arrival of your second wind.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). One way to rev up the stress levels is to think life should be something other than what it is. One way to calm the stress levels is to think the way things are is mighty fine with you, and perhaps even mighty fine in general.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Originality will count for many points today and could make the difference between being chosen or not. Luckily, uniqueness is your strength. No one else carries your exact blend of hopes, memories or fears. What you have can't be replicated.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Sometimes when you sense tensions that others don't seem to be aware of, you think you might be imagining it. You're not imagining it. But it's not just you who is sensitive to subtle conflicts. It's just that no one is letting on.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Telling your story well will put you in a position to win friends and business. But beyond the connections, storytelling is how you remind yourself of your own power and purpose. Others will listen, root for you and see themselves in your success.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 5). Hard challenges are for you. Your drive to make a difference has you claiming them on purpose, knowing you're up for it, sensing they'll make you great -- and you're right. With legendary resilience, you'll keep coming back to the task in a new way until you've figured it out. More highlights: an intriguing mystery, tender connections, and rewards that surpass your expectation. Scorpio and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 13, 39, 2 and 1.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Her layered portrayal of complex 1960s housewife Betty Draper in the acclaimed series "Mad Men" rocketed January Jones to stardom, and her Capricorn talent for strategy keeps the fascination going. She'll tap into her natal Leo planets to turn up the dramatic thrills in the upcoming horror film "Altar." Known for her elegance and confidence, Jones also has a charitable side, advocating for marine conservation with Oceana and supporting community initiatives such as the Los Angeles Mission.

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.

Copyright 2025 Creators Syndicate Inc.