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These first days of the Mercury retrograde remind us how life rarely unfolds in linear, idealized paths. Most people end up living their best stories in chapters they didn't expect. Remember there are many valid, fulfilling routes to getting to any particular destination, not just the one that culture, ego or our early fantasies locked onto.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You can't fake chemistry. You know this, but it's wild how many people still try. You feel it instantly -- in art, in conversation, in a stranger's glance. Trust your aesthetic radar. It rarely steers you wrong.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Sure, you could talk around the issue so thoroughly that the original point gets lost, but it's a strategy you've outgrown. You're in a phase where clarity is more important than avoiding the discomfort of honesty. Anything less than true communication would feel like self-betrayal.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Certain relationships have developed into something so consistent, so predictable, they've readied you for something a little more surprising. You'd like to be challenged, and you will be, in just the right amount.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The day brings an awareness of how you give love, not per quota, but as a part of yourself, ongoing -- an endless lease in your heart. You'll show love with service, through gifts, and mostly just by prioritizing their happiness and well-being.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're tired of things that glitter with promise and deliver nothing but complication. Today, seek the plainspoken, the under-designed, the unpolished gem. The soul of a thing will speak to you before the packaging does.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). What you're holding in your body affects your mood, and sometimes much more than you realize. Where does tension cluster? Where is the ease? Before you talk, before you act, scan the system. There's wisdom in the unspoken signals.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). There's money to be made, but the real payoff is not so obvious. Stay tuned to shifts in power and key information handed through the side door. Stay alert. The most useful information will be traded in whispers.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your powers of discernment will continue to serve you well today. Don't be seduced by the wrapper or distracted by clumsy packaging. Tune into the intent behind the words, the vibe behind the visuals, the energy behind the smile.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You're cool even when emotions come in hot. You don't have to slam the door. You don't have to blow it up. You can just... slow the rhythm. Delay the return text. Skip the call. Let the silence speak, as it most certainly will today.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Anything that went wrong in the past was a lesson you either already learned or will absorb in time without further effort. There's no need to keep processing, digging, ruminating. Take control with a simple shift in focus. Forward only.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You advocate for your needs without demanding others sacrifice theirs. You deserve to have your time respected, your creative priorities honored and your evening protected so you can show up where you shine.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). How do you know you can trust someone? The proof is in how they show up over time. Same with you. Don't worry about the core goodness or character traits or anything too mystical. Look at the record, and do what it takes to have a good one. This is about logistics.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 18). Welcome to a year of connections, creative fuel and emotional refuge aplenty. You are the reason people feel better, and they'll credit and celebrate you for the profound impact you have on their lives; what could be better? More highlights: Colorful collaborations with unique results, exclusive arrangements catered just to you, events you can't believe you've finally been granted VIP access to. Capricorn and Libra adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 13, 1, 11, 20 and 6.

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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