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When a lot of your time and energy is already being directed by outside forces such as caring for others, meeting deadlines and fulfilling obligations, it's only natural to feel compelled to rebel against your own goals or routines, just to feel like something is under your control. Who could blame you for trying to reclaim agency in a life that sometimes feels overly dictated? It's a very human move.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Left unchecked, your active mind can spiral into worry. The way to stay grounded isn't by trying to stop thinking, but by deliberately shifting your focus into visualizing what you want to happen and then staying there, mentally developing that dream.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Today is a good day to stretch toward someone you don't "get" yet -- an effort that also stretches your heart, humanity and ultimately your resources. The more you can know, understand and accept about people, the more capable you become.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). "Drink coffee. Do stupid things faster," says the sign that's funny because it's true. Energy without direction is chaos. Before you rev the engine, chart the route. A solid plan turns momentum into progress instead of a mess.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). A mural can turn a plain wall into a view. A book can turn an ordinary day into an adventure. When the excitement isn't occurring naturally, you add it, for instance, by talking with someone new, which is a window to another world.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're leaning into your passions and interests with a fresh wave of enthusiasm. Collaborate with people who help you focus or spark ideas. Learn about other systems and methods. Eventually, you'll form a practice around these discoveries.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You're always game to challenge your assumptions, expand your perspective and become a more well-rounded person. That's why you're in a strong position today to see things clearly now. You'll spot opportunities, anomalies and the red flags that others miss.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). People state opinions like they're gospel, or latch onto the one part of the story that supports their view. Today hits at the core of selective truth and the way people build narratives out of fragments that flatter their beliefs.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Complexity abounds. Even within a simple decision such as choosing to eat better, there are dozens of tiny, invisible decisions embedded -- what to buy, when to prep, how to store it, etc. In all things, try to streamline the path forward.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You want more freedom, but the key might be in giving it. Loosen your grip, release control, and let things breathe -- a relationship, a process, a timeline. Your trust changes the dynamic. The results will pleasantly surprise you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There's a lot coming at you, but it's not your style to just endure it. Decide what gets your attention and what doesn't. Protect your energy like it's an asset -- because it is. The right boundary will be your best investment today.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Someone's response (or lack of it) doesn't define you. You're offering something original, genuine, maybe even ahead of its time. Stay connected to your own values and vision. The right people will resonate -- and they'll show up soon enough.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your imagination is a place where impractical things can and should happen. If it doesn't defy the rules of your current reality, it's not big enough. Try on different fantasies to see what fits. It's a way of shopping for your future with no obligation to buy.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 3). Compassion, graciousness, social conscience, duty and love in many forms have fortified you. But it also has stretched you thin at times. This is a year when you finally return to feeling strongly rooted and at the center point of your own power, confidence and life. More highlights: You'll make three big sales. You'll learn a skill that pays off in surprising ways. You'll laugh with new friends. Capricorn and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 16, 27, 6 and 31.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Literary rock star Malcolm Gladwell is in pre-production on an upcoming podcast project about Barack and Michelle Obama. The Virgo intellectual's contributions to journalism and literature have influenced people's understanding of social dynamics, making him a prominent figure in contemporary thought on overlooked or misunderstood events and ideas. True to his sign, 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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