Another Retrograde Down

The start of the year was remarkably retrograde-free, and then Mercury pulled the Retrograde Fools' Day prank and got the backward ball rolling. Next up, Pluto will take his moonwalk move on May 2. For the record, Venus is the only planet that doesn't retrograde this year; the love goddess has opted out of the shenanigans, opting for a year of love and beauty served without the twists.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Making others happy won't feel like enough. It's the way you do it that will matter. Part of you wants to handle things in your own signature style and be recognized for it, too. It's not too much to aim for, and a very natural thing to want.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Life's adventures demand a toll. For the treasures you chase, you'll pay the price willingly, even if it's high. The key? Calculating costs upfront, so your struggles have purpose.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The theme of the day is, "Tell me what I don't already know." And though you will have to kindly listen to many more "known" things to get to it, you'll finally land on the golden nugget of novel information that makes things interesting again.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You'll step into the role of supportive friend. Your understanding offers invaluable validation. Your ease in relating to others stems from the times you've been able to accept compassion from yourself and others.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your adaptability is a strength, but don't switch plans too often. It's important to figure out if your original strategy will work with a little more patience or persistence. Feedback will be invaluable.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Consider that some amount of tension is healthy for a relationship. It wouldn't be very compelling otherwise. How much -- that's the question. You'll reflect on aspects of relationships you normally wouldn't think about.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're coming into your own. People are listening to you better, asking for your opinion and letting you call more shots that matter. Money may be involved, but of course money isn't power. How it's used is what matters.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Mentorship is a necessary part of going to the next level in an endeavor. It will center you in a certain way to report. Finding the right mentor is less important than just choosing one. You can always change later.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Socializing will be part of the work. Step back and take a good look around the room. Who do you think would be good to know? It doesn't take you long to get a sense of people today; 15 seconds can do 80% of the job.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Love will not be in the mood to follow the rules. Opposites won't attract, meets won't be "cute"... somehow, at the end of the day, you'll feel closer and more connected to others than you were at the start.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Here it comes again, the urge to rebel. Does it count if your non-conformity affects only you? A person who has control over their own process, to whatever degree it's possible, doesn't feel a strong need to control the lives of others.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). With a little tinkering, things will smooth out. A few domestic tweaks, plus your upbeat way of communicating them to whoever else is involved in their execution, will make for a more pleasant experience at home.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (April 25). Oh, the cosmic grace of other people's needs intersecting with yours! You'll often get your wishes on the wings of your generosity to others. Fascinating plot turns where love grows increasingly honest and connected. More highlights: myth comes alive; encounters with the legendary, a leap to the executive realm, and a sacred, endless promise. Gemini and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 10, 14, 7, 21 and 32.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Whether the character is murderous as Pam Hupp or glamorous as Judy Garland, Renee Zellweger has Oscar-winning shape-shifting capabilities. Zellweger was born when the sun and Mercury were in down-to-earth, determined Taurus and the moon was in Leo, the sign of entertainment. "I remember just lying in the grass, staring at the clouds, wondering where they drifted off to after they floated over Texas. I never would have imagined that one day I would follow one of those clouds and find myself in Hollywood." -- Renee Zellweger.

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.