What animates a being? Does it maintain its essence beyond the life of a body? Did it exist before the body was born? While beliefs about the nature of the spirit are deeply intertwined with broader cosmological, theological and metaphysical frameworks — and certainly, interpretations vary significantly — a sense of renewal dances through the themes of this Pisces new moon week. Venus joins, too, all leading to a Neptunian conjunction.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). There's work to be done, all of which counts toward your improvement. In the same way that lifting weights builds muscle mass, processing information builds intellectual capability. As for strength of character, that comes either through enduring hardship or via your efforts to help, elevate and celebrate others.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You see the deals to be made and are extremely adept at negotiating and sensing the bargain to be struck. But even as you maximize your prospects, you acknowledge the truth of the matter — the best opportunities are never transactional, rather it's what happens in the exchange of emotion that matters.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). In every ending is a new beginning. Even so, getting through the passage takes a lot of energy. Transitions can look deceptively easy from the outside, but they require a combination of surrender and strength that can be tricky to muster. Fuel yourself with the rest, nutrition and compassion to assist the best possible outcome.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're learning! It is better to get these lessons early on in a process. When everything is new, you can be excused for not knowing. Also, gather up your first impressions and keep track of them because they will be meaningful to you later and important to your education.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You'd be perfectly happy to go along with things the way they are, but something is preventing you from doing so. It's as though the universe just doesn't like a particular direction for you and is steering you differently. And though it may not be clear for several weeks, you can trust how these subtle nudges are shaping a beautiful future.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). It takes a certain boldness to ask for what you want. Children often have the nerve before they've been discouraged or told it's impolite. This week, you'll overcome your reservations and speak up to express a desire. You also realize that everyone juggles their own obligations and commitments, so you release expectations.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Sophistication allows you to simultaneously hold conflicting facets of a situation within your being. For instance, you may doubt the correctness of a methodology and still respect the ones who follow it. You may carry out a tradition that, logically speaking, makes no sense. It is love that often makes such things possible.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). In the same way the wing of the bird evolved to launch into the wind, you are changing and growing to find new ways to support yourself and get where you want to go. This week, it's a matter of adjusting your position to find the angles that will make use of resistance and turn it into lift.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). While it will be strategic to bring a friend or entourage to the occasion where others are doing the same, it will be equally helpful to venture out alone to key events. You'll sense when it's better for you to show up in the fullness of your individuality so you have flexibility to move toward opportunity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Don't use approval as a guidance system. Even at its best, from someone you admire, approval is still a fleeting and precarious measure of success. Come up with your own measures by which to determine success — principles that will not change according to things like mood or trends.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). To focus on what's new, different or dangerous is a natural function of human thought that has kept the species alive for thousands of years. Even so, you'll go deeper this week, be more aware of nuance and have the kind of insights about the mundane world that elevate your experience and contributions.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You've lived your life as a passionate person. You've earned certain badges of emotional development. You're not too worried about what will happen if you love too much, get hurt or appear foolish because you've been there so many times before and have felt the love, adventure and wonder that make a risk worthwhile.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: The year brings a pattern — you grow and let go, grow and let go, becoming stronger and lighter at once. You have a timeless understanding of the complexities of life. Your wisdom extends beyond your years, and you'll have a profound impact on others as you live and love to your own code. The relationships you nurture will be the start of a network that will sustain you and others for years. Fitness endeavors will build your mind and body simultaneously. Work with people of different generations will be fulfilling.

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.

Photo credit: Cristofer Maximilian at Unsplash