Between Mercury's retrograde in Aries and an empathetic Venus conjunction, it's a week of noticing who your friends are. Some are supportive when you're up, but not when you're down, and with others it's vice versa. True friends are there no matter what comes. They help you celebrate wins, they mourn your losses and, if it could go either way, they will get down in day-to-day trenches with you to help you fight the good fight.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You'll gather wisdom from media, though wherever possible, try to get into the same room. Being in the room with people is like a vitamin in its powder form — whatever quality is there, it is more easily absorbed. There are opportunities out there for you this week that are about as perfect a fit as could ever be.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Remember when you made a mistake and later were glad you did? Maybe it's time for you to change the word for those. Because if it forwards the plot, it's not a "mistake," just a move. Stay in motion. Even if you don't know where you're going, forward is the way.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The obstacles are there, but they are also illusions. Ask more questions. Change the lighting, the angle, your proximity to the problem. At first, you may only get a glimmer of the illusion, but once you can see the obstacle as "not there" even for a second, there's no going back. Each step toward the block disappears it a little more.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your emotional connection is immediate with some people, and with others it takes dozens of interactions to develop, if it ever does at all. Truly, neither way is better. It's good to have many different kinds of friendships in your life. Being patient with whatever comes will lead to surprises and sweetness.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Once upon a time, a problem loomed so large in your mind you were losing sleep over it. Now, the same problem has very little impact. Little about the circumstance has changed, but the issue has been made very small by the lens of your mind. You will continue to effectively adjust in ways that provide ease and levity.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Spoil yourself. It will actually make things easier for everyone around you. By giving to yourself, you take the guesswork out of the equations for others. They see what makes you happy, what you need and prefer, and will follow your lead. Also, the people you meet through these acts of self-care will be an excellent fit.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you put yourself out there, get in the running, tell people what you want or give them your heart, there's always a chance things won't go your way. The risk makes life exciting. Going big is for the brave, but so is going at all. This week will require you to push through former limitations, and you'll have courage aplenty.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). When money comes with a price beyond its dollar value, something's got to be adjusted — the dollar amount, the accounting or the product being exchanged. What you do to pay the bills needn't feel so sacrificial. Balance your financial pursuits with consideration for your personal happiness. Time and relationships matter more.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The intensely beautiful emotions, for instance a rush of romantic love, tend to be idealized and simplified, but would you want it any other way? The complex nature of relationships will get all too real at times. Welcome those simple, blissful moments when they come. Abandon reason and enjoy; you can always go back and pick it up later.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Mutual respect is like a secret handshake between two partners in crime. As those fluent in the language of secret handshakes know, it can take trial and error to develop one and a few practice runs to get it right. But having the equivalent of such a tool will definitely pay off, bringing power and closeness to the relationship.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You'll come across a trend that's worth following — not because it's popular but because it will make your life work better. But with so many options, how will you know which one it is? Free trials are the way, but only if you organize yourself in such a way as to actually try things and, if they don't work, cancel in a timely manner.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It can seem like compatibility is some mystical state of spiritual and chemical agreement between people, but in actuality it can be rather straightforwardly observed through how well two individuals interact and engage with each other. Matches are there to be found this week in friendship, love, business and more.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: Life enrolls you in a kind of strength training, and you become mighty to an extent that brings improvements across the board. You'll also put your talent to use to help others be their best. More highlights: You will break through an unfair barrier and contribute good work in an area that was historically reserved for the elite. As a result, others like you will contribute and progress in the future. Your popularity soars, and you'll be pursued by those who hope for close relationships with you.

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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