It's said we're social creatures, yet social orders and rhythms don't always come naturally to us. Self-awareness plays into the conundrum. One wonders if the other social creatures on the planet are thinking, "How am I doing? What do the other birds in the flock think of me?" and so on. This full moon/eclipse/Mercury retrograde combo is an invitation to seek the relationships and environments where you can be totally, unapologetically, unselfconsciously, YOU.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Just because something is the right thing to do doesn't make it any less of an effort. And if your attitude isn't always gung-ho, that doesn't make you unkind or unloving — it just makes you human. Give yourself grace in those moments, knowing they don't diminish the worth of what you're doing but rather prove how much it matters.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You have a delicious spark of possibility in you. Your imaginings are not typical, and hopefully, you will see this for the gift it is and revel in the uniqueness and wonder of your own mind. Practicalities aside, having something exciting to daydream about is important. It reminds you that there are other ways life could look, other ways you could be in the world.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You're meeting emotional and mental demands every day, and you're still reaching for something gutsy — something creative and meaningful. A lot of people would just retreat into easier pleasures. You may envy people who have hobbies that feel lighter, but your happiness won't come from those things. You must follow what matters to you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're not lost. You're just in the thick of it. You're doing better than it probably feels. Find small ways to be gentle with yourself. If disciplines feel like oppressive structures, maybe there's another way in — through pleasure, through things that feel good in the moment and serve you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Though emotional states like yearning, desire and ambition are charged with a special energy, not having this intensity is quite nice, too. In fact, it feels like freedom. Without the constant push forward, you can be vividly where you are and, in many ways, understand it more fully than you would with an agenda burning inside you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You'll have clarity on many things, including relationship dynamics, the obligations you want to set down, the way self-care plays into your confidence, and the weight of responsibility. Seeing the problem is not a solution, but it's a start. Don't let it overwhelm you. Let it power new plans and experiments instead.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You have one of those tricky relationships that takes up way more mental real estate than you believe it should, but here comes the breakthrough. There's something in the way you're thinking about this person that feels less grippy, like you're gaining a better perspective without needing to force it. The result: an all-around lighter mood.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Oh, the constant gymnastics of trying to maintain peace with people who just don't get it. It's like you have to filter out the noise of their "helpful" advice and hollow gestures just to get back to your own voice of reason. The good news is you are resilient, with a terrific sense for connecting to the compassion and ever-abiding core of wisdom at your center.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). When emotionally drained or irritated, your body will try to find something to make you feel better in that moment. It makes sense to turn to certain comforts to try to soothe yourself. Look for outlets that are healthy and aligned with your goals for self-care. Being proactive in this regard will keep you from falling prey to short-term fixes that wreak long-term havoc.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It's time to hold the people in your inner circle to a high standard. To be met with dismissive or unhelpful responses from the people you should feel safe with can mess with your sense of self-worth and complicate how you see your own needs. You deserve to be in mutually supportive relationships. It's OK to expect better from certain people in your life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). What was once your ambition is now an action item in your week. Because it's new, the starting point feels unclear. Other activities — organizing the sock drawer, catching up with so-and-so — will seem far more appealing than taking that daunting first step. But once you dive in, momentum will carry you forward faster than you expect.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Remember how, in a past cycle, you dispelled a myth or two and course-corrected accordingly? Beliefs shifted, illusions faded. You're coming into a new but similar dynamic. Every time you let go of what isn't true, you clear obstructions to the view of what really is. Clarity brings you to the moment of power.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: You've been talented, you've been versatile, and you've been kind. But the quality that pays off in astounding ways this year is persistence. Efforts through the years culminate in one of your proudest moments. The success that once eluded you will now give you exactly what you want. More highlights: A chance meeting will have lasting impact. Recreation bonds friends and family. You'll envision a different kind of future for a relationship or an organization, and your creativity will be the spark that ignites change.

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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