In motion, drag is resistance — the force that slows a racer or, when applied asymmetrically, steers a plane. In life, drag works the same way: resist what you don't want and you don't just slow down — you veer off course, fighting forces instead of flying free. This week is the first of the year with no cosmic drag from retrograde planets. Mantra: "It is within my power to apply or eliminate resistance and go where I want to go."

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Unexpected encounters lead to fortunate discoveries and meaningful relationships that significantly influence you, leading to a lasting friendship or collaboration. An emotion known as kama muta will be evoked, a Sanskrit term meaning "moved by love," which intensifies the bond.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Moods don't change just because they are inconvenient. This week's emotional influences can seem all-encompassing. And though you may strongly identify with what you're going through, you also recognize on some level that there is no feeling in the world with the power to define you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). This week sets up some cliff-hangers. The suspense is not about whether you get what you want or not; it's your feelings around this acquisition — uncertain, unexpected and unresolved. At least this gives you something interesting to sit with. It's also a sign of your progress in this continuing story.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Some of these old ways of thinking aren't working for you anymore. You're open to trying something new, even if you're not entirely sure what that is yet. With flexibility and a willingness to experiment, much is possible. So what if the answers don't come right away? Keep trying things on. Something's bound to fit sooner or later.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Trying to keep a lid on the inner turmoil can be exhausting — the wilder the emotion, the harder it is to keep inside. It's better to go where you can liberate what's on your mind and in your heart. With the space to shift, settle and transform, the very feelings that are so exhausting to contain will organize themselves into the turbines that energize your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your endeavor is alive. How can you tell? It possesses unique quirks, just like everything growing. There's nothing more interesting than a work in progress today, and you might be surprised by who's falling in love with your imperfect charms. All will be revealed by Thursday. The weekend promises a wild ride.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Because you see the world from inside yourself, you may not realize the crucial role you play as the cohesive force within a group. You're the glue! Your warmth, kindness, inclusion and creativity are major reasons people show up. Embrace the role this week because, if you didn't provide the reasons for togetherness, the connections wouldn't happen.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Uninterrupted personal time is rare and valuable. Instead of waiting for a free block of hours you can do whatever you wish with, you'll create that space on your own. Once you figure out how to carve out this time for yourself, it becomes something you can repeat more frequently, empowering you to take control of your schedule and priorities.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You learned your sense of responsibility from those around you — some by setting an example of what not to do, and others by embodying the qualities you now strive to uphold. This week, you'll have plenty of chances to show care, service and protection in a way that reflects your respect for others. What you give will come back to you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Glorious self-sufficiency is a theme. As a cheerleader who empowers, you positively influence people's perception of their own capabilities, and you do this for yourself as well. Someone around you may seem to feel helpless, but be careful not to foster dependencies. It's better to take the time to teach than it is to provide help that's not really needed.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Your happiness doesn't depend on a change of circumstance, nor does it require a change of cast. All that needs to change is your reception. There's something here you can work with — something acceptable, even enjoyable. A simple internal shift — nothing drastic, just a small step toward the light — and you're golden.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Time is supposed to prevent everything from happening at once, though in your case, it will seem to fall down on the job this week. Snafus of scheduling, overstuffed agendas or ambitious aims make it seem like everything is happening simultaneously. Just pretend the remote control is in your hand — press pause and take a deep breath.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: You're amazingly versatile and will spin a dozen roles in a day when you need to, though your favorite times will be stretches of focused work when there is no "role," just you and the project that has your heart soaring. There's sweetness and healing in your relationships. You'll apply your talent, and what you produce will move people to joy, applause, poignancy and charitable action. There will be an exciting location and/or vocational shift. Also, look forward to air travel and unusual investments with surprising results. Libra and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 13, 3, 30 and 17.

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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