Venus and the sun come together to celebrate in the sign of twins, packing some powerful playful energy in the early part of the week. The more the merrier under these skies. When in doubt, invite everyone you know. There's money to be made in a crowd, too, especially for those in the business of feeding people. Mercury in Taurus, the sign of appetite, will have everyone talking about what's pleasing to the taste buds.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You sometimes wonder if you didn't have so much that you were personally responsible for, and if there weren't so much distracting excitement and drama around you, would you finally have the serenity conducive to creating the happiness and vitality you so deserve? You'll get a chance to test the theory.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You've the potential to be invigorated by the week's events, though this takes a conscious choice. Another person could interpret events as a trigger for frustration or a blow to progress. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Go forward seeking opportunity; it's ripe for the taking. Stay hopeful, positive and aware.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If you know 10 children, you know that people don't grow the same. Some grow on the inside before the outside catches up, and others prove the reverse of that. Life will be easier if you are very patient with the growth processes of others and yourself. It will help to remove expectation and accept what is.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Clearly you have standards, the question is, whose? There are so many to choose from and plenty of gray areas to navigate. And while there are some mighty influential and successful people around you this week, you wouldn't dream of adopting anything less than a completely customized approach to life.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Are you worried that when the drama dies down, things will get boring? Well, don't be. The overly intense emotional action of late has actually been draining your excitement reserves, not adding to them. Joys and thrills will be more abundant when you're less distracted by events that, technically, don't have to involve you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You have your own reasons and motivations, and they will be very different from the reasons and motivations of those around you. That the others on your team want something different from what you want will work to your great advantage, so don't be afraid to lead with the uniqueness of your position.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll maneuver in the material world, seeking to find, touch and know great beauty. Maybe it would seem that this is done through acquisition, and yet true beauty cannot be owned. That's because it doesn't physically exist. It's a dance of energies, a ballet in the realms of the spirit.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The week features social meetings of all kinds. It would be wonderful if the experiences were all angel songs and glittering skies, but it would also be a sign that you were not tuned in to a shared reality. Seek common ground with every interaction. Bonds will bring comfort in some cases, riches in others.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). It is not weak to want validation. It's part of the way humans connect and learn to get along, please one another and function as a group. You'll get the feedback you need to develop in the way you've wanted to. Soon you'll be providing this kind of assurance to someone else.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You can't change what happened but you can change the way you feel about it. The way you frame things to yourself will make a big difference. There are many ways to tell the story. What can you focus on that will help you feel powerful moving forward?

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You're comfortable with yourself. Therefore, you are never lonely, even when you're alone — which you won't be very often this week. The social flow is brilliant. Large gatherings allow for many new connections. The focus around food and fun gives everyone something to do, especially you.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Love is always a risk. But you can stop erring on the side of caution, because there's nothing to be afraid of this week. Put yourself out there and you'll find that there's plenty of mutual respect and shared interest, especially between you and fellow water signs (Cancer and Scorpio).

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: You'll close a big deal in the next 10 weeks. There's someone new on your side this month, and your project will just keep getting more interesting with the additional team members that join you in August. Love is expressed in a bold act in September. You'll find your artistic side in October. There's a financial reward in November and a move before the end of 2016.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com and click "Write the Author" on her page.