Mercury's change of sign at the start of the week highlights the rituals that impact our lifestyles and well-being. The actions we repeat in the spirit of bolstering ourselves for the challenges of life are often small, daily habits that make a big impact on how we show up. Whether around faith, love, food, exercise or other, taking time to consider the right rituals for the right time and further develop an approach will be a major success key.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). This week, you are somehow able to capture the essence of conflict with civility. This makes for interesting discussion, great creativity, and an expansion of compassion and intellect. As strongly as you feel about a certain matter, you can also see how the opposite perspective is not only valid but poignant.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Sometimes you harmonize; sometimes you take the lead. You'll be figuring out group dynamics this week. The balance of power isn't static. Each situation calls for a custom approach. Often, it's not about taking a stand, rather about knowing which way to lean. The key is recognizing the context and being adaptable.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Mastery is earned through work. There's no other way. People might be born beautiful or stumble into riches, but no one becomes a master by chance. The only way to become excellent at a skill is consistent practice. You'll get in the hours this week knowing that even through the tedious and difficult parts, this is what greatness takes.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Other people's opinions can color the perception of noble acts, but they do not make an action any more noble. Noble actions are taken for their own sake. You know what's right and you will act on it. Some may try to sway opinion, but even the best publicity can't steal or contribute to the rightness of an action.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your strong sense of self-determination resonates with the idea of carving your own path, though you also recognize that in many cases it is redundant and a waste of time to do so. You'll cover quite a distance this week as you act on your gut instinct for when to stick to the road and when to veer from it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Though social graces and political savvy are certainly talents at your disposal this week, be sure to find those soul-fortifying moments when you can forget about doing things right and be reminded that you're as worthy as any to inhabit the present moment as the creature you are — no striving, pretending or adjusting necessary.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The minutes pass differently depending on who you're spending them with. An hour can be a blink or an eternity. Time will elasticize for you this week, stretching and snapping to the rhythms of your heart, which beats according to the moods, grooves and vibes that arise from the company you keep.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Get clear on what you want first because when you don't know, your energy bounces around like a spilled bag of pingpong balls, going everywhere with little impact. It's a week to figure out which goals and intentions are in conflict and get them better aligned so energy will move full force toward your wishes.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll navigate a dynamic between instinct and intellect, which coexist in you, leading to powerful actions and decisions. A combination of instinct and rationality will lead you to make an excellent decision — one that will take you down a path to discovering your most potent abilities.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Compliments are sweet gifts, so it's funny to think that you're not always in the mood for them, but you're not always in the mood for dessert either. You'd rather enjoy your process without the distraction of thinking about how others are responding to it, so your solo time will be particularly satisfying and fruitful this week.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Some friends can't help themselves — they regularly take more than they give. Since the balance you seek in a relationship doesn't always occur, when it does, you acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate it. Make sure you also spend time with the naturally easygoing, generous spirits that don't make you work so hard in the relationship.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Self-awareness is your key to success this week. You tend to take observations and assessments in a direction that helps you recognize your mistakes. Don't forget to give yourself credit for all you did to contribute to your desired outcome. Corrections happen naturally when you build on what you're already doing right.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: Love comes in waves this year, some adventurous and surfable, some rocking you gently or moving you with tides and currents to explore distant shores. Wherever you float to, you're at home because love buoys you. More highlights: a major purchase, family gathering to celebrate a handful of wins, and a promotion that changes the direction of your work as well as alters your reasons and purposes.

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: Wil Stewart at Unsplash