Mother Earth is a coy counterpart to the sun this week, tilting as far away as she can from his radiance, which results in the longest night of the year, the winter solstice. Just as the ancient Romans celebrated the festival of Saturnalia honoring the god Saturn, and Germanic and Norse cultures hunted, feasted and reveled for Odin, many will gather this week in newer traditions to share warmth, honor benevolent spirits and light up the dark with grateful joy.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). For you, it's not about the money. Money is a form of communication. Money acknowledges the worth of a service or the work that went into making it. You'll participate in trades that follow a mysterious kind of accounting and yield surprising conclusions. You have earth sign allies (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn).

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The reason you haven't taken off in the direction you want to go is that you are tethered by an agreement or a powerful person's preferences. You could negotiate, or you could use the equivalent of pruning shears to cut the tie. The preferences of others are only surface matters. For the best results, think about the need inside the need.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The past taps on your mind. It's not a mystical sign or a developmental opportunity, rather it's a familiar distraction from the harder work of facing the uncertainty of the future. There's no need to return to an old fight, rehash dramatic history or reopen a closed case. Abundant rewards await you, and they are all in the future.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The better you understand a thing, the simpler you can explain it. You may feel at a loss to describe a wish or a problem. But as you stay open and observant, the scene will start to come into better focus. You'll know what you need to say to convey your needs and wants and instruct others to deliver on them.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Like the mighty oak in an acorn, something humble and unimpressive can become massive, or it can become squirrel food. Luck is a factor, but so is your intention. There are many ideas you could act on. Your grand plan starts by narrowing your options. What ideas are worth nurturing and protecting?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). As one who's pulled off dazzling feats, you know the magician's secret. Wishes, charms and enchantments work because of daily efforts to create the machinations and put them in place. You don't have to do it all yourself. Build on whatever is there. Get help with this "abracadabra!"

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When people subconsciously sum you up, they take clues about your role straight from you, and then decide how to treat you based on how you treat yourself. So, you'll be wonderful to yourself. You'll set high standards, but you'll also give yourself comfort and ease around achieving them. This is the treatment you prefer and it's what you'll get.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A packed schedule will work for you this week, but only because things fall out along the way, allowing for the errands, conversations and projects that take longer. Some of the most wonderful moments happen as you loosen the reigns on yourself and follow the clues provided by your attractions, distractions and impulses.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You'll enjoy nothing better than doing the work you enjoy with people you love. How far should you push yourself for optimal strength, health and happiness? You're inclined to err on the side of working too hard. You will benefit from pulling back. An air sign (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius) will be a fun person to lighten up with.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Not only do you know what you need to do, you have the resolve to do it. You'll spend a fair amount of time setting yourself up for success in the days to come, an act of love, really. Preparation is a form of self-nurturing that will not only add to your emotional well-being but will also help you be the person on whom others depend.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It's not like you have anything against the status quo. You don't set out with a grudge for the way things are, and yet, you somehow keep landing on the idea that it could be better — you could, they could — and that it's worth putting effort into. You're capable of turning mediocrity into movingly magnificent moments.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). It is within your reach to become extraordinary, but that's a given because of the extraordinary treasure you have always carried inside you. That said, one cannot force the gems to shine, rather the process is one of opening up to the light and allowing for reflection. Responsive people are all around you this week, awed by your shimmering.

THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS: Whatever was standing in the way of your happiness, it will blow away with the flame of your candles. When joy is there for the taking, you won't waste it. And your good cheer will contribute to the delight of others in ways you can't imagine now. Your altruism attracts generous souls, and together you'll make improvements for those who need it most. The interests you promote will promote you right back. Your personal life features thrilling twists and changes of scenery.

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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