The first day of 2021 begins with the fiery optimism of a Leo moon. It really does seem as though there's something glittering in the distance that we can reach if we simply keep on. As Emily Dickinson said, "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all."

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Tired ways of thinking are cutting you off from a relationship's potential to thrill you. And, anyway, you no longer need that old pattern. You'll hand it over like it was the cost of admission to a joyride, which it basically it is.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Find where your interests overlap those of the others. It will be so much easier to fight for what you care about beside others who also care and are deeply invested in the outcome.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Through strength, focus and controlled breath, you work through the easy parts, sail along with the fun parts and grind away at the tough parts until you accomplish what you set out to do.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). It shouldn't surprise you one bit that people want to be around your energy, ideas and unique voice. You, however, may need to make the first move because you're the one with the energy and courage it takes to initiate.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). There will be those who mistake cynicism and being hard to please with sophistication and taste. Of course, the truly sophisticated and tasteful will tend to be inclusive, curious and optimistic.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You could take the freeway, or stroll the breezeway, but you'll like forego those and any established "way" there is in favor of tramping through the wilderness of your own soul to a destination known to none before you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The theme of the day is very much in keeping with the scales that are your birth symbol. And if you can balance your lower urges and higher instincts, then you are a master of balance indeed.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). On this is a day of promise, you recognize there are already so many fulfilled promises that it seems almost greedy to want more. Then again, this is not just for you. You want more for everyone.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The day feels about as fresh as your heart. Maybe a part of it still needs to heal, but don't let that hold you back from showing up and radiating warmth which will only abet in the mending.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Knowing what's weird about your life is the first step in knowing what's funny about it, and therefore what's relatable and perhaps even charming. So go on and delve into the weird parts.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Don't wait for the day to send you a formal invitation to its opportunities. This is 2021, not 1821, and to the one who is willing to make brave attempts, the opportunities are practically limitless.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You finished that year, did all you could, and, now, you're done with it. You're headed in with some interesting ideas — thoughts that lean toward ridiculous even. And yet, you're really onto something!

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 1). You go into the year with a clean slate — the feeling that you owe no one and no one owes you. Not totally so? It becomes true as you move with ever-greater conviction in what you're creating. As you build a product or relationship, you build your personhood. Here come exciting freedoms and abundant resources. Scorpio and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 22, 1, 18 and 42.

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST: ARIES: Like the first bird of morning, you call out a few notes and wait for a reply. The answers will come slow at first but quickly once the atmosphere warms up. TAURUS: Resist the urge to impress, as it's more impressive to feel you have nothing to prove. GEMINI: Don't wait to be given attention. Grab it, take it where you want it, entertain, charm, lead. CANCER: Everyone wants to get in on a winning situation, but it takes someone really special to spot the winners on the way up. You have the eye. LEO: You've learned to curb willful, selfish urges and can witness them in others with compassion. VIRGO: It is natural to assume that other people are like you, but more interesting to pay attention to find out the ways in which they are not. LIBRA: Heed your own superstitions, not because anything bad will happen but because it's more fun to play by your own rules. SCORPIO: You're attractive in ways you know about and in ways you don't. So, just do you and let your charms fall where they may. SAGITTARIUS: You'll be an excellent judge of character if you don't project your own personality onto the blank slate of an unknown person. CAPRICORN: Maybe romance is just a state of understanding. The new situations give you more information to listen to and process. AQUARIUS: You co-exist harmoniously in whatever environment you find yourself in, and yet you can't help but notice the amazing extra blend you get with a certain someone. PISCES: You'll enjoy a small but hugely meaningful personal victory.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Virgo lunar influence blends beautifully with the earth sign energy of the Capricorn moon. The Virgo/Capricorn couple is an ambitious pairing in the best way — a power couple who becomes successful by their own volition. People tend to be admiring instead of jealous of this crew because the hard work is obvious and their rewards not only well-earned but generously repaid and charitably redistributed.

Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com.

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