Two lunar squares are like cosmic bookends on the day. The first is to the sun, and the last is to Mercury. These tensions won't resolve until tomorrow, but it doesn't have to cause stress. Yes, tension is the opposite of ease, but it's not the opposite of beauty, usefulness or effectiveness. Without tension on the string, the instrument won't sing.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You're leadership instinct is on point today and you have an immediate sense for what action needs to be taken and by whom. If there isn't such a person close at hand, you cast a wide net and find someone to fill the role.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The same story can be gossip or kindness depending on why it's being told. Listen with one ear on the words and the other on the motive. Kind motives will leave everyone richer in dignity and goodwill.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The reason you get such consistent results is that you have standards in place. But for new endeavors, it's best to start without them. Stay in learning mode a while. By getting a sense of what to reasonably expect, you'll avoid frustration.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Ideas behave differently from most things. Spending one rarely leaves you with fewer. In fact, they seem to invite each other. You'll toss a few around today, and they will start to take root over the weekend.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Every situation has its own temperature. Some need another log on the fire. Others need a window opened. You're unusually good at telling the difference. That's one reason people trust you when it's your turn to lead today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Success is no longer doing the job you already know you can do. Now it's doing the job that only you can do. Success is reaching for the impossible and expecting to fail gloriously and often.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). After weeks of familiar faces enacting the same patterns, someone new will step through your scene. All they need is the slightest interest from you, and it's on. This relationship has real potential for mutuality and magic.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Good partnerships aren't built from matching talents. They're built from complementary ones. Today you have a gift for recognizing strengths that have very little in common with your own and will therefore be useful in a team effort.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Someone is paying closer attention than you realize. Your casual reaction will become their memory. So make sure you're intent on encouragement, laughter, curiosity and the like. It will echo far beyond the moment.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You want to write a brand-new story for your future. This requires that you look back. Unless you understand the patterns that brought you here, you're likely to repeat them. Some are great, but still not a "new story."

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It's a day to give people lots of chances to succeed. If you decide too quickly that they are not going to deliver what you want, you'll have to eat your words later. Stay hopeful and patient.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). A gift loses its sparkle if it's expected. You are such a gift. If people grow too accustomed to your generosity, they may stop seeing it as generosity at all. It's OK to hold back a little. Your restraint will keep them from taking you for granted.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 4). It's your Year of Daily Victories. Success is not contained in the trophies of the future; it's in today's achievement. And it is always "today." You'll set the right goals, rack them up and create meaningful transformation. More highlights: Three teachers for what you most need to know — and you'll wind up melding these lessons into a unique take you'll share widely. Profits from a new endeavor. Leo and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 3, 7, 12, 5 and 14.

For more Holiday magic, visit HolidayMathis.com. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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