Between the strawberry moon, the Mercury retrograde and a sign change for Mars and Jupiter, the astrological hits keep coming. Today is the rest station on the cosmic highway. Pull over! Sleep if you feel like it. The road is long, and the best travelers know when it's time to pause for a breather. You'll be glad you topped off the tank.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Don't worry about what's smart, cool or sophisticated. Warmth is the quality people really respond to now. A conversation doesn't have to be deep to be meaningful. You'll connect best through laughter and shared experience.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). We often judge people not by what they did, but by what we wish they had done. Before deciding someone has disappointed you, consider whether you're reacting to what they really did or to an expectation you had of them.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). When someone is interested in you, you sense their attention and curiosity even when your reaction, or lack thereof, tells a different story. You like to hold your cards close to the vest while you decide how or whether to respond.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Beautiful photographs can be lit by sunshine, softened by fog or shaped by shadow. Each reveals something different. You don't need circumstances to match one ideal. Because you're open to many forms of beauty, it's everywhere. You're living a beautiful life.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Maybe things have gotten so convoluted you're inwardly asking, "How did I get here?" But that's a question for another day. Right now, any step that seems remotely aimed in your direction is the next one to take. Moving through this part will be simpler than it seems.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Your work has gravitas. Work with a strong point of view will have both fans and critics. The goal is not to be universally liked. The goal is to attract people who need what you offer and love how you offer it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You're upholding a standard set by you, not by society. Circumstances may change, but your standard does not. It's not always easy to meet, but it's easy to remember because by now it's a part of you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A familiar frustration points toward a familiar lesson. Consider the pattern. The slightest change will interrupt it. When things repeat, respond differently this time and see what happens. It's an experiment, not a comment on your identity.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You don't ask people to do anything you're unwilling to do yourself. That integrity strengthens your position and earns cooperation. If you can show them, even better. People are more likely to follow an example than a request.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There's something you need to understand on a deeper level, and a quick note won't get you there. Give the subject a full page. Writing doesn't just record your thoughts. It shows you what they are.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You've set a specific intention for your own development. Instead of waiting for life to challenge you, you'll challenge yourself, making it much more likely you'll grow in your preferred direction.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). When you decline an offer, your kind instinct is to redirect, compliment and duck out, or any other move you think will let them down easy. But if they don't get the hint, just remember: The word "no" is a complete sentence.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 2). It's your Year of the Garden of the Hesperides. Like the golden apples of Greek myth, what was planted long ago now bears fruit. You stop striving and start gathering. More highlights: Your gift for reading people, assembling teams and creating strategies that fit the group will produce enviable wins. You'll be enriched by a sweet relationship that teaches you a different culture. Speculative efforts pay out. Virgo and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 14, 31, 6 and 22.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Larry David is the star and producer of the new HBO series "Life, Larry & the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America." Cancer is the sign of patriotism, which doesn't always mean praise. It can also be the voice that asks a country to do better, in David's case through satirical comedy. The Cancer moonchild expresses a "crabby" side, becoming a cultural icon of discomfort and hyperawareness. David was born when the sun and Mercury were in Cancer and the moon was in Capricorn, the sign of moguls.

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.

Photo credit: Jake Weirick at Unsplash