The beginning of Mercury retrograde was about revisiting, rethinking and revising. The end of this Mercury retrograde is about releasing. And while it would be nice if everything would just be solved, in perfect working order and super easy from here on out, that's not really the point. The point is knowing your own mind and knowing what to do with all you've recently learned.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You gathered information. You explored possibilities. You changed your mind three times. Now it's time to pick. You'll gain more useful information from action than from another week of deliberation.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). What starts as a curiosity or possible source of entertainment will escalate and transform into something much more substantial and emotional. It could even change you. So be careful what you dabble in now.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You don't have to sort through the noise because the signal is coming through loud and clear. The important information separates itself from distractions and competing narratives. You know what matters and what to do next.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You've spent enough time identifying problems. Now you can focus on what you're making instead of what you're fixing. You're really building something useful here, and this is what will open exciting possibilities.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You'll have what you need, and that changes everything. Instead of trying to control every outcome, you'll find yourself responding naturally to whatever the day brings. It's a peaceful, easy feeling.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You see a puzzle from an entirely new angle. You are no longer searching for a missing piece because this is a full picture just as it is. If there's an opening, consider it a feature, not a flaw — a window of sorts.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll do your best work from a relaxed but intentional state. It's easier to maintain when you're focused on the moves you're making, not on whether you're winning. To play with valiant intentions and handle the struggle with grace is the real triumph.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Discussions, brainstorming and speculation have taken you as far as they can. You're through talking. Lay the groundwork with a purchase and/or commitment. It won't be long before this takes on a life of its own.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You feel like you could solve your situation if you just saw it for what it is. What would an outsider notice? A child? The simplest questions often uncover the biggest blind spots and point the way.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Cherish your key witnesses today. Without a witness, even significant moments can feel surreal — like you're not sure if they even happened. But when you share the experience, it somehow becomes easier to believe and harder to forget.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Sometimes you push boundaries just for fun. Today it's the kind of fun that can lead to a key development. Things fly up and then land back down and settle in an arrangement that works better.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Instead of giving a detailed account of how you arrived here, you keep it brief, ask for what you want and tell them what you'd like to happen next. Your direct communication style will simplify everything.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 23). It's your Year of the Soul Stew in which you are comforted, nourished and fortified by your favorite "ingredients," including funny friends, affection and adventure. More highlights: New hobbies and interests to explore. A positive turn in your finances. A leadership opportunity lands in your lap. Healthy changes become easier to maintain, and before long you're feeling stronger than you have in years. Virgo and Leo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 13, 6, 15, 22 and 50.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Woody Harrelson was born just as the sun entered Leo, and he's long embodied the sign's confidence and creative courage. Leos have a knack for commanding attention, though Harrelson does it with an easygoing charm instead of grandstanding. Whether he's playing a lovable eccentric, a hardened detective or a comic wild card, he brings an unmistakable point of view. Look for him in the comedy series "Brothers," which brings Matthew McConaughey and Harrelson together again.

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: NASA at Unsplash