Venus Stressed

Venus is being unduly stressed. The reason the flow of emotion and creativity can seem unpredictable and uncontrollable is because it is. Creativity is the meeting of something in you with something outside of you, and neither side of it is particularly controllable. The best you can do is make yourself a fertile place for ideas to grow. Be rested, fortified and optimistic.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Friends help you through romantic complexities, and romantic ties help you through the complexities of friendship. In both cases, the stress is caused by unmet expectations, and the high moments happen when expectations are exceeded.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). People have fun around you because they feel they can be themselves. Your warmth and acceptance make it so. Friendship bonds will be built in the comfortable atmosphere that surrounds you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Most people don't think to ask for loyalty, mainly because it's a quality that tends to go unnoticed as it's being developed, usually slowly over time. Loyalty is usually more of a mutual assumption than an actual feeling -- that is, until it's tested.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Shyness is a mask for fear of public opinion. One way to get around it is to agree internally to be disliked. Better to be disliked for expressing what's really on your mind than to be liked for being someone you're not.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It's a learning process. There's really no way to know until you try. It's best to agree to be gentle with yourself, especially in the early stages. If you're doing the best you know how to with the resources you have, consider it a win.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The answer is hidden in plain sight. You'll see it because you're ready to, you need it most and because, ultimately, seeing is what you do. Your awareness makes you an effective problem-solver.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You may feel stuck, but this is ultimately a gift -- a signal to stop and get a sense of your environment. Where's the wiggle room here? What can you move or, more likely, let go of?

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). The days to come will grow a kind of high-flying love. Good relationships give your heart the strong wings to soar with eagles. A bird's-eye view makes problems seem miniaturized.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You could effectively get your life in order from the inside out, but it's easier to work from the outside in. As you clean and clear parts of your environment, your head becomes lighter, your spirit brighter.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You read people's faces, catch the expressions that flicker across in milliseconds and sense the vibes that people don't even know they're putting out there. This sensitivity will lead to inspired ways of helping.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Emotions blend like colors, some indefinable. And though no one is asking you to describe how you feel, that's exactly why you should check in with yourself on the matter. It builds your emotional core.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Your tone will make or break your argument today. Strong messages are best sent with dulcet tones, and weak messages can be made more interesting with emphasis.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (March 3). Your attitude keeps getting more and more attractive to what you want. More highlights: You'll bond to complementary companions -- be creative about romance and romantic about creativity. Friendships will be touchstones of constant happiness. You'll experience road trips, movie nights and many kinds of music appreciation. Libra and Capricorn adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 33, 37, 4 and 17.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: The canonical storytelling style invented by "This American Life" host and producer Ira Glass has shaped modern media. His ability to connect with people on an emotional level and convey complex narratives in a compelling way aligns with many of the traits associated with Pisces. Pisces natives have the superpower of deep empathy and can usually relate to a wide range of personalities. Glass uses his gifts to bridge gaps, increase understanding and to entertain.

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.