In the Ramp-Up to a Retrograde ...

Habits can form on purpose or on accident. Repetition makes it so. The lunar trine to Neptune followed by a challenging aspect to Mars highlights the actions we put on replay in the hours and days to come. Since each recurrence strengthens neural pathways, making the next round easier, make sure you're doing something you would welcome as a habit.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your attractive qualities include an innocent excitement in simply being alive. Bonus: when you're having fun, you won't feel shy about showing it, which makes the people around you want to find their joy, too.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Something that baffles the others will be, to you, a piece of cake. Even so, it may be your instinct to hesitate for effect so as not to best anyone too quickly. It's not a bad idea to protect people's feelings.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll fix a problem, or at least stop it from getting worse. You will be very much in line with partners on matters of finance, specifically the level of risk you're willing to take.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Kindness is your aim, though the complex world takes plenty of energy to navigate; being the least bit tired, distracted or irritated can trigger other responses. Keep correcting toward spiritual generosity and you'll be good.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Your empathic heart is a sanctuary for those seeking solace in uncertainty. Let them find you. Don't go out of your way because they will come at the perfect moment when their needs will intersect the gifts you'll bestow in abundance.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You want an excellent experience for as many people as possible. Don't jump to conclusions about what others need. Your keen powers of observation will show you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). While you don't lack conviction, you wouldn't dream of imposing your own code. On the road to peace, extremes of good and evil, or law and chaos can be unhelpful prejudices. A respectful neutrality will serve you well.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You have an excellent sense of humor, though you still take your responsibilities very seriously -- much more seriously than you take yourself. This is how you stay happy, healthy and wise.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your reality is a progression of assumptions you make at various levels of consciousness. Those assumptions can and will be steered. The question is, who is at the wheel?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You're keenly aware that what is true today might not be true tomorrow. Because of this you savor or ignore certain circumstances. You dance with or opt out of various arrangements. You choose your company carefully.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You don't mind getting grubby for the right reasons -- in fact the dirt will be a source of pride. "Never wear your best trousers when you go off to fight for freedom and truth." -- Henrik Ibsen

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Even when you accomplish a feat in your own home with no one else around, you can almost hear cheers of encouragement, as though you'd made a wave in some form of collective perception. Yes, the world is proud of you, they just don't know it yet.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (March 29). Because you have the courage to explore who you are outside of defining roles and relationships, the year features a dazzling expansion of these definitions. You'll recognize potentials and bank on opportunities others miss, adding zeros to a bottom line. You will effervesce with acceptance and love. Your talent will be appreciated, your love returned. Sagittarius and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 1, 16, 2 and 38.

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.