ArcaMax

The Pisces moon squares off with Uranus and then Mars on this day of American independence, issuing a reminder to put safety first, not just in the handling of fireworks, but in the handling of an idea of a country, what it has meant, how it has changed and what it still stands for today. The invitation is to participate in the ongoing experiment. Let freedom ring.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Freedom is not only the ability to go where you please. It is the ability to become who you are. Trust your own judgment. Celebrate the choices that make your life feel more fully your own.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Bravery means continuing even when the outcome isn't guaranteed. On some level, there are no guarantees on this plane of existence, so it takes a certain amount of courage just to live an ordinary day. But you take it to another level, doing the extraordinary with a brave heart.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Fireworks begin as stored energy waiting for release. So do many dreams. Something you've been imagining is ready to move from possibility into action. The first actions will have to do with preparing your workspace with the intent of "safety first."

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You embody the pursuit of happiness. Freedom is not only about escaping limitations; it's also about moving toward what delights you. There's a playful quality to this day you spend in the pursuit of experiences that put a smile on your face.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Consider what deserves your allegiance and what does not. Decide which values to lead with. What needs to happen for these values to be represented in your daily life? In a sense, every habit is a vote for your values.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). For you, freedom is not the absence of responsibility but being able to choose your commitments instead of being assigned them. Because you know who you are, it's not hard to distinguish the path that best suits you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You believe groups are strongest when many different voices find a way to share the same table. You have a gift for bringing people together without requiring them to be alike. Your curiosity and respect create a harmonious atmosphere wherever you go.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Like a bald eagle riding a thermal high above the landscape, you gain perspective by rising above the immediate situation. Details fit into a larger context. From this altitude, you see where the path on the ground leads.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Independence is not isolation. You can be independent with people around you or while working as part of a team because independence is a spirit inside you. The point is not to stand apart. The point is to stand firmly in your own choices.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Fireworks last only moments, but the planning behind them takes time. You understand this principle well. The visible result is never the whole story. Your preparations will culminate into just the "wow factor" you were going for.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Here you go again, expanding the definition of what is possible. Because why preserve old systems when you can improve them? And you're so good at attracting others willing to experiment and create. Together you'll flesh out an unconventional idea.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There is magic in simple togetherness. Some of the happiest moments happen around a picnic table or at a backyard gathering. It's all about just plain fun. That's how freedom rings for you, and the sound carries on and on.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 4). It's your Year of the Lucky Lamp. Like the legendary lamp of Aladdin, it is not the object itself but what it awakens that matters. Opportunities and helpers appear when called upon with intention. And your wish for more love comes true first. More highlights: A person with influence becomes an ally. A purchase improves life in lasting ways. Milestones for family are a huge point of pride and purpose. Sagittarius and Gemini adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 18, 29, 3 and 14.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Of the 45 individuals who have served as president of the United States, three have died on July 4: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. The most famous pair is Adams and Jefferson, whose deaths occurred on the same day, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence. After years as allies, then rivals, the two men spent their final years repairing their friendship through a prolific correspondence. Their joint passing on the nation's birthday is one of those historical moments that feels less like chance and more like celestial storytelling.

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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