ArcaMax

Mercury and Saturn moving into opposition reminds us of the give-and-take required of just about any investment. Everything we commit to costs something, and that's why it matters. People praise dedication because worthwhile things -- skills, relationships, art, care -- can only be built by continuing after the excitement wears off and the work gets hard.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). One piece of your life will click into place today, and the rest of the day will go a little better because of it. A solved problem at work may give you more patience at home, or the other way around.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You're still getting to know someone. Social media posts, dating profiles and resumes project one image. Reputation sheds a more objective light, and some interactions produce another take entirely. Each angle informs, but none tell the whole story.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Because you really want the best for the group, you're trying to see projects with a more communal eye, blurring the benefit of any particular individual in hopes you can sense the overall good. You'll have some success with this.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). The reason you pause before making even a seemingly small choice? You know how small things escalate, sometimes delightfully so. Once upon a time, you said, "I'll try the ..." and that isolated moment has informed a hundred other decisions.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Each mind makes its own pictures. Light comes from the outside, but the appearance of it comes from the inside. Today, you'll have an entirely different impression of things than the next person, and it's important to say your version.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). In Greek cosmogony, khaos was the gaping space before the formed universe. When you witness a bit of chaos today, think of it not as the dismantling of order or the breakdown of a system but instead as the moment before creation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Your opinion of yourself can change by the minute, but it's better for the work at hand if you stick to one confident stance today. You know what you can do and you can be unwavering in that knowledge. Now's the time.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There is a powerful pleasure in knocking down something that is smug, showy or acting superior. Today, a puffed-up claim may give you the opening. One well-placed joke may make your point and get a laugh from the right people.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Music has no practical purpose, and neither do most of the best things from candy to kisses. Devote some of the day to the impractical and purposeless things that make life delicious.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You've reason to be confident about your route, although it may not be something you can prove on paper yet. You can trust your gut today -- good, because you won't have time to wait around for the perfect instruction.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Of course we can only see what's on the surface of others, but you wouldn't for a second believe that's all there was. You've never met a "shallow" person in your life. There's always more, and your deep respect for this will inform today's decision.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). There are some things you'd rather not think about, but it's not particularly helpful to ignore the entire chapter of life because of a few bad paragraphs. Memories can hurt, but they can also give you comfort, strength and a new plan for going forward.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Sept. 17). In your Year of Creative Competence, you pour your innate genius into tangible forms, mastering craft and expanding the reaches of what's possible. Projects, relationships, career and home thrive inside your vision. More highlights: You'll publish, you'll take part in an unforgettable event that will repeat for years, and you'll make big sales and domestic upgrades for better daily living. Libra and Leo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 20, 5, 14, 29 and 3.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Cassandra Peterson, creator of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, recently appeared in HBO's "Pee-wee as Himself," revisiting the vibrant Los Angeles comedy scene that launched so many unforgettable careers. In her memoir "Yours Cruelly," Peterson traces her path from becoming the youngest showgirl at the Dunes in Las Vegas to creating one of Halloween's most beloved icons. With the sun, Mercury and Venus all in Virgo, she reflects the sign's remarkable longevity, craftsmanship and ageless appeal.

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.

Copyright 2026 Creators Syndicate Inc.