Mercury is on the move, navigating the cusp between Aquarius and Pisces. In these transitional times, silence is your friend. It is the quiet space in a conversation that friends fill with their good thoughts. And silence helps you avoid misfortune, too. “The talkative parrot is shut up in a cage. Other birds, without speech, fly freely about.” — Saskya Pandita

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s better not to take chances with mirky situations. With muddy waters, it’s hard to tell the depth. Let things settle so you can get a better idea what you’re dealing with and gauge whether you should inch your way in or dive.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Bad habits die hard, but die they will. Be persistent. Keep trying things until something works. If something is making you feel negatively about yourself, back off of it. Habits will eventually break, but first, give yourself a break.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). The truth has a ring to it. And when things are mostly true, or a little true, that has a sound to it, too. But you recognize that people need their defenses. Partial truths can seem very small next to your big, gracious heart. And so, you let it slide.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Ideally, you’ll believe in yourself, but if you don’t, at least support yourself with an attitude of kindness. Today you have optimism and creativity on your side. Pretend to be confident and soon you really will be.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). A focused mind alone won’t give you control over your destiny, but it does allow you more influence to move what is yours to move. Thought patterns can be more addicting than substances. Stick with the ones that help you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The environment is conducive to growth. Everyone around you is contributing to a culture of continuous improvement. Collaborate as much as possible. Everyone will learn from each other and collectively elevate their skills.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The one who’s talking like an expert may have far less expertise as the one silently working away. You’ll take the time to learn who people are instead of projecting powers onto them that they do not possess.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re a giver. You know how attention works and you’re generous with it. It’s someone else’s turn and you’ll resist the urge to tell your own story, even though it will be quite hard, given the relevance and entertainment value of said story.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You really do understand what John Donne meant when he said “No man is an island, entire of itself.” You’ll empathize with the joy and pain of others and recognize the difference it makes to the entire continent of humanity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There’s a feeling that travels with you wherever you go today, and it can be summed up in two words, “I belong.” The reason you tend to fit in practically anywhere is that you’re comfortable in your own skin.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). For now, it does you little good to look longingly into the distance at your ideal future. Once you make sure your big goal is aligned with your day-to-day tasks, you can focus on today, knowing that the future will take care of itself.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Maybe you’re currently not getting what you want out of a situation, but there’s still time. Stay curious, experimental and hopeful. With gentle persistence you’ll find the way to get exactly what you need.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 22). Your journey around the sun promises a golden-threaded tapestry of relationships, featuring love, tight-knit friends and lots of lighthearted, casual and lucrative loose ties, too. More highlights: creative collaborations, athletic prowess and a rhythm of success beating through your work life, punctuated by the symbol crashes of achievement. Libra and Cancer adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 8, 1, 3, 14 and 25.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: On “The Drew Barrymore Show” the Pisces hostess with the mostess delivers human-interest stories, celebrity guests and more with her infectious enthusiasm. Intuitive water sign influences are the predominant force in Drew Barrymore’s astrological chart, and she has often focused her philanthropy on protecting oceans and ocean creatures.

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. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM