The new year features Jupiter’s lucky new direct motion path, and there are only moments until Mercury’s retrograde ends, too. These are omens for a new year filled with hope and prosperity. “Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky/ The flying cloud, the frosty light: The year is dying in the night; Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.” — Alfred, Lord Tennyson

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You’ll do your best work when the stakes are high and the time is limited. Perspective is the powerful tool that makes small things big and big things small. Keep adjusting the scale until the work looks like something you can take on.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Out of fear that your feelings will be too intense, you may be compelled to damper, hide or block them. Instead, be daring with your emotions because you really are strong enough to take them at full strength.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Impatience is a voice telling you things should happen at a faster pace. Acknowledge that voice. Tell it you understand the concerns, and then let it go murmuring off. There’s only one pace that matters: real time.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You possess a wealth of strengths and unique qualities that the world is eager to embrace. Unleash your confidence. Every moment is an opportunity to build the core of your self-assurance. Seize the showcase.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The world is full of powerful people with seemingly unlimited options who nonetheless live in the bounds of invisible cages. And there are those who, though shackled, find a way to soar with the highest-flying birds. Freedom is a feeling, not a circumstance.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You know better than to search for the point in such matters as beauty, love and connection. In life’s euphoria, the concept of usefulness is not at all useful. Surrender to the wonders of purposelessness.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It may feel like you are living with a decision that was made purely by the fates. Take time and reflect instead of leaving everything to chance. Once a choice is made, don’t second-guess yourself.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It is normal for people who are in a good place to believe they’ve earned it, and those in a bad place to feel they’ve been unlucky. In truth, much is out of our control. Wrest the reins from fate wherever possible, but don’t fret if fate won’t give them up.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’re an artist in more ways than one, some of them specific, others quite ordinary, as any aspect of life can be elevated to art with the right intention. You’ll be called in a direction by mysterious muses.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). It doesn’t seem like very long ago when you regarded those in a certain position as the luckiest people in the world. Now you must pinch yourself; you are one of those people in the coveted position. Celebrate!

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You take the time to figure out what those around you need. And yet, if you totally cater to them, you’ll lose the art. Navigate the line between what they want and what you want to express.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’re drinking from the silly straw of life. Everything seems to take a ridiculously circuitous route to get to you, but it lands right where you can best taste it.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 31). If you’ve felt funny about investing in yourself or taking a risk, this is your year to just do it. Embrace your potential and empower your journey by giving yourself all the resources you need. More highlights: The world sees your confidence soar to new heights. Business connections will electrify your scene. You’ll get long-awaited amends. You’ll win a race. Aquarius and Scorpio adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 10, 48, 16, 30 and 26.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: In the fall of 1997, I spotted John Denver in a restaurant in Austin, Texas, and asked him for an autograph. The only paper in my purse was a deck of tarot cards. I randomly pulled out a card, the 10 of Cups, and Denver kindly autographed it. Less than three weeks later, I was stunned at the news of his tragic passing. When I see his name on the 10 of Cups card — figures waving to a rainbow in the sky over a body of water — I hear an angel singing “Rocky Mountain High.”

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 2023 CREATORS.COM