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As the first of his Twelve Labors, Hercules strangled the Nemean lion, a beast with skin so impenetrable he could only skin it using its own claw. Hercules then wore the hide as armor -- that classic lion-hooded look. So we enter the season of pride, when our confidence cannot be cut down except by the claw of self-criticism. Step into your own legend. Wear what you've survived.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You already know what lights you up. That's huge. That's more than most. But right now, you're carrying so many people and pieces that there's barely enough oxygen for a spark, let alone a fire.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Just because something isn't part of daily life doesn't mean it's irrelevant. A passport, a deed, a birth certificate -- they sit in drawers until the moment they're everything. So does a certain memory. It proves something real when you most need to remember.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If the door won't open, it may not be locked -- it may be you, holding it closed. Either you walk out or you realize you're choosing to stay. Either way, you're no longer guessing. If you can leave, you weren't stuck, just scared. And if you can't, now you know where to work.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You'll make someone laugh without even trying -- a cashier, a neighbor, a friend. Their smile lingers, and the good energy bounces back to you all day. These loops of joy you create are not a fluke. They're becoming your signature style.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You're ready to break a pattern that stopped serving you. It begins with one altered response -- a sentence you don't send, a question you ask instead of assuming. The change may be subtle, but it's major.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Someone shows you what they want by what they pay attention to. Take notes. Stay real, present and open to all kinds of information, good, bad or other. You're always better off responding to reality than selling yourself on a dream.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It feels like you're not in a season of wide-open choices. You're in a season of survival with a light that needs to be kept, like a secret flame -- hidden in a locket, glimpsed when you can, fed with what you find. That's still holy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Do you want too much, consume too much or just have too much? It helps to ask the question even though you already know the answer. You're in just the right mood to remedy the situation to some degree today and start the trend toward less.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You're listening more closely, not just to words but to rhythm, silence and timing. Something unsaid becomes clear. Someone shows you who they are, and because you're paying attention, you'll have new options going forward.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). There's elegance in how you prepare, how you handle the small things before they grow teeth. Today, your foresight is the magic. You'll prevent a problem or smooth an edge long before anyone else notices the potential problem.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). It can be just as scary to walk up to a closed door as it is to walk up to one that will open to welcome you. Every journey is uncertain, so why not go forward in the spirit of adventure and fun? The right doors want you to open them.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). As the ethereal sign of the zodiac, sometimes it's good to remember what ghosts teach us: when we feel confused, powerless and stuck, it helps to be seen by other people. Make some noise, rattle some chains, and ask for help.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (July 22). A year when you keep following your instincts and making the world move. Though you care for, give to and lift an entire group of people, you remain the star of your story, and will be celebrated in proof that what you build matters to people and even changes lives. More highlights: Family bonds will be braided beautifully. You'll travel for love. You'll make a sale that helps you move to a new stage in your career. Taurus and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 1, 30, 7, 18 and 27.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Selena Gomez first captured the public's heart as a relatable Disney star, then evolved into a chart-topping musician, award-winning actress and beauty mogul. Cancers treasure home and connections, and Selena openly prioritizes mental health, taking social media pauses and founding a mental health fund through her inclusive Rare Beauty brand. The show business lifer was born when the sun, Mercury and Venus were all in the charismatic station of Leo, so the desire to entertain is written in her stars.

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 2025 Creators Syndicate Inc.