ARIES (March 21-April 19). It’s easy to be loving and cheerful when you’re in a good mood. To be just as sweet when you don’t feel like it takes maturity. You’ll be bright and charming in a myriad of situations this week, and sometimes this takes a lot of work — no one is the wiser. You’ll be rewarded for the effort to always be your best.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). If it seems that you are on the outside looking in for some of this week, take it as an extremely auspicious omen. It is necessary to get out of a situation in order to see what is needed to make things better. Once you understand the dynamics from an objective viewpoint, you’ll return to the action and fit right in.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You’ve cast yourself in the role of taking care of business — yours and many other people’s. There are so many things to juggle in that endeavor that it’s inevitable you’ll drop some balls. When you do, it’s no big deal. Pick up and keep going. Before you know it, this act becomes like second nature to you.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). When moviemakers want to show people looking and acting “cool,” they often do it in slow motion. There’s a reason. “Cool” means not rushing around. Remember this as you schedule your week. Avoid the common problem of being a few minutes behind schedule by allowing yourself more transition time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Everything was going along smoothly when you had to up and question it all: your career, where you live, your relationships. Be bold and fear not. Your passion for life has gotten you this far, and it’s not going anywhere. You’ll either reaffirm your direction or make some very slight adjustment to the plan.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You might be compelled to work at being nice to look at, and there are cost-effective opportunities to spiff up your image this week. The paradox is that working too hard at being attractive is the antithesis of attractive. Devote some thought to your appearance, and then let it go. Nonchalance is lovely, too.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re mature. You tolerate the difficult people. You see their talents and manage to find a positive way to interact. They often will want to deal only with you. It takes a lot of work for you to do this, though. Take a break from the toxic types. You may not even realize how they affect you until you get away.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Those who usually praise you might be less attentive than usual. It’s an opportunity to look within. Could this be the result of some strange opinion you’ve formed about yourself? A change in the way you see yourself results in a change in the way others see you. Personal triumphs precede public victories.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You will be making new agreements with the world at large. This may not be a formal arrangement, but rather, an unspoken exchange you’ve allowed. You’ll likely decide that yesterday’s “contract” was too limiting and didn’t allow you to stretch your creativity to your highest ability. This is a new era.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). One of your close genuine friends will reach out to you in some way. You can feel this before it happens. You are connected at a deep level, working through a joint karma. Thursday brings new faces into your world. Things would be much easier were you not so attractive, but where’s the fun in that?

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). A relative’s financial advice proves right. You have a little spending money, and it will burn a hole in your pocket Wednesday and Thursday. Whatever deal you are offered, use that charm you’re known for as you ask for a better one. You’ll also be compelled to treat a friend to something he or she likes.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). If you’re listening, you will receive an important message. Instead of texting, e-mailing and the like, arrange in-person meetings where possible and have good old-fashioned phone conversations. You need to hear the breaths between the sentences, the implied laughter, etc.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS: You can assume the best will happen this year because when you adopt that assumption, it absolutely will. You’ll get used to people being nice, saying “yes” and accepting and admiring you. A fantastic new friend comes to you this month. Finances improve with the help of a forward-thinking adviser. December brings a wonderful twist of fate to your personal life. There’s a happy resolution to an age-old conflict in January. And in April, one of your whims leads to a big change.