This morning, the sun and Mars — in Sagittarius and Leo, respectively — team up to amplify your confidence. If you’ve been stewing in self-doubt or indecision lately, you’ll have the chance to find some clarity now. If you’ve been pessimistic about your ability to make a difference or improve your life, you’ll rediscover your optimism. You don’t have to believe things will magically work out, but you can have faith that you aren’t powerless, that your actions count.

It’s unrealistic to expect every action you take to further your ambitions or feed into a greater purpose. Sometimes it’s enough to do something simply because it’s enjoyable; other times you’re drained and you need to do whatever is easiest. But today, you have the chance to really tap into what matters most to you. Don’t automatically do what feels most comfortable or convenient; take this opportunity to be brave.

Once you’ve committed to a course of action, nobody can sway you. You’re loyal and true, and you’ll keep going until you’ve reached your goal. Your challenge is simply getting started. Taking the first step can be so nerve-wracking, but today, you’ve got the daring to go for it. Trust that you’ve got the skills and knowledge you need — and anything you’re missing, you’ll build as you go. Don’t let this courage go to waste: Dive in.

Whatever else you’re doing, from carrying on conversations to doing the dishes, there’s another part of your mind that’s coming up with ideas for projects you could start in your community, novels you’d like to write someday, ways you can change the world. Your problem has never been coming up with ideas, but deciding which of them to devote your full attention to. Today, remind yourself that you can’t do it all — at least, not all at once — and so you’ll need to prioritize. Figure out where you want to put your energy, and go all in.

You’ve always found comfort in the official markers of beginnings and endings. Birthdays, anniversaries, the new year: All bring with them the promise of change. But today, remember that you don’t have to save your big moments for a special day — in fact, sometimes the pressure of making the most of an important occasion can be more hindrance than help. If you’re suddenly seized with the desire to change your life, to start a new routine or break from an old one, don’t wait. Do whatever it is you’ve been dreaming of right now.

You value your independence, but you’re under no illusion that you’re totally self-sufficient. You know that you’ve gotten as far as you have thanks to help from your friends, so you make a point to listen to their input. Today, though, remember that sometimes it’s necessary to follow your heart even when it puts you at odds with your social circle. It’s nice to have the permission or approval of the people you care about, but you don’t need it: Be willing to go out on your own.

Your time is precious, and you’re careful not to waste it. You try to use your days wisely, to put your energy into the activities and relationships you care about, to take small but consistent steps toward your biggest goals. But today, remember that sometimes the most valuable thing you can do with your time is rest. This doesn’t mean you’re giving up on your ambitions or loosening your standards. Leisure isn’t something ancillary, but an integral part of a life well-lived.

You value your relationships deeply, but they can also be a lot of effort. You work hard to maintain the peace and make everyone happy, and it gets draining after a while. But today, some of the difficulties should fall away. Even your arguments could be generative now, and your miscommunications are more likely to be humorous than truly contentious. Whether you’re collaborating on projects or just spending time together, you’ll bring out the best in each other.

Sometimes you worry that your friends don’t care about you as much as you do them, or that the people you work with don’t really value or believe in you. When you get in these moods, you feel like you have to constantly demonstrate your worth and justify every action you take. But try not to fall into that trap today. Carry yourself like someone who matters and has a right to be here — like someone who deserves not just the bare minimum, but genuine appreciation.

You’re not reluctant to take on a challenge; the trouble is that sometimes you can’t figure out how to get started. When the path before you is clear, you’ll charge ahead, but when you don’t even know where you’re going, it’s easy to get stuck. Today, devote some time to thinking through your ambitions and creating a plan. Doing your research and laying the groundwork isn’t the most thrilling part of any endeavor, but if you do it now, your future self will thank you.

Some people are fickle and easily distracted, but not you; once you’ve decided once you want, you’re committed to going the distance. But remember that this doesn’t mean you need to push forward all the time. At times, a seemingly roundabout path can be the best way to get where you’re going; a step backward can be strategic. Life isn’t linear, and the more you try to make it so, the more frustrated you’ll get. If you need to take a detour today, trust that it’s part of the process.

It’s easy to convince yourself that you’re a burden to the people around you, that the best way to care for others is by asking as little of them as possible. But nobody expects you to bear all your burdens alone, and your friends want to help out where they can. Don’t be ashamed to lean on your community: You’ll probably find that, instead of draining your social capital or making your relationships weaker, it’ll bring you closer to the people you love.

There are plenty of people who insist that if you want to achieve anything big, the only way is to pay your dues by making sacrifices, accepting unfair treatment with a smile, or ignoring your conscience. Sometimes, compromise is necessary — but there are also times when it’s worth holding out for more. It’s better to feel overlooked for now than to abandon your values. Your integrity is important, and it’ll serve you well in the future, so hold onto it.

Buy Claire Comstock-Gay’s book, Madame Clairevoyant’s Guide to the Stars, here.