If it’s your birthday

Your prospects for improving your professional income are better than ever, though this is a claim you must make for yourself. There are two elements involved. One is having a goal you might think is out of reach. The second is doing what you actually care about, and doing it well. Know the ways your talent benefits others, and work that angle. You share a birthday with Joan of Arc, John Singleton and Eddie Redmayne. MARCH 21-APRIL 19 Rely on others for their wisdom, particularly those people who are closest to you. This doesn’t mean doing everything someone else says; rather, work with the information and ideas that you get, make them your own, and continue to seek deeper understanding. Knowledge really is power. APRIL 20-MAY 20 You have your own original ideas about life. You’re never going to conform to what others believe, so scratch that off your list of things to worry about. You have the strength to think for yourself, which isn’t always easy. Don’t believe anyone who says that your ideas — or you — are somehow wrong. MAY 21-JUNE 20 You may not see eye to eye with certain people, though that’s because your perspective is from a hilltop rather than from a valley. Others seem to be emphasizing the personal or private elements of the situation while your concern is for everyone involved, and for the future. JUNE 21-JULY 22 Over the next few days, a rare planetary setup will present you with some unusual opportunities to connect with people. This has been forming for a little while, and someone you recently met may also fit the pattern. Here’s the most important thing you can do: Know what you want. JULY 23-AUG. 22 Usually, what’s actually creative is provocative. A real idea will make you squirm a little. If by chance this includes something a bit kinky, you’re on to something that could be a lot of fun and that will also teach you something about life. Experiment with words first, and actions second. AUG. 23-SEPT. 22 Notice whenever you’re feeling “less than” — less intelligent, less beautiful, less flexible. These are all the same thing, based on the same error. You have everything you need, starting with brainpower; and if you can put your thoughts into action, you’ll see just how effective you really are. SEPT. 23-OCT. 22 Money becomes toxic when it’s the only thing that matters, or when it’s an end in itself. You have many important priorities on your mind, and many things you want to accomplish. Finances are an essential ingredient, though they’re not the purpose of what you’re doing, only a facilitator. OCT. 23-NOV. 21 You must seek what you want and what you need, and then do any necessary negotiating to make it happen. That means having conversations where you figure out where other people are coming from, and most significantly, know — and remember, and focus on — your own agenda. NOV. 22-DEC. 21 One of the most important keys to life is being close to your values and to your priorities. Everything you do, every choice you make, verify that it aligns with what actually matters to you. If you find yourself spending time on what does not make a difference, quickly make some adjustments. JAN. 20-FEB. 18 Take this weekend and invest in your career. Rework your resume or LinkedIn page. Dust off some of your great accomplishments of the past, and keep them handy. Most of all, make phone calls to people who you know are supportive of your success. Tell them your plans and enlist their efforts. FEB. 19-MARCH 20 If you find that others are resistant, try a different approach. They’re not actually having difficulty with you; it’s all within their own mind. See if you can get them to open up and talk about what they want, then notice if there’s a place where you can make that happen together.