By Minerva

Starcast

Jupiter waves the baton while the Sun and Mercury enjoy a last tango in sizzling Sagittarius. The cosmic connection centers around travel communication, and commerce. Can it get any more yuletide than that?

Aries (March 20-April 18) Oh, what a year! There’s been a time to plan, a time to push and now, a little downtime. You Rams deserve it! Take a stroll down Christmas Tree Lane. Think long and hard about where you’d like to be this time next year.

Taurus (April 19-May 19) Jupiter does a wild do-si-do around your hormone house. All that hee-hawing offers a “make hay while the sun shines” opportunity. Something green: not holly leaves, money. Recognize what a good year this has been. There are more goodies to come in 2019.

Gemini (May 20-June 19) Your ruling Mercury hangs in your partnership house (restless, roving Saj), adding a joker to the holiday fruitcake. Could be loveydovey stuff, could be business. Or very possibly both.

Cancer (June 20-July 21) Jupiter, Mercury and the Sun do a spirited “ring-around-therosy” around your nitty-gritty house. The immediate result of all this hee-hawing is a “make hay while the sun shines” opportunity.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 21) Mercury and the Sun are lively bedfellows in your fun house. If you’re not hammering out the details now, you soon will be. The year ends and 2019 begins on a high note.

Virgo (Aug. 22-Sept. 21) As yule lights flicker, your brave spirit draws admirers like a magnet. You’ve come a long way. Look deeply into the Christmas candle. Study its flame. Imagine what you want for yourself in the year ahead.

Libra (Sept. 22-Oct. 21) Admit it: what you really lust after is a dollop of fame atop your mincemeat pie. You’ll need to face blocks that you yourself created. Accomplish that, you’ll not only feel “born again” but have better recall. Scorpio (Oct. 22-Nov. 21) Jupiter, Mercury and the Sun gathered in your money house suggests growth possibilities. We’re not just talking Christmas candy. Time now to not only wake up and smell the coffee but stop lacing the eggnog.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 20) Christmas looms large and the poster kid mantle falls easily on you. Expect the holidaze to take on an adult side that you may not care to share. Take a deep breath, make a wish: The whole world’s watching.

Capricorn (Dec. 21-Jan. 19) The Sun, Jupiter, and Mercury summit is in your 12th house. The 12th house! Yes, your mystery sector. Talk is that you’ve got some good karma coming. To ensure a cool yule, communicate with a capital C.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 17) Christmas can’t all be groaning board, mashed potatoes, and Hallmark moments. Even Bob Cratchit had one problem relative. Deal with it. Now for the good stuff: Planets pulsate in your friendship house.

Pisces (Feb. 18-March 19) The year’s been tough in many ways. The good news is a general “lightening up.” Jupiter, the Sun and Mercury have settled into your fame center. Even a shy Pi can handle that.

Minerva’s mailbag

Q: I was born on 09/03/67 (Virgo) and my professional enemy was born on 12/03/64 (Sagittarius). We are engaged in a “life or death” competition at work. Will one of us prevail or would I be better off to look for another job?

A: It’s premature to look for a new job. You’ve no difficulty keeping up with your rival’s mentality and bring much common sense to the match. Now, can you come to terms with that person’s erratic work style? Realistically, you need each other. Your colleague inspires you to take risks and reach new heights, while you provide the purpose and focus that person needs. Once you’ve identified each other’s strength, and learned to utilize them, you’ll be a dream team.

To ask Minerva a question, go to www.ask minerva.com or write to Minerva, Sunday Datebook, San Francisco Chronicle, 901 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94103.