By Minerva

Starcast

Come New Year’s Eve, Mars hurtles us into the new year with his sudden arrival in Aries. As you drink one last cup of kindness — or whatever — look ahead to high times in 2019.

Aries (March 20-April 18) With Mars playing godfather, you’re a force to be reckoned with. The goody train is at the station. You feel great, you look Charm and sex appeal radiate in all directions. Taurus (April 19-May 19) Expect to be in a new place next year when 2020 rolls around; but for now, make a loverly decision. A stronger sense of your own needs coupled with the awareness of another’s contribution will heighten the love you share.

Gemini (May 20-June 20) Your lifestyle is an art form, like a multilayered cake. You love it that way but would benefit from selective slicing. The new year is ripe for replacing quantity with quality. Cancer (June 21-July 21) “Baby” New Year does his billand-coo number as Jupiter summits in your work station. Your mission is to transform a mere job into a full-blown fame and fortune thing. You feel resolute and firm — you know the force is with you.

Leo (July 22-Aug. 21) It’s all about fun, Leo. Baby New Year promises to be a good playmate to you through much of 2019. Think out of the box. If there was ever a time to be creative, this is it. Virgo (Aug. 22-Sept. 21) Look around your digs. If a move or an upgrade doesn’t come to mind, you may not be looking hard enough. Consult a realtor or make a date with a contractor or decorator — or at least a hard-line cleaning person. Libra (Sept. 22-Oct. 22) Expect your communication skills to be accented in fateful ways. What you say may not matter nearly so much as how you say it. Think about that this week, then make a decision Saturday, the first new moon of the new year.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The right choice can morph a hohum issue into a personal triumph. As an added sweetener: Jupiter hangs in your money house through much of 2019.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 20) Oh, happy day! Saturn, the disciplinarian, has finally moved out of your sign. Think of the character you’ve built! You won’t have another “learning experience” such as that one for another 30 years.

Capricorn (Dec. 21-Jan. 18) Saturn happens, Cap. The cosmic “suit” has settled into your sign for the next two years. Establishing a solid baseline is what this transit is all about. The trick is to work with it.

Aquarius (Jan. 19-Feb. 17) Quiet and introspection are requisites for the next six months. The payoff will be a stronger, happier you. Call it prep time for the second half of the year, which promises to be among the best times of your life.

Pisces (Feb. 18-March 19) The holidays will soon be history, but 2019 carries an exciting charge. You’re a Pisces — gentle, charming, graceful — but an added catalyst lurks within. Make a resolution that paves the way to high adventure.

Minerva’s mailbag

Q: I don’t understand about the astrological signs and houses.

A: This is a very quick astrology lesson, simplistic, to say the least, but as you think about it, you’ll begin to see the logic. There are 12 signs: Aries (energy); Taurus (determination); Gemini (communication) Cancer (emotion); Leo (drama); Virgo (discrimination); Libra (gentility); Scorpio (passion); Sagittarius (adventure); Capricorn (ambition); Aquarius (free-spiritedness); Pisces (empathy). The 12 houses comprise: first house (self ) second house (your possessions); third house (sociability); fourth house (your home); fifth house (creativity); sixth house (work and health); seventh house (partnerships) eighth house (mystery); ninth house (travel); 10th house (public standing): 11th house, (friends); 12th house (compassion).

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.