Horoscopes: Wednesday, January 18, 2017

ARIES (March 21-April 19). The current speed of time is one second per second. Try to stay inside of that, as one might stay inside a car on the freeway; speeding through and yet simultaneously rather still.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Amp up the importance of your goal. If it's important enough, you'll relate all decisions to that goal. With everything you do, ask: Does it get me closer?

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll spend part of the day figuring out what is best for the health and development of another person. It's not easy to forget all about you and feel life as the other person might. This is love.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You take a personal approach, perform with fluidity, and leave your audience (whether it be one or 100) thinking: "Who was that, and how can I get more?"

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Cognitive dissonance isn't something people experience in times of crisis. Our brains are wired to continuously deal with internal disagreement. Humor helps. Parts of today will be absolutely hilarious.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You can't help whom you prefer, though of course it's only natural to want to spend more time with the one who inspires a warm and reflective feeling in you and less time with the one who makes you work in some way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you know you don't have much time for a task, you tend to give it your deep, full attention. This is why it will help you to set a strict time limit on things that don't naturally have one.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There's a reason videos of funny dogs and cute kittens are an online refuge for so many. We could all use a little levity and softness in our experience. None will be immune to this need today.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Change always comes at a cost. Lose this, gain that - the balance of life. The best is when you trade something you can no longer use for something you can (as happens today).

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The old way is safe, comfortable, familiar. It's also boring. You'll come up with a new way. Give yourself the best chance at being accepted by working out the bugs before presenting.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The best perk about seeing new places in the world is that it enables you to finally see your homeland for what it is. Contrast is necessary for perception. It takes two eyes to see depth.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Making things too easy for the other person is not very nice. This is why "no spoilers" is a good policy, and it's also why you should never give an unwrapped gift. The prize is in the discovery.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 18). You take an active role in your environment. Your every interaction is a kind of creation. People insist you join them, stating, "It won't be the same without you," and they're right. You'll work in different groups and take home two victory "trophies" by April. Heartfelt promises will be exchanged in May. Leo and Pisces adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 7, 1, 42, 9, and 38.