Today's Birthday (01/04/17). Your career launches into orbit this year. Maintain meditation and exercise practices for energy. Changes in family finances this February lead to a flurry of conversation and communication. Step into a new phase in personal income next September, growing shared accounts. Follow your heart.

To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Assertiveness works well today and tomorrow. Long distance communications improve for about three weeks, with Mercury in Sagittarius, so expand your territory. Reach out.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Plan and strategize today and tomorrow. Track spending. Saving comes easier for the next three weeks, with Mercury in Sagittarius. Set long-range financial targets.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Get friends involved, especially today and tomorrow. Over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Sagittarius, the competition is extraordinarily fierce. Support your team and pull together.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Sidestep a professional obstacle today and tomorrow. Solutions arise in communication, especially regarding health, work and service over the next three weeks with Mercury in Sagittarius.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Speak from your heart over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Sagittarius. Remind people of your love. You're especially persuasive. Expressing passion benefits your career.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Do the numbers, today and tomorrow. Budget to fix up your place. Over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Sagittarius, discuss and plan household renovation.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- A partner's a big help over the next two days. Writing and communications projects especially thrive with Mercury in Sagittarius for the next three weeks.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Buy, sell and manage funds over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Sagittarius. Share optimism. Use your own confidence to boost other people's output.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- For the next three weeks, with Mercury in your sign, enjoy an advantage with communications. Improve your skills and talents. Express your love today and tomorrow.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Enter a three-week philosophical and spiritual phase, with Mercury in Sagittarius. Learn from your dreams. Family comes first today and tomorrow. Perfect your environment.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Enjoy a three-week social phase, with Mercury in Sagittarius. Investigate, research and make discoveries together with your team. You're especially brilliant over the next two days.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Professional opportunities flow through networking and communications, with Mercury in Sagittarius. Let others know what you want. Your ideas are gathering attention. Speak out.