Starry Surprise Box

By Holiday Mathis

February 12, 2026 5 min read

With a jack-in-the-box toy, you know the clown is coming; you just don't know when. In the case of blind bags, minifigures and trading cards, it's a mystery who will show up, and the rare value of the treasure is yours to guess. Today's lunar aspect offers its own surprise box. It's not about where, who or how much; rather, it's the answer to the king of all questions — Why?

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Maintenance is a kind of listening. Tighten the loose screw, clear the small pile, straighten the edge. These modest gestures calm the nervous system, signaling that it's all in order, and when it's not, it's OK. Falling apart is the first sign of coming together.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). There's strong psychological evidence that willpower is a limited resource. Willpower gets scarce when you're already using so much to get through a tense situation or a demanding day. Self-discipline is made easier in an otherwise stress-free day.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Every relationship has a story, and today you'll be making it a more interesting one with your sense of play. Of course it means tapping into your creativity and daring. It's better to be messy and silly than too regimented, literal or serious.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You're avoiding mistakes for a reason. The consequences are real. Just "valuing effort" doesn't pay bills or fix problems. Because you're serious about doing a good job, you'll put safeguards in place that make it impossible not to.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Being a "driven" person is easy when you simply accept your drives. It's when you ignore or disapprove of them that motivation wanes. What's standing between you and what you naturally want to do? A judgement? A fear? Grapple with and dismantle it.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You're open-minded, flexible, amenable... and you still should try to get your way. Sometimes your way is just better. Today is one of those times when all will benefit when you politely advocate for it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). If people were stars, there's one who is your North Star right now and you keep moving toward the light, constant and bright. Yes, there is still a distance between you, but what's a few light-years among friends?

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). A bit of envy in the mix will be lucky for you because you're naturally competitive, so the idea that someone else is winning the very thing you're interested in will give you the energy to think smarter and move faster to make things happen for yourself.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You want people to be comfortable around you, but not so relaxed that they are also complacent, inconsiderate or greedy. There's a balance to be struck between warmth and power, and it can be addressed sartorially.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). The temptation of making a "bad" choice isn't really about morality or a failure of discipline, so much as needs. Comfort, relief, connection, excitement, rest, reassurance — all are valid reasons to act. Understand the need and behaviors are easier to manage.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). The focus you choose is the picture. What you don't focus on may as well be absent entirely. Your world features the people, things and ideas you flow your attention to. As you witness the world, you also make it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Only say yes when you're genuinely excited about the offering or see a definite benefit to responding like you are. Keep focusing on the upside of extra responsibility and it will stop feeling like a chore and start feeling like choice, and maybe even a little fun.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 12). Welcome to your Year of Uncanny Social Intelligence, when you make moves that outperform the finest diplomats and strategists. Your solar year brings numerous opportunities to play these cards, parlay yourself into a sweeter position and round up the resources and ideas to leave your mark on the world. More highlights: Rivals become allies, higher learning and three financial bonuses. Cancer and Sagittarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 26, 10, 1, 3, and 7.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Recently over 100 artifacts telling the story of Abraham Lincoln were sold at auction for nearly $8 million to raise money for a nonprofit foundation supporting efforts to share Lincoln's life, legacy and leadership with the world. The Aquarian president's calls for unity and moral clarity serve as a touchstone to those seeking to heal the divisions in society. Lincoln's remarkable rise from poverty to the nation's highest office exemplifies his Aquarian traits: a visionary commitment to justice and the courage to confront systemic inequalities.

For more Holiday magic, visit HolidayMathis.com. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Vincentiu Solomon at Unsplash

Like it? Share it!

  • 1

Horoscopes by Holiday
About Holiday Mathis
Read More | RSS | Subscribe

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...