Horoscopes: Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You wanted a thing. You’re now realizing the cost, financial and otherwise, is far steeper than you thought. So, do you want it bad enough to do what it takes to get it? You’ll now decide, realistically, if this is the case.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Though you strive for an ideal, you don’t expect yourself to perfectly achieve it. The little ways you veer off make the journey personal and exciting. Whatever you don’t get right gives you a point of connection with your fellow flawed humans.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). As all the magicians know, magic isn’t something to wait for; it’s something to create. You’ll be stuck by an idea worth putting effort into. You’re up for learning, practicing and ultimately mastering the skill that will bring on the magic.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Sure, stress affects you. But you’ve learned that nothing good comes from reacting too strongly to the signal. Instead, you’ll turn that signal down by burning off some energy or by taking a break in a serene environment.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Ambition alone can’t get you to the goal. Many other qualities will kick in, like tenacity, intelligence and diplomacy, which is crucial. A successful strategy depends on figuring out what others want.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You are a generally trusting person, and yet you have a feeling that it would be unwise to give up too much power, information or money. You’ll be wary of anyone trying to persuade you. Go with your gut instinct — it’s spot-on.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You’re still getting to know someone, and the relationship is somehow at once familiar and strange. It will groove much better once you work a few things out — not through conversation, though. Feel your way through.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). There are times in life when conflict is necessary, invigorating, and just the thing to sharpen and motivate you. This is not one of them. The prize in question is simply not worth fighting for. Avoid conflict. Embrace compromise and negotiation.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The last word goes to the one who is the most obstinate, not the most correct. Either way, it is a childish thing to fight for, and you’ll avoid the situations that seem to challenge people’s maturity level.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Success doesn’t hinge on one interaction going right. You’ll continue to build a body of work and hone your stellar attitude, knowing you’ll ultimately have many chances to get what you need.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You’ll keep company with talented people, and that makes you want to practice and improve your own bag of tricks. The command you have over your gifts is more important than which gifts you have.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Science will impact the day. What can be proven via systematic observation, measurement and experiment has the potential to change your scene, improve your work or light up a relationship. Make your hypothesis and test it.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (Jan. 31). Your drive to achieve is motivated by a need in the world you know you can fill. That you are astute enough to recognize it is the brilliance that ripples out and out, connecting you to ideal partners, plentiful resources, and goodwill so sincere and abundant it cannot fail. More highlights: an upgrade in style, and keys to the room where magic happens. Taurus and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 42, 3, 20 and 18.