Welcome to your May 2016 forecast!   Click on “read article” and scroll down til you find your sign of the zodiac….

TAURUS (APR 20-MAY 20) Yes, it’s true: Mercury is retrograde in Taurus! It just turned retrograde on April 28^th and it spends the remainder of Taurus-time retrograde. That means that all of you May Tauruses have the influence of both Mercury and Mars retrograde not only this month, but by extension, for the whole next year. I know you’re scratching your cute bovine heads and saying “what the heck is she talking about?” Here is the deal: we astrologers are like mathematicians in some ways. You know how mathematicians say “this equals that,” even if it makes no logical sense? Well, we astrologers do that too. We say that the planetary configurations in place on your birthday are in effect for the whole year ahead….. So you Taureans with end of April and May birthdays win the exacta this year and are strongly embodying these powerful retrograde influences. You will be intuitive and creative, able to get things done by circuitous but value-driven means. (Of course, your tendency to lose personal effects will be exaggerated, but remember, those personal things always come back to you – they just go missing for a while.) With Mercury retrograde in your own sign you may feel as though you’re in a fog, but you’re not. You really have no choice but move with your intuition and let your unconscious guide you. Be prepared for the unexpected. But back to this month… First of all, not only are the Sun (of course) and Mercury in Taurus, but Venus has just entered Taurus as well. Jupiter is in Virgo, and Pluto in Capricorn, adding up to a lot of energy in earth signs. Earth is our material world, our material bodies, the stuff we do to make life happen. So on the one hand this month, there is an emphasis on concrete reality but in the most non-linear way imaginable because of the retrogrades. You should allow yourself to have a good time while life unfolds around you, just like those spring blossoms. No need to push anything. May 6^th brings a delicious new moon in Taurus – one of my favorite new moons of the year because it’s so rich and creative and fruitful. Use this lunation for planning. The rest of the month is dominated by the ever-tightening Saturn-Jupiter square, which is inspiring everyone to confront how we allocate resources. With Jupiter turning direct on the 9^th there should be some loosening up in that realm. The rest of Taurus-time is quite uneventful – see? Some good news! Things don’t get chunky til the Sun enters Gemini and Mars retrograde opposes it just in time for a crazy Sag full moon on the 21^st.   But even that is all right since Venus is in the picture as well, so whatever you’re doing should involve a good time. The end of the month brings powerful creative aspects thanks to the Sun and Venus edging towards Neptune.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) May is a fascinating month! Mars continues to move retrograde in Sagittarius, and Mercury will be retrograde in Taurus until May 22^nd. The influence of both of these retrogrades together is quirky and unpredictable., and you have no choice but to really really really go with the flow. (Did you hear me?) The Jupiter-Saturn square gets closer and closer all month, but thankfully, Jupiter turns from retrograde to direct on the 9^th which should somewhat ease the stress of having to face tough financial realities. There is a beautiful new moon in Taurus on May 6^th—definitely use it for planning and for generating some growth in your life. The Sun enters your own sign on May 20^th, and then things get mighty interesting for you! For one thing, Mars retrograde in Sagittarius reaches an opposition to the Gemini Sun from the 20^th-23^rd, and there is a Sag full moon on the 21^st. This is c—rr—azy! If your birthday is in those first few days of Gemini, you have this Mars retrograde influence right on your head! Talk about moving in a different direction from the dominant culture!   You’ll likely discover that a direction you’ve been taking begins to feel that it isn’t working for you. Let these impulses arise and learn from them. Remember not to force anything during Mars retrograde – but rather let the force take you. The full moon in Sagittarius will really illuminate this potential conflict between what you’re doing and what you really need and want to do. Don’t worry though – Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th and also opposes Mars retrograde for a couple of days which should help you integrate your Martian impulses. By the 27^th Mars retrogrades back into Scorpio and Venus moves away from Mars and closer to the Sun. The month ends with pretty Sun Venus Neptune aspects that facilitate romance and creative expression.

CANCER (JUNE 21- JUL 21) What a month! Mercury is retrograde in Taurus, as of the very end of April, and Mars continues its retrograde march through early Sagittarius. So you have no choice but to go with the strange flow of these planets which gives us unusual access to our unconscious. What could be better than that? So the first few weeks of May are juicy and surprising but not really tumultuous at all, thank god. There is a beautiful new moon in Taurus on the 6^th, a delicious new moon that is excellent for planning –and planting!– new things. The Saturn-Jupiter square continues to get tighter and tighter all month, highlighting issues about where you’re putting money and time. The Sun enters Gemini on the 20^th, followed by a big noisy full moon in Sagittarius on the 21^st. This full moon has Mars retrograde opposite the Sun, so everyone will feel the pull of a different direction or desire. Mars retrograde also catches a quick moving opposition to Venus before it moves back into Scorpio on the 27^th. You will be stirred up, wanting something different in your life. It’s important not to fight the Mars retrograde impulses. By the end of the month Venus in Gemini moves in step with the Sun and squares Neptune for a few days of dreamy creativity.

LEO (JUL 22-AUG 21) If you can roll with retrogrades this month, you will be fine! Mars has been retrograde since mid-April, and Mercury just turned retrograde, so for three weeks of May both planets are retrograde (Mars will be retrograde til the end of June). Remember—when personal planets are retrograde it is an opportunity for things to come to the surface that are normally under wraps. Mars’ sphere is work, plans, action, and goals, and Mercury’s realm is thought, information, communication, technology, and short travel. With both planets retrograde, a large portion of our daily life is well, er, umm, moving sideways. Impulses and desires that we have suppressed come up to the surface, as does non-linear perception and intuition. You may feel like the direction you’re moving in isn’t quite right, and as Leo, any tendency to dig your heels in aint gonna work. You absolutely cannot fight these influences – you have to go with them. But back to the specifics of May….The first 2/3 of the month are pretty calm if you can go with the flow. There is a beautiful new moon in Taurus on the 6^th, which is excellent for planning. Jupiter turns direct on the 9^th, bringing some financial relief to the stress of the Saturn-Jupiter square. Things get a bit riled up around the Sag full moon on the 21^st which has Mars retrograde opposing the Sun. You will feel a lot of inner turmoil about whatever it is you’ve been doing that you suddenly no longer want to do… Let the full moon illuminate the situation, and then Venus and Mars will help you clarify your purpose around the 24^th.   The Sun –Venus-Neptune aspects at the end of the month bring you creative inspiration.

VIRGO (AUG 22- SEPT 21)  May is a great month for you if you can go with the flow of Mars and Mercury retrograde! With both of these planets retrograde a large swath of our daily life is affected, from plans and work to communication and travel. Things are moving kinda sideways and there is a strong element of unpredictability. Yet there are many planets in earth signs this month so it is really important that you not be attached to the material results of anything you’re doing. There is a gorgeous new moon in Taurus on the 6^th – one of my favorite new moons of the year because it is so fertile and creative. The Jupiter –Saturn square moves tighter and tighter this month, continuing the scrutiny on how you’re spending time and money. Then things really come to a head around the full moon in Sagittarius on the 21^st. Mars retrograde opposes the Sun and you will be very aware of wanting to be doing something different, wanting to put your energy elsewhere. Mercury goes direct on the 22^nd so energy will be moving in many different directions. Let the full moon illuminate the situation, and stay calm because Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th and also opposes Mars, integrating your values with this new direction. The month ends with strong Sun Venus Neptune aspects that emphasize your creative vision.

LIBRA (SEPT 22-OCT21) Well, well, we have not one but two retrograde personal planets this month! As you know, Mars is retrograde from mid April til the end of June, and Mercury just went retrograde and remains so til May 22. These two planets cover a big part of our daily lives, so you can give up thinking you have any idea what’s happening from one minute to the next.   This is a very rich period for intuition and creativity, for allowing your real desires to come forth. Most of the month is quite calm if you can let the retrograde energy take you and reveal what needs to be revealed! And there is a beautiful new moon in Taurus on May 6^th to facilitate planning and new projects and schemes. Things don’t get chunky til the Sun enters Gemini on the 20^th and we have a good few days of craziness. The Sun opposes Mars retrograde in Sag just in time for the full moon on the 21^st. You will be feeling your best-laid-plans moving in one direction and your Libra self moving in another. It’s a bit uncomfortable! Then Mercury turns direct on the 22^nd, and the day it turns is always a mess. You won’t know which end is up. But then Venus enters Gemini on the 24^th and opposes Mars for a day or two, bringing clarity of purpose to your changing direction. Use the gorgeous Venus-Sun-Neptune aspects at the end of the month for creative inspiration.

SCORPIO (OCT 22-NOV 21) This is an interesting month! As you know, Mars is retrograde all month long, moving from Sagittarius back into Scorpio by the end of the month.   Just to complicate your life even more, Mercury went retrograde in Taurus just a day or two ago at the end of April, and it remains retrograde til May 22^nd…. This makes a big portion of daily life retrograde, or moving kinda sideways! Get ready for unusually direct access to your unconscious, and also for unexpected information, impulses, and events to occur.   Meanwhile, May 6^th brings a beautiful new moon in Taurus, your opposite sign.   This is a rich and fertile new moon, so make some plans! If you can keep cruising with Mercury and Mars retro, you’ll be fine – at least until around May 21^st when everything hits the fan. The Sun enters Gemini on the 20^th, followed by a rambunctious full moon in Sag on the 21^st that directly involves Mars retrograde. Mercury turns direct on the 22^nd (always a mess) and Mars backs into Scorpio on the 27^th.   All of this means that you will run smack into seeing that you can’t keep doing something they way you’ve been doing it. It will be unavoidable, and you will feel pressed to make changes. Go with it. By the 24^th we get a few days of Venus opposing Mars retro which will help you integrate your new direction… The month ends with a pretty Sun-Venus conjunction that squares Neptune. Time for romance and creative expression!

 SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22- DEC 21) Oh wow! Mercury and Mars are both retrograde, and you have to roll with where the energy takes you.   Stay close to your intuition and ride Mars like the surfer you wish you were.   Most of the month is quite calm, actually, with a gorgeous new moon in Taurus on May 6^th that is tailor-made for planning and planting… The Jupiter Saturn square gets even tighter this month but Jupiter turns direct on the 9^th and you will breathe easier about resources. But watch out – the Sun enters Gemini on the 20^th and there is a big and noisy Sagittarian full moon on the 21^st. At the same time, Mars retrograde in early Sagittarius falls right on the degree of the Sun and Moon. Oh jeez – if you are an early Sag this all hits you on your head! All Sagittarians will find yourselves pulled in an unplanned direction, or you will have to face that your current direction aint doing it for you… Don’t stress – let the full moon illuminate, and trust the few days of Venus opposing Mars on the 24^th to help you integrate your new direction. And did I mention that Mercury retro goes direct on the 22^nd? If you’re traveling, expect changes. The month ends with Venus in Gemini catching up the Sun (nice!) and squaring Neptune. This is a great aspect for romance and creative expression.

CAPRICORN (Dec 21-Jan19) May is a great month for unpredictability and change, thanks to Mercury and Mars both being retrograde… You have no choice but to go with the flow, because between those two planets they cover a large swath of our conscious, planful lives.   Well here comes the unconscious to mess up your earthy plans! Mercury stays retrograde til May 22^nd, and as you know, Mars is retrograde til the end of June.   Otherwise May is mostly calm (hah!), with a gorgeous new moon in Taurus on the 6^th. This is a great moon for planning and inspiration. Jupiter and Saturn are still squared but Jupiter turns direct on the 9^th so there should be a bit more financial ease. The crazy stuff doesn’t hit til the Sun enters Gemini on the 20^th, opposing Mars retrograde just in time for the Sag full moon on the 21^st. OMG! You will run smack into Mars retrograde pulling you in an unexpected direction, and the full moon will give you no choice but to see it and embrace it. Venus gets in the action on the 24^th and helps you integrate your new vision or passion. Meanwhile Mercury turns around on the 22^nd – and you know that is always slightly challenging. Venus catches up to the Sun at the end of the month and they both square Neptune, bringing creative vision and romance.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20-FEB 19) May is odd and very somewhat unpredictable, and the influences force you to go with the flow! Mercury and Mars are both retrograde, bringing surprises and unexpected impulses and information to the fore. Things could get

This Akron graffiti is perfect for Aquarius…

interesting! Most of the month is quite calm as long as you’re not fighting the sideways pull of Mars retro. There is a gorgeous new moon in Taurus on May 6^th, excellent for planning and planting. Jupiter and Saturn are still squared and the aspect is even

tighter, but Jupiter turns direct on the 9^th which could loosen up a financial matter that has been stuck. The fun and games start on the 20^th, when the Sun enters Gemini and opposes Mars retrograde, followed on the 21^st by a bombastic full moon in Sagittarius. This full moon will really show you how your energy is moving in a different direction from what you planned and expected. You may feel that your current modus operandi is untenable. Don’t worry – Venus comes to the rescue on the 24^th when it opposes Mars retro and helps you integrate your values into your actions. Keep in mind that Mercury retro turns around on the 22^nd, and so that day could be messy. It’s a chunky few days, what can I say?   Then Venus catches up to the Sun and they both square Neptune at the end of the month, which is wonderful for creative expression, romance, and beautification of any kind!

 PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 19) This is a wild and fascinating month because Mars is still retrograde (and will be til end of June) and Mercury just went retrograde and remains so until May 22^nd. Oy! These two planets cover a big swath of our daily life from action, work, and goals to communication, information, and travel. When they are retrograde, things go kinda sideways. You have no choice but to go with the flow and expect the unexpected.   Otherwise the month moves along nicely for the first three weeks. There is a gorgeous new moon in Taurus on May 6^th, excellent for planning. The Saturn Jupiter square that has been dominating   our financial life gets even tighter but Jupiter turns direct on May 9^th which should inject some ease into those matters. Then everything hits the fan for a few days starting the 20^th, when the Sun enters Gemini and opposes Mars retrograde in Sag. (If you are a very early Pisces this hits you like a ton of bricks!) Then there is a full moon in Sag on the 21^st so you can expect to run smack into Mars retrograde, pulling you in an unexpected direction or surfacing a power struggle. Everything should erupt under that full moon , but take heart because by the 24^th, Venus opposes Mars retrograde and helps you integrate the Martian impulses into a new direction. And oh, did I mention that Mercury turns direct on the 22^nd? That is always a messy day… between that and the full moon I predict some amount of mess. But the month ends with a beautiful Sun-Venus conjunction that squares Neptune, bringing romantic and creative juice to your life.

ARIES (MAR 20-APRIL19) Oh honey, your ruling planet Mars continues to move retrograde this month, joined by Mercury retrograde for three weeks of May. What?! Yes, it’s true. Keep in mind that these two planets cover a major swath of our daily existence – work, goals, action, and information, communication, and travel. When they are retrograde those spheres of life are governed by the unconscious – isn’t that fun? Therefore we can expect that impulses and thoughts and ideas that are normally under wraps come to the surface, and so anything is possible. Your job is to go with the flow and not try to force anything. Just let it all roll….   Most of the month is relatively calm in the face of these energies – or perhaps because of them. There is a gorgeous new moon in Taurus on the 6^th which is delicious and fertile, good for planning and planting.   Things don’t get messy until the 20^th, when the Sun enters Gemini and opposes Mars retrograde in Sag just in time for a noisy full moon in Sag on the 21^st. Mars retrograde will be illuminated by this full moon and you will feel yourself inexorably pulled in an unexpected direction or by an impulse to do something different from what you’re doing. By the 24^th, Venus opposes Mars retrograde and helps you integrate your values into the Martian impulses. (And Mercury turns direct on the 22^nd. If you’re traveling over those few days, expect a mess!) Venus catches up to the Sun at the end of the month and the two square Neptune, making for romance and creative and spiritual expression. Nice!