May Astrology

The month of May always feels like it's in the middle of things -- not obviously Spring Or Summer, after tax time but before vacation, and on TV it's "May Sweeps" when the producers of network TV shows amp up the drama and/or ridiculousness to get your attention before they go away until Fall.

Amplifying the teeter-totter effect this month is a partial Lunar Eclipse on the May 20th Full Moon -- as the Sun and Moon meet up at the very beginning of Gemini. A close trine between Venus and Saturn means that your New Moon Intentions might work out particularly well from money and/or sense in your love life, but the Gemini factor may find you too scattered and too confronted with possibilities to use it properly. Pick your targets wisely and lay out some details, rather than simply hoping for the best. Venus likes options, but she likes security a little more.

Ah yes... lovely Venus. The entire month sees Venus in the last third of Gemini, turning retrograde on the 15th and spending the rest of the month retracing its steps. Lots of astrologers will tell you that a retrograde is a better time for introspection than action, and that's mostly true. Since Venus is involved, this may involve mulling over a lot of old emotional connections, and that often means an unexpected call from a past contact -- or you making that call. Focus on the introspection before you take action, and you're a little less likely to end up regretting it (just like the last time so-and-so called and you felt too nostalgic or forgiving for your own good). Wait -- isn't forgiveness a good thing? Sure it is, but with Jupiter plodding through Taurus, odds are good your sense of forgiveness may be based on convenience or ease rather than on sound reason. And with Saturn still retrograde in Libra, the consequences for your relationship(s) may be less than comfortable in the long run.

Take comfort in the small things, and prepare quietly for next month's Full Moon... it'll be a lot wackier than anything May comes up with this year.

Taurus

Early in the month, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter all team up to sooth your worried Ego over anything that may have not gone your way recently. Take as much advantage of your creative and spiritual impulses (and your birthday cake) as you can throughout the first part of the month, because after the 20th it's all pretty much about the money. Pay attention to any health issues you've had -- some relief can be found that way too.

Gemini

The last while has likely been a combination of comfort and confusion: comfort in the knowledge that people rarely change, and confusion as to why the people in your life WON'T change to your liking. Rather than point out the logical flaws in that, take this approach: sit back and observe the people in your life who aren't acting as they should. Then around the 20th and onwards, tell them all about your awesome plans for how they can change! You'll get a little further than usual with that approach, this month.

Cancer

In many ways, this will be a month where you "find your voice." The people around you have presented ideas and opportunities, and it's time to make them your own, in your own way. Watch the people in your life carefully: they haven't exactly misled you, but you may have misled yourself about them based on your own assumptions or fears. Relax: this month brings an Inner Journey Of Understanding as you swim through your own biases and misunderstandings. Wear a life jacket!

Leo

Generally, this month should work out well for you, even if the first half is filled with annoying demands on your time and work load. Make no sudden moves with your finances, even though the temptation will arise. After the New Moon, you'll have an easier time speaking the words that need to be heard, and making the moves that have to be made... and if others can't handle it, that's their problem, not yours.

Virgo

Notice how last month there was a Call To Action, and you didn't quite know exactly how to confront that potential change... or even had a hard time figuring out WHAT to change? A lot of that clears up this month, and that will be a relief. The last third of the month brings new developments in your home life that will go a long way towards clearing up other, less obviously-connected-to-your home-life issues.

Libra

Does Libra ever get tired of being called "The Relationship Sign" when so many of their relationships don't work any better than anyone else's? Maybe. Then again, you can't learn to play tennis better without playing against a partner who's at least at your level. Romantically, business-wise, or on any other playing field, that potential new, um, playmate may appear after the New Moon. In the meantime, relax: the workload calms down soon.

Scorpio

Did you notice that subtle (maybe not-so subtle) shift in your relationships and your attitude towards them in the last few months? It's almost like a spring quietly compressing, building energy for sudden action, and some of it likely started to pop loose in the last month. This month? Everything flies loose, and mostly reassembles itself in a better form, and most of the momentum comes from others. Then, spend the last third of the month using your charms to get your way. It'll work even better than usual!

Sagittarius

Sagittarius sometimes misses the trees while observing the forest, which may explain why Sagittarius has such a reputation for bumping into things. Keep calm and carry on through the frustrating daily details of your life for the first part of this month, then brace yourself for big changes in your love life and/or long-term partners. The solution to both issues may be more related than you thought.

Capricorn

Sure, we all know that life is really about Enlightenment and Happiness, not Material Gain. But Capricorn has a gift for knowing that Enlightenment is a lot easier when the power bill is paid and the lights actually WORK. A lot of material and practical obstacles and stresses in your life of late will ease by the end of it, and that will make it a lot easier to meditate in your ashram. Also, don't be surprised if you get more romantic attention than usual. THAT ought to make your meditation hard to focus on...

Aquarius

Why can't we all just get along? Probably because people have a hard time seeing the Big Picture. Yes, even you sometimes, Aquarius. Your workload may be amplified this month, and there's nothing wrong with focusing on the little things and the minor details... just make sure you don't leave the people in your life feeling like they're "little and minor things" to you. By the end of the month, things lighten up, and The Fun will be back.

Pisces

As the old saying goes "make hay while the sun shines." This will be a particularly constructive approach for you to take with your personal relationships this month: opportunities arise for new understanding, but wait for the moment to arrive instead of imposing something. You'll find new and better ways to relate to people, and that will be particularly useful towards the end of the month when everything goes a little haywire with your satisfaction levels.

Aries

You're likely to feel a little more energized this month than you have recently. Sure, there's a focus on the material side this month, but with a little work major breakthroughs will come. Mid-month reveals opportunities for new and better work conditions, either through your own actions or a random look at the Want Ads. Follow through on new contacts, socially and otherwise.