First up, there’s this: The 24th - the 28th is a very fortuitous time as Mercury (communication and commerce) Venus (love and money), and Jupiter (blessings and growth) come together in affable Gemini. It’s a great time to negotiate deals. It’s also a very sociable time during which people go all out in the pursuit of pleasure. Those born at the end of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius will feel especially blessed by this energy! Stay tuned for eclipse news.

With Mercury in Gemini (talk, talk talk) squaring off with Neptune in Pisces (fantasy) from the 17th-18th, you shouldn’t be so quick to believe everything that you hear. You can’t even trust your own perception, so you’re probably better off not believing that your own thoughts are an accurate reflection of reality. Whether the source of your data is internal or external, take it with a grain of salt. Some people will purposely deceive you, while others will merely disappointment. Under this cosmic cloud, even the simplest matters become confusing. Important negotiations, conversations, and contracts should be postponed until a later date. Fortunately, this influence passes quickly. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, & Pisces will bear the brunt of this toxic funk.

Today’s Solar Eclipse in Taurus meets up with Mercury (communication) and the South Node (the path of least resistance). This is a curious combination. As this is also a New Moon, it’s a time for thinking about the future, but the South Node tethers us to the past. Also, an eclipse tends to clip something out of our lives. Where this eclipse, at 19 degrees of Taurus, falls in our natal chart is where we want to talk about the past and rest on our laurels. However, the universe may be ready to ‘clip’ that out and propel us toward the future! We may need to step outside of our comfort zones and connect with the world and with other people in a new way. Taurus, this New Moon is all you!

All month Uranus in Aries (individual rebellion) squares off with Pluto in Capricorn (the power of the established authority) reaching a fever pitch around May 20th. This month, we are likely to see more uprisings in the world as individuals join together to challenge the status quo. On a personal level, you will experience your own conflict between wanting to break free (in the house of your natal chart where you find 11 degrees of Aries) and wanting to maintain power (in the house where you find 11 degrees of Pluto). Will you stay and maintain control or will you go and rebel against whatever is holding you back?

With the Sun, Venus, and Mars all joined in Taurus through the end of the month, it’s all about the steadfast pursuit of whatever it is that one feels most passionate about and whose ownership will provide one with a sense of security. This is a headstrong energy that wants what it wants when it wants it and god help those who stand between a person and his or her desires. Taurus, it’s all about you and because it’s your birthday time, it should be! You are very strong now. If you know what you want and make the right effort, you can probably get it. Virgo and Capricorn are also pretty determined and hard to beat now. Leo and Aquarius are likely to have their feathers ruffled. And poor Scorpio, you had better just get out of the way. Keeping a low profile will be the best way to manage people and situations that are not supporting your interests now.

Wednesday’s New Moon in Aries joins beauty-loving Venus and let’s-make-it-happen Mars making it a great time to pursue a new experience that you feel particularly passionate about. If there was ever a time to act first and figure out the details later, this is it! Wherever you have 21 degrees of Aries in your natal chart is where you should make a bold move. Aries this is your time to shine! Leo and Sagittarius get a boost of energy and inspiration, too. All the excitement may be a bit too much for Libra. Cancer and Capricorn, you are likely to be pushed out of your comfort zones and that’s exactly what you need!

Under today’s Full Moon in Libra desires for communion and harmony are intensified, but hard to fulfill. With so many planets in independent Aries, people want to go their own way and do their own thing. This is a good time to try to come into harmony with relationships as they are rather than getting upset because you can’t have your kumbaya moment with the people that you care about. Libra would do well to learn how to act more independently now, while Aries might want to be more considerate of other people’s needs. Cancer and Capricorn need to establish balance between professional responsibilities and domestic duties.

From the 25th -28th, warrior Mars squares off with power-hungry Pluto. Mars in Aries, the sign that it rules, can be quite fierce and it meets a formidable foe in Pluto in Capricorn as it fights to uphold the status quo. Under this influence the potential for violence or for other hazardous conditions can be tremendous, as tempers flare easily and people react badly when their desires are thwarted. This a battle between the maverick vs. the established order. Where you have early Aries in your natal chart is where you want to bravely forge ahead and where you have early Capricorn is where you want to resist change and maintain power. In this particular battle, Mars in Aries is the stronger opponent. He may not necessarily win, but he can certainly upset the order of things. This is a very dynamic time for Aries, Cancer, Libra, & Capricorn. Change will happen whether you want it to or not!

Fiery Mars joins unpredictable Uranus in Aries from the 21st - 23rd making for a highly explosive mix. This is a potentially hazardous time, as there could be danger from natural disasters, accidents, or mere human explosiveness. Aries are even more headstrong and reckless than usual. Libras would do well to avoid volatile people and situations altogether. Cancer could experience career chaos while Capricorn deals with domestic drama. For everyone, wherever you have 8 degrees of Aries in your natal chart, caution is advised.