Now, Venus will start to retrograde, May 15 to June 27, and that will have an even more powerful effect, because Venus is your ruling planet.

There is more news about retrogrades, so I might as well tell you about the next one now. After June 27, you will only have two weeks, and then from July 14 to August 8, Mercury will retrograde. We are all upset about this, and believe me I didn’t want to tell you, but I thought I should. I cannot remember a year anything like this one. It seems the universe wants us to go slowly and carefully.

If you look closely at these dates (which I carefully flag on all my Year Ahead Calendars that I write annually), the universe will give us little patches of time in which to act decisively. Those patches of time will be excellent for initiating new ventures, and we are in one of those now. (That window of opportunity opened April 13 and will end May 15.)

It is rare that the universe speaks so clearly: Go slowly to make sure all your plans are well thought out. Retrograde planets ask us to look back to scrutinize areas that we can improve. It looks like you’ll be thinking back about things that have not taken the course you wanted, and about how you would do things differently in the future.

As said, Venus won’t retrograde until May 15, so as you begin May, plan on being sharp and productive because – and this may surprise you – you have just arrived at one of the very sweetest portions of the year. Although it will be a narrow window of time, May 1 to May 13, it will be one of your best. Every zodiac sign will have something to celebrate then, and for you, your good news will center on money.

Let’s first look at the full moon, May 5, in Scorpio (16 degrees) in your house of earned income and salary. Within five days of this date, you may hear back about a request you may have made for a raise, or you may finish up a salary or fee negotiation for a new position you are considering. This full moon will be in good angle to Mars, so secret talks should go well. Just be sure not to talk about what is happening for you, for it appears you need to keep all the talks very private. Having others know about these talks will make you vulnerable, although I am not absolutely sure why.

Pluto will be nicely angled too, so if you hope to make a sale or purchase of a house in early May, go right ahead – you are likely to agree on the price. Pluto is in your home sector, so anything home related should go well. You may find a great bargain or sale for a piece of furniture. If you find that you can close on the house sometime during the first two weeks of May, you would be working within ideal timing.

The reason I want you to act with a sense of urgency is that any venture you might start while Venus is retrograde will have a lowered profit potential. I know, I didn’t “dress” that statement very much – it is plain and simple, bad for seeing a good return on your investment of time, money, and other resources. Things may seem fine as you talk this month, and then become not so fine the minute Venus goes retrograde. Deals that seem so solid can fall through, so don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Worse, things may seem fine all month, and you may sign, but then realize that the venture never fulfilled the potential you had envisioned – and you see this to be true years later.

Venus rules not only money (along with Jupiter), but Venus also rules love, beauty, magnetism, and attractiveness, so it is not a good time to have plastic surgery or to radically change your hair either. Whenever you do those kinds of things, you want a good, strong Venus behind you, or else you may not like the outcome! You can schedule normal grooming, such as hair trims, but this would not be the time to have your hair styled in a very different way, or to try a new hair color altogether. Stick with tried-and-true while Venus is retrograde, May 15 to June 27.

May is special because it holds the luckiest days of the year, May 12 and 13.Circle those days in red for they are worthy of five stars! I always love the day that the Sun has his annual meeting with Jupiter! When these two dignitaries meet, they talk about ways they want to spoil you with a surprise breakthrough or financial reward. This year, Jupiter and the Sun will meet in Taurus, in your eighth house of other people’s money. You are likely to be given a chunk of money on or near these two days, and it might be money you are not expecting. Alternatively, someone may give you a very generous, expensive gift. A friend might be influential in setting off your good luck.

May 12-13 is a weekend, so you may want to also circle in red the dates of Thursday, May 10 and Friday, May 11. Those are days LEADING to your two best days, and energy will be building, for this golden aspect will not have peaked yet. These are great days to present an idea, have a negotiation, or sign papers. You can’t have any days better than this! Do not let things slide into the following week, for by May 15, Venus will retrograde, the aspect will have peaked over the weekend before, and the energy will begin to fall like a souffle out of the oven. If you can’t get meetings to coincide with May 10-13, then go a day earlier.

You will have another special day, Monday, May 21, when Mercury and Jupiter will align and news of another financial bounty may be on the way. Both are in your eighth house of other people’s money and are beautifully conjoined. This should be another happy day for your finances. It’s a perfect day to make a big sale and earn a commission, for example.

As you see, you have three points in the month that will highlight finances:

1) The full moon May 5, which might bring you news of a raise or end of a negotiation, or the purchase of something expensive. The other two are more clearly associated with financial gain, although this first one may be, too.

2) The luckiest days of the year, May 12-13, with a tolerance of May 9 to 13, when Jupiter will meet with the Sun in a major annual meeting for your financial benefit. This is the first time in a long time these two powerhouse planets are meeting in a financial part of your chart, so a nice chunk of cash should arrive.

3) May 21 when Mercury will meet with Jupiter. On this day, however, Venus will already be retrograde. You may hear about a venture or project you started earlier, and it should make you happy when you see a lucrative result.

May 5, the full moon has an aspect happening on the same day that troubles me and is the reason I say make no promises in writing on or near this day. Mercury will oppose Saturn, not the time to sign a contract. Mercury rules contracts, and Saturn may make things arduous and difficult for the life of that contract. If a lot of money were at stake, you would not want Saturn spoiling the pudding (nor would you want Venus retrograde). What a year! As you see, we all will be walking a very tight high wire, where we have to be very deliberate about the dates we choose to enact our biggest initiations. To sign papers, I suggest May 10 or better yet, May 11.

Meanwhile, Mars is now moving slightly faster, and by June, Mars will be moving quicker still. It will take until August for Mars to be back to his speedy old self after having been retrograde in the start of the year, from January 23 to April 13, so things are getting better. (Apparently, Mars needs several cups of coffee to get going as the little energizer.) Mars has spent an enormous amount of time in your twelfth house, and that house rules private, behind-the-scenes preparation. It seems you have been busy laying the groundwork for a launch of a new product or service, or preparing yourself for a whole new career or lifestyle. This would be a good time to do so.

Watch what happens on May 16 when Mars and Pluto will cooperate beautifully. You may benefit from family connections or a real estate deal, or it may be that a long-standing negotiation finally gets to a final stage where you will be able to crystallize things.

Big plans for major life changes are likely to come up now, and they always require preparation. You seem to have been involved in a process for quite a long time. This phase will end when you reach your most important period of the year to be proactive: July 3 to August 23. Be sure not to be on vacation at that time, for Mars will be in Libra, and the curtain on your life will go up. What an exciting time that will be!

Now we get to the next, even bigger part of the month, the solar eclipse, May 20. This eclipse will open the windows of your mind and show you a wide, panoramic view of life. Some eclipses are all sweetness and light, and this one is one of them. They are rare! I am excited about this eclipse because Jupiter will orbit within five degrees of this solar eclipse, creating a lovely conjunction. You may have business coming up from overseas, for Jupiter’s presence suggests not only foreign people and places will be good for you, but also that you are about to receive a generous influx of cash. The area of your chart that will be lit will be your intellectual ninth house, so let’s look at the ways your good fortune may find its way to you.

You may see a breakthrough in publishing or broadcasting, or you may hear good news from the field of academia, as professor or student. You may make plans to attend a choice college in September, or you may pass a big qualifying test. Travel is very likely this month, especially internationally, but you can reap benefits from people abroad without ever having to travel to have a face-to-face meeting – you may be home when it comes through.

You may, for example, write a manuscript that you learn will be translated into other languages. Or, you may get a call, inviting you to be a contributing editor to a foreign publication. Your bureau chief may send you on assignment to cover a TV story in a distant city. There are so many possibilities. This eclipse will receive excellent vibrations from Uranus, the planet of unexpected developments, so whatever comes up will be brand new to you, and you won’t see your good luck coming.

Your ability to convey information to others will be prized and rewarded, so this means that the sharper your ability to communicate, the bigger your reward will be. This is true even if you have never worked in the industries I have named, for the need to communicate effectively runs through all professions and all relationships. This is an important point. You don’t have to be a teacher, writer, editor, producer, advertising copywriter, code software engineer, publicist, translator, teacher, or work in sales (as a few examples). You need NOT work in those fields. You can be in ANY profession to benefit.

It is a solar eclipse, and those open a new path, for they almost always mark beginnings. Think of a solar eclipse as a new moon times three – they are that powerful. This one falls at 0 degrees Gemini, at the very start of the sign. A new influence is shining in your life, and after this eclipse occurs, you will know what it is and how to respond. This is likely to be such a welcome influence.

If you were born on September 22 (or within five days of this date), you will feel this eclipse the most. The closer you were born to September 22, the better. You will find you benefit from this particular solar eclipse more than your other Libra friends born later in the sign. You have another way to feel the benefits – if you have a planet in your natal (birth) chart in Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius, or Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius at 0 to 4 degrees. That planet will receive rays from this eclipse too, and you will benefit from what that planet represents in your chart.

Romantically, your best point of the month will be in the first two weeks, when Venus is still moving in direct form. You are so fortunate that Venus is in Gemini, a fellow air sign. Be sure to be out circulating during this magical time for you. There is one exception – the weekend of May 26-28 should brim with good times and spontaneous romance. Whether you are dating seriously or married, or even if you are single and looking, you will enjoy the weekend of Saturday, May 26 to Monday, May 28, a three-day weekend.

In the case of this weekend, Mercury will signal Uranus on May 27, and the Sun and Uranus will be in perfect angle May 28. While Uranus is now in your house of partnership, it RULES your house of true love and fun, so this aspect is setting up a perfect setting for a relaxing, romantic time for you, and it does not matter if you are attached or single.

Ironically, these days are the Memorial Day weekend in the US, a popular three-day holiday. Of course, the universe doesn’t know it’s a holiday for us here. People all over the world can enjoy these aspects.

Your most romantic dates this month will arrive on May 3, 7 8, 11-12 (gold stars), 13, 20, 21, and 25-28 (more gold stars, but Venus will be retrograde after May 15, so factor that in.)

Dear Libra, I know you have had a lot of tension lately, but times of transition are always that way. Take a moment to look back to where you were only two or three years ago. Look how far you’ve grown! When you think back, those days probably seem like another country! You’ve worked hard to be where you are today, and you deserve a lot of credit for having shouldered so much responsibility and for meeting challenges head on.

The area of your chart that is lit up so strongly in early May be your second house of earned income. This comes thanks to the new moon that occurred last month, April 21, one of the sweetest new moons of the year. As you begin May, that new moon will still be working hard for you, but each day she will become a little weaker. You only have seven days to plant a seed, but you can do it if you get going quickly! Keep in mind that with all new moons, the actions you take in the two weeks that follow the new moon color the whole YEAR to come, until the next new moon in your second house has a chance, next May 2013, to refresh it.

This year you have Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, in your second house of earned income, but by June, Jupiter will have moved out of this house. While all conditions are right, you would be wise to sign a contract in the first week of May.

On May 5, you will have a full moon in your other financial house, your eighth house of other people’s money. If you have been awaiting a check from an insurance company, or one from the unemployment office, it should come. The same is true if you are pacing to get that child support payment or final divorce settlement payment. These are just a few examples, but whatever money matter is on your mind, it will come to closure within five days of May 5. Things will go in your favor at this time, and if you want to sell something you own, say, in a flea market or auction website, you will be able to do so. This area of your chart rules other people’s money (including loans) where you will likely see a sum come in.

Usually you would only have two weeks from the new moon April 21 until shortly before the full moon May 5 to take action for best results, but you may have a little longer than that. I still hope you will crystallize things in the first week, but if you can’t, some things you started in the past may come up and could be interesting. Here is why:

You will soon come to “the luckiest day of the year” on May 12-13, worthy of five stars! In the US, this aspect peaks Saturday, May 12, and in other parts of the world, Sunday, May 13. Still, most people don’t do financial negotiations on weekends. That makes May 10 and 11 your key dates for your meetings, as May 10 to 13 will be dipped in gold. By some miracle, these days will arrive just before Venus goes retrograde.

This month will be simply divine during the first half, but during the second half, you have to be more careful. While this month is mostly about money, that is sure to make you happy!

Venus will be retrograde from May 15 until June 27. Venus has a bearing on your income, as Venus rules your second house of salary. This all means that the initiations you make in the first two weeks of May, prior to May 15, will have power and might, and the actions you take in the second half or in June may fall a little flat, like the glass of ginger ale you’ve left out all night. (Ha, ha, still sweet and drinkable, but not quite the way you wanted your ginger ale to be.)

When the ruler of your house of money, Venus, is retrograde and sleeping, that’s not good for the matters pertaining to that house – and in this case, that’s money. Something may get delayed or you may find a partnership hard to crystallize. I say you may find it hard to make a deal because Venus rules your seventh house of serious partnerships, too.

As you see, this is a year filled with trap doors, with stunningly good days almost side-by-side with bad days. The first half of the month brings you a fantastic outlook for money, and the second half is not quite as good for finalizing a deal – not until after Venus is done being retrograde, June 27.

Normally that would be all I could say, but Jupiter will be very close to the Sun all month, giving this month an incredibly strong patina of luck. So the bottom line is this: The first part, May 1 to 13, is spectacular, and the second half is a little less so, due to Venus’ laziness. Jupiter is a bigger planet, so all things considered, you should find Jupiter very helpful too, so don’t give up – keep pushing. Just don’t sign a contract in the second half if you can help it.

I do like Wednesday, May 16, very much for a meeting, for Mars, in your work sector, will beam to Pluto in your fame and honors sector, making it a perfect day for an interview. Next month, Jupiter will leave your financial sector on June 11, not to return for more than a decade, so I want you to keep trying to find your pot of gold.

Overall, there is no doubt that you have had a hard time lately, especially if you were born April 13 to April 19. Saturn has opposed your Sun for months and will continue to do so through September when Saturn finally gives up this position on October 4. This is considered one of the hardest aspects possible, and you do have to protect your health. The strain may be hard. You could use some good news, and this applies to all Aries, of every birthday. That’s why I am so happy to see that a financial bounty is possible now.

This month is special for another reason: we have a major solar eclipse in Gemini, due on May 20. This eclipse is the friendliest of the year, and will fall in your third house of communication. You may get a writing assignment or speaking engagement, or you may be asked to judge a contest or be on a panel. This may happen even if you’ve never done any of these types of things before. Eclipses like this one are on a mission to broaden you and evolve you to a whole new stage. I love this eclipse because it will be within a hair’s breadth of Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, happiness, and expansion. Whenever Jupiter is near, there is almost always money to be made, too.

This eclipse is a new moon times three, so it’s very powerful and should bring only good news. Gemini energy is fast, so news will arrive suddenly and in an exciting way. This eclipse happens to be perfectly angled to Uranus, another sign you won’t see anything coming on the horizon, until the news almost literally shows up out of the blue. Neptune will be a bit cranky, so strive to see things clearly, not as you hope them to be. If you have to sign a contract, leave some days’ space from the eclipse.

Your third house, ruled by Gemini, also rules your sister, brother, and sometimes, less likely, your cousin, so one of these relatives may play an important role in your luck this month.

There is one more element to this lovely May 20 eclipse, and that involves travel. You seem to have quite a bit coming up, beginning with the solar eclipse of May 20, and continuing through the next one, June 4 and beyond. (All eclipses come in pairs, as new moons and full moon eclipses.) That second eclipse may take you farther afield than the one May 20, but either way, I feel you will enjoy getting away for a change. Even though Venus will be weak, she will be moving through your travel house, adding sparkle on those trips.

You will see that eclipses are very powerful and can affect you for many months, for at least six months – even more. Some eclipses deliver news on the day it arrives, and others don’t do so until one month to the day later – in either case, give a plus or minus five days tolerance. Other times, less typically, an eclipse will deliver news later, as much as a few months. The job of an eclipse is to get us moving and bring completely new situations that we don’t see coming. This time you should be pleasantly surprised with all that you see.

If your birthday falls on March 20, or within five days of this date, you will benefit in an outstanding way. It is also possible, if you look at your natal chart, that you have another planet at 0 or 1 degree of Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius, or of Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius, and that planet will be touched, too. (Allow a plus or minus of five degrees on those planets, but the closer the planet is to zero, the better, and the stronger the benefit.)

Here is something else I want to say about this eclipse. This one will give you a clue of a new powerful direction you may take in the future. Jupiter is moving into Gemini next month, the same sign of the eclipses. This is significant. View the May 20 eclipse as the universe speaking to you in code! It’s vital that you pay attention to new opportunities that emerge then, as they point to the possibility of much more in that direction later.

All month, your ruler, Mars, will be in strong shape, unlike earlier this year. Mars went direct speed on April 13, but he did not immediately resume strong, sure speed. It will take Mars a little more time, until early August to be back to his old self – the quick speed Mars had not been moving at since the middle of 2011. Still, it’s not an “on” or “off” situation – each week Mars will move a little faster than he had been as he continues to ramp up. Certainly May will be more helpful to you than in any previous month this year.

Why would the speed of Mars matter at all to you? When Mars moves quickly, your life does, too. Mars is in the area of your chart ruling work assignments. If you are currently unemployed, the speed and placement of your ruling planet (Mars) would be one indication of your of job-seeking experience. You may be only finding freelance work or, if you were able to find a position, it would not have been a step up, but a lateral move. A slow moving Mars would make it hard to find a new job, as everything is moving in slow motion. Keep in mind that this month is special! Very extraordinary! Keep your optimism high, for this time, you may find something that pays really, really well!

Romantically, you will do best in early May. Venus retrograde is not considered a good time to make any big romantic initiations. It’s also not a good time to have plastic surgery or to experiment with your looks, such as to have a new hairstyle. Venus is about beauty and embellishment, so this would not be the time to invest in a diamond ring either.

Your very best time for love will be when the Sun – which rules your fifth house of true love – links to Jupiter over the weekend of May 12-13. What a beautiful day this will be for you!

If you would like to travel, May 27, when Mercury and Uranus combine signals, would be the ideal time to pack and go quickly. That whole period will be sensational, as May 28 will be amazing too, for the Sun and Uranus will combine energies and coax you to go. Your mind will be very much alive this weekend, spotting small wonderful things in your environment others would miss, so you are sure to enjoy yourself. May 26 to 28 is Memorial Day weekend in America, a popular time to go away – this holiday should be a standout for you.

If you cannot go away, you may want to spend time on a favorite pastime, as you will be crackerjack at solving creative challenges, and also at writing this weekend!

On May 12 and 13, your luckiest days, Jupiter and the Sun will meet in your solar sixth house of work, health, and well-being. These areas of your life will feel a lively up-tick and bring good news, so let’s look closely.

First, think about ways to improve your health. In the most extreme case, if you have been troubled by a health issue and hope to find a diagnosis from a specialist, you would be wise to search for that doctor immediately. Ask friends and colleagues for names, and check each doctor out as thoroughly as you can. Sometimes when we face a health challenge we need more than one or two opinions – go for those now. Sometimes it is worth going for another opinion even if you are completely happy with your doctor. With each consultation, you will gather additional useful tidbits about your condition that you had not been given before.

Make your most vital appointment for May 9, 10, or 11, with May 11 your very best. (May 12-13 are weekend dates, but the days leading up to the weekend will be strong, too.) If you have special tests to be done, do them during the first two weeks of May. If you have an operation, schedule it as close to May 11 as you can, as Jupiter will be very close to the Sun, and both are known to be the great healers.

What if you feel basically good but had hoped to hit the gym regularly to get back in shape? Join a gym at any time during the first half of May. If you already are a member of a gym, learn a new sport, start with a trainer, or start attending group fitness classes in the first week of May. I say this because the new moon of April 21 will still be working hard for you in the first week of May, and it will help you see solid results. (You can read last month’s forecast, always, by looking below the Summary and the Dates to Note – you will see the link to April’s forecast.)

Here is a vital piece of information: I have found in my own research with charts of thousands of people that when it comes to losing weight, having Jupiter in the sixth house, where Jupiter is visiting now, is excellent. I thought I would find the opposite results (Jupiter is associated with fine living and rich food), but what I discovered is that Jupiter, the great healer, will redo your routine and help you discover healthy foods that you will enjoy and look forward to eating. Jupiter is about to leave your sixth house on June 11, not to return for twelve years. As with any benefic planet, it is when you begin that matters, and you just had that new moon April 21. So, in your case, you would be instituting your new healthy-living plan at the perfect time if you start in the first week of May.

When it comes to work projects, as you get very close to May 12-13, on those excellent weekdays, May 10 and 11, you may receive a superb assignment, one that makes you very, very happy to be chosen to do. If you have been out of work, mid-month may bring news that you landed a new job. You may have begun to interview for that job earlier last month, on the new moon April 21 and the days that followed. If you are self-employed, then these days in mid-May may bring you brisk business or an important new client. If you work for others in sales, get ready to land that big commission.

Do you love pets? Here’s some exciting news for you about this wonder-day May 12, operative May 10-13. If you have been thinking of adding a little furry creature to your household, you may find the perfect pet for you, as the sixth house, where Jupiter and the Sun are meeting, is associated with the care and love of small domestic animals. Scientists are only now calculating the direct link that exists between good health and reduced stress to the enjoyment many people derive from having a pet. Apparently the ancient astrologers intuitively knew about this beneficial effect, long ago, as they put health and small domestic animals in the same house of the chart. So if you are were thinking of getting a pet soon, go down to the animal shelter to choose a little kitten or puppy that you feel only has eyes for you. If you have a pet, celebrate your little one and pick up some new toys or treats over May 12-13 to show how much you care.

Why did I make such a strong point of asking you to act during the first two weeks of the month and no later? Here’s why: Venus will be retrograde from May 15 to June 27. Ironically, Venus rules the very house you and I have been discussing, your solar sixth house of health, work, and pets. With Venus about to retrograde, you have a very high contrast situation, where you have truly joyous, bright aspects, followed by ones that are the opposite – flat and far less vibrant. When Venus retrogrades, the house that Venus rules tends to be lackluster. This is why I want you to make your biggest choices early in the month, when Venus is still strong. Fortunately, Jupiter and the Sun will meet just prior to Venus going out of phase – this gorgeous aspect will come in just under the wire!

I want to discuss Venus more in a minute, for this planet rules many areas of your life, but I need to make a point about health first, before we leave that topic.

Now let’s go back to the full moon, May 5, that will also be associated with health, but this time, its focus will be your mental well-being. If anything has troubled you privately, you may now feel a need to talk things over with someone you trust – a best friend, a professional therapist, or a member of your religious community, for example. Full moons bring things to the surface, and it becomes harder to suppress things. Rather than to try to continue to hold things inside (with a powerful full moon like this one, you won’t be able to anyway), you should feel good about sharing your thoughts.

This full moon will link to Pluto in a very supportive way, and Pluto rules the roots that are hidden deep within the ground. Pluto will help you talk about things that may have been too painful to discuss, so that you can study the situation with that other person. By talking openly, you take away the power to taunt you. Mars will be in good angle too, allowing you to take action, and Jupiter, orbiting very close to the full moon, will provide his healing touch. This same full moon would be ideal for distancing yourself from the use of a substance that you know is not good for you. You can overcome these habits, so by all means, reach out for help. Those with more serious challenges will find comfort in rehab.

In your career, this month should find you doing VERY well. Mars is now in your lofty tenth house of career progress and will remain in this house until July 3. Until recently (April 13) Mars has been retrograde most of the year, so you may have felt like you have been walking up a moving escalator that was going down – not getting much progress, despite a lot of effort! Now, all that changes for the better.

Earlier, I discussed how you seem to be in line for a plum project near May 10 or May 11, when Jupiter aligns with the Sun. At the same time, action-oriented Mars is giving you an over-arching trend that will help you raise your status in your industry. The project you get to work on this month may help you to show off your talents, and so in that sense, the project will have “legs.” Mars, working with this trend, will do his job by making it easier for you to see high-level people who can advance you. As you see, the two areas are different, but will work together to boost your “stock” in the workplace. Let your boss know you are ready, willing, and able to take on that new big assignment!

Here is a case in point, when you may be up for a top job – May 16 – and you will make a superb impression! Mars in our solar tenth house of fame will send a direct beam to Pluto in your house of earned income. Both planets are very powerful, so by all means, use this day, May 16 for any career action!

Now let’s go back to the impending apparent reverse orbit of Venus from May 15 to June 27. Venus rules good looks, so first of all I don’t want you to make any dramatic changes to your looks during that phase. No plastic surgery, no changing your hair in a radical way! You want Venus to be happy and bright, not sleepy and lethargic, when you do things like that. Venus retrograde is not the time to shop for diamonds or other jewels either, as Venus rules all things that embellish. Thinking of giving a lavish party? Do so after June 27. Do all these things from May 1 to 13.

Venus retrograde may make you think twice about a certain close relationship, either romantic (most likely) or business in nature. You have Venus moving through your seventh house of marriage, but when any planet retrogrades in this house (especially Venus), it’s a time to reassess your assumptions and the course a close relationship has taken. If a relationship has speeded ahead too quickly, either you or your partner can slow it down just enough to make it more manageable.

Venus is associated with money too, something many readers don’t know, and when Venus retrogrades, Venus will lower the profit potential of any new venture that you sign on to during the retrograde. As you see, it’s not the time to form a business partnership. You can do so from May 1 to 13, and after June 27 but before Mercury retrogrades July 14. You have to be careful to avoid having Venus in the start date of any new venture during that time, as you don’t want this retrograde to affect the life of the venture, until that contract ends.

Now we come to the surprise of the month, the solar eclipse in Gemini, 0 degrees, falling in your solar seventh house of marriage and all other partnerships, including legal ones. This eclipse is sugar and spice, so you may get a proposal – and begin talking about what is to come. I would rather you not become engaged quite yet, nor married either, but it’s fine to discuss things. This eclipse will be so friendly because Jupiter will be within five degrees, spreading its golden vibrations all over your relationship sector.

Still with Venus retrograde, I don’t want you to rush into a marriage or business partnership after mid-month. Take your time – if love is real (or if this business deal is the right one) it will still be there after June 27. Venus is asking you to dig deeper and to clear the air if either of you have been hurt or have a misconception about the other. While you may have a little “work” to do (and I don’t like to call it that, especially in a romantic relationship, for if you love each other, it’s not really work at all but the exchange of information), the outcome can be spectacular. The fact that the solar eclipse is so friendly shows there is good motivation on both sides to make a success of things. This eclipse is a new moon, and these types of eclipses open a door wide, leading you along an exciting new path.

If you are a Sagittarian born on November 21 or within five days of this date, you will notice the sweet effects of this eclipse the most.

Over the past year, you have had a number of eclipses in your sign, Sagittarius, and in Gemini, your opposite sign (ruling your committed partnerships in your chart). Those came by December 21, 2010, and last year: June 1, June 15, November 25, and December 10, 2011. Last year’s eclipses were tough, especially the ones that landed in December. Now, Jupiter will arrive (next month, June 11), and that will make all the difference to you!

It seems you have already scoured the cobwebs from your life (if there were any) through the action of these eclipses. Just as importantly, you likely also found the goodness in a partner, too – eclipses address both sides of the spectrum. All eclipses want us to be productive; eclipses work against the status quo. If you are in love, but have not felt compelled to tie the knot, or if you find the right business partner, but have not signed papers, the eclipses will say, start to make plans! No more stalling! If you are looking for the right partner for you, this eclipse may help you find that person in the coming six months.

If you are already wed and happy, you may find out that your partner has news to share, and all of it is sensational. You may decide to do something new together – have a baby, open a shop together – you decide! Your significant other / established partner / spouse is a gem for you, and you will know this to be true now.

If you already have a business partner, or are in the process of signing a partner now, you will soon see that your partner is the best thing that ever happened to you.

After you know how the eclipse affects you, please share your stories by posting a note on my Twitter page (@AstrologyZone) or on Facebook (my name is Susan Miller’s Astrology Zone, and I am wearing the white blouse; the red dress is my public page.) By sharing, we can all get better at knowing about the nature of an eclipse.

Are you single and not dating? While this month is more about attached Sagittarians, month’s end should be great fun over the weekend of May 26 to 28. On Sunday, May 27, Mercury, ruling travel and news, will receive a beam from sparkling Uranus, bringing all sorts of surprises in matters of the heart. Be out and about circulating! On May 28, the Sun and Uranus will be beautifully oriented, again bringing you unexpected shots of happiness. I know Venus will be retrograde, but if you keep things light and flirty, and don’t jump in a relationship with both feet quickly, you can have fun.

Ironically, in the US, the Memorial Day holiday will take place May 26-28, coinciding with your best, most romantic time of the month, especially when traveling. Have you been undecided whether to go away or stay home – it seems clear! Go!

Single or attached, your most romantic dates will be May 2, 3, 6, 7, 10-13. After Venus begins to retrograde (add a note of caution): May 16, 17, 20, 21, and 25-28 (especially if you travel).

If you can travel during the first half of May, do, because after that, you will be need to be back at home base, because lots of exciting professional opportunities will to pop up unexpectedly in ways you would have never expected, and you won’t want to miss a second of all that is to happen.

A vacation seems very possible now, for travel is written all over your chart the moment the month begins. A quick, short trip may culminate at the full moon in Scorpio (16 degrees) on May 5, or within five days of this date. If you do travel, your trip would likely be to a location close to home. (You may be going farther afield at month’s end.)

No matter where you go, this trip seems very special and will offer quite a bit of fun, for most likely your little jaunt will be taken for pleasure. The sign of the full moon is Scorpio, and its ruler is Pluto, and Pluto is now visiting your fifth house of true love. Happily, Pluto is beautifully angled to your full moon, and so is Mars in Virgo, a perfect situation for creating romance. If you do have to see a client or supplier, then your reason for your trip may be to present (or finalize) an important creative project or talk about an assignment that involves a product or service for children.

The third house, where so much of the action will be focused on by the full moon on May 5, is not only the house of travel, but also one of contractual matters. You may be given papers to sign, but no matter how much you are pressured to sign quickly, ask for more time. It is not a good time to give your word, whether verbal or written, for any deal on the table at this time.

Although the full moon is friendly, it will bring Mercury 180 degrees from Saturn. As you see, I have to watch the whole sky, not just one part. This opposition of Saturn to Mercury is not favorable for making a final agreement – at the very least, the venture would likely turn out to be an arduous one. Fortunately, Mercury is a very fast moving planet, so instead of signing on May 5 or thereabouts, plan to sign on May 9 or May 11.

Your sibling may play a prominent role at the full moon too, so be sure to check in with family to find out what is happening with your sibling. Alternatively, you may be visiting your sister or brother, or your sibling may be helping you in some way.

One of the big moments of the month will arrive over the weekend of May 12 or May 13, when the planet of good fortune and happiness – Jupiter – will conjoin the Sun, making it the luckiest day of the year! This day is worthy of five gold stars! Find a way to use it! You may be traveling a far distance or find out at the time that an important trip is coming up.

You may benefit from this lovely aspect on May 12 and 13 in many ways. You may travel to a foreign country, and if you do, you’ll find beautiful, outstanding accommodations, elegant food, and very friendly encouraging people around you. It would be a trip you long remember. It is alternatively possible that you will benefit in a business way from a person based in an international setting, or from a person who lives in your own country but was born in another country. In fact, you may assume that the company you are dealing with is native to your own country and only later realize headquarters is overseas. Travel and dealings with people abroad are lucky for you!

Another way things may work out for you is that you may hear sensational news about a publishing or broadcasting project. Many Virgos work in these industries because Virgo is so talented with communication art. Many work as writers, journalists, or editors, and others excel working with code in software engineering. Again, these are fortunate places for you.

The realm of higher education and academia is, alternatively, another area of possible gain for you on or near May 13. If you are an undergraduate or graduate student, or want to be in the next semester, the days surrounding May 12 may bring cause for celebration. The same is true if you are a professor, teaching instructor, or official at a college. So much of the goodness and promise of Jupiter in Taurus will be fulfilled this month.

These types of aspects are best used if you plan an initiation for this day, rather than sit back to see what happens. You may get some very good news, but why wait to find out? If you plan a big meeting, you know it will do well! All the areas I have listed are covered by the ninth house, the place Jupiter and the Sun will meet.

Step quickly, for there is urgency for you to wrap up all plans involving any one of these areas of life. Venus, the planet that naturally rules your solar ninth house, will go retrograde from May 15 to June 27. Venus is associated with love, beauty, embellishment, and profit, and yet all these areas decline when Venus retrogrades. That’s why you should not sign a contract during May 15 to June 27, for your venture’s profit potential will be reduced. This period is not the time to make radical changes to your looks, either, so you won’t want to have plastic surgery or order dramatic changes in your hairstyle!

There is debate among astrologers as to whether Venus retrograde is a good or bad time to meet someone new in the romantic sense or to make a commitment for marriage during this time – I say it is not a good time. When you make a promise to someone you love, you need to be sure Venus is strong. If you are due to get married during the period May 15 to June 27, consider actually getting married the day you pick up your marriage license. Choose one of your most romantic dates I give you in the summary – just don’t tell anyone about this true marriage date – then go ahead and have your celebration later, during the retrograde. No one need know – but you and the universe will know and that’s all you need.

May 12-13 are weekend dates, but very little business takes place on weekends. Add the weekdays of Thursday, May 10 and Friday, May 11 too, as they will also be powerful days. Those dates LEAD to the culmination of the aspect, making them strong. If you can’t quite maneuver presentations, meetings, or signings to fall on May 10 or May 11, you can, as a third choice, add May 9. I would not go AFTER the peak of the meeting of Jupiter and the Sun, however, as those days are much weaker.

No matter when your birthday happens to be, you will enjoy one or more of these days to the fullest: May 10-13. While everyone of every sign will be eagerly anticipating this day, you may benefit more than most because Jupiter and the Sun will both be in earth signs (Taurus) and you are an earth sign, too.

If you were born on September 15, you will have a double the luck. This is true because the degrees of the Sun and Jupiter will exactly match those of your birthday Sun (23 degrees). Were you born within four days before or after September 15? In that case, you would be in the zone, too. The closer your birthday falls to September 15 the better.

If you know your natal chart, also look to see if you have any planets at 23 degrees of any natal planets or your moon in Virgo, Taurus, Capricorn, Pisces, Scorpio, or Cancer, plus or minus five degrees. If you find out that you do, then you, too, will likely have outstanding experience.

(If you want to know about your natal chart, I will do a chart and explain all your placements, then bind it into a 60+ page book about you. Just go to www.americadirectbook.com – order the purple and yellow cover book for an adult natal horoscope. (The pink and pale blue one is for parents of newborn babies and small children.)

Now let’s turn to Mars, which is now in Virgo, the best possible placement for Mars to be, for it puts you in charge and gives you lots of energy, drive, and courage. Mars will also give you a nice degree of sex appeal. You will have a higher than usual profile now, and others will fuss over you. You are a modest sign, not given to being in the spotlight, but dear Virgo, it’s your time so enjoy it.

Your most romantic dates will be May 1, 4-6, 9-10, and 12-13. After this Venus will retrograde, so love is reduced a bit: May 18-19, 24-26, and 28.

You’ve had Mars in Virgo since mid-November, but Mars was retrograde from January 23 to April 13, and a retrograde planet is a lethargic one. You may have been frustrated that your plans languished during one of these phases. Now Mars is moving ahead, but will still need time to ramp up to the speed he had last year. Each week will find him moving at slightly faster speed. This will take until August, but already by the end of June, Mars will move rather quickly, and you will, too.

One day stands out: May 16, when Mars in Virgo will signal Pluto in your house of true love. Watch this day, for you may have a very romantic evening, or you may have a meeting about a creative project. Either or both may come up, with powerful results.

Now let’s look at another big moment, one of the biggest of the month, the solar eclipse in Gemini at 0 degrees, May 20, in your house of fame and honors.

We have a solar eclipse, May 20 in your house of honors, awards, achievement, in Gemini, 0 degrees. You seem to have been working very hard, for years, and wondering when you would get your just reward – dear Virgo, the moment may be at hand right now. This eclipse will fall very, very close to Jupiter, a sure sign you will love what occurs, and when Jupiter is involved, a generous amount of money is often near. This is a new moon on vitamins! It has such power and might. It will open a big old creaky door wide, and suddenly you will walk over the threshold to a whole new world where at least one, but more probably two, professional opportunities await you. This is the best eclipse of the year and will help you more than you imagine in magnificent ways. You may also get a major home-related opportunity at this time as well.

Nothing will happen in the way you expect, because Uranus, planet of lightning-quick bolts, is involved but in a very friendly, encouraging way. Prepare to get a phone call or email that will set things in motion rapidly. Or, it may be that you find yourself at the right place at the right time, quite by coincidence. Start working on your resume and bio the minute the month takes off. It is important to note that this eclipse is acting like a front-man to Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, now zooming through the darkness of space toward the constellation of Gemini, to arrive next month for the first time in a decade, to light your house of fame and honors from June 2012 to June 2013. Something is cooking, and all of it is good!

All eclipses come in pairs, and this one will, too. The second eclipse, a lunar (full moon) eclipse, June 4, will be very strong and bring a home-related situation to a final stage. I will talk about that one in detail next month in your June report. (If you have my new book, “The Year Ahead 2012 and Beyond” you already have all the data about this eclipse, and the two other eclipses due in November 2012.) It is possible you may be moving to accept a new position or to look for work in a new location. It’s also possible that your rising status has allowed you to upgrade your living situation.

Last year we had eclipses in Gemini and Sagittarius, but the difference was that those were tough eclipses. Now that Jupiter is very close to Gemini, to enter next month, you will enter a new situation, and it will be a far better one than you have had. It looks as though you’ve swept the cobwebs out of all that is not valuable and will enjoy new possibilities that you had not yet imagined.

Those Virgo who have birthdays that fall on September 22 will benefit from this eclipse because it is an out-of-sign “trine” to your Sun, meaning this eclipse is heaven-sent!

The following day, May 21, you have another good day, for Mercury, your ruler, will meet with Jupiter, an annual event. (Their next meeting is next May 2013.) This also will be an outstanding indication of impending career success, for both will be meeting in your house of honors and achievement. It seems you are in line for a big promotion! This day may also bring good news about a living situation. I hope you can sign papers by May 13 to avoid Venus retrograde, but if you can’t, you can chance things on this day, although I wish it were not so close to the eclipse of May 20. (As said, this is a friendly one, but I don’t like signing anything on ANY eclipse.)

As the month ends, more surprises are due! Uranus will be very vocal and very friendly. Give both days I am about to tell you about a plus or minus of two days each:

On May 27, Mercury will signal Uranus with warm and golden vibrations, so it’s a day when sudden news about money is likely to come in, and it should be welcome by all indications.

Then, on May 28 an even bigger day will arrive, when the Sun and Uranus will be conjunct, in the same house as the day before, when Mercury and Uranus are in communication (May 27). Again, luck is on your side. This is the house of other people’s money, and you may receive a check for money owed you. It could be back child support, an insurance company check, a prize winning – some sort of good news is due!

Don’t bet the farm on the lotto. You can buy one or two scratch-off tickets to be sure the “drawing” is on May 27 or 28, but you need not buy out the store to win. I am not sure where your luck will emanate! It will likely be a source you’d never expect. Nevertheless, I see you happy, and in the end, that’s what counts the most.

Your month begins with a full moon in Scorpio (16 degrees) on May 5. Scorpio is a water sign, just like yours, that blends divinely with yours. It appears you will be off on a trip that will take you over many miles, such as the distance between New York and London, or New York and Los Angles – far or even farther than that. If you are indeed heading out, you have chosen one of the very best times of the year to go. You may, alternatively, be discussing a publishing, Internet, or broadcasting project, or one that involves you as a teacher or lecturer. Pluto will be in elegant angle too, so you may be combining business with pleasure, and rubbing shoulders with some very high level people. Whatever happens on this trip appears to be important. Perhaps you will make a key new contact or business association that will factor into your future for a very long time. It’s an exciting possibility, so as you get closer to the full moon, May 5 (influential within five days of this date) keep thinking big.

If your birthday falls on March 7, plus or minus five days, this full moon will have your name written on its face. You will benefit in a big way from it, so stay alert. If you have planets at 16 degrees of your natal chart in Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer, Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn, you too will benefit.

Mars is still touring your seventh house of partnerships, a long trend that started mid-November. This has not always been easy, as Mars can bring out both the people who are on your side and those who are against you. You seem to have been living a very high contrast life, for you’ve had at least one difficult competitor or detractor in your life, but you also have at least one, and likely more than one, who is solidly on your side and will defend and help you all the way.

Let’s take the difficult person first. Someone – a romantic partner, business partner, ex, or competitor, detractor, critic or opposing lawyer – has been relentless in their attacks on you a few months ago. If you have a February birthday, dear Pisces, you may notice this person has come out again in May, after a few months’ absence (November-December 2011). Mars is moving in rapid orbit, though, so thankfully, this person is either going to go away, become silent, or legally be asked to leave you alone. This will be your toughest month, dear February-born Pisces. If you are a March-born Pisces, prepare to deal with this type of person during June, but by July, this chapter will close, and you won’t likely even think about this person any more.

This month, it’s ALSO clear you are with people who support you and want the best for you. Mars, Pluto, the full moon and – not too far away, Jupiter – are forming a golden triangle in the sky, one of supreme harmony. Mars, in your partnership sector, will form part of this triangle. You may be busy forming an important business alliance, possibly by this full moon. Your timing is fantastic, dear Pisces, and you can talk, but you must not sign papers at this time. Wait a few days.

Although the full moon is a superb one, coincidentally, at the same time as the full moon, Saturn will oppose Mercury, not an aspect you would ever want when you sign a contract. Doing so would create a deal that would feel arduous and that might make you work very hard for the money you earn. (While I am never one to shirk hard work, and I am sure you are the same way too, at the same time, I don’t want you bludgeoned with work, with too little pay to show for such extreme effort.) Instead, I would ask you to wait a few days and sign on May 10, 11, or 12. My favorite days for you to do this would be May 11 and 12.

Don’t sign papers any later than May 13, as Venus will begin to retrograde from May 15 to June 27. (You will note I have left two days space.) Venus out of phase will contain and lower the profits of your venture. Venus is associated with your solar eighth house of commissions, royalties, funding and investments – you don’t want to enter into any deal with Venus retrograde. If you cannot sign on the days I noted, you might have to wait until early July for best results.

If you have my Year Ahead 2012, you have a list of all the planetary retrogrades, and on each important date I have made notations for you – you can choose a day that feels right for you. I will add as an aside that I have never seen such a difficult year, strewn with retrograde planets. If you feel like Mr. or Miss Magoo, with planks of floorboards falling from the ceiling all around you as you make your way forward, I do, too!

I can get you to where you want to be without having anything fall on your head or harm you, but you must be very precise and careful about all your steps, dear Pisces. That means being deliberate about the days in which you initiate actions and those you choose to hold back. A case in point: After we get done with the Venus retrograde on June 27, we will have Mercury retrograde from July 14 to August 8. Fortunately we have two weeks in between in which to act, and then we go underground again.

It’s rare that the universe speaks this clearly: go slowly and think carefully about every decision. I can understand if you are throwing up your hands – it is tough. After August 8, we all will be free and clear until November 6 to 26, when Mercury retrogrades the whole month of November. Although you will be tempted not to follow my advice with these retrogrades, I really do have your best interests at heart. You need be concerned with these small “personal” planets – Mercury, Venus and Mars – as those planets affect your day-to-day life quite directly. On April 13, Mars went direct speed, so we are coming out of the woods.

One last word about Venus retrograde: do not schedule any radical changes to your looks during the six weeks that span May 15 to June 27. You should put off plastic surgery if you cannot have it done May 1 to May 13, and because Venus rules beauty and good looks, delay having that experimental new hairstyle or hair color done during the retrograde too. The time near May 10-11 would be a superb time to schedule these types of improvements to your appearance, but if you cannot, wait until July.

Now, for more sensational news – I have been so anxious to tell you this good news!

On the weekend of May 12-13, we will have what I call your luckiest days of the year, when Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, will conjoin the mighty Sun, giver of life and strength. This is a once-a-year occasion, and is always marking a very happy time! The weekdays LEADING to this magical day, May 10 and 11, will be mighty special

Jupiter and the Sun will meet in your communication sector (third house) and will instantly bring you some sort of reward or opportunity connected to your ability in this area. All year, since last June, you have been working to hone your skills in writing, speaking, teaching, coding, researching, fact checking, public relations, advertising, publicity – you get the idea – for last June that Jupiter, the great benefactor, first entered Taurus and began to help develop your mastery in these disciplines. You may have made progress last year, but Jupiter was retrograde, and only turned direct on December 25. Once you got to 2012, you really began to show your mettle.

Now, on May 12, or the days surrounding this date that I listed above, you will get your reward. It may come as a grand opportunity to do something on a bigger scale than you’ve ever done, and be thrilled, and or alternatively, it may arrive as a generous check. Either way you’ll be excited.

Also part of this lovely aspect of May 12-13, your sister or brother may bring you an introduction or tip that you may want to follow up on. I say this because the third house, which will be so lit for you, is also associated with siblings. Don’t wave off any ideas your sister has to offer, even if she seems to have never understood the real you (or your skills) in the past. This month, the information she passes on to you may prove valuable. Of course, I can’t be sure where your luck will emanate, so we need to look at other facets of the third house.

Contracts come under this glowing part of your chart, too, which is why I need you to sign near May 11 or 12. I want you not only to get away from the aspects involving Mercury opposed to Saturn (mentioned earlier in connection with the full moon, May 5), but also to take advantage of Jupiter’s link to the Sun.

Travel taken at this time, May 10-13, would make you very happy, whether you do it for business or pleasure. Even though it is likely you will travel earlier in the month, you seem to be on the road again a few weeks later too.

By the way, if you need a new car, computer, or other electronic gadget, you can do so during your magical weekend, confident you will get a product you like.

Now we come to still another major day!

Your home and family will likely become a big focus with the solar eclipse of Sunday, May 20 in Gemini 0 degrees. This eclipse brims with good news, and it will open up an entirely new opportunity to make your home just the way you want it to be. If you have had to move, sell, buy, or lease an apartment, house, or summer cottage, or need to renovate, do repairs, or make architectural changes, the universe will now roll out the red carpet for you, dear Pisces. If you say that all you need to do is to clean out closets and reorganize possessions to clear clutter, buy a new piece of furniture, or order new linens, you can do that too. Your life has been quite career-oriented lately, and now you will get a chance to bring more balance into your life, by focusing on your family and your private life. Jupiter will orbit very close to this eclipse, and dust the whole chart with pixie dust.

If you are buying a house, you need to pay attention to possible problems with water, in any possible manifestation. Make sure you speak to an engineer, to find out if there is any way water could factor into the equation. Ask about natural disasters that may have occurred in the past, so that you have full disclosure. I say this because Neptune, your ruler, will be in hard angle to the eclipse. Getting solid information as well as a good policy for home owner’s or renter’s insurance, one that covers problems with flooding and water in general, would be a good idea if you are purchasing property now. If you are purchasing later in the year, this may not be a factor at all. Neptune can also cloud details, so have your lawyer look closely at all clauses.

Aside from this emphasis from Neptune, the eclipse should bring glorious results. I feel it will lead the way to a whole new home situation that will unfold in more splendor next month, at a time when Jupiter will move to Gemini on June 11. When searching for a new place to live, if you are house or apartment hunting, with Gemini so prominent, you are likely to find TWO suitable spaces, rather than one, because Gemini is a double-bodied sign! That’s great, because you will be able to choose the one you like best.

The day after this eclipse occurs, May 21, Mercury will meet with Gemini in conjunction, a lovely aspect that will bring more wonderful news, and this is just another sign that the outcome of this eclipse will be positive. It seems you will travel shortly after the eclipse appears (within the week), despite the fact that you will have traveled a far distance in May’s first week.

If you do travel, you may need to hire someone to oversee changes at home – there’ll be a lot going on, but all of it very positive. (If an older relative is not well, that would be another reason to hire someone, but I don’t see undue concern over that beloved relative.)

When your plans are realized over the coming six months, you’ll love the results and not want to leave. With Venus about to retrograde, make all your design and color choices in the first two weeks, and then hold off making any more until July. You need Venus to be very strong when you buy furniture, rugs or other choice items for the home, and when Venus is retrograde, you are likely to make choices you later regret.

At month’s end you seem poised for superb financial news over May 26-28. This bridges Saturday through Monday, which ironically is the Memorial Day holiday in the US, a popular time to go away. For some reason, you seem to be poised to make quite a nice sum of money over this weekend, but it would not be money you win, but that is somehow linked to home, property or family. I say that because on May 27, Mercury will contract Uranus, and on May 28, the Sun and Uranus will combine energies, and all points to home. Perhaps a family member will want to show you how much he or she cares, and will bring you a valuable gift or check. With Uranus involved, you won’t see this coming – it will be quite a surprise. Or, you may sell your house or piece of furniture at quite a profit. See what comes up, dear Pisces, for it’s all good news.

This won’t be a big month for love, but it’s coming, dear Pisces. You have a huge agenda, so you will be busy. Attached Pisces, as mentioned earlier, seem to do best. Start by working on your home environment and prepare to invite love in.

Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, has been positioned in your house of friends and social groups since June 2011 and has been responsible for this lovely influence. Jupiter has not always been strong during that time, however, but now, in May, he will be at his peak. This means that May could well become one of your most exciting months of the year for time with friends – and for breathtaking romance, too. Often, just as Jupiter is packing his bags (as he is now, getting ready to move out of Taurus, and into Gemini, as he will next month, on June 11), he saves his best gifts for last. That certainly seems to be the case for you, dear Cancer.

The full moon of May 5 will bring you a highly romantic and tender time, and your episode will arrive within five days of this date (most likely on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). I love this full moon because it falls in Scorpio, 16 degrees, in your house of true love. Scorpio is a sign that blends beautifully with yours, for it is a water sign that has very deep, intense emotions, just like you do. You should surely enjoy this full moon very much, dear Cancer, for you’ve not seen a romantic moment this lyrical in a long time.

You may meet someone new and intriguing if you are single, and if you meet someone new, you have a good change of being together for a very long time. Magical, too, is that you will have Pluto so beautifully cooperative to this full moon near May 5, indicating your love may lead to a lasting commitment. This would be an ideal moment to get engaged or to simply promise your love forever. Mars will be friendly, too – although orbiting a bit wide mathematically, he will still be strong enough to coax you to take a little trip together over this weekend if you like, or to communicate on a much deeper level than you are used to doing. If you are married, you may decide to have a baby, and if you are expecting, then you or your partner may actually give birth to your baby this month. This is quite an exciting full moon.

I suppose I should allow for the possibility that this full moon may, alternatively (or additionally), bring some contrary emotions to the surface, but only if they have been there for some time. Scorpio is “possessive” in the way people say, “Be mine.” If you aren’t ready for that kind of commitment and your partner is ready (or vice versa), you may find you are at odds and unsure of what to do. This is a common problem, but if you are the partner who wants to make a commitment and get on with life, and your partner has had you waiting many years for commitment, then you may simply walk out. This does not mean you can’t work out differences – you can and it certainly is worth trying. A full moon so beautifully oriented toward your Sun is always beneficial and points to a better future, no matter which way the chips fall. I don’t see a negative outcome here.

While it appears EVERY Cancer will have something to cheer about, if your birthday falls on or within five days of July 8, you will have a double dip of pleasure.

In your career, if you work in a creative field, you may finish up a major project for a big, lucrative client within four days of May 5, before or after. I feel this client would be an important one because of the friendly beam of Pluto to the full moon and Pluto rules the rich and powerful.

Alternatively, you may have quite an important presentation that you may be pitching near May 5. Neptune will be close enough to add an extra sprinkling of glitter over all the ideas you have to offer, so let your imagination run free. It’s an excellent time to be fully engaged with a highly imaginative, artistic, or creative project. May 16 will be very positive, as Mars and Pluto will work together in the best way (but I would rather you sign any papers earlier.) Still, May 16 would be a good day for a meeting or presentation.

Over all, your career will make much more progress than you’ve seen anytime until now. Mars, the ruler of your house of fame, has been retrograde (January 23 to April 13) and now is gathering steam. When a planet like active Mars goes retrograde, he does not move from 0 to 200 miles an hour instantly. Mars needs time to ramp up, and he won’t be back to full speed until early August. No matter – each day Mars gets stronger, and besides, anything is better than what you’ve experienced so far this year. You must have felt like you were walking through glue. You will like the change.

Now let’s turn to your home and family, which may have been a difficult part of your life. You may have started to feel that you finally had a handle on things, but now Venus, the natural ruler of your fourth house of home, will go retrograde from May 15 to June 27.

It’s rare for Venus to retrograde, but when she does, you find home-related matters go a little haywire. This has been a touchy area for you, as Saturn has been creating a situation that has been very hard to resolve over the past two years. Now, with Venus going retrograde, you won’t be able to make any big home or family decisions from May 15 to June 27. I am not sure why this will be the case, but something will prevent you from doing so. It’s likely you will change your mind about a direction you want to take with a home-related matter, but if it’s not that, it may be that you need to go back and tweak or re-do something. It would be best to wait out the retrograde before acting, and that means waiting until early July.

Venus is the planet of beauty and attraction, so it’s ALSO not a good time to do any plastic surgery, as you may not be pleased with the results. Don’t make a radical change to the way you wear your hair, or its color either, for you want a good strong Venus under those circumstances, not a weak one.

Alas, because Venus rules love, when this planet is retrograde it is not best time to begin a new romantic relationship either. Venus will want you to concentrate on work, not fun and love, so temporarily you will enter into a bit of a no-fills period. You will also become more realistic. If a relationship is not one that holds a chance of survival, you may sit back and ask yourself, “What was I thinking?”

Finally, perhaps the most important point is that Venus retrograde will depress profits, so if you hope to lease or rent a house you own, you may not get the price you had in mind.

I would still tell you to keep your sights high anyway and play things by ear. Let me know what happens by communicating with me on Twitter – my name is @Astrologyzone and on Facebook it is Susan Miller?s Astrology Zone (I am wearing a white blouse.)

Cancer has much better aspects for solving home and family matters for good at the new moon, October 15. If you know your rising sign, read for that sign, for that might give you another set of opportunities (perhaps sooner), because as I described in my book, you have two charts, and you need to check the other one, too. (You’d have to look far ahead, more than I can do here, and that’s why you’d need my book, “The Year Ahead 2012 and Beyond,” for in those 640 pages I have more room to discuss things with you.)

Now turn to my favorite news for you, involving the luckiest days of the year! These will be romantic and fun, so you will want to mark down this weekend: May 12-13, both weekend dates, a time you’ll likely have an amazing social event on your calendar. This comes thanks to the meeting of Jupiter, the great benefic, and the Sun, giver of life and strength. This combination of energies typically produces the very happiest time of the year. If you don’t plan to attend an important social event, such as a wedding, lavish birthday party, reunion, graduation party, or charity fundraiser, then you may have an experience involving a friend that proves very touching and teaches you the very meaning of friendship. Someone cares about your welfare, and it will show.

These two powerful heavenly bodies, Jupiter and the Sun, will meet in Taurus in your eleventh house of community and platonic relationships, so a friendship or membership in a community would be your area of luck. You may plan to go on a holiday over these days (May 10-13), or you may plan a party (or be invited to a very special one). If you don’t have any plans for any of these days, plan a wonderful dinner out with the one you love, or if you are single and not dating, go out with one or two friends. Don’t let this day slip away – mark it, dear Cancer.

Jupiter is very generous, so over these days, you may even benefit financially from a tip you receive or a bargain you negotiate that you find out about from your friend. I say that because the Sun is the natural ruler of your solar second house of earned income. The whole four days will be simply sensational, worthy of five stars. I am so glad Venus won’t be retrograde when this beautiful four-day period arrives (Venus will not retrograde until May 15) – profits, fun, good looks, pampering – all will still be strong on this glorious span of days May 10-13.

If you have to sign a contract, plan to do so on May 10 or 11, but no later. I love these days! I don’t want you to edge too close to the retrograde May 15, so if you can’t sign on May 10 or 11, then go earlier, May 7-9, or the week prior, but not any later. I worry about Mercury being opposed to Saturn over the full moon May 5, which is why I need you to go a little later, ideally May 10 or May 11.

There’s more to this month! On May 20, we will have the first of four eclipses, in Gemini, 0 degrees. Gemini rules the subconscious and dreams, creative ideas, and work you do in solitude, in private, behind closed doors. This eclipse is enormously positive and will receive golden beams from Uranus, helping you to produce sparking ideas, and will increase the possibility you will hear exciting news.

You will get an impressive amount of work done while working alone, so if you are writing a paper, working on a creative project, or need to concentrate on anything that requites no distractions, this eclipse will help you forge a breakthrough. This eclipse, May 20, which will open a gate of opportunity in all the areas I have listed, will also mark a great time to go into professional therapy or rehab if you feel you’d like to sort out a problem. This eclipse falls very close to healing Jupiter (within five tiny degrees), so that makes this eclipse my favorite of the year.

If you need a medical procedure that you’ve put off, you may decide to have it taken care of next month, or in subsequent months. With Jupiter about to spend twelve months in the twelfth house, ruling mind-body-spirit beginning June 11, you will have a chance to find the most superb medical advice possible. Leave no stone unturned if you need to locate a new doctor, by getting references from friends and doing your homework. I am not saying anything will come up that requires medical treatment – this will only affect a tiny portion of Cancers – but it has to be comforting to know that your planets will be taking very good care of you, and with Jupiter, the most healing planet, you should stay optimistic.

You have been through three years of eclipses in Cancer and Capricorn, reaching back to July 2007, and ending July 1, 2010, arriving every five-and-a-half months, in pairs. Some of those eclipses were very tough, but this one will be positive. Some of those eclipses in the series were very difficult, but the new series will be different and helpful. Your intuition will be very strong during this time, This eclipse falls only one-half degree away from Taurus, the same sign where Jupiter and the Sun will meet, and that is very fortunate for certain Cancers:

If you were born on July 21, or four days earlier, you will have what is called “an out-of-sign trine,” which means this eclipse, a new moon, will be in an ideal angle in your chart, and that it will support your birthday Sun.

At month’s end, just when the Memorial Day holiday will be approaching in the US, May 26-28, you will find your career popping in a remarkably unexpected way! It sounds like you had better keep your cell phone powered up over this weekend! Whatever happens over May 28, you seem to benefit financially, too. You may be able to travel over May 26-28 (actually it is likely), but keep your phone or computer near so you don’t miss that big opportunity you had hoped would happen!

Your first special moment, sure to bring dramatic, exciting news and possible victory, will happen at the full moon, May 5, in Scorpio (16 degrees) in your house of honors, awards, achievement, and fame. Full moons bring closure to a situation that has been in the pipeline for some time, so if you have been having interviews, this would be your moment to hear word back about the new position or promotion – it looks like you will get the job. If you are self-employed, you may get a new client, an award, or some other choice publicity.

This full moon in your career sector will receive a lovely beam from Pluto in your confidential sector. This suggests a VIP would be willing to speak up for you, perhaps to give you a glowing reference or a tip about business you can pitch. This person would be extremely powerful – their words would carry quite a bit of weight. This same full moon will receive a positive beam from Mars too, from your house of other people’s money, so if you do take a position, the benefits would be generous, offering such things as great health insurance, vacation days, and other goodies that are worth quite a bit.

If you have to sign a contract, take your time – Saturn is opposed to Mercury on this full moon of May 5, not a good time to sign. The deal may require a very arduous effort from you, so delay just a few days. See a lawyer and together take a few days to mull things over. Best day to sign: May 10 or 11, close to the luckiest day of the year, while Venus, the ruler of your home-sector, is still in good form. I would not sign a contract on May 5.

Money has been such a sore point for Aquarius for such a long time, since last November, that you may have wondered when things would ever take a turn for the better. They will – look to July 3, when Mars will finally stop inflaming your credit and debt sector (solar eighth house). You’ve probably had little choice but to fall back on your lines of credit to make ends meet from time to time (as much as it pained you to do so). Alternatively, it may be that you are paying college tuition, or undergoing another type of lifestyle change, such as to move to another part of the country, get married, have a baby – you get the idea. Big shifts in status usually require lots of check writing. As said, by the time you reach July, you will see a big change for the better, dear Aquarius, for expenses will drop dramatically.

This month, watch for good news about money on May 16, when Mars and Pluto will work together to help you forge a financial victory.

Now let’s turn our attention to what I call your luckiest day of the year, which is actually two days, bridging Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13. Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, will have his annual meeting with his buddy, the mighty Sun, to discuss how they can help YOU in a big way. I love this day! Like two friends who are eager to try a new restaurant, Jupiter and the Sun choose a different date and place to meet. This time they will meet in your house of home, real estate, and family – all shine brilliantly for you!

The reason it is important for you to pay attention to these dates, May 12-13, is that if you needed a lucky break – one that borders on a miracle – you may just get your wish on one of these days, or in the one of two days that precedes these days, May 10 or May 11. For you, I like May 11 and 12 best.

Jupiter has spent a year in your home sector, but if you never quite found the right day to use his brilliant energy, this is his “last call” and will be supported by a powerful blast of energy. The reason I am so excited about this conjunction is that it was preceded by the new moon, April 21. (You can see what I wrote about that new moon last month. Just find the link under the Summary and Dates to Note here to get to last month’s forecast.) With any brilliant aspect, you always need a new moon to package the energy to make it accessible to you. You’ve got it!

If you want to buy or sell property, renovate, do repairs, change the look of a room by painting it a new color, or buy new furniture, do this now! There are many ways you can use this special set of days. If you want to sell your house, and you get a good bid, accept it – you are under great aspects. As soon as next month, June 11, these golden beams will fade and not be back until May 2023 – May 2024.

This same part of your chart rules your family and points most directly to one or both parents. If you need to move back home because you are out of work, or need to ask for a loan from your family, don’t be too shy to ask. Your parents understand and sympathize with your situation, and will likely reach out to help you.

This aspect can work both ways – if you were concerned over the health or welfare of a parent, Jupiter, when combined with the Sun, can create a powerful healing vibration, perfect for a consultation with a doctor for your parent or for other considerations that come with aging.

It is very, very important that you act decisively in early May when it comes to home and family matters. Here is why:

Venus will turn retrograde from May 15 to June 27, and this is important to note for many reasons, including the fact that Venus rules your solar fourth house of home. I am sorry to have to report this startling change of events (certainly, we have been tortured with retrograde planets in 2012 in a way I have rarely seen), so during the time Venus goes out of phase, you will NOT do well with real estate matters. Venus also rules profits, and with Venus retrograde, she keeps a lid on profit. If you are ready to sell or buy property, get things in writing and close on the property as soon as you can in EARLY to MID-May. It behooves you to make decisions now, not later.

The only exception to this rule is if you have Pisces rising, as then you will have another year of home-related luck when Jupiter enters Gemini on June 11, and again visits your sector of home (solar fourth house).

While we are on the subject, Venus rules good looks and love too, so we need to talk about those subjects as well. In the matter of appearance, you would never want to schedule plastic surgery during a Venus retrograde, for Venus will be ineffectual, just when you want her to be alert. If you have plastic surgery while Venus is retrograde, you may not like the result. Do not schedule radical changes to your hair either.

This would also not be the time to buy an expensive jewels, such as a diamond.

In love, you may spend time thinking back over the course of a relationship. If some aspect of your relationship has been troubling you, you will likely bring up the topic during the six weeks that Venus is out of phase. Any planet, when retrograde, will ask you to examine your assumptions and to see things in a new light. Share feelings and information – then see how you feel afterward.

Now we come to more very exciting news! On May 20, we have a very positive, new moon solar eclipse that will occur in Gemini (0 degrees). You experienced eclipses in Gemini and its opposite sign of Sagittarius last year, but last year’s eclipses were difficult, due to positions of other planets. Things have changed, and you may be surprised at how much better your love life will be in weeks and months ahead.

This will be the first eclipse of 2012, and it’s a peach of an eclipse, sweet in every way. This eclipse will travel very close to Jupiter, the great benefic planet that wants to spoil you with goodies. Next month, for the first time in twelve years, Jupiter will enter your true love sector (solar fifth house) and refresh and revitalize your love life. Every Aquarius will have something to celebrate! If you are already wed or attached, you will have more fun – this is all about bringing back the affection and lightness to your personal life, and to balance your life from much too much concern over career and money.

Even if you’ve not dated in a long time, you will find it easier to meet new people, and among them may be someone you find quite fascinating. At this new moon eclipse May 20, you may draw a line in the sand, separating the past from the future, and that’s very exciting! I feel the eclipse will prepare your life for the brilliant arrival of Jupiter on June 11, to reside in your true love sector (fifth house) a whole year.

If you have wanted a baby, this new moon will help you in that regard too, and because Jupiter will enter Gemini and the eclipse is in Gemini, you may be having twins. If you have children now, you will find that they are protected.

You are going into the best romantic phase of your life, dear Aquarius, much too special for you to stay with someone you “sort of” like. If you have been waiting a long time to move the relationship forward, to no avail, you will soon run out of patience, and rightly so. Do not waste any more time on a relationship you are having doubts about continuing. After 2-3 years of being together, whether you are the girl or the guy in the relationship, if you have no commitment, and you want one, it’s time to move on. Don’t waste these beautiful vibrations on someone who is not worthy of your affections. Dear Aquarius, just beyond your doorstep, it will be raining a torrent of diamonds, just for you. Life is about to sparkle!

At the end of the month, you have still MORE wonderful aspects! (You have cornered the market on wonderful aspects, dear Aquarius!) From Saturday, May 26 to Monday, May 28, you have one of the very best possible aspects for travel and fun. On Sunday, Mercury (travel, communication) will send a missive to Uranus (surprises and unanticipated events), your ruling planet, now in your travel sector.

On Monday, May 28, the Sun and Uranus will converse, and your partner, if you have one, is about to bring in a host of fun surprises. Everyone, of every sign, will enjoy this string of days, but you just might enjoy them more, because Uranus is your ruler – your guardian planet. You will want to be spontaneous, so do!

If you simply cannot get away, there are things you can do at home. Your mind will be razor sharp, and you can make amazing breakthroughs in any communication-oriented project, from creative writing to journalism, speaking to teaching and lecturing, to acting and translations, and those are just a few examples. If you love one of these areas, you will soon see how impressive your output will be!

If your birthday falls on January 28, you will have a double dip of fun, for the degrees of Uranus, the Sun, and Mercury will be directing their best degrees straight to you over this weekend of May 26-28.

This is ironic because in the USA, these very same days coincide with Memorial Day weekend, a very popular time to travel. If you were unsure if you should plan a trip, I feel you should!

Dear Aquarius, are you excited yet? I am so excited for you!

Have you ever given a big party? If so, you know how it is just before the guests show up. The caterer starts to set up, bringing with him crates of food and wine, and his helpers roll in the dishes, flatware, glasses, tablecloths, and napkins and start to put each place at the tables. The florist carefully carries the many floral arrangements around the room and the musicians will be getting ready, too, with their cases strewn about and electrical cords being attached. You may fear they will never be done on time, for as they set up, things are a bit of a mess, with crumpled paper and bubble wrap strewn over the floor. Whenever I am giving an event like that, I worry that people will begin to arrive while it looks like this, but despite my anxiety, they calmly finish up and by the appointed hour, everything looks perfect.

Chaos always precedes these big events. You are about to begin one of the biggest and best years of your life. Jupiter, zooming quietly through deep space, is getting very close now and will reach the constellation of Gemini on June 11. Once Jupiter arrives, you will be crowned celestial favorite. This will be the first time since June 30, 2000 to July 2001 that you will have this distinction. No wonder you sense you are entering a very different phase – you are!

Yet before any of this happens, May holds some huge surprises too, and that’s the sugar and spice of this current month.

Let’s start at the top. The first big event will be the full moon May 5, in Scorpio 16 degrees, and it appears that you will see the culmination of a major work assignment. You may finish it or finally be given the green light to begin one that is dear to you. This full moon is very friendly, for it will receive golden beams from Pluto and from Mars. This suggests that financially, you should be pleased with news you receive in early May. Pluto is at over 9 degrees Capricorn in your house of other people’s money, and in perfect angle to the full moon, so that’s close enough to feel the regenerating effect of Pluto. Mars is a little farther away but still incredibly supportive, and this may bring you other good news about a family member who has been in distress (or distressing you) or a housing / property situation that has been going on for a long time.

Mars will be within 10 degrees of a perfect angle to the Sun and full moon as well. This is significant because a full moon that falls in Scorpio puts the spotlight on Mars and Pluto, the double rulers of Scorpio. It is hard enough to get one planet in agreement with the full moon, but here we have two – that’s great!

Mars is now moving in strong orbit, and is trying to get back to his normal speed that he had last year. Mars has been in sleepy retrograde position from late January to mid-April and is now trying to ramp up. He won’t be moving at top speed until August, but with every week, he will move faster. The faster Mars goes, the more progress you will see in regard to home and family matters. I feel things may not fully resolve until the full moon, September 15, but you will be content with what happens in regard to home and family at this full moon.

You may also see a certain resolve or finish to a health concern at this full moon, May 15, too, as it will fall in your sixth house, ruling health matters. If you have had a cold, for example, you will see it wind down and be gone within four days of May 5. If you have been going to physical therapy, as another example, you may now have completed all your treatments. Or, you may finally decide to join a gym at the full moon and fully commit to your new, healthy lifestyle. Things like this happen at full moons – you get the idea.

Keep in mind that this month is about putting your pieces in place for a much bigger future. It will involve some thinking and strategizing. You will want to be sure they are “just so” for your impending coronation as celestial favorite next month. Just as the caterer, florist, and musicians need time to get ready, you do, too. This month, a little creative daydreaming about what you’d like to see happen next would be very constructive. By this time next year, what would you like to have achieved? Throughout the year, you will have unusually powerful help from influential people, and the level of their attention will surprise you.

Now we come to the middle of May, my favorite part of the month, and possibly of the whole year!

Over the weekend of May 12-13, we have the luckiest days of the year, thanks to the meeting of Jupiter and the Sun. Also quite wonderful will be the days LEADING to these days, Thursday, May 10 and Friday, May 11. What is happening here is that Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, will meet with the mighty Sun, giver of life and strength, in your twelfth house of confidential matters. You may have a closed door meeting with a VIP that turns out to be quite exciting and beneficial for you. Alternatively, you may come up with a creative idea over this weekend that may well turn out to be a blockbuster! In fact, if you are working in a creative profession or work alongside creative people, the team may sell a very big project. The meeting of Jupiter conjunct the Sun is my favorite aspect, and it will be worth five stars. I want you to think BIG.

At this time, the people you will be conversing with certainly will be thinking in broad, panoramic terms, too.

If you need to sign a contract, I would like you do to so on Friday, May 11, when the moon will be in Aquarius, and you will be moving toward this glorious luckiest of 2012 weekend. (An aspect is always strongest as it moves TOWARD its peak, not after it HAS peaked.) It is important that you sign during the week of May 7 to 11, no later (and hopefully, on May 11). I would rather you NOT sign over the full moon May 5 because Mercury will oppose Saturn, not a favorable aspect for forming agreements. So wait a bit, but not too long! My pick for your signing will be Friday, May 11. If you sign then, your project should grow and grow like Jack in the Beanstalk’s beans!

Just after this glorious conjunction of Jupiter and the Sun, from May 15 to June 27, Venus will go retrograde. This certainly is a high-contrast year.

I am sorry to have to report this, as Venus is the planet of fun, but when she sleeps, fun tends to take a back seat, and hard work and concentration to the task at hand rules the day. I don’t want you to sign a contract during this phase because Venus is ALSO associated with profits. If you sign while Venus is retrograde, the profits of your new endeavor will forever be depressed.

Venus also rules good looks, beauty, and embellishment, so this period would be a bad time to have plastic surgery. Schedule your procedure early in May (a good time) or wait until July or August. It would also not be the time to buy beautiful jewels, like a diamond.

Just when you assumed nothing more important could possibly happen in May, we have another huge event.

On May 20 we will have a solar eclipse (a new moon) at 0 degrees Gemini! This one is the most outstanding, encouraging, positive eclipses possible, and absolutely the best one of the year. Jupiter will be within five degrees of this eclipse, considered mathematically a conjunction – giving this eclipse a big WOW in anyone’s book. This eclipse will act like a portal to open you up to a whole new set of circumstances very soon, and they will work to change your life in very significant ways. You will love the opportunities and news that come up!

Mercury is your ruler, and at eclipse time, Jupiter will be conjunct Mercury. This is a very powerful sign that this eclipse is about to bring up some sort of new opportunity or news that will make you very, very happy. You may travel now and much more in the months to come. You may also get a new writing / speaking assignment that will prove to be an indicator of a future path. Your sibling or cousin may be prominent at this time, too, and may be the person who brings you your good fortune.

If your birthday falls within five days of this eclipse, you will be very affected by this eclipse now and in the months ahead. Your life will change, but in a very positive way.

The same may be true if you have a natal planet in 0 to 4 degrees of Gemini, Libra, or Aquarius, or in Leo, Aries, or Sagittarius. See what happens. I cannot know all about the planets in your unique chart, so at this time, follow the breadcrumbs. That planet will be sensitized, and energized, by the eclipse. This will be the first of two eclipses – the next one is next month, June 4, falling in your opposite sign of Sagittarius. (More about that next month.) I find it interesting that the eclipses are clearing out the debris and loose ends of your life, in preparation for the arrival of Jupiter on June 11.

You may want to read the chapter in my new book called “How to Deal with Eclipses” and what to expect from them. I tore apart the chapter I had on eclipses and wrote a new one, much more complete. I have learned more about them, and that is reflected in that chapter in my new book, The Year Ahead 2012 and Beyond. It’s a long chapter – if you are curious you may want to see it.

Romantically, the coming months will become very important, and if you are not attached, positively life changing. You now will have your best chance of meeting your one true love. Venus will be retrograde from May 15 to June 27, so you will need to be patient. Trust that love will come, and when it does, it may take you by surprise. If you are attached, you will either grow closer or part to find someone better for you. (You won’t want to waste these once-in-a-decade sparkling aspects!)

On Monday, May 21, you have another great day, when your ruler, Mercury, will be conjunct Jupiter. I still will put May 10-May 13 as your best, but my goodness, this will rank as a close second when it comes to your favorite days of the month.

Everything will be in Gemini this month, the sign of twins, so you may be getting TWO pieces of good news, not one!

The weekend of May 26-27, and including May 28, Monday, Memorial Day in the United States, will be simply divine. The moon will be in Leo on all three days, and Uranus, the planet of spontaneity and surprise, will be very active. Again it looks like you will be traveling, very possibly at the last minute. Friends will be very loving and will want you with them every minute!

Your most romantic dates this month will fall early, on May 2, 3, 10-13. After Venus goes retrograde (less favorable), you can circle these dates May 16, 17, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, and 31.

As you begin May, that new moon will still be your fairy godmother, working hard to bring you opportunities on every level, both personal and professional. You will enjoy a rare kind of preferential treatment from VIPs, and your ideas will be more likely to be approved. So as you begin May, you need to be very proactive about going after a dream dear to you. Leave no stone unturned. This is the time to be energized!

The full moon on May 5 will be in Scorpio and will crystallize a relationship dear to you within four days of this date. You may be getting engaged for your birthday, or even wed! An initiation like that would be blessed. Are you getting married or engaged over the following weekend, May 12-13? You will also be in luck. Jupiter will be conjunct the Sun (close enough to touch) all month, while at the same time, Mars (action) will move in sure, steady orbit in your fifth house of true love and creativity and receive energy from the Sun and new moon. Pluto will beam happy energy from your ninth house of travel and higher education too, so you may see exciting developments in one of those areas.

Together, Mars, Pluto, and the Sun / new moon / Jupiter will form a golden triangle in the sky, which is the most heavenly aspect you could possibly receive. You may find love or display outstanding artistic or creative talent. You may travel or decide to go back to the university classroom. If you teach on the college level, things will go well too, and the same would be true for those working in publishing, broadcasting, or Internet.

It’s clear that your talents and experience will be in demand, and, as you get closer to the end of May, you will start to make good money, too. At some point this month, you may go on a romantic vacation or travel so that you can present a creative idea to influential people who can help you translate it to reality.

We have seen a number of golden triangles in the sky lately, just like this one we have this month, linking Mars in one corner, Pluto in another, and the Sun / new moon / Jupiter in the third corner. Don’t assume that these shimmering triangles are commonplace – I wish – but they are not. After this, we will have to wait until mid-2013 to see another as special.

For some, this full moon of May 5 may not initially be easy. Occurring in Scorpio, it will happen directly opposite your Sun and may spell a breakup from a romantic or business partner. If so (and I am not saying this is how it will work out for you), it looks as though this parting of the ways has been coming for some time. With such elegant planetary vibrations, I can only say that the parting would benefit you, something you will see in time.

Full moons like this one will push events to one end of the spectrum or the other – there is often no middle ground. That is why you may see such opposite kinds of results. For other Taurus, this full moon may translate into a very happy partnership, such as a handshake and the agreement to create a collaboration or joint venture, or as I mentioned before, to draw closer in romantic commitment. If this were how things play out, that alliance would be very fortunate for you. If your birthday falls within five days, May 5, this full moon will speak directly to you and it is very likely you will see a culmination to a relationship.

If you need to sign a contract, do in the first half, prior to May 14. Although you may be given papers to sign over May 5, Mercury will oppose Saturn at the full moon, so I would rather you wait a few days and do so over May 11.

On the weekend of May 12-13, we have the two luckiest days of the year! These will be five-star days for you, for they both will fall on a Saturday and Sunday. Watch, too, Thursday, May 10, and Friday, May 11 as due to be mighty special, too. The meeting of the Sun and Jupiter happens only once a year, and is the event is always highly anticipated because it brings together two of the most powerful bodies in our solar system, the Sun and Jupiter. These days, May 10 to 13, glisten in gold and offer you that special kind of breakthrough that rarely comes but makes us all so happy when it does.

Every year the Sun and Jupiter meet in a different sign, and this year, for the first time in twelve years, the Sun and Jupiter will meet in Taurus! As a result, you may have special luck in regard to home, family, and real estate matters, as the Sun is the natural ruler of your property sector. You may make a big sale (such as to sell your house), find a bargain on furniture, or benefit enormously from a family member. This is only one of several ways this lovely meeting of Jupiter and the Sun may work out for you. Be sure to tell us all on Twitter – I am @astrologyzone – because it’s fun for me to hear of your good news.

It is interesting to note that last year, the Sun and Jupiter met in Aries on April 6. It was supposed to be the luckiest day of the year, but at the same time, Saturn spoiled the pudding by opposing the Sun and Jupiter. Indeed, Saturn washed away all the goodness of that day, so I never even mentioned any of this to you last year. It was too heartbreaking! We had no luckiest day of the year in 2011, but you seemed to sense that. You may be murmuring to yourself, “Yes, last year sure felt gloomy!” Now, all that changes.

If your birthday falls near May 12-13, plus or minus five days, you win the cosmic jackpot. Not only will your birthday shine brightly like diamonds in the Sun, there are bigger ramifications. When you have a conjunction with Jupiter and the Sun near your birthday, your whole birthday year is rinsed in goodness! Wow! Yes, if you were born near May 12-13, your golden luck will last until next May 2013, because this aspect will be built into the DNA of your “solar return.” A solar return literally means “the Sun returns to the place it was at your birth” – an event that happens each year on your birthday. This time, the Sun will arrive with the great benefic Jupiter at his side. This really does mean you have a very happy, prosperous, and healthy year ahead. (If you have been ill, you may see healing and improvements that you had not expected.)

Venus, your guardian planet, will soon go retrograde for six weeks, from May 15 to June 27. Because Venus rules Taurus and Libra, both signs will feel this retrograde more than most. Venus will ask you to think back, so you may have a major change of mind about something important to you. Or, you may see a setback regarding a personal dream or desire. If you should suffer a reversal, it seems to be only temporary, so don’t get overly worried. You would simply have to go in and fix things – you can do that.

Do all in your power not to sign papers while Venus is retrograde. Venus is associated with money and profits, and you would have to work harder to make money during these phases. (This is why you would not want to sign a contract under this trend – Venus would lower profits for the entire term of the contract or new venture.)

Alternatively, you may see a delay in a work project. Do not hire any new assistants to help you at work or at home (such as a nanny) during the retrograde – those workers won’t meet your expectations later. All these parts of life will normalize once Venus goes direct, so it’s worth waiting through the six weeks if your venture is important. In the matters of accounts receivables, you may find that checks due you are late after May 15, so send another reminder – you may have to be patient until the end of June.

Because Venus rules beauty, art, fun, and anything luxurious and pampering, when Venus goes retrograde, we go into a period that seems all work and little play. Do not schedule any plastic surgery or other radical changes in your appearance – schedule those for days prior to May 15, or delay those matters until a few days after June 27.

Now let’s get to a major point in the month. On May 20, we have the magnificent solar eclipse in Gemini, sure to affect your earned income, most likely in a very positive way. This is a new moon that will open a door to allow you to find ways to earn substantially more money than you have at present, a long trend that is only beginning now. Jupiter will be within only five degrees of this solar eclipse, and Jupiter will see to it that you are rubbing shoulders with some very influential, high-level individuals. A lucrative deal may suddenly come up, and when this happens, it may surprise you. Uranus will be involved, and in a very friendly way.

One of the key indicators of impending success from this May 20 new moon solar eclipse will rest with Venus (now traveling through your money house), in beautiful angle to Saturn (later, near May 20, found in your workaday sector). You may get a chance to work on a project that will pay you a good sum of money. Venus, the Sun, and new moon will be in Gemini, the sign of twins, so you may encounter not one but TWO opportunities. Keep your eyes open!

Also, this eclipse May 20, in Gemini, will put the emphasis on Mercury, which will be found orbiting arm-in-arm with Jupiter in Taurus, still ANOTHER indication you are about to be well compensated. Wow, this eclipse is wonderful, no matter which side you look at it. The fact that the eclipses are in Gemini, and Jupiter, planet of good fortune, is heading to Gemini next month (for a year), indicates that you are in the process of redoing your financial life from top to bottom. It’s all good, dear Taurus, for you will be moving to a far more stable and beneficial situation than the one you had before.

Neptune will be in hard angle to this eclipse of May 20, so it would not be the right time to sign a contract (near May 20), as certain terms may be unclear or missing. Go slowly – you will be enthusiastic (and I am happy about that), but just don’t become too impulsive and miss some points you need to address.

While the emphasis will be on money, you will have a wonder-day for career matters, May 10 and 11 (when your creativity will zoom through the roof).

An even bigger day will be May 28-29, when the Sun and Uranus combine energies. Again, some very exciting things are likely to come up in your career. It’s possible that you may consider relocation to a new city to take advantage of professional opportunities that will start to pop up.

In matters of love, if you are single, be sure to circulate as much as possible in early May. Having Jupiter in Taurus now, a rare, once-in-a-decade transit, is considered the biggest and best indicator of finding your true love. You may have already met someone you feel is mighty special in the past year, but if not, you will have your best chance now. Jupiter will move on in June 11, so while you have him to yourself, take full advantage.

One standout day will be May 21, when the planet that rules your love life, Mercury, conjoins Jupiter. Both will meet in final degrees of Taurus, and together they will light your solar fifth house of true love. Your charm will be very strong near May 21, and it will be noticeable over the previous weekend, May 19-20, too. On Saturday, May 19, particularly, the moon will be in Taurus. It’s a “must” weekend to be out and about.

Travel is also a possibility this month, especially at month’s end, over May 26-28, when Mercury will be so beautifully oriented toward Uranus. Mercury is the plant of travel and also rules your house of true love. Uranus rules surprise – together this adds up to a romantic surprise trip that you may take spontaneously.

Also that weekend, the Sun and Uranus will converse in a warm and friendly way on Monday, May 28. This is a terrific indication of success if you need a new apartment or to make any other home-related initiation. You may sell a house or buy one, find a wonderful bargain for a piece of furniture, or suddenly solve some sort of home or family-related dilemma. What a lovely way to end the month!

I can’t overstate how important May will be for your future! It’s a month to think big and go after your dreams with a passion, especially in the first two weeks of May. Don’t delay, dear Taurus – this is your time!

If you were born on November 7, plus or minus five days, you will feel the effects of the full moon, May 5, more than most. Additionally, if you have any planets at 16 degrees of Scorpio, Pisces, or Cancer, or of Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn, you will also benefit, as this full moon will reach out and touch that planet in a very specific way. Watch to see!

Pluto’s friendly beam to this full moon could bring you a contract to sign, or you may be asked for a final answer. Although Pluto will be strong and supportive, Mercury will be in opposition to Saturn, and that could make any deal you start on May 5 arduous. If you need to sign papers, you need to wait a bit, until Mercury moves out of range of Saturn, so in that case, my choice would be May 10 or May 11.

I chose those dates for a very special reason. This month holds what I always call “the luckiest dates of the year” which refers to the annual meeting of Jupiter, giver of gifts and luck, and the Sun, giver of strength and life. These two distinguished dignitaries of the solar system – and old buddies to one another – will meet in Taurus, in your seventh house of serious partnerships. What an opportunity this special weekend will offer you! You may get engaged or married on one of these days, and if you do, you will have chosen not only the best day of the year, but of more than a decade. While the Sun visits this house once a year, Jupiter takes twelve years to circle the Sun, so he will not align with the Sun again in precisely the same way until May 16, 2024!

If you are already married, you can plan a very romantic day, one where you go to a luxurious restaurant with great food, wine, flowers, elegant table linens, and other beautiful appointments. When Jupiter is involved, a feeling of pampering can’t be far behind.

If would like to use this glowing aspect to form a business partnership, you can, and in that case I suggest you plan to sign papers on the weekdays, Thursday, May 10 or Friday, May 11. (Or you may be able to meet over Saturday, May 12, and then by all means, do!)

The universe often offers us high-jinx, high contrast aspects, and this month is a good example of that proclivity. Here we have the best possible aspects on the days May 12-13 involving the coming together of two people, for love or purposes of money. A mere two days later, on May 15, Venus will retrograde for six weeks, until June 27. Venus rules romantic love, and also the profit made from business deals, and with Venus about to go retrograde, these areas will instantly suffer, but only if you “give birth” to your legal promises while Venus is retrograde. If you agree to a business deal, or pop the question BEFORE May 15, you will do better. (I would avoid May 14, as it is jut too close to the retrograde.)

Venus also rules our appearance and all embellishment, such as flowers, jewels, perfume, and so forth. The ramifications are clear – when Venus goes retrograde, profits, romance, love, and beauty do not reach full potential. You would not want to launch a new relationship or business deal when Venus is not strong. It also would be a very bad time to do plastic surgery or to buy expensive jewels, like a diamond. It would be so much better to wait to propose marriage until AFTER Venus goes direct, June 27.

What if you are set to be married while Venus is sleeping? I would suggest you secretly marry when you pick up your license at City Hall, but to tell no one about the fact that you did this. If you can, wed on one of the days that span May 10 to May 12. You can have your “real” wedding later, but never tell anyone that in the eyes of the state, legally, you are wed. You need not ever celebrate your City Hall wedding, but astrologically you will be setting your marriage off on the right foot.

I realize the universe has been torturing us with retrogrades. There’s another retrograde coming later, when Mercury retrogrades from July 14 to August 8. That will only give us all from July 27 (the date Venus goes ahead) to July 13 (the day before Mercury goes retrograde, to make important deals and sign papers, but honestly, I would never want you to come that close – July 13 – to a Mercury retrograde.) Retrograde planets do not give us the right environment to make any agreements or promises, or to sign papers, as you would not likely see the promise of the deal or the relationship fulfilled in the future.

After these retrograde-strewn periods, we will be free and clear until November 6 to 26, when Mercury will go retrograde one last time this year. If you have my The Year Ahead 2012 Calendar, you always would have a list of retrograde planets and the dates they go direct, plus all the aspects that I list here on Astrology Zone. They are handy to have in advance, which is why I do a yearly calendar. You can use my calendar in connection with Astrology Zone and with my book “Year Ahead 2012 and Beyond” – they all work together like interlocking gears.

Getting back to this month, there’s big headline news in that a very friendly solar eclipse, a new moon in Gemini (0 degrees), is due to arrive on May 20. This eclipse will fall in your house of “other people’s money” and will accent funds that you would tend to get as one-time payouts, such as a court settlement, insurance payout, divorce settlement, a lump sum child support payment for back support, unemployment insurance, severance package, inheritance, commission check, scholarship news, financial aid, and so forth. It would not be salary, but it could be a prize winning.

This will be a wildly positive solar eclipse, because Jupiter will be within five degrees, practically rubbing shoulders with this elegant eclipse (also a new moon). I feel you will see some sort of financial gain as a result of this eclipse, either within days of May 20, or one month to the day later, plus or minus five days (near June 20). It is also possible something came up near April 21.

It’s rare to see a solar eclipse THIS positive. It falls, as said, in Gemini, so you may even see TWO checks or two lump sums with your name on it. Because this eclipse is in Gemini, we have to see what Gemini’s ruler, Mercury, will be up to at the time. Happily, as luck would have it, on the next day, May 21, Mercury will be conjunct Jupiter in Taurus, so clearly, this is just one more indication that this eclipse will perform magic on your bank account. At least some of the financial benefit you experience will be directly tied to your rising status in your career, as the Sun naturally rules your solar tenth house of achievement and fame.

Let me know how the eclipse affected you after it occurs on May 20. Life is such a fascinating laboratory, and we can all learn more about eclipses and other aspects by sharing information in social media. My name on Twitter is @Astrologyzone, and on Facebook my name has four words: “Susan Miller’s Astrology Zone” (I am wearing a white blouse, not the red dress which is my public page. (Or go to both – you can do so easily now with new FB subscribe function.) I admit I am on Twitter much more, as Twitter is quick and short, but I link all my tweets to Facebook, too.

At work, you may do very well on a project that comes up at the very end of the month. Uranus, planet of unexpected developments, will signal both Mercury and the Sun (at that point, both will be in Gemini, in your commissions / royalties house), and the news won’t come to you in the manner you expect! If you are away on vacation, you may miss a work opportunity, for it will fall over May 26 to 28, ironically the same days as the Memorial Day holiday in the US, which is a very popular time for people to go away. Yet, even so, some readers will have to work, even on holidays, so perhaps that describes your job. If so, don’t be blue. You will have a chance to get a new client or a chance at a plum project that might have normally been awarded to someone else in your office – if you are there, it looks like you will get it. Like everything else in life, it comes down to how much you want to be away, versus how much you want a shot at a great assignment. In astrology, the choice is always yours.

Romantically, this may be a very affectionate, loving month for you. Mars is your other ruler, and will be sweetly angled to the full moon and moving through the house of friendship, fun, people, and events. This is a great time to reach out to others, widen your circle of contacts, and to be open to the new interests they expose you to. Do so in the first two weeks. You may also decide to be more active online, another good idea, for those of us who are know that you can make some amazing friends and contacts that way.

At the same time, all through May, Venus will be moving through your solar eighth house, the area of the chart that is naturally ruled by Scorpio. I will admit, Venus will be strong in the first half, but not in the second half. Starting a new relationship with Venus retrograde (May 15 to June 27) is not good, so you may want to beg off social invitations and wait for better days to meet and greet. Venus retrograde is a time to work, not play, but at least this month, you can have fun in the first two weeks.

Finally, during the first three weeks of May, with the Sun moving through the seventh house of commitment, those who are attached, or hope to attach, will be wildly favored, especially over that magical ribbon of days, May 10 through May 13.

Your most romantic dates: May 1, 4, 5, 9, 10-13 (gold star), and after Venus goes retrograde, admittedly, these dates will be less special: May 19,ÿ21, 24, 27, and 28.