Taurus: Venus, your ruler, will join the Sun, making you rather self-indulgent.

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Our good friend Mercury is going retrograde on the 22nd. Let's get all of our new projects started, cars bought, and computers purchased before that date. After that date, you will have to wait until June 22 to purchase things. Saturn, planet of work and discipline, goes direct on the 2nd, and Jupiter goes retrograde on the 9th. Both of these planets tend to affect the economy. Saturn will slow things down a bit, and Jupiter won't be able to help stimulate people to overcome things. Neptune will also go retrograde on the 26th, influencing us to look within for our spiritual connections. • The new Moon on Cinco De Mayo will be in Taurus, reminding us to indulge our physical pleasures and take care of our desire nature. The full Moon on the 18th in Scorpio will remind us to share with others and reflect on the way we feel about those who don't. • The Sun begins the month in Taurus and moves into Gemini on the 20th. Mercury begins the month in Taurus but quickly moves into Gemini on the 2nd and remains there until July. Venus is in Taurus, her home sign, until she also moves into Gemini on the 24th. Mars finally finishes his journey through Cancer and moves into fiery Leo on the 9th. The rest of the planets are happy in the signs they are in.

ARIES (March 21–April 19). The focus for you this month is on finances and personal resources. You will get a handle on what you spend and what you make. There will be a strong tendency to overspend on the 4th and 5th. Many of you will be considering what you make and potentially seeking a raise. Your creative skills are very good, and your career should flow more smoothly than it has in a while. Continue to pay attention to diet and health. You are still more motivated than usual to do something about this part of your life.

TAURUS (April 20–May 20). This is your birthday month or solar return time, which is always a good time to look back over the last year and consider new plans for the next. With your ruler, Venus, joining the Sun, you will be rather self-indulgent. What better time for this than your birthday? Relationships are better. Both of you are able to find compromise earlier in any difficult situations. Career plans can be successful if you find the energy to motivate yourself. Activity at home will pick up after the 10th. Family relationships could be more tense. Tempers will flare.

GEMINI (May 21–June 21). This month you need to take a more reserved or background position. You are more sensitive than usual. Crowds and stress will take a greater toll on you. Your ruling planet, Mercury, will go retrograde in your sign at the end of the month. Be sure you get your projects started. With Mercury retrograde, you will be examining things about your past after the 22nd. Old friends and past events will come back into your life. Keep an open mind during this time, in order to bring closure over long-ago events.

CANCER (June 22–July 22). Friendships and relationships are the two ships that are sailing into your port this month. This is an excellent time to do some networking or join some groups that can help your career. Friends are more excited to see you, and your presence will have a strong impact on those around you. Personal relationships are in a good phase. If you are single, this is an excellent time to get out there and meet someone new. If you are involved, this period will make the time you spend with your partner even more pleasant. Take some time to get away or do something out of the ordinary with someone special.

LEO (July 23–August 22). Career seems to be at the top of the list this month. With the new moon there as well, you could seek some promotion, take a leadership position, or even start your own business. Old friends are coming back to visit after the 22nd. After the 10th, and for the next 45 days, you have more energy than usual. This would be a great time to start an exercise program or to engage in something that challenges you. Get all this done before the 22nd. Relationships can be confusing, so you may not want to make too many assumptions this month.

VIRGO (August 23–September 22). This month, two things dominate your horoscope: creativity and application. If you choose to apply this energy, you can use your analytical and problem-solving skills to the maximum. You really have the big picture in view. Since you are not putting up with anybody wasting your time, you are a force to be reckoned with. Relationships can be more difficult because you are very critical of yourself and your partner. Your expectations may be somewhat unrealistic, and instead of making things better, they actually drive you further apart. By the end of the month, it is time to take a very close look at business.

LIBRA (September 23–October 23). Particularly drawn to intimacy issues this month, you want to forge closer bonds between yourself and those closest to you. Truth and honesty must be held up in the light. With a positive attitude, you and your partner can work together to find common ground. Avoiding that work will only drive a deeper wedge between the two of you. Home life is busy and can provide a break from some of the seriousness that you are dealing with. Some of you could be moving or doing some remodeling. You could meet some new people this month after the 10th.

SCORPIO (October 24–November 21). You are all about relationships this month. If you are in one, you are getting closer and looking for ways to feel more connected. If you are single, this is an excellent time to attract someone new. Do this before the 22nd or you will be attracting someone who is — egads — just like the partner you got rid of. If you are having a problem in any relationship, business or personal, this month will bring it to the surface so that it can be dealt with. After the 10th, new business opportunities are on the horizon. Keep your temper at work so that you don't say something you may regret.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22–December 21).   Get that workplace in order. You have been wading through too many piles, and now even you can't stand it. Efficiency is the word of the month. Don't worry about exercise or that diet. You are just not in the mood. A relationship will be more and more important as the month progresses. With Mercury going retrograde, be prepared to hear from lovers from the past. Career is moving slowly as you make the necessary changes to upgrade or change. Either way, you must focus there.

CAPRICORN (December 22–January 19). This month is all about relaxing and self-indulgence. Normally, we would never use the word lazy with Capricorn, but you are certainly not very motivated. That will all change near the end of the month, so take the time to pamper yourself. Getting massages, eating lots of chocolate, and having people wait on you hand and foot will do wonders for your self-esteem. You can worry about the guilt later. By the end of the month, it is time to get back to those routines.

AQUARIUS (January 20–February 18). You are concentrating on making your home and family life much more comfortable. You may even do some entertaining, but only for the nicest of your friends and family. Some of you may be more enterprising and do some easy remodeling or painting. In the first two-thirds of the month, your communication skills improve. Interaction with relationship partners can be more tense if you aren't getting the attention you need. A good adventure or travel to a new place could really revive your sexual energies. Otherwise, they could be wasted in fighting and bickering. Choose the first option.

PISCES (February 19–March 20). The Mermaids and Mermen continue to be more serious than usual. They are trying to find their way in the social maze of hierarchy and self-esteem tied to what they produce. Your practical side does show up in the first two-thirds of the month. So that is when you can get the most done, particularly associated with career or goal orientation. By the end of the month, you are ready for a break, and freedom will be beckoning you to the seashore. Don't let those previous commitments stand in your way or you could be unhappy and resentful.

A professional astrologer for more than two decades, Lilly Roddy counsels individuals and teaches classes. Read Lilly Roddy's forecast for all of 2008, ("The Planets Say"), which appeared in our January issue. Access Roddy's podcast, "City of Ladies," at www.lillyroddy.com.

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