Aries Monthly Horoscope

MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Ready, set, focus. The first three weeks of May can be a productive time for you, while the Sun is in Taurus, your second house of work and money. With your ruling planet Mars zooming full speed ahead, you’re gung-ho to find a clear direction before the summer. Money may be on your mind a lot this month, with mental Mercury also in Taurus May 9 through 24.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to earn every cent by the sweat of your brow. On May 5, a Scorpio full moon energizes your eighth house of joint ventures and money given by an outside source. You could have an opportunity to pool your resources with someone, either a business or a romantic partner. Perhaps a lovely tax refund will arrive in the mail.

The eighth house rules intimacy and permanent bonding: A pregnancy, engagement or cohabitation is possible at this full moon. Because this full moon will travel close to the earth, it’s a “supermoon,” so we’ll feel its effects more than ever. Good thing, since love planet Venus goes retrograde (backward) from May 15 through June 27, a bumpy time for romance. Fortunately, it’s not in a difficult part of your chart, so your experience of Venus retrograde should be relatively mild (we hope!).

This month stirs up a few surprises, with a Gemini new moon solar eclipse on May 20. Eclipses bring unexpected events, and this one falls in your third house of communication. You may get news or a message that sets you on a surprising new path. You could meet a talented person whose skills complement yours perfectly. Are you the type of Aries who craves a bigger platform? Don’t be surprised to find yourself in the media somehow, even as a local “celebrity,” just for speaking your mind.

LOVE & ROMANCE
Dialogue is the key to a successful relationship, and you’ll certainly be reminded of that for the next three months. Since April 3, romantic Venus has been in Gemini, your third house of communication. Venus is here until August 7, paying an extra-long visit. This is good news, with one caveat: You’ll have to get through a bumpy patch from May 15 through June 27.

During those six weeks, Venus will be retrograde (moving backward), an event that occurs every couple of years. This can be a time when couples don’t see eye-to-eye, or even take a break. Although it sounds like a curse, it’s actually a great time to evaluate your needs and priorities, to make sure you’re both on the same page. If you’re single (and don’t want to be), Venus retrograde is a great time to do inner work.

Retrogrades bring back the past, so you may hear from an ex or two. You could find yourself pining for someone from your past, even tracking that person down in a late-night Google search. Who knows? An old flame could deserve a second chance, especially if your breakup was a matter of timing differences, rather than true love.

Many astrologers advise against getting married during Venus retrograde, but let’s face it: You can’t exactly call off a huge event that you’ve paid thousands to put on. With any retrograde, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you’re getting hitched during this cycle, follow the “speak now or forever hold your peace” motto and address any premarital issues with your partner, perhaps with the help of a counselor.

The May 5 Scorpio full moon could bring a make-or-break moment even before Venus goes retrograde. Scorpio rules your eighth house of intimacy and permanent bonding. Cinco de Mayo could be quite a passionate day, and some strong emotional currents could sweep through. You could enjoy a night of wild passion — or you might have a blowout fight. Fasten your seat belt. You could get engaged, find out you’re pregnant, or decide to move in with someone. Or, you may go the reverse route and call the whole thing off. This full moon will make it clear in which direction you’re going.

The May 20 Gemini new-moon solar eclipse could open an important line of communication. Is it time to start speaking to your partner or love interests differently? Perhaps you need to rebalance the give-and-take between you. Because this new moon will form a tense square to Neptune, you may decide you’ve made one too many sacrifices for love. Are you giving others what you wish they’d offer to you? Be direct instead of passive-aggressive. Some news or information could surface near this date that changes the course of events for you. Perhaps you’ll find out that a “friend” has deeper feelings for you!

MONEY & CAREER
May is a productive month for you, which is just the way you like it. As a go-getter sign, you’re happiest when you feel purposeful. The Sun’s visit to Taurus, your second house of work and money, makes the first three weeks great for setting and reaching key milestones. With communication planet Mercury in Taurus May 9 through 24, you’ll do best when you put things in writing. It’s a great time to sign contracts and negotiate deals, too.

A big financial day could arrive at the Scorpio full moon on May 5. The spotlight is on your eighth house of joint resources and “other people’s money” — which includes debt, credit cards, taxes, inheritances, real estate and any kind of property. Since full moons are about manifestation, you could seal a sweet deal (perhaps a joint venture) near this date. If you’ve been trying to move or sell a home for the past six months, this full moon can bring it all together. You might also have to make a large payment — or just decide to get rid of some debt once and for all.

The May 20 Gemini solar eclipse could put you in the news, front and center. Gemini rules your third house of communication, and solar eclipses bring surprise beginnings. You may have an opportunity to teach or write about what you know in the next six months. Or, you might just attract attention for your ideas without trying. Practice your 30-second elevator pitch, Aries, because you’re going to need it for the rest of the year.

Are you ready to go public? Prepare to adapt — fast. This eclipse will form a tense square to healing Neptune in your 12th house of closure, surrender and hidden agendas. To really soar, you may need to part ways with someone whose energy is a mismatch with yours, or even with a jealous person trying to hold you back. Perhaps you’ll have to overcome fears and trust issues so you can step into an expanded public role.

Aries can be a bit paranoid, and as much as you like attention, you also want to control how you receive it. Let go. Trying to play director, producer and lead actor in your life will interfere with your ratings and ticket sales! Just release your message through as many channels as you can, and trust that it will find its proper audience. Pick up a copy of Seth Godin’s book Tribes for great tips on connecting to your market.

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Ground yourself in good habits. With the Sun in Taurus through May 19, the more you can simplify and prioritize, the better. At the May 5 Scorpio full moon, you may have an emotional release, and things can get intense. This is a great time for a cleanse or a household-and-office purge. Get rid of the toxins, blockages and bad vibes — do a spring cleaning inside and out.

Friends and siblings can be a challenge while Venus is retrograde from May 15 through June 27. An old wound or grudge may surface between you — or you might get a chance to repair your relationship. Watch your stubborn tendencies, Aries. Someone has to be willing to compromise here, so lead the way. The May 20 Gemini solar eclipse is the perfect day to break away from the past and outline some clear new guidelines for the relationship. If the other person insists upon shady or untrustworthy behavior, or refuses to talk it through, just let go. There are too many great people in the world to waste your time on toxic soul-suckers. It’s not your job to solve other people’s problems, and frankly, you can’t. Beware a tendency to get swept up in your hero complex now.

With Venus retrograde in your frenetic third house, be careful not to take on too much. While you may be a master multitasker, you need to leave time for breaks. Be careful not to overanalyze things. It’s hard for the Aries brain to shut down, so when you catch yourself thinking too much, go for a run, a bike ride or a walk. The more active you can be now, the better. Avoid picking up the phone to call the “complaints department” — i.e., to dump on friends. They may be too polite to tell you they’re sick of this old story, Aries, but it’s time to change the conversation … for good!