Leo Monthly Horoscope

MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Ready, set, make your mark! May’s stars are in your career and society houses, making this month a time to get out in public and shine. The Sun is in Taurus, your 10th house of career and ambition, until May 19. Messenger Mercury is also here May 9 through 24, so start spreading the word about your big plans and dreams. If you don’t have a website or public presence, it might be time to build one. Brush up your own tech skills, too — there’s no excuse for being a Luddite anymore in this digital age. Take a class or check out online software trainings on sites like Lynnda.com. You can’t wait around to be “discovered,” Leo, and that attitude will only lead to missed opportunities. Put the power back in your own hands and make like Leo Madonna hitting the streets of New York in the late 1970s. In other words: Hustle!

The May 20 Gemini solar eclipse brings a blast of new energy to your 11th house of group activity. Is it time for a new collaboration, or even a new group of friends? You could meet some avant-garde thinkers near this date, and you could be invited to join their eclectic tribe. Teaming up with a motley crew of original thinkers is just what the doctor ordered.

However, this may cause a few ripples with your current crew. Peacekeeper Venus goes retrograde (backward) in Gemini from May 15 through June 27, ruffling feathers in the ranks. Team projects could be bumpy, and some friends could become orange-alert toxic. Yikes! Take a time-out from anyone who drags you down. You could reunite with an old friend while Venus is retrograde, too — perhaps someone you cut off contact with when one of you was going through a rough time. If you’re both on healthy and stable new ground, maybe it’s time for a second act.

The most emotional moment this month comes at the May 5 Scorpio full moon. Scorpio rules your fourth house of home and family. A pregnancy, or news of one, is possible now. Your own moods could be intense, and you crave comfort, security and reassurance. Take a little time-out for yourself. How about hosting a little Cinco de Mayo party that weekend to reconnect with loved ones? You might be too busy to see them for the rest of the month, so fill up the friendship tank now. The fourth house rules women, and the Scorpio full moon could bring an important or influential woman into your life — someone whose support could be a huge boon. Your own mother could be a big part of events. If you’re close, perhaps this Mother’s Day is the time to do something really special in her honor.

LOVE & ROMANCE
A lot of your energy is focused on work and ambition this month, so love doesn’t take top billing. We know, we know — you’re sick of hearing that, but hang in there. You haven’t lost your mojo, even if it feels that way. The planets are just directing you to tend to your professional ambitions now. Don’t squander this prosperous cycle by focusing too much on your romantic life; it will flourish again on its own.

Besides, love planet Venus will be retrograde (moving backward) from May 15 through June 27, historically a tricky time for relationships. You’ll be spared the worst of it, though, Leo. Venus is in Gemini, your friendship and group-activity house. While you may have tension within your social circle, your romantic life won’t feel the effects quite like other signs. However, avoid taking love advice from too many friends now, especially the ones who tend to be hard-core. And don’t get wrapped up in a friend’s drama either. While Leos like to bond over every little OMG moment, you’ll do best not to react to every little fluctuation. Hold ’er steady, Leo.

Retrogrades turn our attention to the past. If your relationship could use some repair work, Venus retrograde is a good time to try couples therapy — as well as to connect with some old mutual friends to get your joint social life rolling along again. You may feel a little emotionally detached during Venus retrograde, and that’s OK. Again, it doesn’t mean you’ve lost that lovin’ feeling. Maybe you just need a break to connect with your own needs and desires, without the pressure to please anyone but yourself.

MONEY & CAREER
Here’s where all the action is now, Leo! Go-getter Mars is now rocketing full speed ahead in Virgo, your work-and-money sector, until July 3. While the next couple of months might be high-pressure, you could also bring in some serious cash or position yourself for a hot promotion. Take advantage of this exciting time, even if that means working late. Take a little self-care break the weekend of May 5, when the Scorpio full moon emphasizes your personal life. Load up on fun and nurturing, because you’ll need the fuel for the rest of this fast-paced month.

The Sun is in Taurus, your 10th house of fame and success, until May 19. Polish up your image, dress to impress and establish yourself as an expert in your field. Wherever you’re the “best in show,” you need to promote yourself — not in an icky, aggressive way, but just by letting people know what you do so well. In this changing economy, we all need to be our own agents, publicists and horn-tooters.

If you’re doing the aw-shucks fake-humble bit, drop that like a bad habit. Perhaps you’ve been accused of being a showoff — and sure, you’ve probably been one at times. Who cares? Let the jealous wannabes sip their own Hater-Ade. Remember why you’re working so hard and doing all that you do. There’s a great mission or cause, and you’re just the channel for it. Once you take ego out of the picture like that, you’ll remember: Who are you to interfere with the universe’s plans for you? We’re all a messenger for something. Through your unique expression, you’ll deliver a healing message to the world.

When the Sun moves into Gemini, your tech-centric 11th house, focus on increasing your Web presence. However, you might not want to go live with a website (at least, not fully) until the end of June. Venus, planet of beauty, harmony and image, is retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini, your 11th house of groups and technology. You’d be wise to spend this time giving a site a makeover, writing blog posts or mastering the art of social media before you fire off a tweet-storm. That said, if you feel ready to launch, the May 20 Gemini solar eclipse is a great day to hang out your digital shingle. Power to the pixels!

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
You won’t get too many time-outs in May, but the May 5 Scorpio full moon gives you a chance to rest. Scorpio rules your fourth house of home, family and self-care. At this full moon, you may want to take the weekend off to relax with loved ones or to work on a personal project. A pregnancy or a move is also possible.

Being good to yourself is extra important, since transformational Pluto is retrograde (moving backward) in your health-and-fitness house until September 18. Pluto downshifted into retrograde motion on April 9, which could cause stress-related ailments, like tension headaches, muscle pain or stomach cramps. Listen to your body talking — any health issues are linked to emotional blocks that you’ll want to work on.

You’re also extra sensitive to your environment, so if you find yourself sniffling, check around for allergens, dust mites and the like. Pluto retrograde can bring nasty things out of the woodwork. If you’re a vintage shopper, take a break from the flea markets, because they could take on a literal interpretation when you inadvertently bring home itchy critters. No thanks!