Leo Monthly Horoscope

MONTHLY OVERVIEW
All eyes on Leo! You're set for your grand debut as a bona fide expert, leader and all-around rock star in your field. With the purposeful Sun in Taurus, your tenth house of career and success, you're ready to reap the rewards of all those long hours you've logged, aiming for the ultimate in professional recognition. Get yourself red-carpet-ready—or at least, dress to impress (don't skip that blowout!)—because you could find yourself leading the charge. You're ready to make some bold moves and see your name in lights—or perhaps etched onto a brass nameplate at the corner office.

This recognition is long overdue, and thanks to a pair of eclipses this month in your zones of fame and fortune, your rewards will be commensurate with your patience and dedication. (Those meandering staff meetings were worth something…since your steady presence is now paying off.) On May 9, a Taurus solar eclipse could bring a promotion, an exciting job offer, or a chance to be honored as an expert in your field. Perhaps you cross paths with someone who thinks you'd be brilliant as a presenter at a cutting-edge conference. Or you have a meeting with an angel investor who calls your ideas "genius." The seeds that are planted today kick off a six-month cycle of career growth, so even if you just begin talks with a possible client or employer, pay attention to any VIPs that come your way near this date. Soon enough, you will be one of 'em.

On May 20, the bold Sun moves into Gemini, your eleventh house of groups and teamwork, so your load gets considerably lighter. Put down your heavy stack of files. Don't let the swell of unopened emails in your inbox interfere with your desire to kick up your heels and have a little fun. Perhaps you plan a fun retreat for your team, at a nearby oceanside cottage. Or rally the troops for a lively brainstorming session at a hip eatery. After all your hard work, you're ready to find some competent collaborators. If you have invitations to meet new people, at, say, a hot dog eating contest for charity, get out there and mingle (on an empty stomach, of course). Your party-loving sign will enjoy this more free-spirited time, where cracking sidesplitting jokes at a work meeting is not just permissible, but welcome.

On May 25, a full moon eclipse in Sagittarius lights up your fifth house of passion and fame, readying you to make a big, bold statement, Leo-style. Cue fellow Leo Madonna and "express yourself"! Look back to the heart-stirrings that captured your imagination back in mid-December, because this eclipse is the culmination of whatever sparked near that time. If you've been hedging your words, your true feelings could all come rushing out. Whatever is heavy (or humming) on your heart needs to be shared. When it comes to love, you may just decide to roll the dice. Say "I love you!"…and say it proud. Or, if you're focused on an artistic project, you could make a brave step toward realizing your creative dreams. Your lust for life is all fired up, so don't hold back!

LOVE & ROMANCE
Friends with benefits? As magnetic Venus moves through Gemini, your eleventh house of platonic connections, you might just find sparks flying with a once-casual acquaintance. As you two do your regular dishing on your so-so OK Cupid dates (the company name really does say it all), you might get a surprise jolt of jealousy. Or, if you've been on the hunt for your forever person, you could suddenly lighten up, as you realize that all good things come in time…and so why shouldn't you enjoy footloose-and-fancy-free ways in the meantime? With no strings, you can flirt with wild abandon and entertain endless romantic scenarios, including making out on the street corner, just because. Perhaps a potential suitor comes by way of a friend or setup.

Coupled Leos are also swept away by the more casual vibe. Grab your honey's hand and get out to do more fun, coed activities and not be so "just the two of us." Chatting up new people at your local restaurant bar or even going out to a concert helps breathe new life into your airtight union. Mix up your regular routines, even opting for solo activities. Just because you're spoken for doesn't mean you can't take yourself on some inspired dates, like, say to the museum or to see a foreign flick your S.O. wouldn't be caught dead at.

As spicy Mars moves through Taurus, your tenth house of career and authority, you might just find yourself embroiled in a sultry office romance. Suddenly, you're wearing your finest silk camisole to work (and definitely ditching that old, stretched-out underwear). The chemistry you feel with a co-worker could be fueled by your own attraction to power. A little hierarchy can be an aphrodisiac. This development may seem like you're turning back the clock to the Don Draper days, and certainly not the thing you want to mention among your fellow feminists…unless you're looking for a Mae West–style rise…and hey, she WAS a very smart fellow Leo, so that might not be such a bad idea. (In her words, "When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad I'm better.") Regardless of the shock value, sometimes, a little "unga bunga" take-charge-ness is hot. Real hot…especially if you've been mingling with hipster dudes whose weekends still revolve around their visits to their mothers. There, we said it. You just need someone who can hold his or her own beside you…a fellow powerhouse.

The month ends with a May 25 full moon lunar eclipse in Sagittarius, your fifth house of lust, passion and glamour. This day, new love might come rushing into your life, and before you even know it, your entire life has changed. Or, you might decide it's time to turn life into a celebration, BEING the queen bee and letting all the drones flutter to your hive o' honey.

Since the fifth house rules fertility, you could have an unexpected pregnancy or other baby news. If you've been playing it safe, you might have a romantic epiphany about your own pride and how it can get in the way of authentic self-expression. If you're madly in love with someone, but keeping them at arm's length distance because you feel like it's their "turn"…this approach might not be serving you. Your reawakened passion might somewhat resemble this sentiment from George Bernard Shaw, a fellow Leo: "First love is only a little foolishness and a lot of curiosity."

MONEY & CAREER
Place a gilded heel on that corporate ladder and take a step or two. Even bohemian, creative Leos are thinking about ways to rise in the ranks, whether by nailing top gallery representation or being the best damn cupcake maker in the Western hemisphere. With the energizing Sun in Taurus, your tenth house of professional recognition, your focused eyes are definitely on the glittering prize…especially on May 9, when a solar eclipse in Taurus ushers in a bold new beginning in your career. Perhaps you've been toeing the party line, keeping a gig that your mother insists is the pinnacle of success. But now the path is clear—and this fires up your motivation to keep on reaching for the stars. You might have thought your ambitions were a little foolish, e.g., who are YOU to get a sought-after role on the latest television hit? But now you're thinking, "Who am I not to?" That's right, Leo. Share your creative gifts with the world, in a big, bad and completely unforgettable way.

Over the next six months, the intention you set on this eclipse will blossom as significant events turn your career trajectory on its head, possibly prompting you to trade one line of work for another. Maybe you thought you were going to be, say, a writer, only to get swept away by energy efficiency and now seek to change your city's conservation efforts. Perhaps you get a plum gig out of the blue, from a company you'd only dreamed of working with. Or, if you stay at your current job, you could get a bump up in prestige, with new title, responsibility and the accompanying moolah. If you've been hoping to stretch your limits, a new mentor, boss or coveted client could arrive on the scene, offering you a five-star chance to learn from the best. This new person could be just the antidote you didn't even know you needed, showing you new possibilities and perspectives. Sure, you know a lot about your particular field, but you can always push the limits of your knowledge further. The status quo is not your friend, Leo…so embrace these professional changes, however they may arrive.

When the Sun twirls into Gemini, your eleventh house of networking and group activity, on May 20, mix up your work schedule by planning more team-building activities. If a pal invites you to a fancy affair that's not in your field, go! In our interconnected work, all kinds of contacts are beneficial. Even if you can't readily see how you'll meet any new colleagues or collaborators at, say, an architecture event when you're a chef, accept if the invitation feels good in your gut. At the very least, you'll have fun. (And if you know anything, Leo, it's how to have fun.) This is also a great time for launching any tech-based projects, such as a new app or website. Your powers of innovation are at an all-time high, and you're motivated to make this world a better place. So why not apply your original ideas to a societal or humanitarian problem that sure could use some solving?

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Bone up on your heath regimen, as the revitalizing Sun moves through stabilizing Taurus, your tenth house of boundaries and routines. Hitting happy hour isn't conducive to a good night's sleep—especially not if you down three margaritas. While your tendency to imbibe may have been fine in your more youthful days, you could feel just a tad more responsible for this fine vessel of flesh and blood you've been gifted. With your mind on long-term gains, you're thinking more about the value of raw kale versus cooked. For some great tips, pick up Daphne Oz's new book Relish: Adventures in Food, Style and Everyday Fun. You're more likely to hit the gym out of respect for your bone density than the boost of your booty. After all, what good is a hot bod if it's not going to carry you the distance?

You're especially keen on shifting your lifestyle priorities on May 9, when a solar eclipse in Taurus lights up the home and work sectors of your chart. This is one of a series of eclipses on the Taurus/Scorpio axis, set to shift your priorities around how you balance your personal and professional needs. What worked for you last year—or even last month—might not be working for you now, as your value system is tested. Have you been spending too much time glued to your laptop or worrying about your bottom line? Or conversely, have you been too intent on serving the needs of a loved one, to the detriment of your job security? Last month closed out with a whopping April 25 lunar eclipse in Scorpio, your fourth house of home and family, so you could still be sorting out some eclipse-inspired changes in your living situation or family dynamics, especially with a female relative. If you discovered that you're holding back because your beloved mother or aunt wouldn't approve of your real desires, that people-pleasing fear may well be gone, as you aim to act from a more truthful place.

Once the Sun moves into airy Gemini, your eleventh house of teamwork, you're ready to sweat out any transition-related stress with pals. Chances are, you're busy and buzzing, so your best chance for logging crucial exercise hours is to dial up some friends. If you get a regular run or soccer game going, you might be more likely you to stick to a routine, because you know your friends are counting on your signature verve to lighten up the basketball court. Now, that's a nice dose of healthy peer pressure!