Taurus Monthly Horoscope

MONTHLY OVERVIEW
It’s all about you, Taurus! The Sun is in your sign until May 19, so soak up those birthday-party vibes. With lucky Jupiter also in Taurus until June 11, this is a big month for taking a chance or making your grand debut. You’ve been building momentum since last June, when Jupiter first began its yearlong visit to Taurus. While you may have felt wildly out of control at times — trying a zillion things, never sure if any would stick — May could bring it all together.

Jupiter is the gambler, the risk taker, the adventurer, and having it in your sign pushes you to try new things well out of your comfort zone. Thomas Edison, who (according to stories) took 10,000 tries to invent the light bulb, said, “I have not failed. I just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” You might relate to that by now!

The May 5 Scorpio full moon highlights relationships. You could reach a turning point with a partner, or a budding crush could become the real deal. A key business alliance could solidify, and you could be signing contracts near this date. If things have reached a natural conclusion, you may choose to go your separate ways.

Later in the month, work and money become the central focus, when the Sun moves into Gemini May 20. Also that day, there’s a Gemini (new moon) solar eclipse, which could bring an exciting new financial opportunity. Eclipses fall four to six times a year, fast-forwarding change in our lives. At this one, you could break from one career path and move swiftly into another. Or, you may decide to focus on a fresh source of revenue.

Just don’t go splashing your cash beyond your means. From May 15 through June 27, your ruling planet, Venus, is retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini. Venus rules love, interpersonal harmony and beauty. Relations with co-workers and clients could get a little bumpy. You may decide to give your home a little makeover or feng shui, upgrading to a few sophisticated new pieces. Just don’t go too crazy, as you’re likely to have buyer’s remorse on at least a couple of choices. Save the receipts!

LOVE & ROMANCE
A long, slow love affair is developing … with yourself. From April 3 through August 7, love planet Venus (your ruler) is paying an extended visit to Gemini, your second house of self-worth. You want to look in the mirror and feel good — genuinely good — about the person staring back. This requires taking care of yourself, living in integrity, being proud of who you are. Venus’ presence here is grounding, reminding you that you must feel whole and “enough,” with or without a relationship.

Taurus is actually the natural ruler of the second house (because you’re the zodiac’s second sign), and Venus here can feel quite lovely. However, there may be some spring road repair to do. From May 15 through June 27, Venus is retrograde (moving backward), a time that’s historically tricky for relationships. It happens every two years or so (the last time was October 2010), and it’s sort of a “housekeeping” time for lovers — a chance to deal with anything you’ve swept under the rug. Since retrogrades bring back the past, you may also hear from an ex, perhaps someone especially charming, debonair and even wealthy. Seductive? Sure. But tread carefully before you get tangled up in that.

During this Venus retrograde, your self-esteem could take a small dive, or you might feel like you’re trying too hard to impress people in social situations or on dates. Keeping up with the Joneses can be an endless treadmill, one that separates you from your true light — and can even repel love. Venus retrograde will beam a magnifying mirror on any area where you’re using status to cover up insecurities. Shore up on the positive affirmations, treat yourself to a spa day, even take a small break from dating if you’re single. Or, you could catch yourself projecting a critical eye on your partner’s appearance. If you get all Tim Gunn on your sweetie, either treat him or her to a shopping spree, or maybe just make it a clothing-optional day, so you don’t have to worry about that!

Both Venus and the second house relate to aesthetics. If you’ve booked any intense beauty or cosmetic procedures, consider rescheduling. Nobody needs Botox that badly (or at all, in our opinion, but beauty is a matter of personal choice). With Venus retrograde, you may not feel like dressing up in your usual crisp, pulled-together style. You might even lapse into a “why bother?” attitude that you’ll need to shake yourself out of here and there. Yep, you could even leave the bullpen — er, home — in (gasp) sweatpants.

Everyone deserves a break from the grueling pressure of fashion. In fact, trying to look “perfect” can be a big barrier to love. Let your natural side come out a little more — and let the people who love you see the unadorned you. You’ll gain security when you experience yourself as unconditionally lovable — yes, even when you’re not all put together.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — especially in your love life. On May 5, the Scorpio full moon illuminates your seventh house of commitment, which could be a big moment for getting engaged, making it official, clearing the air with your sweetie or even going ahead with a long-overdue breakup. This will also be a “supermoon,” meaning it’s especially close to the earth, so its effect could be profound. Full moons bring situations to completion or fruition. This one is the culmination of events that have been building since the Scorpio new moon, which fell on October 26, 2011. A lot could come out into the open, but in a good way — the more honesty and transparency, the better.

MONEY & CAREER
Money is a big part of the May planetary picture. On the 20th, a Gemini solar eclipse brings a powerful hit of energy to your second house of work and finance. This eclipse is the “sequel” to the last Gemini solar eclipse, which was on June 1, 2011. What opportunities opened up then? This eclipse may be the continuation or the next big push. Eclipses have a six-month arc, so this one could unfold between now and the end of the year. Or, it may deliver a bolt of extreme clarity about what you’re meant to do here.

If you’re still feeling unsure of your path, this eclipse will push you closer to figuring it out. We’re just midway through a series of Gemini/Sagittarius eclipses (2010–2014) that’s reshaping the way you earn a living, deal with money and structure your daily routine. Eclipses bring events out of the blue, so expect the unexpected. Don’t get too attached to things going a certain way, stubborn Bull. You’ll need to remain flexible, because the planets could bring new opportunities or ways of doing business. Eclipses can also “eclipse” situations out of our lives. If one door closes now, a nice big window will soon open!

In fact, the May 5 Scorpio full moon could already give a sneak preview, as it falls in your partnership house. Near this date you could be offered a fabulous contract or a chance to collaborate on a business venture. You may even be signing contracts on this date — it’s certainly a great time to make things official. You may also make an important decision about your alliances. Have you teamed up with the wrong people? If so, you may choose to cut ties at this full moon and go your separate ways.

The one glitch this month? Peacekeeper Venus goes retrograde (backward) in Gemini, your second house of work and finance, from May 15 through June 27. During this time, you may have trouble seeing eye-to-eye with clients and co-workers. Venus rules aesthetics, so if you own a business, it might be a good time to revamp your marketing materials, logo or branding. Just wait to debut the new ones until after Venus goes direct at the end of June. Otherwise, the premiere may be more fizzle than sizzle.

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
With the Sun in Taurus, you’re feeling pretty strapping and strong. You’ve got the energy to sample high-adrenaline new workouts, so hit that hot spinning-fusion class or even try boxing. Mid-month, when beautifying Venus goes retrograde in Gemini, your self-worth house, you may have a little body-image breakdown. Having trouble loving yourself through thick and thin? Shameless plug: Check out the body-positive website AdiosBarbie.com, founded by The AstroTwins’ Ophira Edut.

On the other hand, if you’ve “given up” on your body our appearance over the years, Venus retrograde is a good time to work with a nutritionist, trainer or style coach (or a stylish friend) to help craft a new look and self-care regimen that reflects the authentic you. Time, age, babies, life, whatever’s taken precedence … we so easily forget to nurture ourselves because we’re busy taking care of others. Venus retrograde is a time to reach deep inside and sweep away any barriers to self-love.