"Project Runway" Is Back in the Saddle!
Let’s get this out of the way: Yes, it is filmed in Los Angeles ... but so far that doesn’t seem to have affected a thing; in fact, the first challenge is pretty fabulous because of L.A.: The designers are taken to the red carpet of the Emmys, and given the challenge of designing a red-carpet gown of their choice with two days and $200. All the familiar fun ensues that makes us addicted to this stuff — sketching in the workroom (now at FIDM and bigger than ours!), a half hour to shop at Mood (yay! Mood!), and let the drama begin. All under the lilting tones of a certain Mr. Gunn, whom we have sorely missed.
Meet the designers: Ra’mon (the serious med student); Logan (the guy’s guy, letting us know in no uncertain terms that he is straight); Johnny (former drug addict who tried out for the show several times, but made it now that he is clean. Read: drama); Gordana (Yugoslavian tough-chick who will win even if she has to make her dress out of potatoes and corn); Malvin (one word: Sanjaya); Qristyl (oooh honey, step back, cuz Miss Q doesn’t mess around with skinny girls, she is size “plus-sexy”); Shirin (sweet to the point of diabetic coma); Nicolas (the self-acclaimed “Feather Prince” — Good Luck); Mitchell (every show has one, the all-American cutie); Ari (techno-chick who’s tragically into “Blade Runner” Chic); Louise (trapped-in-vintage-land Louise Brooks channeler); Irina (into leathah); Carol (this season’s Kenley? Pixie-couture airhead); Epperson (serious dreads and seems to be the oldest of the bunch); Althea (Cocky with a capital “C,” sure she is the next Christian, Vivienne Westwood, McQueen, blah blah blah); and finally, Christopher (self-taught and second runner-up in the cutie category). We met Christopher last — any predictions?
Some workroom fun that was music to my ears: Ari saying “I don’t sketch” ... Johnny having a drug-free meltdown with Tim coming to save the day and dry his tears ... Mitchell may be our new cryer ... Malvin claiming his garments are “ineffable” and beyond description (Oh, I can describe them alright). The best moment of the show? Qristyl can’t find anyone to cut her fabric at Mood, so she buys a pair of scissors and CUTS IT HERSELF! Way to make it work, Miss Q! Reality-show gold!
The dresses are coming along, and there’s a joyous visit from Saint Tim (do I hear angels when he enters the workroom?), and we begin to see what these designers are all about. Johnny says he will use “spit and gum” to finish his hideous dress if he has to. Tim calls Christopher’s work a “cruise-line cocktail waitress,” Ari is tragically channeling Blayne by making a halter diaper dress and Mitchell is making some sort of Victorian caftan out of coffin lining. Miss Q has completely missed with her quasi–Carmen Miranda wedding dress, and on the morning of the runway show, Mitchell has to start over from scratch and decides to go for a Lady Godiva look and send his model down the runway nude.
Oh Rapture! The Runway! Another byproduct of the L.A. location ... Lindsay Lohan is the guest judge! Here come the dresses!
- Althea: Silver, pretty, nice and safe.
- Gordana: Short blue-green dress with origami floating device around the bust.
- Malvin: Beige burlap scaly ugly boring dress fit for a prison wedding.
- Mitchell: Sheer (butt cheeks on parade) caftan that would make a great maternity dress for JLo.
- Louise: Dress made of drapes with a flowered growth on the shoulder.
- Christopher: ’80s prom dress made of garbage bags and Kleenex.
- Ra’mon: Fabulous eggplant taffeta gown that you could see on the most fabulous star on the Oscars red carpet.
Shirin: Cutesy, short, safe. - Epperson: More purple, but this one is the wrong way to do it.
- Irina: Literally drapes that the model keeps tripping over.
- Ari: Ridiculous space suit that wouldn’t pass for fashion in any year in the future.
- Johnny: This tragedy looks like a piece of fabric blew onto the model in a windstorm and was held in place by pieces of chewing gum.
- Qristyl: Ouch. I love Q, but this is hideous. How hideous? Kenley would love it.
- Logan: Silver, boring and monotone like his voice.
- Nicolas: Short, black plastic/rubber body condom. No feathers, go figure.
The decisions are made, the delicious drama spills forth in classic PR fashion. Did I agree with their decisions on who they kept on the runway? Yes. But I seriously disagree with their commentary on the top and the bottom looks ... but that’s what makes the show addictive. You want to scream at Nina, pull Heidi’s hair out, wipe the orange off of Michael Kors, and force-feed Lindsay Lohan. We all agreed Miss Q was a wreck, but she’s too fun to get rid of: In. Johnny: In. Are you serious? This same dress has gotten many designers eliminated, but they obviously keep him for what they hope will be more drug-free drama. Ra’mon: In. They called this dress “safe,” even though it was obviously the most beautifully realized piece on the show. Mitchell: In. They gave him a break. Plus they know all the gay men watching the show would be mad if they eliminate the cutest designer. Ari: OUT. What glee to hear Michael Kors call this ugly piece of garbage a “disco soccer ball.” I am swooning with delight. The winner? Christopher. Oh my God. This dress is one pair of fingerless gloves away from the prom scene in any John Hughes movie. (See photo.)They would normally rake this thing over the coals, but to keep us talking about the controversy, they chose to reward the self-taught naive boy who now thinks he’s got a shot at winning. But that’s why we love the show. “Project Runway” is back in all its glory. We can’t get enough of the delicious punishment, drama, hopes and dashed dreams of “Project Runway.”
And, ultimately, of life. See ya soon, Chris
Memorial Weekend Forecast: Talk Time
Posted in: memorial day weekend, mercury in gemini, sun in gemini, venus in gemini
Monthly 06/01/2012
Thu, 2012-05-24 18:33 — Nancy A.MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Long-overdue lightness is returning to your life, Aquarius — at last! Since last June, you’ve morphed from a social butterfly into a recluse (well, compared to how you used to be), preferring a home-cooked meal to your favorite hangouts, and lounging to the limelight. Instead of being the friend with the ready joke and smile, you’ve been the “heavy” many times. That’s because expansive Jupiter has spent the last 12 months in Taurus, your fourth house of home, family and emotional foundations. The fourth house is ruled by private, moody Cancer, so you’ve been more like the zodiac’s Crab than your airy, free-spirited Aquarian self. You may have spent huge amounts of time at home, tending to a family member, reading books or enjoying a year of nesting. You may have become a parent — or grown closer to your mother, child or a female relative — during this time.
This month, your wild side comes back with a vengeance. Amen! Your sign rules emotional detachment, so all these dark and stormy feelings have left you a bit disjointed. It’s been a good run, but it’s time to rejoin the silly, carefree masses again. On June 11, Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your fifth house of love, passion, fun and creativity. Gemini is a fellow Air sign, so this is much more your speed. Burn those tracksuits and beat-up house slippers. You’re ready for some glamorous nights on the town — getting your hair done, putting on a fabulous outfit, and tearing up the dance floor. Don’t worry: Even if it’s been a while, you’ve still got it, Aquarius.
Feeling out of touch with friends and your tried-and-true crew? The June 4 Sagittarius lunar eclipse in your group-activity zone will bring sweeping change to your social circle. Perhaps you’ve outgrown certain people, or maybe you’ve been neglecting a close friend. This could be a great day for a party or gathering — a chance to reconnect and possibly to form a powerful new alliance. A collaboration you’ve been working on for the past six months could really come together — or go bust — at the eclipse. The good news: If you’ve been in a holding pattern, you won’t have to wait any longer. Eclipses knock us out of wishy-washy terrain and into action. So you’ll find out who your real friends and teammates are (and aren’t) at this momentous full moon eclipse.
Your health gets a boost after June 20, when the Sun moves into Cancer, your sixth house of well-being. After an indulgent June, you may be ready to get back in touch with your sporty side. It’s a great time to join a gym, start a fitness program or revamp your eating habits for the new season.
LOVE & ROMANCE
At last — your love life is about to become the main event, Aquarius. While the last thing you might be feeling right now is sexy, sultry and siren-y, that will soon change. You’ve spent the last 12 months playing caretaker, mothering the world, or just holing up at home ignoring your appearance in some ways. Now it’s time to be a little “selfish.” From now until next June, lucky Jupiter is in Gemini, your fifth house of love and glamour. Single Aquarians may want to play the field and date a whole bunch of people instead of locking into a commitment. Either way, you’re not willing to settle for a so-so romantic life. You want the racing heartbeat, the anytime-anywhere rush of when you first start dating.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should ditch a longtime partner because the spark has died down. At a certain point, it’s up to you to reignite it. With Jupiter in Gemini, you can imagine all kinds of ways to reboot the lost excitement in a relationship. If you’re single, there should be no shortage of admirers, especially if you debut a new head-turning style. And hey, whether you’re in a relationship or not, some harmless flirting only boosts your mojo, so enjoy it. Or, sneak a copy of “Fifty Shades of Grey” under the covers with a flashlight if your imagination needs stoking (no matter how amateurish the prose may read at times, it’s still getting women all over the world h-o-t).
The fifth house rules fertility, so a pregnancy is also possible in the coming year — or an adoption, as many Aquarians choose this route for parenthood. You may feel this as soon as June 5, when the Sun and Venus make a rare conjunction (joining) in Gemini. On this powerful day, you could be thrust into the spotlight, possibly as a leader on an artistic or creative project. You could also meet the love of your lifetime or have a powerful moment of connection with your partner. Many astrologers are predicting the Venus-Sun conjunction as the rise of goddess energy and the “divine feminine.” Who knows? We’ll take it. The Gemini new moon on June 19 (there are two this year; the last was May 20) could also spark a new chapter of your love life.
The caveat: Love planet Venus is retrograde (moving backward) from May 15 through June 27 in Gemini, so there may be some dramatic or turbulent moments until the end of this month. Retrogrades bring back the past, so if you’ve lost that lovin’ feeling, now is a great time to rekindle the passion. You may also hear from an ex or two. Watch the temptation to stir up drama or even to cheat out of boredom. Of course, if you genuinely feel a love connection is lacking, Venus retrograde is the appropriate time to call things off. A better match certainly awaits!
MONEY & CAREER
Sitting still and being productive? No thanks. That eludes you for first three weeks of the month, while the Sun visits Gemini, your fun-loving fifth house — unless you’re tackling a creative project that you’re genuinely passionate about. It’s time to bring more passion to your vocation overall. With expansive Jupiter in your expressive fifth house until June 2013, you might even find yourself acting, doing standup comedy, speaking publicly, being a spokesperson, making money from an artistic project or sharing yourself creatively.
Keep an eye on your finances for the next few months, and take extra precautions against identity theft and hidden charges. Neptune, the planet of illusions, healing and sacrifice, will be retrograde (moving backward) in your money house from June 4 through November 10. You may find yourself getting a little too codependent at the office, too, staying extra hours or pulling the weight for someone else. Or, you might get sucked into office gossip, feeling like someone is trying to undermine or sabotage you. While a jealous hater or two may emerge, don’t sink to their level! Follow the high road and stick to your soul-driven principles if you want these petty snipers to vanish. Because Neptune retrograde can make us feel a bit foggy, you may start to feel adrift around what you want to do for a living. This is a great time for soul searching, or even exploring your deeper desires with a therapist or healer. Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” could be the perfect summer reading and self-study guide.
Also on June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse activates your 11th house of groups, teamwork and technology. This is the manifestation of a six-month cycle, sparked by a Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse on November 25, 2011. A collaboration or perhaps an online project could reach a turning point at this month’s eclipse. You may see your hard work pay off and things soar to the next level. Or, you may decide to part ways with some of the players if your agendas don’t align.
Since this moon will form a tense square to Mars in your eighth house of joint ventures (and finances), this eclipse could point to funding shortages or the need to talk dollars, intellectual property, legal contracts and ownership. While it’s all fun to put your heads and hearts together, even the most idealistic ventures can sour if people don’t feel they’re getting their fair piece of the pie. The last thing you want is to taint a world-changing idea with petty human squabbles, so use this eclipse as a chance to get everyone’s concerns out into the open.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
You’ll be motivated to get healthy and organized later this month. On June 20, the Sun moves into Cancer for a month, activating your fitness sector. Declutter, start a new exercise routine, weave some healthy eats into your diet.
You’ll also want to work on your confidence for the next few months. With hazy Neptune going retrograde in your self-worth sector June 4 through November 10, you could have moments of self-doubt and insecurity. All of this has no bearing on reality, but your imagination can really play tricks on you. (Neptune retrograde can be like walking through fun-house mirrors at times.) You may also be feeling a little paranoid and unsure about who really has your back, or worried that people are whispering about you. Let ’em talk! As long as you’re happy and living your truth, who cares?
You’ll need to fortify your soul even more, because on June 24, shadowy Pluto will form a tense square to your ruler Uranus, planet of sudden events. These two will duke it out until October. The effect on you? You won’t be sure when to speak up and when to zip it. The key? Before you lash out or start your own mini “Occupy” revolt, make sure you’re not unconsciously projecting your own issues onto others. During this time, anyone who irks you is sure to be a messenger. Check out the book “Radical Forgiveness” by Colin Tipping if you’re struggling to make peace with a particular person.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
What a month you’re in store for, Aries! It’s hard to know where to begin, as the planets play a round of musical chairs and throw you some interesting twists. You can barely sit still now, and your already overactive mind should be firing off ideas a mile a minute. Things may mellow out a little after June 20, when the Sun moves into Cancer, your domestic fourth house. But don’t expect to be cooling your heels for too long, Aries.
The big news (well, one of the hot items) happens on June 11, when Jupiter, the planet of luck and expansion, moves into Gemini. Since June 4, 2011, Jupiter has been in Taurus, your second house of work and money. For many Aries, this meant a brand-new career path, a promotion or an exciting entrepreneurial opportunity. Your income may have increased, perhaps through new channels — or maybe you went back to school (Jupiter rules higher education) to explore a new field.
On the 11th, Jupiter enters Gemini for a year, which rules your third house of communication. Teaching, speaking, writing and marketing will become your focus. You’ve got a message to share with the world, and it’s time to put it out there in a savvy, compelling way. While most Aries are natural marketers, you may not think of yourself that way. The next 12 months are prime time to think about how you “package” and present yourself to the world.
On June 4, a six-month chapter of your life comes to a powerful peak. A Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse that day could bring news, opportunities or people from afar. Sagittarius rules your ninth house of travel, higher education and global affairs — and with a bold, change-making eclipse here, you could be packing your bags for adventure. Trekking through Nepal, biking through Amsterdam, having a business meeting in Tokyo? Hey, you never know. This eclipse corresponds to a Sagittarius solar eclipse that fell on November 25, 2011. Events from that time could come together — or finally make sense!
LOVE & ROMANCE
Relationships have been a little rocky for Aries since February, when restrictive Saturn went retrograde (backward) in Libra, your partnership sign. We’ve since heard news of many Aries breakups, alas. For solidly coupled Aries, one or both of you may have been too busy for quality time, or a little out of sync with schedules, interests and such. As an independent Aries, time apart doesn’t freak you out as much as it does other signs, as you’re quite self-sufficient and, frankly, could even use a break from thinking about other people’s needs.
Both Venus (the love planet) and Saturn are retrograde until the end of June, so it’s possible that a romance may stall, that you need a break or that you simply don’t have the energy to devote to your love life. Seeing eye-to-eye may be difficult for some couples, and talking it out could demand a few do-overs. Push yourself the extra mile to be a compassionate listener, and to speak with more patience and care. With Venus retrograde in your communication house, you’re likely to come across as gruff or insensitive this month. Even if you feel too “busy” or stressed to be nice, it will only take more time to patch things up if you hurt your sweetie’s feelings.
Fortunately, Saturn goes direct (forward) on June 25, and Venus follows suit on the 27th. If you can make it through this month, your relationships will be stronger than ever. The lesson of structured Saturn retrograde? Make sure your relationships are built on a solid foundation. Have you cut corners or skipped steps along the way? Do you have clear agreements with a partner, or are you operating on assumptions? Are you both equally willing to do the self-reflection and personal growth work required to sustain a long-term relationship? These are the issues to consider this month, especially if you find yourself at a romantic crossroads.
MONEY & CAREER
The last year has been a busy, active time for your career. Enthusiastic Jupiter has been in Taurus since June 2011, bringing you exciting opportunities and renewed hope around your career. However, it’s been more of a nuts-and-bolts type of year than you’re used to, Aries — a “daily grind,” albeit an interesting one. You may have switched career paths, gotten a promotion, increased your income or flexed some new financial muscles — like sticking to a budget or paying down debt.
On June 11, Jupiter leaves Taurus and begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your third house of communication. Get ready to multitask! You may find yourself hopping between two jobs or neighborhoods, juggling responsibilities, or even doing a job that involves speaking or working with your hands. The third house rules new media, technology, teaching and learning. This could be the year that you create a popular workshop, start an award-winning blog, write your memoir or pen the next great novel. A surge of creative inspiration — or the desire to share your story — could come when the Sun and Venus meet in Gemini on June 5. This cosmic event happens only once or twice a century, so prepare for a solar “download” of inspiration.
The power surge is even stronger, actually, because on June 4, a Sagittarius lunar eclipse beams into your ninth house of travel, adventure, study and entrepreneurship. This full moon event corresponds to a November 25, 2011, Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse. Something you launched or started exploring near this date could come full circle now. The seeds you planted last fall could start to bloom!
If you’re a Luddite, get thee to a social media training, basic computer class or blogging workshop! These are essential “tools of the trade” in the information age. While Aries are often naturally great self-promoters, Jupiter in your third house is a great time to master the art of spreading a consistent, powerful message. You’ll be an eager student between now and next June, so take as many workshops, trainings and classes as you can. Let yourself explore a wide range of options. You may have moments of indecisiveness and overanalyzing, but follow your curiosity, as it will lead you to interesting places. When you’re unsure whether an opportunity is right for you, take a meeting and ask questions. Play out different scenarios. You might benefit from a business coach or even from partnering up with a person whose skills complement yours.
On June 24, a rare Pluto-Uranus square could shake things up in your career. Uranus is the planet of radical change and extreme individuality, and it’s in Aries from 2011 through 2018. During this seven-year cycle, you’re reshaping who you are and the way you present yourself to the world. This month, Uranus forms a tense “square” (90-degree) angle to Pluto, which rules transformation, reform and unconscious forces. Pluto is in Capricorn, ruler of your career house, indicating that there could be deep shifts in your life path — or that you feel an intense need to break free near this date. Nobody can keep an Aries down!
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Pass the chill pills! Your thoughts are moving at warp speed, and you’re driving yourself a little crazy. Blame it on all the Gemini action this month, which is making you hyper-curious but prone to too much multitasking and analyzing. Go for a power walk and talk it out with a friend, take a bike ride, or download some metaphysical audiobooks that introduce inspiring new ideas.
After June 20, let your domestic side come out to play. The Sun will spend a month in Cancer, ruler of your home-and-family sector. It’s a great time to garden, decorate, lounge — or even move! Communicator Mercury is also in Cancer from June 7 through June 25, so get in touch with family or close female friends. For lady Rams, a few girls’ nights in will soothe your frazzled soul. How about a potluck, or all cooking dinner together? While the Sun is in Cancer, head home to visit relatives, take a family vacation or reconnect with close childhood friends. Being near water is especially soothing while the Sun is in Cancer, so get to the nearest ocean, lake or even the local swimming pool.
Speaking of home, there may be some changes on the horizon. On June 11, expansive Jupiter moves into Gemini, the ruler of local travel and neighborhoods. Jupiter is here until June 2013. Many people become bicoastal while Jupiter visits their third house. Others live between two cities, travel frequently for work or relocate to a whole new neighborhood (or part of town).
The third house rules the mind, so you may also want to learn more about how yours operates. A fascinating new book we’re reading is “Power Up Your Brain: The Neuroscience of Enlightenment” by David Perlmutter and Alberto Villoldo. It’s a collaborative work between a neuroscientist and a shaman (who worked as a scientific researcher) — and it will give you great insight into developing the empowering parts of your brain, especially if you tend to lapse into fearful, survival-based thinking.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
OMG, it’s Gemini time, people. All we can say is “wow.” We’ve been counting down the months since last June, excited to write this month’s forecast (and well-deserved reprieve) for you. A 12-year life cycle is coming to a close — and talk about a turnaround! On June 11, lucky Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, setting off a fresh decade-plus chapter for you. If you’ve suffered, felt lost or just had a nomadic-but-ungrounded year, get ready for lights, camera, action. Having Jupiter in your sign is like doing a “hard reset” on your life — in a good way. The low-key or behind-the-scenes vibe of the last 12 months will make sense now: You were on a retreat to rest up for your big debut! In short order, you’ll be clear on your purpose and which actions to take, and an abundance of attention could come your way. (When Jupiter was last in our sign, we were featured by The New York Times and on a Style Network show that reran every few weeks for three years.)
But wait … there’s more! On June 19, you get a rare second Gemini new moon in a row, yet another chance to start fresh. This catalyzes events sparked at the May 20 Gemini new moon, which was also a groundbreaking solar eclipse. And on June 5, there’s a rare (as in twice-in-a-century rare) alignment between the Sun and peacemaker Venus, which both happen to be in Gemini. Some predict this as the true emergence of the “divine feminine” and the end of the war between the sexes (part of the 2012 prophecies). Hey, sounds good to us. And who better to get us all aboard the love train than Gemini, a sign comfortable with duality. You know the masculine and the feminine can peacefully coexist, because they already do within you.
The one not-so-fun item is that Venus is retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini from May 15 through June 27, making it a little more challenging to keep the peace. Relationships could get a little bumpy at moments. But hopefully, it will be counterbalanced by all the other planetary action. And on June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse will power through your partnership house, bringing amazing breakthroughs or clear decisions. One way or another, you’re getting off the fence about love now, a welcome relief for a sign that tends to overthink everything.
LOVE & ROMANCE
Your entire love life is up for reinvention, and you couldn’t be more ready. Several big events take place in the cosmos that catapult you into a deeper relationship with others and with yourself. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse brings bold changes or manifestation to your partnership house. This eclipse will bring a six-month cycle to a head, one that was sparked by the Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse on November 25, 2011. You’re midway through a series of Gemini/Sagittarius eclipses (from December 2010 until 2014) that are reshaping the way you see yourself and revolutionizing your approach to love. During this time, we saw many altar-shy Gems get engaged, most visibly Gemini Angelina Jolie. Others renewed vows, entered couples therapy or ended longtime relationships that had gone past their prime.
At this eclipse, you may be stunned by the new attitude you’re bringing to romance — you might not even recognize yourself! Or, since full moons and lunar eclipses can bring closure, you might decide that it’s time to get off the fence and end things. Some Geminis may experience an unexpected breakup, but should that happen, know that a far better match is coming — or a necessary period of separation to work on yourselves and come back together whole and healed. Eclipses sweep away what no longer serves us, and that can include partnerships that no longer resonate with the heightened frequency of your soul. Either way, any mate is going to have to evolve to keep in step with you, because your life is taking off, big-time!
Before you call the whole thing off or do something radical, start with self-reflection. With love planet Venus retrograde in Gemini from May 15 through June 27, you might be projecting your own issues onto a partner or love interest. People in our lives act as mirrors, so don’t shoot the messenger. However, know that you’re going to need more freedom and solo time in the coming year, as expansive Jupiter will be in Gemini from June 11 until next June. Falling in love with your own life is a prerequisite before you get caught up in anyone else’s affairs.
MONEY & CAREER
Hello, fresh start! This month you complete a 12-year life cycle, and the last year hasn’t been your easiest. While you may have had some triumphant moments (and some Geminis have had some rock-bottom ones), you still may be wondering where it’s all going, what your focus should be, or what the heck the universe is trying to tell you. You may have the sense that it’s all coming together … but for what? Jupiter has been in your 12th house of closure and illusions since June 2011, making this past year like a trippy spiritual retreat or a round of strange karmic lessons that tested your soul and pushed you closer to your truth.
You’ll begin to see the horizon this month, and beyond. On June 11, adventurous and enterprising Jupiter enters Gemini, staying until June 2013. Here’s your chance to start fresh, even it that means a completely new line of work or employer. If you have a solo project, this is your time to shine. We’ve been cautioning impatient Geminis not to make any snap decisions or search for their career holy grails for the past 12 months, saying that Jupiter in Gemini would provide much more fertile ground. You’ll see, Gemini! In fact, you may have gotten a sneak preview last month, at the May 20 Gemini solar eclipse. This was a supercharged new moon that nudged you out of hiding and into action and a whole new role or identity. (One Gemini friend became a first-time dad a couple of days before the eclipse; another, a talented singer in hiding, performed at a karaoke bar and shared his voice with the world.)
On June 19, there’s a second Gemini new moon, which is highly unusual (you typically get only one new moon in your sign each year). So in addition to the eclipse and Jupiter, you get a third boost of new, motivating energy. Clearly, the universe is cooking up a scheme here — or perhaps a Gemini world takeover! The next six months will bring you out of hiding for a full reveal, so get ready to share your talents on a wider stage, and to go full-throttle on a solo project or personal dream.
Still, it may be a while before all the swirling new molecules unite and take shape. Foggy Neptune will be retrograde (moving backward) in Pisces, your 10th house of career, from June 4 through November 10. This could be a period of confusion around your path, but it doesn’t have to be. Use it as a soul-searching cycle to dive deep into what really matters to you. Don’t form too many alliances or lock yourself into a commitment that limits your other choices — at least, not until you’ve truly checked in with your spirit on this one. If you’re a creative type, this is a great time to do “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron, which will plug you into your artistic truth.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Get ready to reboot, Gemini. The last year has been one long retreat, and if you’ve used it well, you should feel a massive heart-and-soul expansion. Look back to the way you were a year ago. Chances are, you’ve become softer, more open and more willing to go with the flow. That’s the result of having hosted Jupiter in your spiritual 12th house of surrender since June 2011. It was a long, strange trip, but you made it — and you might be a kinder, more compassionate person for all the humbling lessons it brought. Or, you might just be feeling lost and confused, ready for it all to be over.
Either way, the difference after Jupiter’s move into Gemini on June 11 will be like night and day. After a nomadic, flowy and hippie-like year — often spent in yoga pants because you were too tired to care — you’ll be ready to pay attention to your appearance again, too. (Yeah, we are “spiritual beings having a human experience,” but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t comb your hair, Gemini.) With aesthetic Venus retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini until June 27, you might want to save the extreme makeovers until next month. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so start by putting on a pair of shoes that aren’t lined with fleece or in drastic need of resoling!
We kid, we kid, but seriously … it’s time to take all that spiritual downloading and synthesize it into a lifestyle that also translates into the material world. Not that you should turn into a shallow product fiend with a giant carbon footprint, of course. Just remember that your appearance is a billboard or storefront window for the message you want to give the world. Draw them in with your Gemini flair and creative style!
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Get ready to slow down for a while, Cancer — or to adjust your pace from frantic to flowy. On June 11, expansive Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your 12th house of rest, healing, endings and spirituality. This cycle comes around every 12 years — the last time was June 2000 through July 2001 — and it can be a challenging one unless you’re prepared for it. The 12th house is the final house of the zodiac, and it’s associated with surrender, karma and allowing oneself to be guided by universal forces (rather than controlling everything, which is a major human impulse in our culture). You may be a bit more tired now, which is a cue to conserve your resources — and get more sleep! Dreams will be vivid and rich with symbolic direction. You might accomplish more with your head on the pillow than burning the midnight oil.
The best way to approach the year ahead? Consider yourself on a long retreat, even your own version of Cancerian Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love.” You’re preparing for a new 12-year life cycle, which will begin June 25, 2013, when Jupiter enters Cancer for a year. Until then, focus on tying up loose ends and clearing away things that no longer serve you. Some people or situations may be swept away naturally, or outmoded jobs and habits may not last; if that happens, just allow the universe to show you what’s next. Let yourself be a little lost, instead of trying to have all the answers. The next 12 months could also be an incredibly creative and spiritual time for you. Many people also meet their soul mates or unexpectedly get pregnant with Jupiter in the 12th house.
Once you stop resisting the natural flow of life — getting out of your head and into your heart — everything becomes crystal clear. The tricky part is just prying control (or rather, the illusion of it) out of that tight little Crab-claw grip. So unroll that yoga mat, reboot your meditation practice and dust off your copy of “A Course in Miracles” (or check out Gabrielle Bernstein’s modern remix at www.gabbyb.tv). The choice is yours, young Jedi: This could be one of your toughest years if you resist life’s wisdom and design. Or, it could be one of the most magical, serendipitous and healing years you’ve had in over a decade … if you allow yourself to be guided to where you’re meant to go.
Whew! That’s the biggest news for June, but there’s plenty of other action too. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar eclipse energizes your sixth house of health and work. And while you may be a bit sleepy for the first three weeks of June while the Sun tours Gemini, you’ll spring back to action on the 20th, when the Sun moves into Cancer for a month. Pop a chill pill, head to the beach, or hole up in your own mini artist’s retreat and start pounding out that novel.
LOVE & ROMANCE
Are you sweeping some nagging feelings under the rug, Cancer? As scary as it might seem to confront your fears or unease, you’ll feel so much better once you do. Love planet Venus is retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini, your 12th house of hidden information, from May 15 through June 27. Summon the bravery to speak the things you dare not say. While you may fear rocking the boat, your relationships will flatline if you suppress your feelings. Sensitive Cancers aren’t too good at hiding emotions anyway. When you try, it comes out as passive-aggressive barbs, resentful jabs, or woe-is-me sighing and complaining. If you catch yourself doing that, grab your journal, vent to a friend or call your therapist. Work out what’s really bugging you before you lash out at your partner. Venus retrograde could also bring someone tempting but perhaps a little shady back from your past. Check your own tendency to idealize this person.
A surge of emotional courage could arrive on June 5 when the bold Sun and Venus make an extremely rare conjunction (meeting) in Gemini. This could be the day that you speak your truth and shift your relationships to a higher spiritual octave. If you’ve been languishing in a go-nowhere connection — or avoiding intimacy to protect yourself from hurt — the Sun-Venus alignment will give you the guts to break this pattern.
With expansive Jupiter spending the next year in Gemini (June 11, 2012-June 25, 2013), a long soul-mate cycle is beginning. Single Crabs could meet “the one” during this cycle. However, you must learn to surrender and let the universe play matchmaker — without your meddling. You could get utterly swept away, but since the 12th house also rules illusions, you’ll want to do some background checks before you dash off to Vegas. Feeling super-stuck around love? This would be the perfect year to read the self-study book “Calling In The One: Seven Weeks To Attract the Love of Your Life” by Katherine Woodward Thomas.
If you’re tapping your foot impatiently, waiting for your sweetie to propose, your job is to learn how to trust. That’s not to say you should waste time waiting for a frog to turn into a prince, but if you know you have a solid relationship, just chillax. If you’re unsure whether to stay or go, you could get a clear signal around June 24, when volatile Pluto in your relationship house forms a tense square to Uranus in your house of long-term plans and goals. If your values and dreams aren’t aligned, you won’t be able to stand it another second. The dam will burst!
MONEY & CAREER
You’ve had a powerful couple of years around your career, Cancer, with lots of exciting changes. For many Crabs, business is booming. Others have outgrown a longtime path and are now seeking something completely new. You’re on your way there, Cancer, but it may be another year before the whole picture reveals itself. While Jupiter is in your 12th house of endings from June 11 until next June 25, focus on an exit strategy from your current path. Or, if you’re happy where you are, meditate on where you’d like to go next and plant seeds everywhere. Let yourself be lost — and guided.
You may not see results until 2013, but consider yourself in a long gestation cycle. Ask the universe to guide you and you’ll see “signs” everywhere. Guardian angels surround you in droves for the next 12 months. They might just have an even better plan than the one you’ve cooked up, so remain flexible and willing to take a side road instead of stubbornly hewing to your path.
A tense moment could occur near June 24, when transformational Pluto squares off with erratic Uranus in Aries, your 10th house of career. There could be major disagreements with a colleague or business partner that lead to a hotheaded explosion. Ouch! You might not be upset about what you think you’re upset about, Cancer. Is something deeper bugging you? Have you not addressed something crucial? Or is it just time to move on? Meltdowns have a funny way of pointing out where we’re stunting our own growth. Resistance to change is futile. Let go, and trust that the right path will reveal itself soon enough!
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Is it time to take better care of yourself, Cancer? This month, the stars respond with a resounding “yes.” On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar eclipse falls in your sixth house of health and fitness. This eclipse is the culmination of a Sagittarius solar eclipse that fell on November 25, 2011. Look back to events near that date. If you’ve been taking good care of your health, you could see amazing changes in your vitality. On the flip side, if you’ve been neglecting yourself, you’ll feel the results of that exponentially now. This eclipse makes it crystal clear that it’s time to cut out habits that sabotage your health. Pay attention, so your body doesn’t have to give you a harsher wake-up call.
Cancer is ruled by the Moon, so change-making eclipses affect you especially. Stress and perfectionism could factor into any aches and pains. You could be battling body image issues with deeper emotional roots. Any health or emotional issues that arise near the eclipse (and for the next year, while Jupiter visits your 12th house) will have a strong mind-body link. Check out Louise Hay’s “You Can Heal Your Life” for more on this connection. The Gemini new moon on June 19 is the perfect day to begin a new regimen around diet, exercise and nutrition.
Family matters have been tough for many Crabs since Saturn went retrograde in Libra, your domestic fourth house, on February 7. Perhaps you just haven’t had much time to relax at home. Challenges with a parent, child or female relative may have arisen. You may have felt claustrophobic at home or uncomfortable in your own skin. On June 25, Saturn returns to direct (forward) motion, easing the tension, renewing your self-care and unblocking any real estate delays.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Achievements are great, but to you, they’re meaningless unless you have good people in your life to share the journey. For the last year, you’ve had a few lonely or sobering moments in your rise to the top. Jupiter, planet of luck and expansion, has traversed your 10th house of career and success since June 2011, making life a bit more buttoned-up, structured and goal-oriented for Leos. While you may have hobnobbed in elite new circles (or in some cases, outgrown a job), your soul longs for community. You might have found the past stretch of your life dry, boring and tough at moments.
Good news: A healthy dose of team time is coming your way. On June 11, Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your 11th house of groups and collaborations. The hard work, icebreaking and corporate kissing-up you did for the past 12 months will all make sense soon enough. While the lion may be a regal ruler, without a community (or “pride,” in savannah-speak), he’s nothing. So go forth and find your tribe! This could happen as early as June 5, when the Sun (your ruler) aligns with Venus, a powerful event that only happens once or twice a century. The June 19 Gemini new moon (the second in a row; the first was May 20) will also catalyze Jupiter’s team-building efforts.
On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse floods your fifth house of passion with powerful energy. A chapter of your romantic or creative life builds to a crescendo here. This all links back to the Sagittarius solar eclipse six months ago, on November 25, 2011. Look back to what you were doing over the holiday season for clues, especially since eclipses can bring sweeping changes.
By the end of the month, you may long to have a little bit of that “boredom” back. When the Sun slips into Cancer on June 20, that’s your cue to take a break. Cancer rules your 12th house of rest, healing and retreat. Duck out of the limelight, take that seaside getaway, catch up on summer reading. No time to lounge or travel yet? Create more time by holding off on new projects for a month. Finish any loose ends so you can start fresh when the Sun enters Leo on July 22.
LOVE & ROMANCE
Romantic Venus may be retrograde (moving backward) until June 27, but that’s not putting the kibosh on your love life. Au contraire, Leo. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse cranks up the energy in your fifth house of romance, passion and fertility. This could be an intense day for falling in love, or clearing the air of some dramatic and powerful emotions. You may feel a surge of extreme feelings quite out of the blue, as eclipses are known for throwing curveballs and pushing things to the edge. For some Leos, a pregnancy, or news of one, could arrive unexpectedly.
Trace your steps back to November 25, 2011, when a Sagittarius solar eclipse (new moon) planted the seeds for any big events near the June 4 eclipse. Feelings between you and someone special may have sparked in the past six months. For some Leos, tension, arguing or intensity have mounted to a boiling point since November. Right on cue with the Sagittarius solar eclipse, Leo Jennifer Lopez shocked the world post-divorce by publicly romancing Casper Smart, her 24-year-old backup dancer. (Paparazzi snapped the two strolling on a Hawaiian beach over Thanksgiving, along with her kids.) Leos are notorious for falling in love fast, and if you’ve been hot and heavy with someone in the past six months, the June 4 eclipse could bring a turning point and perhaps a sudden leap. Ms. Lopez may take a fourth trip down the aisle (or to City Hall) — or she may just as swiftly call the whole thing off. Eclipses are funny like that; you just never know.
Even if you feel ready to get swept away, keep those Jimmy Choos on the ground, Leo. Also on June 4, foggy Neptune goes retrograde (backward) in Pisces, your eighth house of intimacy, until November 10. In the next five months, you may have moments of confusion about whom to trust or how you really feel in a relationship. Hidden information may surface, or you could have some intense emotional waves of your own. A clandestine affair could tempt you, though you’d be better off on a therapist’s couch then reenacting a steamy “nooner” scene from your favorite movie.
Sometimes, Neptune retrograde can actually make you less prone to illusions. If you’ve been putting a romantic interest on an undeserved pedestal, Neptune retrograde may wipe that Vaseline off the camera lens and show you who you’re dealing with in sharp, authentic focus. This is not necessarily a bad thing, Leo, even if your interest wanes a bit when you stop idealizing others. If you want a healthy, grounded relationship, it needs to be on a more equal footing.
MONEY & CAREER
Have you been foggy about your finances? Healing Neptune goes retrograde (backward) in Pisces, your eighth house of long-term wealth, from June 4 through November 10. If you’re trying to buy or sell property, there could be some unexpected challenges. Make sure you check the plumbing and infrastructure, as Neptune rules all the hidden elements. Guard against flooding in your home, and take some additional measures to block identity theft with your bank account and credit cards. Speaking of credit cards, watch those debt-creating and impulse-spending ways during Neptune retrograde. You may be all the more tempted to self-soothe with retail therapy now.
The big shift happens on June 4, when expansive Jupiter leaves Taurus — your 10th house of career and long-term goals. Jupiter has been in Taurus since last June, bringing new and prestigious opportunities your way. For example, our mother, a Leo rabbi, delivered an opening prayer for fellow Leo Barack Obama in Detroit, when he addressed a group of auto workers on Labor Day. Other Leos we know were hired by large-scale corporations or inducted into high-society social clubs — taking a bigger bite of “the establishment” than ever before.
While it’s been nice to put some feathers in your cap, you’re ultimately a people person. Hushed hallways and cold corner offices are no substitute for heartfelt connections and a sense of co-worker camaraderie — at least, not in your book. You’ll be thrilled when Jupiter moves into Gemini, your 11th house of collaboration and group activity, on June 4. Jupiter will be in Gemini for a year, connecting you to a global gaggle of like-minded people — your own mini-revolution in the making. That’s more like it! If you’ve picked up some new leadership or managerial skills in the past year, you’ll get a chance to use them for a cause you actually care about.
A new opportunity to collaborate could also arrive at the June 19 Gemini new moon. This is the second Gemini new moon in a row (a rare event); the last was on May 20 (also a powerful solar eclipse). Seeds planted a month ago could really sprout near this date.
The 11th house also rules technology, so this is the year to take your efforts online. If you’ve got a grand vision for changing the world, but you’ve been languishing in Luddite-land, there are no more excuses. Learn social media, blogging or basic technology skills, especially if you have a message to share. Organizing and teaming up with others is a breeze with all the apps and tools out there. Keep clients scheduled with TimeTrade.com, send out newsletters with Constant Contact, use Twitter as your soapbox.
Be sure to edit and think twice before signing on the dotted line. Saturn, planet of discipline and hard-earned skills, is retrograde in your communication house until June 25. This would be a great time to polish up your grammar or copyediting skills, take a public-speaking workshop or sign on for a short extension course, perhaps to pick up some extra certification in your field. Credibility and credentials aren’t everything, but as you’ve learned in the past year while Jupiter visited Taurus, they can open doors that might otherwise remain shut. Use your fancy titles and credits to get through the entrance, and then come in and shake things up, Leo-style!
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Your already active life is only getting busier, and it will be hard to sit still or focus on just one thing. Taking breaks to meditate, journal or decompress will be ever more important now, even if it’s the last thing you want to do. While Neptune, ruler of the subconscious, is retrograde June 4 through November 10, you’ve got some emotional purging to do. In fact, the more you clear your karmic clutter, the more effective you’ll be in work and life. If you have addictions or vices — from those as harmful as excessive drinking to ones as “tame” as procrastinating — Neptune retrograde helps you repattern and break those habits.
Need a break? From June 20 through July 22, the Sun is in Cancer, your 12th house of rest and healing. You’ll be sleepier than usual, and your enthusiastic energy may wane, giving way to some weepy or morose moments. This is your annual rest period, a month to heal, deal and feel. You’re clearing the decks for your solar new year — your birthday — when the Sun enters Leo July 22. Mental Mercury is already in Cancer from June 7 through June 25, a great time for expressing your deeper feelings or keeping track of any vivid and symbolic dreams.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Let’s play a round of “compare and contrast” for a minute, Virgo. Look back to November 2011 and liken it to where you are now. How do you feel in your relationships, your job, your home, your body … your life? There may be a huge gap between the way you were then and the person you’ve become — stunning growth indeed! That might not necessarily be comfortable, though, and your former self may now feel like a too-tight pair of shoes or a decorating scheme you no longer love.
Since November, energizer Mars has been in Virgo, making an unusually long visit to your sign. This has motivated you to speak up, take a chance, be more authentic and direct, and possibly even tap your inner athlete. Mars makes us feel strong, sexy and active — excited about life’s possibilities. It can also add stress, agitation and the sense that things are moving too fast, as this red-hot planet is notoriously impatient. Mars will be in Virgo until July 3, so use this last month as a final push toward your personal goals.
On November 25, a Sagittarius (new moon) solar eclipse sparked a powerful and transformative six-month cycle in your fourth house of home, family and self-care. Your perspective on your personal and professional life has been shifting as a result. This all comes together on June 4, at a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse. Near this date, you may move, change your family structure, get pregnant, or see the results of opening your heart for the past six months. Your mother, children or a key woman may figure into events. This eclipse will form a tense square (90-degree angle) to Mars in Virgo, indicating that you may need to stand up for yourself, or adopt a more take-charge attitude at home.
Meanwhile, your career is about to get hyper-charged by the stars, too. On June11, expansive Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your 10th house of success and long-term ambitions. You may have felt the rumblings here around May 20, when a Gemini solar eclipse catalyzed change here, perhaps even setting you on a whole new path unexpectedly. If you’ve felt a little lost or nomadic over the past year, you’ll love Jupiter’s move into Gemini, which will bring shape, structure and a clear purpose to your affairs.
LOVE & ROMANCE
Take advantage of sizzling Mars’ final month in Virgo. This mojo-boosting planet has been visiting Virgo since November, pushing you to feel your sexy best. That means knowing what turns you on, and making sure you get it! If you’ve tapped into the “warrior energy” of Mars, you could be the poster child for assertiveness these days (or for coming on too strong). Mars in Virgo has also made you appealingly independent and even a little feisty. That might not work for everyone, but at least you’ll weed out the time-wasting types who can’t roll with your straightforward style.
On the flip side, dreamy and unfocused Neptune turns retrograde (backward) in Pisces, your relationship house, from June 4 through November 10. This could be a period of soul-searching and possible confusion in your love life. It could also be a push toward “softening” your stance with a partner. We realize this could seem like a contradiction to the Mars in Virgo edginess, but it doesn’t have to be. You can lovingly speak your truth or express an authentic desire without making the other person’s needs wrong. Watch a tendency toward denial now, too. Have you made too many excuses for someone’s unreliable behavior or lapsed into a codependent pattern? Neptune retrograde underscores a need to deal with more trustworthy people, or to avoid enabling subpar behavior.
You’ll need to look at your own hidden resistance and control issues more, too. On June 24, transformational Pluto in your passionate fifth house faces off with unpredictable Uranus in your eighth house of intimacy. Some Virgos could be tempted by an affair; others may have an attack of jealousy that brings out a dramatic dynamic. This Pluto-Uranus square (90-degree angle) will continue until October, causing twin desires for freedom and closeness, excitement and security. Not so easy to navigate! You’ll also want to examine that way that you may destabilize a relationship or blow things up when it gets too close for comfort.
MONEY & CAREER
June marks a powerful turning point in your career path. By the end of the year, you could be in an entirely different role, position or even industry! On June 11, expansive Jupiter starts a yearlong visit to Gemini, your 10th house of achievement, success and public image. This could be the best career year you’ve had in over a decade. The caveat: It may also mean outgrowing something you’ve been doing for a while. Shed the old skin, because you’re being pulled in an inspiring direction.
You may have felt this already last month, when a Gemini solar eclipse swept away the old and ushered in the new for many Virgo careers. On June 19, a second Gemini new moon could bring more news and opportunities. Your life’s work could get some long-overdue recognition. Since the 10th house rules fame, you could become well-known for what you do, a recognized expert in your field. Not so into being exposed that way, Virgo? Perhaps you’ll rise to a corner-office executive role. Jupiter rules long-distance travel, so you may be boarding planes for work, or connecting with a faraway but lucrative client. (Will you, like many a boy band, be “really big in Asia”?) If you’re an author, entertainer or public figure, the next year could kick off a more global reach.
Bringing more heart and soul to your job will also be important. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse could bring strong emotions to the surface. The tricky piece: This eclipse will clash with assertive Mars in Virgo, which could cause you to misread a signal or accidentally burn a bridge by coming on too strong. With peacemaker Venus retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini until June 25, harmony will take extra effort to maintain at work. Try to lie low early this month, and maybe take a personal day at the eclipse if you need one! On the new HBO series “Girls,” the main character bombs a job interview by making a way-beyond-inappropriate joke just as she’s about to be hired. The interviewer promptly rescinds the job offer and gives her a lecture about which conversation topics are, as he puts it, “office okay.” Bear those unspoken codes in mind for the rest of this month, Virgo.
Has cash been in short supply for the last couple of months, or work been more demanding than ever? On June 27, tough Saturn ends a nearly five-month retrograde (backward) period in Libra, your second house of work and money. That will clear up any shortages of time and resources a bit, and help stalled projects move forward. Until then, you may have to “prove yourself” a little more on the job, or to set firmer boundaries if you can’t keep up with demands. Don’t let your desire to look perfect lead you to take on more than you can handle, because you’ll end up doing shoddy work that will only backfire.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
A big moment for your personal life comes on June 4, when a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse lands in your fourth house of home, family and emotional foundations. This is the peak of a six-month cycle that’s been building since November 25, 2011, sparked by a Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse. For some Virgos, this could mean a sudden pregnancy or a change in your family structure. An issue with a female relative could come out into the open, perhaps a conflict that needs to be resolved. Your own mother could figure into events near this date. Whether or not she’s part of your life, you may have a moment of clarity about yourself in relation to her — viewing your differences without judgment, perhaps. The fourth house also rules femininity, so if you’ve been out of touch with the “divine feminine” within yourself, crank up the self-care now.
While energizer Mars spends its last month in Virgo, you could be motivated to get into great physical shape. However, you may also have more stress, which could tempt you to pick up a bad habit for stress relief. You’ll find your greatest release in the gym, or doing some vigorous physical activity outdoors — and you’ll get a major endorphin boost on the side!
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
You’re in the final stretch of a marathon, and man, are you tired. It’s been tough going for many Libras this year — the planets just haven’t given you a break! Ambitious Mars has been in Virgo, your sleepy 12th house, making you prone to sickness and fatigue. Your ruling planet, Venus, is in low-power retrograde (backward) station May 15 through June 27, and tough Saturn is also retrograde in Libra, making it hard to figure out where to spend what little energy you have. You’ve been sent back to the drawing board countless times to refine, rehash and even rethink your plans from the ground up. You may be feeling plain worn out!
June begins an upswing that will soon make up for a tough first half of 2012. On June 11, lucky Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, a fellow Air sign and ruler of your adventurous, worldly ninth house. Jupiter has spent the last year in Taurus, your intimate and private eighth house. While personal relationships may have blossomed (or gone bust), you’ve been out of the spotlight for a while. Friends may even be ready to send out a search party, wondering if their favorite social butterfly has gotten captured in some net! You’ll be back with a vengeance from this month on. The ninth house rules long-distance travel, study and entrepreneurship. This could be the year you start a business, see the world or go back to school. Things will get even easier after October 5, when restrictive Saturn leaves Libra, not to return for another 30 years!
You may see a sneak preview of the great things to come at the beginning of the month. On June 5, the proud Sun and your ruler Venus make a rare alignment (it happens only twice per century). You could get a surge of life force — and “love force” — energy. Libras are leaders when it comes to peace (Gandhi and John Lennon were both born under your sign).
Venus and Saturn are both retrograde until the very end of June, and Mars is in your sleepy 12th house until July 3, when it moves into Libra and powers you back up. So you’ve still got to push to make it through this last month of challenges. Not that there won’t be victories and triumphs along the way, but as the saying goes, don’t quit five minutes before the miracle. Learn the lessons, don’t cut corners, and fortify your support systems, so you’ll be ready to launch later this year.
LOVE & ROMANCE
You’re at the end of a two-year relationship growth cycle, which began back in 2010, when expansive Jupiter entered Aries, your seventh house of relationships. This prompted you to take a chance on love, perhaps with a long-distance relationship, someone different than your usual type or just a more open-minded attitude. Other Libras outgrew longtime partnerships during this phase of personal evolution. Jupiter is also the gambler, so you may not always have bet on a winning horse, but at least you stayed in the running.
From June 2011 until this month, Jupiter has been in Taurus, your eighth house of intimacy and permanent bonding. Relationships got even deeper and more intense — and some had real ups and downs (hello, Kim Kardashian, Libra poster girl for this). Your sex life may have been colorful this past year, and you may have spent a lot more “quality time” with a mate, rather than playing the social butterfly. Some Libras got engaged, got pregnant or moved in with a partner. It’s been eye-opening and soul-expanding, and has definitely left you with an evolved view on relationships.
On June 11, Jupiter leaves the relationship houses of your chart and enters Gemini, your worldly and adventurous ninth house. Your focus shifts to the wider world now, and you could meet someone while traveling or studying, or at a metaphysical workshop (all issues that fall in the experimental ninth house domain). And if things got a little too close for comfort, relax — you’ll have plenty of breathing room again. Jupiter in the ninth house is a fun, free-spirited time when you may prefer to date around, or just to enjoy the love of interesting friends rather than hotly pursuing a husband or life partner. You might just hit the road for a year, nomad-style, having romances in every port. If you’re in a long-term relationship, traveling or studying together could bring you closer.
Stay tuned for guidance near June 5. On that day, the Sun and your ruler Venus (the love planet) meet in Gemini. This could bring an epiphany about your closest relationships and loved ones — a moment of deep and powerful perspective. You may feel a surge of generosity and unconditional love for people, forgiving their fallible humanity and experiencing a deep sense of oneness or compassion. Powerful indeed!
MONEY & CAREER
The month could begin with an important conversation, sparked by the June 4 lunar (full moon) eclipse in Sagittarius, your third house of communication. Lunar eclipses can bring swift and sudden endings, or things that manifest quicker than we expect. No chance to prepare here! The June 4 eclipse could bring closure, news, or an answer you’ve been building up toward over the past six months. This cycle started with a Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse on November 25, 2011. Think back to conversations, meetings, proposals or new alliances sparked near the end of last year. At this eclipse, things could suddenly make sense. A deal could close, or you could decide to team up with a kindred soul whose talents complement yours. This is a powerful eclipse for teaching, writing, public speaking and local events.
Eclipses can bring surprises, or they can force us to address things we’ve been avoiding. Since the full moon will form a tense square (90-degree angle) to Mars in Virgo, it’s possible that some information could emerge that’s upsetting or causes an unexpected adjustment. You may see someone’s true colors and wish you hadn’t (for example, reading an incriminating email someone left open — or accidentally sent to you). Bottled-up resentments or hidden agendas could surface, and you’ll be forced to address them, whether you want to or not. Conflict avoidance can be a Libra specialty, but don’t expect to keep secrets at this lunar eclipse. You might even get called out by a friend or co-worker — or have to check someone on their own shady behavior.
On June 11, expansive Jupiter ends a yearlong visit to Taurus, your eighth house of wealth, joint ventures and shared finance. Over the past 12 months, you’ve learned a lot here, and hopefully, you’ve taken strides in managing your own long-term financial planning. Some Libras bought and sold real estate, or learned how to consolidate their spending and saving more effectively. Now Jupiter will spend a year in Gemini, your ninth house of higher learning and global connections. You could return to school, travel for business, or begin working with a long-distance client. Publishing, sales and teaching may also become part of your path. From June 7 through June 25, communicator Mercury is in Cancer, your 10th house of career and authority. During this time, you may reflect on your life goals and plans, or even take a short class to explore a possible new avenue.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Your vitality has been up and down this year. With energizer Mars in your restful 12th house from November 2011 through July 3, 2012, you’re in the midst of a long cycle where you need to slow down, not force things, and let your subconscious do the work. Fortunately, Libras are good at taking their sweet time, but nonetheless, we all want to know where things are going and to have some sense of control. That’s often eluded your grasp this year, especially with tough Saturn retrograde in Libra from February 7 through June 27. Hang in there, because come July, these issues will clear up. When Mars enters Libra next month, you’ll have the motivation to really tackle your life again. Use this month to finish things and to clear up any confusion around what you’ve already taken on.
You’ll still need to take good care of your health, though. From June 4 through November 10, Neptune will be retrograde in Pisces, your well-being house. This would be an intriguing time to deepen your study about nutrition, holistic healing, energy work and the mind-body connection. Your own psychic or intuitive abilities could increase if you truly connect with your inner guidance. Watch for perfectionism and even body image issues during this time, as Neptune retrograde can make us confused or disenchanted. Make sure that your “healthy” eating is truly including enough nutrients, and not turning obsessive. You might want to take vitamins, and to complement your healthy eating with acupuncture, Reiki, meditation or other treatments to help balance your energy.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Money’s on your mind this month, and career or financial changes could be on the horizon. You’re gearing up for a year that highlights more permanent connections — both professional and personal — starting on June 11. That day, expansive Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your eighth house of wealth, intimacy and deep emotional bonding. The zodiac’s eighth house is governed by Scorpio, so you’ll be in the zone in many ways. You could make more money than ever, get pregnant or engaged, buy or sell property, and even get a large chunk o’ cash through a settlement, royalties, a divorce, an inheritance or a grant. Lots of options there! The June 19 Gemini new moon could activate this energy even more.
Prior to Jupiter’s move, a June 4 Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse sweeps through your second house of work and money. A path you’ve been building toward since November 25, 2011 — the corresponding Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse — could come to fruition. Quite suddenly, you could be given an exciting contract, salary increase or job offer. On the other hand, a job may unexpectedly end, or you might hand in your notice out of the blue. Eclipses can bring on sudden, unplanned change, especially in areas where you’re wishy-washy. If you’re “meh” about some aspect of your life, don’t expect it to survive this eclipse intact.
While things may be intense, you’ll catch a break after June 20, when the Sun visits Cancer for a month. Cancer is a fellow Water sign, and it rules your ninth house of travel, adventure and freedom. This would be a great time to escape the fray and head out of city limits, especially if any momentous changes are taking place in your life. You’ll regain major perspective if you pack your bags for foreign terrain, or perhaps take a mind-expanding class.
LOVE & ROMANCE
The last year has brought its share of surprises to your love life, Scorpio. Perhaps the biggest revelation has been a change in your own attitude — an openness to new people, types or arrangements. Chalk it up to expansive Jupiter, which has been visiting Taurus, your partnership sign, since June 2011. Jupiter circles ’round here once a decade, lifting us out of outmoded perspectives, ordering relationships to evolve into something progressive and mutual … or else! Many Scorpios we know got engaged, moved in with partners, left stale relationships or became more empowered in current couplings. Since Jupiter rules travel, long-distance and cross-cultural relationships were a strong possibility. One Scorpio we know even reunited with her ex-husband and “babydaddy,” after finding out he had secretly never signed their divorce papers. This time, though, they’re doing things on equal terms, rather than on his. Yay for Jupiter!
On June 11, Jupiter leaves Taurus for Gemini, your eighth house of intimacy and soul connections. This is where the rubber meets the road. Jupiter is in Gemini until June 25, 2013 — and it’s a year where you’ll want it all … or nothing at all. Your tolerance for gray areas will slim to a teensy margin. In the coming 12 months, we’ll expect to see a ton of Scorpios getting engaged, having babies, renewing vows, moving in and, yes, parting ways. If you’re involved in a divorce, the eighth house rules legal affairs, so lucky Jupiter should work in your favor. You’ll either walk away with a hefty settlement or decide to leave most of those possessions to your ex so you can be free.
Jupiter in Gemini will be a balancing act, since Jupiter loves freedom, but the eighth house craves closeness and control. Longtime couples might do well attending therapy or a workshop that deepens your trust and respect for each other’s differences. Your emotional and sensual fulfillment will also be a priority, as the eighth house is all about “sexy time” and feeling delicious in your own skin. Many Scorpios we know are devotees of Sheila Kelly’s S-Factor, the famous pole-dancing workout (which they assure us is so much more than just that). The classes are taught in a few major cities, but there are books and DVDs for everyone else. With the spiritual and transformational powers of the eighth house, you might even explore tantra, or check out the “sacred sexuality” teachings of the Divine Feminine/Awakened Masculine Institute in Maui (www.divine-feminine.com). Curious about this touchy-feely (in every way) path? Put down “Fifty Shades of Grey” and check out Divine Feminine founder Caroline Muir’s new book “Tantra Goddess: A Memoir of Sexual Awakening.”
You need some reinforcement now, since you may have hit a few bumps in the past couple of weeks. Love planet Venus is retrograde (backward) in Gemini from May 15 through June 27. Old trust issues may be flaring, or you could do your famous “pulling away” routine that’s always guaranteed to freak a lover out. Although you often need space to go within and figure out what’s in your heart, try to stay in communication rather than just disappearing or brooding.
Neptune, ruler of the subconscious, will also retrograde from June 4 through November 10 in Pisces, your fifth house of passion and romance. An ex could resurface, or you may find yourself tempted by a hot, clandestine affair. Make sure you’re thinking clearly before you step into that fire. If you’re hoping to get pregnant, make sure you’ve done your emotional and spiritual “inner work” first, so you can avoid working out karmic issues through your child. If you’re currently pregnant, nurture yourself even more, and don’t be surprised if you have prophetic dreams or “communications” with the baby’s spirit while you sleep.
MONEY & CAREER
June kicks off with a big money moment for you. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse brings ripples of change through your second house of work and finance. This could be the manifestation of hard work you’ve been doing for the past six months, sparked by a Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse that fell on November 25, 2011. You’ll now see some real results from your efforts — what’s working and what’s not.
This eclipse will form a tense square to Mars in Virgo, your 11th house of teamwork. It’s quite possible that some roles will be reshuffled, or that certain players may not come along for the ride. You may need to lay it all on the line near the eclipse and see if it makes sense to continue the journey together. Your income may be affected by events near this date — hopefully for the better. However, if a job loss or cutback occurs, know that the universe has something much grander in store for you.
Perhaps it’s time to start playing with some bigger figures — or even making passive income. On June 11, lucky Jupiter enters Gemini, your eighth house of wealth, joint ventures and shared property. In the next 12 months, you may pool your resources with someone (either a romantic or business partner), or make an investment that could pay off bigtime. Do your research, though, Scorpio — Jupiter is a gambler and can tempt you to leap without looking.
The eighth house rules “other people’s money” — in other words, not the earnings from a wage or paycheck. While Jupiter visits Gemini for a year, you could receive money from grants, business loans, an inheritance, the sale of property or a legal settlement. You may decide to take a lower salary in exchange for stock options. The June 19 Gemini new moon could bring interesting news or a conversation that sparks a profitable collaboration.
On June 24, a Uranus-Pluto square could bring tensions out into the open. Any fissures in your relationships that formed at the eclipse could now become a huge fault line. Be careful what you say and whom you criticize now, because there will be no taking it back. This square will be felt between now and October, so you may want to work on more constructive ways of expressing your observations. Watch for perfectionism and undue stress, which can affect your health. You may want to cut back on caffeine or stimulants during this time.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
A yearlong cycle of mind-body-spirit connection begins June 11, when Jupiter enters Gemini, your eighth house of internal healing and transformation. Being a body-focused sign, many Scorpios are familiar with raw food, vegan and macrobiotic diets, and cleanses. However, you may find yourself drawn to detoxing more than ever, as Jupiter in Gemini cues you in to the truth of “as within, so without.” The other version of that, “as above, so below” may also ring true, as Jupiter in the eighth house can bring out a much deeper spiritual side.
Drama alert: Foggy Neptune goes retrograde (backward) in your expressive fifth house from June 4 through November 10. Watch your temper and your tendency to overreact, or even to play the victim card instead of taking personal responsibility. Some folks around you could act out childishly during this cycle, too. Don’t get hooked into their histrionics.
Have you had trouble sleeping, kept awake by worries or irrational fears? From February 7 through June 25, tough Saturn is retrograde (moving backward) in your 12th house of rest and healing, forcing you to face some sobering issues or even darker emotions. Your moods have been heavy at moments. For some Scorpios, this is an important time to break an addiction, whether to a harmful substance or just your own obsessive or workaholic tendency. Check out Scorpio Gabrielle Bernstein’s modern-day spin on “A Course in Miracles” at www.gabbyb.tv for some thought-provoking videos that will help you get back in tune with your soul.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Some of 2012’s most impactful events could happen this month for you. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse brings a chapter of your life full circle, and could suddenly thrust you into the spotlight. This eclipse is the manifestation of seeds planted over the past six months — as early as the Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse on November 25. Eclipses fall in your sign only every 20 years or so. They can change your life dramatically, or they can push you to take greater agency in your affairs, take a big idea public or voice an unpopular but attention-grabbing opinion.
Meanwhile, your love life and partnerships are also in the spotlight. On June 11, your ruling planet, Jupiter, exits Taurus (where it’s been since last June) for a yearlong visit to Gemini, your seventh house of committed relationships. Jupiter is the planet of luck, expansion and long-distance connections, so you could be forming an international tag team in the next 12 months. The last time Jupiter was in Gemini was in 2000-2001, so reflect on any collaborations or romances from back then for clues.
While worldly Jupiter in your seventh house, you may fall in love with someone from another background or culture, fall out of love with a longtime mate, or evolve a relationship to a higher level of respect and adventure. Unfortunately, romantic Venus is retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini from May 15 through June 27, so it may take until next month to really dig into Jupiter’s treasure trove of options.
On the other hand, a rare Venus-Sun conjunction on June 5 will bring a burst of “goddess” energy to the world — and compassion to your relationships. The last time this happened was in 2004, and some astrologers believe that women have risen to power as a result. This will be the last time the Sun and Venus meet this century. Perhaps we’ll see a world with more balanced masculine and feminine energies emerge — a much more interesting playing field for the evolved Sagittarius to live and love in.
Family matters can get a little complicated this summer and fall, or you may need to untangle a few codependent ties. Foggy Neptune will be retrograde (moving backward) in Pisces, your home-and-family sector, from June 4 through November 10. You may feel confused about where to live, how much to give to a needy relative, or about emotional boundaries in general. Bolster your own emotional support system now, and spend time near water for a healing retreat.
LOVE & ROMANCE
Hello, love! June kicks off the luckiest year for romance that you’ve had in over a decade. On June 4, abundant and optimistic Jupiter (your ruling planet) starts a yearlong visit to Gemini, your seventh house of partnership.
Jupiter in the seventh house is a time of massive growth for couples. In some cases, commitment-shy Sagittarians will overcome their fears of independence lost and head to the altar. (We predict a wedding for Sagittarians Britney Spears and Jason Trawick … or bust.) Others can outgrow a longtime relationship that’s gone as far as it’s meant to, parting ways for a better match. Another possible scenario: romantic role reversal. If you’ve been the breadwinner, cheerleader and champion for your partner, you may get your chance to kick back, cool your heels and be supported. If you’ve been the one playing understudy or key grip in this movie, you may have your chance to be the star. Either way, Jupiter will reshuffle “business as usual” in your love life, and as a sign that welcomes evolution, that might be just what the doctor ordered.
Since Jupiter rules cross-cultural connections and travel, single Sags could fall hard for a long-distance love or someone from another country or background. (Last time Jupiter was in Gemini, we couldn’t find a man with a U.S. passport to save our lives … not that we were trying.) Don’t feel any chemistry with the locals? Renew your passport and get out of town. Hello, vacation romance! You might even fall so hard for someone you meet on the road that you decide to relocate for love. Stranger things have happened. Airports aren’t just for connecting flights anymore, either. Chat up that intriguing stranger on the seat next to yours — one Sag friend of ours had a five-year relationship with a man she met on a plane.
The Jupiter cycle may get off to a slightly rocky start, though. Love planet Venus is in low-power retrograde (backward) motion in Gemini from May 15 through June 27. You may already be a couple of weeks into some serious relationship friction and breakdowns. Or, you’re using the cycle constructively to iron out the kinks in your love life. Let’s hope so! Venus retrograde is a tricky time for love, since our usual compassion, patience and sense of mutuality can go out the window. You’re directly in the line of fire, since Gemini rules your relationship house. Again, the key is to address any values clashes and meltdowns proactively. If you’re both willing to do the work and strengthen your bond, that’s great. However, if you’re facing a betrayal or a deal breaker and decide to move on, take heart: Something far better awaits you, and it will exceed your wildest dreams. Let Jupiter be your cosmic Cupid now.
MONEY & CAREER
Circle June 4 as one of the year’s biggest moments. A Sagittarius lunar eclipse — that’s a full moon with “benefits” in your sign — puts you squarely in the spotlight. This could be a huge moment of triumph, and likely one of great changes. Eclipses sweep away anything that no longer fits us, areas of our lives where we’re playing small or just out of sync with our souls. You’ve been building toward this moment since last November 25, when a Sagittarius solar eclipse (new moon) set events in motion leading to this date. Now you may see the culmination of your efforts — or the results of any changes you’ve started in the past six months.
This eclipse will form a tense square to Mars in Virgo, your career house. It may be that your self-expression no longer aligns with some aspect of your professional path. The lunar eclipse may close one door, but open a window — one that truly reflects the person you’ve become. Don’t freak out if things change at the eclipse, because better things are in store — and subconsciously, it’s probably something you wanted anyhow. Embrace the adventure of change.
You’ve grown a lot in the last year, Sagittarius, especially in the realm of delegating. From June 4, 2011 through June 11, 2012, your ruler Jupiter has done time in Taurus, your sixth house of organization and helpful people. Your work habits have become leaner, meaner, sleeker and more systematized. You actually ask for help now! While Sagittarians can be sloppy with follow-through, you’ve hopefully learned the power of not cutting corners. You may now have a rock-star team of people helping you in all areas of your life, instead of doing things alone. Or, you’ve become a stellar manager who really takes the time to listen and serve.
On June 11, Jupiter moves on to Gemini, your partnership sign, until next June. Some exciting business collaborations could be on their way. You could be signing an exciting contract as soon as the June 19 Gemini new moon. For the next 12 months, two is your magic number, and you could manifest some amazing people or partners whose skills complement yours perfectly. Some of them may even be in other countries or cities, as Jupiter is a global ambassador.
Some hardwired “limiting beliefs” about money and scarcity get a shakedown later this month, when shadowy Pluto forms a tense square to revolutionary Uranus on June 24 — a trend that will last until October. It’s like an earthquake breaking up the hardened skepticism and negativity you’ve fortressed yourself into. If you’ve built your financial beliefs on a fault line, be glad this is happening, even if it feels uncomfortable. It’s time to shed fears and demons around money or work that block your creative genius from its full expression.
On June 20, the Sun moves into Cancer, your eighth house of long-term finances. This is a good time to deal with debt, savings, real estate or legal matters. Your powers of concentration are at an all-time high, making this an excellent time for research or detailed, behind-the-scenes work. Online and collaborative projects have been a little rocky since February, when structured Saturn went retrograde (backward) in Libra, your teamwork house. You just haven’t been as jazzed about working with others as usual. Perhaps your usual crew of colleagues and comrades has been too busy to connect, zapping your motivation. Fear not, Sag — on June 25, Saturn returns to direct (forward) motion, bringing the group back together again.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Have you been making one too many sacrifices for relatives? Feel like the guilty bad parent or wayward child struggling to find that so-called work/life balance? Face those feelings head-on in the next five months, when healing Neptune goes retrograde (backward) in Pisces, your home-and-family sign. During this time, some serious codependent issues could flare up with a parent, child or female relative. You may want to take that spare key back from your sister — the need for greater privacy and boundaries is a must. It will be hard, but curb the impulse to try to “make it all better” for family members in every crisis and breakdown. You can listen sympathetically, but also make it clear that they must participate in the problem-solving process; you can’t do it for them!
Since Neptune rules water and plumbing and it’s in your home sector, guard your house against flooding. (If you’re thinking of installing a swimming pool, do some extra research, too.). You may be feeling a tad needier than usual yourself, so make sure you have adequate support systems in place. Communicator Mercury is in Cancer, your psychological eighth house, from June 7 through June 25 — a good time to talk these issues out with a trained professional.
Take a break, especially near water, after June 20 when the Sun visits Cancer for a month. This is your annual “cocooning” time, which can be rich for personal growth, spiritual insight and emotional healing. Sagittarians thrive when they have adequate space and freedom, so don’t feel guilty about jetting off somewhere that you’re not so easily reached. You’ll be back full-force and brimming with energy once the Sun moves into Leo on July 22. Until then, conserve your resources. This would also be a great time for a cleanse, detox or yoga retreat.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Order, structure and simplicity are making a return to your life. While other signs might find this news boring, you welcome it with gusto. It’s been a dramatic year — though a fun one — ever since last June, when expansive Jupiter entered Taurus, your fifth house of passion, romance and self-expression. You may have enjoyed a steamy affair, gotten pregnant, or just let your hair down in a most un-Capricorn manner.
Well. Now that you’ve gotten that out of your system, you might be missing your old workaholic or curmudgeonly ways. On June 11, Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your sixth house of health, fitness and organization. Between now and next June, you’ll thrive in the practical realm: taking care of your body; making anal-retentive little piles, files and systems; and simplifying your life. You may already have started this last month at the May 20 Gemini solar eclipse, which sparked a sudden health kick for many a Cap. Perhaps you got news from the doctor that it was time to make some changes.
Is there a chapter of your life that’s ready to end — or where it’s time to surrender control? You’ll find out at the June 4 lunar (full moon) eclipse in Sagittarius, your 12th house of healing and closure. This is the grand finale of a six-month cycle that began with a Sagittarius solar eclipse on November 25, 2011. Think back to the holiday season from last year. For some Capricorns, it means softening, becoming vulnerable and dropping your guard. The 12th house can bring on a pregnancy or other karmic miracles, too.
LOVE & ROMANCE
It’s been a fun ride — or so we hope! For the past year, lucky Jupiter has been in Taurus, your showy, passionate fifth house of lovin’. That wild streak in every Cap really emerged, and you might just have a few steamy stories to prove it. The fifth house also rules drama, and with expansive Jupiter here, not all of the fireworks have been the good kind. You may have made love and war in equal measure. Never a dull moment! The fifth house also rules fertility, so many Capricorns either got pregnant or considered the idea strongly. Jupiter is here until June 11, and then it departs for Gemini, which rules your sixth house of health and fitness. Your love life could become a bit more practical — and healthy — for the next year. (Sneak preview, though: In June 2013, Jupiter will start a yearlong visit to Cancer, your seventh house of commitment and marriage. So there’s definitely something to look forward to after this!)
Is it time to talk commitment? Communication planet Mercury is in Cancer, your partnership house, from June 7 through June 25. You may be wondering where things are going with a new love interest. Longtime couples could stand to talk things out, and dialogue can be fruitful during this cycle. There’s definitely a thing or two to discuss, especially since love planet Venus is retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini, your analytical sixth house, from May 15 through June 27. Beware a critical or nagging streak that could come up. You may be projecting impossible standards onto yourself or your mate during this time. So when you sit down for “the talk,” make sure you’re not dropping accusations or turning your relationship into the complaints department. Aim for constructive criticism at best, and don’t dish it out if you can’t also take it.
In some cases, all good things must come to an end — or at least, transform. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar eclipse in your 12th house could bring hidden agendas to light. It may be that you or someone confesses to having feelings (either for each other or for someone else). You might need to let go if you’ve been holding on too tight. Don’t be surprised if a wave of unplanned emotions and even vulnerability surges up in the days surrounding this date.
It’s actually the end of a long six-month cycle that began late last November, catalyzed by a Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse. You may be dealing with someone untrustworthy, or perhaps with addiction issues, emotional instability or even an illness. Your own codependence may be taking a toll. At this lunar eclipse, it’s time to make a change of some kind. You may also realize that you’re deeply in love with someone, and perhaps ready to make a more permanent commitment if you feel that he or she is a soul mate. Or, you may be finally ready to cut ties with a toxic person who strings you along, complicates your life or shows a lack of integrity.
MONEY & CAREER
Get ready to expand your support system, Capricorn. From now until next June, evolutionary Jupiter is in Gemini, your sixth house of helpful people, systems and organization. It’s the perfect time to surround yourself with hardworking, no-nonsense people who make your life easier. Whether that’s an eager intern, an incredible babysitter, a meal delivery service, or a smartphone stocked with a suite of apps, efficiency is the name of the game.
The sixth house rules health and service, so you may take a job in the wellness industry, working for a “green” cause or in more of a helping profession yourself. If you’re a business owner, this would be a great year to focus on improving customer service, or to automate your processes, perhaps with helpful solutions like TimeTrade.com for scheduling. If you’re one of those people who has trouble delegating, Jupiter in the sixth house will push you to open your mind and try.
Has work felt like an uphill battle at times, or just overwhelming? Blame it on your ruler Saturn, which is retrograde (moving backward) in Libra, your career sign, from February 7 through June 25. Having tough Saturn here is a challenge already, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. You may have risen to new heights through your hard work and persistence, gaining serious new skills as a manager or an expert in your field. Saturn will be here until October 5, so use the summer to build your skill set even more, even if that means taking a class or doing extra work to master a complex new system. Saturn won’t return to this position in your chart for another 30 years, so pay those dues now and you’ll be set up for longtime success!
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Since last June, Jupiter has been in Taurus, your pleasure-driven fifth house. It’s been a fun and indulgent year, but maybe not your healthiest one. Given a choice between happy hour and five o’clock Pilates class, you’ve been choosing the cheap beers and Chex Mix every time. That will change on June 11, when Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your sixth house of health and fitness. You could get into serious fighting shape in the next 12 months.
Not quite ready to face the gym or a plate of leafy greens? The June 19 Gemini new moon will motivate you to get started. Jupiter is the god of the feast in mythology, so the key is to avoid depriving yourself. Enjoyment is crucial, so add fun new workouts and tasty but healthy dishes to your repertoire, rather than taking things away that you love. As for exercise, you’ll feel so much better and brighter just by moving around. Take a walk, hop on your bike, go to a dance class. Studies are now showing that exercise even helps build new brain cells — so there’s a little more incentive to get moving!
Later this month, tension could brew with a rebellious or volatile relative. On June 24, transformational Pluto in Capricorn will form a tight “square” to unstable Uranus in Aries, your fourth house of home and family. As you’re coming into your own, someone close to you (most likely a parent, child or female relative) may begin acting out. Perhaps the changes you’re going through are a bit scary for this person to see, or perhaps you’ve unlocked yourself from an unhealthy dynamic and the other party is cranking up the pressure to hook you back in. You may also feel a strong desire to move, change your living situation or have children now, though counter-forces could add challenges to the mix. Pluto and Uranus will square off until October, so prepare to negotiate some powerful forces in this time until you find a happy medium.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Make way for the money! This month kicks off your luckiest financial year in over a decade — or perhaps your most interesting one. On June 11, abundant Jupiter enters Gemini, your second house of work and finance. You’re entering a new cycle in your career that could bring unforeseen opportunities, even ones from afar. Jupiter rules long-distance connections, so in the coming months you could be traveling or working with an international company. Taurus is the natural ruler of the zodiac’s second house, pumping up the prosperity even more. We think you’re gonna like the next 12 months — and possibly, so will your wallet.
Jupiter has actually been in Taurus since June 4, 2011, so the last year has been full of great changes, as it marked the beginning of a new 12-year life cycle. However, the pace has been a little fast and furious for your Taurus tastes, and now you’re ready to settle into a more stable groove. You could get a whopping offer at the June 4 lunar (full moon) eclipse in Sagittarius, your eighth house of joint ventures, investments and shared property. A financial matter that’s been brewing for the past six months comes together with a flourish at this eclipse.
On June 5, the Sun makes a rare alignment with your ruling planet, Venus — an event that happens only twice a century. The Sun governs life-force energy, while Venus is the arbiter of peace, beauty and love. When the masculine Sun meets the goddess Venus, many believe the “divine feminine” will be awakened on earth — part of the 2012 Mayan prophecies, in fact. Since the Sun and Venus are in Gemini, your financial second house, it’s likely you’ll be inspired to create a career path that also promotes world peace, bettering the planet, and respect for so-called feminine principles of compassion and interconnectedness of all living things. This is a far cry from your sign’s reputation as a cutthroat capitalist, an unfair label Taurus bears. The June 19 Gemini new moon will catalyze this even further.
LOVE & ROMANCE
Love might not be your first priority this month, and that’s OK. Your ruling planet, Venus, the love goddess, is retrograde (moving backward) May 15 through June 27. For the whole zodiac, this can be a tricky time for love. Venus is in Gemini, your second house of money, self-confidence and daily routine. During this time, you may decide to work on your own confidence, to pamper yourself a little or to focus on more practical “housekeeping” matters (like budgets and bills) with your mate.
However, the beginning of the month has a few powerful moments you won’t be able to ignore. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse sweeps through your eighth house of intimacy and permanent bonds. Eclipses bring sudden changes and unexpected events. You may decide to defy Venus retrograde and run off to City Hall (as one Taurus friend of ours recently got a “hit” that she should do — though we cautioned against it). An unplanned pregnancy is possible, and in some cases, a breakup or divorce. The eighth house rules sex, and your private life may become a pressing matter near this date. With eclipses, there’s no sitting on the fence — either you’re in or you’re out.
Not that anything will be complete surprise. This eclipse is the manifestation of events sparked at the November 25, 2011, Sagittarius solar (new moon) eclipse. Think back to last year’s holiday season and where things stood in your love life then. Whatever you’ve sown, you’ll reap near the eclipse. You might feel it’s time to do something drastic to break through stagnant energy, and perhaps you’re right. But avoid making rash moves in the days surrounding the eclipse, as its jarring energy can cause our thinking to be disoriented or unclear.
MONEY & CAREER
Financial opportunity will be rolling in between now and next June. On June 11, lucky Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your second house of work and money. This could be your most prosperous year in over a decade. It could also mark a career change, as Jupiter is the planet of new horizons. Under global Jupiter’s reign, you may relocate or travel for business, or perhaps work with a long-distance client. The key with Jupiter is to stretch beyond the familiar, so open your mind to an entirely new path. While Jupiter has been in your sign for the past year, you may have explored new options. Now you’ll be able to “pick a lane” and focus.
The June 4 Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse could seal the deal on a joint venture or bring in an unexpected windfall. Sagittarius rules your eighth house of shared finances and wealth. You’ve been building up to this moment since late November 2011, when a Sagittarius solar eclipse planted the seeds for any breakthroughs this month. It’s possible you’ll need to make a large payment or settlement, but it’s equally likely that you could find funding for a huge venture of your own near this date, or be offered a business partnership. The eighth house rules real estate and legal matters. Some Tauruses will settle a lawsuit, buy or sell property, or perhaps woo some funding from a wealthy patron. You may need to deal with a tax or credit card issue. Perhaps you’ll receive a surprising chunk of cash from an inheritance or an investment. Either way, you can expect to deal with a sum of money (either incoming or outgoing) or a promising business offer near this date.
On June 19, a second Gemini new moon (the last, a solar eclipse, was on May 20) catalyzes your cash flow even more. If you weren’t moved to figure out your career path a month ago — or you got some inklings but not the full picture — the June new moon will help further the process. Still, it could be another six-month window before everything really gels, which will happen at the November Gemini full moon (also a lunar eclipse).
Harmony with co-workers can be a little shaky this month, while peacekeeper Venus is retrograde in Gemini, your work-and-money sign. Your normal charms may fall flat, so don’t go overboard on the schmoozing (or boozing — socializing with business contacts should be done away from the bar during Venus retrograde).
Collaborations have their benefits, but choose your teammates wisely now. Foggy Neptune will be retrograde (moving backward) in Pisces, your group-activity sign, from June 4 through November 10. You may need to do extra research to make sure the people you’re bringing on board don’t have checkered pasts or hidden agendas. Can they pull their weight, or will you be left to row the boat alone, pulling your share of the responsibilities along with theirs? In the next five months, don’t sweep nagging gut feelings aside. If something rubs you the wrong way, investigate — and don’t worry about being “polite.”
How much is too much? How big should you go, and how fast? You’ll be grappling with that question for the next few months. On June 24, transformational Pluto in your expansive ninth house forms a tense “square” to change maker Uranus in your 12th house of rest and healing. The effect can be jarring, like a jerky stop-start ride that gives you whiplash. On the one hand, you want to expand on a huge level, and you’re being called to take a risk on a big vision. At the same time, your intuition is screaming at you to slow down, let things unfold naturally and look before you leap. It can be a period of chaos and confusion if you rush, so try to grow organically and be wise about the risks you take. Coupled with Neptune retrograde, your best defense is to do research, and even to meditate or visualize. Uranus in your spiritual 12th house will send divine intervention. Guides and guardian angels will block or complicate anything that isn’t in your highest interest, so if something isn’t working out according to your plans, maybe it isn’t supposed to, Taurus. Or perhaps there’s a deeper message that you’re ignoring. Pay attention!
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Are you taking your vitamins, getting your checkups and treating your body like a temple? You’ll feel the results of your self-care now, as stern Saturn is retrograde (backward) in Libra, your sixth house of health, from February 7 through June 25. The message: Quit cutting corners. You tend to run on fumes or soothe your nervous energy by overindulging, but Saturn is urging you to be a bit more regimented, adding regular mealtimes, workouts and bedtimes to your routine. If you’ve been stressed or fighting a health issue, things should improve after Saturn goes direct (forward) at the end of the month. Saturn is in Libra until October 5, so you’ve got a few more months to really take on your well-being at a fundamental level.
On June 4, the Sagittarius lunar eclipse in your rejuvenating eighth house could bring up a groundswell of buried emotions. You may also have an epiphany or spiritual breakthrough, or receive some kind of intuitive message that turns out to be spot-on. The eighth house is about rebirth, and one part of your life may need to symbolically die in order for something new to be born from the ashes. Don’t hold on, Taurus-style, to that which no longer serves you. Allow the eclipse to sweep it away or transform it into something better. This is a great time for feng shui, energy healing or a detox.
MONTHLY OVERVIEW
Kick off your shoes and tie on that gingham apron, Pisces. A long domestic cycle is about to begin. On June 11, lucky Jupiter begins a yearlong visit to Gemini, your fourth house of home and family. Jupiter’s last visit here was in 2000-2001, so think back to events of that time for clues. Either way, the next 12 months emphasize the most personal and emotional parts of your chart. You may move (perhaps even far away), start a family, become more actively involved at home, or do work that involves women, children, hospitality or private clients. Your relationship with your parents, especially your mother, can undergo a positive evolution. This could be the year that you “grow up” and see your parents as fallible humans — or create a richer and more tolerant relationship with your children.
But don’t pack away that power suit just yet, Pisces. On June 4, a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse sweeps through your 10th house of career. Exciting and even unexpected news could arrive near this date. You might find yourself thrust into the spotlight or handed a leadership role. If you’ve been paying dues for the past six months, this could be the day that it all comes together … or goes bust. Eclipses don’t half-step — they declare us either in or out. Near the June 4 eclipse, you’ll know whether it’s time to deepen your commitment and take on greater responsibility, or to find a better fit where you can be more effective.
Also on June 4, your ruling planet Neptune goes retrograde (backward) in Pisces until November 11. This can be a time of deep contemplation, soul searching … and confusion. Hazy Neptune can scramble signals between your subconscious and your rational thought streams. So while you might not want to act on impulse or intuition — at least, not without running things past a few smart mentors — it can be a fruitful time for creativity, artistic ventures, meditation and spiritual self-reflection.
LOVE & ROMANCE
Love is a mixed bag right now, but if you walk the line, you could end up on the positive side of the equation. For starters, sexy Mars is in Virgo, your relationship house, until July 3. You’re still the It girl or guy for another month, and while you may kiss a whole pond full of frogs along the way, if you stay in the fast-paced game of love, you can end up a winner. The key is not to quit! The other star-kissed transit happens on June 20, when the Sun enters Cancer, your fifth house of passion, for a month. You’ll be at your flirty finest during this time, with plenty of admirers flocking your way. Enjoy the attention!
Now, for the obstacles you’ll need to dodge. On June 4, Mars will square off with an eclipse in Sagittarius, your 10th house of career and long-term goals. It’s possible that you may not see eye-to-eye about the future with someone you’ve fallen for, Pisces. Perhaps your career is exploding, cutting into “sexy time” with your sweetheart or love interest. You’ll probably need to put everything out in the open, and perhaps even fight it out a teeny bit, to decide whether to go forward or not.
Venus is also retrograde (moving backward) in Gemini, your fourth house of home and family, until June 27. It’s possible that your relatives may disapprove of your romantic choices, or that a female friend may plant seeds of doubt in your mind. Perhaps you’ve gotten a bit too codependent with a friend or family member, calling them up with every drama. Let this be your cue, Pisces: Maybe it’s time to stop sharing every insecurity, or to quit writing magnum opus–length emails about your romantic woes, only to run back to the same person once you’ve vented to everyone on your contact list about. With Neptune going retrograde in Pisces from June 4 through November 10, you’re prone to panicky moments of self-doubt. However, you might want to enlist a good therapist to help bolster your confidence — and keep your loved ones out of it!
Lastly, uptight Saturn is retrograde in Libra, your eighth house of intimacy, from February 7 through June 25. This is yet another cue to pace yourself and to work on stabilizing your emotions. Don’t rush into cohabitation, shared bank accounts or other financial entanglements with a partner now, Pisces. If you’re getting married, you might even want to do a prenup, or at least spell things out with your assets so everything is clear. If you’re ready to move in together, you might wait until July (or October, when Saturn exits Libra altogether) — a more favorable time for new housing and living situations.
MONEY & CAREER
What’s your life direction? No small question to ponder, Pisces, but it’s probably been on your mind for the past six months. Back in late November 2011, a Sagittarius solar eclipse brought a wave of new energy to your 10th house of career, long-term goals and leadership. This sparked a small revolution — or maybe a brewing volcano — that’s been slowly building since then. On June 4, this cycle comes to a head with a Sagittarius lunar (full moon) eclipse. You may be suddenly pushed into a prominent, even public, role. If you’re debuting a project or launching a business, this would be a great “coming out” day.
Since lunar eclipses bring either endings or manifestations, it’s possible that a job may end — or that you may decide to call it quits. This could happen without warning, as eclipses are known for sudden changes. On the other hand, the change may be a deep inner knowing that you’re just … done, and that it’s time to seek greener pastures. You might even receive an amazing offer that makes the choice obvious, or possibly a promotion within your current company. Although there may be a period of confusion and even a little chaos, once the smoke clears you’ll be left with a clear idea of how to move on from any crossroads.
On June 24, working with others could get dicey when volatile Pluto and Uranus face off in a tense square angle. Pluto is in your teamwork house, and change maker Uranus is in your work-and-money sector. Someone on the team could be trying to undermine you — and you could catch this person red-handed. Or, you might just take this ceaseless tension as a cue to hand in your resignation, apply for a transfer or strike out on your own. Pluto and Uranus will square each other between now and October, so expect some changes to your income, co-worker lineup or job description during this time.
Long-term financial matters will improve after June 25, when Saturn ends a five-month retrograde (backward cycle) in Libra, your eighth house of wealth and shared resources. You may have had trouble buying or selling real estate, or perhaps you’ve been dogged by some looming expenses, like a tax bill, a mortgage or interest on a loan. Working with a financial adviser and systematizing your expenses and earnings will go a long way toward helping you feel more secure. Contracts and joint ventures may be stalled by Saturn retrograde. Use this slower cycle to do your research and due diligence — a good idea before taking any big steps forward.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL
Life is about to get a lot more personal — as if that were possible for a Pisces! But indeed, you’re going to sink down into those sit bones, take a niiiiice deep inhale through the nose, and … oops, we were channeling your yoga teacher there. Kidding aside, you’ll probably see a lot more of your Vinyasa Flow studio for the next year, while lucky Jupiter visits Gemini, your fourth house of home, family and self-care. Jupiter sparks a deeply domestic cycle — one that comes around every 12 years — from June 11 until June 25, 2013. Your nesting instincts are about to get even more mama-bird-like.
Jupiter rules expansion, adventure and long-distance travel. You may move into a bigger home, renovate your current one, buy a vacation property or move clear across the country … or the globe! The fourth house rules mothers and children, so this is a lucky year to get pregnant (whether with a partner or on your own if the so-called clock is ticking), or to get closer to your own family.
Take extra care of yourself while your ruler Neptune is retrograde (moving backward) in Pisces from June 4 through November 10. You might feel some old insecurities and shyness flaring up, or a personal project may stall. Use this time to do some deeper soul-searching if you feel yourself floundering. Think of it as an artistic or spiritual retreat. Dance, yoga, listening to music and being surrounded by nature (especially water) will help soothe your troubled soul in wayward moments.
Download "Big Spender"
Thu, 2012-05-24 18:00 — kim_messina
Can't get Jennifer Love Hewitt's version of "Big Spender" out of your head? Download the track for FREE and keep singing away!
Spend Memorial Day Weekend with "Drop Dead Diva"!
Forget barbecues and the beach — this weekend, it's all about "Diva"! Starting Saturday, May 26 at 8 pm/7c, Lifetime Movie Network (LMN) is airing eight Season 3 episodes in a row. Episodes include: "The Wedding," "Dream Big," and "Hit and Run."
For more information about LMN, click here. Season 4 of "Drop Dead Diva" premieres Sunday, June 3 at 9/8c.
What's your favorite episode from "Drop Dead Diva" Season 3?
Diva Dish Week #3: First Official Look at Season 4!
Ask and you shall receive! Fans on the official "DDD" Facebook page definitely had a lot to say about our first official look at the first episode of Season 4. The photo features April Bowlby and guest star Kim Kardashian at the juice bar, Main Squeeze. (Above, duh.)
I couldn't get over your LOL-worthy comments. So, in no particular order, I give you the best captions:
Best Movie Reference goes to... Narmaly: "I love those earrings... where'd you get them from?"
Best Reality Show Reference goes to... Kathryn: "Stacy is saying, 'Are you lost? The 'Jersey Shore' set is thataway...'"
Best Kim Kardashian joke goes to... Tina: "Really these chairs are too much they squeeze my butt! The chairs have got to go. Oh, and the color doesn't go well with my outfit. I guess that's why they calll this place Main Squeeze."
Best Diva Plug goes to... Karen: "Stacey: 'Fred?? Is that you?? What, what??' Kim: 'I have some explaining, I know. You have to understand Stacy, being a guy was just too hard so I thought I'd try this angle.'"
Best Random Observation goes to... Dana: "I think they're discussing why the font of the store name is Disney font."
And please keep them coming. Your comments are the only things holding me over to the "Drop Dead Diva" Season 4 premiere on June 3 at 9/8c. Another First Look photo will be revealed on the official "Drop Dead Diva" Facebook page on May 25, so keep checking back!
What do you think Kim Kardashian's character, Nikki, and Stacy are talking about in this photo?
Posted in: diva dish, kim kardashian, season 4
Joan Rivers to Make an Apperance Season 4!
When divas collide! Joan Rivers is set to make her "Diva" debut on a July episode of Season 4!
Joan wil play Jane’s subconscious in two episodes and will first appear in Jane's dream as a therapist. "You’re just like Madonna with her 23-year-old boyfriends. You’re not fooling anyone,” she tells Jane.
New episodes of "Drop Dead Diva" start June 3 at 9/8c! Catch up with the show by watching the "Drop Dead Diva" marathon on June 2 starting at 11 am/10c.
Since Joan Rivers is playing a shrink, what kind of advice do you think she'll give Jane?
Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images
Posted in: guest star, joan rivers, season 4
Mercury in Gemini: Double-Talk
The gift of gab is yours for the taking! Communicator Mercury enters its home sign of Gemini this week, staying until June 7. Our minds should be sharp and clear, and we’ll bandy about some interesting new ideas. This is a great time to build your own communication skills. Practice dialogue and “mirroring” (reflecting back what the other person said). Before you launch into a long-winded speech, make sure the other person is engaged and “gets” your point. Gemini rules the hands, so quiet your restless mind with crafts, playing an instrument or making a DIY project.
Posted in: mercury in gemini
!["How I Met Your Mother"](http://mylt.ltcdn.com/d6/sites/mylifetime.com/files/images/imagecache/carousel_159x119/2011/01/12/HIMYM-159x119.jpg ""How I Met Your Mother"")
