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| Taurus Month Ahead Horoscope - Results |
The Following Month Ahead Horoscopes Were Found:
1st February 2003 - 28th February 2003
February looks to be a pivotal month for your affairs. Two main areas of your solar chart are in focus - that of life-direction and finances. Of course, this does not mean that there won’t be any significant developments regarding your love life or your family it merely infers that events concerning money and your role in life should be allowed to take precedence, not off-loaded or ignored.
The month can be divided into two distinct halves - the first creating a harmonious climate for your activities and the second a rather more volatile atmosphere. The phrase push-comes-to-shove could well apply from the 14th onwards and since you are a sign who finds it difficult to shift its opinion, let alone leave an old way of life behind, being open to change and operating under a policy of non-resistance can only help. Perhaps you are already planning to leave a job or to take an unprecedented step, in which case the alignments between the 14th and 21st will clear the way for you to do so. But if you are hanging on to a situation by a thread, these influences will surely set you free. Then again, it is entirely possible that your life continues in much the same way - neither any great highs nor any serious lows - but you will instead be witnessing other people’s dramas and dilemmas.
Especially if you have a birthday around the 30th April or the 19th May you appear to have reached a cross-roads. Some decisions will now be made for you while others are very much up to you. Of course, you will need time to draw your conclusions and there could still be more water to go under the bridge but my gut feeling is that you too should follow your gut feelings. You’re never going to be happy living a compromise.
1st January 2003 - 31st January 2003
After the joys of Christmas with your nearest and dearest, getting away from it all may be all you have in mind. And with the ninth house of overseas travel in the frame some Taureans may indeed be heading off to foreign shores. But, if you have responsibilities, commitments and a large depression in your bank account, thoughts of distant places will have to remain just that - thoughts! Nevertheless, there is much you can do to cheer yourself in the sense of planning for the future and putting a determinedly positive face on certain situations.
As I mentioned in my year-ahead column to you, Uranus will be moving from his commanding position at the top of your chart in March so there will be a less volatile atmosphere surrounding your life in general and your career in particular. However, before this planet moves on it forms key angles to Venus (3rd), Mars (12th) and the sun (late February). And it is around these dates that you could experience a sudden change in your circumstances. Technically, it is the area of relationships in which this change is likely to be felt, whether Uranus brings a new romance into being or whether he upsets the relationship apple-cart. Especially if you have a late May birthday January's events could give rise to a brand new relationship order - and it is one your should feel happy about, regardless of how or who brings it in.
Mercury's retrograde motion (2nd - 23rd) may slow down the wheels of commerce and communication so you will have to be your patient, stoical self when it comes to making personal and professional connections and getting from A to B. Where you will gain from this planetary development is that you will have a longer time to sort out a complicated matter and you may well uncover some valuable information quite by chance.
On the 20th the sun arrives at the zenith of you horoscope all set for a month when you will be focusing on your ambitions and meeting people of power and influence.
1st March 2003 - 31st March 2003
March 10th is an important date in the Taurus diary: Uranus moves away from his all-dominant position at the zenith of your solar chart, thereby ending a seven-year period of severe ups and downs. During this time you may have gone down routes that you might not have chosen, nevertheless you have profited by them and certainly been enriched spiritually by them. For many Taureans the focus of the Uranian ups and downs has been career and role in life so while you may not experience an overnight change of fortune in regard to your job, increasingly your career will be less subject to sudden ruptures and inexplicable diversions. And in general life will throw fewer curved balls in your direction.
Now, before you get carried away by the idea that March is a month of uninterrupted joy and merry-making there is a small matter of Saturn and Pluto to deal with. These two planets may be moving away from each other but they are still related and in March they form the cornerstone of some major configurations. These alignments are at their closest, and therefore their most effective, between the 8th and 18th. And like all blockbuster aspects they have the capacity to bring about great and good events every bit as much as the difficult ones. Clearly, we can expect to see some major international events at this time - much as we did in the mid-to-late February period when there was a similar astrological cluster effect - and it may be that you too will be on the receiving end of some important developments.
Creative ventures, collaborative efforts and friendships are in the main frame - a new partnership for some Taureans, a change in the direction of an established association for others. Great ideas may be born and opportunities to change your life for the better could arise suddenly and in unexpected ways. You may have to be extra cautions with financial agreements and if you depend on other people for money this is not a month to play fast and loose with them. There could be developments in the money markets that make for changes in business and financial institutions, so you would be wise to make yourself as financially independent as possible. Handled in the right way these influences will help make you stronger and more secure - by leaving things too late or putting your trust in people who and organizations that are rotten at the core you could weaken your position.
From the 21st life lightens up - signs of a new season can be glimpsed.
1st April 2003 - 30th April 2003
The sun remains tucked away in the reclusive twelfth house of your solar chart, thus earmarking a period when you may feel somewhat introspective and more vulnerable. (This trend will peter out as soon as the sun enters your own sign on the 20th.) However, just because you are feeling a tad fragile doesn’t mean life has to come to a stop or that any planned major events are going to be a wash-out. This just supplies an explanation for any feelings of anxiety and any uncharacteristic desire to keep yourself to yourself. What you may like to take advantage of is the access you will have to the inner world - the world of dreams and intuitions. Your unconscious speaks to you loud and clear during this time and you should pay a lot more attention to your dreams and obey your instincts.
Health matters should now be brought to the top of your list of must-do’s: April is an excellent month to seek medical advice over long-term problems and to find ways to become generally healthier and fitter. The full moon of the 16th will highlight any flaws in the system and rather than ignore them you should mount a full-blown campaign to resolve them.
Money and friendship are also themes for April, whether you can combine these two factors, perhaps joining forces with a friend/friends for a business/creative endeavour, or it may be that money comes between you and a friend. The period between the 11th and 19th is the one to watch for any tensions in relationships and any issues to reach a head.
Mercury will be in your sign from the 5th onwards, so the onus is on you to communicate your ideas, plans and feelings. You may do more traveling this month and you are likely to be bringing people together, whether for business or pleasure. You may also be signing contracts or preparing written agreements. If so, try to accomplish as much as you can before the 26th when Mercury turns retrograde and delays and misinformation begin to proliferate.
1st May 2003 - 31st May 2003
Birthday month for many Taureans and an eventful one for almost all celestial Bulls. And why? Well, a lunar eclipse (the sun in your sign, the moon in Scorpio) is sure to make exciting biting, and it will certainly bring a simmering situation to a head.
Indeed, May could turn out to be the most dynamic month of the year so far, although February probably had its moments. Not only the sun and Mercury in your sign, forging powerful links to Neptune on the Mid-heaven of your solar chart, but Mars up there too, affecting the course of certain situations, if not your entire life-path. And especially if your birthday falls around the 3rd or 15th May either you are in for a perfectly magical time, or one when stranger-then-fiction events upset your carefully-laid plans.
Clearly, if you have a big date in your diary for May - a wedding or christening for instance - the alignments will reflect all that magic, but if you are already concerned about the direction in which a certain situation appears to be heading, now would be the time to confront your fears and endeavour to set matters to rights. Neptune aspects urge us to seek the truth - invariably something which lies behind the appearance of situations - and during May you should be suspicious about offers and statements that sound too good to be true and questioning about information that seems overly negative.
On the 16th Venus enters your sign, thereby beginning a four-week period when life should be more sociable and pleasure-oriented. Venus should enhance your image and help you beat the competition - it should also increase your sex appeal. And it may be that your love life experiences a dramatic improvement from this point. My only hesitation here is the presence of the 16th’s lunar eclipse on the relationship axis. Although full moons are coincident with closure and completion, and therefore entirely appropriate for marriages and engagements, they can also produce relationship crises. And even if the 16th comes and goes with no discernable change in a relationship, especially if your birthday falls on or near the 16th, within the next three months you should expect a key development in the life of your partner or a seminal event in the relationship.
On the 20th, little Mercury gets its act together, righting the wrongs of earlier problems with transport, travel and communications.
1st May 2003 - 1st May 2003
Due to unforeseen circumstances, this months forecast has been delayed!
Please call back again soon.
Penny
1st June 2003 - 30th June 2003
Since mid-May the cosmos has been in a state of upheaval and while you may have welcomed some events of the past few weeks - and may still have much to look forward to - if you are feeling somewhat beleaguered, it’s no surprise to your astrologer!
Until the 10th Venus remains in your sign doing her best to smooth over the cracks in relationships and light your fire any which way she can but after that you will have to rely on your own confidence and dynamism. Self-worth is going to be the big issue for June, whether this translates as situations that challenge your sense of self or events that place a huge focus on finances. The periods around the 9th, 14th and 23rd are the ones to watch, because these will either produce breakthroughs or reveal weak spots in your reckonings. You have had considerable practice at changing course and learning to let live and let go, so you will experience no difficulty in applying such strategies now, will you? In many ways, with all the personal planets in the Eastern sector of your solar chart, you are the one with the control. It’s up to you to call the shots.
On the 4th Saturn exits the money zone of your chart (breathe a huge sigh of relief) and begins to exert an influence on communications - an area in which he can do much good. If you have been toying with the idea of acquiring qualifications or desiring to add to your bank of knowledge and skills, this planet will help you achieve your goals. The down side to Saturn’s transit of this chart area is likely to emerge in situations that challenge your hope and faith, whether this applies quite literally in that you will need to revisit your religious philosophies or whether your blue-prints for the future, and your long-held opinions and outlook, will be tried and tested. And you may well get an appetizer of things to come around the 24th of June. Indeed, these last seven days of June are full of surprises!
Finally, with Mars entering the zone of friendship and teamwork on the 17th you are beginning a long phase when combining your energies and pooling your resources will be necessary to the fulfillment of a project. You may also experience a little more friction in your working relationships and close friendships. Well, that’s Mars for you: think part of life, not all of it.
1st July 2003 - 31st July 2003
July is a far more settled month than June, so although we cannot say the astrology is perfect and guaranteed to make each day a sheer joy, you should be able to resolve some worries and make progress in the right direction. Indeed, with the bulk of the personal planets in the area of travel and communications this could be one month where you get to see a lot more of your world, and acquire knowledge and information. Sometimes Taurus remains overly attached to familiar surroundings and die-hard opinions but if nothing else, July’s stars encourage you to move away from old ground and change your outlook.
The first eight days of July bring Saturn into the foreground, and Saturn spells R.E.A.L.I.T.Y. Now, although you are one of the more rational and reliable members of the zodiac even you can develop tunnel vision about certain situations, so it may be that the beginning of the month produces events that reveal where you have run out of road. A hard decision may have to be made and maybe you will have to accept that you can go no further with a relationship or an endeavour. Consolidation is key when Saturn is strong.
On the 13th a full moon flanking the communications axis of your solar chart could signal the signing of a contract or the resolution of a disagreement. And while this may not be the best day of the month for travel and sweet-talking, it is nonetheless a positive one for reaching conclusions and understandings. On the same day, Mercury arrives at the base of your chart thereby beginning a six-week season of key events on the domestic front. You could think of this period of the year as one where you begin afresh so that by the time the sun reaches the same point (23rd) your focus should be firmly on laying foundation stones of new projects. You may already have chosen the latter period of July through to the end of August as a family time - one when there are get-togethers and discussions about the future of the family as a whole and one family member in particular. The weekend on the 26th looks to be an especially happy time and one when events produce high hopes.
1st August 2003 - 31st August 2003
If you’re a home bunny, you’re going to love August; and if you’re not, well, events could persuade you otherwise! The sun passes through the area of home and family helping you tackle domestic issues and making you aware of the importance of relative values!
The 12th’s full moon straddles the life-direction axis of your solar chart, thereby bringing a chapter to an end and opening up a new one. The most obvious expression of this full moon would be a house move or a job change, but any way in which a change of routine and focus comes in is a reflection of this astrological event, and therefore of benefit.
Since August last year Jupiter has been gracing the base of your chart so many Taureans have experienced a sense of expansion in regard to their home and family life. But others have seen no such increase. However, just before Jupiter changes signs (27th) it connects to both the sun and Venus giving a final almighty push, so to speak. What you may find is that decisions made then or actions taken lead to great and good developments in the future. Certainly events that take place between the 21st and 30th carry a weightier significance than you might at first think. In my heart of hearts I feel highly positive about the developments of the latter part of August but should you hit a bump in the road at that time, the change of life-course that they inspire will prove beneficial in the long run.
The mid-to-latter part of August is also a time to have fun and find pleasure, and there’s a little more romance to life. Indeed, in view of September’s more powerful and profound alignments, you should take advantage of the free time you have and those opportunities to be with family and loved ones. Make hay while the sun shines, as it were!
1st September 2003 - 30th September 2003
On the face of it this should be the month when the pursuit of pleasure and happiness is top of your agenda but while you may still get a whole lot out of social events and those things which make you feel glad to be alive, there could be some tough stuff to deal with too. Between the 5th and 17th an alignment involving Pluto brings to the surface hidden issues so aside from the welcome prospect of finding a lost object or running into someone you haven’t seen for years, you could be confronting a major blot on the landscape. The 10th is quite the most intense day of these twelve and with the full moon cutting across the creative axis of your solar chart then, it seems that a project or an association that has been ‘cooking’ for some time is ready to emerge from the ‘oven’.
On the plus side, this twelve day period will give you the wherewithal to complete major tasks and to resolve a sticky problem, but if you were hoping for an easy and ripple-free September - at least around the 10th and 17th - you may have somewhat of a surprise. To add to the complexity of it all Mercury will be retrograding until the 20th so getting information will be challenging and there are likely to be delays with transport and transportation.
From the 20th life eases up a bit and you may well find that what was puzzling or difficult to swallow earlier in the month appears to be a lot more straight-forward and not without some real advantages. As per usual when the cosmos gives us challenging aspects to deal with, the good events are FAB but the bad ones leave behind a somewhat bitter taste.
1st October 2003 - 31st October 2003
This is a working month, by which I mean not only that you may well have a considerable amount of work to do but also by working through situations, rather than abandoning them or delegating them, you will make terrific progress. It is a month of sifting and sorting, of freeing up space and tying up loose ends. It is also a period when getting your health in balance is advised and if you have been putting off implementing a new and improved exercise and fitness programme, you should wait no more. Use this planetary tail wind to get motivated and motoring.
Aspects to Saturn on the 6th and 14th are intended to awaken you to a few facts that you may be missing: around these dates you may feel less than positive about life in general and one situation in particular but these are times when working through your challenges is mandatory. Much the same could be said about the 10th and 25th, which are also periods when there seem to be more obstacles than free tickets around. Do your best to keep the lines of communication open and to look for alternatives to apparently deadlocked situations. They will be there.
Not that October is all about work! the lovely Venus will enter the zone of love and relating on the 9th so you have an ace in the hand when it comes to negotiations of the business or romantic kind. Indeed the 10th and weekend of the 18th would be perfect days upon which to marry or make music with someone to whom you are fiercely attracted. The only problem with the period around the 18th is that Neptune could not only make the climate very romantic but it could put a blanket over your common sense, thus rendering you blind to someone’s faults or susceptible to deceptions of one sort or another.
The new moon of the 25th falls in the relationship area so from this point a new cycle begins for partnerships and associations - a shot in the arm for established unions and the signals for new contacts to come in.
1st November 2003 - 30th November 2003
The sun’s passage through the seventh house of the horoscope brings relationships in general and your love life in particular into the frame. And with a solar eclipse to boot, November could turn out to be the singlemost important month for changes in the relationship status-quo and for events in other people’s lives to impact on you.
Some six months ago, a lunar eclipse took place in your sign - that is to say the sun was in Taurus and the moon in Scorpio; now the positions are reversed so that the moon is in your sign and the sun in Scorpio. Quite how this will pan out in terms of your life’s experience will vary from Taurean to Taurean but in many cases there will be a direct link between the events of May and those of early-mid November. Technically, with the moon in your sign on the 8th/9th you have the ‘upper hand’ in your dealings with others but eclipses are powerful things and to be on the safe side you should avoid giving ultimatums or pushing people over the edge, unless you can live with the consequences. And if you’d like a little more information about why November is a crucial month for all of us, please go to my new article on this website - Harmonic Convergences, Eclipses and other awe-inspiring matters.
Finances are another area of key importance in November. Yet another eclipse here (23rd) and a series of challenging aspects produce a climate of extremes - some great gains for a few Taureans and a bit of a cash-flow crisis for many. New financial agreements and salary structures can be successful achieved from the 12th, although you may find the negotiations themselves tough going.
At best this is a period when all sorts of pending matters can be resolved and you can see where you go from here but at worst, something (most probably relationship-shaped) could be upended.
1st December 2003 - 31st December 2003
As one of the more solvent and certainly economically-prudent signs of the zodiac, you should welcome early December’s opportunities to set the financial record straight. Around the 8th you should be able to reach a settlement with a partner, an ex or an organization, and in general you’ll have a better idea of your true financial position. Indeed, this is an excellent time to make decisions of a financial or relationship nature and to end arrangements that are too costly. If, by any chance, this first half of December exposes a financial difficulty, try not to get too depressed about the situation - by the second half of January you should be on your way to resolving it. However, do not be tempted to go the route of quick-fixes and high interest rates - not that you would, would you?
December’s stars are somewhat of an improvement on November’s but they are still far from perfect. There are major aspects to Pluto and Saturn - put a red ring in your diary around the 13th, 22nd and 31st - and these planets have a real talent for exposing the debris under the carpet, so to speak. If people are in confrontation mode and less than easy to deal with, avoid fighting fire with fire: just wait until the dust settles. If you have any important meetings around these dates, go prepared for some tough talking and life-defining actions.
On the 17th, Mercury turns retrograde - and since this is so close to Christmas it is an iron-clad certainty that you’ll meet with travel and transportation delays. Do your best to complete any contracts before the 17th, otherwise you’ll be hanging fire until the second half of January.
New Year looks a little downbeat this year. Maybe you’ve done too much partying and by the 31st you are in the mood to be a couch potato, however, events of the last couple of months may have zapped your optimism so that celebration seems somewhat inappropriate. My recommendation is to head for a far away holiday spot as we turn into 2004 - and to hell with retrograde Mercury!
1st January 2004 - 31st January 2004
With the sun in the ninth house of overseas travel, if you’re not going or returning from distant parts you could be thinking about them, and making real plans to get away at some future date. And given the less than exuberant opening to 2004, getting away from it all might seem like a truly brilliant idea!
Of course, the ninth house of the horoscope has other meanings aside from travel: it relates to the power of the mind to change the perception of situations and it enables you to create blueprints for the future. During the first seven days, you may not feel as optimistic as usual - perhaps the weather is inclement or you are suffering from post-Christmas trauma! - but once the full moon of the 7th has faded, you should begin to get back your spark. Indeed a brilliant sun-Jupiter trine on the 9th could preside over an entirely happy event.
If I have some advice for you in January, it would be to think outside the box for solutions and to broaden the scope of your life. I know that the normal trend for this month is to play catch-up with finances and duties but you can still do this while opening up your mind to new possibilities. With Jupiter resident in the fifth house of self-expression and creativity you have nine months left in which to reveal dormant talents and to find more joy in life - and to a certain extent this means not being a prisoner of your need for security and stability. In order to find fulfilment, you are going to have to take a risk. OK? And that could mean an emotional, financial or professional risk.
From the 20th the area of career and life-direction swings into prominence and with a new moon here on the 21st, a new job or a new phase for your working life is signalled. Certainly, from this point on you should be focusing on your dreams and ambitions, and endeavouring to put flesh on the bones of ideas and plans.
The month ends on a far happier and more productive note than it began.
1st February 2004 - 29th February 2004
February is anything but a laid-back month: with zesty Mars entering your sign on the 2nd - and staying until 20th March - you’ll be fired with ambition and on the go. Certainly, if you’ve needed the green light for a project, here it comes with knobs on. However, you’ll also need to be prepared for the occasional skirmish and a degree of opposition to your plans.
Not only Mars but also the sun and its passage through the tenth house of career and aspirations raise your energy and determination levels. Some Taureans will see their career prospects change and this is a premium period to job hunt and to discuss your future with superiors. The full moon of the 6th flanks the life-direction axis, thereby signalling the end of a chapter, principally on the career or home front. If, around the 2nd, you have cause to be concerned about the future of an association or an enterprise, while it may indeed be the time to let go and move on, there could be a hidden factor that would make a difference to your view of the situation. Therefore, check and double check news and information before making a judgement.
Valentine’s Day is under the auspices of Saturn - not, perhaps the jolliest and most romantic of the planets - so you will need to keep a sense of proportion when it comes to gestures of affection and/or undying love. Loved ones may not be as forthcoming as you had hoped and there could be some disappointment with events. The exception here is if you are marrying on or near this date: Venus and Saturn make a very binding combination - just what you need when you’re signing on the dotted line.
From the 19th Uranus comes on board so life will be ever so slightly stir-crazy. You’re not one of the risk-takers of the zodiac but you could be a witness to someone else’s reckless or selfish behaviour in this latter part of the month. There is no point trying to prevent someone from taking a course that he or she is determined to take, so you should stand by with the first-aid kit - and I’m talking metaphorically here.
A month of movement and growth.
1st March 2004 - 31st March 2004
The celestial Bull is largely a placid, well-meaning creature, unless, of course, someone waves a red rag in its direction. Then, we see some attitude. And this little metaphor may well help you prepare for a March of red rags, in whatever form they may appear. Perhaps, more truly, March is a month of confronting reality and looking at issues that have been hidden under the carpet, and, once things have come into the light, they will be far easier to deal with.
The area of friendship and collaboration is in the frame, so you can expect your most revealing moments to come through your interaction with a colleague or companion. On the plus side, thanks to the alignments of the 4th-12th, you may be able to bring a new endeavour into being or see the efforts of the last few months come to fruition: on the minus side, if someone is less than happy with a situation or information/feelings have been suppressed, you’re likely to find out in no uncertain terms. And even if life is hunky-dory for you during the first half of March, you may well experience some flak from people who are having a truly tough time.
Venus graces your sign from the 5th. This planet increases your desire for beauty and harmony in life, so you may find yourself buying clothes and making the most of your assets. Romance could also come back on the map. Indeed aspects around the 17th are the stuff of happy events and beautiful moments. And since Mars is also in your sign (until the 20th) you are in one of the best phases of the year for meeting someone who lights your fire and/or sparking up an established relationship.
After the 20th the sun enters the low key twelfth house, earmarking the beginning of a four-week period when health issues come to the fore and you need to re-charge the batteries, every which way. And if March has turned out to be a month of same old, same old, maybe events around the 29th will change your tune!
1st April 2004 - 30th April 2004
Sensible, sure and practical Taurus is not at home when the sun transits the subterranean world of the twelfth house - and I’m speaking in metaphors here. All right, one or two of you may be literally away from home territory but the majority is simply feeling its way through a short season of mists and melancholic moments! Nothing quite adds up during a twelfth house transit: you yourself could be less than your perky best and other people don’t seem to be helping. Until the 19th, when the sun enters your own sign, don’t fight any inclinations to rest and relax, and avoid situations that and people who stress you out - adopt the philosophy that time spent in reflection and repose will not be wasted.
The period up until the 19th is one when you should put your physical and mental health first and just about everything else second: it is a time when the inner world of dreams and intuitions plays an important part in your life - revealing the subtle dimensions to situations and helping you create the foundations of future plans: it’s time to feed the muse-within. Adding to the generally blurry climate is little Mercury who does a backwards flip on the 6th and remains in reverse mode until the 30th. I’m not a hundred percent sure that you should put anything and everything on the back burner but any difficulty is going to be easier to handle once the sun has entered your sign (19th). Also, if you have a mind-set that expects everything to take its time and for situations not to add up, you’ll be in a much better space to deal with those things that refuse to come together in April.
Venus and Mars continue to grace the area of finance and self-worth, so there could be some much better news of the money front and if you’re considering buying or selling a property, the period between now and end June could prove very fruitful. Also, personal and professional relationships should be going from strength to strength, albeit on a subtle level.
The last ten days of April are the most ‘happening’, and you may find that what refused to make sense or come together earlier in the month, sorts itself out in these last few days. Indeed, there is a real push-comes-to-shove feel about the period between the 21st and 30th. The weekend of the 24th is under powerful and transformational alignments, whether a difficulty is completed reversed at this time or whether an investment (financial or emotional) turns out to be rather bigger and more complex than you had imagined.
1st May 2004 - 31st May 2004
The month opens on a powerful note, after which, everything else may seem like an anti-climax. Certainly, if it is your birthday between the 1st and 7th, you can anticipate a year of terrific change, some of it extremely unexpected, and much of it linked to your love life in particular and relationships in general.
The total lunar eclipse of the 4th, harks back to the previous one that took place some six months ago, so it may be that the events of this May have their origins in those of last November. Relationships are in the frame in this early to mid-May period, making it a premium period for Taurean nuptials, yet also a time when ailing relationships are likely to collapse. Tough aspects test relationships, and while some get stronger through any crisis, others fall apart under the pressure. By contrast, should someone new enter your life around the time of the eclipse, you can be sure such a person will have a powerful role to play in your life - he or she will act as your teacher.
While the eclipsed full moon of the 4th closes a chapter, the new moon of the 19th opens a new one. Whether an opportunity or offer presents itself around the 19th, this is a good time to set in motion new ventures and to begin new regimes of one sort or another. Indeed, if there is a theme for May it is: out with the old and in with the new.
1st June 2004 - 30th June 2004
Well, it doesn’t get more volatile than this, so hang onto your hat, Taurus. One of your great comforts during this month of ups and downs is that the whole zodiac is under Uranus and Pluto, and therefore few are exempt from hassle and hiccups! Another comfort, is that you get the worst over with first, since the most challenging planetary activity occurs between the 1st and 17th. Nevertheless, if you want to make it through to the end of June without a blot on your copy-book, go very carefully every day and treat everyone with kid gloves.
Technically, the main area of growth or stress is finances. On the one hand, this is a good month to purchase/sell a property or to arrange financial loans, but, on the other, you could face an unexpectedly large bill or someone could make life very difficult for you money-wise. Taurus is renowned for being an excellent money manager so, unless you have been misled by an individual or an organization, you should be able to get the better side of these alignments, which amounts to financial gains.
Since other people may well be dealing with unexpected developments and difficulties, they could make life rather hard work for you. Therefore you will need to be more tolerant and philosophical about people’s behaviour, and any changes or disappointments they may bring about. Then, of course, there is the global situation, which could get very concerning under these alignments.
A month for the memory books.
1st July 2004 - 31st July 2004
Get your skates on, Taurus, July is all about travel and setting things in motion. Not that you’ll experience the smoothest of rides during the first ten days... At this time, a full moon (2nd) and a sun-Saturn conjunction (8th) combine to make progress slow and convoluted, yet what you achieve under these influences should stand the test of time. Early July sends home the message that you have to work hard in order to achieve your goals: in some cases, this will manifest quite literally in the way of studying, taking exams or putting the final touches toward an endeavour or event; but in other cases, this first half of the month reveals where there are errors and failings. You may have a difficult journey to make, whether in terms of travel or in the sense of reaching an understanding. But it is all to your good in the long run. Promise.
Mars and Mercury will be at the base of your chart for much of the month, so there is a strong accent on family matters. After a period of extreme strangeness (10th - 16th) a mystery is cleared up and you get to see why there were delays or why someone was not prepared to make a commitment. Neptune’s participation in cosmic events at this time makes for confusion and even duplicity and betrayal; however, this planet also raises the spiritual temperature, leading to some magic moments in a romance. This mid-July period is also one when operating from the higher-self achieves some extraordinary breakthroughs.
July and August are both months when you can make progress with domestic and family concerns: with this in mind the full moon of the 31st could be highly significant. At this point, a small or large chapter comes to an end: this may manifest as a home move, a development that changes the life of a member of the family, or it may simply bring a simmering issue to boiling point, thereby setting the stage for resolution and enabling you to move on.
1st August 2004 - 31st August 2004
You may not need me to tell you that the home and family are going to dominate your August agenda, but just in case you do, as far as the astrology is concerned, this is the period of the year for focusing on relative values and getting your house in order! Maybe you are one of many Taureans moving house or renovating and refurbishing, if so, there are bound to be some moments when you feel that it’s all going wrong and you have bitten off more than you can chew - take the weekend of the 1st August and the period between the 16th and 27th for instance - but, in time you will realize the wisdom of your decisions, and you will be glad of the changes that events - some of them deeply unplanned - inspired.
Mercury will be retrograding from the 10th until the end of the month so August is not going to be the easiest month on record for travel. You may be delayed, experience detours, and if people can be obstructive, they will be. On the other hand, if you’ve had enough of the rat-race, August is a time to take the pedal off the metal and retreat. Especially around the 10th, a past connection could make a re-appearance, and by digging into the past, you could come up with buried treasure, either in the form of a lost object or hidden information.
The new moon of the 16th sets a new cycle in motion for home and family life, and for some Taureans a new arrival is indicated here. Certainly, you should be busy ringing in the changes on the home front and you need to be laid-back about family members who will not tow the line, or who become a source of conflict. All this will pass!
By the 17th Uranus is in charge, so people will not prove predictable and there will be all sorts of unexpected developments, some of them on an international scale and others rather more personal. As I said, ring in the changes.
1st September 2004 - 30th September 2004
Boredom will not be your problem in September - indeed, this could be the most happening month of 2004.
September gets off to a great start: Mercury turns direct on the 2nd so a return to sanity and normal service can be expected. That's the good news: the bad news is that the return to normal may be short-lived. From the 7th, planet Pluto will be in the ascendancy and we can all expect to see some turbulent developments in national and international affairs. Pluto is currently in your solar house of finances, so it is this area of life that is most likely to reveal a pattern of booms and slumps - there could be some great opportunities to make and invest money, but outgoings could be jumbo-sized, and any current negotiations with financial institutions or ex-partners are likely to be tough and uncompromising. My advice is to expect to receive less than you want or need, then you will be over the moon over any major wins. Also, don't fight fire with fire or resist the inevitable - make it easy on yourself and withdraw gracefully!
There is also a large concentration of planets in the zone of creativity: this suggests September is a sociable month, and one when meetings with people on a personal or professional level could lead to great things. You are more entrepreneurial this month, and may well bring a new project into being. And talking of bringing something new into being! some Taureans could be about to hear the patter of tiny feet.
By the 22nd, Pluto will have done his best and worst, and life should begin to take on a more peaceful hue - indeed there could be something to celebrate by the end of the month.
1st October 2004 - 31st October 2004
After the deluge that was September come the sweet breezes of October. Well, maybe sweet is an overstatement, but my meaning should be clear: October's stars are a vast improvement on September's.
Planets in the area of work, service and health make this a month to set your life in ship-shape order. Attention to detail is crucial, whether we're talking about planning an event, doing some decorating or establishing the finer points of contracts and agreements. Health worries should be attended to and if you have been yearning to be fitter, stronger, leaner or shapelier, this is the month to start your campaign. Much could be happening on the work front, whether this translates as projected job changes, talks aimed at improving your career situation or plainly and simply, lots of work. The eclipse of the 14th may well bring a new person into the workplace or an unexpected development could change your routine, if not a lot more besides!
Venus will be moving through the creative and romantic fifth house, so this could be quite a sociable and loving month for many Taureans. New romantic interests may appear in your life, and even an established relationship could get back its magic. There could also be some happy developments linked to children and creative endeavours.
The total lunar eclipse of the 28th is the single most important astro-event of October, and it has an echo of May about it. By which I mean, developments and decisions that took place in May could have a bearing on the events of late October. A relationship could be the reason this period looks so crucial - especially if you have an early May birthday - and it appears the time has come to take or break your vows!
1st November 2004 - 30th November 2004
The sun's transit of the relationship zone means that your life is not your own in November. Other people's problems and other people's needs and opinions are going to take precedence and you'll need to set your mind in please and placate mode. On the 22nd, lovely Venus heads into the same area so your patience will be rewarded and there could be some very happy and romantic events to look forward to in December.
On the 28th October there was a total lunar eclipse in your sign, so especially if you have a late April birthday, November's developments could prove crucial to the future of a close association, whether this translates as making a liaison more permanent and legal or taking a leave of absence from a toxic relationship. And, whenever your birthday, November's alignments promise to bring out the best and worst in partnerships.
By far the most interesting period of the month falls between the 20th and 30th - a series of powerful aspects involving Saturn and Uranus bring old orders to an end and begin new ones, however, these two planets are hardly the jolly uncles of the planetary family, and even when you know events are good for you, they can be a pain to go through. Certainly, events on the world's stage could be surprising at least during this time and catastrophic at worst. (Not the time to book a time share on Mount St Helens, or Mount Olympus for that matter.) But these things aside, November's stars shake you out of a rut, in some cases in the most passionate and pleasing of ways.
1st December 2004 - 31st December 2004
Two areas of your solar chart stand out in December - first, the relationship zone and second the financial sector. Venus and Mars - such a sexy duo - light up the seventh house of relating until the 16th and 25th respectively, so if you're looking for lurve this is not the time to play blushing violet and leave those party invitations languishing on the mantelpiece. Some Taureans may be looking forward to a romantic event already in the diary while others will be happily surprised by a proposal or an unplanned romantic treat. Established relationships will benefit from this same combo, and in general you should find other people kinder, more generous and more supportive than they have been of late. The only problem with Mars in this area is that sometimes this planet reveals an enemy and creates rather too much static in a relationship. If this is indeed the case, avoid making irrevocable decisions on or near the weekend of the 12th.
Joint finances and financial institutions play a part in December's stars. Aside from discussions (or is that arguments?) with partners about money, a loan could be sorted and financial commitments begun or ended. However, with Mercury, the planet of commerce and communications, in retrograde until the 20th, some of the negotiations could prove frustrating and it may take until the New Year to sign on the dotted line, so to speak.
With retrograde Mercury travel is sure to have its little problems, and while you may not experience endless delays and cancellations you will be ahead of the game if you post early for Christmas and never leave a trip until the last moment. Also, if someone appears to be distancing himself/herself from you try not to fuss about it: once Mercury rights itself he or she will be back in touch, or at least ready to talk turkey.
And talking of turkey... The Christmas weekend takes place under a full moon so the theme of closure and completion will be redolent in events. And with Mars and Uranus in square for New Year's Eve, this may be one Christmas season you won't forget in a hurry. Out with the old, in with the new...
1st January 2005 - 31st January 2005
Now, I hate to disappoint you at the start of a brand new year, but at least I'm not promising you roses then having to apologize for the thistles! Uranus and Pluto greet the New Year, which means happy events will be over-the-top happy while difficulties will turn into Matterhorns. The eighth house of financial and emotional relationships is in the frame, so if you're not in love and in the money, you could be looking for both, and with a degree of desperation! Now, before you press the panic button, as you may know, aspects to Uranus, Pluto et al, though trying at the time, invariably lead to happy events a little further down the line. And the New Year theme of out with the old and in with the new could be particularly appropriate in light of the aspects to Pluto at the start of January and at the end of the month.
As far as finances go, this is a month for a radical overhaul: around the 10th, 13th and 25th settlements can be reached and new agreements struck, and while there may be some huge bargains to be had in the high street, there could be some jumbo sized bills also. Regarding relationships: the good get better while the not so good take a bit of a nosedive. Confrontations may well be in order around the 2nd and 28th - another of those times to know whether an ultimatum is merely a gesture or a firm intention.
Until the 19th the sun will be in the ninth house of far horizons, so if you're not taking a holiday or business trip to distant parts, you could be planning one for the future. And although I have been somewhat dour about the aspects earlier in the month, the events they generate could take you far in the future.
From the 19th, career and ambitions occupy the spotlight - time to set about finding greater job fulfilment and generally pursuing your mainstream goals, pursuits that should be greeted with success next month. Indeed, the full moon of the 25th January could end a pattern of employment or a long life chapter on the home or career front.
1st February 2005 - 28th February 2005
Welcome to February! And I choose my opening sentence with care. This looks to be one of the best months of 2005, and even if you don't get all you want and more, February's stars are a vast improvement on January's.
The 10th house of your solar chart is in the frame, which means your ambitions and role in life take precedence. This is a premium month to seek job improvements and to take a more prominent role, either in connection with your career or in your personal/social life. There will be other periods of the year when you can put your feet up and have fun, but this is the time to go for broke with your aims and material ambitions. Those with birthdays on or near the 8th May could prove to be the exception to the rule here since blurry Neptune will be on top form, so there could be some strange developments to cope with and a degree of self-doubt and uncertainty to overcome. Of course, Neptune is the most spiritual of the planets so the upside for this birthday group is the potential to realize a dream and to experience an enchanting moment.
Neptune is much in evidence on the weekend of the 12th, and since this is close to Valentine's Day, this could turn out to be a very romantic time of the month - perfect for meeting someone new and making magic with someone special. The only problem with Neptune is that he is also often present when disappointments occur, so my advice is, unless you are getting married in February or announcing your engagement, don't set too much store by what happens (or doesn't happen) on Valentine's Day - there will be other periods of the year when romance flowers and partners show how much they love and adore you.
Mars is in a helpful angle to your sign, and in the area of far horizons, so many Taureans could be travelling far this month or making plans to do so later in the year. You can also gain distance and perspective on various life issues. Indeed, this Mars transit is the perfect antidote to any Neptunian muddles and pessimism.
The 20th marks the beginning of an astrological sea-change: Uranus comes on board with his usual brief to awaken and enlighten - even though this tends to manifest as out of the blue events that upset our equilibrium. A friendship or collaboration could be the focus for any change or controversial development so, during the last week of the month, be ready and prepared for anyone and anything!
1st March 2005 - 31st March 2005
With the sun in the area of friendship and fulfilment, and Mars in the zone of travel and far horizons, March could be the month of 2005 for high days and holidays. Could being the operative word. Somewhat inconveniently, the cosmos has seen fit to put in place a prevailing alignment involving the mighty Pluto, so lightness and mirth is going to be in short supply this month. By contrast, those matters that have been on the back burner could now be ready to boil and bubble.
Taurus tends to be a sign that likes to stay put: it values constancy and continuity. However, it seems some celestial bulls have run out of patience and unless something - anything! - happens they're going to get very, well, bullish indeed. This trend could be particularly apparent in regard to your career. You have worked hard and consistently toward a specific objective, but it remains tantalisingly out of reach. This may have to do with the climate of the times, financial pressures on large companies, family responsibilities, or, worse, that the goal posts regarding one or more situations keep being moved thus Pluto's presence encourages you to take affirmative action. Invariably under Pluto push comes to shove, and this trend will be most apparent on or near the 1st, 10th, 14th and 18th. What may also happen around these dates is that other people take actions that affect your course.
The effect of Venus in the zone of companionship and collaborative ventures could on the one hand turn a platonic friendship into a more passionate union, and on the other, a colleague or friend could come to you with an idea that could turn into money, or at least become a fruitful enterprise. And generally speaking this is a period to invest in your friendships and to foster the spirit of friendship in your close personal and professional relationships.
Easter comes early this year, and when the sun is in the low-key twelfth house, therefore a quiet celebration is recommended. And with travel buff, Mercury, retrograde from the 20th, a stay-at-home holiday could be the right way to go.
1st April 2005 - 30th April 2005
The month gets off to a glorious start - and we're not talking weather here. The sun and Venus are opposed by Jupiter, the planet of great possibilities, raising your levels of optimism and putting hope back where it belongs - in your heart. Now, I'm not immediately trying to burst your bubble of happiness, but all this Jupiter jubilation is taking place in one of the more reclusive areas of your solar chart, so it is just possible that the promise contained in many of early April's events passes you by, only to be revealed later in the year. Indeed, the sun's annual sojourn in the subterranean twelfth house earmarks the first three weeks as a period of rest, retreat and preparation, a time when dreams have much to tell you about the hidden layers of situations and even what is to come in the future.
April's astro-scape is dominated by two eclipses, the first in the occluded twelfth house and the second in the area of relationships - of which more shortly. Since the solar eclipse of the 8th connects to austere Saturn, distress signals of any sort should not be ignored. It is possible that you have overstretched yourself - financially, physically, emotionally or whatever - and a responsibility, activity or commitment may need to be shed. Solar eclipses auger new beginnings, and in similar vein to the aforementioned Jupiter aspects, it may take until late October (when Jupiter enters your opposite sign) before those new shoots begin to reveal themselves.
Mid-month, planetary crusader, Mars, meets mysterious Neptune, and in the area of career, reputation and role in life. This year celestial Bulls with birthdays between the 30th April and 2nd May are receiving the best and worst of planet Neptune, which tends to mean a dream is either realized or shattered, but whenever your birthday, on and around the 14th and 30th April make sure you know the difference between inspired thoughts and unrealistic expectations. Your stores of selflessness and compassion could be evoked at these times, although once again, you must recognize the difference between being unselfish and becoming a victim.
On the 24th April the last eclipse in an eighteen-month cycle takes place in the zone of relationships, and with a mere six months to go before Jupiter sets to work bringing the great and good into life and love, there could be some unfinished business to attend to. Taurus can be very reluctant to let anything or anyone go, but this could be an option now, and at the very least this is the right time to consider what works and what patently does not as far as partners and partnerships go. By contrast this lunar eclipse could signal an impending marriage or some other important relationship development.
1st May 2005 - 31st May 2005
At last, a month where your needs can come first! With the sun transiting your own sign, your batteries should be fully charged and with Venus adding her loving touch - at least until the 11th - this is a perfect time to upgrade your image and indulge in those things that make you feel loved and adored. So far, so good. My only reservation in regard to the early part of May is that Saturn and Neptune are sending out mixed messages and generally muddying the waters. While you may be able to reach a satisfactory conclusion in early May, there is also a possibility of a disappointment or a misunderstanding. All the more reason, therefore, not to be pressed into making a decision before you have all the information to hand, and you feel comfortable with everything.
May's sparks come in the form of two major connections to Uranus, the first by Mars (15th) and the second by Venus (18th). The areas of finance and collaboration are involved here, so it is possible that a monetary matter comes between friends or that a sudden and unexpected financial outlay creates a temporary cash- flow crisis. On the plus side, the combination of Mars, the energiser, Venus, the designer and Uranus, the awakener, could provide the rocket fuel with which to make your plans a reality.
In the second half of May, as the sun and Venus wind their way through Gemini, finances and values take centre stage. This is a period in which to market your talents and to make the most of your resources, financial and otherwise. Last month's lunar eclipse could have given rise to some unfinished business, which will present itself in this latter part of May. This might mean changing the hard luck story you've been busy telling yourself, whether related to a financial or personal/romantic matter, and finding the motivation to move on. Use your creativity and common sense to eliminate blocks to your success and by the time of the full moon on the 27th you could be ready to curtail certain alliances in favour of new and more exciting ones.
One final word about the alignments of the 19th - 23rd. I'd describe this period as challenging, and certainly unhelpful, so you'll need to be careful how you spend and invest your time and money. You'll also need to avoid any kind of underhand tactics, especially on the work front or with colleagues and friends. Anything you wouldn't want to be revealed such as e-mails or important documents should be double-checked before sending/filing away or acting upon, and gossip and intrigue are best left to columns in newspapers!
But these things aside, May is not a bad month at all.
1st June 2005 - 30th June 2005
According to the song, June is busting out all over, and given the planetary focus in the zone of finances and self worth, it may well be a case of boom or bust for the celestial Bull! This is certainly a month to put your self-worth under the microscope, whether you do this by analysing the reasons for the treatment you are getting from individuals and organizations or whether you take a long hard look at what you're worth in terms of property and money.
June has an echo of December 2004 and this March about it, by which I mean the alignments are similar so that you may feel you are dealing with the same issues once again or a decision or action taken some three to six months ago reaches fruition. And while you may feel one or more situations has come to crunch point, spare a thought for some of your fellow human beings caught up in major upheavals of one sort or another. It is the first half of the month that is most dynamic yet also the most destablizing.
On the one hand, the 1st - 15th represents a premium time to arrange a loan or buy and sell property but on the other, you could face an unexpectedly large outgoing or someone could make it very awkward for you financially. Use this period to have a fresh look at how you can increase your worth and to negotiate a better deal through alliances, be they banks or partners. Then let some sunlight and blue sky work its magic on your behalf.
The latter part of June is all about communication. This is a subject in which you've been having personal tuition courtesy of Saturn since July 2003 - remember those delays and frustrations with plans and dialogues? - so by now you should be something of an expert in tactics and patience. Pedantic Saturn's restrictions, misunderstandings and roadblocks have all been designed to broaden your repertoire of communication skills and test them on uncooperative people. With this in mind, the 26th's last meeting in this two-year cycle between your ruling planet, Venus, and Saturn gives you an opportunity to settle an old score or to make a binding long-term agreement. Indeed, while the opening to June is packed to the gills with change and uncertainty, the end of the month brings clarity and cohesion.
1st July 2005 - 31st July 2005
With the sun transiting the communications sector of your solar chart, July is the time for travel, meetings and the exchange of ideas and information. However, the really big news of the month is the arrival of Saturn at the base of your chart for a two-year stay. More about this shortly... While July is indeed a period to make moves in both the real and metaphorical sense, assertive Mars will be tucked away in the shadowlands of the twelfth house, creating doubts in your mind about certain situations and causing you to feel somewhat out of step with everyone and everything. Of course, this feeling will pass but should you sense you are being sidelined or important projects appear to be in limbo, remind yourself that Mars is the culprit and in due time matters will get back on track. Indeed, on 29th July Mars will enter Taurus turning you into the energizer bunny!
Now, Saturn. Saturn's transit of the zone of home and family has its plus and minus points. While this planet of reality will encourage you to put down roots and build solidly towards your goals, there will be times when you feel unsupported by your nearest and dearest, and there could be some economic or material frustrations to cope with. The elder generation has a big part to play in Saturn's unfolding story over the next two years, whether you gain more respect and admiration for a member of the family or whether a relative becomes somewhat of a drain on your resources. You may also feel less than happy with the home itself, which may inspire you to move house altogether or to embark on a major renovation and redecoration exercise. These trends may be apparent as early as the end of July - certainly, the period between the 23rd and 31st has a powerful aura of reality about it. And, with Mercury turning retrograde on the 23rd, not only will travel become the source of aggravation but you could find delays and detours operating in regard to family events and domestic/property matters.
Nonetheless, compared to the preceding month July is a joy, and there should be times - take the 1st - 6th and 15th - 18th for instance - when life looks seriously good.
1st August 2005 - 31st August 2005
You may not be familiar with the phrase Neptuned-out but you'll have plenty of opportunities to discover its delights this August. Coupled with the fact that Mercury is retrograde until the 16th, August is largely a month of meandering plot lines and characters who miss their cues and forget their lines!
Nevertheless, as August opens, the sun gives your home and family life a welcome boost of warmth and energy. Aided and abetted by Mercury and a bright New Moon on the 5th, good news could be on its way regarding domestic and/or property matters - and if not good news, then a fresh start of some description. Recent arrival Saturn, the master builder of the cosmos, is taking stock of fourth house affairs with a view to making some lasting improvements, which could manifest in a variety of ways - some of you may chose to renovate or move home while others could take on even greater responsibilities for family members. Of course, Saturn will be flexing his muscles at the base of your chart for the next two years, so if the aforementioned themes do not appear to relate to your current situation, there is still time...
To help you tackle any large-scale or time-consuming tasks, feisty Mars has just arrived in your own sign where he will stay for the next six months. This transit has its plus and minus points: on the upside, Mars will bring out the warrior-within, encouraging you to aim high and giving you the energy and commitment with which to fulfil an ambition or three but on the minus side, you could become more restless and frustrated, leading to frequent upsets and arguments, both in the workplace and on home territory. You may experience your first taste of this phenomenon at the beginning and end of this month when Mars is initially challenged by Saturn and later by Neptune.
And speaking of Neptune. This planet of dreams and illusions is centre stage throughout August, so while you may feel very idealistic about life and love, there will be an equally strong trend for delays and disappointments. Ideally, one should do very little under Neptune, except perhaps fall in love or at least become consumed by a romantic novel! So while a holiday from real life is to be recommended, should you need to be dealing with deadlines and precise details, you're going to have your time cut out. Indeed, my advice for a happy August is to forget you're one of the most reliable and efficient members of the zodiac and discover what it's like to join the lotus-eaters.
1st September 2005 - 30th September 2005
Technically speaking, September should be one of the most happy and heart warming months for Taurus - at this time each year the sun passes through the exuberant and creative fifth house of the chart - however, this September the combined forces of Uranus, Pluto and Saturn will be in play, so although the month will have its fun moments, there will be issues. Clearly, these major alignments will have much to say about world affairs, so prepare to see some powerful, and possibly unsettling, developments in political circles and in current global hot spots.
The month opens with Uranus, the surprise card, in charge - indeed the first ten days are under this planet's control. Thus, you may find that plans are changed at a moment's notice and other people are the source of much excitement and inconvenience. This would be an excellent period in which to begin a new enterprise and to generally ring in the changes, but trying to keep everyone and everything on an even keel is going to be the challenge du jour.
From the 11th, Pluto takes over from where Uranus left off, urging you to throw out a life-script or two and to look at ways in which finances and close relationships can be improved - more about your love life shortly. Pluto helps us to get to the roots of issues, and since this planet is currently in the zone of emotional and financial exchange, problems lurking at the base of a monetary arrangement or a business/romantic relationship could be revealed. While there is a case to be made for getting rid of those things that are draining your resources, the possibility of transforming a situation for the better is also there.
One planet virtually guaranteed to bring something to the table that you will like, is the lovely Venus. On the 11th, Venus enters the zone of love and relating, encouraging relationships to prosper, whether this entails a partner showing you what a much treasured person you are or whether an organization makes you an offer you simply cannot refuse. Sometimes, in her attempts to perfect relationships, Venus will draw your attention to the imbalances in an association, and given that Pluto is also at work clearing away the debris and clutter from life, some Taureans may have no option other than to let someone go. The period of the 14th - 18th is especially potent in this regard. Nonetheless, September is one of the prime months of 2005 for finding romance and setting the seal on an established union.
One last thought, with feisty Mars continuing to make inroads into your sign, you have the wherewithal to achieve your goals, and certainly to measure up to other people's expectations of you. And you know what they say, when the going gets tough, the tough call in the Taureans!
1st October 2005 - 30th October 2005
You may often find that October is a hard working month since the sun makes its annual visit to the zone of work and service. Yet if this initially causes your heart to sink, bear with me a little longer. Not only is Venus, the planet of harmony and love spending the first week of the month in the area of relationships but on the 26th fabulous Jupiter arrives in the same area for a year-long stay. More about this shortly, but first, sixth house affairs.
Two eclipses on the 3rd and 17th are indications of change and seminal developments, first and foremost linked to your career and second to those things that represent the routine round of your life. It may be that some Taureans will begin a new job, or take on a new position in the same company, on the other hand, one or two of you could find that an unexpected event puts a question mark on your future. Generally speaking, these eclipses should be used to implement new routines and to restructure aspects of your life. Yet there is also a possibility that an unforeseen circumstance will place extra responsibilities on your shoulders - or vice versa, that a burden is lifted from them.
On the 1st Mars sets off in reverse motion for three months, so on the plus side you should sense the pedal being taken off the metal and a decrease in the level of hassle and conflict that may have peppered your existence. However, if a project or relationship grinds to a halt, try to see the situation as a temporary blip and use the time it releases to focus on other endeavours, if not on getting your life in shape. (One of the other pluses of a sixth-house-month is that you can deal effectively with health and fitness issues, and if you've been gazing at the body beautiful in the mirror and noticing some tiny flaws, this is the ideal time to do something about the situation.)
From the 22nd, with first the sun's arrival in the area of relating then Jupiter's entry, your love life swings into prominence - and if you haven't got one, wait and see what big-hearted Jupiter will do to rectify matters in the coming months. This latter part of October is perfect for weddings or putting the sparkle back into ailing liaisons, so although I cannot promise that every Taurean will be on a romantic high from the end of this month I can assure you of improvements.
1st November 2005 - 30th November 2005
On the 26th October Jupiter entered the relationship sector of your horoscope and although it may be too soon to reap the benefits of this transit you could have a sweet taster of things to come this November. Certainly, other people play a big part in this month's developments, whether you are socially in demand or on the receiving end of business propositions or offers of a romantic nature. You may also need to be a "good ear", since partners, colleagues, friends and family may have much to share with you and perhaps to dump on your broad shoulders!
During the first seven days an intriguing alignment will be forming between Mars in your sign and the sun and Neptune: this combination could produce a dream of an experience or you may find that a situation that you believed to be rock solid begins to develop teething troubles. By the 14th, Mercury will turn retrograde adding to the complexity of the situation and making your progress generally slower and more convoluted. Of course there is a reason for any problem or hold up but you may not establish the why's and wherefore's until the first week of December. Thus, remaining strong yet open to alternatives is by far the best approach. The full moon on the 16th is in your sign - the only one this year - and presents you with an opportunity to complete unfinished business and to set the seal on a relationship - or say your fond goodbyes. Either way, this mid-November period is one of assessment, reflection and re-orientation.
Venus will be beginning her four-month journey through the area of far horizons, so if you're travelling during this period don't be surprised if you meet someone who sets your heart a-fluttering. This transit could also inspire a romantic connection with someone who is at a distance from you so that your loving communications could be via e-mail, the telephone or snail-mail! Bringing more beauty and love into your life will be a theme for the next few months so every time you find yourself complaining about your lot - think beautiful things and await a change in the wind!
1st December 2005 - 31st December 2005
Before you run away with the idea that you are the only sign to be under pressure and not exactly enjoying life's offerings, the same trend is affecting the entire zodiac. Take a moment to think of the hard-pressed British PM, Tony Blair, (sun Taurus, Gemini rising) who is fending off calls for his resignation from all sides and dealing with fierce enemies in his own camp. Then there is the hapless President Bush (a rising Mercury-Pluto conjunction in Leo) who has the lowest ratings of any US leader at this point of his term in office. The reason for much of the aggro is the prevailing Fixed cross - a formation in which Mars (in Taurus), Jupiter (in Scorpio), Neptune (in Aquarius) and Saturn (in Leo) are locked together, creating blocks, obstacles and general difficulties. This configuration has not gone away, although there are changes elsewhere in the cosmos that could produce breakthroughs and generate a climate in which optimism can once again thrive.
Until the 21st the sun will be highlighting the complex eighth house of your solar chart. This area is known as the house of emotional, financial and sexual exchange, so on the one hand you can expect some major monetary developments and on the other some powerful exchanges in one or more relationships. I use the word powerful since Pluto, planet of transformation, will be forging key links to the sun (16th) and Mercury (31st) so there will be nothing half-baked about anyone's actions and statements - and that means you too. Your sex life could undergo a sea change since Pluto brings enormous reservoirs of energy wherever it goes, and some of you may be lucky enough to experience a deeply moving intimate moment with a partner. On the other hand, Pluto could bring to the surface hidden problems, not necessarily of a monetary or relationship nature, and although these may appear overwhelming at the time, there will be resolutions - indeed life - after the crisis.
From the 22nd, the sun moves into Capricorn shifting the focus on to things of a distant nature: you may be thinking of getting away from it all this Christmas, possibly by going abroad, or maybe just planning your next holiday. And life should have a more expansive, adventurous feel after all those depth-charged moments earlier in the month. On Christmas Eve, Venus, your ruling planet, turns retrograde and it is possible that someone from the past could re-enter your life. It could just mean, however, that your tree lights don't work, Venus being the ruler of creative, artistic projects!
The year ends as it began, with Pluto in charge - time, perhaps to kick over the traces of disappointments and missteps and to forge new paths into new territory.
1st January 2006 - 31st January 2006
I wish I could say life was going to be one long picnic for you this month Taurus, but with the prevailing Grand Cross on the angles of your solar chart,
you're not out of the woods yet. This Grand Cross could have the effect of making one or more situations in your life seem unchanging and unchangeable: be assured, however, things will change in their own good time, so for the moment do your best to focus your energies where they can be of more use. The new year has you thinking of pastures new, foreign fields, distant horizons and so forth. It may be that recent weeks have been so stressful that you feel the need to escape from any problems. Indeed, getting away from it all might give you a very welcome sense of space and freedom. Some of you undoubtedly will be heading off to foreign climes this month, which among other things will provide you with an opportunity for renewal. Thus, you will return to the homeland invigorated and refocused. New courses of study could fulfil the same purpose for those of you fancying a more intellectual challenge.
Mid-month the sparks begin to fly. The full moon in Cancer falls in your communication zone, which on the plus side, will give your words more emotional power but on the down side, emotions could interfere with sound judgement. Normally the Venus-ruled Taurean tries to avoid conflict, but especially on the weekend of the 14th there is a danger of simmering hostilities bubbling into an outright war of words. The good news is that your relationships are destined to improve during the coming year, so any problems which are resolved now should lead to better times in the months ahead. A Mars-Jupiter opposition is also presiding over this weekend's events, which, on the one hand, gives you a chance to enjoy life to the full and celebrate your good fortune but, on the other, may inflate a difficulty. Mars-Jupiter combos have a boom-bust flavour to them.
During the week of the 23rd, Saturn puts in an appearance, and since this planet is focusing his attentions on home and family this would be an appropriate time to make a long term decision. A parent might be giving you cause for concern or you may be less than enchanted with your domestic surroundings. And since the cost of Christmas past has to be accounted for this month, this same week could put some pressure on your finances. As January draws to a close, however, the new moon in Aquarius means that new beginnings are in the air: For some of you this will involve a career change, while others could be moving away from a person who or situation that has been relentlessly difficult. Saturn is the zodiac's greatest teacher and although his lessons might well be painful, you will emerge a wiser and better person. Onward and upward!
1st February 2006 - 28th February 2006
Neptune is the stuff of which dreams are made so you could be thinking about your ideal career as February gets off the launch pad. If you are feeling disillusioned with your present career path you might feel the need for a change of direction. A lucky few might just receive an offer you can't refuse, and during the first week of February. For some this could mean a change of work or home location, and since the full moon of the 13th falls in your home zone, there is more than just a hint of closure and completion to life. Since Venus, your ruling planet, also goes direct on the 3rd it's possible that some of you will be heading off for distant shores. So far so good... The only problem is, this might cause tension in your love life since Jupiter, now transiting your relationship zone, is squaring the sun in your career zone. In other words, don't expect your loved ones to be as thrilled as you are by the thought of new horizons. A word of warning too about offers made under transits of Neptune... what seems perfect at the time might prove to be disappointing in the future so remember that all that glisters is not necessarily gold.
By Valentine's Day your nearest and dearest should be feeling more playful but your best bet is to throw an impromptu party rather than go for an intimate dinner for two. For once you'll have to fight your urges to play the romantic card, which comes so naturally to you Taurus, and discover that there's safety in numbers - at least on this occasion.
For the remainder of the month, Mars is in your money zone, giving you the energy and willpower to sort out any financial matters which need your attention. Of course, Mars, the warrior, might mean there are arguments looming about the things you really value in life, but you should have the determination to succeed and be much less likely than usual to opt for the easy, non-confrontational route. On or near the 28th, you may need to call in a debt, which could lead to a heated exchange. However, if you feel the urge make a fresh start, especially where friends and creative ventures are concerned, now is the time to do - the new moon in Pisces encourages you to cast your net in search of people who appreciate your unique qualities.
1st March 2006 - 31st March 2006
As March opens the sun will be transiting the creative and sociable eleventh house of your solar chart. And with Uranus and Mercury also treading the same ground events and projects you are involved with could be the source of change and controversy. Perhaps, you'll be waiting at a bus stop when something improbable happens, providing you with a funny story to recount to your friends, but Uranian wake-up calls tend to pack a rather more powerful punch, and there is a chance that an endeavour or association will come to a sudden and unexpected halt. Over the past year or two you may have been mixing in different circles: some of those new contacts have made only a brief impression while others have proved lasting, but the events of March cause you to reconsider the value and purpose of your newer associations. It could also be that someone from your past will get in touch, and if this does indeed happen, you can expect that person to bring about significant changes in your life. Likewise if you join an organization or begin a joint endeavour now, it will surely alter your course. By the way, carefully choose the people with whom you associate, and don't let them choose you!
Ruler, Venus, will be passing through the most ambitious and career-oriented area of your chart, so March has the potential to bring you success and recognition, even the attentions of someone in a position of power. However, on the 11th and 26th Venus makes connections to Saturn and Neptune respectively, revealing the weaknesses of long-term projects and showing you where your hopes and faith have been misdirected. These would be ideal dates upon which to take some time out to ponder on those things which you cannot touch, see or feel - perhaps in the striving for tangible, material success, you have lost an essential part of your being?
March is a pivotal month for the whole zodiac: it begins with a volatile sun-Uranus conjunction and ends on a total solar eclipse in Aries, and in between there are tough connections to Saturn and Pluto, not to mention a retrograde Mercury. Clearly, the next six to eight weeks are going to produce some powerful events on the world's stage, and we can expect to see some leadership changes, a reshuffle or two in the corridors of power, even a natural or not-so-natural disaster. And where travel and communications are concerned, we can forget about getting anywhere in a hurry and a straight line. Of course, tough alignments produce wonderful events too so don't rule out announcements of marriage in royal/celebrity circles and a major scientific or medical break-through.
The lunar eclipse of the 14th falls in your zone of creativity and pleasure. Some of you are reaching the end of a gestation period, and are ready to deliver the goods while others will be responding to their inner child and seeding new endeavours. It is also possible that love affairs which were not meant to blossom into long-term commitments will now founder, necessitating some domestic changes. The solar eclipse of the 29th is essentially a new spiritual beginning for you. In keeping with the idea that you may have lost something of yourself in the quest for success and stability, the next few weeks provide you with many opportunities to tap your inner source of power and direction.
1st April 2006 - 30th April 2006
As April begins the sun is moving through the mystical twelfth house of your solar chart, thus encouraging you to rest and reflect. Paradoxically, Venus is urging you to get out and socialise more, so it may be the case that you will be inwardly reflecting on your life while outwardly being sociable and attending gatherings. Since Venus is your ruling planet, get-togethers will bring good things into your life, so go with your instincts about which invitations to accept and which to politely refuse.
If your home life was presenting problems last month, you should begin to make progress after the 5th when Saturn resumes direct motion. Those of you who are looking to re-locate should now find it easier to obtain the right accommodation. If you are building an extension or knocking walls down in your home, restrictions and limitations should melt away after the 5th.
The week of the 3rd finds Mars and Pluto in opposition, thus upping the potential for conflict and certainly confrontation. We will surely see some impressive results of escalating tension in the Middle East prior to Easter, and the Bush administration will have to be very careful how it plays events in the early to mid part of this month. While in the Christian World Easter is a time of celebration, for many other creeds it is simply business as usual. For you, this opposition flanks the axis of self-worth increasing the tendency for power struggles - the most likely cause of which is money. Ideally, you should wipe off a bad debt now or face a financial reality with courage and decisiveness. Since this axis of your horoscope also has a lot to do with intimate relationships some Taureans could find their sex life returns with a flourish - a rather better way to resolve any tensions than engaging in battles over how your joint assets are spent!
On the 20th the sun moves into your own sign and the focus shifts onto personal ambitions and desires. The new moon of the 27th encourages fresh starts all round, and while some of you could embark on a new romance - all that socialising may well have paid off - others could be starting a new and more positive cycle in regard to an established relationship. Nonetheless with ruler, Venus angling Pluto on the weekend of the 29th the potential for extremes in life and love is high, and the month may end in a firework display, not necessarily involving Roman Candles and Catherine Wheels!
1st May 2006 - 31st May 2006
Wit the sun's transit of your sign, personal life and the way in which you balance your own needs against those of others is in the spotlight. The 4th - 7th looks to be a thoroughly pleasant and sociable time for you, when all is well with the world. You'll enjoy meeting people in groups or gatherings and your social circle will be widened. Uranus promises exciting stimulating company as you meet new people from various backgrounds.
One of the most fascinating features of May is the presence of a Grand Cross - an alignment of four or more planets, made up of squares and oppositions, which is in play between the 4th and 15th. Without becoming too technical, when planets are in this tense alignment, they bring all manner of issues to crunch point, and there is a feeling of having reached a giant cross-roads. While this configuration will certainly present itself in the form of moral and political crises for world leaders, in our own lives we too must make some wise decisions in a confusing and pressurized climate. In Taurus's case, any crises or moral dilemmas may well centre on one or more of your relationships. It may be that an employer or partner has overstepped the mark where you are concerned and the time has come to make a stand. Since the full moon of the 13th straddles the relationship axis this could be the moment you end your commitment to an organization or a partner, or at least attempt to right the balance. Although emotions may be running high under this Grand Cross, you must do your best to make a pragmatic decision, not one based on passion or frustration.
From the 21st, the sun and Mercury will be residing in your money zone, and with a new moon here on the 27th the second half of May becomes an excellent time to take stock of your finances and give yourself a budget for the coming year. Around the 26th a friend may give you some advice regarding an investment opportunity and this is well worth considering - indeed the combination of ruler, Venus and Pluto could make your money grow big time. As the month ends Venus moves into your relationship zone, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best... giving and receiving love!
I am sorry this forecast was delayed. The original sending was lost and both my webmaster and I have been in transit over the last 3 days. We have now added better facilities for updating forecasts.
1st June 2006 - 30th June 2006
Half-way through the year, and it seems you too have reached a point of assessment, especially where finances and values are concerned. For much of the month, the sun and Mercury will both accent this area of your horoscope, helping you see what needs to be done in order to for you to feel more stable and secure- of which more shortly. Venus will be transiting your sign so the pleasure principle is much in evidence, whether you have some lively and fruitful occasions to attend or whether you feel in the mood for some serious self-indulgence. Your need for and appreciation of beauty will be to the fore, which may translate as an intense spurt of interior decorating or a trip to the beauty-parlour. As for romance, there could be some thrilling sparks ignited (make the most of the sexy influences on or near the 7th) and some painful moments of truth (take the period of the 14th - 19th for instance).
This month puts Uranus and Pluto centre stage and, since many countries have major events planned for June, these alignments underscore the importance and celebratory nature of national occasions, yet they will surely produce some shocks and tremors too. On the 3rd, Mars enters the regal sign of Leo for a six week transit and on the 18th this assertive planet hooks up to heavy-metal Saturn - and at the same time as the sun- Pluto opposition. Mid-month, therefore, will be a time to watch for international dramas and the push comes to shove syndrome. This conjunction falls on President Bush's Mercury- Pluto Ascendant combo and Tony Blair's South Node, so neither of them is in great shape in June and there could be some serous threats to their tenure as leaders (as if they haven't enough already.)
While the aforementioned sun-Pluto opposition straddles the financial axis of your horoscope, the Mars-Saturn conjunction falls in the area of home and the roots of life, thus it may be that the sale and purchase of a property will dramatically alter your financial position: you may also find that any work on the home costs far more than anticipated whether in terms of money or problems. Whatever the case, mid-month is a period in which to remain flexible and philosophical.
On the 21st the sun enters the zone of travel and communications, encouraging you to put new ideas on the table and to journey outside your usual surroundings for business and pleasure.
1st July 2006 - 31st July 2006
While the sun may be moving through the zone of travel and dialogues, communication chief, Mercury is in reverse thrust, so July could turn out to be a matter of taking two steps forward and three back. However, try not to fret should your plans be changed or put on hold by circumstances beyond your control - you may find that a detour or delay turns out to be an advantage in the long run.
Indeed, after the planetary heat of June, July's influences have much to recommend them. Even with Mercury in retrograde between the 4th and 29th, there are many benign alignments, and in tandem, national and international affairs may be more fruitful than fraught. However, the Grand Cross in fixed signs will be loosely in place, so it may seem as if more than one situation is refusing to budge, and there will be very little give when it comes to matters of law and law enforcement. Many of the world's leading figures, including Tony Blair, George Bush, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have relentless Saturn and nebulous Neptune on key planets and points in their natal charts, and it remains a mystery to me as to why the gathering gloom has not yet resulted in a truly serious crisis, although leaked information from the enquiry into the death of Princess Diana must be sending seismic waves through Britain's corridors of power. With this in mind, events on or near the Mars-Neptune opposition of the 5th and the full moon in Capricorn of the 11th could precipitate a minor tsunami... Pluto also puts in a double appearance on the 14th so the first half of July looks to be the most scandal ridden and generally explosive.
Since you are a fixed sign, you will benefit from being as flexible with your opinions in July as you are with your plans. The Mars-Neptune opposition on the 5th flanks the axis of home and life-direction, leading to doubts about the future of a planned move or an individual or an organization could reach a decision that goes against your wishes. While a sacrifice is often to be made under Neptune, you must be sure that you are not acting like a doormat or compromising your future chances of success. Sometimes a tactical withdrawal is a helpful device, and given the general confusion at this time, the advice I often give in such circumstances - if you don't know what to do, do nothing - may be your best option. Much of what happens during the first half of the month could be downright perplexing, and trying to force issues and make sense of other people's behaviour is not worth the emotional roller-coaster ride - what can't be fixed, must be endured!
Where romance and business are concerned, there are distinct benefits in using the power of the pen - in other words, a timely letter or e-mail could aid the course of a relationship. By the 22nd, you will have recovered some of your natural optimism and the astrological climate will be more suited to pleasure and romance - indeed, the weekend of the 29th is perfect for a reunion or happy gathering.
1st August 2006 - 31st August 2006
Get ready for one of the most eventful months of 2006. The sun, Mercury and Venus will all pass through the fourth house of your solar chart, thus setting in motion a fresh cycle for home affairs and those things that affect you at root level. August could turn out to be a period when you're spending more time with your nearest and dearest, or you are involved in major renovation or removal work; on the other hand, you may sense that a new start needs to be made all round, and out of the blue events, probably inspired by a member of the family, do just that.
One of the reasons August is so astrologically significant is the prevailing 'T'- square, formed by the Saturn-Neptune opposition and the planets that pass over it throughout the month. Almost every week sees such a hit - so every week contains a potential window of opportunity or a mighty large pothole. I have written a separate piece on the Saturn-Neptune opposition, which becomes exact on the 31st of this month, so you'll have plenty of food for thought should you find yourself wondering why you're making little progress and running into troughs of low pressure at inappropriate intervals. August is always a strange (and often uneventful) month in politics, but given mid-July sparked another major conflict in the Middle East, under these relentless influences we can expect an intensifying of hostilities - not just ina dn around Lebanon - and very little progress on the diplomatic front. I'd like to believe that the Jupiter-Uranus trine, which is both ebullient and barrier-breaking, will provide a balance for this depressing opposition but we will have to wait until the very end of the month before we see what rabbits these two can pull out of the hat. The usual suspects - that's President Bush, and Prime Minister Blair - face a dark and difficult summer break, although with the world in such crisis, their individual careers and reputations pale into insignificance.
The full moon of the 9th, like all full moons, closes a small or large life chapter, and given Saturn, Neptune and Uranus will be signing in unison during that week, do not be phased if something reaches the end of its shelf-life and you are forced to consider some fresh options. Whether it's your job that provides a temporary source of confusion or something of a domestic nature, what cannot be fixed will have to be replaced - and over time. From the 12th, Venus will add her four-pennies worth into the works, which means love and romance can be found close to home, and in the event of a difficulty a member of the family or a near-neighbour will provide a source of advice and support. Throughout August Mars is transiting an area in which he can bring out your competitive spirit, so don't underestimate the power of exercise and team sports to boost your immune system, your spirits and your standing in the world.
1st September 2006 - 30th September 2006
Prepare to enjoy yourself this month as the sun, Venus and Mercury jostle for attention in your pleasure zone. This will not be difficult for Taurus since you were born to live the good life. However, it won't be a case of all play and no work, given that a number of powerful configurations will be in place.
September, like August, is a big month in astrological terms. The Saturn-Neptune opposition is still dominating the heavens (and, if you need to gen up on this transit, please go to the article dedicated to it on the website...CLICK HERE) so we are still trying to get to grips with reality and watching some very weird situations unfold out there on the world's stage. There are two eclipses to take into account - neither of them total eclipses but nonetheless they can still pack a powerful punch. The first - a lunar eclipse in Pisces - appears on the 7th, and harks back to March in terms of eclipses and events, and the second, on the 22nd, is a solar eclipse in Virgo. Eclipses set in motion events that shape the destiny of nations, and also our own lives, should they fall on key planets and points in our charts, so anything that emerges on or around the time of an eclipse must be taken seriously. The period of the 11th - 17th looks to be the most impressive: transformational Pluto is centre stage, so we can expect some dramatic entrances and exits on the political scene and a rattling of sabres from the usual suspects. The sun's entry into Libra on the 23rd, followed by Venus on the 30th, heralds the beginning of a calmer period, and certainly one in which dialogue and debate pave the way for peace and concord.
The solar eclipse of the 22nd falls in the creative sector of your solar chart, and could signal the start of a project, which will come to fruition several months from now. Some of you may become pregnant, for instance, while others may experience the urge to create a beautiful garden or paint a picture. Those of you still footloose and fancy free may fall in love, and a sudden attraction at a party or gathering mid-month could find you exchanging deep and meaningful looks with a certain someone. With Pluto in the mix, however, situations can be transformed or destroyed, so before you rush out and book the wedding planner consider whether an existing relationship is in need of repair and worth salvaging. If you do decide to cut dead wood from your life, Pluto will miraculously ensure that new growth appears in due course. It's also worth mentioning that, with Jupiter in your relationship zone until the end of November, you would not be without a partner for long. Jupiter promises expansion and opportunity in this area of existence, so let's just say that your love life looks extremely promising and certainly enlightening.
1st October 2006 - 31st October 2006
As a Venus-ruled, harmony-loving sign, it will please you to hear that the planets are favouring peace and diplomacy this month, and this should be particularly true of your life in the workplace. Whether you spend your day in high-powered business meetings or changing nappies and doing the school run, you can expect life to flow unusually smoothly. The lifestyle you have chosen feels right for you and the only fly in the ointment may be that you are anxiously looking over your shoulder waiting for something to go wrong. You should also enjoy good relations with authority figures now : the boss, parents, the powers that be - so this would be a good time to make demands (in the nicest possible way) as people are more likely to give you what you want.
With the challenges of August and September behind us we can all look forward to better times in October. Until the 23rd there are almost no hard angles to the senior planets (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) to hamper us, which means global hostilities should lessen and the climate will be suitable for discussion, debate, new peace agreements and generally more co-operation between nations and leaders. Of course, having put my pen where my astrological judgement is it wouldn't surprise me to find that a simmering hot spot boils over and that there are further terrorist outrages. However it is unlikely...by the 22nd this little patch of perfection will be over : the sun, Mars and Venus head into Scorpio, Mercury is squared by Saturn(23rd) and Mercury turns retrograde (28th) all of which is likely to create a more intense atmosphere, and we may see some reversals of decisions, and certainly far less progress made in war-torn areas.
After the 22nd, the astrological emphasis switches to relationships. You may find yourself involved in some serious discussions around this date, and partners and other people may be somewhat difficult to handle. Should a problem appear during the last week of October, try not to assume that things cannot be changed: Mercury's retrograde passage can positively help a situation resolve, and it certainly provides a period for re-thinking and reflection. Another plus factor is that Venus is making her annual visit to the relationship area from the 24th October to the 17th November, and if this planet cannot bring love and harmony to bear, nothing can.
1st November 2006 - 30th November 2006
The big event this month is the entry of Jupiter into the sign it rules, Sagittarius. Clearly this is extremely good news for all Sagittarians, since the planet of increase will be transiting their sign until December 2007, but, hopefully, this planet's expansive nature will help us all take some impressive leaps of faith and encourage us to follow the spirit of religion as opposed to the dogma. Jupiter enters Sagittarius on the 24th, less than forty-eight hours after a sun-Jupiter conjunction in the final degree of Scorpio, and while this may prove to be a terrifically happy and successful period for those with birthdays on or near this date, new beginnings made at that time (whatever your sun sign) are auspicious indeed. We should look at global developments here too, whether we see magnanimous gestures on the part of leaders and governments or an aggressive show of power. Jupiter does not have the astrological stage to itself, however, and as if to remind us that the best things in life have to be earned and that all actions have consequences, Saturn makes regular appearances in November, and since Neptune is still in opposition to Saturn, especially around the 8th, 17th and 29th we will need to read between the lines when it comes to statements of national and international importance: the distance between reality and fabrication may never have been greater. While such influences would not be out of place with an announcement of a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and a subsequent aura of failure and defeat hovering over the Bush administration - their chances of keeping the Senate Republican are slim - we may be looking also at a severe loss of face inspired by leaks and betrayal for Tony Blair upon whose Mid-heaven Neptune will be sitting.
From late November and throughout 2007, Jupiter will highlight your zone of shared resources, and there is a distinct possibility that some of you will tie the knot in the next twelve months. You may well have enjoyed a year of expansion and optimism on the relationship front, so those of you who began a new tryst could be ready to enter into a serious commitment, and if you are settled already you could be planning events that promise to add to the quality of your relationship. Jupiter also gives the thumbs up to investing financially in your future and using your assets to free up income. And you can expect others to be generous to you when it comes to settlements of any description.
As far as this month is concerned, with a stellium of planets in your relationship zone, this would be a premium time to pop the question. However, although there are clear signs of joy there may be difficult decisions to make too. Unions these days are rarely simple, often with two homes and separate families to consider, so finding a way to knit together all the disparate parts of life is challenging. You are not known for your flexibility, Taurus, but in the spirit of love and diplomacy you might be best served by meeting your partner half-way this month; in other words, compromise!
Any dips in optimism are largely due to the prevailing opposition between Saturn and Neptune. This transit has the effect of pouring cold water on some of your best plans and inspiring a loss of confidence, and certainly a loss of faith. Do your best not to exaggerate any set-backs - with Mercury retrograde until the 18th, an event that is cancelled or a venture that has been side-lined could be back on track sooner than you think.
1st December 2006 - 31st December 2006
This month the planetary emphasis is on the zone of shared resources so finances and joint efforts are likely to be the source of the greatest highs and deepest miseries. With a sun-Uranus square at the beginning of the month, you might be the lucky recipient of a windfall/company bonus or you could run into a minor cash-flow crisis. Thereafter there may be some heated debates revolving around how best to spend any extra money or how to resolve a financial glitch but hey, you can deal with that can't you? And although I have singled out the 3rd here, there is a boom-bust effect going on regarding finances and joint concerns throughout the month. Ideally, you should be eliminating financial plans that are too costly and implementing new monetary strategies that will make you feel more secure and less strapped for cash.
Each year at this time the sun squares Uranus and conjoins Pluto and often there are other alignments which add to this powerful mix, resulting in upheavals of a personal and global nature. Take the tsunami of 2004, for instance, which began as the moon clipped the degree of the sun-Pluto conjunction just prior to becoming full. Between the 1st and 22nd of December there will be no less than five planets in the sign of Sagittarius, so there is a concentration of ‘energy' in one area of the cosmos: in a natal chart this often manifests as an individual who is a specialist, one who is very focused, and in terms of events there can be a last straw effect to be observed. Put another way, people reach the end of their tethers and take extreme measures to prove their point. The period from the 15th to the 23rd is potentially the most explosive and we may see a lot of sabres being rattled by world leaders and another terror alert that interferes with our travel and our peace of mind. The year closes with war lord Mars and Master of Mystery, Neptune, in harmony, which is perfect for a champagne entry into 2007 but also a compassionate end to a year that has been full of strife and conflict.
Those of you who aren't on a financial roller-coaster ride might find instead that you re-discover passion. On the 8th your ruler, Venus, conjoins Pluto creating an emotionally-charged atmosphere in which all manner of threats and promises might be made. (And much the same could be said about the weekend of the 16th and the 25th.) You are by nature a sensuous and possessive sign, so don't be surprised if you feel jealousy/passion on a grand scale...think Othello, Carmen, Madam Butterfly. Indeed, the events of December in general will tend to raise passions, which at the very least will get you moving and motoring on situations that you have allowed to trundle along for far too long. And what is set in motion in December, whether on your own initiative or through force of circumstance, will ensure that 2007 is a very different year from 2006.
1st January 2007 - 31st January 2007
Compared to December January's stars are a dream. Venus spends most of the month in Aquarius generally sweetening life for members of this sign and helping those of the opposite sign (Leo) find and celebrate love. The full moon of the 3rd is in Cancer and, like all full moons helps us close a chapter and begin a new one - something we tend to do anyway at the start of a new year., although of course, for Cancerians, this process is profoundly more marked. The Mars - Pluto conjunction of the 13th is the last in a series of aspects between the personal planets and Pluto, so events mid-month may well have a connection between those of the 8th-25th December. (Here in Great Britain the enquiry into the death of Princess Diana confirmed that it was an accident - not a white-wash surely? And on the same day (14th December) Prime Minister Tony Blair was questioned by police in the cash for honours enquiry - not an attempt to bury bad news, surely? - and in keeping with Pluto's principles of dark deeds, a nationwide police hunt began for serial killer of five young prostitutes, resulting in an arrest just before Christmas.) On January 16th Mars enters Capricorn for a six-week transit - OK Cappies, it's time to get moving and motoring! And on the 20th the sun arrives in Aquarius. These last ten days of January present a complex and certainly variety-packed picture. In a nutshell the theme is chickens coming home to roost (courtesy Saturn, Lord of Karma) so if we've spent too much money over Christmas we'll be paying the price at this time, and, in general, both on the world's stage and in our own lives we'll be looking at the cost of actions taken some time ago.
The world is opening up for you as January puts travel on top of the agenda. Planning for the future is also a priority, and the full moon of the 3rd brings contractual issues into the spotlight. Some of you (in the northern hemisphere) will no doubt be booking summer holidays to give you something to look forward to and allay the winter gloom. You should, at any rate, have a clearer idea of where you are headed after that date. The 20th marks the start of a six week period of reality checks and reassessment. Your tenth solar house of career and public image will then be accentuated and if you receive an offer which seems too good to be true, it probably is! At the very least, there may be some strings attached which involve a separation from loved ones or uprooting for pastures new. It's possible too that an important person in your life is blowing hot and cold. This could be your boss, a parent or a love interest. You may feel you never know where you stand with this person. The best advice here is to make sure you are not the one giving out mixed messages and end the month with a serious discussion, if necessary, to clear the air.
1st February 2007 - 28th February 2007
Your career is the focus of your energy and attention this month. You may have been feeling disillusioned for some time with your boss, or an authority figure and towards the end of the month a situation will crystallise, encouraging you to make decisions about your future. A parent may also have been a drain on your time and emotions and a new home, either for you or him/her, is one likely scenario to alleviate the situation. Cast your mind back to the end of August last year. You were probably considering the various options available to you then, but this time, since Mars is in the picture, you are more likely to take decisive action. On a more romantic note, some of you may have been sitting on the fence regarding a relationship and this month you may be much clearer about which way to jump. Venus, your ruler aspects both Jupiter and Pluto during the course of February and it may well be make or break time around the 20th.
With a full moon opening to February the theme of endings and beginnings is clearly stamped on our astrology. The moon is in Leo so members of this sign and those of Aquarius are in the front row when it comes to bringing to a close anything that has outlived its usefulness. Relationships for these two signs in particular appear to be at a crossroads, and with Valentine's Day coming in between a sun-Saturn opposition (10th) and a Venus Pluto square (20th), the scent of final straws is in the air! This is far from a light and frothy month, primarily due to the applying Saturn-Neptune opposition. (And if you want to know more about this important transit, please click on the article relating to it on the home page.) This opposition is exact on the 28th, and from the middle of February onwards we can expect to see events out on the world's stage reflecting its theme of sacrifice and redemption on the one hand, and the erosion of established structures on the other. Among those for whom the Saturn-Neptune bell tolls are: Fidel Castro (sun: 20 Aquarius), Tony Blair (Pluto: 20 Leo), George W. (Venus: 21 Leo) and Queen Elizabeth (Mars: 20 Aquarius and Neptune: 22 Leo).
1st March 2007 - 31st March 2007
What can you say about a month that has two eclipses in it, the first of which is not only a total lunar but conjunct/opposition lively Uranus, and the second, a partial solar, which squares Pluto? I'd say it's one of those periods in which matters that have been rumbling underground for some while erupt with the force of a minor volcano! March is a very cleansing month: think de-tox and de-clutter, whether in terms of our homes and our offices or in regard to our opinions and belief systems. The periods around the eclipses (3rd and 19th) are the most dynamic or disruptive, depending on your perspective, and the final ten days with its heavy concentration of Saturn are the most hard work. Could we have an announcement about a forthcoming wedding for Prince William and Kate Middleton? Very possibly. And will events in the Middle East be the cause of even greater consternation? Almost certainly.
The eclipses with their theme of endings and beginnings cut across the axis of love, collaboration and creativity so while some Taureans will be delivering new life into the world in the form of babies others will be beginning new romances or starting fresh business/social projects. On the other hand, should these eclipses cause a situation to close, be assured that something new and even better is just around the corner.
Venus will enter your sign on the 17th bringing her qualities of love, peace and opportunity into your life. Should you be single and searching, now is the time for a serious romantic offensive (have you considered on-line dating?) and if you've been dating for a while things could get a lot more serious - the week of the 12th is a propitious time for weddings and engagements.
The final week of March may be less harmonious since Mars is more in evidence, generating a degree of trouble and strife on the home front, and causing some confusion at work. Even this, however, looks like it will melt away, like a light snowfall, without bringing your life grinding to a halt. A pretty good forecast over all.
1st April 2007 - 30th April 2007
The month opens with the sun highlighting the reclusive, spiritual zone of your horoscope, thus you may feel like tucking yourself away from the world and leaving everyone else to get on with the business in hand. By contrast, until the 12th, Venus, your ruler, is transiting your sign bringing sweetness and light into life and encouraging you to maximize your talents and charms: a conflict indeed. Perhaps the best way to deal with this dichotomy is to take as much rest as you can, when you can, focusing on dreams and intuitions and things of the inner world, while also making the most of the opportunities that arise to set out your market stall in the professional and romantic sense. It's a case of finding the balance.
From time to time I have mentioned the all-important Saturn-Neptune opposition, which is causing you to veer between great optimism and outright negativity. At the start to the month this theme is playing long and loud, whether you feel insanely positive about a specific situation or you suddenly become beset with doubts about the viability of a relationship or some other endeavour. Since Venus is in your sign you may well have reached the point of no return with a close association, and, over the Easter period, will be ready to sign on the dotted line or go your own sweet way - and this is especially relevant to the 8th - 11th May birthdays. The work of relating versus the romance of love is another big theme for the early part of April - once again it's a question of balance.
The two Grand Trines that are in place throughout the month have the capacity to produce good financial news. This is an excellent period in which to house hunt, add to the value of your home and make long term investments linked to property. Some of you hoping to sell or purchase a home will be successful this month, and in the event of a transaction falling through, once Jupiter gets back on track in early August, this same property could be back on the market.
The month ends as it began in a blast of Uranian fresh air - perfect for doing something you've never done before but not so good for keeping a lid on a secret.
1st May 2007 - 31st May 2007
Birthday month comes in on a full moon so the theme of endings and beginnings is writ large in your horoscope - and in regard to relationships in general and your love life in particular. Full moons on the relationship axis (2nd) complete a cycle so May is an appropriate time to move a romance onto a more permanent footing or to allow a working or personal association to occupy a less prominent place in your life.
As I mentioned in my general monthly forecast, the week of the 7th brings the 'heavy mob' into play, by which I mean Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto. Saturn and Neptune occupy the biggest role in your life at present, especially if your birthday falls between the 10th and 16th May: it seems that you are constantly being presented with situations that initially raise your hopes only to have them dashed against the rocks of Saturnian reality in the fullness of time. While it is vital to have dreams and to believe in people and situations in order to bring out their best it is also essential that endeavours and associations are built on the most solid of principles, and even though you are one of the great realists of the zodiac, somehow you have allowed someone to lead you astray or you have been blinded by your own vision. And this early to mid-May period could be best described as an opportunity for a correction.
The new moon in Taurus (16th) marks the beginning of the lighter and brighter half of the month. There could be some travel to look forward to and, with Venus, the planet of love, in the communications sector, you could find romance on a journey or a relationship can be improved by the written word. Indeed, if you are single and searching you may find love on the internet. The weekend of the 20th is one when a surprise move turns out to be a stroke of genius and a leap of faith absolutely on the mark.
1st June 2007 - 30th June 2007
Your financial axis is accentuated by this month's planetary aspects and there are signs that some of you could be entering into a union of some sort which involves the pooling of resources. This could be a business merger or something altogether more romantic and, with Venus at the base of your solar chart, you could be considering investing in property with another party. Career opportunities may boost your income, although this could turn out to be a double-edged sword as you may end up feeling very torn between loyalties to home and loved ones and the drive to achieve your ambitions. Around the 19th you may find yourself on an emotional roller coaster as Pluto dredges up deep feelings, leaving you feeling drained of energy. (Perhaps you need to ask yourself what you truly value and desire in order to make some difficult choices.)
Mercury and Uranus both turn retrograde this month with the result that friends or issues from the past may come back into your life. The 28th would be a good day for catching up with someone special, but don't be surprised if it leaves you feeling rather nostalgic. Be aware too that you will tend to view the past through rose-coloured spectacles as Venus and Neptune blur the boundaries of reason. Some of you may be setting off on a journey around this time and missing those you have to leave behind. The Saturn-Neptune opposition is once again making its presence felt by showing the stark contrast between where you must be and where you long to be. On the 24th, Mars enters your sign, which will boost your energy levels and give you the impetus to deal with any situations which may be challenging but will ultimately make your future more secure.
1st July 2007 - 31st July 2007
The sun and Mercury transit your travel and communication zone this month so there may be an important journey to be made or a special message received, and probably after the 10th when Mercury, will return to normal service. In recent weeks you may have found it difficult to get from A to B or to make yourself understood and will be pleased to hear that this trend should now ease off. You may feel more inclined to socialise with the neighbours and July would be a good time to invite people into your home and do a little bonding - try the 14th or the 29th for a get together of some sort.
The 24th may prove to be a less enjoyable day. Mars and Neptune square each other and you may encounter a slippery customer. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself, even though this does not always come easily to you as you prefer to avoid direct confrontation. You are, however, good at standing your ground and this should help you come out on top. Perhaps someone is being dishonest or unfair with you, which makes it particularly hard to deal with as you sense the ground is shifting under your feet. Some of you could find a parent proves to be difficult to handle, or simply unwilling to listen to your viewpoint, and because of this a relationship may go, temporarily, into reverse gear. Venus, your ruler, turns retrograde on the 27th with the result that there are issues to resolve with someone close. Talking is to be encouraged since Mercury is beautifully placed to pour oil on the troubled waters of any dysfunctional relationship which is threatening the harmony of your life. The full moon of the 30th will also help you reach a resolution of sorts and this is certainly the time to put your interests, especially those of a career nature, above and beyond anyone else's.
1st August 2007 - 31st August 2007
Home and family issues arise this month as a stellium of planets meander across the base of your solar chart. Some of you will feel like opening up and sharing your deepest feelings with someone close to your heart, especially if you have put the brakes on recently in one relationship, while others will suddenly start to see all the flaws as opposed to the assets of the home. You may be thinking in terms of setting up home with someone, or making a joint investment with a partner, all of which amounts to very serious business. Taureans do not enter into agreements lightly - you are one of the fixed signs who resist change and prefer long-term relationships - however, this is precisely the time to make one of those all or nothing decisions.
As I mentioned in my general forecast, this is not the most light-hearted month of the year, and while not every Taurus will be balancing the pressures of work against the demands of family, or considering if it is wise to throw your hat in the ring where a close relationship is concerned or better to retain your independence, it is a period when life will seem polarized in some way. It's that old Saturn-Neptune theme of weighing up which hopes and dreams are realizable and which need abandoning. Ideally, of course, you ought to be the one calling the shots but if events and other people force such issues, err on the side of reality. The periods around the 1st, 12th and 21st are going to be the most significant when it comes to make or break situations.
The total lunar eclipse of the 28th highlights the creative axis of your solar chart. Eclipses signal pivotal events, which in your case may well centre on children, creative projects and/or friendships and collaborations. The end of a gestation period is symbolized here, so this eclipse may well signal the birth of a baby, the go-ahead for an entrepreneurial venture or a turning point in a romantic or working liaison. As always the advice here is that although events may come out of left field, so to speak, you do have a choice as to what you do about them.
1st September 2007 - 30th September 2007
We could all do with a lot more love in our lives and with the area of romance in the frame this month, a visit from Cupid could be on the menu. Saturn moves into your love and creativity zone on the 2nd , followed by the solar eclipse one week later, which, among the many possible scenarios, could augur the start of a serious relationship. Venus, your ruler, and Pluto, the lord of your partnership zone, both resume direct motion on the 7th and 8th respectively, and, in tandem, relationships that have been flagging could get back their bounce or that wasteland you call your love life could begin to show signs of life! When Venus and Pluto are involved in any situation they bring intensity, drama and passion to the equation.
Not that September is a piece of cake astrologically-speaking. Finances could well be the focus for most of this month's more challenging alignments. Perhaps the recent volatility of the money-markets has affected your investments or maybe you have had an unexpectedly large set of financial demands. Whatever the reality short-term fixes are not advised and you should be your usual cautious self when responding to developments on or near the 21st. You normally avoid confrontation, but the fighting spirit of Mars will help you to assert yourself if need be.
For those of you with a more creative bent, a project can be begun now which will be completed several months hence. Whether you are making a baby, a book or a creating a new home, you will feel a depth of commitment to this venture and be prepared to see it through to the end. Saturn will give you the staying power you need to bring new things into being, and although the process will demand hard work and sacrifice during the coming months you should not be deterred from your chosen goal. Taureans are known for their steadiness of purpose and fortitude so you should be well able to meet the challenges ahead.
1st October 2007 - 31st October 2007
With the sun and new moon highlighting your health and lifestyle zone there is a strong emphasis on making changes to improve your
quality of life. Venus, your ruler moves into the most creative, fun filled sector of your solar chart on the 8th, so activities
with a Venusian flavour are highly appropriate - sensual massages, aromatherapy facials, and perhaps a spot of retail therapy
thrown in for good measure. If you choose to begin a new diet now you will have more willpower to see it through. Also, if your
present job is not fulfilling enough, this would be a good time to consider ways of correcting the situation: the emphasis
here is not so much on your ultimate ambitions as the day-to-day aspects of working life. In other words, what can you do
to be more effective in your job and what can be done to improve the conditions and the content of your work.
You could also spend more time with loved ones and, indeed might be feeling very serious about someone on the 14th as Venus and
Saturn conjoin. Commitments are often made under such an aspect as Saturn brings more flighty Venus into the real world and offers
a relationship longevity. Before you book the wedding planner however, Venus and Uranus oppose each other on the 25th, swiftly
followed by a Venus-Jupiter square on the 29th. It certainly looks as though your love life will be providing some thrills and
spills this month as Uranus brings sudden, unexpected change and Jupiter, excess. It may be that a child is living out these
aspects for you, so perhaps your teenager will be in love and you will experience the roller coaster of first love vicariously.
Whatever happens, there should be more love in your life this month and therefore, more joy. Lucky you!
1st November 2007 - 30th November 2007
There could be a passionate encounter in store for you this month. This may be a reunion of some kind as Venus, your ruler, squares Pluto on the 6th and it’s possible that someone from the past comes back into your life in a very dramatic way. With the sun and new moon both highlighting your relationship zone, an important new alliance may begin as a result of this energy. Those of you already partnered might find this a good time to nurture your relationship by spending more quality time together. Venus is transiting your pleasure zone, until the 8th,so this is excellent news for love and romance and simply enjoying life. If you have been losing yourself in your work, now is the time to address the problem with some full and frank discussion. You have the opportunity to inject some new life in any partnership which has been flagging – whether it be a business relationship or a romantic one – lavishing some time and attention on this twosome should benefit you.
Mars turns retrograde in your travel and communication zone on the 15th. This might have a kind of stop/go effect. Getting from A to B could become more problematic, as could getting your point across. On thejob front, you may feel undermined, particularly around the 24th when Mercury squares Neptune and it may be that someone in the workplace is being economical with the truth. On the positive side, however, you should be able to win people over to your point of view as you are positively brimming with charm and diplomacy this month.
1st December 2007 - 31st December 2007
It's a good job you've got the patience of a proverbial saint because events are going to be difficult to fathom and people are not going to be as open with you as they might be. All this is due to the passage of the sun through the complex eighth house, which, fortunately will come to an end just before Christmas. Joint finances come under the jurisdiction of the eighth house, although you probably don't need me to tell you that there will be a lot of activity in your bank accounts this month and some heated arguments over who spent what in the process. Ah, but it's Christmas... Of course, all this activity could be money flowing into your account rather than out of it, and some Taureans will seal a terrific deal this month and make a wise investment.
Relationships are also in the main frame. On the 5th, Venus enters the area of relating beginning a season of glad tidings for your romantic life. If you're single, now's the time to get out and meet people and if you're in a long-term relationship the moment has come to remember how you got there in the first place! There could be weddings, engagements and anniversaries to look forward to and if you meet someone on Venus's watch you can be sure things will get very romantic indeed. You may even fall in love and marry.
As I mentioned in my general forecast, there are some spectacular, albeit tough, alignments throughout the month: consequently, life will be at extremes. The good just couldn't be better and the bad... Deep and lasting bonds can be created under such stars but if you run into trouble, don't expect an easy resolution.
On the 18th Jupiter enters the zone of far horizons where it will stay for the coming year. You should travel widely with Jupiter here, and your experience of life will certainly expand. With this in mind, maybe what you should be blowing all your hard-earned money on is a round-the-world trip, or at least a journey to somewhere or someone you really want to see.
1st January 2008 - 31st January 2008
Taureans may not be the globe-trotters of the zodiac but something seems to have got you on your bike this year - or, more probably, a 747! The area of far horizons is the focus of much of the planetary activity so if you're not holiday-bound or travelling for business you could be in contact with people in distant places and making plans for the future. The ninth house of the chart is where we look for happiness, success and fulfilment outside our normal sphere, whether that infers where we live, earn our living or have interests. So, the start to 2008 is all about stretching yourself and looking beyond familiar boundaries. Nonetheless, with Jupiter in this same area for the entire year you still have plenty of time left to satisfy those itchy feet.
The New Year is brought in by a Mars-Pluto opposition and a Venus-Saturn square, so jolly isn't quite the word I would use - epic might be a better one. It may be a case of extreme weather or developments in other people's lives that mean you have to make some alterations to your schedule; on the other hand, if you've been sitting on a difficult situation and holding back your feelings, that volcano could erupt! There is a strange aura of destiny about January's events so you will need to be as philosophical as you can be about what comes or goes.
Finances and relationships figure in the equation, and although you may have to think on your feet to correct a financial blip, with Venus in the zone of money and joint concerns, there could be some good news too - and this is certainly a good month to start new financial commitments and rationalize your finances. Once Venus heads into Capricorn (24th) love and distance become a major theme: a romantic trip for some, the beginning of a long-distance romance for others and in general the start of a short period during which relationships benefit from some distance and space.
1st February 2008 - 29th February 2008
Many people treat January as the month of fresh starts but it seems you are only now, in February, ready to put some plans in motion and
concentrate on building towards the future. Planets in the tenth house of career and material ambitions are urging you onward and upward,
however, a solar eclipse (7th) and a sun-Neptune square (11th) could interfere with your perfect plans. Out of the
blue offers and changes could be the result here, although you would be advised to wait until the latter part of February before
committing yourself one way or another. Romance is always to the fore in February because of Valentine's Day, and with Venus in the
zone of far horizons you may be taking a romantic trip around this time or you could be exchanging loving messages with someone far away.
Nonetheless, since Mercury will be retrograding until the 19th don't be surprised if a few of those important messages go missing or
they have to wait until even later in the year to manifest! The total lunar eclipse of the 21st followed by a sun-Saturn
opposition could change the shape of a business endeavour or thrust an association into disarray. This is not an easy time for anyone so
accept what happens stoically and in the knowledge that life can and will get better.
1st March 2008 - 31st March 2008
Friendship and team work are the focus for March's stars. In many ways this is a highly sociable
month, with the emphasis on enjoying life with friends and like-minded people yet the aspects are
challenging. Now, this may translate as difficulties getting a project off the ground or tensions in an
existing endeavour; or it may manifest as your having to help a friend in a crisis or mediate
between people who hold opposing viewpoints. But whatever comes up as a conflict it can be resolved with
patience and a preparedness to give up hard-set opinions and customs. The weekends of the 8th and
29th are notable for their unusual qualities - an opportunity to do something you've never done
before or a sudden change in a plan - and the more flexible you are the better time you're going
to have. Easter finds you more reclusive than usual so if you're planning to cater for the masses or
heading off to holiday places, make sure you are well-rested and you have a back-up system in
place. The full moon of the 21st makes you more emotional than usual, with a tendency to exaggerate
minor problems - think: least-said-soonest-mended.
1st April 2008 - 30th April 2008
The first half of the month could find you somewhat reclusive. This is largely due to the passage of the sun through the obscure twelfth house. However, you should positively use this period until the 15th to focus on inner and more spiritual matters; you will gain much from analysing your dreams and visualizing what you would like to materialize in your life in the future. By the middle of the month a major configuration will be in place, one that could take you far, both in the sense of travel and in terms of your life ambitions. Opportunities and offers could arise and even if they involve considerable change they will be wonderful for you in the long run. The full moon of the 20th falls on the relationship axis, ending a year-long cycle, if not a much longer one. While this may mean simply that by the beginning of May there will be new features in your existing relationship - a new job for a partner, perhaps, or events that will bring a new dimension to your relationship - for some Taureans a long period spent single will be at an end, and a new and positive association on its way.
1st May 2008 - 31st May 2008
The stars have put on their best party-frocks for your birthday! By which I mean, the month ahead has some of the most promising influences we've seen for months. The lovely Venus will be in your sign until the 24th, so other people will be aware of your attractions and you should be feeling better than ever. And with this confidence you'll make strides in your career and with your ambitions in general. Romance, of course, could be the big story, with some Taureans meeting their match (at last!), others making their vows and a handful recognizing, finally, that love will never grow out of a relationship that is based on fear and control. The full moon of the 20th marks the end of a chapter, bringing a relationship full circle, whether that means it's time to say goodbye or to set off hand in hand into the future. Jupiter's retrograde move on the 9th begins a period in which you will discover the flaws in your long-range plans - a change of travel arrangements for some, a legal tussle for a few and for most a realization that you may have come too far too soon. Do your best to tie up agreements and plans before the 26th when Mercury turns retrograde.
1st June 2008 - 30th June 2008
Do you have money on your mind? According to your horoscope you should be doing more than thinking about it. This is a premium period in which to resolve financial worries and to put in place new strategies that will make you more secure and more solvent. Since Mercury will be retrograding in the money zone it may behove you to return to banks or organizations with whom you have had prior understandings and strike up new arrangements. You may find also that people from the past come into your life once more... This could be an important month for a relationship too: the powerful alignments of the 9th - 20th bring all manner of simmering issues to a head but especially matters that have an emotional and financial content. Whatever happens in this mid-June period - however stormy or unexpected - it is what you do in the wake of deep discussions and disclosures that matters. And you may well be ready to forge an altogether different path.
1st July 2008 - 31st July 2008
You may not be the most enthusiastic traveller in the zodiac but the stars have got you moving and motoring in July - and possibly far afield. A holiday could be in view or a trip for business and what happens in transit could prove illuminating! It is a month of meetings, of bringing ideas into being and exchanging information; there could be also some legal matters to deal with and more form-filling than usual. Whatever the case, the written and spoken word counts for much during the next five weeks. Put a ring around the 10th because whatever comes into being on or around this day could prove life-changing and certainly decisive. If you have been trying to make up your mind or unable to gain control of a situation, this period of the month could help you do both, although the process will not be easy. Venus will move to the base of your chart on the 12th, followed by the sun on the 22nd so home affairs will be in prominence. There could be happy family news or beautifying the home could be on your agenda, and from late July and well into August you should be laying the foundation stones of the future.
1st August 2008 - 31st August 2008
One thing you can guarantee about August – it won't be dull. With a total solar eclipse for openers and a lunar eclipse mid-way through, even if your life is running on smooth castors you'll be surrounded by people who are 'walking through a storm'! The focus is on home and family, whether you are busy decorating and changing spaces or spending considerable time with your nearest and dearest and coping with some unexpected challenges. It is time for one or more aspects of your life to be relegated to the memory books and for new chapters to open. And this prospect is most likely to arise where your job is concerned. Certainly, this is an ideal period to look at your current position – whether in regard to a relationship, a job or finances – and make some contingency plans. You may never need them but the exercise will prove illuminating. One other factor to bear in mind throughout August but especially on or near the 6th and 15th is that you may not be receiving all the information you need, and when you've only got half the picture it will be easy to make a mistake.
1st September 2008 - 30th September 2008
Life returns to normal and those things that caused confusion or generated problems in August can be dealt with and processed. The first week of the month is brilliant for starting new projects and nailing a situation, and whatever comes up in the way of opportunities or even difficulties will turn out to have a very positive outcome. There are some mixed astrological messages in regard to creative endeavours, however: on the one hand, there are signs of gestation and birth, which may apply in real terms to a new baby, or alternatively a new romance or business venture; on the other, a sudden and unexpected turn of events could put a situation on a knife edge. In regard to the latter, do not dig your heels in but remain open to alternatives. There is considerable activity in the work zone, which may simply imply you are working your socks off but there could be be new systems in place and fresh faces to co-operate with, all of which may unsettle you temporarily. On the 24th Venus swings into the relationship area setting the stage for a romantic and loving October there is even a possibility of rekindling a lost romance.
1st October 2008 - 31st October 2008
With Venus transiting the area of love and relating until the 18th and
the sun taking over from the 23rd, October could turn out to be the most
romantic month of 2008. Some Taureans will be receiving and making
proposals (not necessarily of the marital kind but to do with
business and career) while others will find their lives dominated by
events in their partner's life. Other people will not be backward in
coming forward when it comes to expressing their feelings and revealing
their intentions, and if sex has been on ice for a little too long, back
it comes with a vengeance. The Mars transit of the zone of
relationships, however, is a proverbial double-edged sword, since
aside from resurrecting your sex life it can reveal a serious opponent.
Thus, you need to be careful who you offend and avoid disclosing secrets
just in case they slip out into the wider public arena! A chapter is
closing on the work front, whether this implies you are completing a
contract and seeking another outlet for your talents or because there
are changes in the workplace itself. Not a bad month, however, and once
Mercury turns direct (15th) things will canter along quite
nicely.
1st November 2008 - 30th November 2008
Maybe the instruction to batten down the hatches is a mite too strong but if you weren't expecting ripples on your smooth pond of life you're about to get them. The month opens with the Saturn-Uranus opposition in full swing (and if you want to know a little more about this transit, please read the new article on Astrolutely) and Mars squaring up to Neptune, which is a recipe for chaos and confusion if ever there was one. Now, this may manifest as chaos and confusion in your own mind as to what course of action you should follow, and my advice would be to allow the dust settle and check out all the facts before you make a move. Caution with information and in your actions will also be necessary on or near the full moon of the 13th because appearances will be deceptive. This full moon is the only one this year in your sign so it is both a time of empowerment and closure and completion. A relationship could be in the spotlight here, with some Taureans ending a long-term liaison and others making the decision to marry or sign a long-term contract. On the 21st the return of the Jupiter-Saturn trine takes you back to events of early September giving some of you a second chance with a situation and others an opportunity to put a major plan in motion. By the 27th, Venus, Jupiter and Pluto will all be in the zone of distant horizons so travel and making connections with people and events far away could be the reason November proves to be something of a milestone.
1st December 2008 - 31st December 2008
Is it the economy, is it the in- laws or simply the pressures of Christmas present? Of course, it's the astrology! Almost every week in December one of the more trying members of the planetary team is at odds with another, which will produce tension and unexpected detours to your plans. Money is certainly in the frame, whether you are putting together new packages with financial organizations or negotiating salary structures. You would be better playing a conciliatory role in any financial negotiation, however, because with Mars in a key partnership zone the opposition will be tougher and more ruthless than you. On the other hand, if you are due for a bonus or an inheritance, it could be impressive. From the 21st, there is an increasing focus on travel and distant horizons. Travel and your experience in far- off places could be very different from your expectations, and the time may have come to make one of the most important decisions of your life.
1st January 2009 - 31st January 2009
With the sun and Mars highlighting the zone of travel and distant objectives you could be taking some giant steps this January. On the 5th Jupiter arrives at the highest point of your solar chart and for the rest of the year will be focusing on getting you where you want to go, both in terms of your job and your personal ambitions. I'm not sure that Mercury's retrograde move (11th) will exactly help in this onward and upward process but even an apparent step back could turn out to be the very best thing. (By the way, travel may have its little problems on the 11th too – full moons bring out the best and worst of us in transit!) Certainly, the days on and around the 11th could prove highly significant, and there could be contracts to sign and major decisions reached. The solar eclipse of the 26th is closely conjunct Jupiter, and even though eclipses can coincide with challenging events, I think in this case it could portend a wonderful window of opportunity for you, first and foremost in regard to your career and ambitions. Also, returning to Mercury's retrograde motion, a friend or colleague could come back into your life and dipping into your past could prove extremely valuable.
1st March 2009 - 31st March 2009
Friendships, working relationships and collaborations of all kinds come under the astro-micro-scope. For some Taureans an association reaches breaking point, perhaps after a conflict of opinions; for others a new project comes about that challenges your talents in the best of ways, and in general, you'll discover the good, the bad and the ugly in the people you love or with whom you work and hang out. The week of the 8th looks to be the most challenging, whether something grinds to a mysterious halt or you discover unexpected flaws in an endeavour. It will be essential to get the facts here, rather than relying on impressions or second-hand information. As always those things made of the right stuff survive the most difficult alignments – in fact, they become stronger because of them. On the 20th, the sun heads into the low key twelfth house of your solar chart thus beginning a four-week period in which your physical and emotional batteries can be re-charged and you should aim to take some time out in order to prepare for the big events of late April and May.
1st April 2009 - 30th April 2009
You're in the fog of the twelfth house until the 19th so don't pile on the pressure – the health of mind, body and spirit is your top priority, and physical check-ups and such practices as meditation and yoga are advised. You may well be unsure where you stand with someone or where a situation is going but rather than press people for answers, take a step back and wait for things to unfold all by themselves – it's time to put my favourite piece of advice into practice: if you don't know what to do, do nothing. Mercury, the planet of travel and dialogue, heads into your sign at Easter, giving you a little more control of the ball, and a break away could prove both happy and educational! And with Mercury set to turn retrograde early next month it would be to your advantage to get as many agreements rubber stamped as possible. The Mars transit of the zone of creativity and collaboration may be inspiring you to begin new work projects and to get together with people you like or love to bring something beautiful into being... However, with Mars opposing Saturn (5th) and conjoining Uranus (15th) a joint venture could run into a rut in the road. If you are tempted to throw in the towel or end a relationship then, might I suggest you give the dust a little time to settle: once the sun is in your sign (19th) and ruler, Venus, has turned direct (17th) you'll be in a far better position to form an opinion.
1st February 2009 - 28th February 2009
A series of key alignments began in late January and they reach a peak with the lunar eclipse of the 9th February. For many Taureans these alignments will lead to changes on the job front or in regard to the home base but for all this represents a period of evaluation and elimination. New starts can be made thereafter, and at the very least the revision of a life-script or two could do marvellous things for your progress. The 1st - 12th is both challenging and rewarding and a key part of coming out of this period with a success on your hands will be establishing the facts as opposed to the fiction of events. Valentine's Day sees the planet of love, Venus, tucked away in the twelfth house, so a low-key celebration is advised. However, some Taureans my find a love affair looses its lustre or fears of infidelity or rejection surface. A wait-and-see policy is best but if a relationship comes to an end or you discover you cannot put up with a certain aspect of someone's behaviour, don't compromise your standards and maintain your integrity. The month ends on a positive Mercury-Jupiter note – a great time to interview or to make a proposal, business or otherwise.
1st May 2009 - 31st May 2009
If only Mercury wasn't retrograde (7th - 31st) you'd be zinging along with ne'er a delay, postponement or detour to bother you. But Mercury is retrograde so you will have to be extra patient with those people who and those situations that are dragging their heels. Neptune and Jupiter are in pride of place, giving some Taureans a dream of a month and others rather more of a nightmare! The downside to Jupiter-Neptune combos is that the promise offered in the past may simply fail to be delivered, plus you could find yourself having to give up – albeit temporarily – a project or association that is creating more pain than gain. The period around the 17th is the most delicate in this regard and you will need to examine the fine print in agreements and look far more deeply into the history of certain people and situations. With Venus and Mars still located in the mystery zone (twelfth house) a love affair could be struggling and you may feel uncertain about the right course to take with a relationship. Step back for the moment. June is a whole other story.
1st June 2009 - 30th June 2009
You have money on your mind. In some cases this means that you will be wrestling with a financial problem that reaches crunch point on or near the 5th or 17th and in other cases there will be unexpected expenditure or a monetary bonus. Either way, the sun-Jupiter trine of the 18th offers a great opportunity or something of a consolation prize. The full moon of the 7th represents the end of a year-long financial cycle so it is appropriate to have a fiscal review at this time – just as long as you don't allow emotions to get in the way of sane strategies. And if it's not money that is focus of this full moon it could be a relationship. Your value as a person and a lover is in the spotlight and if you have been allowing someone to devalue you or you have been giving too much of yourself away to another person, the time has come to get things back in balance. Pluto comes back in force from the 21st, on the one hand, broadening your life horizons and urging you to stretch your wings and, on the other, forcing you to re-think your long-term plans and revealing which of those plans should be shredded.
1st July 2009 - 31st July 2009
May you live in interesting times... Or so the ancient Chinese benediction goes, and with so many diverse influences in your horoscope at the moment, interesting could turn out to be an understatement. Certainly, with two eclipses in the travel and communications sector of your solar chart you'll be taking a journey, whether of the real or figurative kind, and if you have travel plans for the 7th or 22nd of the month, you will need to be extra fussy about the details and prepared to be flexible with your arrangements and your expectations. The total solar eclipse of the 22nd could portend an unexpected announcement or an event that dynamically affects your long-term plans, and if you're ready to launch a new project, choose this period of the month to do so and guarantee it will be a life-changing move. The Jupiter-Neptune conjunction of the 10th is another key point of July: dreams are made or broken thanks to these planets but once again, if you have faith in someone or something this is the time to put your money where your mouth is. The week of the 6th does require a little care, however, since it will be easy to misinterpret someone's actions and make an error you'll regret... Nonetheless, this isn't one of those dull and uneventful months – it has the wow factor!
1st August 2009 - 31st August 2009
August is not the most restful of months but if you were looking for action and hoping that one or more situations would shift, these stars will probably do the trick. Money, travel and family/property matters are in the frame and the dates around which events of importance will cluster are the 6th,15th and 21st. The lunar eclipse of the 6th could take you back to developments in the late January/early February period and whatever the nature of those events this is an appropriate time to complete a process. For some Taureans this process of completion has to do with a job and for others something a little closer to your heart. Around the 17th Neptune is in mystery-mode so be sure to question information and not to spring to conclusions. Venus will be in the zone of communications virtually all month so there could be journeys for love and the finding of romance in transit or on foreign soil. This is also an excellent period in which to repair a relationship, especially by sending a written message.
1st September 2009 - 30th September 2009
On the one hand, this is a getting-back-to-business month and, on the other, a time when you should be focusing on you and generally enjoying life. Maybe you can accomplish both. The sun's passage through the area of creativity and self-expression will inspire you to get moving on new personal and professional projects. Babies and children could dominate your schedule – and with mixed blessings. You'll get to find out whether your plans are built of the right stuff or you have to go back to the drawing board; there'll be joys and frustrations. Love and romance are another area in which you'll experience extremes: some Taureans will be loving the excitement of a new relationship and others wondering why love has flown. The culprits here are Saturn and Uranus – these planets together expose the weak and the worthless and force you into unknown territory but there is nothing wrong with knowing what and who is of value and what and who are not. Is there? The week of the 14th is the one to watch for out of the blue developments and sudden realizations. Even though Mercury will be retrograde (7th – 29th), thus slowing down the pace off life and inspiring re-thinks, there could be good news on or near the 11th, and this is definitely the time to make your pitch – whatever that may be.
1st October 2009 - 31st October 2009
This is a working month for you, by which I mean matters related to your job will be top of the agenda and, aside from pouring your energies into duties and chores, you'll need to look at commitments, habits and activities that are interfering with your progress and hampering your lifestyle. Health is another top item, whether you've chosen this month to have a physical, see the dentist or begin a new exercise programme and diet. Indeed, if you do nothing else this October, eating more healthily, taking more exercise and attending to any minor health worry will pay dividends in the future. Given that the economy is still in crisis and that many jobs continue to be under threat, October is the best month of 2009 to network and lobby support. While there is the occasional tough aspect – take the 4th and 8th for instance – for the most part the cosmos is quiet and on your side. There's also a lot of activity in the home zone, which may translate as family tensions/gatherings, renovation or the sale and purchase of a property. Saturn enters the working zone of your horoscope on the 29th for a three-year stay, during which time you'll find your niche, although it will take patience, disappointments and courage. All the more reason, therefore, to take some chances in the early part of October and to ensure you have the resources – financial and people-wise – to support your journey through to October 2012.
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