Capricorn, May 2016
Illustration by Shawna X

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horoscopes

Capricorn, May 2016

Use all the retrogrades this month to take a step back at life and look at the big picture.

You don't like being rushed, Capricorn, but the snail's pace at which things are moving at now that half the sky is retrograde doesn't suit you much either. Oh well, if anyone knows that life's a bitch, it's you, my precious sea goat. Let's check out what May has in store for you:

Your ruling planet Saturn, the taskmaster of the zodiac, is retrograde in Sagittarius, pushing you to reflect on the ways you shoot yourself in the foot. Get serious about addressing your bad habits! It's also worth noting that Sagittarius is an optimistic, fun energy—let yourself have a good time. Having fun and being healthy don't need to clash.

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Jolly Jupiter is retrograde in fellow Earth sign Virgo (and it goes direct on May 9). While it's retrograde, it causes you to press the pause button around school, travel, and even things like publishing and spirituality. Jupiter is asking you to work with what you already know, rather than consume new information. That saying, "Wherever you go, there you are," is appropriate at this time, so meditate on that.

Power planet Pluto is retrograde in your sign, Capricorn, inspiring you to reflect on the power dynamics that play out in your relationships, especially your part in the games that are being played.

The two main retrogrades you'll work with this month are Mars retrograde and Mercury retrograde.

The two main retrogrades you'll work with this month are Mars retrograde and Mercury retrograde. Mars is currently retrograde in Sagittarius, but it will dip back into Scorpio on May 27.

Mars is the planet of warrior, and when it's retrograde, people have a hard time expressing their anger, and the vibe is way more impulsive, impatient, and irritable. Mars wants to conquer, and during the retrograde, the energy can feel anywhere from a total drag to a massive explosion. Mars retrograde in Sagittarius will find you facing arguments that seem to pop up out of nowhere. When Mars reenters Scorpio on May 27, this energy will manifest in the groups and organizations you belong to, so expect some long nights arguing with your crew.

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Relationships between you and your friends and acquaintances could also take on some of Mars retrograde's heat. Think back to late February and early March—stuff that came up for you to work on back then will resurface for you to work with again when Mars gets back into Scorpio.

Mercury retrograde will be as annoying as ever. You know the usual advice: Avoid signing contracts, avoid travel, expect delays, be patient with miscommunications, and, especially because this retrograde is in a materialistic Earth sign Taurus, watch out for losing important objects and paper work. Click here to read more about the retrogrades!

Mars retrograde in Sagittarius will find you facing arguments that seem to pop up out of nowhere.

During this particular retrograde in sensual, romantic Taurus, much of the confusion will take place in your love life and around your creative efforts. Watch out for crushes from the past to resurface! If it's not to annoying to chat with them, go for it: Mercury retrograde will be speaking through them, and you could get a whole lot of insight. If you're looking for closure, this could be a lovely retrograde to reconnect under.

As annoying as Mercury retrograde is, it does offer us a chance to reflect, review, and slow down. Don't be too worried that your love life and creative pursuits will be totally fucked by Mercury retrograde! We have a new moon on May 6 in Taurus, which will bring you an opportunity to create a fresh start around these themes.

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Doing energetic work around romance is a great way to use the energy of this new moon, as is working on your art and having fun. Do you have enough fun, Capricorn? You definitely know how to party, but you don't let yourself go wild enough. Go fucking wild during this new moon. June will call on you to bring your serious, mature self to the relationship table, so let yourself be free this month.

On May 20, the Sun enters Gemini and highlights the sector of your chart that rules wellness and healthy habits, as well as your day job and day-to-day routines and chores. This is a great time to kick any bad habits (all Capricorns have at least one vice) and spruce up your diet, as well as to do some spring cleaning.

If you're looking to improve things at your job, the Sun in Gemini will have your back, and once Mercury goes direct on May 22, communicating at work and creating a more beneficial or productive schedule for yourself will be achievable.

My lusty goat friend, May is also about you going wild and focusing on things other than work.

But, again, my lusty goat friend, May is also about you going wild and focusing on things other than work: The full moon in Sagittarius on May 21 will ask you to find a better work/life balance. This is one of the hardest things to achieve in the society we live in, but this full moon has your back on achieving this.

Getting more rest and being able to have more down time is a huge theme relating to Saturn's journey through Sagittarius—while we haven't spoken about that much this month, Cap, trust me when I say it's important (Saturn is your ruling planet). This full moon will bring a climax to any struggles you've had to create a schedule that's filled with productive and fulfilling daytime activities as well as a life at night that feeds your imagination, spirit, and soul through quality rest and alone time, and/or a healthy way to let off steam out on the town.

On May 26, Jupiter in Virgo squares Saturn (your ruling planet!) in Sagittarius. Squares are tense aspects, but you have experienced this clash between Jupiter and Saturn before: on August 3, 2015 and March 23 of this year. This transit will push you to accept the unknowns in your life and to be mature and responsible despite the uncertainty that comes with that. Think back to last August and March—the situations you lived through then will inform you on how to deal with your feelings now.

Use all the retrogrades this month to take a step back at life and look at the big picture. You work your ass off, and you deserve a little break anyway. See you next month!