Virgo, May 2016

May opens with not only your ruling planet, Mercury, retrograde, but four other planets retrograde, too: Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto. You can learn more about what this all means here, but let's take a look specifically at how these retrogrades will influence you, my flawless Virgo reader:

Mercury is retrograde in fellow Earth sign Taurus until May 22, and it's highlighting the sector of your chart that rules expansion of your mind, whether that be through travel, spirituality, or school. Mercury retrograde is famous for causing delays; however, we all know, that you're famous for over-preparing (you are a perfectionist).

Who will win? Will Mercury succeed in fucking you over by causing traffic or air travel delays, crashing your email when an important assignment is due, or any of the other myriad ways Mercury can cause miscommunication and mayhem when retrograde? Or will you have dutifully handed everything early and hopped on a plane to veg out for three weeks and do nothing prior to Mercury's switch up?

I don't know, Virgo, but ultimately, you can't stress out about it too much. Perhaps some mistakes are meant to happen? Maybe this Mercury retrograde will teach you something far more beneficial than whatever you would have learned if things had been business as usual? In any case, watch out for running into friends from faraway places and take time to reflect and meditate. That's the best way to use Mercury retrograde's energy.

Mars is also retrograde this month—first in Sagittarius, then in Scorpio, which it re-enters on May 27. Mars is the planet of war; it's not an energy to be fucked with. During a retrograde, the energy is even more combustible—unless it's totally flaccid. Mars is all about power and vitality. It's the warrior of the zodiac, and when it's moving backward and not being its usual self, the energy can feel anywhere from limp and powerless to unruly and explosive.

During the first part of the month, while Mars is retrograde in Sagittarius, you will be working on themes relating to your home and family, roomies and landlords, and other domestic issues. Addressing issues from your past is also something you may be doing at this time, as well as reflecting on your roots and feelings around safety and security.

When Mars re-enters Scorpio, you'll feel the energy shift from your home to your thoughts: Your communication style will certainly take on a more Martian tone, and you won't be taking any shit from anyone. That said, remember, Mars is being a little extra right now, so try not to overdo it. We all know how deeply words can cut, and that's exactly what Mars wants to do. Conversations and situations from about two months ago—late February to early March—will come back up for examination.

The other retrogrades we're currently working with are Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto. Jupiter is retrograde in your sign, and it will go direct on May 9, at which time you'll be excited to present an "upgraded," even more killer (Jupiter is all about growth!) version of yourself.

Saturn is retrograde in Sagittarius, pushing you to examine the structures in your life, especially around your home and family. Pluto is retrograde in fellow Earth sign Capricorn, encouraging you to examine power dynamics in your creative relationships, as well as in your live life.

But enough talk about retrogrades! We have a new moon in Taurus on May 6, which is an excellent time for you to do any energetic work about expansion—perhaps make a vision board of the places you want to visit or pick up a school's course catalog and see if any courses appeal to you. This new moon is also going to inspire you to consider what your vision is. Where do you see yourself going? Do you feel like you have purpose? These are all themes worth meditating on during this new moon.

Don't feel overwhelmed if you don't know the answers to these questions—you're not really supposed to. If you do, that's awesome; however, Mercury is currently retrograde is this same sector of your chart, so feeling confused is expected at this time. Feel your feelings, explore ideas, and experiment—I said look at a course catalog, not apply. Things will straighten out soon, and you'll know which way you want to go.

One of the more powerful days this month is May 12, when your ruling planet, Mercury, which is in Taurus, trines (one of the easiest astrological aspects) power planet Pluto in Capricorn. You, Taurus, and Capricorn are all Earth signs that work harmoniously and productively together. Solid, driven, grounded are all words used to describe the Earth signs.

Mercury and Pluto working well together brings transformation and healing through information and communication. Something you've needed to hear or learn could arrive on this day. Expect shifts to take place around any creative projects you have going on, as well as in your love life.

The next day, May 13, Mercury meets with the planet of love and harmony, Venus, sending you even more good vibes. On this day, Venus will trine Pluto as well—expect a sensual, intimate vibe to take over around this time of the month!

The Sun enters intellectual Air sign Gemini on May 20, and Venus follows it soon after on May 24. They will be lighting up the sector of your chart that rules fame and success; however, the full moon in Sagittarius on May 21 will ask you to not get totally lost in your career and your climb to the top—you're needed at home, too. Full moons push us to find balance, and this one wants you to nurture your private life as much as your public life.

On May 26, Jupiter in Virgo squares (a challenging astrological aspect) Saturn in Sagittarius, which will bring up themes relating to accountability and maturity. Reflect on the events that took place and feelings you were having back on August 3, 2015 and March 23 of this year—those are the last times Jupiter and Saturn squared. Whatever happened then could give you a lot of great information about how to handle things now.

You like to be helpful to everyone, Virgo, but you need to put yourself first—and this clash between Saturn and Jupiter won't let you forget that. Family obligations could be especially heavy right now, but remember, you can't be useful to anyone if you're falling apart. This is an excellent time to reflect on boundaries.

On May 30, Mercury in Taurus trines Pluto again, just like it did earlier in the month on May 12— expect to revisit the themes that took place around then, but this time with a clearer perspective and ability to move forward now that Mercury is direct.

No retrograde lasts forever! And neither do any horoscopes—see you next month, Virgo!