Taurus April 21st-May 20th

The month of January is a compatible month for your earth sign because Capricorn is also of the same element. Capricorn represents your solar 9th house which connects to higher consciousness, the superconscious mind, other countries, travel and also philosophical and ideological issues. All those areas of life may figure strongly, and Mercury also in Capricorn from the 8th to the 27th emphasizes intellectual pursuits and success and also long-distance connections, and that’s true for you all.

From the 27th there will be a need to focus on career progress and before the 8th it will be vital that communications with partners, especially over joint finances are addressed.

Before the 14th your ruler Venus brings a window of opportunity to use your charms and your creative gifts to excel, but if born after May 3rd, be wary about sycophancy or succumbing to excess and rather hollow flattery. From the 14th when Venus moves into Pisces, for all born up to May 12th, social life becomes rather magical and you will be in demand. Your ability to hold court and impress with genuine sensibilities will be admired.

Mars is in the compatible to your sign of Virgo this month, bringing a notable strength to your desires which can be expressed constructively and creatively. This is very empowering, especially if born between May 10th and 15th. It also brings romantic courage and a sense of determination. Physical, psychological and spiritual energy is yours. However, from the 14th when Mars moves retrograde, in which mode he will be until mid April, there will be a realignment of energy and this will be true for all of us. The need to take a step back to review and examine our conscience and our hearts will be essential. The indirect approach will be prevalent and there will be a need to draw back from direct action and to watch, feel and really honor what is going on in the unconscious. Delays and frustrations are par for the course and if we but knew it, necessary. A re-evaluation of creative direction and an addressing of whether it is satisfying your heart or not will be the order of the day and also a need to stop and review romantic issues and ones approach to it may be necessary. Children’s issues too may need a different more considered approach

Jupiter of course is in your sign which is always a help, and he has been hanging around the Suns of those born April 20th to 23rd since November. For this group the last few months, including this month has represented a time of real protection, luck and growth, either internal or external. For some it has brought financial gain, for others just a sense of well-being and happiness, and at the least, protection. This is a once every 12 year hit. Particularly auspicious days are around the 8th and 15th.

Saturn in Libra is bringing for some challenges around career and work direction and one is being asked to work extra hard to secure the future, particularly if born after May 18th. Also Neptune is squaring this same group of late Taurean Suns, bringing a sense of confusion and almost a meltdown when it comes to one’s career direction. Clearly many of us in the current economic climate are feeling the pinch and a sense of lack of identity. This is part of our collective karma and for this group of Taureans it is an opportunity to review what our value system is, what we need and what we want and what matters. A sense of fog and lack of direction and security is a symptom of not being able to control events. Sometimes we have to “”let go and let God” or to put it another way, just to trust the trade winds to get us from one shore to the others. In the meantime, indulge your creativity, your visual acuity, love of music and benefit by being near water.

Uranus in Aries now is a subtle indication that Taureans need to recognize that they cannot fight life. They need to embrace, understand, adjust and adapt.

Finally, Pluto is a very positive mover and shaker now for those born April 26th to 29th. You have been feeling this influence on and off since early last year and now you have an opportunity to really understand and appreciate its empowerment and transformational properties, particularly when it comes to higher learning, higher wisdom, academic pursuits and the regenerative and transformational power of travel. There is a feeling of destiny about you and you can and will understand just how much you can believe in your gifts and indeed can access your courage in order to manifest these gifts.

Thought for 2012: Change is one of two certainties of life, embrace it as an opportunity.