This is my second weekly astro-update, and I want to thank all of the readers of last week's update who expressed enthusiasm for this new weekly horoscope feature. As I outline energy trends for each week, I'll show you how to work WITH the planetary flow instead of bucking AGAINST it. New astro-updates will be posted each Monday, so do check back and see what the planets have in store each week.

Overview for the Week of Monday, April 18th - Sunday, April 24th

Although Mercury finally went direct last Tuesday the 12th, that retrograde feeling was still floating around for much of the week. If you're anything like me, you probably still had a cosmic hangover for most of that time. (I felt like I'd had one two many Flirtinis or Alabama Slammers most of the week.)

That planetary haze should continue to dissipate this week, and all of the signs will find it easier to get back to work and get focused on things they want to accomplish. Refine those plans to climb Mt. Everest. Fine-tune that new dietary regimen geared toward making you slim and fabulous. Make a checklist of relationship goals and figure out what you need to be doing to manifest the ideal partnership. You'll be clear-headed and refreshingly sober instead of woozy and filled with cosmic nausea like last week.

Two big things are happening with the stars. The sun enters Taurus on Tuesday the 19th, joining Venus, which entered Taurus last week. Taurus and fellow Earth signs Virgo and Capricorn will feel unusually confident and clear-headed during this transit. The sun stays in Taurus until May 20th, so put this energy to good use. Earth signs tend to be a little shy, but this cosmic boost will make you dynamic and expressive. Although you're not usually the type to dance naked on a bar with only a lampshade as cover (you leave that to Leos,) you'll be exuberant and cheery now. Have some guilt-free fun in whichever form seems most appropriate to you. After all the hard work you've been putting in since January, you deserve it!

On Sunday the 24th there is a full moon in the sign of Scorpio at 6:06 am Eastern Daylight Time. There's a lunar eclipse right before that at 5:56 am EDT. Full moons and Scorpio go together like, well, gunpowder and a flaming torch. The combination of the two is intense. Scorpios as well as fellow Water signs Cancer and Pisces will be feeling a heightened emotionality coupled with a strong need for personal justice to be served. Try not to indulge those revenge fantasies too much. If it suddenly becomes clear to you that your honey isn't doing his share of the house chores, don't amputate his naughty bits with a meat cleaver. Or if you're freaking out about stress at work, don't engage in endless chains of conspiratorial thinking. "If my supervisor weren't a reptilian Illuminati blueblood, I'd have a chance at real success!" (I'm not saying your conspiracy theory will be wrong, mind you. But avoid obsessing about it that weekend if you're interested in enhancing your own mental health.)

On a global level, it's possible that this particular eclipse and full moon could kick up some bullying behavior between nations. South Korea might start bragging about its nuclear capability again. India and Pakistan could have a minor fistfight. The U.S. and -- well, let's see, according to the Bushistas, we're supposed to be mad at just about everyone right now -- the U.S. and someone could exchange a war of words. But hopefully, whatever happens around the eclipse won't do permanent damage.

In our own lives, it's best for us to tread carefully, approaching our spouses, significant others, rugrats, and pets as if they could go nuclear at any moment. Be delicate, kind, and sweet as all heck. It won't hurt you any, and it might just bring you some good karma!

Aries the Ram

That flurry of emotional and mental activity that kicked up for most of April will start to assume a more grounded form this week. If you've made some plans to take over the world, helpful allies and welcome structures will add energy to this vision. Look for friends to appear out of the blue who will express their belief in you. Or be on the lookout for flirtatious strangers to express a desire to get to know you better. You have "SUCCESS" tattooed to your forehead right now, and as things start to assume a better form in your life, others will respond to this personal magnetism. You could amass a squadron of groupies without even trying. Just don't let all that attention go to your head, okay? The typical Aries forehead is already big enough.

Taurus the Bull

You're on top of the world lookin' down on creation, to quote a Carpenters' song. As the sun and Venus team up in your sign, you're being given a powerful jolt of Can Do attitude. Instead of tearing yourself apart worrying what others think about you, you're ready to march ahead, and damn the consequences. Anything that stands in the path of a Bull under full steam doesn't last long. You could tread on a few foes this week or stomp hoofprints onto the bellies of some critics or naysayers. Push on, be bold, and don't put on the brakes even when you see the whites of their eyes. It's time to step into the glory of being you, sans apologies. This IS your solar return time, after all, so relish this personal power period.

Gemini the Twins

You're feeling a lot of pressure to address your finances, and career matters could be topmost on your mind. The practical influence of the sun and Venus joining up in earthy Taurus is highlighting your need for security. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, you'll want to work hard, cross tasks off of your To Do list, and simply attend to the projects at hand. Expect a lightening up Thursday afternoon (3:28 pm Eastern Daylight Time) or evening as the moon moves into friendly Air sign Libra. By then, you'll feel less pressured and more hopeful. At week's end, you'll want to spend some time chatting about life, the universe, and everything with a good friend who truly understands you. You could brainstorm your way into a whole new adventure - a path paved with potential gold.

Cancer the Crab

Issues that were causing a minor sense of annoyance could build into major irritation this week, so look at this as a time to be more aware of your personal triggers. An external situation might manifest that is mirroring some internal stuff that needs to be released. Pay attention to thoughtforms and belief structures that have worn out their welcome. If you find yourself cycling negatively about something, saying, "It always...." "It never..." or "I can't..." those are the loops you need to get rid of. As the full moon in Scorpio blasts its merciless headlights at you, you'll gain true perspective about something that needs to be permanently released. Connect with the truth of it and give yourself permission to blast it out of your system, once and for all. Healing can be yours.

Leo the Lion

You're figuring out a better way to do things, and it's important to follow through. Maybe you and your honey are adjusting to a different schedule and discovering some new energies. Perhaps changes at work are pulling you into some unexpected projects. It's likely that you're bouncing off of some fresh social connections that haven't been a part of your life before. Embrace these diversions, because the cast of characters which has been around you for some time is undergoing a shift. New soulmates might appear while old ones leave. If a close friend announces that he or she is headed for Outer Mongolia, share a bottle of champagne and a toast to new adventures. Hanging on to old structures isn't the way to go when you're going through a personal metamorphosis.

Virgo the Virgin

While Mercury was in retrograde your inner child needed a diaper change. That infant who lives inside of you was whining and complaining. Now your mature side is taking charge again, and you're feeling emboldened and confident. The sun and Venus in friendly Taurus will help you to see that you weren't crazy to think that your life could improve. Powerful people and events are shaping up to bring dynamic possibilities into your formerly limited world. Pay attention to moments of inspiration that hit you out of the blue, as your intuition is guiding you to accept better frameworks and fresh possibilities. Instead of getting caught up control games, allow others to guide you into new ways of thinking. Those seemingly crazy plans may not be so crazy after all. It could be time to take a big risk soon.

Libra the Scales

When it comes to addressing interpersonal conflict, you usually prefer to run for cover rather than stay and face the music. This week's full moon in merciless Scorpio could show you some things you'd rather not see. Maybe your honey isn't perfect, after all. Perhaps your adored boss has some unexpected flaws, such as a passion for Britney Spears' albums. You could be observing chinks in people's armor and finding that stress can bring out the worst in people. As various melodramas take place around you, don't take these eruptions too personally. Emotional matters are rising to the surface, magnetized by the drawing power of the full moon. Whatever happens, happens, and it's best to make like a Beatle and Let It Be.

Scorpio the Scorpion

As the full moon's energy builds up throughout the week, you're finding that there is something you need to get off your chest. In fact, there could be more than one thing. You could find yourself looking for a target you can dump things on. You definitely need to vent some powerful emotions, and this clearing process is important. But find a way to do it that won't cause nuclear fallout. While it might be momentarily satisfying to tell your boss what you really think of her, is that going to help your long-term career prospects? And even though your roommate clearly is invading your personal space/avoiding his share of chores/out of line with his choice of girlfriend, does he really need you to yell at him about it? (Then again, maybe he does.)

Sagittarius the Archer

You're usually Miss Sunny and Easy-going, but this week, you could be feeling anxious. In case you're wondering, there's nothing wrong with you. (At least, nothing more than usual.) The full moon is just preparing to draw off some psychic poison, and it does this by stirring lower emotions into a temporary frenzy. This is a good week to exercise and sweat out those toxins. Or you might want to get a massage or soak in a sauna. Anything you can do to honor your body's need for release is good. (And yes, if a luscious significant other is involved, that can work, too!) Think of this week as a time for clearing and a period for breaking through dense, stale energy. You'll soon emerge on the other side, feeling shiny and new.

Capricorn the Goat

You've been working really hard over these past few months, aiming yourself at a certain goal. This goal is one that may well involve reinventing yourself from the ground up - very ambitious, indeed. As a helpful sun aligns with cheery Venus this week, you'll be hitting a nice groove with things. Even if you're still working late, you won't feel as tired, and any pessimism will be right out the door. As the full moon intensifies the emotions of people around you, you'll be vibing on the positive emotions instead of the heavier ones. You're looking good, feeling good, and doing good. Who could ask for more? Set an example to others with your star power and aura of success.

Aquarius the Water-Bearer

For you, this week's energy could be parallel to some of what Gemini is going through. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday could be workdays filled with a certain amount of angst. Money matters may be pressing, and even if you're drowning in money, you could still feel worried about managing finances. But by Thursday afternoon when the moon dances into light-hearted Libra (at 3:27 pm Eastern Daylight Time) you'll have a sudden skip in your step. You'll see that things aren't slipping out from under your feet and that you are walking on solid ground. Creative inspiration may dawn as you head into the weekend, so pay attention to those grand ideas that pop up out of the blue. You could come up with a grand marketing scheme or a killer career plan.

Pisces the Fish

As with fellow Water signs Cancer and Scorpio, the full moon this week could have you on edge. Think of this as a time for purging. Is there a confession you need to make to clear your conscience? Is there something delicate that you need to discuss with a family member? Maybe there's an intimate matter that you and your honey should be talking about. Address the truth from a loving and honest place, and you can experience some wonderful healing. Don't let fear prevent you from speaking up. You'll feel a lot better once you get things off your chest, and others around you will experience a lightness of spirits, too. Full moons can make emotions temporarily heavy, but if you notice the energy and use it for clearing through psychic debris, you can emerge on the other side feeling great.

See you back here next Monday for more astro-updates!