Where Are the Planets Now?

Here's a quickie breakdown of which planets are in which signs.

The sun is in Earth sign Taurus.
Mercury is still in Fire sign Aries.
Venus is still in Taurus.
Mars is in Water sign Pisces.
Jupiter is retrograde in Air sign Libra.
Saturn is in Water sign Cancer.
Uranus is in Water sign Pisces.
Neptune is in Air sign Aquarius.
Pluto is still retrograde in Fire sign Sagittarius.

Note: There will be a new moon in the sign of Taurus at 4:45am Eastern Daylight Time on Sunday May 8th.

Overview for the Week of Monday, May 2nd - Sunday, May 8th

Those expansive "everything is possible" feelings that were stirred up by the May 1st/Beltane holiday helped us to get in touch with thoughts about where we'd like to be. . . even if we're not quite there yet. This week, you may find your mind spinning with ideas about what you are truly seeking in a relationship, work, or domestic situation. Don't lose sight of these goals as they are authentic visions about positive things you can create in your life, if only you are willing to work at them.

On Monday there will be a lot of reflective and emotional energy floating around as the moon and Mars join up in the watery sign of Pisces. This energy will stick around through Wednesday. If you were born under the Water signs of Pisces, Cancer, or Scorpio, you'll be feeling unusually clear-headed and optimistic. Virgo, the sign opposite Pisces, is likely to be a bit of a grumpapuss as those two planets focus your awareness on all the things YOU JUST CAN'T STAND ANYMORE! ! ! (Ahem. Pardon the explosion. I'm a Virgo, you see, and I especially identify with that last bit. Stuff that has been just quietly driving me nuts is starting to LOUDLY drive me nuts right now, thanks to the clarifying energy of merciless Pisces. Can we say, frazzled? I promise not to take it out on you loyal readers. Too much.)

In the wee hours of Tuesday the 3rd the moon and Uranus will be conjunct in Pisces, encouraging us to find innovative, unconventional, or just plain odd solutions to the problems we're facing. Be open to wild ideas that are contrarian or "opposite" to your usual way of looking at things, as these may provide the keys to fully understanding something you've been struggling with. Some powerful moments of insight may break through on Tuesday and Wednesday thanks to this Uranian influence.

At 2:36 pm on Wednesday the 4th, Eastern Daylight Time, the moon moves into lively Aries, providing an emotional lift to all of you Fire signs out there (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.) Look for the second half of your week to go more smoothly than the beginning. Aries will especially be in the mood to express themselves, since the moon and Mercury join up in Aries at 3:45 am Friday the 6th. You could be heading into a highly verbal day or two as Mercury kicks up your need to stand your ground, state your views, and make your point clear. Leo and Sagittarius will also be grooving along on some outspoken vibes, so passionate discussions (or declarations of love) may be on the menu.

The new moon occurs on Sunday the 8th at 4:45 am in the practical sign of Taurus, bringing us all a feeling of stability and a desire to get hard work done. If you're a Taurus or one of the other two Earth signs -- Virgo or Capricorn -- you'll feel great on Sunday and will find it easy to make grand plans for your future. If you're expanding a business, searching for a new job, or trying to figure out what you really want to be when you grow up, you Earth signs will find clarity breaking through the clouds. Things might not be quite so clear for Scorpios, since the new moon will be happening in Taurus, which is your opposite sign. For you, issues that have been percolating beneath the surface could boil to a bit of a frenzy, and you might find yourself seeking a confrontation. Instead of behaving aggressively toward others, turn within. What emotions do you need to be more aware of? What is it you've been afraid to acknowledge within yourself? Find a way to honor whatever intense emotions are surfacing and make a truce with the shadow elements of your personality. You can do it! "Use the Force, Luke!" (The Good Side of the Force, that is.)

Each month's new moon time is a powerful monthly "new year," a time to usher in positive and constructive energies. It's also a great period to focus on increasing your ability to receive abundance in whatever area of your life needs the most expansion. You may wish to write yourself a new moon check. This process is a fun meditation or ritual that can help you to connect with the energy of financial well-being. Check out my series of articles on this subject - you'll find them listed on my home page.

Aries the Ram

As I've mentioned above, your week may get off to a bit of a clunky start because Water sign Pisces is featuring so prominently. You could feel restless and dying to get moving. By Wednesday, the moon moves into your sign, stirring things up at last. You'll feel much more momentum, confidence, and personal power as you sail through the rest of the week. Take time to express yourself in creative and dynamic ways on Friday. That's when the moon and Mercury will give each other a lively handshake in your sign, generating a unique doorway for positive forms of self-expression. If you have the opportunity to offer words of advice, launch an advertising campaign, or promote yourself or your services, Friday will be your magic day.

Taurus the Bull

This week you'll continue to work hard at various projects, but expect things to lighten up around the weekend. That's when the new moon I've mentioned above happens in your sign. It occurs at 4:45 am Eastern Time on Sunday the 8th, but that bountiful new moon vibe will be sticking around the day before and the day after, too. Take this time to do some meditating or praying. Connect with your spiritual self and take inventory of all the great things you've been doing. You've been engaged in acts of generosity and helpfulness, and you've earned lots of karmic brownie points. At the dawn of this new moon, the only new moon which will happen this year in your sign, visualize goals you wish to manifest and situations you want to heal. Strong spiritual power is with you now.

Gemini the Twins

Ouch, yet another shift is happening. Have you ever seen that bumper sticker that says "Shifts happen?" That could be your mantra this week. It's not so much that you're doing anything wrong. It's more that certain structures and situations you've become immersed in aren't quite as healthy for you as you might expect. So some of these forms could be crashing and burning, immolating themselves like a phoenix as it is being reborn. Don't worry. You WILL rise from the ashes of this experience in due time. For now, try not to hold on too tightly to stuff that isn't good for you. Surrender anything and everyone that isn't in your highest good, and let the Universe sort things out. Things will be making a lot more sense soon, I promise.

Cancer the Crab

Since you're a Water sign, the first part of your week will be relatively pleasant and easy. A nice Moon and Saturn trine early Wednesday morning will also put you in a good mood about your domestic situations. At last, you've made peace with the roommate who insists on playing the same techno album at full volume, over and over again until your ears bleed. You've learned to embrace the wonderful world of earplugs. Or maybe you've come to terms with your honey's tendency to leave trails of his smelly socks scattered all over the house. You no longer think this is disgusting. You just think it's endearing. Congratulations to you for being Miss Positive! We could all learn something from your shining example.

Leo the Lion

Hang on until mid-week, when the moon's journey into Aries will bring a lift to your spirits. During the early part of the week it's best to just duck, keep your head down, and stay focused on what you need to get done. If you work hard Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday through Friday will feel more like party time. Explore strong social energy as you head into the weekend. Thanks to communicator Mercury stirring things up, Friday night looks like a stellar time for partying, romancing someone luscious, and/or hanging out with friends who turn you on on all levels. When a Lion is on the prowl, look out! Nobody escapes from those warm, embracing paws. (Who would want to?)

Virgo the Virgin

As I mention in my overview above, Mars and the moon in Pisces, your opposite sign, may make the start to your week a bit intense. Something is coming to a boil and may be about to explode. This is a good thing, though. Virgos sometimes have a self-sabotaging tendency to turn the other cheek one too many times until they've left themselves very little room to complain. If you are in a relationship where the balance of power needs to shift or if you are in a business situation where you are giving more than you are receiving, you'll be crystal clear about your need to make a major change. So just do it, okay? You'll feel a hundred times better afterward.

Libra the Scales

Things may still feel like they are on hold, thanks to slow-moving Jupiter. Jupiter, the planet of long-term success, financial abundance, and personal well-being, has been in your sign this year, but right now it's still in retrograde. On June 5th it goes direct again. That's when a ton of momentum will pick up and you'll feel like life is proceeding according to plan. For now, you may be in a holding pattern, waiting for your path to assume greater clarity. Instead of forcing or manipulating things, sit back and allow things to evolve. Blow of steam in productive ways. Hang out with supportive friends and express your creative energy. Be a creature of peace, and situations of peace will start flowing your way by early June.

Scorpio the Scorpion

This new moon week may be intense for you. Fortunately, there is only one new moon each year that falls in Taurus, your opposite sign. Unfortunately, it happens this Sunday the 8th. You may wish to arm yourself with pints of Hagen Daas, funny movies, and/or some good books. Prop up those moods however you need to so you can make it through without lashing out with that Scorpion stinger. When the new moon is opposite our sign, it encourages us to take inventory of emotions we've been stuffing or situations which need to change in order for us to be truly healthy on all levels. Slow down, look within, and don't inflict that stinger on anybody, 'kay?

Sagittarius the Archer

Like your fellow Fire signs Aries and Leo, you could feel like you're in a bit of a slump at the start of the week. But Wednesday will mark a shift in energy. After that, you'll be raring to go. And Mercury will heighten your desire to communicate on Friday, so reach out and touch someone. Call up a friend you haven't seen in ages and invite him or her out for dinner. Visit a relative who would appreciate seeing you live instead of just chatting with your voice mail. Give energy to those personal relationships that could use some extra nurturing and honor the people in your life who help make the world a better place.

Capricorn the Goat

This should be a relatively smooth week for you, although you may want to pay extra attention to personal relationships on Wednesday. That's when the moon and Saturn will be kicking up some opposing energy, throwing a spotlight on your domestic situation. Don't break up with your sweetheart just because her dog made a rude editorial statement on your copy of The Wall Street Journal. Just clean it up and pretend it didn't happen. Minor glitches may try to suck you in to some negative energy, but don't give those incidents any power. As the new moon in friendly Taurus amps up the good vibes on Sunday, you'll be laughing at those silly events and realizing how pointless is it to sweat the small stuff.

Aquarius the Water-Bearer

Your week could start out with some strong flashes of intuition, thanks to Pisces kicking up some psychic vibes. You're one of those signs who is used to this sort of thing, so just take note of what information or sensations are flooding your nervous system and get on with your week. As mid-week's moon change in Aries stirs up increased momentum on the physical plane, you may find a way to apply the insights you've received and put them to use in a practical, material way. Maybe you'll invent a better mousetrap or, better yet, finally figure out how to program your DVD player. The sky is the limit!

Pisces the Fish

The moon joining Mars in your sign Monday through Wednesday will give your week a harmonious beginning. You'll be on top of your game and you'll be at peak performance levels. If you have a lot of things you need to get done, the early part of the week will be the most productive. Put in extra hours Monday and Tuesday to make maximum use of the lively energy the planets are bringing your way. As the new moon in Taurus lines up on Sunday, you'll want to kick back and relax. You may enjoy gardening, painting, or doing other stuff around the house, as this influence is very domestic. Save that trip to the Andes for another day. This weekend, you'll want to stick closer to home.

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