Straight stars

April 20 to 26, 2017

Haven’t filed your taxes yet? You’ll now get a fresh boost of get-up-and-go Mercury and Mars. Although Taurus month has just begun, both planets take their leave of this sign. On Thursday, Mercury picks up the pace in Aries. However, the paperwork, transport, and communications planet continues to travel retrograde until the start of May. We aren’t off the hook with the need to play it safe. Aim to be thorough and clear, double-check everything, and set extra time and money aside to cushion for the unforeseen.

Also on Thursday, Pluto in Capricorn begins its annual five-month retrograde cycle. This switch-format/ restructure-it influence could be subtle or it could be notable. Friday’s Venus/saturn, on a reality checkpoint, and Mars, freshly mobilized in Gemini, are also looking for a better plug-in. Watch for headlines from the world of politics, business, and money markets. This combo of transits is optimized for a release, for diffusing tension, surpassing whatever has been in the way, hitting the refresh button, and moving on to the next plan or stage. Relinquish, don’t dwell on loss; there’s more to be gained. If you have been confused or have held on to unrealistic expectations, the stars aim to set you straight.

Despite all that, Friday/saturday can be a smooth ride if you choose to make it so. Don’t clutter your weekend; simplify it, instead. Relax and enjoy the movie. Play up the romance; replenish yourself spiritually. Sunday evening through Tuesday, the Aries moon keeps a good lock on the target. Monday/tuesday can set you on a productive and straightforward fast track. Wednesday delivers a super new moon in Taurus. Stay creative!

ARIES March 20–April 20

Venus/saturn on Friday moves you past a major hurdle or mindset. Mars into Gemini is also mobilizing. One way or another, this next two weeks of Mercury retrograde in Aries will get you going again. Thanks to Monday’s Mercury/saturn, you should find a talk, project, or official undertaking is more productive: you can hit the nail on the head with better precision.

TAURUS April 20–May 21

Both Mercury and Mars take an exit out of your sign. Mercury will light up in Aries for the next few weeks, but it will revisit Taurus as of mid next month. It’s a prime opportunity to fill in a missing blank, to get better clued in. Mars in Gemini will prompt you to try something new—or added—on for size.

GEMINI May 21–June 21

Have you been keeping a low profile of late? Watch for Mercury’s backtrack into Aries to rev up your social activity and to put you out on show. As is typical of the cycle, expect to unexpectedly bump into folks you know. As of Friday, Mars hits go and so do you. Still, chill out for the weekend. Monday/ Tuesday, the target is well met.

CANCER June 21–July 22

It’s time to renegotiate with the bank, your employer, or yourself. Mercury retrograde on a revisit of Aries will prompt or force you to rethink your priorities, goals, and commitments. This transit also helps you to cut to the chase with better precision. Watch for what’s best, most expedient or effective, to become more obvious. Mars into Gemini also speeds up the process.

LEO July 22–August 23

You’ll get somewhere now. From the look of it, you’ll get someplace good. Mercury’s revisit to Aries, starting Friday, forms a good working relationship with Saturn, especially through Monday. Good timing is on your side. You’ll reach your objective or destination just fine. Friday’s Venus/saturn can remove a doubt or uncertainty. Mars into Gemini, starting Friday, gives you more to say, do, and consider.

VIRGO August 23–September 23

Thursday/friday can get you up and over the hump. As well, something unexpected can add up to more or provide a better solution. Mercury’s backtrack into Aries can get you, it, or them fired up again. Both Venus and Mercury retrograde make good strides with Saturn; you should feel you are getting it under better control, too. Progressively, Mars in Gemini builds more flexible options.

LIBRA September 23–October 23

Mercury’s backtrack into Aries can prompt another look-see or a fresh perspective. Something you previously laid to rest can be revived, perhaps unexpectedly. Friday is a game-changer day. Start to finish, the week ahead is a productive one for getting it sorted out. What’s meant to be shows substantial benefit or profit. Mars in Gemini sets talks and opportunity into motion.

SCORPIO October 23–November 22

It seems you have more work or working-it-out to do. Mercury’s revisit of Aries will keep you going at it full tilt for the next couple of weeks. Friday could see you make a breakthrough, get you better clued in, and/or relieve the pressure. Mars in Gemini mobilizes talks, negotiations, plans, and renewal agreements. Monday’s Mercury/saturn starts the new week on solid footing.

SAGITTARIUS November 22–December 21

Thursday’s synchronicity can set you on a faster track. Even so, through Saturday, take it moment to moment. Don’t prejudge until you have more to go on or you’ve tried it on for size. Mercury retrograde on a backtrack of Aries and Mars on a sprint through Gemini will speed up a sortit-out process, a project, a relationship matter, or a time line.

> BY ROSE MARCUS

CAPRICORN December 21–January 20

Mercury retrograde in Aries and well-aligned with Saturn through Monday offers you positive reinforcement. You can revisit or cut to the chase with greater success. Letting go isn’t about giving up; it’s about creating room for something better to fill the gap. Mars in Gemini provides you with more information, options, or ideas.

AQUARIUS January 20–February 18

Thursday/friday gets it moving, perhaps unexpectedly so. Sunday/monday is optimized for revisiting an important topic, a test retake, a second try, a contract renewal, or paperwork revision. A fresh perspective or second opinion is a step in the right direction. Mars in Gemini keeps you sharp, on the ball, and helps you to make better inroads.

PISCES February 18–March 20

Thursday/friday could bring it out into the open unexpectedly. Everything happens for a reason. Even if there’s added cost or a disruptive element, the clear-it-away feels well timed. Saturday through Monday, creativity, instincts, and good timing hit the target well. Mercury retrograde in Aries and Mars in Gemini fasttrack communications, paperwork, responses, and results.