After a reprieve from planets moving retrograde for a few weeks, elusive Neptune shifts into one on Monday that will last until November. Fortunately, we also have sweet and swift Venus moving into comforting Cancer on Friday to chill us out before the heat of (official) summer comes in next week.
Neptune’s effects will likely become more subtle and harder to pin down as she travels through her retrograde. For starters, you might have noticed that I changed her sex from the traditional he. That’s an example of Neptune right there. For this planet, things are not always as they appear. It also reminds us that life is fluid and doesn’t fit within the firm guidelines we might like.
That doesn’t mean we won’t have or can’t try for some boundaries. That’s exactly what happens when strict Saturn has tense words with Neptune on Friday. The best way to use that celestial configuration is to give shape to a dream of yours with a concrete action or set objective. If you find it hard to deal with definitions of any type, then this meeting between the two planets will make for a trying weekend.
The planetary weather report: Use these guidelines to unlock the stars, not to be locked down by them.
As we approach the brink of a full moon, Neptune’s shift in watery Pisces and Venus’ entry into moist Cancer bodes well for us to enjoy cool drinks, dips in the pool, and time in the sun with those closest to us. This might make it hard to get motivated to do hard work or heavy thinking. We have instead a dreamier vibe more useful for planning a July 4thbash.
Read on for your sign’s Sky Code.
Gemini (May 21st to June 20th)
With Neptune’s retrograde happening at the close of your birthday season, you’re bound to feel like you have to re-adjust certain dreams you’ve had about your career. Even if everything looks like you’ve always wanted, you might feel disappointed that things don’t feel the way you thought they would. This dissonance likely happens when you lead more with your head than your heart, or focus on how you think things should look rather than honoring what you truly feel. Fortunately, you can tune inward and allow your intuition to guide you toward what you desire.
Cancer (June 21st to July 21st)
As pretty Venus lands in your sign on Friday, it’s time to sharpen your appearance and exude charisma to net more of what you want in life, whether in the boardroom, the club, or the bedroom. Search out the books, videos or classes that tell you how to harness your own magic rather than waiting for it to come from another. You have more gifts ready to burst out of you than you know.
Leo (July 22nd to August 21st)
Softness doesn’t make you weak, and weakness isn’t necessarily the end of the world. Spare yourself a lot of embarrassment this week by not making glaring mistakes into bigger ones with denials, doubling-down or trying to cover with a lie.
You’re more lovable when you’re honest, vulnerable, and openly admitting your faults. So go with what’s going to net you the most affection anyway.
Virgo (August 22nd to September 21st)
It’s okay to pull back from the crowd because you feel out of step with others. You probably come off too sensitive to others or vice versa. There’s no need to play the blame Olympics to see who’s more at fault, though, because all the gold medals will belong to weepy losers. Allow yourself instead to feel coddled by a loved one who has enough sympathy for your off-kilter state. This will help you get your rhythm back and be on cue with others next week.
Libra (September 22nd to October 21st)
You will have to figure out where your loyalties lay with a sticky work situation. Don’t rush to defend anyone or broadcast your commitments loudly because you likely don’t know the whole story yet. It’s quite possible that someone’s been actively deceiving you, leaving out an important detail, or that a series of oversights and lax practices have finally become known. Don’t become paranoid, because innocent mistakes also happen. Just stay aware and patient.
Scorpio (October 22nd to November 21st)
Perhaps you haven’t been feeling great about yourself and your dreams over the last few weeks. This can actually be a good thing if you’re prepared to tap into deeper notions of what your life (and aspirations) are all about. No one can tell you exactly what those are, but digging through your own mind, books, or journals, or maybe zoning out on a long walk, will help you reach new insights about your life’s direction. Higher wisdom is on its way to you, if you still your mind and embrace the pleasure of learning more.
Sagittarius (November 22nd to December 21st)
The lure of safety and security might not be as bad as you think. As a brave breaker of boundaries, perhaps you fear you’re losing your edge because you crave comfort now rather than the hazards of adventure. Your FOMO is unwarranted. Familiar ground doesn’t have to be the worst place on Earth. In fact, resting up will provide the restoration you need to draw even more out of life soon.
Capricorn (December 22nd to January 20th)
Communication (or lack thereof) with others might take on more importance this week. If you’re on the receiving end of miscues or deceit, then seek to understand before you judge, especially if it’s from someone close to you. That doesn’t mean you have to be a patsy or forgive straightaway. Whether you’ve been deceived or not, it’s also important to own up to where you haven’t been entirely clear or forthright yourself. We all can fall prey to seeing things as we wish rather than as they are.
Aquarius (January 21st to February 18th)
Take some of the pleasure you cultivated last week and allow yourself to be a little more lavish at work, like getting fresh flowers for your desk. However, don’t let your need for beauty hit your wallet too hard. Neptune’s retrograde might put a glossy filter over something you want to purchase now, blinding you to its real quality or utility. Worse, you might also overestimate your own financial strength. So allow yourself some simple, elegant flowers. But a crystal vase to go with them? Not so much.
Pisces (February 19th to March 20th)
Work this week might make you feel like you just woke up after a tequila bender. Perhaps you can follow some traditional hangover wisdom to recover: stay hydrated, eat nutritious foods, get plenty of sleep, and don’t get under the influence of more mind-altering substances. Clearly, this isn’t the time to party too many nights away. But it’s an excellent time for low-key fun, like cozying up in front of the TV with someone special or taking a nice summery stroll.
Aries (March 21st to April 19th)
You’re settling into a chiller space now. In fact, you might be too Zen for those around you and they might be wondering what’s wrong with you. You might even think there’s something amiss. There’s not. Between the dreamy Neptune retrograde and Venus landing in comfy Cancer, you just want to be relaxed for a little bit, without fuss or fanfare. You’re wise to realize that you just have to let go to get that. Allow yourself to be comfortable in your skin…and your slippers.
Taurus (April 20th to May 21st)
You’ll likely prove to be a bastion of strength and comfort for a struggling friend or colleague. This is when you see how some of your own recent travails pay off—with your ability to be strong and present for others. As reassuring as you are, however, be direct about how much help you’re able to offer and what your loved one will have to do for herself. It’s also possible that she isn’t being 100% honest with herself or you about how things went awry. Press for that, if you sense everything’s not on the table.
Samuel F. Reynolds is a professional astrologer in New York City and the founder of the Zodiac Lounge.
GIF reporting by Leah Rodriguez.
