POWER STRUGGLES ABOUND

CHRIS McNULTY

is an astrologer, wanderer, bartender and advocate for queer justice. He is a loquacious Gemini with a cozy Cancer rising. Find him at hearthandheraldastrology.com he skies are feeling frisky this week. Right now, Mars and Pluto are opposite each other, staring each other down in a dynamic glare-off as if each were trying to assert dominance over the other. Mars, the planet of courage and anger, and Pluto, the planet of power and evolution, are showing us that tensions are high and power struggles are likely. While these two planets play tug of war with us in the middle, Jupiter is offering a way to break the tension. Jupiter is moving into Taurus for the first time in 12 years while in a 90-degree square to both Mars and Pluto. This suggests that, amid the deadlocked tension between will and power, celebrating simple pleasures is the way out. So when things get intense right now, remember to introduce some joy into the equation. Throw in a new moon in Taurus on Friday, a truly blessed and practical new beginning, and we should all have plenty of energy flowing around us to keep boredom at bay.

Here are your horoscopes for the new moon in Taurus. Read for your rising and sun signs.

TAURUS

April 20 - May 20

There is something powerful rumbling in the workplace like there’s some big change afoot, and no one is talking about it. It looks like you are also dealing with some aggressive communication coming your way. Just breathe, don’t take it personally, and remember that you are something special. Say a big “yes!” to yourself and let all the drama outside of you work itself out. This is a special new

Tbeginning for you, and it will help to get creative with your friends.

GEMINI

May 21 - June 21

There is a powerful pull for you to go on an adventure, but there are also financial issues that are aggressively challenging your plans. Time to channel your inner introvert because there is abundance available to you in your solitude. Perhaps save money by staying in. Perhaps being the quiet one (for once) when you’re out and about will unexpectedly present a new opportunity. Gemini, party of one!

CANCER

June 22 - July 22

You’ve been feeling a bit feisty lately, Cancerian, which is not your normal state. This fire in your belly is being challenged by some deep, emotional connections you have invested in. Before things get too tense, remember that friendships require levity and shared enjoyments, not just contracts and agreements. Try a new way of engaging with your supportive friends to defuse the intense power dynamics.

LEO

July 23 - Aug. 22

Hey Leo, looks like there’s something new happening at work! A promotion? A new job? A new bump in social status? Really enjoy this new energy coming in at the office (or whatever you call “the office”), and use it to dispel some of the inner frustrations you’ve been feeling connected to some intense dynamics in an important relationship. Let your work be your pressure release.

VIRGO

Aug. 23 - Sept. 22

There are always new things to learn and new roads to travel, and this new moon is offering you a horizon you haven’t crossed. You are pursuing powerful new rou- tines in your life, and it looks like it might be creating some conflict with your friends, but finding joy in your new adventure is the way to break the tension. Right now, there is happiness in novelty for you.

LIBRA

Sept. 23 - Oct. 23

Are you paying off some debt, receiving an inheritance, or receiving some sort of return on investment? Perhaps you’re going into debt for a really good reason. However it’s panning out, you have a new beginning emerging regarding shared resources. Dive into it with joy and excitement. Use this positive energy to offset anger emerging at work and intensity coming through your personal creative endeavors.

SCORPIO

Oct. 24 - Nov. 21

You’ve got the zoomies! There is a lot of energy pulling you out on an epic quest, but there seems to be some really powerful and perhaps even psychological energy keeping you rooted at home. Breathe, baby. A really important relationship in your life that keeps you celebrating will help ease this tension. Enjoy a new start with a loved one right now.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22 - Dec. 21

Are you starting a new diet? A new workout routine? A new daily schedule? This is the perfect time to get your daily order in order. Focusing on this part of your life will help you to alleviate the tension between your powerful communication style and some aggression coming from folks you have invested in. If people aren’t hearing you, focus on your own needs and let them come around.

Capricorn

Dec. 22 - Jan. 19

Creative joy is your best friend right now, Capricorn. Find your creative outlet and dive in deep. There’s a powerful stress emerging between a loved one and your financial well-being, and the way to alleviate this tension is by putting that energy into an expressive project. All will work out, because your loved one is also helping you to find your creative voice in this process.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20 - Feb. 18

Home and family are your saving grace right now. Take great joy in your home space and in the people you consider your kin, whether genetic or chosen. The energy you are putting into new routines is potentially bringing up a lot of unconscious baggage, and that is OK. A dance party at home will actually help you work this out.

PISCES

Feb. 19 - March 20

There’s a lot of power in your reflective space; maybe even some unconscious revelations are coming through in your meditations. Is there frustration in how you are creatively bringing this new awareness into the world around you? It looks like your fingers are furiously working, but you just can’t seem to get your meaning out. Relax and celebrate the people, places, and things that are intimately familiar to you. There are answers there.

Aries

March 21 - April 19

Home and family are a focus for you, but it is creating some serious pressure with your friends. Do you want to stay in and they’re wondering where you are? Is your family requiring your energy but creating conflict with other hopes you had? Focus on your financial and material needs and have gratitude for how you are able to support yourself. As long as you keep your needs in focus, everything will work out fine.