Okay, it’s time to review the lessons that we’ve all been working on since Mercury went retrograde in March and decided to get into a fight with almost everyone we know. Those were tough times filled with power struggles and misunderstandings. But we survived and learned all about speaking up for what we want, while being willing to push back when our boundaries are being breached. Everyone, say "thank you" to Mercury in Aries before he bids us a feisty farewell next week.
This week is about being both confident and powerful when we assert ourselves, without being overwhelming or obsessive. Jupiter and Pluto are having a conversation with the sun, and that’s highlighting the need to get our egos in check so we can get what we want, communicate our truths, or just have fun without alienating others. Think back to that challenging first week in April when most of us were ready to rip our hair out in frustration. And try to re-do that entire scenario with the confidence of someone who has reviewed, revised, and feels hella good about themselves. Thank Jupiter for the ego boost, but don’t get too cocky, because pride always comes before the fall. So keep it cute.
Taurus
April 20 to May 20
Every week that Uranus gets closer to entering your sign, I get more excited for you, Taurus. Ideally, you’ve been taking the time to assess whether your current beliefs match the ones you’ve held onto for years. Because, when Mercury and Mars make one more pass at this question, they’ll be demanding decisiveness on your part. Think back to what you wrestled with at the beginning of April: You have more insight now, so trust in what you’ve discovered about yourself — it’s going to help you when your life starts to change. You’re in a good place, Taurus, even though it may not feel that way right now. Whatever has been leaving your life is making space for new things. So, I invite you to play a game this week: Look for the people who are encouraging you to be confident in who you are, and stand strong in your vision for the future. Partner with them, and see what magic you make happen when you act on those beliefs. You may find that you have the Midas Touch.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Gemini
May 21 to June 20
It’s been a hard week for you, Gemini, but fear not. There are lessons for you: What you believe to be reality, isn’t always the reality others experience. Think back to April when you were fussing with your friends about your passions. Now, review those conversations, and decide whether you should act on your passions because they may still need tweaking. Controversy and conflict are necessary parts of life, they push us past our comfort zones and towards our potential, but there are times when our imagination may be at odds with waking life (and the people we collaborate with everyday). So unless you intend on becoming a hermit, make sure you’re not being overconfident or extreme in your thoughts, or you might find yourself alone with your ideals.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Cancer
June 21 to July 22
Hopefully you’re having more group hugs and less battles, Cancer. The same cranky energy from the beginning of April is making the rounds again, but you know how to handle it this time. So, add some fun to the equation, and make whatever you’re looking to achieve into a group effort. How can you turn your ambition into a goal that everyone can get behind? You may find that the people you’ve been fighting with are actually allies in disguise. So take a risk: Invite them out for some downtime, and then broach the topic of combining forces. The worst that can happen is that they turn you down. But if they say "yes," imagine the possibilities of having a partner to work with you instead of against you.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Leo
July 23 to August 22
Remember a few weeks ago, when you were trying to figure out whether your larger beliefs aligned with your day-to-day actions? You’re probably wondering why that’s such a big deal, but your beliefs and your actions inform who you are, what you stand for, and your impact on the world! Part of your life path is to lead, Leo. So it's time to put into practice how you lead, and how you go about getting what you want. This week the stars want you to strike that balance between confidence, power, and decisiveness. We’ll all get to see first-hand whether you’re a General Leia Skywalker or a Cersei Lannister. So decide what kind of presence of you want to be, and then act towards your goals.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Virgo
August 23 to September 22
A month ago, Virgo, you were questioning whether or not you had anything to offer the world. This week you’re going to answer that question once and for all by being assertive and turning your creativity into action. Leave perfectionism at home while you’re out socialising and talking to people about your work, because honestly no one is interested in hearing it (we don’t see the flaws the way you do, Virgo). The challenge of this week is to feel self-assured in your ability to make things happen while knowing that what you produce is valuable. Lead with confidence and respect for the highs and lows of your craft. In doing so, you’ll free yourself from the fear of failing.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Libra
September 23 to October 22
It may sound strange, Libra, but try owning your deepest fears instead of trying to sidestep them. Remember last month when there was so much energy revolving around your relationships, and it was triggering your fears about being close to others? Good, because you get to work with that energy again this week (but this time with more confidence)! And, Libra, those fears aren’t going anywhere. They make up who you are, and they’ve gotten you to this point. So why not flip the energy on its head, so that it serves you? Be confident in what you want for yourself and your relationships with others. Be assertive about your needs, so that others can show up to meet them. When people see that you take a stand for yourself, they can trust that you’ll be more than willing to let them do the same. This isn’t a “me” vs “them” dynamic, Libra. So think of Jay-Z’s lyrics when standing your ground this week: "Nobody wins when the family feuds." So fight for win-win situations.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Scorpio
October 23 to November 21
You’re nailing it Scorpio, congrats. The fears you had around not being able to communicate with authority are fading, because you’ve been doing the work needed to build your confidence. This week the universe is giving you yet another chance to prove to yourself that you know exactly what you’re talking about. You may have to contain yourself just a smidge, as the energy this week is all about figuring out how to manage overconfidence while also being the transformative bad ass that you are. The only way to master any energy is to engage with it, so when you’re invited to talk with others about your ideas, do it and watch how you impact them. Keep refining how you come across, until you hit a balance that feels awesome to you. Own how dope you and your ideas are.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Sagittarius
November 22 to December 21
You’ve been working hard on making your talents (and side hustles) work for you, Centaur. It’s a matter of commitment, and you’re learning to show up every day (and occasionally gritting your teeth when it sucks). Congratulate yourself for doing the work and keeping faith when things have seemed bleak. It hasn’t been perfect, but you’re doing it anyway. This week is the perfect time to get a handle on your work-life balance. The key here is to avoid over committing to projects, when you’re averaging 4 hours of sleep each night. This week, manage your overdoing tendencies, and trust in your ability to produce awesome work without driving yourself until you’re tapped out. You’re allowed to enjoy yourself on your way to living your best life.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Capricorn
December 22 to January 19
I hope you’ve been heeding advice from the stars to have fun, Capricorn. Hang out with like-minded friends, have a good time, and enjoy the flavours life has to offer — all so you can be more kind to yourself. The way that you treat yourself is usually a step below how you treat others. And you don’t have to grind yourself to salt in order to deserve the good things in your life. With Mercury and Mars finishing up that conversation from April, it’s time to take the best lessons from your past, and make them work with how you want to live now. Act on your thoughts, but let them be the best thoughts: the ones that encourage you to keep striving for your dreams while still allowing you to express yourself joyously. This week, get a little carried away (don’t worry, you have so much Saturn, I doubt you’d ever go too far) with your friends at the karaoke bar, or throw your heart into your hobbies without feeling guilty. You’re creating a new story about what it means to be hard working, and it doesn’t involve depriving yourself of happiness.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Aquarius
January 20 to February 18
You’re probably wondering if you’re ever going to want to go back outside again, Water Bearer. I assure you that you will, but there’s a lot of good material being gathered behind the scenes for you. When you take care of yourself and make an effort to get to the root of what’s keeping you from going after your desires, you win. Think back to what was going on for you back in April when you were struggling to make sense of your inner and outer realities. You have more clarity now, so this is a good time to put what you’ve learned into action. Think of something that you want to do but didn’t have the confidence to do, and just do it. This is a week of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It’s about leaning into your power even when it feels completely crazy. You can let your dreams (and even some of your fears) fuel you to greatness, even from the comfort of your couch with your bunny slippers on. Who cares what it looks like, so long as you grace us with your brilliance, Aquarius.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Pisces
February 19 to March 20
Finally, you’ve got friends who are supporting you, Pisces! Well done for putting up boundaries back in April, and learning how to prioritise yourself and your needs. Now, because of all your clear “no” and “yes” responses, you’ve come to a point where it’s much easier to speak up. You can say things with assertive finesse. This week, keep up that practice as you will be especially social with the sun spending time in your house of communication. But be mindful of how you interact and come across with others — Jupiter may be in the room to help you look like a visionary with grand ideas or like a fool with a big head. But knowing you, you’ll find a way to get everyone excited about a cause to create more understanding in the world. You’re just that compassionate, Pisces. And we love for it.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.
Aries
March 21 to April 19
Remember that first week in April when you were battling the mega-boss in your life?Regardless of the outcome the first time around, this week will offer you another opportunity to slay your inner and outer dragons. And, this time, you have the benefit of wisdom and experience on your side. Mercury and Mars are meeting in the heavens to hash out the details surrounding your desire to be respected. Mercury has already given you the information you need to do it better this time around. And now you have Pluto and Jupiter solidifying your confidence, and helping you clarity your values. The key here is to not get carried away or let the idea of power delude you into behaving in ways that work against your cause. Keep your inner warrior in check, there are ways of speaking directly without insulting people. You can be confident and in charge without coming off like Kanye West.
Illustrated by Abbie Winters.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Has Catholicism Earned This "Fashion" Moment?