FEATURE — Mars and Venus change signs this week, both returning home to the signs they rule. As instinctual drive reawakens, it’s time to stop and smell the desert wildflowers.

This week’s cosmic influences begin Monday, April 29, at 5:32 a.m. when Venus, the planet of love and finances, comes home to the sensual sign Taurus. Venus in Taurus offers stability in relationships and financial matters and boosts physical expressions of affection. This transit favors security and commitment over spontaneity and taking risks with the heart. It’s time to indulge in some well-deserved self-care. Romance is magnified and we can feel a bit possessive with lovers. Venus will remain in Taurus until May 23. To see how this transit will personally affect you, see below.

Just a day later, on Tuesday, April 30, at 9:33 a.m. Mars returns home to Aries. Mars, a planet that rules physical energy and drive, now pushes us to take quick action and find the quickest route to achieve our goals. Mars in Aries stokes courage and confidence to go after what we truly want. Instinct takes the wheel, and we are less likely to beat around the bush. Mars will remain in Aries until June 8.

As a much longer-term influence, Pluto in Aquarius will turn retrograde on Thursday, May 2. During this monthslong transit, Pluto will travel back into the sign of Capricorn on Sept. 1. Though the planet will turn direct on Oct. 12, Pluto will not re-enter Aquarius until Nov. 19.

In the footsteps of eclipse season, which pushed us to take an honest look at our relationships, Pluto retrograde invites us on an introspective journey to uncover hidden parts of ourselves that we would rather keep in the dark. But through this introspective period, we have the chance to liberate ourselves by assessing our fears, suppressed emotions and traits we deem unacceptable. Confronting these suppressed parts illuminates a path toward radical self-acceptance. And this awareness becomes the key to healing.

So what does this mean for you? Find out below.

Aries
March 21-April 19

Mars returns home to your sign this week, marking a period of time when your natural characteristics are turned up a notch, dear Aries. Your energy may seem boundless, but it’s important not to burn yourself out. This is a fortuitous time to start projects. Your ability to make an impression on others reaches new heights. With all this excessive energy, be sure to find a healthy outlet; otherwise, you may feel a surge of agitation, impatience or restlessness. Get outdoors, take a hike or hit a dance class. Venus energizes mattes of personal finances and self-worth, and you may be prone to splurge more than usual. You want to indulge in the finer things in life, and the pleasure you derive from the senses is at an all-time high. In the longer term, Pluto retrograde in your 11th house brings gradual transformation to the way you connect and interact with others. Your social circle is likely to change due to a shift in your own perception.

Taurus
April 20-May 20

The Goddess of Love now shines her Venusian light on you, dear Taurus. You are likely to feel at your best during this transit, and some could catch the eye of an admirer — or two. You may feel pulled to pamper yourself and take time for a little more self-care, and why not? With Mars in your 12th house now, rest and relaxation should be penciled in as necessary. In the longer term, Pluto retrograde is coursing through your career and reputation sector, prompting you to think more deeply about your place in the world. If you feel unfulfilled with your current path, it’s time to identify what’s holding you back from shooting for the stars. A change of perspective is likely toward the year’s end.

Gemini
May 21–June 20

Now that your ruler, Mercury, is no longer retrograde, you should feel a restored sense of momentum, dear Gemini. But at the same time, you could be feeling a tug-of-war between wanting to socialize and wanting to retreat. This is because Mars will be energizing your sector of friendships, while Venus will be in your 12th house of the subconscious and dreams, turning your affection toward the promised pleasures of escape. Be sure to listen to what side is stronger to avoid unnecessary bickering. In the longer term, Pluto’s retrograde brings you face-to-face with your core beliefs. It may be impossible to turn away from an emerging truth, and it may be tied to something you won’t let go, whether a part of yourself that no longer exists or some other attachment. Letting go, however, lies the fertile ground for new life.

Cancer
June 21–July 22

A lively month lies ahead for you, dear Cancer, as Mars and Venus sit high in your sky now. Mars will be energizing your career and reputation sector until early June, marking a powerful time to initiate new projects and set your eyes on clearing obstacles ahead. And while your gaze is on the future, your affection turns toward the warmth of friendships and associations, which means that you may be prone to burning the midnight oil. Be sure to find some time to rest. You could feel slightly more detached on an emotional level, preferring the comfort of camaraderie than the sweeping depths of intimacy. As a longer-term influence, Pluto retrograde is likely to have you reassessing what you share. Matters of intimacy, power and resources are illuminated, and you may find the true superpower lies in the ability to surrender.

Leo
July 23–August 22

With much attention on your long-term goals in recent months, this week stokes your adventurous side, dear Leo. Venus brings her charm and affection to your career and reputation sector, lightening the burden of work-related stress. Some could be recognized for past efforts, given a raise or praised for their leadership skills. But your energy isn’t just in your professional life. Mars is entering your sector of higher education, long-distance travel and philosophy, pushing you to explore well outside your comfort zone. Enthusiasm returns and it could feel as if you’ve just embarked on a journey to expand your understanding of what it means to be alive. In the longer term, Pluto retrograde is working to transform your relationships, which could have you thinking much more deeply about the people in your life and the bond you share. This could be a time when old flames return or you finally let someone go.

Virgo
Aug. 23–Sept. 22

With your ruler Mercury now direct, you’re feeling a refreshed sense of momentum, dear Virgo. Venus will be turning your affection to the new and novel. You have a taste for what’s foreign and a desire to explore foreign flavors and open your mind to new possibilities, which could have something to do with an ending of some sort. Optimism awakens, while Mars energizes your sector of intimacy, shared possessions and self-empowerment. You could feel a sense of shedding something that is no longer yours. You could discover something that lends new meaning to your life. In the longer term, Pluto retrograde is working to transform matters of work and health. Issues that have been festering could manifest as obsessive thoughts until you make a change.

Libra
Sept. 23–Oct. 22

Mars enters your sector of partnerships this week, which means love is on your mind, dear Libra. Spending time with a special someone takes on a new meaning over the next month, and it’s easier now to shake off any stagnancy and find a way to resolve any ongoing issues, especially since you’re more willing to face the facts than sweeping the truth under the rug. Alongside this, your ruler, Venus, is stimulating your sector of intimacy and shared resources, enlivening a taste for the taboo, mysteries and psychological nature. Conversations tend toward depth and the complexities of life, rather than frivolous small talk. In the longer term, Pluto turns retrograde in your fifth house, which has you questioning your own happiness. Perhaps the hobbies you once enjoyed have grown stale, or the romance with a lover has gone missing. It’s now time to go on a journey of the heart.

Scorpio
Oct. 23–Nov. 21

Your ancient ruler, Mars, enters your sixth house this week, driving you to make changes that can revolutionize your daily life, dear Scorpio. Under this influence, energy abounds to tackle fitness goals, reengage with the work you do and simply reorganize your life to be more efficient with your time. And with Venus in your house of partnerships, this could be just the thing you need to clear time for a special someone. For some, this energy is about compromising and shifting domestic duties. Even small changes can greatly lessen the burden. In the long term, your modern-day ruler, Pluto, now turns retrograde in your fourth house of home and family. Security has come to the forefront of your mind.

Sagittarius
Nov. 22–Dec. 21

Mars moving into your fifth house this week energizes your sector of self-expression, romance, children and hobbies, dear Sagittarius. This marks a lively time when you are driven by what brings you joy. Romantic partnerships see a boost of passion, and you’re more playful. While this could make work seem a bit more challenging over the next month, Venus begins her transit through your work and health sector, which has you feeling more in love with the service you provide. Venus’ influence also encourages you to practice more self-care, and you may discover a way to infuse more creativity into your daily routine and nurture areas of your life that have been a bit neglected. In the longer term, Pluto retrograding in your third house brings transformation to the way you communicate, learn or travel. Curiosity ignites, drawing you to reflect on how others receive you.

Capricorn
Dec. 22–Jan. 19

Your energy turns toward your home and family, as Mars begins its transit through your fourth house, dear Capricorn. Security becomes a main focus, which could see you tackling projects in your home to enhance your personal environment. This could mean tackling restoration projects, redecorating or relocating. You could feel a bit more emotional or nostalgic. But this also is a time of play, as Venus begins her transit through your fifth house of pleasure, romance, children and creativity. House parties with close family and friends are likely to feel deeply rejuvenating. Projects that allow you to express yourself are favored, and it’s a great time to allow yourself room to experiment. Your dating life could be especially active over the next month. In the longer term, Pluto will begin retrograding through your sector of self-worth and finances. Circumstances could present that bring you face to face with yourself as a way to see how you may be devaluing yourself or living with a scarcity mindset.

Aquarius
Jan. 20–Feb. 18

Pluto turns retrograde in your sign this week, marking a time of self-reinvention over the next five months, dear Aquarius. This transit pushes you onto a path of self-discovery that treks back through familiar circumstances, allowing you a chance to “redo” some part of your life. Relationships can feel a bit more difficult, for as you transform, there’s a desire to want to maintain some kind of control. Because this is a longer-term influence, the changes will occur gradually. Over the next month, Venus brings harmony to your home and family life. Your affection turns to beautifying your environment and nurturing your internal world. Opportunities to make money from home or related to homes is on offer. Mars revs up your intellectual curiosity, and you feel energized when exchanging ideas with others. You are more assertive now, but also impatient. This can be a time when your energy feels a bit scattered. Be careful that you don’t overidentify with your ideas. Instead, pour this energy into intellectual tasks.

Pisces
Feb. 19 – March 20

With Mars now energizing your second house, you’re feeling empowered to make money, dear Pisces. If you’ve been contemplating a money-making idea, this is the time to take action, especially as Venus in your third house adds charm to your speech, making it easier to sell your ideas. There’s a tendency for impulsive shopping, and it would be wise not to buy anything on credit or a loan. During this transit, you could over-identify with possessions. But, should a conflict arise over possessions, your ability to mediate is heightened, allowing you to smooth out the wrinkles. You’re more attracted to wit and intellectual banter. A fortuitous time for writers. In the longer term, Pluto turns retrograde in your 12th house, which brings hidden parts of your psyche to the surface. This is a time when you will need to confront emotions or fears you’ve long been suppressing. But it’s through this confrontation that you have a chance to alchemize subconscious patterns.

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For a more specific outlook, read the forecasts for both your sun and rising signs. If you do not know your rising sign, use this online calculator.

It’s important to remember that astrology forecasts are not meant to be fatalistic. Rather they offer a window into current energetic influences, so we may work with them and help foster a more wise and loving spirit.

Ed. note: This information is composed by St. George News editorial staff for entertainment purposes only.

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