ARIES: Stop kvetching about not having any time for yourself-when what you’re really upset about is not having as much time as you’d like to play. Well, as was said in many a schoolyard: “tough noogies!” Count your blessings, be grateful for what you have to work with, and do what’s expected of you with a smile. This is about your future and Spring ‘08 in particular is about growing up once and for all. Invest your time and energy wisely. So- act like an adult even if it kills you.

TAURUS: The week begins with a fortunate if not sober grand trine alignment between your ruler (Venus0 and power brokers Saturn and Pluto. The force is with you, but you have to step up to the plate. The New Moon should provide a refreshing opportunity for you to revamp and restage your entire ‘presentation” so to speak. The Saturn’s direct motion in your 9th house of legal, religious, and foreign affairs will get things moving in all three arenas. Mercury enters your 2nd house of $$ for an extended 10-week stay: Use the time to clean up your act.

GEMINI: Your ruling planet enters your sign for 10 weeks and there will be more to think about and more to say than usual. Geminis need to get their hefty quota of words in every day and have a tendency to drive others bananas with double talk. So- from now through July 10, put this on a post-it at every phone and computer you have access to: “BREVITY IS the SOUL of WIT”. It will spare you and those you love a ton of confusion. If you ever wanted to write that great American novel, now is the time to put up or shut up.

CANCER: Your wings may feel as if they’re clipped and your sense of movement restricted, but it’s not anyone’s fault so don’t try to assign blame. Agitating Mars has been in and out of your sign since September and your nerves and patience have both been frayed and tested. In a few more days, you’ll see some relief. But until then, the Saturn standstill in your 3rd house of communication and transportation may slow you down-so don’t push it or force any unnecessary travel. Being still will work out very well for you. Don’t fight it.

LEO: The frustration of a financial stalemate will ease and an impasse with a vital negotiation will give way to a new phase of cooperation-if you’re willing to bury the hatchet and work with your “perceived” enemies of the past few months. No one had it in for you-it was bad timing for everyone all around, and besides, the wait will end up working in your favor, you’ll see!.

VIRGO: One way or another, the status quo is about to change, and the paralysis that has plagued you since the holidays in December will melt into a cycle of productivity that you will enjoy to the hilt. The new Moon on May 5th takes place in your philosophical and travel-oriented 9th house. It’s time to hit the road literally and figuratively and adjust your perspective on things. Taking an inspiring class will do you a world of good.

LIBRA: The say that indecision defines your sign, but truth be told, it’s not the corner stone of your existence –nor should it be: the search for truth and meaning is. The New Moon in your 8th house of shared resources will put a family or a financial issue on the table to be dealt with once and for all. This conversation and subsequent action (that must be taken- i.e. writing a will) has been a long time coming. Delaying it further could have catastrophic results, so don’t.

SCORPIO: A partner, significant other, or someone you hold very dear is changing rapidly before your eyes, and it is in your best interest to support them during this transition. The favorable alignment of earth planets in your communication houses should prompt a forthright conversation on your part. Putting your cards on the table and trusting the appropriate parties to do the right thing will circumvent a problem that could erupt later.

SAGITTARIUS: The Taurus New Moon in your 6th house of health and routine could easily call for a complete renovation of how you approach your medical needs, but do your research before making any drastic moves. After you check things out, it may be wise to change your motus operandi (MO) and/or your bank, your doctor, your job, or something as insignificant as your vitamin regimen. But don’t worry. This change is very good and will serve you well in the long run.

CAPRICORN: Stand firm in what you know to be ethically and morally correct but don’t get too rigid in the way you expedite your orders. You can and will catch more bees with honey than with vinegar. As the fine teacher that you are, you know that patience, kindness, and a little coaching is often required to motivate those who depend on you for leadership. Your frustration will ease slowly but consistently in the weeks ahead. The New Moon on May 5th takes place in your 5th house of creativity and romance. Need I say more?

AQUARIUS: If you experienced a rejection for a loan or mortgage that you were counting on, please take it as a blessing in disguise: You WILL do better elsewhere. The New Moon in your 4th house of home and family on May 5th signals a time of getting your home base up to snuff. If you need to rearrange your space and add wiring or any extras that will make you more comfortable and will increase the value of your property –do it now.

PISCES: For months you’ve had to tolerate the stubborn behavior of someone near and dear and you may have taken it personally when none of it was really directed at you in the first place. No need to sit and suffer in silence any longer! A conversation will clear much of it up, and the relationship will begin to grow. The New Moon in your 3rd house of communication should encourage you to express more of what’s on your mind to those that can and will help you to so something about it.

The Planets This Week- All times are EDT

May 1: Moon in Pisces, Venus trine Pluto @ 3:46 am, Venus trine Saturn @ 6:20 pm

May 2: Moon v/c @ 5:34 am, enters Aries @ 6:51 am; Mercury enters Gemini @ 4:00 pm

Saturn Stations Direct @ 11:07 pm

May 3: Mercury Square Saturn @ 3:50 pm

May 4: Moon v/c @ 3:16 am, enters Taurus @ 7:58 am

May 5: Taurus new Moon @ 8:18 am

May 6: Moon v/c @ 4:22 am, enters Gemini @ 7:17 am

*Moon v/c = void of course, a time of disconnect

Copyright, 2008, Shelley L. Ackerman, all rights reserved

Photo by Rich Press

When radio and television producers want the celestial skinny on the stars and politicians they turn to Shelley Ackerman, one of the world's leading astrologers. She is known for being insightful, warm, funny -- and accurate! Shelley has headed the New York affiliate of The American Federation of Astrologers and wrote many columns for Beliefnet.com. Her insights have appeared in The New York Times and she was recently on the cover of The Wall Street Journal. She writes regularly for The New York Post and The Westchester Guardian. As a media astrologer she appears regularly on TV, and has worked with Access Hollywood, Court TV, ABC’s World News Now, ABC Eyewitness News, The CBS Evening News, NBC’s ‘Extra’, and Fox News. Visit Shelley at www.karmicrelief.com