LEO
July 23 through August 22
April 2012
MONTHLY OVERVIEW:
Go big or go home, Leo. The Sun, along with a few other planets, visits the most expansive and ambitious houses of your chart this month. For the first three weeks, it’s in Aries, your ninth house of expansion and adventure. You’re in your creative zone here, and your far-reaching ideas can really gain some traction. Trumpet them as loudly and enthusiastically as you can. Hand your inner pep squad captain the megaphone, especially near April 19, when messenger Mercury and revolutionary Uranus meet in Aries. This could be the day for a breakout opportunity that puts your name in lights, or you may have a major epiphany. The April 6 Libra full moon could also bring exciting news.
On the 19th, the Sun moves into Taurus, your tenth house of career and long-term planning. Before this date, you’ve got a million ideas, but not much focus. Throw the proverbial spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks. During Taurus time, take a couple strands of pasta-bility (sorry, terrible pun, but it was just. Right. There.) and swirl them into something legit. An uninspired Leo can be a living nightmare to deal with (cue the drama), so use those first three weeks of April to plug into your passions.
LOVE & ROMANCE:
April may not be your most romantic month in recorded history, but there will be plenty of fun in store. The Sun is in Aries, your worldly ninth house, bringing people from all walks of life into your circle. A cross-cultural flirtation, a vacation fling, or even a long-distance romance is possible. Love-planet Venus is in Gemini, your eleventh house of groups and friendship, from April 3 through August 7. The combined effect brings out your free-spirited side, putting you more in a no-strings-attached state of mind. Hello, playful spring fling.
The eleventh house rules technology, so don’t shun the idea of meeting people online if you’re single. Between now and August, some virtual va-va-voom might just bring in a great match. You could meet someone special at a party, especially a networking event or charity benefit, or through mutual friends. Coupled Leos, pull yourselves away from those googly-eyed gazes and candlelit dinners a deux (or cranky nights on the couch in sweat pants). Get out and mingle with your mutual friends or take a fun class together to lighten up the energy.
If you’re burning to know where things are headed with someone, save that conversation for later in the month. On April 19, the Sun enters Taurus, your tenth house of long-term commitment. The best days to talk turkey are April 23-25, when a helpful Sun-Mars trine makes you a hot commodity. The right person could suddenly feel the urge to lock you in for the long haul, lest s/he risk losing out. During this week, you might have an intense conversation about money, long-term security, and common values. If you discover you don’t want the same things in life, it might be time to make the tough but necessary decision to move on. But if you’re both up to the same big games, find a way to combine your best energies for an inspiring purpose.
MONEY & CAREER:
Money matters improve this month, and your career begins to soar. That’s a piece of news you can get excited about, Leo. If work and finances have been stressful this year, that will soon change. Since January 23, energetic Mars has been retrograde (backward) in Virgo, causing slowdowns or setbacks. Virgo rules your second house of daily income, and you may have felt pressured to earn more or to put together a demanding project without adequate time or resources. Coworkers may have been argumentative or uncooperative. Some Leos had unplanned expenses that tightened your budget.
On April 13, Mars goes direct (forward), opening the floodgates of prosperity. Double-time it and get going on your ambitious plans. Mars is in Virgo until July 3, so use the next few months for taking bold risks that will build your business or career. On April 19, the Sun enters Taurus, your tenth house of success, boosting your efforts even more. That same day, communicator Mercury and radical Uranus meet in Aries, your ninth house of travel, study, and expansion. You may have an opportunity to teach, speak publicly, start a business, or even return to school. Out of the blue, you may also be hopping on a plane or even considering a long-distance move (long or short-term)—perhaps for a job, an artist’s residency, or just for a change of scene.
The Taurus new moon on April 21 is the perfect day to set a new goal, begin a job search, or to have an important meeting. Is it time to talk about a promotion or to reach out to a promising contact? The new moon and the days following it are key. From April 23-25, the Taurus Sun forms a beneficial trine angle to Mars, making you a magnet for money, fame, and the fast track. Embrace your leadership talents and blaze a trail. Do you have a special gift or expertise to share? Check out The Millionaire Messenger by Brendon Burchard, founder of The Experts Academy (www.expertsacademy.com). Don’t let the hyper-caffeinated, Tony Robbins-esque delivery deter you if you visit his site. He gives great, practical tips on how to create your own platform while remaining authentic and being of service to the world.
HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL:
What’s going on underneath that sunny smile and chipper class-president demeanor, Leo? You may need to explore your “dark side” now (yes, even you have one—and not the contrived one you put on for show). From April 10-September 18, intense Pluto goes retrograde in Capricorn, your sixth house of health and well-being. It’s time for a deep-dive into holistic healing, to radically revamp your eating habits, and to dial down your stress levels. You might try a partially raw or vegan diet, a juice cleanse, or falling asleep to meditation DVDs. Our beloved Leo intern Lizzie is a Kundalini yoga devotee, which would be the perfect thing for a more adventurous and spiritually inclined Leo to try during this cycle. Acts of service are also especially healing if your own “problems” have become too much of your focus (admit it, Leo, you can get a tad self-absorbed at times.)
Pluto retrograde makes the mind-body connection more important, and you can’t address one without the other. Louise Hay’s classic book You Can Heal Your Life—which may already be in your collection—is an amazing guide that links physical and emotional symptoms. If you’re feeling any aches, pains, or ailments, explore the potential psychosomatic links, too. Acts of service can be powerful catalysts for happiness and health during this time. However, if you find yourself in a “master and servant” dynamic with anyone in your life, Pluto retrograde pushes you to stand up for yourself. It’s okay to walk away from any commitments that drain your life-force energy or leave you feeling disempowered. You can try to shift the underlying dynamics, but don’t feel obligated. If you’ve overstayed your welcome or simply can’t make a difference here, just move on. Casting your pearls before swine is a waste of time. Go where you’re wanted…and needed!
Love Days: 11, 15
Money Days: 22, 5
Luck Days: 20, 3, 30,
Off Days: 28, 13, 17
