

Your Monthly Horoscopes: May 2019
The month of May brings a much welcome shift from the hustle and bustle of Aries season to a more laid back, sensual approach to life.
On May 4th, the New Moon in Taurus is the perfect opportunity to plant the seeds for what you would like to grow in your life—particularly as it's related to your finances and material wealth. This energy can also show up in the form of a new talent, skill, or idea that could make you a lot of money, given your willingness to invest the time. Mercury, planet of communication, shortly follows suit entering Taurus on the 5th making Venusian themes such as art, fashion, and music the topic of discussion.
Creative expression is favored at this time and holds the potential to be a new source of revenue for you.
On May 9th, Jupiter and Pluto's harmonious aspect can bring a lucky breakthrough or a defining moment that brings positive change into a difficult situation. Venus, planet of love and money, returns home on May 15th bringing the gift of enhanced personal magnetism and sex appeal. As one of the benevolent planets, Venus loves to bring good fortune our way through new opportunities, connections, and a boost of self-esteem. Mars settles into Cancer, slowing down the momentum and giving you time to nurture yourself before we enter into one of the busiest seasons of the year. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio invites you into a transformative experience through self-exploration, your intimate connection, or a peak spiritual experience. The month wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini on the 21st, kicking off the most sociable, adventurous time of the year.
Check out what May has in store for your zodiac sign:
Aries
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The month starts off with a New Moon opening up doors for you in finance and material possessions. This is a time to think big when it comes to what you want to accomplish in the next year. Start planning for those major purchases in advance by getting your money in order. Work on a plan to pay off debt, save money, and invest to gain long-term wealth. This may also be a time to consider buying property or getting into stocks and trades. Mercury moves into Taurus on the 6th, bringing your conversation and attention to improving your financial literacy. Checking out a podcast or attending a conference can provide you with just the insight you need to solve any long-standing money issues.
A stroke of good luck may be headed your way on the 9th, granting you a much-needed breakthrough in career and social status. You may find yourself wielding more power than usual due to a sudden promotion or opportunity that could require you to guide, teach, and mentor others. On the 15th, Venus moves into her home sign Taurus, bringing lessons of self-worth into focus. This is usually a time of year in which you examine whether your love needs are being met and how you need to adjust to fill your cup. Keep in mind that self-love is the best love. Explore new ways that you can support yourself more fully. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, forcing you to lay low and enjoy the comforts of home and family. The Full Moon on the 18th marks a powerful time of liberation from any shame and fear that keeps you from living up to your potential. By the time we enter Gemini season at the end of the month, you may be in a position to share your transformative experience through written or spoken word. Giving a voice to your shadow is where the healing begins.
Taurus
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Happy birthday to youuuu! It's your season, baby! The New Moon on the 4th is a powerful new beginning for you so make the most of this. You only get one new moon every year, making this a good time to map out what you'd like to accomplish in your next year around the Sun. Mercury moves into your sign on the 6th, blessing you with the gift of gab. Keep in mind that you'll catch more flies with honey. On the 9th, a peak intimate experience can unlock your coochie chakras giving you a completely new outlook on life. On the 15th, your ruling planet returns to her home sign. Use this extra attention you're receiving to attract all of the right elements that you need to experience the most spectacular year yet.
Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, making you even more lazy -- I mean "laid back" -- than usual. This energy can be a little passive-aggressive and sibling rivalries are likely to come to the surface at this time. You can be direct without being an asshole. Embrace healthy conflict-resolution. The Full Moon on the 18th highlights your relationships, particularly marriage or business partnerships. You may decide to leave a situation that isn't working for you or you may finally experience the breakthrough you need to bring a relationship back into harmony. The month wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini, encouraging you to get out there and connect. You may just be one social networking mixer away from meeting your new investor or business partner.
Gemini
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May is typically a more lowkey month for you, Gemmie. There's a ton of action going on in Taurus, which brings your focus to your inner-world for the first couple weeks. The New Moon on the 4th enhances your dream world. Pay attention to any messages that you're receiving around this time as they contain key information helping you tap into past-life gifts and talents. Mercury, your ruling planet, moves into Taurus on the 6th, making you more curious about Venusian themes like art, music, and fashion. This is a good time to watch a documentary about your fav musician or pick up a new hobby that you can enjoy in your solitude. On the 9th, good luck comes your way through a key relationship that provides you with a lighter approach to releasing a heavy emotional burden.
On the 15th, Venus moves into Taurus and love matters take on a more private approach with you preferring to spend time at home and in the bedroom. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, encouraging you to see the value in your talents by actually doing something with them. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 18th illuminates your daily routines, health, and work. You may receive some news around this time that motivates you to make some changes in one of these areas of your life. Work-life imbalances will likely come to a head, encouraging you to make some changes in the way you manage your time. The month closes out with the Sun and Mercury moving into your sign, giving you a much-needed boost of energy that you'll need for your birthday season.
Cancer
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The month begins with a New Moon in Taurus on the 4th, bringing your focus to your social network and big hopes and dreams. This is a favorable time to collaborate with the right people that can help turn your vision into reality. On the 6th, Mercury moves into materially-driven Taurus, making this the perfect energy for strategizing about how you and your tribe will make your mark on the world. When it comes to these money moves, Jupiter and Pluto favor you around the 9th in regards to a business partnership or work connection that may offer the breakthrough you've been banking on.
Venus moves into Taurus on the 15th, which could surprisingly have you crushing on someone in your circle of friends. If you're open to love, going to a networking event or joining a charitable organization can be a great way to meet someone who shares common interests. Mars moves into your sign on the same day, giving you a much-needed boost of energy and confidence. Your temper may be running short during this transit so find healthy ways to release your anger. The Full Moon in your sister sign, Scorpio, heightens romance and fertility, making the 18th the perfect sultry date night. Healing through creative expression is also favored during this time. The month wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini on the 21st, inviting you to rest, reflect and close out cycles before your solar return.
Leo
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Career and social status are highlighted for the first few weeks of May with the New Moon in Taurus on the 4th bringing in an opportunity that could benefit you in the long run. Mercury moves into Taurus on the 6th and there could be an important conversation with higher-ups around this time. If you've been proving yourself as an asset on the job, you may finally be receiving the recognition that you've been waiting for. A stroke of good luck can spice up your love life around the 9th and you may find yourself under the spell of a workplace romance. Venus, planet of love and money, moves into a favorable position for you on the 15th that will help you attract all types of good fortune and opportunities when it comes to your career advancement. You could even be attracting someone in a position of authority.
Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, heating things up behind the scenes. Your bedroom will be getting a lot of attention over the next month, whether you're enjoying the company of your lover or just catching up on some sleep. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 18th illuminates themes of home and family. This can be a powerful time of releasing ancestral karma particularly related to the mother and maternal figures. This time can also indicate you relocating from one place to another. The month closes out with the Sun and Mercury, moving into sociable Gemini making you the center of attention amongst all of your friends.
Virgo
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The month starts off with an exciting New Moon in your sister sign, Taurus, taking place on the 4th in a part of your chart that has to do with higher learning and travel. You may consider going to school or simply indulging in your own personal research about a topic of interest. Mercury moves into this same part of your sky around the 6th and you are itching to soak up as much knowledge as you can. An interest in foreign cultures and different spiritual practices is common around this time. If you're traveling, you could meet an interesting companion that opens your mind to a different way of life. On the 9th, Jupiter and Pluto support positive breakthrough in areas related to family and your childhood. Around this time, you'll find it easier to embrace personal self-expression and you may feel like you have a voice after years of being silenced throughout your youth.
On the 15th, Venus moves into Taurus and you're more inclined to connect with people that stimulate you intellectually and even spiritually. If you're looking for a new money opportunity, consider what knowledge you have that others don't. Others may be seeking you out for guidance more than usual during this transit. Mars moves into Cancer the same day, bringing your focus to nurturing your social life and your big aspirations that could use a little more team effort. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio encourages you to be mindful of your projections and journal it out instead! The month closes out with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini bringing your focus to the career moves you plan on making over the next few weeks.
Libra
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A lot of the action this month takes place in a part of your sky that has to do with intimacy, healing, and deep transformation. The New Moon in Taurus on the 4th represents the beginning of this metamorphosis that you're undergoing. On the 6th, Mercury moves into Taurus, making you even more open to this period of soul-searching that you're in. An interest in psychology, the occult, and shadow work is likely around this time. You may even consider committing to therapy if you need some support working through a complex issue. On the 9th, an opportunity to express your truth can help you release any long-standing mommy issues. Love and romance gets deep this month with Venus attracting people and experiences to you that either trigger the hell out of you or help you heal some of your lingering emotional wounds.
Mars moves into Cancer on the 15th, making you a force to be reckoned with when it comes to your career aspirations. It's important to show people that you're in control but avoid being overly aggressive. A more gentle approach can be just as impactful for your reputation and advancement. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 18th can illuminate a money drain, making this a good time to review your bank statement. This energy is also powerful for helping you release stagnant emotions related to an experience that damaged your self-esteem. The month closes off on a lighter note with your sister sign, Gemini, moving into a part of your chart that will bring about travel and learning opportunities.
Scorpio
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The month begins with a New Moon in your opposite sign on the 4th, bringing your focus to relationships. This energy supports any long-term commitment or business partnership that you're beginning. Mercury moves into Taurus on the 6th and the conversations over the next month will revolve around your key partnerships. You may be taking things to the next level with your significant other or even signing a contract with a new employer. A lucky financial break may come your way around the 9th so make sure you're staying on top of your emails and communication around this time.
On the 15th, Venus returns home and love takes center stage for you. When the planet of love is in this part of your sky, you'll appear even more attractive than usual. Expect to receive tons of attention from people interested in you romantically and even professionally. The cosmos is extremely supportive of bringing you together with someone special during this transit. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day and the wanderlust kicks in. Traveling home or to a place that brings you comfort can be just what your heart needs right now. On the 18th, the Full Moon in your sign is a powerful catalyst for releasing residual pain and trauma that inhibits you from being more real with yourself and with others. It's time to take off the mask and reveal who you are underneath your perpetual state of being unbothered. The month winds down with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini as you continue unraveling the complexities of how your experiences have shaped you into the person you are today.
Sagittarius
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This month brings most of your focus to improving your health with the New Moon on the 4th encouraging you to start a new habit or routine that can benefit your physical well-being. Mercury moves into Taurus on the 6th, motivating you to learn about new approaches to improving your health. Explore different forms of exercise and approaches to your nutrition that can help you live a better lifestyle. On the 9th, a financial stroke of good luck may come your way. If you've dealt with long-standing issues about your self-esteem or money mindset, this energy can provide a positive breakthrough that sets you on a path of deeper self-love and a greater abundance.
On the 15th, Venus moves into her home sign, Taurus, which is helping you attract opportunities and connections that actually benefit the lifestyle changes you're making throughout the month. Making sound choices about the energy you want to engage with can benefit your overall health and well-being. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, motivating you to work through your mommy issues and intimacy blockages. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio enhances your psychic abilities and dream world. Pay attention to the messages you receive around this time, which may actually be prophetic. The month closes out with the Sun and Mercury moving into your opposite sign, making the next few weeks all about your key relationships and the important connections you'll be making during the most sociable season of the year.
Capricorn
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This month brings most of your focus to romance, creativity, and self-expression. It's time to let your hair down and have some fun. As one of the hardest working signs of the zodiac, you have a tendency to neglect your inner child the most. The New Moon in Taurus on the 4th invites you to play with this forgotten aspect of yourself. What new (or old) hobby can you partake in that brings you joy? On the 6th, Mercury moves into the same part of your sky and your mind is overflowing with creative inspiration. During this transit you may create one of your greatest masterpieces to date. Positive breakthrough takes place around the 9th, providing a sense of relief when it comes to a tough habit or lesson you've been trying to come to terms with.
On the 15th, Venus returns home to Taurus making you super sexy and alluring. If you've been experiencing a love drought, get out there! This is one of the most favorable times of year for you to enjoy the adventure of romance. Mars moves into your opposite sign on the same day, which can make you a little aggressive when it comes to love. Try not to be too pushy with your crush or significant other. You'll catch more flies with honey, Cappie. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio illuminates some weird stuff that's been going down in your friendships. This energy can help you address the issue head on to find a compromise or you may decide the connection isn't worth the energy. The month wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini on the 21st making the next few weeks at work one of the busiest seasons of the year.
Aquarius
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Home and family takes front and center stage during this time of the year. You may be planning a move or a trip to your hometown around the New Moon in Taurus on the 4th. This part of your chart is also associated with motherhood so don't be surprised if your baby fever is through the roof this month. If you're in the space for it, there can be talks about starting or expanding your family as Mercury, planet of communication, moves into Taurus on the 6th. Babies may be the last thing on your mind, and in that case, you may be more interested in expanding your knowledge about real estate or even your family ancestry. Around the 9th, you can experience a mental breakthrough that helps you reunite with your divinity and connection to God.
Venus returns home on the 15th and love matters are nurtured behind the scenes in your home. You and a significant other may decide to move in together to establish the beginning stages of your family. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day. Over the coming weeks, you'll be motivated to nurture you health and well-being by creating more balance in your daily routines. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 18th brings recognition in career and social status. Avoid gossip and romance on the job as things have the potential to be exposed at this time. The month ends on a high note with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini, boosting your romance and creativity over the weeks to come.
Pisces
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The month begins with a New Moon in Taurus on the 4th, encouraging you to activate your throat chakra. In what new way can you share your thoughts with the world? On the 6th, Mercury moves into Taurus, which is great energy for learning about a new topic of interest or communicating your ideas. Starting up a vlog or podcast is favorable right now. You've got something to say and the world needs to hear it. Positive breakthrough can take place around the 9th when it comes to any power struggles you've experienced in your friendships. Any subconscious programming that has your social life running amuck can be dissolved around this time.
On the 15th, Venus returns home to Taurus and your conversations get a little sweeter during this transit. You are very persuasive given this energy so use it to your advantage. If you're open to meeting someone new, you may actually get lucky with online dating. Even if you're taken or not interested in love, your IG will be getting plenty of attention from potential suitors. Mars moves into your sister sign, Cancer, on the same day heating things up when it comes to dating, fertility, and creativity. This is the perfect time to seal the deal if you and your partner want to start a family. Depending on your priorities, a creative project may be getting all of your focus during this transit. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio enhances your connection between you and your Higher Self, offering you a life-changing encounter that reminds you of just how powerful you truly are. May wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini on the 21st, making the next month all about home and family matters.
Taurus
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Happy birthday to youuuu! It's your season, baby! The New Moon on the 4th is a powerful new beginning for you so make the most of this. You only get one new moon every year, making this a good time to map out what you'd like to accomplish in your next year around the Sun. Mercury moves into your sign on the 6th, blessing you with the gift of gab. Keep in mind that you'll catch more flies with honey. On the 9th, a peak intimate experience can unlock your coochie chakras giving you a completely new outlook on life. On the 15th, your ruling planet returns to her home sign. Use this extra attention you're receiving to attract all of the right elements that you need to experience the most spectacular year yet.
Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, making you even more lazy -- I mean "laid back" -- than usual. This energy can be a little passive-aggressive and sibling rivalries are likely to come to the surface at this time. You can be direct without being an asshole. Embrace healthy conflict-resolution. The Full Moon on the 18th highlights your relationships, particularly marriage or business partnerships. You may decide to leave a situation that isn't working for you or you may finally experience the breakthrough you need to bring a relationship back into harmony. The month wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini, encouraging you to get out there and connect. You may just be one social networking mixer away from meeting your new investor or business partner.
Gemini
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May is typically a more lowkey month for you, Gemmie. There's a ton of action going on in Taurus, which brings your focus to your inner-world for the first couple weeks. The New Moon on the 4th enhances your dream world. Pay attention to any messages that you're receiving around this time as they contain key information helping you tap into past-life gifts and talents. Mercury, your ruling planet, moves into Taurus on the 6th, making you more curious about Venusian themes like art, music, and fashion. This is a good time to watch a documentary about your fav musician or pick up a new hobby that you can enjoy in your solitude. On the 9th, good luck comes your way through a key relationship that provides you with a lighter approach to releasing a heavy emotional burden.
On the 15th, Venus moves into Taurus and love matters take on a more private approach with you preferring to spend time at home and in the bedroom. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, encouraging you to see the value in your talents by actually doing something with them. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 18th illuminates your daily routines, health, and work. You may receive some news around this time that motivates you to make some changes in one of these areas of your life. Work-life imbalances will likely come to a head, encouraging you to make some changes in the way you manage your time. The month closes out with the Sun and Mercury moving into your sign, giving you a much-needed boost of energy that you'll need for your birthday season.
Cancer
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The month begins with a New Moon in Taurus on the 4th, bringing your focus to your social network and big hopes and dreams. This is a favorable time to collaborate with the right people that can help turn your vision into reality. On the 6th, Mercury moves into materially-driven Taurus, making this the perfect energy for strategizing about how you and your tribe will make your mark on the world. When it comes to these money moves, Jupiter and Pluto favor you around the 9th in regards to a business partnership or work connection that may offer the breakthrough you've been banking on.
Venus moves into Taurus on the 15th, which could surprisingly have you crushing on someone in your circle of friends. If you're open to love, going to a networking event or joining a charitable organization can be a great way to meet someone who shares common interests. Mars moves into your sign on the same day, giving you a much-needed boost of energy and confidence. Your temper may be running short during this transit so find healthy ways to release your anger. The Full Moon in your sister sign, Scorpio, heightens romance and fertility, making the 18th the perfect sultry date night. Healing through creative expression is also favored during this time. The month wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini on the 21st, inviting you to rest, reflect and close out cycles before your solar return.
Leo
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Career and social status are highlighted for the first few weeks of May with the New Moon in Taurus on the 4th bringing in an opportunity that could benefit you in the long run. Mercury moves into Taurus on the 6th and there could be an important conversation with higher-ups around this time. If you've been proving yourself as an asset on the job, you may finally be receiving the recognition that you've been waiting for. A stroke of good luck can spice up your love life around the 9th and you may find yourself under the spell of a workplace romance. Venus, planet of love and money, moves into a favorable position for you on the 15th that will help you attract all types of good fortune and opportunities when it comes to your career advancement. You could even be attracting someone in a position of authority.
Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, heating things up behind the scenes. Your bedroom will be getting a lot of attention over the next month, whether you're enjoying the company of your lover or just catching up on some sleep. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 18th illuminates themes of home and family. This can be a powerful time of releasing ancestral karma particularly related to the mother and maternal figures. This time can also indicate you relocating from one place to another. The month closes out with the Sun and Mercury, moving into sociable Gemini making you the center of attention amongst all of your friends.
Virgo
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The month starts off with an exciting New Moon in your sister sign, Taurus, taking place on the 4th in a part of your chart that has to do with higher learning and travel. You may consider going to school or simply indulging in your own personal research about a topic of interest. Mercury moves into this same part of your sky around the 6th and you are itching to soak up as much knowledge as you can. An interest in foreign cultures and different spiritual practices is common around this time. If you're traveling, you could meet an interesting companion that opens your mind to a different way of life. On the 9th, Jupiter and Pluto support positive breakthrough in areas related to family and your childhood. Around this time, you'll find it easier to embrace personal self-expression and you may feel like you have a voice after years of being silenced throughout your youth.
On the 15th, Venus moves into Taurus and you're more inclined to connect with people that stimulate you intellectually and even spiritually. If you're looking for a new money opportunity, consider what knowledge you have that others don't. Others may be seeking you out for guidance more than usual during this transit. Mars moves into Cancer the same day, bringing your focus to nurturing your social life and your big aspirations that could use a little more team effort. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio encourages you to be mindful of your projections and journal it out instead! The month closes out with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini bringing your focus to the career moves you plan on making over the next few weeks.
Libra
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A lot of the action this month takes place in a part of your sky that has to do with intimacy, healing, and deep transformation. The New Moon in Taurus on the 4th represents the beginning of this metamorphosis that you're undergoing. On the 6th, Mercury moves into Taurus, making you even more open to this period of soul-searching that you're in. An interest in psychology, the occult, and shadow work is likely around this time. You may even consider committing to therapy if you need some support working through a complex issue. On the 9th, an opportunity to express your truth can help you release any long-standing mommy issues. Love and romance gets deep this month with Venus attracting people and experiences to you that either trigger the hell out of you or help you heal some of your lingering emotional wounds.
Mars moves into Cancer on the 15th, making you a force to be reckoned with when it comes to your career aspirations. It's important to show people that you're in control but avoid being overly aggressive. A more gentle approach can be just as impactful for your reputation and advancement. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 18th can illuminate a money drain, making this a good time to review your bank statement. This energy is also powerful for helping you release stagnant emotions related to an experience that damaged your self-esteem. The month closes off on a lighter note with your sister sign, Gemini, moving into a part of your chart that will bring about travel and learning opportunities.
Scorpio
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The month begins with a New Moon in your opposite sign on the 4th, bringing your focus to relationships. This energy supports any long-term commitment or business partnership that you're beginning. Mercury moves into Taurus on the 6th and the conversations over the next month will revolve around your key partnerships. You may be taking things to the next level with your significant other or even signing a contract with a new employer. A lucky financial break may come your way around the 9th so make sure you're staying on top of your emails and communication around this time.
On the 15th, Venus returns home and love takes center stage for you. When the planet of love is in this part of your sky, you'll appear even more attractive than usual. Expect to receive tons of attention from people interested in you romantically and even professionally. The cosmos is extremely supportive of bringing you together with someone special during this transit. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day and the wanderlust kicks in. Traveling home or to a place that brings you comfort can be just what your heart needs right now. On the 18th, the Full Moon in your sign is a powerful catalyst for releasing residual pain and trauma that inhibits you from being more real with yourself and with others. It's time to take off the mask and reveal who you are underneath your perpetual state of being unbothered. The month winds down with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini as you continue unraveling the complexities of how your experiences have shaped you into the person you are today.
Sagittarius
Laci Jordan for xoNecole
This month brings most of your focus to improving your health with the New Moon on the 4th encouraging you to start a new habit or routine that can benefit your physical well-being. Mercury moves into Taurus on the 6th, motivating you to learn about new approaches to improving your health. Explore different forms of exercise and approaches to your nutrition that can help you live a better lifestyle. On the 9th, a financial stroke of good luck may come your way. If you've dealt with long-standing issues about your self-esteem or money mindset, this energy can provide a positive breakthrough that sets you on a path of deeper self-love and a greater abundance.
On the 15th, Venus moves into her home sign, Taurus, which is helping you attract opportunities and connections that actually benefit the lifestyle changes you're making throughout the month. Making sound choices about the energy you want to engage with can benefit your overall health and well-being. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day, motivating you to work through your mommy issues and intimacy blockages. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio enhances your psychic abilities and dream world. Pay attention to the messages you receive around this time, which may actually be prophetic. The month closes out with the Sun and Mercury moving into your opposite sign, making the next few weeks all about your key relationships and the important connections you'll be making during the most sociable season of the year.
Capricorn
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This month brings most of your focus to romance, creativity, and self-expression. It's time to let your hair down and have some fun. As one of the hardest working signs of the zodiac, you have a tendency to neglect your inner child the most. The New Moon in Taurus on the 4th invites you to play with this forgotten aspect of yourself. What new (or old) hobby can you partake in that brings you joy? On the 6th, Mercury moves into the same part of your sky and your mind is overflowing with creative inspiration. During this transit you may create one of your greatest masterpieces to date. Positive breakthrough takes place around the 9th, providing a sense of relief when it comes to a tough habit or lesson you've been trying to come to terms with.
On the 15th, Venus returns home to Taurus making you super sexy and alluring. If you've been experiencing a love drought, get out there! This is one of the most favorable times of year for you to enjoy the adventure of romance. Mars moves into your opposite sign on the same day, which can make you a little aggressive when it comes to love. Try not to be too pushy with your crush or significant other. You'll catch more flies with honey, Cappie. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio illuminates some weird stuff that's been going down in your friendships. This energy can help you address the issue head on to find a compromise or you may decide the connection isn't worth the energy. The month wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini on the 21st making the next few weeks at work one of the busiest seasons of the year.
Aquarius
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Home and family takes front and center stage during this time of the year. You may be planning a move or a trip to your hometown around the New Moon in Taurus on the 4th. This part of your chart is also associated with motherhood so don't be surprised if your baby fever is through the roof this month. If you're in the space for it, there can be talks about starting or expanding your family as Mercury, planet of communication, moves into Taurus on the 6th. Babies may be the last thing on your mind, and in that case, you may be more interested in expanding your knowledge about real estate or even your family ancestry. Around the 9th, you can experience a mental breakthrough that helps you reunite with your divinity and connection to God.
Venus returns home on the 15th and love matters are nurtured behind the scenes in your home. You and a significant other may decide to move in together to establish the beginning stages of your family. Mars moves into Cancer on the same day. Over the coming weeks, you'll be motivated to nurture you health and well-being by creating more balance in your daily routines. The Full Moon in Scorpio on the 18th brings recognition in career and social status. Avoid gossip and romance on the job as things have the potential to be exposed at this time. The month ends on a high note with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini, boosting your romance and creativity over the weeks to come.
Pisces
Laci Jordan for xoNecole
The month begins with a New Moon in Taurus on the 4th, encouraging you to activate your throat chakra. In what new way can you share your thoughts with the world? On the 6th, Mercury moves into Taurus, which is great energy for learning about a new topic of interest or communicating your ideas. Starting up a vlog or podcast is favorable right now. You've got something to say and the world needs to hear it. Positive breakthrough can take place around the 9th when it comes to any power struggles you've experienced in your friendships. Any subconscious programming that has your social life running amuck can be dissolved around this time.
On the 15th, Venus returns home to Taurus and your conversations get a little sweeter during this transit. You are very persuasive given this energy so use it to your advantage. If you're open to meeting someone new, you may actually get lucky with online dating. Even if you're taken or not interested in love, your IG will be getting plenty of attention from potential suitors. Mars moves into your sister sign, Cancer, on the same day heating things up when it comes to dating, fertility, and creativity. This is the perfect time to seal the deal if you and your partner want to start a family. Depending on your priorities, a creative project may be getting all of your focus during this transit. On the 18th, the Full Moon in Scorpio enhances your connection between you and your Higher Self, offering you a life-changing encounter that reminds you of just how powerful you truly are. May wraps up with the Sun and Mercury moving into Gemini on the 21st, making the next month all about home and family matters.
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Originally published on May 1, 2019.
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Amber Riley has the type of laugh that sticks with you long after the raspy, rhythmic sounds have ceased. It punctuates her sentences sometimes, whether she’s giving a chuckle to denote the serious nature of something she just said or throwing her head back in rip-roarious laughter after a joke. She laughs as if she understands the fragility of each minute. She chooses laughter often with the understanding that future joy is not guaranteed.
Credit: Ally Green
The sound of her laughter is rivaled only by her singing voice, an emblem of the past and the future resilience of Black women stretched over a few octaves. On Fox’s Glee, her character Mercedes Jones was portrayed, perhaps unfairly, as the vocal duel to Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), offering rough, full-throated belts behind her co-star’s smooth, pristine vocals. Riley’s always been more than the singer who could deliver a finishing note, though.
Portraying Effie White, she displayed the dynamic emotions of a song such as “And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going” in Dreamgirls on London’s West End without buckling under the historic weight of her predecessors. With her instrument, John Mayer’s “Gravity” became a religious experience, a belted hymnal full of growls and churchy riffs. In her voice, Nicole Scherzinger once said she heard “the power of God.”
Credit: Ally Green
Riley’s voice has been a staple throughout pop culture for nearly 15 years now. Her tone has become so distinguishable that most viewers of Fox’s The Masked Singer recognized the multihyphenate even before it was revealed that she was Harp, the competition-winning, gold-masked figure with an actual harp strapped to her back.
Still, it wasn’t until recently that Riley began to feel like she’d found her voice. This sounds unbelievable. But she’s not referring to the one she uses on stage. She’s referencing the voice that speaks to who she is at her core. “Therapy kind of gave me the training to speak my mind,” the 37-year-old says. “It’s not something we’re taught, especially as Black women. I got so comfortable in [doing so], and I really want other people, especially Black women, to get more comfortable in that space.”
“Therapy kind of gave me the training to speak my mind. It’s not something we’re taught, especially as Black women."
If you ask Riley’s manager, Myisha Brooks, she’ll tell you the foundation of who the multihyphenate is hasn’t changed much since she was a kid growing up in Compton. “She is who she is from when I met her back when she was singing in the front of the church to back when she landed major roles in film and TV,” Brooks says. Time has allowed Riley to grow more comfortable, giving fans a more intimate glimpse into her life, including her mental health journey and the ins and outs of show business.
The actress/singer has been in therapy since 2019, although she suffered from depression and anxiety way before that. In a recent interview with Jason Lee, she recalls having suicidal ideation as a kid. By the time she started seeing a psychologist and taking antidepressants in her thirties, her body had become jittery, a physical reminder of the trauma stacked high inside her. “I was shaking in [my therapist’s] office,” she tells xoNecole. “My fight or flight was on such a high level. I was constantly in survival mode. My heart was beating fast all the time. All I did was sweat.”
There wasn’t just childhood trauma to account for. After auditioning for American Idol and being turned away by producers, Riley began working for Ikea and nearly missed her Glee audition because her car broke down on the highway while en route. Thankfully, Riley had been cast to play Mercedes Jones. American Idol had temporarily convinced her she wasn’t cut out for the entertainment industry, but this was validation that she was right where she belonged. Glee launched in 2009 with the promise of becoming Riley’s big break.
In some ways, it was. The show introduced Riley to millions of fans and catapulted her into major Hollywood circles. But in other ways, it became a reminder of the types of roles Black women, especially those who are plus-sized, are relegated to. Behind the scenes, Riley says she fought for her character "to have a voice" but eventually realized her efforts were useless. "It finally got to a point where I was like, this is not my moment. I'm not who they're choosing, and this is just going to have to be a job for me for now," she says. "And, that's okay because it pays my bills, I still get to be on television, I'm doing more than any other Black plus-sized women that I'm seeing right now on screen."
The actress can recognize now that she was navigating issues associated with trauma and low self-esteem at the time. She now knows that she's long had anxiety and depression and can recognize the ways in which she was triggered by how the cult-like following of the show conflicted with her individual, isolated experiences behind the scenes. But she was in her early '20s back then. She didn't yet have the language or the tools to process how she was feeling.
Riley says she eventually sought out medical intervention. "When you're in Hollywood, and you go to a doctor, they give you pills," she says, sharing a part of her story that she'd never revealed publicly before now. "[I was] on medication and developing a habit of medicating to numb, not understanding I was developing an addiction to something that's not fixing my problem. If anything, it's making it worse."
“[I was] on medication and developing a habit of medicating to numb, not understanding I was developing an addiction to something that’s not fixing my problem. If anything it’s making it worse.”
Credit: Ally Green
At one point, while in her dressing room on set, she rested her arm on a curling iron without realizing it. It wasn't until her makeup artist alerted her that she even realized her skin was burning. Once she noticed, she says she was "so zonked out on pills" that she barely reacted. Speaking today, she holds up her arm and motions towards a scar that remains from the incident. She sought help for her reliance on the pills, but it would still be years before she finally attended therapy.
This stress was only compounded by the trauma of growing up in poverty and the realities of being a "contract worker." "Imagine going from literally one week having to borrow a car to get to set to the next week being on a private jet to New York City," she says. After Glee ended, so did the rides on private planes. The fury of opportunities she expected to follow her appearance on the show failed to materialize. She wasn't even 30 yet, and she was already forced to consider if she'd hit her career peak.
. . .
We’re only four minutes into our Zoom call before Riley delivers her new adage to me. “My new mantra is ‘humility does not serve me.’ Humility does not serve Black women. The world works so hard to humble us anyway,” she says.
On this Thursday afternoon in April, the LA-based entertainer is seated inside her closet/dressing room wearing a cerulean blue tank top with matching shorts and eating hot wings. This current phase of healing hinges on balance. It’s about having discipline and consistency, but not at the risk of inflexibility. She was planning to head to the gym, for instance, but she’s still tired from the “exhausting” day before. Instead, she’s spent her day receiving a massage, eating some chicken wings, and planning to spend quality time with friends. “I’m not going to beat myself up for it. I’m not going to talk down to myself. I’m going to eat my chicken wings, and then tomorrow I’m [back] in the gym,” she says.
“My new mantra is ‘humility does not serve me.’ Humility does not serve Black women. The world works so hard to humble us anyway."
This is the balance with which she's been approaching much of her life these days. It's why she's worried less about whether or not people see her as someone who is humble. She'd rather be respected. "I think you should be a person that's easy to work with, but in the moments where I have to ruffle feathers and make waves, I'm not shying away from that anymore. You can do it in love, you don't have to be nasty about it, but I had to finally be comfortable with the fact that setting boundaries around my life – in whatever aspect, whether that's personal or business – people are not going to like it. Some people are not going to have nice things to say about you, and you gotta be okay with it," she says.
When Amber talks about the constant humbling of Black women in Hollywood, I think of the entertainers before her who have suffered from this. The brilliant, consistent, overqualified Black women who have spoken of having to fight for opportunities and fair pay. Aretha Franklin. Viola Davis. Tracee Ellis Ross. There's a long list of stars whose success hasn't mirrored their experiences behind the scenes.
Credit: Ally Green
If Black women outside of Hollywood are struggling to decrease the pay gap, so, too, are their wealthier, more famous peers.
Riley says there’s been progress in recent years, but only in small ways and for a limited group of people. “This business is exhausting. The goalpost is constantly moving, and sometimes it’s unfair,” she says. But, I have to say it’s the love that keeps you going.”
“There’s no way you can continue to be in this business and not love it, especially being a plus-sized Black woman,” she continues. “We’re still niche. We’re still not main characters.”
"There’s no way you can continue to be in this business and not love it, especially being a plus-sized Black woman. We’re still niche. We’re still not main characters.”
Last year, Riley starred alongside Raven Goodwin in the Lifetime thriller Single Black Female (a modern, diversified take on 1992’s Single White Female). It was more than a leading role for the actress, it also served as proof that someone who looks like her can front a successful project without it hinging on her identity. It showcased that the characters she portrays don’t “have to be about being a big girl. It can just be a regular story.”
Riley sees her work in music as an extension of her efforts to push past the rigid stereotypes in entertainment. Take her appearance on The Masked Singer, for instance. Riley said she decided to perform Mayer’s “Gravity” after being told she couldn’t sing it years earlier. “I wanted to do ‘Gravity’ on Glee. [I] was told no, because that’s not a song that Mercedes would do,” she says. “That was a full circle moment for me, doing that on that show and to hear what it is they had to say.”
As Scherzinger praised the “anointed” performance, a masked Riley began to cry, her chest heaving as she stood on stage, her eyes shielded from view. “You have to understand, I have really big names – casting directors, producers, show creators – that constantly tell me ‘I’m such a big fan. Your talent is unmatched.’ Hire me, then,” she says, reflecting on the moment.
Recently, she’s been in the studio working on original music, the follow-up to her independently-released debut EP, 2020’s Riley. The sequel to songs such as the anthemic “Big Girl Energy” and the reflective ballad “A Moment” on Riley, this new project hones in on the singer’s R&B roots with sensual grooves such as the tentatively titled “All Night.” “You said I wasn’t shit, turns out that I’m the shit. Then you called me a bitch, turns out that I’m that bitch. You said no one would want me, well you should call your homies,” she sings on the tentatively titled “Lately,” a cut about reflecting on a past relationship. From the forthcoming project, xoNecole received five potential tracks. Fans likely already know the strengths and contours of Riley’s vocals, but these new songs are her strongest, most confident offerings as an artist.
“I am so much more comfortable as a writer, and I know who I am as an artist now. I’m evolving as a human being, in general, so I’m way more vulnerable in my music. I’m way more willing to talk about whatever is on my mind. I don’t stop myself from saying what it is I want to say,” she says.
Credit: Ally Green
“Every era and alliteration of Amber, the baseline is ‘Big Girl Energy.’ That’s the name of her company,” her manager Brooks says, referencing the imprint through which Riley releases her music after getting out of a label deal several years ago. “It’s just what she stands for. She’s not just talking about size, it’s in all things. Whether it’s putting your big girl pants on and having to face a boardroom full of executives or sell yourself in front of a casting agent. It’s her trying to achieve the things she wants to do in life.”
Riley says she has big dreams beyond releasing this new music, too. She’d love to star in a rom-com with Winston Duke. She hasn't starred in a biopic yet, but she’d revel in the opportunity to portray Rosetta Tharpe on screen. She’s determined that her previous setbacks won’t stop her from dreaming big.
“I think one of my superpowers is resilience because, at the end of the day, I’m going to kick, scream, cry, cuss, be mad and disappointed, but I’m going to get up and risk having to deal with it all again. It’s worth it for the happy moments,” she says.
If Riley seems more comfortable and confident professionally, it’s because of the work she’s been doing in her personal life.
She’d previously spoken to xoNecole about becoming engaged to a man she discovered in a post on the site, but she called things off last year. For Valentine’s Day, she revealed her new boyfriend publicly. “I decided to post him on Valentine’s Day, partially because I was in the dog house. I got in trouble with him,” she says, half-joking before turning serious. “The breakup was never going to stop me from finding love. Or at least trying. I don’t owe anybody a happily ever after. People break up. It happens. When it was good, it was good. When it was bad, it was terrible, hunny. I had to get the fuck up out of there. You find happiness, and you enjoy it and work through it.”
Credit: Ally Green
"I don’t owe anybody a happily ever after. People break up. It happens. When it was good, it was good. When it was bad, it was terrible, hunny. I had to get the fuck up out of there. You find happiness and you enjoy it and work through it.”
With her ex, Riley was pretty outspoken about her relationship, even appearing in content for Netflix with him. This time around is different. She’s not hiding her boyfriend of eight months, but she’s more protective of him, especially because he’s a father and isn’t interested in becoming a public figure.
She’s traveling more, too. It’s a deliberate effort on her part to enjoy her money and reject the trauma she’s developed after experiencing poverty in her childhood. “I live in constant fear of being broke. I don’t think you ever don’t remember that trauma or move past that. Now I travel and I’m like, listen, if it goes, it goes. I’m not saying [to] be reckless, but I deserve to enjoy my hard work.”
After everything she’s been through, she certainly deserves to finally let loose a bit. “I have to have a life to live,” she says. “I’ve got to have a life worth fighting for.”
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15 Women Share Their Personal Hacks For Better Orgasms (And Sex Overall)
I’m pretty sure that I’m basically being redundant when I say that I write about sex quite a bit which means that I spend quite a bit of time doing research when it comes to sex-related intel, tips, and hacks. Yet I have to say that when it comes to getting some much-needed information in the realm of coitus, it’s been my clients (along with random interviews that I do with people because I don’t mind talking to complete strangers about intimate ish) who have garnered me some of the best takeaways.
Take orgasms, for example. Since I’m well aware of the fact that vaginal orgasms (especially) can be a real challenge for a lot of women, I’m constantly on the hunt for what can help to “bridge the gap” in that arena.
And that’s why I decided, this time, to forego science articles, vlogs, and online data and instead ask some women for myself about some of the things that they do to make having an orgasm, improving their orgasms, and their sexual experience overall something that is so much better for themselves.
So, grab yourself a light aphrodisiac snack (check out “Eat Your Way To Better Sex With Aphrodisiacs”) and dig into what 15 Black women told me gets them off, in a mighty big way, just about every time.
*As always, middle names have been used so that everyone can feel comfortable giving up the goods…umm, so to speak*
1. Rochelle. 37. Married for 11 Years.

“While y’all be out here talking about some kegels, what I’m into is my man giving me a hip massage. The key is to make sure you use some sort of massage oil that has menthol in it. Between the tingling of the menthol and him rubbing on your hips, not only is it really relaxing, but the ‘minty feel’ opens your body up so that once intercourse begins, you’re less tense, and that makes having an orgasm so much easier to do.”
2. Karmyn. 27. Single.
“Kiss him the way you want him to penetrate you. Literally, use your tongue as if it were a penis and move it in his mouth like you want him to move inside of you. The kissing will turn you both on, and if he follows your instructions, you should be able to orgasm with no problem."
"I learned this trick when I asked an ex of mine to explain what p — sy feels like, and he said the best way to explain it is what a tongue feels like inside of [the] mouth. He should’ve never told me that, boy! It’s been hell in these streets ever since!”
3. LaChelle. 43. In a Serious Relationship for Two Years.
“If you’re self-conscious about your body, get some lingerie that has cutouts in them. There is a lot of sexy stuff out here that can have you covering up the parts you’re not comfortable with while still giving him access to the ‘main events.’ My man loves one of my lace one-piece teddies that has no crotch, and it’s easier for me to orgasm because I’m not overthinking the entire time.”
4. Trinitee. 27. Married for One Year.

“We’ve only been married a year, but we weren’t exactly abstinent when we were just dating. So, we like to find ways to keep it fresh. One thing that we do is go ‘hotel hopping’ once a month. We find a new hotel and meet each other there. We try and do different hours of the day and come with a surprise in hand. Like he might bring a new sex toy, and I might have on some lingerie that he’s never seen before. Then we text each other beforehand to talk about the best part of the sex we had from the last hotel we visited. The anticipation is foreplay.”
5. Wren. 33. In a Serious Relationship for Six Years.
“What works for me is doing afterplay as foreplay. What I mean by that is, taking a nap naked with my boo before any sexual activity is one of my favorite things. Being up under him, especially if he’s spooning me, feels really good, sleeping together is very intimate, and — there’s something about being awakened outta my sleep with kisses on my neck and back that almost makes me want to cum right then and there.”
6. Bevalyn. 40. Living with Her Partner for Four Years.
“Get on your back and have him kneel in front of you."
"Put your legs over his, and when he penetrates you, ask him to use one of his hands to apply pressure on your pubic bone — the area right above your clitoris."
"As he’s gently pushing down while he’s inside of you…if you don’t cum from that, I don’t know what else to tell you, sis.”
7. Sophia. 38. In a Serious Relationship for Two Years.

“Shower sex can be a bit much, and I don’t trust a used jacuzzi. What we do is fill up our own inflatable pool and get it on inside of it. It’s perfect during the summer, late at night, because we have a tall fence. Just make sure that you bring some silicone lube to keep things slippery down there. An inflatable pool has been one of the best sex investments that we have ever made!”
8. Averie. 35. Single.
“Wanna know if your man is as into giving you head as he claims? Right after he goes down on you, ask him to immediately penetrate you. If he’s hard, he’s totally into it, and if he catches you soon enough, you’ll be in the perfect position to have a multiple orgasm. Don’t say I didn’t give you the ultimate cheat code.”
9. Victoria. 40. Married for 11 Years.
“Shellie, you actually got me on the cinnamon kick when I read one of your articles that talked about applying cinnamon oil to my clit before oral sex. Since [then], I’ve been doing some research, and it says that cinnamon is also an aphrodisiac because it stimulates blood flow. So, I’ll also drink cinnamon tea throughout the day or share a cinnamon cocktail with my husband. Works like a charm.”
Shellie here: She’s right. I did say that. LOL. You can read for yourself: “Here's How To Have Some Really Great Fall-Themed Sex.”
10. Daniela. 28. Engaged for Six Months.

“Ever been fingered backward? What I mean is, get on all fours and have him insert a finger or two from behind with his palm being flat. That way, the space in between your anus and your vagina will get a massage while your vagina gets penetrated. There’s nothing quite like it.”
11. Saven. 32. Single.
“Ice. Have him rub a little bit of ice on your clitoris and then immediately warm it up with his tongue. There is something about the drastic changes in temperature that gets me every time. And I mean, EVERY time.”
12. Ferynn. 30. Living with Her Partner for Five Years.
“I don’t know about you, but my man loves to put my legs up in the air. It was never really my favorite move until I read that behind the knees are an unsung erogenous zone. Whoever found that out was onto something because if he rubs back there while talking real crazy to me in a deep voice? Here I come…HERE I COME!”
13. Vivienne. 30. Engaged for One Year.

“Never underestimate the power of a foot massage. Just make sure that he applies pressure in the middle of your foot where your arch is. It instantly makes me wet. I asked my doctor why and he said that it’s probably because foot massages tend to increase blood flow, including where the vagina is. Either way, it’s always a good night if I get a foot massage first.”
14. Michelle. 24. Single.
“I’m a doula who owns my own exercise ball…for sex. When I first started showing couples the positions that women can get into to make labor easier, it got me to thinking that some of those positions could work for sex too — and they do."
"Something about the movement of the ball takes the pressure off of the back for both men and women. It also makes getting into certain positions a lot easier so that you can enjoy sex for a lot longer.”
15. Carol. 31. Married for Five Years.
“My husband and I have bets. If he wants me to make some of his favorite meals five days in a row, he’s gotta make me cum five times in a row. If I want him to get me something that’s not in our budget, I’ve gotta attempt one of his sex fantasies. We’re both competitive as hell, so it works for us because honestly, even when we ‘lose’…we win!”
_____
Listen, I don’t know about y’all, but this was definitely worth my while. After all, ain’t nothin’ like some Black women who can speak from very-personal-and-up-close experience about what makes them happy — especially if it can increase the odds of bringing some sexual satisfaction your way too.
Speaking of, if you want to share the wealth, drop some of your own orgasm-related tips in the comment section. The more of us who can woosah on the regular, the better, chile. Straight up. #havefun #lotsofit
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