General Forecast

If you know your ascendant, read it too.

Mercury coming out of retrograde on the 19th isn’t license to relax your vigil. Continue to drive carefully, dings and dents may still await you. Messages aren’t back on board yet, and deliveries might not be dropped off in time. That said, go ahead and celebrate the summer solstice on Friday with the gusto and/or reverence it deserves. Just cut it off by Saturday morning. Daredevil Mars’ opposition to other-worldly Neptune warns of a DUI in the making, perhaps a religious conversion as well. On Thursday, Uranus in Pisces turns retrograde, joining Neptune in Aquarius, Jupiter in Capricorn and Pluto in Sagittarius as they reexamine the recent past.

Aries

Mar. 20 - Apr. 19

It might not be your top priority for the summer; nonetheless, this would be an excellent time for the Ram to undertake a do-it-yourself project around the house. The Crab governs the foundation of your solar chart, your family tree and its roots, how you were nurtured and where you find shelter from the storm. Since it’s also where some of those storms originated, try to begin repairs before June ends, before your truth-seeking Mars ruler crosses from warm-hearted Leo to critical Virgo for the next seven weeks.

Taurus

Apr. 20 - May 20

(April 20-May 20) Now that Mercury is moving forward again, financial matters should start straightening themselves out. However as the Messenger proceeds through your Gemini house of acquisitions and assets, remind yourself that it won’t return to where it was when it went retrograde on Memorial Day until Independence Day. Best to go slow and see what happens before making major purchases or signing deals. Also good to know: unpredictable Uranus in your house of colleagues and group activity is in abeyance from 6/26 until Thanksgiving.

Gemini

May 21 - Jun. 20

Read for Taurus. Although your entire life can be affected by which direction -- forward or backward -- your Mercury ruler is facing, what Twins tend to notice first is what’s going on with the money. Where did you last use that credit card? Did you pay the phone bill in time? You would know immediately that you have a flat tire and need to fix it, but do you have to buy four new ones? Try to take some time to see what falls into place, what should be done sooner rather than later. Mercury remains in Gemini until 7/10.

Cancer

Jun. 21 - Jul. 22

Make the celebration last. Whether it’s the summer solstice, a wedding, your birthday or preparing for the July Fourth holiday, try to turn the festivities into a real vacation. While magnetic Venus is still in your sign, it would be criminal not to take advantage of how attractive you’ll be to almost everyone you come in contact with. There’ll be time for the serious stuff, like working hard and worrying about money later on, but while this irresistible force is with you, use it to make friends and influence influential people.

Leo

Jul. 23 - Aug. 22

You have until July 1 before the boost of physical energy and motivation Mars has infused you with runs out. Once the red planet leaves Leo, it’ll be sixteen months before it returns, October 2009 before you can kick ass as thoroughly as you have been. So either act real fast right now or else start devising your comeback. The good news is that, instead of its usual six- or seven-week tour of duty, Mars will remain in your sign until June 2010, retrograde from the winter solstice until mid-March. Make a note, plan ahead.

Virgo

Aug. 23 - Sep. 22

One sign’s loss is another’s gain. Courageous Mars brings its “me first” leadership qualities to Virgo for the first time since the summer of ’06. If you enjoyed a particularly productive or successful time of it then, you can look forward to having another one now. But if you were laid up, badly bitten, sunburned, bruised or broken, then you know that Martian energy, that extra shot of derring-do, can be dangerous, particularly for a Virgin who isn’t in the habit of throwing caution to the wind. Forewarned, forearmed.

Libra

Sep. 23 - Oct. 22

Press worthy career accomplishments may not be necessary; you could receive acclaim, gather genuine compliments too, simply because your Venus ruler is currently in your Cancer midheaven. The career component is also unnecessary; perhaps it’s your family name, specifically a woman in it, that’s attracting so much attention. Over the next four weeks, as the sun transits the sign of the Crab, it’ll shine even more light on how the rest of the world perceives you. If you’re auditioning for “Top Chef,” you’re in luck.