Recently I was having a celebration dinner with Michelle Roque, my talented creative director who had done such brilliant art direction work on my calendars and planners, handling Parisian artist Izak’s work with such grace. Michelle was telling me that some of her friends love Astrology Zone – they only read my summaries to my monthly column. I put down my fork. Hearing this news made me sad. I asked, are you sure, Michelle? She nodded. I strive so to give my readers complete information, and this month, May, I look ahead to the rest of the year to show what is due for you, for planning purposes. Almost none of that vital information will be in my summaries – there was too much to explain.

This month brings massive changes for everyone, for the great outer planet Uranus will change signs and enter Taurus for the first time since 1934 to 1942. This year, Uranus will give us a preview and a little time to get used to this new influence, for Uranus will only remain in Taurus from May 15 to November 16, 2018. Uranus will retrograde back to late degrees of Aries from November 16 to March 6, 2019, a sign Uranus entered. Once Uranus returns to Taurus next year, he will stay seven years, until 2026.

During the years that Uranus visits Taurus, he will fill your twelfth house. This is a part of the chart that is associated with Pisces, and therefore considered a highly creative area of the chart where symbolism rather than words will become more dominant. The twelfth house emphasizes right brain thinking and is often the part of the brain where ideas spring for new endeavors. As a Gemini, you are a sharp thinker and highly analytical, but now, with this influence, you will become more playful and experimental, and show greater interest in visual communication. You may still write (the area most Gemini excels) but even in your writing, the descriptive parts will separate you from the crowd and allow you to stand out.

Ideas will keep coming to you, as Uranus is associated with bolts of inspiration and insight. You may get a flash of an idea in the shower, during a dream, or walking down the street. In fact, you may not have any idea of where your greatest ideas are emanating from, but they will be brilliant. Those ideas will spring from deep within your subconscious.

One of the best ways to get ready for Uranus in Taurus in your intuitive twelfth house is to do this in coming months. Sit back, close your eyes, and see the life you want to create for yourself as a little movie. See all the details, such as seeing yourself coming in the door, hanging up your coat, putting your keys in the dish next to the door. If the phone were to ring at that moment, who would be on the other end and what would that person call to tell you that makes you so excited? Looking in your computer, which email will excite you?

Uranus is the planet of innovation, disruption, independence, untraditional, rebellious, freedom loving, and creative – particularly in the realm of the sciences and mathematics. Uranus is associated with electricity and alternating current, with TV, the Internet, and all newly invested forms, such as driverless cars, and artificial and alternate reality. Uranus strikes suddenly and without warning, the reason astrologers nickname Uranus the Great Awakener. Uranus will sweep away anything that is not of future relevance.

The twelfth house is associated with solitude, so you will be happiest and most creative when working alone. This is in high contrast from the way you used to work, being around many people. When Uranus entered Aries in May 2010 for a preview, and more permanently re-entered Aries in March 2011 until now, May 2018, you made many friends in the creative arts, and perhaps got used to a steady stream of new people that were pouring into your life – some may have been very stimulating, and they likely encouraged you to express your originality.

Uranus is also considered the higher octave of Mercury, the latter being the planet of communication, perception, negotiation, contractual agreements, translations, research, and computer code. As you may already know, Mercury is your ruler, and is responsible for making you such an accomplished communicator. Uranus takes Mercury’s considerable brainpower and synthesizes it into an entirely new level, into the realm of futuristic innovation. Uranus is called the planet of genius for good reason.

The twelfth house is also the house of secrets, so if anyone keeps a secret from you, when other planets stop by the twelfth house or signal Uranus in that house, secrets are likely to come out in the open, quite suddenly. If you are keeping a carefully guarded secret, you will have to double your efforts to keep things under lock and key.

Additionally, the ancient astrologers wrote that the twelfth house is also the house of secret enemies. This can come up as corporate political posturing or innuendo, with certain individuals who have an agenda and who want you to think they are your friend but who are not. You need not be suspicious of others for the coming seven years that Uranus is in Taurus and your twelfth house. The universe never gives you a challenge without the tools to deal with it. Your intuition will be very strong during this Uranus-in-Taurus period, and that small voice within you will act as a shield, protecting you. You need to follow your instincts, even if you don’t have full information, yet. Later you will be proven correct.

There is also house of open enemies too – the seventh house, but only when badly aspected. This is where you hosted Saturn from December 2014 to December 2017. During part of that time, you may have had to deal with one or two fierce competitors or difficult, demanding partners. Or, one might have betrayed your trust. Saturn just recently left that house, and Saturn will not be back to this house again until 2041. You can rest.

    May 25 would be a standout day for you to start production on a film, a live TV interview, or if you are an actor, to go to a film audition. It’s also the perfect day to have a flattering photograph taken.

Gemini is a brainy, intellectual sign, but Uranus in the twelfth house will teach you to rely on your instinct, and from time to time, when necessary, to make decisions in the light of incomplete, ambiguous data. Some people can’t make a decision without full data, but you will realize that any data is not always 100 percent reliable. In market research, the results often are the result of the subjective way the questions were asked, and even worse, the ones that were never asked. You will know what to do.

As May opens, you will have just experienced a full moon, April 29, in your work sector, in Scorpio in your sixth house of work projects. That full moon of last month will still be strong during the first days of May. You may have accepted a new job and will either give you the final offer now, or will start your new job at the end of April or early May. You likely had weeks of interviewing, so it must be a happy moment. If you are self-employed, you may get a generous new client now. It looks like you have also wrapped up an important project. Saturn will support this full moon from your eighth house of other people’s money, suggesting you will make a generous commission or fee (if you are self-employed). This was a superb full moon, and still affecting you in the first days of May.

If you have not been feeling well and have been going for advice or a diagnosis, you will likely shape a firm plan to deal with your condition by the start of May. This positive, stabilizing full moon will have the power to end weeks of uncertainty regarding your health. The eighth house of other people’s money also rules health insurance, so you might alert your health insurance provider that you plan to have surgery in the coming weeks. The eighth house is not only the house of other people’s money, but also the house of transformation, when the surgeon takes out what you no longer need to get you well. If you need a procedure or surgery, it would happen soon.

The new moon in Taurus will emphasize your twelfth house, and underscore your need to be creative, to visualize your life in a new light, to learn to trust your intuition and the other gifts this house bestows when a major planet like Uranus moves through it.

The twelfth house if a deeply psychological house, so if you feel the need to speak to a professional therapist about overcoming a habit or dependence on a substance, this new moon help you, and Uranus will too. Uranus is a master at teaching us to break old habits that are of no use to you, and you can transform, no matter how hard it’s been to ditch the habit in the past.

In the first part of May, Mars will remain in Capricorn, a place Mars has occupied since March 17. If you are alarmed at the huge amount of money that has been flying out of your bank account, that sounds right – Mars tends to force expenses up. That expensive period should calm down after May 15 when Mars moves to Aquarius.

You might have been depressed over the amount of taxes you owed in April, for you had three tough-guy planets in your eighth house of other people’s money – Pluto, Saturn, and Mars. This trifecta suggests you need to follow government rules to the letter – this year and the coming two years are not the time to take any “iffy” deductions, for if you do, your return will be flagged for an audit. You have to be very careful through December 2020, the length of time Saturn will be in Capricorn, but if you have done everything right, you have no worries at all.

The new moon of May 15 will be in Taurus, lighting your twelfth house, the house you and I have been talking about throughout this report. Pluto and Mars will be very much in sync with this particular new moon and Sun, suggesting your ability to raise money (if you are starting a major endeavor that requires outside investment) or to negotiate excellent company benefits if you are starting a new job. It’s also a great month to make big commissions if you are in sales.

Also, Jupiter and Neptune will be magically conversant all month, but especially in the second half. Jupiter and Neptune will make an exact alignment on May 25, a dazzling day, but happily you don’t need an exact mathematical hit of these two planets to enjoy the benefits of these two Titans – they move so slowly that you will be under their benefic gaze all month.

You may be talking about having your own TV show, or you may be doing an important publicity campaign where your face will be out in the world, having your name on everyone’s lips. Jupiter and Neptune are very rarely in a supremely harmonious trine position, but they are now, and you get to enjoy this aspect to the fullest. Neptune will be in your tenth house of fame and honors, and Jupiter to be in your sixth house of work projects. For you, this month, work assignments lead to enhancing your career reputation. Perfect!

Admittedly, May 25 would be a standout day for you to start production on a film, do a live TV interview, of if you are an actor, to go to a film audition. If you have a movie or body of photographic work, use this day to debut your exhibit or hold a screening of your work. It’s also a fantastic day to get your photograph taken.

Also on May 15, Mars will move to Aquarius to stay until November 7. Why would Mars spend six months in Aquarius rather than its more usual 6 or 7 weeks? Mars will go retrograde next month from June 26 to August 27. This is frustrating news, for Mars is the booster rocket to all your greatest dreams. When Mars is retrograde, he sleeps and his powers are not available to you, and Mars retrogrades approximately every 18 months. Late June to late August would not be a wise time to launch new projects or services. Mars is the planet that teaches you to compete to win, but with him out to lunch, you won’t have this mighty warrior planet to help you. You can try to do it alone, but it’s not advisable – it’s very hard to measure up to Mars.

(Note: There will be a short period within this stretch of time when Mars will retreat into Capricorn as Mars continues to retrograde – August 12 to September 10. I am sorry to say that during that time, you again will see costs rise. Perhaps you anticipate this – it may be time to send a deposit for your child’s private school, or pay a large portion of your college tuition. These are planned expenses, and this period might point to one you counted on doing.

On top of Mars being retrograde, we have Mars’ brother, Mercury, also retrograde from July 26 to August 18. With all these personal planets retrograde, it will be hard to make any progress during July and August. Personal planets are those that orbit closest to earth, so when retrograde, we feel the influence of those planets quite strongly, far more than when a big outer planet retrogrades. The personal planets are Mercury, Mars, and Venus. You might be saying to yourself, thank goodness Venus is in strong shape – but you may have to eat those words, for Venus is about to give us problems too.

Venus will go retrograde October 5 to November 16, not a time to schedule any radical changes to your appearance. You should not do a facelift or Botox treatments, and do your teeth veneers for now, that is, not in October or November. Venus also rules all products and services that are of special interest to women. If you are a manufacturer, this would not be a time to come out with a new perfume, skin care, jewelry collection, or other lovely items women would be interested knowing about and buying. The end of November is not good either – Mercury will retrograde November 16 to December 6.

The last part of the month brings a full moon in your opposite sign of Sagittarius. You may be getting engaged or married, or you may be signing papers to join forces in a serious, formal way with another professional in business.

This is a happy full moon that will signal Mars in your long-distance travel house. You may be getting ready to go abroad, or you might be hosting foreign executives to your city. Or, you may hear of an assignment you need to do for an overseas client and do it in your own country, with no need to leave your desk. This is a long trend that you will feel most of 2018, so you may travel more often to locations that require a passport for entry, or do a lot more business with companies based outside of your country. Other areas that are perking up for you: legal matters, the media (publishing and broadcasting), immigration, and interaction with professionals in academia.

Also in late month, again you will be under silvery beams due to a magnificent golden triangle that will appear in the sky, linking Jupiter in your sixth house of work projects, Neptune in your house of fame and honors, and Venus in your second house of earned income. If you have been concerned about the large amounts of money that has been leaving your checking account, it looks like month’s end will bring you a great opportunity not only to make money, but more importantly, to do work that will add a jewel to your crown. The assignment opportunity would be prestigious, and may possibly have international application. You will be showered with silver dust, dear Gemini. What a way to end May.

Romantically, Venus will be in your sign most of the month, a trend that began April 24, and continuing until May 19. You’ll be dripping with charm and charisma. It’s a great time to go wardrobe shopping, and to treat yourself to something extra special, then step out with confidence.

As you enter May, you will be wrapping up a major work project that has required much concentration but that brings a great deal of applause. The full moon that appeared at the end of last month, April 29, will still be influential in the first days of May. This full moon was in fine angle to Saturn in your financial sector, giving you an added feeling of security. Additionally you likely enjoyed this particular assignment as it seems to have allowed you the possibility to contribute your creativity. As you enter May, you may be getting compliments for the results of that project. That project will count when promotions are given out in late November and December (or, at the same time, when a competitor comes knocking with an offer for you to join their firm.)

Enormous change will come mid-month. Uranus, the planet of sudden surprises and impulsive actions and unexpected news, will leave Aries and begin to tour Taurus for the first time since 1934 to 1942. For you, Gemini, Uranus will begin to light your house of behind-the-scenes activities. This is considered a fine position for working in solitude on projects that require much research, experimentation, or deep thinking. Uranus will remain in this part of your chart until November, retrograde back to Aries, but will return permanently to Taurus in March 2019, to stay until April 2026.

Gemini is often talented with penning the written word. If you have a book, screenplay, movie, or television show within you, you will now realize that you must begin to shape and write it, as there will be no more time to procrastinate. The project you choose will tap the best of your communicative skills and take time to create. The new moon of May 15 will find you motivated for beginning your quest – and with Saturn supporting the new moon, the work you offer up will have lasting value.

Here is an important element to Taurus in the twelfth house: your subconscious mind will be brilliantly lit, and you will see all kinds of concepts in cinematic terms. Uranus will stimulate your intuition to a large degree, and when crafting your screenplay or novel, you may feel at times that your fingers are leading you as you watch the words come up on the screen. Those words will make it across the screen like curved silk ribbon gracefully spilling across your pages – your words will have the potential now for magnificent lyrical prose. While you’ve always been known to express yourself wonderfully on the written page, what will now change is your ability to describe settings and people in such a vivid, original, and compelling detail that others will be drawn to your work.

This position of Uranus is also known to bring talent in psychological realms – as therapist helping others, or if you seek advice. If you need help to overcome a habit or dependence on a substance, then reach out, as you can make stunning breakthroughs if you work diligently with a professional.

The new moon of May 15 will have you thinking about how to best use your time and talents. Matters going on at a distance, or in regard to a publishing, broadcasting, or academic goal, might suddenly come up, but with the news, bring an unexpected obstacle. As a Gemini, you are known to be flexible, adaptable, and able to turn on a dime, so you are well suited to cope with whatever comes up.

If you have hopes to start a TV show or star in a movie, the collaboration of good fortune Jupiter and wildly creative Neptune could make this happen. Neptune rules the silver image – in this case, yours – and it appears many people will come to know your name this year. On May 25, Neptune and Jupiter will reach perfect mathematical distance of 120 degrees – an aspect of breathtaking harmony and glamour, so you may see a breakthrough in regard to a creative idea that you’ve been coddling. Make your appointment to see an influential person for this day and present your idea with confidence.

Romantically, if you are serious about a partner, the full moon of May 29 may bring a confession of love, an engagement, or your actual wedding. If you are already wed, you may now hear news from your partner that will benefit you both. This would be an ideal time to take a romantic trip to a setting such as to the Grand Tetons, Wyoming, where you can enjoy big sky and wide horizons, and watch cowboys lasso and tend their herds of horses. (In astrological circles, this would be considered a very Sagittarian location.)

In coming months, you will be traveling much more than usual, as Mars will enter into Aquarius, a sign that blends divinely with yours, and will open you up to many new experiences. 2018 is not the year to go back to same old places – open your mind to new, unfamiliar locations and enjoy soaking up the colors, scents, tastes, and sounds of a new culture. It will do you a world of good.