ARIES HOROSCOPE

Saturn turns retrograde on July 12th and for the next few months you'll experience a general pall as things that once moved smoothly take twice as long to come together and twice as long to fall apart. Think of it as Saturn's way of testing how serious you are about that prize you seek. If this proves too inconvenient then you probably weren't that committed to begin with but if you're willing to do whatever it takes – for as long as it takes – then Saturn will give you what you want and then some. Saturn will be retrograde from July 12th until November 28th.

On July 4th Neptune turns retrograde in Aries. Neptune mythologizes whatever zodiac sign it's passing through and for the past few weeks you might have fallen under its spell of hypermasculinity and “the-rules-don’t-apply-to-me ” exceptionalism. This affects Aries women as well as Aries men. Now that Neptune is turning retrograde you may awaken to discover you're as naked as the Emperor parading around in his new clothes. This could lead to questioning the path you're on or prompt you to take charge of things and stop playacting. It all depends on what you decide to do between now and October 22d when Neptune reenters Pisces.

Neptune glamorizes whatever zodiac sign it's passing through and right now it's going to be romanticizing the grittier aspects of your Aries personality. This is the part of you that believes you have to go it alone and that you can't rely on anyone else. That might be true; but then again it might not. Sun/Neptune squares (like the one on June 23d) are Astrology's myth busters – they lift the veil on the stories we've been telling ourselves. Maybe it's time to stop overcompensating and to let the real you shine through. It's not a weakness to want to bond with someone else; it's human.

You need to take a good long hard look at why you're so reluctant to push for a leadership position. You say that it's because you don't want the pressure and responsibility that comes with it, but is that the real reason? Chances are you're dealing with more stress by being in the number two spot. The only way that you're going to discover if you are cut out for this sort of thing is to step up to the plate and give it your best shot. Life comes with enough hurdles as is. You don't want to be the obstacle to your own success.

Aries is often depicted as a questing knight venturing out into the world to find themselves while rescuing people in distress along the way. But every knight has his castle and Jupiter in Cancer for the next 12 months will bring a deeper bond with your family. You might move closer to relatives or introduce a new addition to your household; then again Jupiter might bring a reunion or homecoming. This flies in the face of Saturn in your sign insisting you shoulder burdens alone, but if there was ever a time when you could use a lighter load and company – it would be now.

It's amazing how working on a project or brainstorming to solve a problem brings you and an estranged friend back together again. It's been a long time since you've enjoyed each other's company and the absence has been felt on both sides. Is this enough to reconcile differences and put away a grudge? It could be. The wonderful thing about the Mercury/Mars sextile on June 5th is that its playful collaboration dissolves all defenses. Your natural rapport and comfort with one another is enough to assuage the hurt feelings that kept you apart. This reunion is something you two can do again – and hopefully will.

After weeks of combining and recombining (but to no avail), it looks like the pieces of the puzzle will finally fall into place with an audible “click” on May 26th. Not only will you discover the missing ingredient to your formula for success, but you'll be able to repeat this process again and again. This transforms what you've been working on from a lucky break into something that has legs. Your unique approach to a problematic situation is something people in high places will want to hear about and it's sure to create a place at the table where all the places had been filled.

Saturn, planet of trials and tribulations, weighs heaviest on you for the next 2 ½ years, but you're up to the challenge. Remember that Saturn is a teacher, not a tyrant; a builder and not a destroyer – but in order to build it has to clear away the deadwood first. That means getting rid of responsibilities that have lost their relevance, relationships and associations that have overstayed their welcome, and psychological baggage that should have been put out by the curb long ago. Rummaging through all this won't be easy, but come the second year you'll be excited about building on a whole new foundation.

You were born with a solid belief in hierarchy and naturally assume that others share that same respect. For the most part they do, but there's always one malcontent or mouthy kid who needs to learn their place. Usually you'll say something pointed and leave it at that, but the exchange on May 18th when Mercury squares your Ruling Planet Mars will be much more heated. In fact you may even surprise yourself with the intensity. You're apt to feel guilty for a millisecond, but leave it alone. This person had it coming and after locking horns with you, they'll never make that mistake again.

You're not a big fan of socializing. You understand that networking is a means to an end, but you'd rather let your track record speak for itself when it comes to scoring a client or winning a superior's approval. Nevertheless an especially propitious Mercury/Jupiter sextile on May 5th shows that this is the time to make the rounds. Stories of your Herculean labors and accomplishments have been circulating and a number of people want to meet you; not only that, but they're eager to contribute, promote, or help you in any way that they can. This energy only lasts until Saturday, so don't be shy!