LEO HOROSCOPE

Venus enters the zodiac sign of Leo on June 13th. This is spectacular news for romantics everywhere because Venus is at her most resplendent when she is in the sign of the Lion. Love saves the day, literally, from June 13th to July 9th. You will see all of your dark fears, noxious anxieties, and nagging neuroses dissolve in the light of day. That's because Venus has zero tolerance for anything that takes the fun out of love. Instead broken hearts will be mended, chivalrous acts will be rewarded, and even the most jaded of misanthropes will find good reason to give romance another try.

Saturn's job is to make you stronger by making things tougher. Some people give up whenever Saturn shows up, but you're game as long as you see improvement. Saturn in Aries is like a weight-lifting coach. It adds weight to the bar as soon as it sees that you can handle it so that you're always challenging yourself by lifting more, but sometimes you can't help wondering if Saturn's just adding weight to the bar because it can. The Sun/Saturn sextile on June 2nd is both reassuring and encouraging. Not only will you see the results of Saturn's tutelage, you'll also get to show them off.

We all have to do things we don't like to get ahead. Maybe it's paying your dues, working beside people you don't like, or flattering a superior to stay in their good graces. We tell ourselves this is how the game is played, but it looks like you're all played out and can't continue. It will be hard turning your back on all the prizes dangling in front of you, but the Sun/Pluto trine on May 26th says this is exactly what you must do. And don't be surprised if this wins the respect of a higher-up who didn't think you had it in you.

You’re not as sure of yourself as you should be, which is why you want to be careful over the next six weeks. Mars, the planet of gumption and drive, will be pushing you to push the envelope in just about every area of your life. This could lead you to overplay your hand, overreach your grasp, or issue an ultimatum that you don’t really believe in. The end result could be you retreating to your lair to lick your wounds. However, if you channel this energy into making the most of what you have, then you will accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible.

Keep pushing for what you want. It may feel like you're getting dangerously close to imperiling what you've set up so far, but a New Moon in bullish Taurus on May 16th shows that you're on the right side of history. Either you see things more clearly than your superiors do right now or you're willing to make the tough decisions that they keep sidestepping. This can only work out in your favor as long as you're steadfast and patient. Continue doing what you're doing and you'll go from having been handed the short end of the stick to brandishing the better part of it.

Pluto turning retrograde on May 6th shows a change in a standoff. It's not so much that the other side blinks; it's more like they're not as resistant as they have been, and this presents an opening. Now there's one of two ways to proceed. You can exploit your opportunity and seize the upper hand, or you can calmly approach the other party to see if they're open to negotiating. Given that Pluto is in an air sign, it's always better to negotiate. Trust in the moment, and you'll discover that expressing your willingness to work out differences results in them wanting to do the same.

No zodiac sign places such a high value on individuality as you. You see it as a birthright – something that is both unique and inalienable to every human being. If it weren't for individuality, then we'd all be living in a world of cookie-cutter cutouts. You may not see yourself as a poster child for this, but others do – as attested to by this week's Venus/Saturn sextile. This is when you can expect to hear from people you've never met in person about the enormous difference you've made in their lives. It's just the thing you need to hear to keep on doing what you do.

Uranus in Gemini promises to put you in touch with people who can take you to the next level. Maybe they'll mentor you, sponsor you, or introduce you to friends who can open doors for you. It's everything you hoped for—and more. But remember that Uranus also brings upset and controversy. This could result in a dramatic change in your friendships and associations. It sounds good until you have to deal with the hurt feelings of those who once supported you and now feel left behind. Resist reacting defensively and be understanding instead. After all—you're the one moving on to bigger and better things.

Leo loves the good life, and that means doing what you love for a living, making enough money so you don't owe anyone anything, and being surrounded by the people and things you enjoy. It's not a tall order if you think about it; however, the Mars/Saturn conjunction on April 19th may cast a pall over that. Sometimes, Leos can put a cap on what they're capable of doing. You may not like feeling pushed out of your comfort zone, but Mars and Saturn are striving to make you be the best that you can be… and that's better than what you're currently settling for.

Mars moves into the pioneering sign of Aries on March 9th. This urges you to reconnect with your passion and pursue the things you want to pursue, no matter how unlikely or reckless. You could book a trip to Machu Picchu, fall in love with someone from another country, or pour your creative energy into a project you’ve always dreamed of doing. Whether this turns into something lasting or not doesn’t really matter in the long run. What matters is doing it. Experience is your wisest teacher, and it’s experiencing the experience that broadens your horizons, opens your world, and fulfills you as a person.