MONTHLY OVERVIEW:
The hardworking cycle that began last month continues into April. So much for March going out like a lamb—the lion is still roaring with deadlines, projects and demands. That’s because the Sun is in Aries, your tenth house of career and ambition, joined by a go-getter Mars in Leo, your second house of work. It’s an incredible time to make your mark professionally, but alas, not without stress and long hours. Think of yourself as a pro athlete making the game point, or an Olympian focused on that winning stretch.

You cross the finish line on April 20th when the Sun moves into Taurus, your eleventh house of friends and networking. Kick off those sensible pumps and put on your party shoes. Your social life ramps into high gear, and your free-spirited mingling benefits your career, too. Connect with the wider world by getting involved in a humanitarian cause or a creative group project with a mission that stirs your soul. When communication planet Mercury goes retrograde (backward) on April 18th, old friends and contacts appear out of the blue. It’s a great time to reunite with cherished allies from your past.

LOVE & ROMANCE:
The next five months bring a wave of transformation to your closest relationships. On April 6th, powerful Pluto goes retrograde in your partnership sector until mid-September. During this time, you may completely revamp the way you interact with your significant other—or approach love in general. Old power dynamics could creep out of the woodwork, and Pluto offers a chance to deal with them in a new way.

Instead of pointing fingers of blame, start with your role in the situation. There’s a codependent born in every Cancer, but you’re not responsible for other people’s emotions or decisions. If you try to fix, control and manage your mate’s life, you’ll get mired in your own personal hell. It’s a convenient distraction from your own affairs, but that “mother knows best” routine does more harm than good. Resign from your judgmental rescue mission. Work through issues of guilt and learn to treat others as separate, capable people—a dignity every human deserves.

Single Crabs may have some deep-seated beliefs about love that are blocking you from intimate connections. This is a great time to read one of our favorite workbooks, Calling In The One: Seven Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life by Katherine Woodward Thomas. Clear away trust issues and build a sense of safety.

On April 28th, the Scorpio full moon promises a romantic night, perfect for a decadent date with all the passionate trimmings. Casual flings are tempting, but proceed with caution. Your impatience, coupled with a desire to feel loved, could lead to impulsive and regrettable hookups. Don’t let your needy side make the decisions tonight. Steer clear of friends who start drama, or parties where you sense an agitated crowd might be looking for a fight.

MONEY & CAREER:
The first three weeks of April are a high cycle for your career, with the Sun in Aries, your success sector. The big day is April 14th, when the Aries new moon delivers a promotion, a career triumph, or newfound clarity around your goals. If you’re seeking a job or title change, news could come around this date.

Old friends turn into valuable contacts while Mercury is retrograde April 18-May 11. During this cycle, use extra prevention to avoid technology woes. Back up your computer because electronic breakdowns are rampant. Group dynamics could also get a little messy during this time, with misunderstandings flaring between friends and colleagues. Avoid playing peacemaker, or you’ll get sucked into time-wasting drama.

One thing to watch: are you coming on too strong? With hard-driving Mars in your second house of work and money, be careful not to bowl people over with your intensity. Your passion could accidentally come across as pushy. With patience in short supply, you might pressure people to work on your terms or timeline. Find a physical outlet to disperse this forceful energy, like kickboxing class or a lunchtime power walk. Identify any stressors and tackle these concerns in a straightforward manner. For example, if cutback rumors are circulating through your department, schedule a performance review and ask your supervisor directly if your job is on the line.

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL:
Want to create a life of happiness and positive results? It’s a case of mind over matter now. On April 7th, Saturn backs into Virgo, your third house of communication and mindset. Old fears and limiting beliefs could resurface, challenging you to overturn them for good. Saturn will visit Virgo until May 31st, and won’t return to this part of your chart for another 30 years. This is one last chance to realize how powerful your speaking is—and to decide whether you want the glass to be half-empty or half-full.

Choose your words carefully, and also the topics you address. The more you bemoan the sad state of the world, read depressing headlines and indulge people’s sob stories, the worse you’ll feel. Challenge yourself by taking a writing course, joining a public speaker’s network like Toastmasters, or tutoring an at-risk student who looks up to you as a positive role model.