MONTHLY OVERVIEW:
Ah, freedom. After a slow start to 2010, life picked up speed in March, when energetic Mars moved forward in Leo. This month, your confidence continues to surge, and an inspiring personal project has you pumped. The Aries Sun keeps your vitality and optimism high through April 20th. Share your enthusiasm, and surround yourself with people who encourage you to pursue your dreams. A metaphysical mindset helps you attract whatever you want, so visualize your desires as though they’ve already been fulfilled.

After the 20th, you could find yourself barreling down a new career path—one that’s in line with your vision. The Sun moves into Taurus, your tenth house of success, stoking your ambition. Coupled with Mars in Leo, you can make a strong impression on key people, so give your most polished, confident presentation. When Mercury goes retrograde (backward) in Taurus on the 18th, issues with your father, an important male or an authority figure could rear up. The full moon on April 28th helps you hash out any difficult conversations, though it won’t be comfortable.

While Mercury is retrograde, avoid getting caught up in power struggles—and be patient. Life may occasionally feel bureaucratic, but you needn’t abandon hope just because things don’t immediately fall into your lap. Stay in action but don’t force an outcome. Mercury will return to direct (forward) motion on May 11th. Until then, tweak your goals and plans and make sure you haven’t cut corners.

LOVE & ROMANCE:
You want it all or nothing at all this month. Love planet Venus is in Taurus, your goal-oriented tenth house. Although you’re enjoying a libido explosion thanks to lusty Mars in Leo, you’d rather cavort with a steady first mate than a fling. It’s hard to say no to that sexy salsa partner you meet at the Latin club, or even to Mr. Almost-Right if you’ve been single for all too long. Hey—nobody said you have to turn down a tempting invitation. But if it distracts you from your mission of meeting “the One,” better to wait than settle. With Venus in Taurus, you won’t be waiting long. An experienced, possibly older person could want something serious with you, too.

When communication planet Mercury goes retrograde on the 18th, coupled Leos must schedule important talks and check-ins. This is a great time to renew marriage vows, or to revisit any shared goals (children, travel, buying a house, etc.). Do you both still want these things? If you find that you’re not aligned with your mate, don’t despair. Distinguish which items on your romantic wish list are desires, and which are deal-breakers.

Not that you should be deprived of your wishes—but which can you absolutely not live without? If you know you want children and s/he doesn’t, it might be wise to part as friends. But if there’s something more basic that you aren’t getting, work together to creatively problem-solve. Through patient dialogue (rather than demands), compromise is possible. Perhaps your mate also needs a few things from you, too.

MONEY & CAREER:
How thorough is your budgeting? From April 7-May 31, stern Saturn makes one last visit to Virgo, your money and work sector. Spring may bring leaner days and tightened belts, but it’s all tough love, Leo. Saturn is testing your maturity with money management, forcing you to be aware of every penny. While some Leos can be spendthrifts, most can justify an extravagant treat—and with the Sun in Aries until April 20th, your appetite for life is only growing. Track your spending and make sure you have enough to cover your expenses before you splash out on the season’s new status bag or pick up the check at dinner.

During this cycle, you may also need to improve your skills and knowledge. Are you doing the same things out of habit, even if they’re obsolete? You need to stay in line with the latest ideas and tools of the trade. The April 14th Aries new moon is a great time for a seminar, extension course, or even for applying to a degree program.

When the Sun enters Taurus on the 20th, set your grand visions to a solid, phase-by-phase plan. Support could come from an experienced mentor or an established business person who helps you craft your ideas into a tangible long-term venture. Talk to people who succeeded through traditional channels, and find out how they did it. When Mercury goes retrograde (backward) in Taurus on the 18th, contact an old boss or mentor. Your own leadership style might need a little tweaking during this cycle, too. A project involving girls, women or the family issues is energized by the April 28th Scorpio full moon.

HEALTH: MIND, BODY & SOUL:
The revolution within starts on April 6th, when transformational Pluto goes retrograde in your health sector until mid-September, deepening your mind-body connection. Identify the unconscious psychological motives between any destructive habits, like smoking and overeating. Enough of these identity crutches, Leo. Unless you unearth the core issues, you can’t change the behavior. Address your nervous energy and minimize stress. Work with a holistic health counselor or take on a fitness practice with a more spiritual bent, like yoga or Pilates. Befriend your body. Check out Dr. Christiane Northrup’s classic Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom for more insight.

The April 28th Scorpio full moon pulls you between family, work and your own needs—and somehow, you think you can satisfy them all. Dream on, Leo. A tense conversation with relatives is unavoidable, but you must make a few personal boundaries clear. If you find yourself defending your choices to deaf ears, table the subject or agree to disagree. Some Leos may change addresses at the end of April. Don’t take on packing and moving all by yourself, Superwoman. Ask family and old friends for help. Surely someone owes you a favor.