If you want to get out of town, the first week of May is your best bet. From May 8th-31st, your ruling planet Mercury is retrograde (backward). This can cause unforeseen setbacks with travel, communication and technology. Back up that hard drive, and prepare to be exceedingly patient this month.

Still, that’s a minor inconvenience compared to what you’ve been through. And we’ve got great news for you! On May 16th, Saturn ends a five-and-a-half month retrograde in Virgo. Saturn is the planet of maturity, and it presents challenges that force us to grow. It’s been visiting your sign since September 2007, causing many Virgos to completely reinvent heir lives. While you don’t mind paying dues, Saturn retrograde can feel more like a penalty. You’ve been forced to take a good hard look at yourself. Any ego or pretense has been stripped away—and if you’ve held on to false fronts, the lessons only got tougher. As challenging as it may be, you need to release whatever no longer serves you.

LOVE & ROMANCE:
Sex! Drama! Intrigue! No, we’re not talking about your favorite soap opera. With love-planet Venus and sexy Mars in your spicy eighth house all month, your own life could resemble a bodice-ripping Harlequin novel. Go ahead and fulfill those racy fantasies—this cycle will last the whole month.

The eighth house is one of the zodiac’s most private places. In addition to steaming up your boudoir, you could also reach a new level of intimacy—moving in with someone, getting engaged, talking babies. You may simply stop pretending to have it all together and finally let someone special see your softer side. Take off the mask, Virgo. Although your own control issues may flare up, it will be worth the discomfort when you realize that you don’t have to be perfect to be loveable.

MONEY & CAREER:
Get the partying out of your system during the first three weeks of May. On the 20th, the Sun enters Gemini, your tenth house of career and success. Your office hours are about to extend.  If you’re launching a new venture, the stars haven’t been too cooperative this year. With Saturn retrograde in Virgo since New Year’s Eve, it’s been an uphill battle for most Virgos. When Saturn returns to direct (forward) motion on May 16th, you can hit the ground running again.

With Mars and Venus both in your eighth house of wealth, you're poised to attract some serious cash this month. Real estate, legal contracts and large chunks of money are all eighth house goodies. Look into the housing market, even stocks—you could later benefit from the old "buy low, sell high" adage.

If you’re starting a new career path, the May 24th new moon brings helpful energy. Write out a six-month goal map. What career milestones would you like to achieve by the end of 2009? Try not to overthink it—just lay down a few broad strokes. You might even write a fictional diary entry for December, as though you’re celebrating a big accomplishment and the achievement of these goals. (For example: "I'm standing under the mistletoe with a giant grin. Not only am I blissfully in love, but my business took off—recession be damned.") Use your imagination!

HEALTH & FITNESS:
With your sharp mind, you like a workout that also allows you to master technique. This month, Mars is in your detail-oriented and spiritual eighth house. Try martial arts, Tae Kwon Do, yoga or anything that requires precision. It's all about mind, body and soul. On May 29th, dreamy Neptune goes retrograde in your health sector until November. You might want to explore more “right-brained” exercises, like modern dance or Nia, which allow a certain amount of free form.

During Neptune retrograde, old addictive patterns and vices can come back around. You could find yourself bingeing on food and alcohol, or exercising obsessively—all valid but potentially self-destructive ways to avoid feeling your emotions. (Geneen Roth has written a great book called When Food Is Love about this.) Identify the root of these habits so you can heal, and break the self-sabotaging patterns for good.