May’s astrological forecast comes in two acts. The first half of the month could feel completely different than the second! We begin in slow-motion retrograde with a dramatic eclipse, and finish with Jupiter entering Taurus, heated up by Mars in Leo.

Our May 2023 horoscopes begin with the Sun in Taurus and Mercury already retrograde (also in Taurus) since April 21. The planet of communication and technology will remain in this sluggish position until May 14—a prompt, if not a command, to slow down and make every move more mindful. This could be a blessing in its own way, since we’re still integrating the Aries solar eclipse from April and the two major planetary moves in March of Saturn and Pluto.

Speaking of Pluto…

The icy avenger will turn retrograde this May 1, backing through Aquarius until June 11, then dipping back into Capricorn for one of its final visits before ending a 16-year journey through the Sea Goat’s sphere next November. Pluto, along with the other slow-moving outer planets (Jupiter through Pluto), turns retrograde every year for five months. The impact is more subtle than Mercury’s retrograde, since the inner planets are closer to the Sun and affect our day-to-day lives much more.

This month, Pluto retrograde will help us turn the lens inward to especially examine group dynamics, our use of technology (ease up on the ChatGPT obsession, perhaps?) and social awareness—all in the realm of Aquarius.

What lies beneath?

On May 5, a potent Scorpio lunar (full moon) eclipse will bring shadowed information to light. Mercury and Pluto retrograde already have us excavating the depths, and this eclipse can reveal what our soul-searching has dug up. It’s a powerful, transformational moment to come out of hiding. With intensifying Mars in emotional Cancer until May 21, strong feelings could come up today.

This is the final Scorpio eclipse in a series that’s been cascading across the Taurus/Scorpio axis since November 21. May it give you the courage to reveal more vulnerable and powerful parts of yourself! Ready or not, those may be exposed either way, as eclipses can force our hand. (Easy on those Cinco de Mayo margaritas if you don’t want to make a regrettable or premature confession…just sayin’.)

A midmonth turning point

On May 16, expansive Jupiter will end a yearlong visit to fiery Aries and bring its celestial supersizing to earthy Taurus, where it will stay until May 25, 2024. Jupiter was last in Taurus from June 2011 to June 2012, so if you can reach back to remember that time period, you may see themes recur. Taurus is the sign of money, sensuality and material security. Here’s hoping that expansive Jupiter’s arrival here brings positive financial news (despite what many economists predict!).

The May 19 Taurus new moon will really kick the Jupiter transit into gear. And the next day, May 20, energizer Mars blazes into Leo until July 10, adding some attention-grabbing oomph to your efforts. When Gemini season begins on May 21, you’ll have a month to start chatting people up, sharing your ideas and finding kindred spirits for your new Jupiter journeys!

Now, read the full May 2023 horoscopes for your zodiac sign:

Aries monthly horoscope for May 2023

May is a transitional month—and an important one for you, Aries. The first two weeks mark the grand finale of expansive Jupiter’s once-every-12-years visit to your sign, a cycle that began back in May 2022. Since then, your hosting duties have attracted everything from astounding luck to fresh starts that took your life in an accelerated new direction. This phase is also punctuated by an intense Scorpio lunar eclipse on May 5, which will sweep Keep reading your Aries Monthly Horoscope

Taurus monthly horoscopes for May 2023

At last, at last! The month you’ve been waiting for (whether you know it or not) has FINALLY arrived. On May 16, Jupiter, the planet of luck and new horizons, will make a lively landfall in Taurus, blessing the Bulls with bold new beginnings until May 25, 2024. To emphasize the significance: For the first two weeks of this month, you’re wrapping a 12-year cycle that started back in June 2011, when Jupiter last visited your sign. Mid-May, you’ll catapult into a fresh 12-year chapter. While it might feel disorienting at first Keep reading your Taurus Monthly Horoscope

Gemini monthly horoscope for May 2023

Costume change! The movie of your life will make a dramatic scene shift mid-May, kicking off a transitional 12-month cycle. It all begins when Jupiter, the planet of expansion, settles into Taurus and your twelfth house of closure and endings, from May 16, 2023 until May 25, 2024. This “bridge” year will help you sort through anything you’ve outgrown, making way for a bold new start when Jupiter enters Gemini next May! You might treat the next year like a long Keep reading your Gemini Monthly Horoscope

Cancer monthly horoscope for May 2023

Is your energy coming back more and more each day, Cancer? For the past few weeks, you’ve been in “reboot” mode after a long seven-month period that took your vitality a bit offline. Your revival started on March 25, when energizer Mars blazed into your sign, jolting you out of a sluggish cycle. We’re not saying it’s been calm or easy—in fact, you could feel busier than ever! But since Mars only visits your sign every two years, you might as well take advantage of Keep reading your Cancer Monthly Horoscope

Leo monthly horoscope for May 2023

Ready to turn one or two of those big ideas into something solid? Start your engines, Leo! With the Sun in Taurus and your success-driven tenth house until May 21, the wheels are turning. But in the second half of the month, there’s an even bigger shift toward the concrete, which helps you turn inspiration into a tangible venture—one you’ll want to stick with for the long term! For the past 12 months, lucky Jupiter’s been spending most of its time in Aries and your visionary ninth house. You’ve been percolating with blue-sky ideas, but you’ve also been Keep reading your Leo Monthly Horoscope

Virgo monthly horoscope for May 2023

One ticket to freedom, please! This month, particularly the second half, shifts your worldview from tunnel vision to wide-angle and FULL of possibilities. The Sun is in Taurus and your expansive ninth house until May 21, which has already got your optimism percolating. But on May 16, lucky Jupiter will begin a yearlong visit to Taurus, doubling your fortune and opportunity all the way through May 25, 2024. Travel, entrepreneurship, publishing and personal growth could be major themes for the next 12 months. Since May 10, 2022, Jupiter’s been in Aries and your intimate, laser-focused eighth house. While you’ve gone through deep inner transformation, it’s probably also been Keep reading your Virgo Monthly Horoscope

Libra monthly horoscope for May 2023

You’re the sign of partnership, Libra, but you’re also born under the air element, so you prefer to keep a certain breezy distance when possible. But not this month! The Sun is in Taurus and your intimate, entwining eighth house until May 21, plunging you into the depths of every encounter. On top of that, communication planet Mercury is retrograde in Taurus through May 14, which could bring old flames and entanglements back into Keep reading your Libra Monthly Horoscope

Scorpio monthly horoscope for May 2023

It’s a major turning point month for you, Scorpio! Among the highlights is the May 5 Scorpio lunar (full moon) eclipse, which will sweep through your first house of self and identity. This is the final eclipse in your sign and the second-to-last in a series that’s electrified the Taurus/Scorpio axis and revolutionized the balance between yourself and your relationships since November 2021. This lunar lift could be your cosmic coming-out party, so don’t be surprised if Keep reading your Scorpio Monthly Horoscope

Sagittarius monthly horoscope for May 2023

Change is in the air! This month, your ruling planet, Jupiter, makes its annual zodiac sign change, rolling out of Aries and your flamboyant fifth house on May 16, where it’s been for a year, and moving into earthy Taurus and your wellness sector until May 25, 2024. This is a particularly noticeable shift as the mood turns from celebratory and colorful to a more serious, get ‘er done mode. But you might be ready to buckle down now, Sagittarius. You’ve got some big, bold ideas that Read more Sagittarius horoscopes

Capricorn monthly horoscope for May 2023

Spring fever is about to catch fire for you, Capricorn! But will it be someone new, the one you’re with, or…a person from your past? With the Sun in Taurus heating up your passionate and pleasure-seeking fifth house until May 21, you could have your pick of admirers. But Mercury retrograde in Taurus until May 14 can cross a few wires (drama alert!) or even reignite an old flame. Proceed with caution but don’t write it off as a possibility if Keep reading your Monthly Capricorn Horoscope

Aquarius monthly horoscope for May 2023

Settling in to all the changes yet, Aquarius? There are more to come, but this month you can start to adapt to a few “new normal” settings—or at least slow down for some R+R to integrate it all. Until May 21, the Sun is in Taurus and your fourth house of home, family and roots. Your nomadic sign could be ready for a dollop of domesticity and an extra serving of self-care. With communication planet Mercury retrograde (backward) in Taurus until May 14, you’re best off Keep reading your Aquarius Monthly Horoscope

Pisces monthly horoscope for May 2023

Just say it, Pisces…wait, no don’t! With the Taurus Sun heating up your communication house until May 21, you’re feeling extra chatty. But Mercury, the planet of expression and ideas, is retrograde in Taurus until May 14, imposing an emergency gag order on those edgy comments, which are almost certain to be misunderstood. Shadowy and vengeful Pluto will also turn retrograde in your twelfth house of hidden agendas and confusion on May 1, upping the odds that your intentions will be read incorrectly. Anything you say Keep reading your Pisces Monthly Horoscope

All new daily planner format!