You are now entering a landmark month, one that could change your career dramatically for the better for a very long time into the future. As May opens, three important heavenly bodies will be found shimmering at the highest point in your chart, in your solar tenth house of career and honors. You are likely to either be offered a new job or promotion or be very motivated to look for a new position. Either way, your timing could not be better.

Everything begins with the key new moon, May 5. What makes this new moon special is that it will create a communication with Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck. This tells me that your timing will be incredibly on target, putting you at the right place at the right time - and you'll have the right credentials! Jupiter, the Sun, and new moon will be in what is called a "trine" - the most agreeable, harmonious aspect possible, suggesting it won't be hard to uncover this possibility.

At the same time, Venus, now shining as a brilliant star at the top of your chart, will see to it that the chatter about you among top executives will be outstandingly positive. Venus will be in perfect alignment with Pluto, the planet of transformation, in your sixth house, suggesting the type of work you do at your new job would differ substantially from what you've been doing previously. This is all an excellent sign that you are in a very strong career position.

There's more! At precisely the same time, Venus in your house of fame will signal Saturn, currently in your second house of earned income, at the time of the new moon, May 5. That combination of Venus and Saturn will help you build long-term financial security.

If you were to look in the sky at the start of the month, you would see that Venus, Pluto, and Saturn are all forming a big triangle (a "Grand Trine") at the time of the new moon's appearance, which is terrific news. This makes the May 5 new moon the best, most harmonious new moon of the year - Grand Trines are rare, not commonplace. You will have a huge window of opportunity to make a wise career move now, and although you may not actually land your special new job or promotion until mid-November (or you may land it now or within weeks), you will be able to trace the start of your luckiest talks - the one that later will prove to be most fruitful - to this new moon May 5.

I might add that Saturn has been retrograde for months, and Saturn, which rules your work projects, turns direct on May 2, so this is all good news. Saturn will not go retrograde again until December 31.

You should soon see more money in your paycheck as a result of Saturn's turn direct. For other reasons, you may also be given excellent benefits from your company or from another source, such as from a court settlement, prize, bonus, scholarship or financial aid, insurance payout, a bank loan, or mortgage, as a few examples. Watch May 12 and/or May 21 for a surprise windfall or the opportunity to suddenly profit from a sale or chance to work on a freelance job.

Mars will enter Leo for the first time since June / July 2006. The appearance of Mars in your sign is great news, for it will signal a time when you will take the reins and drive your life assertively in a brand new direction. Again, this is but one more sign that you are about to begin a new chapter of life and that again, your timing is ideal. Don't put off initiating your plans - you need to do them now!

There is another reason to hurry things along. Mercury will retrograde from May 26 to June 19. During that time it is not wise to make big decisions, make purchases for expensive items (certainly not electronic items), or launch new projects. If you are awarded a new job, you need to accept it, and begin it, well in advance of May 26. It is never a good idea to get too close to a Mercury retrograde start and end date. It is best to wait a few days beyond the end date to resume normal activities.

Mercury rules intellect, agreements, communication, perception, language, research, and all objective, unemotional thinking and listening. Mercury keeps our daily lives spinning, but when Mercury retrogrades, these areas tend to go haywire. Mercury retrograde forces us to look back and to fix things that have come off track.

This time Mercury will be in your house of friendships, so this particular retrograde period may be fun and enjoyable for you because you are likely to see several friends from your past. You may find closure from one person or cook up new things to do with someone you've not seen in ages.

A residential or family matter will need your attention on the full moon May 19. The Sun is your ruling star (and therefore worthy of more "weight" in this aspect) and will signal Jupiter and Uranus, indicating you'll have the money you need to make changes, a purchase, sale, or certain home improvements. Full moons settle things, and at this point in the month you will get the sense of finality you need. This may be clear on May 18, but also on a very important day, May 21, when Jupiter and Uranus will interact with each other in an exceedingly rare and excitingly beneficial aspect.

Saturn will also be helpful, sending Pluto a very strong and friendly vibe. This suggests you will have a chance to set up a very sturdy foundation for your future.

There may be some discussions about the home, family, or property plan you want to institute. It appears that someone is not convinced that your idea is a good one. I say this because the moon (linked to your domestic condition) will be in hard angle to Mars (arguments, force). You may discover you have to move, or be frustrated to find out that family members or someone connected with your home or property does not readily accept your ideas. Still, keep talking and perhaps alter your plan to appease the person who seems to be resisting. You may able to get a resolve that is very close to your idea, if you are persuasive and persistent. Planetary aspects this month truly will shine brightly for you. You have enough good vibes to make this work.

Keep in mind that all month, five heavenly bodies in earth signs mean it will be important to stay practical. No blue-sky thinking allowed - you'd have to keep things real.

Romantically, Venus will move into your people populated sector - eleventh house of fun, friends, community, parties, and events. When Venus and Mars are in agreement as they are this month - Mars in fire sign Leo, and Venus in air sign Gemini - you'll be enthusiastic about getting out, and you'll cause a stir where you go. After all, Venus will supply you with plenty of oxygen, courtesy of Gemini.

When the Sun receives good aspects from other planets, you tend to feel appreciated and loved. Watch the weekend of May 10-11 and Monday, May 12 when the Sun and Uranus will both send such amazing vibes to the Sun. That weekend, May 10-11, will bring the moon to Leo, so that should be a standout weekend in anyone's book!

Another outstanding day should be Wednesday, May 21, when Jupiter and Uranus are so beautifully aligned. The moon will again cooperate by being in Sagittarius, a fellow fire sign. This aspect only arrives very rarely and forms one of the headlines of 2008. While they reach apex on this day, May 21, these planets move very slowly, so you will feel the benefits all month.

There seems to be a good chance that if you are single, you would meet someone either at work or in a sports facility. The ruler of your true love sector (fifth house) is Jupiter, and since this benefic planet will be in close communication with Uranus, you could see love bloom very unexpectedly.

If you are attached, the same fifth house rules pregnancy and birth, so you may hear that a baby is on the way, very often cause for celebration. If you are not ready for a baby, be very careful all month. These two planets were in contact last on March 28, and this will be the second time, May 21. The third meeting will be November 13, and after that, these two planets will spin off and go their separate ways, not to be in contact again for many years. While Jupiter and Uranus are so sweetly angled, enjoy life, dear Leo. No one deserves this more than you.

Most romantic evenings: May 3, 5-7, 10, 12, 14, 21 and 30.

Summary

You have just entered one of the most powerful and beneficial periods of the year for your career. Each year you receive a new moon in your house of fame and honors, but this year, due to an unusually friendly set of aspects surrounding the new moon, May 5, you may see the most encouraging professional developments you've ever seen. Venus joins the Sun and moon, ensuring that the buzz about your accomplishments will be very strong and positive. The job you are discussing would be reward for past hard work - stay optimistic, for it looks like no matter how much competition you get for this plum spot, you'll get it. While there will be other opportunities in the future, this one seems truly extraordinary.

If you do want a new job, you need to be ready to interview from May 5 onward. It may take you weeks or months to actually land your new job - there's a good chance talks would continue until mid-November, but even so, if you begin at this time you should be pleased with the direction that talks go. In astrology it really does matter when you take the first step - do so in early May.

This new moon on May 5 will tie into Pluto, currently in your house of assignments, and Saturn, now in your house of income. These are very stabilizing vibrations for your career. If you happen to be starting a job you have already interviewed for over past weeks, you will soon find you love it and rack up many victories over time. If you are self-employed, excellent publicity should come to you now, so if you like, hire a publicist for it should be a breeze to get placements. New assignments or freelance work you do on the side would bring a needed shot of money.

One of your most stellar days of the month will be will be May 12, when the Sun, your guardian, will beam both Jupiter (luck) and Uranus (surprises). What a lucky day for you for any purpose!

Your living situation will be decided upon at the full moon, May 19, plus or minus four days. You may move, see a completion to an exciting renovation, or receive a delivery of furniture that really adds a lot to the beauty of a room.

You may have disagreements with a family member or someone connected with home, such as your landlord or condo board of directors. Be prepared to negotiate a little if necessary. You have a stellar chart this month, so in the end you should be happy with the results.