In June, the way to get ahead is through forming associations, alliances, and partnerships. If you ever watched the reality show "Survivor," you know that everyone in the game forms alliances as a strategy to win - this could be the time for you to do so. With four planets filling your house of committed partnerships in June, you'll have much more to gain by working in concert with others than by trying to accomplish everything alone. If you hope to get your plans approved in their purest state, that is not likely to happen, but the upside is that your partners really do have good ideas and are working on your behalf.

Happily, Venus will smooth the way until June 18 by making your business interactions graceful and your romantic relationship tender. This trend for collaboration and cooperation will begin with the new moon in your seventh house of partnerships on June 3.

If you were born on December 4, or within five days of this date, you will be particularly involved with partnership issues, and you'll benefit most from forming one, too.

Mercury is still retrograde, however, a holdover from last month that began May 26. Since Mercury rules communication, you will have to work hard to send clear messages and to be sure you have understood others correctly, too. As a Sagittarius, you are known to sometimes blurt out comments of brutal honesty that often make others shudder, but this month you may want to try a more diplomatic approach.

While Mercury is retrograde, it would not be wise for you to finalize any key alliance until a few days after Mercury turns direct on June 19 - I suggest you begin making things official on June 23 or later, but not any sooner than this. Why do I say it is not wise to act immediately on the day Mercury turns direct? It takes a lot of energy for a planet to change direction, a bit like a cruise ship that is about to do a full 180-degree U-turn. There's always a huge drain on the engine as it spins around. Mercury is known to create a great deal of static and confusion on both the start and end dates of the retrograde. Keep a little distance form those "bookend" dates.

For this reason, wait until June 23 before you sign papers or give your final answer in any big decision. Any contract you sign while Mercury is retrograde will not deliver the promise you anticipated, so be smart and hold off. I particularly like June 23 and 24 for you to act on as Saturn and the Sun will join forces to help you set up a solidly firm partnership or joint venture. Saturn rules your financial house, so you may see a financial breakthrough on this day, making it all the sweeter.

Along with Mercury retrograde in your partnership sector (just discussed), Jupiter will be retrograde in your personal finance sector, too. At the same time, Pluto will retrograde in Sagittarius. Jupiter won't turn direct until September 8 and coincidentally, Pluto will regulate its orbit the following day, on September 9. It is clear September will be a vital month for seeing a dream dear to you take flight.

In the coming weeks and months, you will have a superb opportunity to revisit and redraw your blueprints, perfect your strategy, and streamline or reassess your financial deals and budgets. Retrograde periods are usually times of high productivity, for they allow us to root out flaws and make projects more viable.

Think back to all that happened last February - it may have been a very stressful time, and whatever topic of discussion came up then will relate to what you will revisit in the coming weeks and months. It's all for good.

Although most of us hope to hear we can move on to a never-ending stream of new assignments and endeavors, it is a fact of nature that revision and correction are a necessary part of the process, for doing so allows you to shine. Be glad to have the time to make things the very best they can be.

While all this is going on, you will have Mars, your love planet, touring your house of adventurous, long-distance travel. If you can take a vacation overseas or to a very distant domestic city, do so while Mercury is retrograde. As long as you carefully pack your bags and don't forget your airline tickets at home (all too possible because Mercury increases forgetfulness), you can have a lot of fun while Mercury is out of phase. You won't miss anything back at the office, either - the gang there will miss YOU!

If you can't get away now, cheer yourself in the knowledge that you will have more chances to take an exotic trip in August, near the eclipses August 1 and 16.

This month would also be a superb month to take summer school classes, volunteer for a political campaign, or go on a spiritual retreat in a remote area. Your mind will be highly receptive to new concepts, and you'll enjoy deliberating various ideas with others.

If you are attempting to raise money for an entrepreneurial enterprise, or for a fundraiser you are spearheading, Venus' impending move into Cancer will help you become more persuasive and to get those checks written for your cause. Venus will remain in your eighth house until July 12, so you should see an upturn financially. July's new moon will further help this trend, so if you don't see things turn around immediately, be patient - you will.

Venus will also help you if you are trying to buy or sell property, but again, not until later in the month, after June 18.

Also, now that Mars has left your eighth house, the monstrously high expenses you experienced from October 2007 through early May 2008 are over, and they aren't coming back! You will be able to get yourself on firm financial footing without fear that new expenses will pop up again. They won't - you are done with that trend. You won't miss it!

Romantically, you'll be feeling increasingly sexy and desirable as the month goes on, with - you guessed it - your best period AFTER June 18 for a multitude of reasons. Love will be strongly enhanced by traveling together as a couple, so if you can take a fun vacation this month, especially in the first half when Venus will work so beautifully with Mars (June 6), do so. Traveling to a distant city or resort would jumpstart a relationship that has grown a little stale by stirring up hot and spicy passions.

One day that might prove a bit troublesome is June 12, when Venus and Uranus will be at odds. The bone of contention is likely to be a residential or property matter, or center on a roommate or family member. You will be surprised by how quickly a dispute arises, so try to avoid problems by keeping to yourself, perhaps by keeping your head in the computer. Don't come out until it's safe to do so, the next day!

Most romantic dates include: June 3, 6, 21-22, 25, 27, and 30.

Relationships of all kinds (business and personal) should be really good for you all month - EXCEPT for the days surrounding the full moon, June 18. Someone will get you emotionally wrung out over a financial issue, and there will be a danger that you may be tempted to come off too strong. Clobbering a difficult partner with the nearest bat may make you happy to fantasize about, but if you actually try to carry this out, you may be sorry afterward. Everyone will tiptoe around and call you the scariest person in the office, a reputation you probably don't want to cultivate. Offer honey, not vinegar, and you will be able to more gently turn things your way.

On June 30, less than two weeks later, Mars will send a supportive beam to Pluto, so any troubling revelations that may have surfaced at the full moon may magically clear up in ways that could positively amaze you. It looks like you will end the month on a strongly optimistic note.

If your birthday falls on December 20 or within a few days leading to this date, you will be strongly affected by this full moon, so take special note. Keep your schedule light near the full moon - there will be a lot going on - but as you see, things could turn your way if you use a light touch.

Summary

Partners will play a huge role in your life this month, and as much as you'd like to set the agenda, they will have right of way. Save energy and go with their ideas rather than trying to get everyone to go along with yours. You won't win your points and you may actually enjoy going with the tides, for your partners - for the most part - will have your interests in mind.

With Venus in your house of relationships, it soon will be apparent that you are in sync with most of your colleagues and main romantic partner. This will give you a feeling of comfort, and after you get used to this trend, you'll be eager to draw up plans together.

Mercury will be retrograde until June 19, however, so by all means, have talks, but don't be hasty about finalizing your deal. You'll need more facts, and they will be slow to come. If you seal things prior to June 20, you are likely to regret having jumped into this alliance too quickly. You run the risk of having to completely renegotiate things later, assuming you'd even WANT to continue the alliance.

On top of all this, one close partner or expert you have hired is likely to make you ready to throttle him or her at the full moon in Sagittarius on June 18. Prepare for a trying time. The partner in question may be a business associate or a romantic partner, but it looks more likely to be the former. If you become upset (almost certain if your birthday falls near December 20), you will express your feelings quite vocally. Who would blame you?

The heart of the matter will center on money (even if it doesn't immediately look that way), but what will concern you more about this episode is what it will reveal about your partner's character. This full moon is due to be an eye opening experience, and because the Sun will be involved, you may even consider taking legal action.

Something will come to light that you had not been privy to in the past. When Mars opposes Neptune, as it will this time, buried facts tend to surface. In addition, full moons such as this on June 18 are meant to indicate the weakest link among all your close relationships. If most of your relationships are strong, you will sail through this period more easily than others of your sign. Things will calm down after four days have passed June 18, when you will be able to calmly decide what you want to do about what you've learned.

By June 30, the very planet that caused you woe on the full moon - Pluto - will receive a lovely beam from Mars. This could completely diffuse the situation, so keep that in mind as you go through the full moon. If you give the other person a way to save face, you could turn things to your favor by the time June is finished.

If you are happily involved romantically, taking a vacation together would be a grand idea, for it would bond you closer, particularly if you take your trip in the first half of June. You'll be greatly assisted then by Venus in Gemini, and if your relationship is healthy, Venus will make things between you even warmer and sexier.

One more thing before I go - financially, you may have a breakthrough when you make a sale or receive a sum due you on June 25. See, all good things happen late in the month, so be patient!

Here's a quick summary of dates:

Open talks with future partners: June 3 plus two weeks.

However, make no firm commitments until June 23 or later.

Prepare for confrontation with a partner on or near: June 18

A solid financial day: June 25

The tide turns in your favor: June 30.