The first three weeks of May will be outstandingly productive, so in May, roll up your sleeves and plan to work like mad. You will be astonishingly productive, for a whole slew of supportive little planets will gather around you like friendly elves to help you polish off many of the projects on your desk. Things should go as smoothly as clockwork.

Yet this month represents much more than just getting things done and doing them well. The projects you work on will have legs and bring you down important new roads, a truth you may not see for many weeks or months. You may show new talents and also become curious about new facets of your job. The work you do now could easily add to your growing professional reputation and give you a new perspective to keep things fresh and interesting.

All this will happen because of a truly extraordinary lineup of planets at the start of May. Venus (happiness) in your solar sixth house of work projects will send vibes to Saturn (stability), now posited in your solar tenth house of fame and honors. Venus and Saturn will also beam rays to Pluto, currently in a very slow tour of your second house of salary. All three planets will, together, form a "grand trine" - a glowing triangle of twinkling stars - considered the happiest, most positive aspect possible. Grand trines are rare, and this one is a beauty.

Saturn, now forming one of the supportive legs of the "grand trine" triangle, has not been easy to please, for Saturn prefers you work, not play. Saturn also represents fear, and ever since Saturn entered Virgo last September you probably had a few moments when you worried about your career decisions, and may have even feared that if you didn't make the right decisions, you could lose almost everything you've built. If you did think this, it was only during a moment of weakness, not related to any reality, but still, those moments served a purpose because they forced you to be resourceful and in so doing made you stronger. You knew certain adjustments were necessary and you made them, and when you did, you found that you were back on course again. The changes you made lately will continue to pay off, especially now, in May.

Pluto's involvement shows that financially things are looking up too, and you may soon be given a raise or negotiate a new salary for a new job, a side job, or overtime. If self-employed, you may bring in a big, new client in the events that stem from the advent of the new moon May 5 or thereabouts.

Watch May 5 too for your new assignments to show up. You may alternatively get new computer equipment or software and an improved, more congenial, comfy work environment, or you may be given the green light to hire extra help. Business will pop and the phone will ring with people clamoring for your goods or services. Everyone should be as lucky as you, dear Sagittarius!

Reinforcing this very strong trend toward big career progress this month will be the turn of Saturn from retrograde to direct orbit on May 2. Saturn has been in a backward slide since December 19, and since then, you may have felt like you were trying to climb up a down escalator. You probably found it hard to make career progress. Now you will find it much easier, especially in regard to endeavors you have already started or seeded. Saturn will not retrograde again until December 31, 2008.

However, Jupiter will begin to retrograde on May 9 and stay in that mode until September 8. If you find you need to delay finishing an important project to do more follow up or detail work on it, don't feel frustrated. You'll do better launching that venture in September than you ever would do now. Jupiter is your ruling planet, so the fact that Jupiter will settle down for a nap now is important news. Jupiter also rules profit, so by doing some backtracking now, it looks like you will strengthen your endeavor and actually ensure its later success. After May 9, focus on what's on your plate now, rather than branch out and add more clients, projects, and ventures. The ones you have now will give you all you need.

I realize this may seem conflicting - that the new moon May 5 will bring more projects, and Saturn's turn direct will also allow you to make enormous career progress, as well as enhance your career reputation. This is all true. Jupiter's turn to retrograde is saying to keep developing what you have already started by May 9. If you are in sales, look to present clients to give you more business rather than to widen your net - you can begin to look for new clients in September. Actually, it's been said that 80 percent of your business is probably stemming from 20 percent of your clients, so honing in on the ones you have now to develop more work together is not such a crazy idea.

I mentioned earlier that the beautiful aspects at play near May 5 involving Pluto would put more money in your pocket by allowing you to find a way to possibly earn a raise or by possibly taking a side job or by doing overtime. There are other reasons to be optimistic about your overall financial picture. You've been through the wringer with money lately, but thanks to a major change involving Mars now, you have even more reason to believe you are about to feel relief.

Mars has been tearing through your financial sector almost nonstop since the end of September, causing you to have to spend a lot of cash. The money you've needed to spend seems to have related to a big goal (the purchase of a new house, the arrival of a new baby, the start of a new business, tuition for your older child, etc.) Or, it may have stemmed from a serious situation you found yourself in that required quick money.

Balances on your credit card or on a bank line of credit may have mounted as Mars pushed increasingly higher expenses toward you at an alarming rate. If you were attempting to raise money for a business venture, wanted to settle the division of property in a divorce, or needed a grant to do research, you may have wondered why the whole process turned out to be so hard, and why it took so long. Wonder no more.

Mars will leave this difficult position on May 9, and when it does, it will truly be cause for celebration. Finally you will see the end of the financial stress you've been under for so long. You may have some remnant loose ends to tie up, and it may take you a few weeks or months to start to see those current credit balances fall to more manageable levels - but the important part is that you will see an end to the outgo. From now on, in every way, you will feel stronger financially. July 2 will bring a friendly new moon in this same area of your chart, so you may see a chunk of money arrive in the days to follow that date too, two months from now. You'll see, dear Sagittarius, when it comes to money, things are looking up.

Health and fitness will also get a big boost this month, something that may become very clear at the darling new moon, May 5. If you have been troubled by any health concerns, make an appointment with a doctor or schedule your procedure or operation any time between May 5 and 12, your very best days, if possible.

This new moon, May 5, will be the ideal time to take the first steps to get back in shape as well. (As you see, there seems no end to the good news I have for you!) If you've fallen off the fitness wagon, start going to the gym at this time. Aim for consistency. The new moon is in fixed sign Taurus, so you really have a great opportunity to start a positive fitness routine now, one you will like so much that you'll follow it faithfully for years to come. Whatever it is that you like to do, just do it. Do weightlifting, boxing, swimming, fencing, Pilates, yoga, salsa dancing, body sculpt, cardio - you name it. A host of active sports await you. It's been said it takes about 12 weeks to feel a big difference, so if you start now, just think of how great you'll look in so little time.

In terms of fun, Mars will begin to brighten your travel sector from May 9 through June 30, and in Leo, Mars will be your friend instead of your foe! Get your digital camera, passport, suitcase, travel clothes, and comfy shoes ready, because it looks like you'll be hitting the road and journeying far and wide. Your chart has not shown much emphasis on travel lately, so this appears to be a fresh, new influence that you will truly find delicious. Sagittarius is happiest when on the way to exotic new locations, and generally, you feel that the more miles you cover, the better! Now you will get your wish and it will be such a sweet one, just perfect to put you back in a sunny, happy-go-lucky mood.

If you can't flee town this month, you may want to take a sojourn of the mind. It's a great month to stop in on a book signing lecture or go to one or two museum exhibits. You may decide to brush up on skills in a classroom setting in May or in June, as this same house where Mars will be situated also rules learning. You seem to hanker for new experiences and fresh intellectual stimulation, and you can get that in a wide variety of ways.

The ninth house is highly philosophical, for it is the area of the chart that will be so brilliantly lit it will urge you to examine the truly deep questions of life. In coming weeks, you may want to enjoy staying up late, sipping espresso, and chatting with a friend who has similar interests and inclinations about the purpose of life. You may talk of love, or faith, friendship, children, family, community, politics, career, service, and other important matters that form the tapestry of your life. Finding meaning will be very important to you, so you'll delve into your own beliefs, and also be interested to hear those of others.

One time of the month you should not push yourself too hard is the full moon, May 19, plus or minus four days. You may be in need of rest at that time, as you may feel a bit weary of your busy schedule. You would do well to give yourself a little extra privacy and sleep at this time. If you have small children, ask a friend or relative to give you a hand with babysitting. If you travel this weekend, make it a leisurely trip, and don't force yourself into too tight a schedule.

Your home or real estate situation should show good news, too. Watch for news on May 21, when Jupiter, your guardian planet, will make a very monumental beam to Uranus, planet of surprise. It appears you can profit handsomely from a home or real estate deal or decision you make at that time. If you won't be selling or buying, perhaps you may lease or sublease property for a tidy sum. Your family may be the source of benefits at this time instead, perhaps by offering you a check, for example.

To get an idea of what may come, think back to March 28, the last time Jupiter and Uranus were in communication. You may have done something with home or property that would relate to what occurs now, on May 21. Take notes on what happens May 21 if you like, because come November 13 these two planets will meet for the last time. I will again ask you to review what happened back on March 28 and May 21 for clues about what is to conclude on November 13. It should, on each occasion, bring good news. Jupiter and Uranus rarely are aligned, and after mid-November, won't be again until 2010.

Romantically, if single, you may have met someone new last month, as you had a strong new moon to set that possibility in motion. If so, this month you'll enjoy having time to get to know one another. If you didn't meet anyone last month, you may this month in a work-related activity, networking event, party, or through sports, whether as a participant or spectator.

If you are serious about someone special, things may begin to become more serious next month, so sit back and wait to see what happens. If already attached, June will be more important for you. Sit tight - you'll see!

Your most romantic evenings this month include May 2, 3, 10-11, 15, 19-21, 24-25, and 30.

Mercury will turn retrograde in your relationship sector (seventh house) from May 26 to June 19. During this time, you may change your mind about someone you are dating seriously, or if you have progressed the relationship too quickly, you may decide to put on the brakes to slow it down a bit. Or a plan you made with your partner may now need to be revised, or an old problem that never quite got solved will come up once again for discussion.

On a more general note, under no circumstances should you sign a contract while Mercury is retrograde. Mercury rules agreements, and if you sign papers then, you will likely live to regret that deal in time. Do yourself a favor and sign early in the month, as far from the end of May as possible. Your last strong day will be May 12, for after that, you will begin to feel Mercury's impending slowdowns prior to its actual turn retrograde. Avoid buying electronic equipment too until several days AFTER June 20. If you were planning to buy someone an electronic gift in June, get it in early May (prior to May 12) and hide it under the bed!

Dear Sagittarius, you will have so much to be excited about in May. You will see it to be a true turning point for the better. You have come down a very long road, but this month you will see how strong you are, and how things truly are about to go in the right direction at long last!

Summary

Saturn is now at the very top of your chart, filling your professional reputation sector, so there's no doubt you are feeling the pressure to perform and produce. Much of what you have been working toward in past months is now starting to take root, for Saturn is about to go direct speed on May 2. Still, it's clear the work you've done is solid and that it will provide a solid platform for a future leap up the ladder of success.

The new moon on May 5 seems to bring the influx of new assignments that will require you to be very practical. Although pragmatism is not usually your forte, you can be that way when necessary. Although you are a natural optimist, don't come off sounding too much like a Pollyanna without realizing it. You need to banish wishful thinking if you are to impress the powers at the top, something you can do quite easily with the right words. With Jupiter and Uranus so beautifully angled to this new moon May 5, you should soon enjoy a generous increase in salary, too.

You will have a terrific opportunity to get your health into shipshape at the new moon May 5, too. Sign up for lessons on a new sport, show up at the gym, take Pilates, or try yoga. This will be the best new moon of the year to turn over a new leaf and see results.

Make your health a priority all month, not only at the new moon, for near the full moon May 19, you may feel a bit run down or in need of more sleep. This would be no time to push yourself - heed your body's signals. If you've wondered if you should eliminate certain foods or substances from your life, it will become obvious now that you do. A cold turkey approach would work best.

As a Sagittarius you can feel too penned in if a getaway is not possible in the reasonable future. Happily, for the first time in months, you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, all those daydreams of charming streets of Mexico, bubbling hot springs in Iceland, or the snow white peaks of Switzerland can now become a reality. Pick one exotic locale and book plans any time from May 9 to the end of June.