What’s up for your sign this week? Get your scope plus fab fashion, style and beauty guides at Refinery29.com/Influencers

On Wednesday the 15th, expressive Mercury slides into its home turf of Gemini for two weeks amplifying the general buzz and getting us all talking. The clever quips fly, along with the flirty come-ons, and cheeky witticisms. If the best things in life are indeed free, then we can put “conversations” at the top of that favorites list while Mercury holds this pose until May 30. But it bears repeating that talk, unless backed up with concrete action, is cheap. There’s a tendency to make well-intentioned promises that we’re not prepared to keep for the next two weeks. Be on guard for those people-pleasing slip-ups and just say no instead of yes or maybe when you clearly don’t have time to make good on your word. Mercury is the messenger planet, and this double-strength cycle is stellar for writers, bloggers, podcast hosts, or anyone who has a way with words. Got something to Tweet about? Now’s the time to harness the speedy and direct access that social media provides. Quick and to-the-point (as in 140 characters) is just how short-attention-span Mercury in Gemini rolls. Save the lengthy posts for another time. Brevity is the soul of wit!

Saturday’s quarter moon in Leo brings a drama check. There’s a time and a place to be theatrical, so if you haven’t been getting the impact you crave, it’s probably time to pump up the volume on your passion. Let people see that you’re actually excited about whatever it is you’re talking about. It’s better to break a sweat and get a little messy than to come across as unaffected or too-cool-for-school. On the flip side, some of us may need to tone down the histrionics a bit. If you’re among the ranks who’ve been guilty of crying wolf lately, you probably need to lay off the emotional updates for a minute. The best way to restore your rep? Be of selfless service to people this weekend, proving that the “all about me” tantrum was just an off moment, not your modus operandi!

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. This quarter moon also helps people in leadership positions find a better balance between helming the ship and carrying all the weight by yourselves. If you’ve confused being in charge with being lonely at the top, adopt a more collaborative approach. It takes guts to share the glory, and leaders who know how to do so are usually the ones who earn the most respect.

Read your sign’s full weekly horoscope, daily horoscope and your  May monthly horoscope at Astrostyle

One of our “happy places”: The Gramercy Park Hotel lobby

Sashay, Shante! Today’s Taurus new moon is also a game-changing eclipse. Taurus rules the zodiac’s second house of work and money, and eclipses are known to bring surprise events (and opportunities) out of the blue. Dunno about you, but we’re ready for this economic stimulus package, courtesy of the stars. Solar eclipses fall at new moons, which means they bring fresh beginnings, often out of the blue. (Read our feature on solar and lunar eclipses to learn more)

In the spirit of just-the-facts Taurus (and because we have a book manuscript to finish–hello, hustle!), we’re gonna get right to the point. Here’s how to maximize this Taurus solar eclipse. It’s simple. Really!

Build. 

Taurus is the zodiac’s construction worker, laying the framework for our loftiest ideas. With this cosmic contractor on our doorsteps, it’s time to whip out the architectural blueprints and crank up the cranes. 

Refresh.

Ophi’s view this morning. Ahhh.

Need some inspiration? Get out into nature. Taurus is an earth sign, the “green goddess” of the zodiac. With spring in full bloom, go soak up some love from Mother Nature today. A cherry blossomed hug from this unconditionally loving mama will fill your soul with inspiration. 

Do.

If you can dream it, you can do it. Yeah, yeah whatever. There are a million dreams out there, but only a fraction ever get done. The Taurus eclipse helps us roll up our sleeves, put the whiny inner child in time out, and just do it. No excuses. 

Ever notice how you get stopped at the “hard parts” of a project? Make a list of whatever those are for you. Then enlist help or break each of those items down into individual tasks. Then, like a persistent Taurus, tackle them one by one. As the African proverb goes: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 

Dazzle.

Charlotte Olympia zodiac flats, in Taurus.

Lest you think Taurus is all work, this sign happens to be ruled by Venus, planet of love, art and beauty. The finer things are Taurus’ domain. While Taurus is discerning about its extravagances, this solar eclipse could give you the urge to splurge. (I just bought an iPad mini on a whim, and woke up craving the decadent pasta carbonara at The Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC.) Dip your toe in some luxury today—get something so shiny it hurts your eyes and dazzles your soul. Or, just put a pitcher of peonies on your desk. Taurus finds pleasure in the little things, too.  After all, what’s the point of working so hard if you can’t enjoy the spoils? Work hard and treat yourself often.

Happy Taurus eclipse—may your surprises all be good ones! 

To learn how the eclipse will touch your zodiac sign, read our Monthly Horoscopes. 

Indulge in some Taurus-style luxury…and learn astrology with us! There are just a few spots left in our July 22-28 “Become Your Own Astrologer” women’s retreat in Tulum, Mexico. Could one of them be yours? Learn more or sign up here!

What’s up for your sign this week? Get your scope plus fab fashion, style and beauty guides at Refinery29.com/Influencers

With so many planets in Aries and Taurus this spring, many of us are already stretched to capacity…and then some! The process-driven energy of this Taurus eclipse can also help us “work smarter, not harder.” If our foundations are shaky, we might see some structures crumble away this week. Don’t panic! Eclipses are harbingers of change, sometimes forcing us to move when we’re stalwart and barking up the wrong tree. We may be forced to look in a new–and more prosperous—direction; or at the very least streamline our daily routines so we don’t give ourselves nervous breakdowns.

Flirt alert! Romantic Venus takes a hike from Taurus on May 9, and moves on to chat-em-up Gemini until June 2. Just breathe. Levity returns to the game of love, reminding us not to take it all so seriously. Sometimes a kiss is just a kiss; a moment is just a moment. Gemini energy can be fickle too so we should think twice before Tweeting that we’ve just met The One. The next day, the relationship status could become “It’s Complicated.” Expect feelings to run hot and cold during this three week Venus phase. If in a relationship or trying to turn a crushworthy someone into your real deal romantic partner, focus on the friendship aspect of your bond. Get lots of playdates on the calendar. Laughter is the best medicine in the Love Doctor’s pharmacy now!

Read your sign’s full weekly horoscope, daily horoscope and your  May monthly horoscope at Astrostyle

What’s up for your sign this week? Get your scope plus fab fashion, style and beauty guides at Refinery29.com/Influencers