These Are the Biggest Challenges Your Zodiac Sign Will Face in May
It all kicks off on May 4, when transformative Pluto begins a five-month retrograde.
- According to astrologists, May 2025 will bring romantic highs and intense lows.
- The signs that will feel it the most are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
- Pluto's retrograde begins on May 4, bringing up old relationship dynamics and power struggles.
- Mercury moves into Gemini on May 25, making communication, technology, and travel easier and more efficient.
May 2025 is in full swing, and based on the month’s astrological makeup, it’s poised to feel like a roller coaster at times, thanks to romantic, imaginative, steamy highs and intensely emotional dips and switch-ups that are tied to massive celestial shifts. The excitement kicks off on May 4 when transformative Pluto begins its five-month retrograde in quirky fixed air sign Aquarius, igniting power struggles and highlighting control issues as well as dredging up past—potentially toxic— relationship dynamics that it’s now time to burn down and rebuild from once and for all.
Then, on May 10, Mercury finally moves on from the two signs it had been stuck in limbo in for months (Pisces and Aries), moving into stubborn, sensual fixed earth sign Taurus, bringing a more deliberate but at times obstinate vibe to how you’ll think and express yourself. The month’s full moon in Taurus’ opposite sign, similarly hardheaded fixed water sign Scorpio, falls on May 12, illuminating desires and setting off storms within your closest bonds.
In the middle of the month, on May 17, the confident sun links up with game-changer Uranus in Taurus, which could bring jaw-dropping shake-ups as well as out of the blue epiphanies. Then, the sun bounds into curious, bubbly mutable air sign Gemini, which could make it tough for you to stay focused on any one endeavor, as you’ll prefer to flit from one activity to the next in order to learn, connect, and not only soak up but share information. Then, May 22 brings one of the sexiest days of 2025, thanks to Venus, the planet of pleasure, in impulsive Aries forming a harmonizing trine to dynamic Mars, the planet of action and energy, in charismatic Leo. You’ll want to take decisive action to satisfy your most romantic wishes or tap into your artistic impulses.
Mercury’s move into one of its home signs of Gemini on May 25 marks a quick but helpful period—lasting until June 8—during which communication, travel, and technology will be flowing at a speedy, efficient pace. And the new moon in Gemini on May 26 invites you to launch a new era, especially in terms of how you express your ideas, learn, and exert your cerebral energy.
As for the zodiac signs who’ll feel May’s celestial shifts the most? Both the fixed signs—Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius—and the mutable crew—Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces—are in for the wildest rides.
Read on for your key challenge in May, according to your zodiac sign. (Be sure to read both your sun and your rising sign, which you can pinpoint in your birth chart or by using this CafeAstrology calculator.)
Aries
May asks you to dig deep to stand even stronger in your sense of self while reflecting on which relationships are worthy of your time and energy. Pluto’s retrograde, which begins on May 4 and lasts until October 13, falls in your eleventh house of networking and friendships, highlighting toxic dynamics and shedding light on the shadow side underlying your platonic bonds. You’ll have over five months to reflect on the root cause of power struggles that pop up when you’re involved in team or community efforts. Around May 12, when the full moon falls in your eighth house of intimacy, you’ll do best to wear your heart on your sleeve and be up for a meaningful heart-to-heart in order to get on the same page as your significant other or someone else with whom you share a super-close bond. And when taskmaster Saturn enters your sign and first house of self for the first time since 1999, you’ll be kicking a three-year cycle dedicated to bolstering your confidence and sense of self. This heavy-duty challenge might sound daunting, but you’ll ultimately come away feeling more grounded than ever.
Taurus
May turns your attention to your big picture aspirations as well as your income. For starters, on May 4, powerful Pluto will go retrograde in your tenth house of career, encouraging you to meditate on how you’ve been pursuing your professional goals and working to make your mark. It’s possible that you’re due for a transformation in this department, and that might involve redefining what success looks like in the long-run. And you won’t exactly be shy about talking through whatever’s on your mind from May 10 to 25 once messenger Mercury is in your sign, amplifying your assertiveness and desire to share your interests. Then, you’ll be nudged to explore ways in which your one-on-one bonds are either helping and hindering your ability to nurture your identity around May 12, the full moon activates your seventh house of partnership. And as the sun moves through your second house of income from May 20 to June 20, you can anticipate a surge of confidence tied to moneymaking. Your biggest challenge will be opening yourself up to trying your hand at a range of cash flow-boosting options versus sticking to one route you see as tried-and-true.
Gemini
This month encompasses the launch of your season and could feel like an ongoing party being thrown in your honor, but first, you’ll need to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. While your ruling planet, messenger Mercury, is in your twelfth house of spirituality from May 10 to 25, you could be feeling a bit more withdrawn, reserved, and private than usual as your mental energy will be pulled toward self-work and meditation. Extra rest can also benefit you big time now. Around May 12, the full moon in your sixth house of wellness and daily routine could shed light on a frustrating pattern or unhealthy habit you’re ready to nip in the bud. Releasing the past and practicing self-compassion is a must in order to ultimately move forward. Then, from May 20 to June 20, the sun’s trip through your sign and first house of self catapults you into the spotlight, and the May 26 new moon is your annual opportunity to get clear on a powerful intention you’re committed to manifesting. Tuning into your intuition and letting it guide you over your active mind is your challenge this month, but it can also serve as a truly valuable lesson.
Cancer
May encourages you to find more room in your everyday life for rejuvenation and letting your imagination run wild. But first, when transformative Pluto goes retrograde in your eighth house of intimacy on May 4, you’ll be reflecting on fairly deep and heady themes, such as power dynamics in your closet bonds, control, and whether you’re willing to burn down what’s no longer serving you in order welcome in new, more fulfilling experiences—especially when it comes to love, sex, and finances. Then, messenger Mercury’s trip through your eleventh house of friendships from May 10 to 25 will encourage you to bring your most brilliant, inventive ideas to the table in order to build momentum on a group endeavor. The May 12 full moon could tune you into just how much more fun, spontaneity, and joyfulness you could use in your life. It may be time to hit pause on putting your nose to the grindstone now in order to prioritize creative, lighthearted activities, ideally alongside loved ones. And as the sun moves through your twelfth house of spirituality from May 20 to June 20, self-work, downtime, and exploring your most vivid dreams can ultimately set you up for greater vitality. You’re challenged to slow down and put your own emotional needs ahead of those of your nearest and dearest.
Leo
This month brings your focus to your career, friendships, and home life—nudging you to consider how they’re all fueling and supporting one another—or not. For starters, powerful Pluto will be retrograde in your seventh house of partnership from May 4 to October 13, asking you to think about boundaries that might need to be reset—and held even more strongly—within your one-on-one bonds. You’ll also be thinking about how you want to pursue your professional goals moving forward thanks to messenger Mercury moving through your tenth house of career on May 10 where it remains until May 25. This could be a brilliant moment for going to bat for a promotion, more responsibility, or even just more recognition from higher-ups. And around May 12, when the full moon is in your fourth house of home life, facing any underlying tension with a loved one head-on can bolster mutual understanding. Then, your ruler, the vitality-bringing sun’s trip through your eleventh house of networking and wishes can help you pinpoint a promising new approach to a long held dream, and it might very well involve working with others. Tapping into your sense of authority while leaning on others is your key challenge this month, and embracing it leads to growth.
Virgo
You may already be feeling the surge of restlessness that’s bound to permeate this whole month. As Pluto moves backward through your sixth house of wellness from May 4 to October 13, you’ll be working on reframing how you’re caring for yourself on a day-to-day basis. If anyone knows that minor details matter, it’s you, and tweaking even the slightest aspects of your schedule could lead to feeling like your life is in better balance. But bigger might feel better, at least in terms of horizon-broadening experiences you want to prioritize as your ruler, messenger Mercury, travels through your ninth house of adventure from May 10 to 25. You’ll want to explore philosophies, perspectives, and paths that differ from your own. And around May 12, when the full moon is in your third house of communication, expanding your mind is a major theme, as well, but you’ll also feel stretched a bit thin, so zero in on the commitments that feel most necessary intuitively. Then, the sun’s trip through your tenth house of career from May 20 to June 20 fuels well-deserved applause for your hard work and potentially invites you to step onstage. Your greatest challenge will be to believe in yourself and trust your inner voice.
Libra
This month is spotlighting your efforts to build intimacy within your closest bonds and also move beyond your comfort zone. To start, Pluto’s retrograde in your fifth house of romance and self-expression from May 4 to October 13 encourages you to express your emotions in a bold, creative new way. It’s time to let go of other people’s perceptions of you and trust your instincts to lead the way. From May 10 to 25, Mercury’s time in your eighth house of emotional bonds presents a chance to research and gather information about various approaches to financial goals you share with a loved one or significant other. At the same time, diving into topics that feel a little taboo can bolster your own self-awareness and intimacy with someone else. The full moon in your second house of income on May 12 will be another opportunity to explore emotions tied to money matters—particularly around your self-worth and values, and then the sun’s trip through your ninth house of adventure from May 20 to June 20 encourages you to take a leap of faith. Trusting your gut to make a bold move could be a bit scary—and a big challenge, to be sure—but can also be wildly empowering.
Scorpio
May is all about relationships—with others, to be sure, but also your relationship with yourself. You’ll be dipping your toe into emotional waters right off the bat when transformative Pluto retrogrades back through your fourth house of home life from May 4 to October 13, compelling you to deal with ongoing emotional wounds and conflicts with loved ones. Then, messenger Mercury will move through your seventh house of partnership from May 10 to 25, setting the stage for you to get aligned with a loved one, friend, significant other or colleague on shared goals. If you’re not in sync, this can be a productive moment for talking through disagreements and finding your way to a compromise. Just know that around May 12, the full moon in your sign could bring up a bevy of tough emotions, urging you to find more time for self-care and therapeutic pastimes that can ultimately boost your inner peace. From May 20 to June 20, the sun’s time in your eighth house of intimacy inspires you to identify ways in which you’d like to foster more personal power and to nurture your closest bonds. Your greatest challenge this month is to find a balance between making moves that will elevate your own comfort and emotional well-being and holding a significant other or loved one’s needs in mind.
Sagittarius
May urges you to home in on your wellness, one-on-one relationships, and getting more in tune with your inner voice. Powerful Pluto’s retrograde in your third house of communication is in play from May 4 to October 13, which could motivate you to reassess old beliefs that may be limiting your personal growth and ability to foster new connections. In turn, you could be eager to think and express yourself in new ways. Messenger Mercury’s time in your sixth house of wellness and daily routine from May 10 to 25 nudges you to tackle everyday to-dos with renewed mental energy. For instance, you could overhaul your fitness plan or reorganize your home office, either of which could lead to feeling more grounded and vital. Around May 12, when the full moon is in your twelfth house of spirituality, downtime — ideally spent nourishing your imagination, perhaps by enjoying a beloved artistic outlet—is a must for recharging. Then, you’ll be focused on sharing your life more with a significant other, loved one, or dear friend while the sun moves through your seventh house of partnership. You may be so fired up to make the most of the moment that you stretch yourself so thin, so finding the right amount of breathing room is your key challenge this month.
Capricorn
This month stirs you to let go of having to stick to a structured routine, to practice more mindfulness, and to make fun a priority. As powerful Pluto retrogrades back through your second house of income from May 4 to October 13, you’ll be mulling over how you could have a healthier relationship with your finances. Reflecting on how you’ve been bringing your skills to the table, your self-worth, your values, and your unrelenting industriousness could lead to helpful epiphanies. While messenger Mercury moves through your fifth house of self-expression and romance from May 10 to 25, you could feel more fun-loving, artistic, and eager to pour your mental energy into flirty banter with a significant other or someone else special. Around May 12, when the full moon lights up your eleventh house of friendships, you’ll crave a sense of connection with friends, colleagues, or members of a team or community you’re active in. And as the sun cruises through your sixth house of wellness from May 20 to June 20, you’ll be more self-assured about moves you can make to feel your best physically, emotionally, and emotionally. Your greatest challenge this month? Even though you know you can go it alone and rise to the top when you do, you’ll being called to lean on others now—and that’s a superpower, too.
Aquarius
May can be incredibly transformative, if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone. That’s, in great part, thanks to the fact that regenerative Pluto will be retrograde in your sign and first house of self from May 10 to October 13, encouraging you to reflect on ways in which you can reinvent yourself and reimagine how you're showing up in the world. Then, messenger Mercury’s time in your fourth house of home life from May 10 to 25 stokes your desire to learn more about your roots and explore deep emotional territory, all of which could prove healing. Do your best not to lose sight of this as you navigate the bumpy waters of the full moon in your tenth house of career on May 12, as this lunar event could highlight work-life imbalances, pitting your priorities against those of authority figures. The second half of the month, during which the sun will be in your fifth house of romance, can feel a lot lighter as Gemini season—which lasts from May 20 to June 20—fuels your creativity and inspires you to let your heart lead the way more often. Your major challenge will be to care for your inner well-being while giving yourself the chance to let go and allow pleasure to be a bigger part of your life.
Pisces
This month is a moment for finding a balance between buzzy, mental stimulation and nourishing downtime with your nearest and dearest. To begin with, Pluto will be retrograde in your twelfth house of spirituality from May 4 to October 13, which could bring up old emotional wounds and highlight how you’ve been managing your stress. Reimagining and reworking your strategy for cultivating inner peace could be rough but will be worth it in the long-run. While cerebral Mercury is in your third house of communication from May 10 to 25, you’ll have a clear runway for picking up new skills and connecting with new and old friends alike. Your curiosity soars, but you’ll do well to stave off information overload by saying “no” to to-dos and commitments that are just not quite in line with your priorities. Around May 12, the full moon in your ninth house of adventure and higher learning urges you to pursue eye-opening experiences, whether that’s learning from a mentor or exploring uncharted territory on a long-distance trip. Gemini season underlines family matters as the sun cruises through your fourth house of home life from May 20 to June 20, and the new moon there is a chance to manifest a powerful vision tied to dynamics with loved ones. Because you’re so deeply empathic, it can be tough to honor what’s in your heart over relatives’ needs, but meeting this month’s main challenge will be well worth it.
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