Daily Horoscopes for Monday, May 16th

 

General Daily Horoscope

 

The passionate Scorpio Moon intensifies our emotions today. Although five planets in fixed signs decrease our level of flexibility, Mercury and Venus join forces in sensual Taurus to soften the energy. Dreamy Neptune sextiles clever Mercury and friendly Venus, preventing us from becoming overly stubborn. Nevertheless, assertive Mars and the brilliant Sun are both in determined Taurus, indicating that we can hold our ground when necessary.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You don’t care about logic today; if you want to do something, no one will be able to talk you out of your plan. You might even be willing to conveniently forget about your obligations, although you’ll probably create trouble for yourself by your irresponsible behavior. Using your common sense can save the day. Take a moment and think about the consequences before impulsively running off to pursue pleasure. You will have a better time if you fulfill your responsibilities first.

 

 

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You get off to a slow start this morning, so it may be tough to motivate yourself. You have no problem visualizing the amazing things you could be doing, but your dreams won’t become real on their own. You may have to set aside concerns of comfort and be willing to work extra hard today. Although you are being asked to stretch yourself now, you will feel a great deal of satisfaction if you have something positive to show for your efforts by the end of the day.

 

 

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

Your need for peace and quiet may tempt you to withdraw from unnecessary social interactions today, even if your friends want you to join them for some fun. You’re not willing to just go along for the ride now, especially if it appears that the excitement will outweigh the serenity. You have enough work to do so you aren’t interested in wasting your energy when it could be applied toward more useful endeavors. Take care of important business and save your playtime for the weekend.

 

 

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

It’s difficult to speak your mind without having a plan today. You would prefer to figure out what you’re going to say before sharing your thoughts with your friends or associates. However, you may be able to explore your alternatives out loud if you feel very comfortable with the others in your group. Ideally, your best bet will be to test a couple of your options on a friendly audience, if given the chance.

 

 

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Your co-worker or friend may be exaggerating today, but you will most likely take what you hear at face value. Your natural generosity of spirit enables you to give others the benefit of the doubt. Trusting someone else might initiate an emotional connection that adds value to your life. Although you must be ready to jump in with the right person when an opportunity is presented, make sure that you feel comfortable with the situation before you leap.

 

 

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You can become quite obsessed with making plans for an upcoming adventure, but your innate powers of discrimination may fall to the wayside as you try to finalize your strategy. You might skim over the details and miss something important while you justify what you want now with opinions rather than facts. But you won’t find satisfaction if you race toward the wrong destination. Slow down and reconsider your assumptions. Rethinking your current approach can save you from running into obstacles down the road.

 

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your key planet Venus is visiting dreamland today as she sextiles imaginative Neptune, making this a fairytale day that brings you love. Unfortunately, an idyllic fantasy might not last as long as you wish. Although there may be opportunities for romance, the mysterious Scorpio Moon increases your need to go deep. Happiness depends upon finding a balance between lighthearted pleasures and passionate explorations. You don’t have to miss out on the fun, yet entertaining unrealistic hopes could lead to disappointment.

 

 

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your current notion of personal satisfaction doesn’t require approval from someone else. Enjoying yourself now is more about your internal state than what anyone else thinks. Retreating into your own world as the Moon moves through your introspective sign can be quite productive. But you must also remain vigilant, for you are tempted to just relax and take it easy. Living in the moment has its upside, but you can be very self-judgmental if you don’t finish your work.

 

 

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You might believe that you have a healthy attitude about balancing work and play, but your responsibilities will pile up very quickly today if you don’t stay focused on them. Although sweet distractions can break your concentration, you are blessed with an extraordinary level of willpower now. Don’t be self-critical if you slip; just redirect your attention onto your current chores and keep moving forward one step at a time.

 

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Some people mistakenly think that you Mountain Goats don’t know how to enjoy yourself. Today is a day when you can happily prove them wrong. There are four planets now dancing in your 5th House of Spontaneous Pleasure, enabling you to emotionally detach yourself from unfulfilled responsibilities. Once you’re ready to play, you won’t need to justify your actions to anyone else. Fortunately, you could be even more productive after you have had some well-deserved fun.

 

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Although you may be floating on a Neptunian cloud today, it’s still a challenge to let go of someone else’s expectations, especially if others are depending on you. But you don’t have to succumb to their pressures and deadlines. You can obtain great benefit from setting your regular workday aside for a while. Take some wellness time for yourself, if you can; your responsibilities will wait for your return.

 

 

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may feel bogged down in your everyday routines, leading you to spend more time dreaming of a different life. But breaking free from old habits might be tougher than it appears. Although the anticipation lures you into new ground today, saying something contrary to the status quo can be a bit disconcerting. Instead of trying to change your situation, consciously alter your attitude first. This may be sufficient to shift your experience out of a rut and gradually into a different direction.

Flavorful Oil

Use this oil to flavor vegetables and baked potatoes, and brush on garlic bread before serving.

1     tablespoon combined fresh lemon grass, lemon verbena, and lemon thyme

1     cup heated almond oil

Steep and strain.

Marinade Oil

Flavor rice, vegetables and meat marinades

1        (1/4-inch) slice ginger

1/2    teaspoon each crushed cardamom and coriander seeds

1         cup safflower oil

Simmer ginger, cardamom, and coriander seeds in safflower oil for 3 minutes. strain.

Herbal Oil for Salads and Sautes

Enjoy this spicy oil for Mexican salad and rice dishes, or add it to a fresh garden salad.

1    cup oil

3    (2-inch) sprigs each of oregano and basil or rosemary and thyme

1    tablespoon each fresh oregano and basil or rosemary and thyme

1    (1/4-inch piece ginger

1    chili

1/2     teaspoon seeds, crushed with mortar and pestle

Gently heat oil 3 – 5 minutes. Pour into a glass jar with six 2-inch sprigs of herbs for each cup of oil. or one of the following fresh herbs, ginger, chili, or seeds. Cool, cover, and refrigerate up to six months.

*Note:  Only add garlic to oils to be used within three days,. Garlic forms a botulism in oil that can cause severe  diarrhea.

Fruit Salad Vinegar

Add this vinegar to a salad of oranges, apples, pears, peaches and dates.

6     rose petals

6     violets

3     sprigs lavender, optional

1     cup heated rice vinegar

Steep rose petals, violets, and lavender in heated rice vinegar.

Vinegar Marinade

Use this vinegar as a marinade for fajita meats

1     chili

1     garlic clove

3     sprigs oregano

1     cup apple cider vinegar

Steep chili, garlic, and oregano in apple cider vinegar overnight.

Salad Vinegar

The cucumber taste of burnet will heighten the taste of a simple green salad.

3    springs each sign, salad burnet, and shallots

1    cup heated red wine vinegar

Steep sage, salad burnet, and shallots in heated red wine vinegar for 30 minutes. Strain and serve or store in a glass bottle.

Herb Vinegars and Oils

Combine your favorite herbs and spices in a delicious herb vinegar or oil to flavor salads, vegetables, pastas, and marinades. Add six two-inch sprigs or one tablespoon of fresh leaves to every cup of heated vinegar or oil. Cool, cover, and store in a glass bottle in a cool, dark place up to one year. Reuse the vinegar bottles to store herb vinegar. When adding garlic, chilies, or chives, use one for every cup of vinegar.

Rose Geranium Butter

Spread on toast, biscuits or cakes. This butter can also be used to make biscuits and cakes.

1    pound unsalted butter

      Several fresh geranium leaves, finely chopped

Blend butter with geranium leaves and refrigerate.