TAURUS (April 20 or 21 to May 20 or 21). Difficult days come on January 1, 2, 14, 15, 22, 23, and 29 and 30. Smoother sailing comes on Jan. 3, 4, 7-9, 12, 13, 17, 18, 27, 28, and 31. Weirdly transitional times are 7, 14, and 28

And remember: "Difficult" can also mean "challenging, abundant with opportunity, interesting, and a risk-taker’s delight!"

The moon is in your sun sign on January 7 to 9.

Yes, I do list the days the moon is in your sun sign as both Difficult and Smooth – it’s up to you, but figure those two days basically provide a "blueprint" for the next month’s activities. People and projects that emerge then get larger play in your life over the next 28 or so days.

The big picture in a nutshell: This month, Mars in Taurus moves direct, after months and months of retrograding. You may have that feeling of needing to do it ALL in a short amount of time, especially those born May 10 and after. There’s an unbelievably interesting period for the first three weeks of the month when Mars in your sign opposes Jupiter in Scorpio. You may have some great opportunities arise that only later do you realize have everything to do with your Taurean reputation for being a work-horse. Or work-bull. Do you decline? Not if these activities keep you from even less remunerative activities. Besides, Venus in Capricorn is on your side. Overall, the world will look kindly on earth signs this month, though Virgo may get the opportunities you deserve.