This week the moon is waning, so the mood is "power down." If you live near the sea, consider visiting the coast to partake of the "neap tide." This ancient term refers to the crescent phase of the moon and the minimal difference between high and low tide. The earth and sun are in a line right now, and the moon is at a right angle to them, so the earth is casting a shadow on the moon's craggy surface that grows ever larger.

Wednesday, May 1 Waning moon in Capricorn. Not a good day to go over budget, though it's excellent for stopping a habit. Capricorns, can you immerse yourself in whimsy? Lear doggerel or Web sites relating to "outsider art" should do the trick. Cancers may surprise themselves with a show of vulnerability. An all-day void of course means there's a weird combination of creative chaos and fiscal responsibility afoot. It's also a super day for redesigning the Web page and streamlining a schedule. Just save the data as you go. VOC 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. tomorrow

Thursday, May 2 Waning moon in Capricorn. The void-of-course moon continues from yesterday. It's excellent for being creative in finance, not so good for being Mr. or Ms. Consistently Reliable. Capricorns, especially January 1-5 goats, should look for verbal and creative buds (hint: air signs). Romance for Aquarians and Geminis is looking particularly sweet, and taste for comedy (Peter Bagg more than Meg Ryan) is strong. VOC all day until 9 p.m.

Friday, May 3 Waning moon in Aquarius. Excellent for bagging work early and messing with intellectual property. It's also a good day for starting a diet, although Sagittarians and Virgos are in a "can't be pleased" mood about their bodies. (Pisces never know how cute they are – sigh). Aquarians, today and tomorrow you'll be more in demand than you planned; no shrinking violet act for you! Leos, Sunday is the day for socializing; you're a little whingey now.

Saturday, May 4 Last quarter moon in Aquarius. From now through late next week, Mars, Venus, and Saturn are snuggled in Gemini. Interpretation? Talk ain't cheap – in the long run, it'll cost you, so prizes go to the skeptical. Not openhearted Aquarians, however. (Why does credulity accompany a firm grip on the zeitgeist's beating pulse?) Geminis can see the next move, but will they do it? (Wait until midweek).

Sunday, May 5 Waning moon in Pisces. A lazy day, excellent for turning a matinee into a double or triple feature and for canning or putting up preserves. (Are the strawberries ripe?) Pisces (especially Feb. 27-March 2), your suspicions are correct: the world doesn't understand you. Great time for writing limericks, though. Today and tomorrow, Scorpios are open to being flirted with. Will they notice? Eventually.

Monday, May 6 Waning moon in Pisces. Beware the office Eliminaterminator, the person who says, "That's not how we did it before." Taureans, unite them! Cancers, listen to them gripe! Pisces, if you're in a supervisory role, accidental rudeness is inevitable, but it's not a sign of weakness (assert yourself in love, however). Virgos, hold back on doing-it-perfectly-but-late. Wait until later in the week to assess. VOC 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. tomorrow.