Eros was the god of erotic love. The position of the asteroid Eros in our charts points to our passion and erotic turnons. Mars shows us the style in which we go after what we want, including the ways in which we express our sexuality. Venus shows us some of the important “trappings” and foreplay that help us get in the mood for sex. While the positions of these planets and cosmic bodies in our natal charts remain static, their positions are always changing in the cosmos, activating houses and hotspots in our natal charts. The horoscopes presented here are necessarily general, as we are focusing on only the Sun sign or Ascendant, and how these sexual cosmic bodies are currently affecting the natal chart.

Please note: These horoscopes are more accurate for the Ascendant sign, so if you know it, read them for the sign of your Ascendant first, and the sign of your Sun second.

Taurus in 2010

In 2010, you are making rich new social connections and friendships and enjoying some level of freedom, dear Taurus. Still, love continues to be a serious matter until September, and you can think of 2010 as a transitional one for close partnerships.

Since Saturn entered Virgo and your romance sector in 2007 (later for those born later in the sign of Taurus), your romantic relationships required some sort of “clean up”. For many of you, a relationship that was previously more on the frivolous or lighthearted side became more serious. In other words, you may have made a stronger commitment to a casual romance! Others met a more mature or serious romantic partner, some felt frustrated that their social life was a little too serious, and some of you ended a relationship that didn’t “cut the mustard”, so to speak. In other words, the relationship didn’t survive the reality tests that faced them. Saturn left the sign of Virgo in October 2009, but will return for a short time in 2010 to complete unfinished business. This will occur between April 7 and July 21. Saturn is the planet of maturity, restriction, and realism, and these themes are active during this window. For some of you, an ongoing romance that has been going through ups and downs and push-pull energies in 2009 (representative of the Saturn-Uranus see-saw struggle) will now come to a make or break point. There is likely to be final resolve to this situation in 2010.

A close partner, or the partnership itself, continues to go through changes this year. While the situation is considerably more stable than it was in 2008, there are likely to be complications again this year. Pluto as the ruler of your partnership sector in the practical sign of Capricorn can play out in a variety of ways in your lives. For many of you, a relationship has recently become more business-like, practical, and less dynamic or spirited. Or, a partner has shifted his/her attitude to viewing the partnership from a more practical perspective. Single people might find themselves attracted to more mature, stable partners–those who can provide a stable and secure lifestyle for them. They should watch for the temptation to get into a convenient set-up by considering potential long-term consequences of partnering for practical reasons. However, many of you might simply find yourself attracted to more mature and stable people. You could also be especially attracted to goal-oriented people because you respect their work ethic. Shared values, or tolerance and respect for one another’s personal philosophies, will be especially important for any committed relationship. Some of you will find that you meet a significant other through educational or religious avenues; and some will find partners through travel and connection to foreign countries over the coming years with Pluto moving through your solar ninth house.

Pluto is challenged again this year, particularly around the end of January and then June through to the last week of August. Its conjunction to a Lunar eclipse near the end of June suggests a powerful change. As your partnership ruler, you can expect that either (or both) a partner or a partnership is challenged, tested, and transformed. Some of you will experience a change of marital status as a result, whether it’s ending one or beginning a new one.

Because your romance sector’s ruler is Mercury, your romantic friendships are particularly vulnerable to Mercury’s retrograde periods. These are periods when romance could be on the stagnant side, a lover is reflective, or when love bites you in the ass! Mercury’s retrogrades in 2010 occur from December 26, 2009-January 15, 2010, April 18-May 11, August 20-September 12, and December 10-30. The more significant of these periods are the April/May period when Mercury is retrograde in your sign and it is easy for others to misread you, and the August/September period when Mercury is retrograde in your romance sector–a double whammy of sorts.

It doesn’t get much easier when Venus, your sign ruler, turns retrograde in your partnership sector on October 8. This Venus retrograde cycle lasts from October 8-November 18, and is most intense for you from October 8-November 8. Nevertheless, with Venus in Scorpio and your partnership sector for an extended period this year (from September 8-November 8 and November 30-December 31 and beyond), you have plenty of warm attention on your close partnerships, and loads of time to work things out.

Venus retrogrades can be slow periods for all when it comes to love and money. People are a little more cautious and tight-fisted when it comes to their generosity with their heart and their money! However, because Venus is your chart ruler, this is a time when others seem to misunderstand you, and/or find you hard to reach. You could be turning to your past rather than looking ahead to your future. Past actions come back to visit you, and for some, past lovers reappear in person or in your thoughts to an unusual degree. Karmic circumstances are occurring now. It’s a good time to rethink matters, but try not to alienate others completely as you do!

Uranus has been exposing you to new and perhaps quirky lifestyles, groups, and friends for many years, and will continue to do so this year, but is also moving on to your spirituality sector. You are continuing to expand your mind through contact with a diverse set of acquaintances this year, and Jupiter certainly helps you to do so. September can bring a sudden or surprising new connection into your life.

Keep in mind that very little in 2010 is permanent–overall, it’s a year of sudden changes, but it looks to be more of a transitional year. While many will be tempted to take risks, and certainly much can be learned from doing so, the rewards will not always be of the permanent kind. It’s not that people shouldn’t take risks this year, but if they do, they should keep in mind that rewards may be temporary, or they might change their minds at a later date.

Neptune continues to challenge you, obscuring your vision of structure in your life, and perhaps confusing you on a professional level, especially if you are born May 15-21.

Those of you born April 23-26 are feeling very powerful this year! Many will find a long-term partner, possibly from a different cultural background or while expanding their horizons. Greater confidence in yourselves leads to new opportunities in 2010. Challenges are likely, but you are presenting a more charismatic “you” this year, and many of you are coming across as fabulous relationship “material”.

Your heart is quite open to new possibilities this year, and you are likely to form some interesting friendships, but a lover could find your changing lifestyle or friendships hard to accept this year, particularly in April and May. You definitely need more space, time, and room to explore new friendships, but make sure you give due attention to the people who have been there all along. As a Taurus, you do appreciate longevity, familiarity, and loyalty. Remember these things as you explore new connections and don’t forget to show appreciation for those who have always been in your corner.

Eclipses this year don’t fall in signs or houses that are connected to your romance and partnership sectors, but your partnership ruler is eclipsed on June 26th, so surprises and changes in a close partnership are likely in the weeks surrounding that date.

Eros, the god of erotic love, is in your sign from February 18-March 25, and harmonizes with your sign from your romance sector from July 2-August 6. Your powers of attraction run very high during these cycles, but more in terms of you going after what you want than waiting for things to come to you. Sexual activity may be more frequent than usual. An impassioned attitude in general is with you. September 15-October 28, Eros is in your partnership sector and your partner is particularly fired up and passionate.

Venus and Mars both occupy the sign of Virgo from July 11-29–coinciding with Eros’ travels through the same sign! Because Virgo is the sign of your romance and pleasure sector, this is significant for your love life. While Venus and Mars never actually conjoin, it’s a smoldering combination for love, sex, and romance!

Key Periods in 2010:

February 18-March 25 is a period in which your powers of attraction run very high, but more in terms of you going after what you want than waiting for things to come to you. Sexual activity may be more frequent than usual. An impassioned attitude in general is with you.

Venus is in your sign from March 31-April 25. This is a time when the world seems to be speaking, or at least appreciating, your “love language”. It’s a period ripe with opportunity for attracting others, for turning on the charm, and for receiving positive feedback from partners or love interests. Love seems to come to you without the need for your pursuing it. April 4, 13, and 17 in particular are strong for romance.

Romance picks up pace with Mars moving through your romance sector, from June 7-July 29.

Venus moves through your romance sector from July 10-August 7. This is a time when the world seems to speaking, or at least appreciating, your “love language”. Your charm is natural and playful, and love seems to come to you without the need for your pursuing it.

Note that both Venus and Mars will move through your romance sector concurrently from July 11-29, at approximately the same time that Eros moves through this house! This points to a very sexy and romantic time in 2010.

From August 20-September 12, Mercury is retrograde in your romance sector. It’s a time when you should watch what you say in order to avoid misunderstandings in relationships. It’s probably best not to rock the boat just now.

October 8-November 18 is the Venus retrograde period. Don’t make any major decisions about love (and finances) during this cycle. Love may appear to be at arm’s reach now.

September 8-November 8 and November 30-December 31 is an auspicious period for attracting or enhancing a close love relationship, with the possible exception of October 8-November 8, when Venus is retrograde.

Try our Love & Romance Forecast report for the upcoming year.

Monthly Horoscopes