Happy birthday for Friday, May 5, 2023. Today’s game-changing lunar eclipse is sure to bring some surprises. As this eclipse aims to help us let go of habits, beliefs and ways of thinking that no longer work for us, there could be some anxiety, shock or confusion in the air. With Mercury still in retrograde, it will be important not to default to knee-jerk reactions or decision-making motivated by fear. If we’re going to successfully move forward, we’ll need to face what scares us and be open to a new approach or direction. We should also be willing to band together with others to get the job done.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): It may be time to change or improve how you handle things at an emotional level. Work on breaking old patterns. Confront your fears.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): If you’ve been holding your tongue to avoid a conflict, you may be ready to clear the air. If a relationship isn’t changing for the better, it’s time to go.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You may be ready to part ways with projects or commitments that are no longer sustainable for you. If you have been doing too much for too little, that needs to change.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22): Your passion for something may have fizzled out. Try not to be too bummed about it, because there’s new things on the horizon for you.

LEO (July 23 to Aug 22): Old and unhealthy family dynamics may need to be addressed. What do you need to give yourself that you didn’t get growing up?

VIRGO (Aug 23 to Sept 22): You may need to work on reframing your negative thoughts or the stories you tell yourself. Spending more time around folks with a positive attitude can help.

LIBRA (Sept 23 to Oct. 22): Financial stress might highlight the importance of advocating for yourself when it comes to getting what you need or deserve.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 to Nov 21): When you live authentically, your relationships will mirror that. When you don’t, your relationships will reflect that, too.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 to Dec 21): You’re encouraged to release anything that’s become unhealthy for you, especially anything that can be considered a form of self-sabotage.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 to Jan 19): You can’t always play it safe. Sometimes you have to take a risk to get where or what you want.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 to Feb 18): There may be big changes with regard to your career. Perhaps it involves retirement, a new postal code or a better work-life balance. Changes concerning family could happen, too.

PISCES (Feb 19 to March 20): Stop looking for certainty. Take things as they come. Your perspective or circumstances may change for the better as a result.

FOR TODAY’S BIRTHDAY

There’s hardly anything that can keep you down for long. You’re like a force of nature. You’ve got a scrappy attitude, and you’re going to win no matter what. Although intimacy and deep bonds are important to you, you need your independence, too. You need freedom to be yourself. You don’t like routine or when every day feels the same. You enjoy shaking things up from time to time; though, there are moments when you can get too stuck in your ways. This year, there could be some shakeups within your relationships. Take it as an opportunity to break old patterns.

Birthdate of: Vanessa Bryant, businesswoman/philanthropist; Nathan Chen, figure skater/author; Danielle Fishel, actress.

(c) 2023 King Features Syndicate, Inc.