Season of the Bull
Last month Venus, then Mercury, joined Uranus in Taurus, the steady-as-you-go, practical, earthy, stubborn, yet constructive energies of this Venus-ruled sign. As Lord of the resources of the 2nd house, Taurus rules finance, loves art, antiques, and right principles, while the Earth element of Taurus gravitates toward building, gardening, and the environment. May expands these grounding energies in Taurus, the Bull, as we plant ideas along with seeds in expectation of New Growth this Spring.
May Day
On May 1st the Sun conjuncts Uranus in Taurus (exact a day earlier), trine the Nodes (adding excitement or perhaps disruption to your routines), but they square Saturn as well (unexpected slow-downs, blockages, or karmic consequences). Uranus-Sun can bring innovation and tech advancements as well. By May 3rd Venus sextiles Neptune (romance or rest), while Neptune-sextiles-Pluto-trine-Mercury (urging equality, integrity, and justice).
Retrogrades Return
April 27th as Pluto stationed retrograde, marked the return of retrograde planets. Saturn retrogrades on May 23rd, and Mercury on the 29th. Pluto’s Sabian Symbol describes a lonely journey, away from friends and family, but shared with like-minded companions met along the way. So if you find yourself “cast out”, don’t despair. Look for comrades on the road.
Neptune will also turn retrograde in June and its Sabian Symbol describes a séance Medium, who can materialize new realities (encouraging us to do the same). These 2 slowest-moving planets, Pluto and Neptune will remain sextile for several years, facilitating the building of a better world!
Mercury
On May 4th Mercury will enter Gemini (which it rules) until July 12th, and will square Jupiter, shifting focus to big or long-range plans. Mercury-in-Gemini is the quintessential “Messenger-of-the-Gods”, so remain intuitively open to subtle signs, signals, and messages from within and without. Expect to make diverse new friends this May as Mercury joins Venus conjunct Uranus much of the month, likely stirring up some gossip or surprising scandal.
Venus
On May 6th, Venus trines Pluto, raising intense emotions around values, relationships, or money matters. Then on May 10th, Venus too slips into Gemini, and poetry blossoms. Venus being stabilized by a trine to Saturn, fosters deepening commitments. By May 20th, the Sun also enters Gemini for a sociably pleasant reprieve.
Mars
After a couple of speedy months, reluctantly Mars entered Cancer in late April, where he is slow and afflicted, slogging through the mud (Cancer’s water drowns Mars’ fire). Mars-in-Cancer focuses on our homes and home improvements, preparing for a move, or tending gardens and supporting the Environment.
Impatient, restless, and ex-dec rogue energies of Mars may augment the expression of radical, excessive, or rebellious outbursts. On Cinco-de-Mayo Mars trines the Moon for an emotionally charged night, before squaring Chiron for 2 weeks, drawing wounds to the surface for healing, while new clashes arise around beliefs. On May 12th, Mars sextiles Uranus, highlighting adventures along with perspectives for positive change, plus a dash of the unpredictable. Mars trines Neptune on May 30th, shifting frequency, spiritualizing perception, and clarifying direction.
New Moon
The lunation at 22 degrees Taurus on May 11th trines Pluto in Capricorn for a practical, get-it-done-right work ethic. But Pluto is in harsh aspect to the Nodes throughout May, so reworking your plans may be necessary. The Sabian Symbol for this New Moon is hopeful, bringing a message of redemption and peace. Despite current extreme partisanship, a brighter day is promised, so relax your worries and TRUST.
Moon (desire), Venus (relations), and Mercury (mental focus) conjunct North Node (destiny), while trining Saturn (discipline) and sextiling Chiron (healing). Your decisions mid-May will be both healthy and sound. When Jupiter enters Pisces (which he rules) on May 13th, “happiness” increases while Sun-trine-Pluto focuses the mind, amplifying investigative acumen. But note: Power (Pluto) used selfishly will implode.
May 18th is a day of healing as Moon-trine-Chiron-trine-South Node forms a grand trine with Moon-sextile-Mercury and South Node-sextile-Saturn which trines Venus. Take good care of yourself and enjoy a promising day! But on the 19th, upsetting thoughts and feelings may arise from the past, as you enter an emotionally challenging few days leading up to Eclipse Season.
By the 23rd, Moon-trine-Jupiter brings good feelings, but Saturn turns retrograde, slowing progress. The Moon enters Scorpio on the 24th, opposing Uranus to T-square Saturn (a very tough day), but by the 25th, Moon-trine-Neptune-trine Mars opens us up to compassionate action as ex-dec Mars gradually becomes less intense and less extreme.
Lunar Eclipse
On May 26th, the chatty Gemini Sun opposes an extravagant Sagittarian Moon to T-square Jupiter–on-the-Midheaven under a hard Lunar Eclipse, challenging overly optimistic expectations. Excess, even when generous, requires restraint. Avoid arrogant self-righteousness and seek common ground with others when tensions arise. Moon-conjunct-South Node raises memories from the past, while the path ahead clarifies as Sun conjuncts North Node. But Mars opposes Pluto, setting up a highly charged atmosphere, in which tension and possibly violence may erupt, continuing into June.
Chiron remains well-aspected so healing can happen now, despite outer appearances. But Pluto remains in harsh aspect to Sun-conjunct-North Node and opposes an angry Mars, so stay alert to your surroundings as jealousy and envy rise, and so does poverty. On May 29th Mercury turns retrograde for its usual 3 weeks of communication glitches along with breakdowns of machines and electronics. But June looks like a good month to review and fine-tune your plans during Mercury’s retrograde period. And on the last day of the month, the Sun joins North Node-sextile-Chiron-trine-Saturn, to help us envision a safe, stable and healthy future!
