May leaves the whirlwind wildfire of Aries-tinged April in the dust, delivering a month of auspicious, astrological entrees.
Beginning on the midpoint of Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice, known as the pagan holiday of Beltane, celebrations of the Sun’s growing presence is the bouquet of the month. Along with fertility + love rites, the Maypole and bonfire gatherings, we’re finally immersing in the intoxication of floral frivoli and amorous aspirations. May proposes a “work hard, play hard” ethic, perfectly timed with Venus entering Taurus on April 29th and Mars entering Aries April 30th. This combo of Earth + Fire adorns Spring with aesthetic evolution, grounded pathways, feathered nests, romantic revival and solid strategy, though the green-eyed monster will take hold if leaning into “grass is always greener” negativity. There is a beautiful post about Venus and Mars via Future Past Astrology, a highly recommended Substack in general and a great guide on how to work with these particular energies.
While Venus in Taurus squares Pluto in Aquarius on May 1st and 2nd, unearthing tension around security on a personal and collective level, Venus in Taurus will ground for greener pastures, providing abundant organic growth. May 1st is also International Workers Day honoring labor rights and organized strikes that have shown up strongly, mirrored in college student bodies across the United States. May is ripe as a turning point in the People’s Revolution who educate on how resources are denied or weaponized in a sick system. Binding together against all odds and rallying like workers’ have done for hundreds of years re: compensation, health and fairness, the roar to divest from Israel and standing ground for a permanent ceasefire in Palestine is gaining roots like we’ve never seen before in past student protests.
I have a lot of hope for Taurus’ May, that it will show us the way to honest intentions and clear out the slime for a beautiful resilient Summer of Justice and Truth.
5/2-10/11/24 Pluto Retrograde
However, some sludge will be mucked up that we must learn to process and turn into nutrients if we want a better spiritual terrain.
Pluto as the Underworld back-spins in Aquarius, likely to bring about serious deception from the shadows. Secrets can emerge thru undercover work; with Aquarius in the seat, info may arrive via technology. As a Planet of Metamorphosis on the Axis of Life and Death ruling Scorpio, Pluto has a vampiric reputation yet positive attributes of ambition permeate.
Re-examining powers of authority is a huge Pluto theme. Systems of false-representation will be deconstructed via the radical way of the Water Bearer, backing the struggles of the people and exposing those that do not have our best interests in mind. As we come up the U.S. Presidential Election during the end of the Rx, the traditional Daddy of the Zodiac - Capricorn - will stronghold the last part of Pluto’s backspin. Power struggles on a larger scale will be imminent but revolution has already taken root.
Though a hard pill to swallow, what we’ve once viewed as “good vs. evil” will become more clear in terms of how we are marketed to and therefore manipulated.
WHAT: Taurus New Moon
WHEN: Tuesday May 7 11:22 PM EST
THEME: Quality > Quantity, Integrity, Honor
After a little mess from Pluto and Venus the first week of May, the Taurus New Moon sweeps in ready to help us water the rows of beliefs we’re most truly aligned with. Taurus is a strong contender for a no bullshit approach to Life with a distaste for anything fake or fraudulent. With values on deck, this empowered New Moon gently guides us with grace and goodness, coaxing us in knowing. We’re ready to be make the most of our heart-space, to see it as sacred ground once again, and not a pit for turmoil and torment.
Turning our ideals into trinkets of starry purity that will fight to protect our peace is not the easiest feat.
With the previous Scorpio Full Moon tasking us to look at and begin to consider releasing the trauma that has affected the way we treat and value ourselves, we’re in a follow-up moment that supports more healing and hope for the homes that are us. We are our own source - which does not mean other sources aren’t important; we all have basic needs including that of community and love. However, the act of believing in ourselves, skills of self-regulation, LOVING ourselves, is important for a happy and healthy life.
Sometimes we have people controlling us that want to keep us around for the wrong reasons. We do the hard work, we provide comfort, we are a back-up plan. We can be used and abused quietly, silently and not even realize it, misled through partial information and convinced thru buttered-up empty promises and compliments. In the last post, we discussed how societal and family of origin influence have taught us to play small. That excavation into dark painful programming offers us an opportunity in ascension.
Underselling our true value is out; the power of our purpose is in.
Though the Mercury Rx shadow lingers, breathing more freely is the Taurus invitation despite Pluto Rx’s beginning. Washing the facade, aware of the care needed in what we’ve experienced, even just in acknowledgement of recent years, could bring cleansing tears. And maybe there is more to cleanse than we even realize in. In the crux of pandemia, a culture of absolutes and learning to shirk responsibility from icky Instagram “psychologist” infographics that can not represent or educate with the needed temperament and knowledge for a just and whole perspective… Centering our values with so much noise, especially when quick dopamine and self-righteousness is sold between political propaganda and doom news, is no easy feat. But Taurus says we can find a quiet spot and take our time. There is no rush.
The Taurus New Moon follows up the Scorpio Full Moon asking us how to use the resources available to us to build the new life we envision. The Taurus New Moon explains to us that, YES, we deserve to feel secure in ourselves and be surrounded with good intentions and appreciation, especially in our closest connections. The Taurus New Moon reminds us that we are worthy of transparency and truth and if we have to only trust ourselves at this time, that’s entirely valid. The Taurus New Moon also says we have to step up and be the people we deserve to be surrounded by and the community we want to see. We must live in a way that honors the health of our hearts, minds and each other. And we are also asked to step up and speak with our whole chest on why we deserve a better planet to live on. We are asked to imagine the solutions and not just mull on the problems.
This Taurus New Moon is providing the tools.
Conjuncting with Venus in Taurus and Jupiter in Taurus, May’s New Moon has an extra oomph for connecting to our purpose and passion with wholehearted honesty and bravery. The Moon also connects with Saturn AND Uranus giving us focus and opportunity. I want to remind all our friends to fiercely, without falsehood vomits of validation, try to love yourselves unapologetically and proudly. The world around us is chaos. We must be certain in ourselves, even if that’s certain in our ability to change and grow, while allowing ourselves also to be vulnerable, rest, and recenter.