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Monday, May 1, 2023

May 2023; Jupiter enters Taurus and a powerful lunar eclipse!

 

Happy May Day!

This month Mercury continues it’s retrograde in the sign Taurus until May 14th when it turns direct. Jupiter, the planet of luck and gain along with the Sun will also move into the sign ruling money, love and values as well. Taurus is a rich and sensual sign ruled by Venus, the planet of love and money and with Jupiter in this sign everyone will see increases somewhere, depending on what it does in your chart. Venus will move from Gemini into Cancer and Mars will leave Cancer for fun loving Leo. We will experience a powerful lunar eclipse in Scorpio and a New Moon in Taurus. Now, the details.

 Mercury is retrograde

The Messenger of the Gods, otherwise known as Mercury, the planet ruling communication of all kinds turned retrograde April 21st through May 15th.

Retrograde Mercury is not part of a cosmic plan to upset delay or screw things up. Rather, this is part of the natural cycle intended to be a time of reflecting and re-doing things that need our attention. Even though it can be maddening at times, if you keep this perspective you can make the most of this three week cycle that occurs 3-4 times a year. Relax as much as you can and focus on finishing up projects or fixing what needs to be fixed and you can make good use of this time.

At times information you need to proceed forward may be revealed on retrograde Mercury. This period is also associated with the past, people from the past, and even business ventures related to the past. Old clients may come back along with old friends and in rare instances old lovers. Of course, exes are usually exes for a reason, but not every case. You may enjoy many lovely trips down memory lane over this next three week period.

Mercury turns stationary direct May 15-18. Great! Mercury is direct, but not so fast. The stationary direct phase over the next few days is when energies can change again. This means you may receive new information or your plans can change once again before the cycle is complete so it is important to be aware of this phase which is as important as the retrograde.

Pluto retrogrades

May 1st, Pluto turns retrograde as it does every year at 0 degrees of Aquarius. Pluto deals with the things that lie hidden in our subconscious mind, and it also rules the collective. It won’t turn direct again until October 11th, at 27 degrees of Capricorn.

Pluto retrogrades from 0 degrees of Aquarius back to 29 degrees of Capricorn on June 12th. It will remain in Capricorn until January 21st when it moves back into Aquarius once again.

When Pluto turns retrograde it can mark a turning point if it is aspecting something in your chart, and it is generally indicative of significant world events, especially when Jupiter enters Taurus on May 16th and begins its square to Pluto

Issues relating to money, joint finances, investments, lawsuits, partnerships and sex will become more internalized during this period allowing us to look at things from a different viewpoint. Pluto is about making deep change over time that can alter our lives in significant ways. One way of looking at Pluto’s retrograde is the discovery of that which is no longer working, which will become obvious during the retrograde period. Pluto wants to uncover things and bring them from the darkness and into the light so positive change may occur ultimately; This works on a collective as well as personal level. Pluto is about fixing all things that are worn out or have outlived their purpose in your life, or been left to decay. This can include projects, relationships, ideas and even real estate to name only a few. Pluto tears down to rebuild in a stronger way.

As Pluto retrogrades we are being given an opportunity to delve into the deepest parts of our subconscious mind to understand how we really feel, and what we would like to change.

When Pluto retrogrades back into Capricorn June 10th, we will be confronted with the same types of issues we were dealing with in March before it entered Aquarius. Pluto in Capricorn is harsh and deals with Plutocrats as we have seen over the last number of years. Pluto in Aquarius is also ruled by Saturn (like Capricorn) but its co-ruler is Uranus, the planet of unpredictability, and Aquarius rules the 11th house of the collective. When Pluto is in Aquarius the people will make their voices heard and known.  At 29 degrees of Capricorn, Pluto is considered to be at a ‘critical degree.’ Some astrologers consider this a ‘fated degree,’ that is a point of no return when things have gone too far to turn back.

Lunar eclipse in Scorpio

This month’s full moon falls on May 5th, and it is a lunar eclipse at 16 degrees of Scorpio. Scorpio rules the 8th house of change and transformation, debt and other people’s money, sex and taxes.

Scorpio is the most intense sign of the zodiac, ruled by Mars and Pluto. The Moon (eclipse) opposes Uranus creating a completely unpredictable and changeable energy, along with the Sun conjunct Uranus which is exact on May 9th. We can expect unexpected events to occur both in our lives and on the world stage in the few days leading up to the eclipse and after. This will affect Scorpio, Taurus, Leo and Aquarius more than others along with those who have fixed planets around 15-17 degrees.

Relationships will be fraught with confusion and problems over the next few days and some may be prone to compulsive behavior, obsessions or seeing things as all or nothing (which is unadvisable). Since Mercury is retrograde and eclipses block the light you may not know all of the facts.

With Pluto involved (Scorpio’s ruler) some will dwell on loss, or experience some type of loss at this time, or heavy deep seated emotions may surface. Alternatively, you could feel restless and as though your mind is all over the board with so much energy swirling around at this time. Some will want to break free from negative relationships or other situations that are repressive.

This will be a heavy news period full of unexpected events and confusion with retrograde Mercury so now is the time to think clearly and remain calm. This is not a good time to poke the bear, as they say. With Mercury and the sun in Taurus, the potential exists for Earth related issues to surface, such as as earthquake or some other type of extreme weather.

When Mercury is retrograde sometimes events connected to the eclipse are delayed, usually by a few days. The energies of this eclipse however will be very powerful for the next 30 days at least.

One last note; On May 4th, Venus squares Neptune and this becomes part of the eclipse energy. Venus-Neptune transits are fine for daydreaming as long as you don’t take it too seriously. This can indicate romantic interludes along with confusion and revelations but make sure you know who you are dealing with is this is the case, as it sometimes denotes swindlers of all types. This is not the best day for money matters, investments or anything of the like, and confusion is some area is not only a possibility-it is likely.

This eclipse is likely to coincide with a volatile few days in the world and we could see some changes in the financial markets around this time as well. Caution is advised on a powerful and unpredictable eclipse like this one. The energies of this eclipse will play out all week and into the following week.

Venus enters Cancer

Venus, the planet of love, values and money leaves busy and inquisitive Gemini for Cancer May 7th-. Venus in Cancer is a huge energetic change but a pleasant sign for the planet ruling love. This will bring deeper emotions to the surface and cause us all to think more about our emotional ties and commitments. Cancer is the nurturer of the zodiac and always there when a friend or loved one needs her. She is also one of the most intuitive and sensitive signs of the zodiac so don’t be surprised if you feel more tuned in to your feelings and those of others, and find yourself feeling more of a desire to comfort and be comforted by those you love.

We will all be a bit more emotional with Venus in this sign and may feel deeper empathy and compassion for those around us and the world in general. As Cancer is such a sensitive sign we may have to be careful about taking slights to heart, and they may be harder to let go of as Cancer has a long and clear memory.

Venus-Cancer is not interested in casual flings and will have a greater desire for long term relationships and all of the security that typically comes with this type of relationship. Cancer is about home, family, relationships and security, both financial and otherwise.

While Venus is in Cancer you may develop relationships at work as Cancer is a Cardinal sign or a mover and a shaker and a born leader. You may lean toward more emotional decisions regarding your finances, investments, work projects and other important areas of life as Cancer is best described by the words, “I feel.”

You may also feel far more nostalgic over these three weeks and indulge in pleasant memories of the past, as Cancer has their own personal fountain of memories, good or bad. Retrograde Mercury in Taurus will help us along this path as well, thinking about or in some cases running into those we have known and loved. You may feel a deep urge to connect with someone you knew long ago. If you feel strongly about it, there is nothing like connecting with those from our own past and catching up on how life has treated you and them. Make the most of this as it won’t last long as in short order both Venus and Mars will beckon us toward bright lights and hot summer nights and all of this will fade into the past for another year.

Jupiter enters Taurus

May 16th, Jupiter enters Taurus for the first time since June 2011. It will remain in this sign until May 25th, 2024 when it will move into Gemini.

Taurus is one of the most laid back signs and it is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, money and values. Jupiter expands whatever it touches so in this case the focus will be on money and finance, love and relationships and values both on a personal and collective level.

During Jupiter’s tour through Aries, the theme was ‘to initiate.’ During Jupiter’s cycle through Taurus the theme will be to bring the things we initiated into the physical world and material world.

Since Venus will be the star of the show for the next year, now is the time to recognize your own values and make use of them. This means who and how you spend your time with, what you really want, and where you are going.

Jupiter in Taurus should represent an increase in money for some, depending on what it is doing in your personal chart. If you are a Libra or Aries ascendant you should see an increase financially unless there is something else blocking this in your chart. Jupiter in this sign will work well for Earth signs in particular (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) and water signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces). If you are a Taurus, this is a once every twelve year transit so go back to 2011 and think about how it benefited you then. Of course, all of the other planets come into play as well, but most people would remember something somewhat positive.

2011 Jupiter in Taurus; a look back

When Jupiter was last in Taurus we were starting to recover from ‘The Great recession,” of 2007-09. While the consequences of 2008 had major long term affects, the economy was picking up to some degree, although it took many years and some individuals never completely recovered.

There was of course the second “Black Monday’ on August 8th, 2011 when global and US stocks crashed following the previous Friday night downgrade of the US credit rating by Standard and Poor’s from AAA to AA. This was aided and abetted by Uranus’s square to Pluto which meant that a financial shakeup was bond to occur at or around that time. Fortunately, we do not have an aspect like that today.

The debt ceiling crisis that year started as a political debate over increasing the statutory limit of US federal government borrowing also known as the debt ceiling. In the run up to the crisis, the United States had approached and actually passed this limit. Since the US Treasury has no authority to issue or incur debt beyond the debt ceiling set by Congress and, failure to reach an agreement between the necessary members of the government to raise the debt ceiling meant that certain debts wouldn’t be paid and this affected the government's ability to borrow at low cost, due to perception of increased risk in loaning money to the US government.

Does all of this sound familiar? Well, it should with the standoff currently in Congress over the debt ceiling. Will our politicians remember what happened in 2011 and learn from it? Considering the current Congress and political climate it seems doubtful, but we can hope, and it remains to be seen what will happen and whether or not we will be plunged into another crisis for blatant political reasons and political theatre. The previous credit downgrade lasted until March of 2014 when it was upgraded back to AAA. Clearly, there are consequences for inaction and political grandstanding and none of it benefits the people.

It is no coincidence that on May 1st, First Republic Bank was seized by the FDIC in 8 states and sold.

Jupiter squares Pluto

Jupiter expands whatever it touches for better or worse. When Jupiter enters Taurus it immediately enters a square with Pluto that will be powerful well into the month of June.

Jupiter-Pluto transits can indicate religious, moral and other types of power plays among individuals, coercive tactics and fanatical belief systems. Personal philosophies may become evident and come into question. This transit is indicative of impatience along with arrogance and pride and with the possibility of neglecting small but very important details. Since Jupiter is in the sign ruling the second house, money will certainly be a theme during this time.

Some individuals may try and reform those around them while neglecting their own personal development and be convinced they are right in many matters. In other words, power struggles are a major possibility. Sometimes with transits like this situations reach conclusions and matters end or come together. This is an important period in many ways.

There will be increased needs in the world to recognize various collective problems and concerns. Reform will likely become a theme, but there will be clashes over reform and what it means. There may also be an issue with knowing who or what is capable of discerning and implementing reform as opposed to individuals who view themselves as demigods who hold all the answers. This transit creates the necessity of the highest level of ethical performance which may not come about easily and people can be swayed and mislead by powerful and manipulative messages both on the world stage and in our personal lives. Jupiter-Pluto aspects also tend to deal with terrorism on a worldwide scale.

Mars enters Leo

Mars is the planet that rules our action, passions, war, sex, and ability to assert ourselves in astrology. Mars moves from emotional Cancer to fun loving Leo May 20th-July 10th.

Leo is ruled by the Sun which represents our vital core as well as our ego, and has domain over the fifth house of love, entertainment and children, and over the next 8 weeks we will be more outgoing, optimistic and geared toward seeking pleasure.

While Mars in Cancer has been a sensitive and emotional Water sign, Mars in Leo is a Fire sign full of energy and confidence, and in some cases pride. Expect a major shift in direction and energy.

While Mars is in this sign we will seek pleasure, fun and companionship and be in a mood to socialize more and seek attention. Expect to be drawn to attractive clothes, jewelry and other things that make you stand out in the crowd as Mars/Leo can be quite flamboyant. Mars in Leo is no wallflower, and even those who are normally shy may come out of their shell more during this aspect of Mars. Mars/Leo likes to be dramatic and expressive as well as fun loving, creative and passionate. Mars in this sign is typically passionate about the things they do and in some cases can exhibit bravery if the situation calls for it.

Mars in Leo creates a personal need and desire to shine and be recognized. Leo knows fun is a necessary part of life so expect to spend more time socializing and making the most of the warm summer days coming up.

Leo is well known as a sign that is associated with artists, performers and royalty. The downside of Leo is pride, stubbornness and overconfidence. Leo has a tendency to over dramatize at times and they like their ego stroked. If Leo feels they are not getting enough attention, or being treated they way they feel they deserve to be treated they can get highly offended. Leo’s purr can turn to a roar in a split second and like the Lion that represents them, they retreat back to the jungle. Leo seldom if ever forgets a slight.

If you can watch these tendencies Mars in Leo can be can be an exciting, wonderful time, filled with fun, energy and confidence.

The powerful May t-square

On May 20th, Mars enters Leo, and will oppose Pluto and square Jupiter. When Mars enters the picture, this creates a t-square which combines the energies of all three planets. Mars opposing Pluto is a volatile transit that is sometimes connected to arguments, unyielding attitudes and at worst violence. Mars square Jupiter leans toward things becoming blown out of proportion on some level. It is important to not be reactionary during this time and let the energies level out before making and significant decisions about your life. Staying calm will be the key at this time. Sometimes under Mars-Pluto old buried issues come up and must be dealt with and Pluto leans toward obsessive behaviors.

The peak of this powerful aspect will be from May 16th-26th.

There is little doubt this aspect will play out in significant terms on the world stage and issues will be global. At the time of this aspect we can expect issues concerning money, ideological political conflicts, and Mars-Pluto holds the potential for violence. Taurus is an earth sign which means earth related disasters are possible including earthquakes. It is important to be aware of the volatility of this aspect and leave contentious problems, issues and reactionary behaviors on the back seat until this powerful aspect passes.

New Moon in Taurus May 19th

This month’s New moon falls at 28 degrees in the sign ruled by Venus.Love, money and values will be front and center at this time. This Moon becomes part of a grand trine, which is a positive aspect linking together the Moon, Mars and Neptune. This aspect leans toward compassion, intuition and action with the three planets involved. At the same time this Moon conjuncts Algol, the malefic fixed star that is known for destruction and harsh actions on the world stage.

May 21st the Sun enters Gemini

May 21st-June 21st.  the Sun enters Gemini and the Gemini season is on!. Gemini is the mutable sign of spring when the weather begins to change and shift toward summer. Like the weather, we too are under the influence of a mutable sign which means we are more changeable at this time than others. We may change our minds, and even direction during the next four weeks sometimes more than once.

 If the Taurus season is about being grounded and luxuriating in sensuality and connectedness with the earth, The Gemini season is more intellectual, loquacious, upbeat, free spirited and open to change. 

Gemini is an intellectual Air sign ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, travel, young people and pets. The Gemini season will inspire social activity, conversation, new ideas and a focus of our energies outwardly and into the world.

Air signs are typically full of ideas and plans and while the Sun is in Gemini our energies will be directed much more toward others. Air signs have plenty of mental energy that can sometimes seem to move at the speed of light, activities and communication pick up and you may feel that ideas come so rapidly you can hardly remember everything. This will be especially true while Mercury retrogrades in Gemini.

Gemini is observant of the world and all surroundings. At times this sign can be considered ‘airheaded’ or duplicitous but much of the time this can be attributed to the fact that Gemini is changeable and always looking for the better solution and all sides of the problem. Gemini can often take a neutral approach to problems as they search for a logical as opposed to emotional answer. Never underestimate Gemini’s remarkable ability to see all sides of an equation.

Sometimes this energy can seem unpredictable and restless. You may find your time is split in many different directions and your curiosity piqued on different levels. Enjoy the natural curiosity and desire to interact with others during the Gemini season. Engaging with the world can be a rewarding experience especially given the past years with Covid.

Use this time to express all sides of yourself and enjoy things that are a little offbeat rest assured, it won’t be boring!

 

 


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