The celebration of Bealtaine or the month of May marks the cross quarter day or midpoint in the Sun’s progress between the vernal equinox and summer solstice. (Around May 6) It is traditionally a time to light fires for purification in preparation for the fertile summer months. This year the productive Taurus New Moon falls on May 5 and the few days surrounding it are the perfect time for sowing seeds of intent. The New Moon always marks the start of a new lunar cycle when our focus is inclined inward to reflect on the deeper issues of life whilst the Full Moon brings things to fruition. This New Moon is especially potent as a point of new beginnings. Saturn, planet of life lessons, stability and endurance starts its forward journey once more after five months of retrograde motion. A lot of fears, doubts and insecurities about the certainty of our future have been induced since the start of the year leaving us fretting and pessimistic. As Saturn turns again we also turn a corner as fears which have been internalised can now be dealt with externally. This is a time for well thought out decisions and practical forward planning based on what we’ve learnt. Supported by Jupiter, planet of enthusiasm, change and higher knowledge beginning its retrograde journey on May 9 it gives us time to do some inner truth seeking as we build up some internal pressure for dynamic action later in the year. The Planet of assertive action, Mars, moves out of Cancer where he has been very cautious and quiet into bold Leo, also on May 9, which means that soon we can really push ahead. Coinciding with the Scorpio Full Moon of May 20 Jupiter makes a favourable Sextile angle to Uranus, planet of change, individual expression and freedom. Occurring every 14 years, this is a significant astrological event and the second part of three phases; the first was in March this year. A maxim for this event could be that “the Truth will set you Free”. We have recently had to face some hard facts about the way we have conducted our affairs during the last decade. But with optimistic Jupiter in Capricorn we can learn, grow and liberate ourselves through hard work, discipline and personal integrity. Both Jupiter and Uranus are forward thinking and visionary, so it really is a great month to make plans for the future and thanks to fiery Mars we are building up the energy and drive needed to put them into action.
The next New Moon is at 16° Taurus on the 5 May at 1:19 pm