Cosmic Insights

May 2023 Astro-Highlights: Essential Revelations!

Apr 30, 2023

We enter yet another month that is set to be full of dramatic change. There's a feeling in the air that things are coming to a head, and anything can happen as a result! We are still in the midst of our eclipse season, and right out of the gate, Pluto stations retrograde in the sign of Aquarius, having only just begun its transit in this innovative and enigmatic sign. Pluto will dance between the end degrees of Capricorn and the early degrees of Aquarius for the next year and a half!

Closely following Pluto's station on May 5, we'll experience our FINAL Scorpio eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse, which is a deeply healing energy of culmination and closure. Although we have one final Taurus eclipse to go in October, this Scorpio eclipse is the last eclipse with the lunar nodes still in Taurus and Scorpio before they shift into Aries and Libra in July.

On the 7th, Venus moves on from flirty Gemini into the nurturing waters of Cancer, shifting our relational needs to feelings of safety and security. Mercury will station direct in Taurus on the 15th, finally giving the green light to move ahead with anything we've been revisiting during this 3-week retrograde 

The middle of the month marks the start of a very exciting new transit—Jupiter in Taurus! Jupiter will now bring luck and expansion to the area of our lives ruled by this Fixed Earth Sign! For those who have been hit hard by the more chaotic energies of Uranus and the North Node over the past couple of years, this ingress will mark the beginning of a little more ease and opportunities for growth. However, Jupiter's entrance into Taurus forms an exact and tense square with Pluto, which will surely bring dramatic events in the coming weeks.

The latter part of the month is exceptionally intense and volatile energy. Still, the Taurus New Moon on the 19th softens these tensions a little with opportunities to create more abundance in our lives and strengthen important emotional bonds. However, Mars moves into Leo on the 20th, completing a tumultuous Fixed Grand Cross between Jupiter and the North node in Taurus, Pluto in Aquarius, and the South Node in Scorpio.

Finallyon the 21st, the Sun moves into airy and communicative Gemini! The Sun through Gemini is true to its dualistic naturewith a mixed bag of energy beginning with a helpful trine to Pluto that illuminates and shifts the Fixed Grand Cross energy occurring alongside. However, through Gemini, the Sun will square Saturn and Neptune in Pisces, which brings their unique challenges. 

Overall, May is another peak in the energies for 2023 and a period of exciting change, essential revelations, and endings that move our lives dramatically forward.

 

 

Energy Most Positive for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Gemini, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn

Energy Most Challenging for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius 

Mixed Energy for Sun/Moon/Rising inAries, Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Pisces

Maximum Intensity for Sun/Moon/Rising in: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius

 

 

May 1, 2023: Pluto Stations Retrograde at 0° Aquarius

May 5, 2023: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse at 14° Scorpio

May 7, 2023: Venus Enters Cancer

May 14th, 2023: Mercury Stations Direct in 5° Taurus

May 16, 2023: Jupiter Enters Taurus

May 19, 2023: New Moon at 28° Taurus

May 20, 2023: Mars Enters Leo

May 21, 2023: Sun Enters Gemini

 

 

 

 

Pluto Stations Retrograde at 0° Aquarius

Exact on May 1, 2023 at 11:09 am MDT

Active from May 1 through October 10, 2023

Having only recently dipped into the sign of Aquarius, Pluto will now station retrograde and make its way back into Capricorn by mid-June. Pluto has been sitting at the 0 degrees of Aquarius since March 23, activating the same degree of the Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in December 2020. This two-month period has been a time when we are just beginning to see the results of this 20-year shift and understand the more profound implications of Pluto through this revolutionary energy. Pluto will spend the next year and a half dancing between Aquarius and Capricorn before it fully moves into Aquarius in November 2024.

The energy of planetary stations are palpable, and Pluto's influence is no exception. Pluto is the planet of death, rebirth, and transformation as well as secrets, paranormal phenomena, occult sciences, corruption, plumbing, purging, elimination, and decay. During this heightened Pluto energy we are likely to notice these topics tied into Aquarian themes, such as technology, science, space, electricity, the internet, and society or "the people."

 

 

Penumbral  Lunar Eclipse at 14° Scorpio

Exact on May 5, 2023 at 11:34 am MDT

Most active from April 25 through May 15, 2023

This is the LAST eclipse in Scorpio! We still have one final eclipse in Taurus in October, but we are wrapping up the lessons we have learned over the course of the 18-month transit of the lunar nodes in Taurus and Scorpio. This eclipse is close to the south node, and this is an energy of closure, epiphanies, and deep, transformational healing.

The Full Moon itself is likely to feel fairly smooth and calm, despite the moon being at its fall in Scorpio. The Full Moon is forming a Grand Water Trine between its ruler Mars in the sign of Cancer (also at its fall) and Saturn in Pisces creating a soothing, emotionally satisfying healing and culmination.

However, it's still an eclipse! And with that, there are inherent surprises yet to unfold! This Full Moon opposes Uranus and Mercury Rx in Taurus! Many will experience this lunar eclipse with positive revelations through intense psychic hits or even profound spiritual awakenings!

For others, the weeks unfold into VERY INTENSE energy with Jupiter moving into Taurus and forming t-square with Pluto and Mars, unexpected events will begin unfolding and shocking secrets could be revealed to us regarding people or situations that we may have resisted changing due to an intense sense of loyalty and trust. For many, the aftermath of the Scorpio Full Moon eclipse energy will be the revelation we need to make the powerful healing change that will finally last.

Uranus in Taurus has been repeatedly activated over the last couple of years with a long square to Saturn and an ongoing conjunction to the North Node. In many ways, each of us has been propelled in new and unexpected directions while, on the other hand, still blocked from feeling a sense of stability and freedom. This transit has undoubtedly been a highly disruptive and destabilizing time for many. However, Uranus and Mercury close by under this Full Moon can bring brilliant flashes of insight! With the Full Moon eclipse highlighting these energies, this could bring a powerful insight into what is next, but a powerful awareness of the intense transformations that have already occurred and a satisfying understanding of how much we've NEEDED things to change.

In this way, the full moon in Scorpio has a immensely restorative energy. It clarifies what has been blocking us from feeling truly empowered by revealing what is no longer in alignment or where we have been resistant to change for too long. This Full Moon is when we'll feel ready to let go of the past, and with Mercury retrograde in Taurus also illuminated we are given time to pause and process and, perhaps for the first time in months, visualize our way forward.

 As always with eclipse energy, pay attention to the signs and synchronicities that are guiding the way!

 

 

Venus Enters Cancer

Exact on May 7, 2023 at 8:24 am MDT

Active from May 7 through June 5, 2023

Venus enters the sign of Cancer, bringing a deeply sensitive and nurturing nature to the planet of pleasure, money, and relationships. With Venus in Cancer, we may find ourselves wanting to do more domestic activities, or we may see that it brings us great pleasure to be a comforting support to the ones we love. As for our finances, Cancer is protective energy, and this may be an excellent time to squirrel away a bit of money for a rainy day.

We are likely to crave more depth and emotional security within our closest relationships throughout the transit of Venus in Cancer. Venus in Cancer is an intensely loyal and devoted energy in love, but if there is any insecurity in partnerships, we can feel needier with this energy.

This transit looks lovely for Venus, with trines to Saturn and Neptune in Pisces while in Cancer. Venus will also sextile Uranus in Taurus and make beneficial connections to the lunar nodes.

Venus will trine Saturn on May 12, and this is a lovely and satisfying energy where we are likely to feel secure and stable about our future regarding relationships and finances.

Venus will trine Neptune on June 2, which is a very blissful and creative energy. For committed relationships, Venus trine Neptune is when we feel even more devoted and spiritually connected to our partners. For those of us who are single, this is a time when someone extraordinary could enter our lives, and we feel a deep, soul-mate type of connection with

Venus will trine Saturn on May 12, and this is a lovely and satisfying energy where we are likely to feel secure and stable about our future regarding relationships and finances.

Venus will trine Neptune on June 2, a very blissful and creative energy. For committed relationships, Venus trine Neptune is when we're likely to feel even more devoted and spiritually connected to our partners. For those of us who are single, this is a time when someone extraordinary could enter our lives with which we feel a deep, soul-mate type of connection.

 

 

Mercury Stations Direct in 5° Taurus

Exact on May 14, 2023 at 9:17 pm MDT

Mercury is ready to move forward again in the steady sign of Taurus! Mercury retrogrades are always a period best utilized for slowing down and going back over what has already been done. This has especially been the case with Mercury retrograde in Taurus, a sign that very much prefers to take its time before proceeding forward!

Mercury's retrograde was going over the degrees where Uranus and the North Node has been transiting for the past 18months! While this has been a major rest period or slow down for many, for others this has been a time for second chances and making serious headway on opportunities we may have missed in the past due to circumstances beyond our control!

Whatever has been revisited, reassessed, and revised during this retrograde is now ready to begin moving ahead but still with a degree of caution, as Taurus is a very methodical and practical energy for Mercury. Mercury will remain in the post-retrograde shadow until May 31, when it will begin picking up speed again.

 

 

Jupiter Enters Taurus

May 16, 2023 at 11:20 am MDT

Active from May 16, 2023 through May 25, 2024

The Great Benefic Jupiter enters the earthy, practical sign of Taurus, where it will remain until May of 2024. Jupiter is the planet of optimism, opportunity, luck, and expansion. In Taurus, Jupiter will bring blessings to the area of our lives that has been put through the wringer with Uranus transiting here along with the lunar nodes. Jupiter in Taurus is welcomed energy, and this is where we'll begin to see the blessings and gifts from the changes we've made, along with a feeling of relief from being under so much pressure for so long. Jupiter will now be traveling alongside Uranus in this sign, which can bring about many powerful breakthroughs and beneficial paradigm shifts in this area of our lives.

Additionally, Jupiter moving into Taurus stabilizes whatever may have been initiated while Jupiter was in Aries. It makes sense that the energy of Jupiter and Taurus would be pleasant and compatible, considering Jupiter brings luck and opportunity, and Taurus rules money and abundance! This could period when opportunities arise to make more money or when many of us fall into extra money by pure luck! If money has been unpredictable over the last few years, this is also a period when we may see the stabilization of our resources. Jupiter in Taurus would be a good time to visit a financial advisor to help you grow any extra cash you may have at this time, as it is likely to increase. Our gardens may be blessed with Jupiter in fertile Taurus. At the same time, on the world stage, Jupiter in Taurus will expand upon any innovations in food technology or farming that have occurred while Uranus has been in this sign. 

Additionally, being in a Venus-ruled sign, Jupiter in Taurus has an air of decadence about it, and the art world may get a bit of a revival. Taurus is associated with the voice, and many talented singers may enter the world stage. Starving artists may find themselves doing well as many people have a renewed interest in buying beautiful artwork! We will likely find ourselves more attracted to high-quality, luxury-type goods during Jupiter's transit of Taurus. Something to watch for while Jupiter transits Taurus is a tendency toward greed and/or hoarding resources!

Jupiter will make one notable aspect this month, a tumultuous square to Pluto in Aquarius. Jupiter, upon entering Taurus, will immediately square Pluto retrograde in Aquarius, creating a highly ambitious and potentially greedy energy. Considering Pluto's association with big money and Jupiter in Taurus' creation of big money, this could certainly indicate a power grab for money or a financial disruption on a larger scale. Pluto is associated with power and control, and from Aquarius to Taurus, this could indicate some type of large-scale financial crash via technology. Additionally, this energy is soon activated by an intense square from Mars in Leo, which is another energy that, when negatively aspected, can be known for inflated ego and power trips. This period is a volatile part of Jupiter's transit that carries on through May until Mars moves out of orb of Jupiter in early June. The good news is that Jupiter's involvement also implies positive outcomes from whatever occurs throughout this time.

 

 

New Moon at 28° Taurus

Exact on May 19, 2023 at 9:53 am MDT

Most active from May 14 through May 24, 2023

The New Moon in Taurus occurs at a fated and extremely volatile time in the astrology. Jupiter is newly in the sign of Taurus, forming a tense t-square with Pluto in Aquarius, Mars at the last degree of Cancer, and the Lunar Nodes at the early degrees of Taurus and Scorpio.

With the energy of these planets in such a charged square, this could be an intense time of divisiveness, extreme events, and unrest.

However, the New Moon itself is exalted and will act as an outlet to negate some of the other more intense energies. This New Moon forms a trine to Pluto, a sextile to Mars in Cancer, and a sextile to Neptune in Pisces. These are more gentle and beneficial energies that can enhance our perception, our feelings of compassion and our understanding of a greater purpose throughout these otherwise tumultuous energies.

The ruler of this exalted New Moon is Venus, in the sign of Cancer, which creates a mutual reception between the two. Venus in Cancer is focused on harmony and security within the home and family unit. Because New Moons are new beginnings, the New Moon in Taurus is a wonderful time to put any feelings of angst we may be experiencing in the outside world into a renewed commitment to strengthening the foundations of our homes and building stronger bonds within our families.

A New Moon in the Venus-ruled sign of Taurus reminds us where our priorities lie and bring renewed inspiration for acquiring or maintaining these things. For some, this is very much about creating a stronger sense of financial or material security. Still, for others, this will have more to do with securing our emotional bonds.

This New Moon energy may be an excellent time to plan pleasurable experiences with the family to strengthen those bonds. This energy could also help us examine our financial situation and the things we can do to grow and secure our money.

 

 

Mars Enters Leo

Exact on May 20, 2023 at 9:31 am MDT

Active from May 20 through July 10, 2023

When Mars moves into the Fixed Fire sign of LEO, it is typically a welcomed burst of energy! Mars in Leo is highly ambitious, playful, confident, and charismatic! This is an energy of powerful leadership, and those with this placement are blessed with the courage to face any challenges head-on. This is also a combination of energies that can get our egos fired up pretty easily over things that we would otherwise let slide. Leo likes to make a show of who is in charge, so the potential for unnecessary conflict rises when Mars transits Leo as well.

The potential for conflict is further stressed this year by the timing of this ingress. As Mars enters Leo, it forms a powerful Fixed Grand Cross between Pluto in Aquarius, Jupiter in Taurus, and the Lunar nodes in Taurus and Scorpio. This combination of energies is incredibly intense, and we'll want to use extreme caution as we move through the situations that arise around this time. Mars, opposite Pluto, is notoriously driven for power. Pluto can intensify angry outbursts when in opposition to Mars. With Jupiter in Taurus squaring this energy, it will expand upon this volatile energy!

Mars' transit through Leo is intense throughout its entirety. Mars will stay in a tight square with Jupiter until early June before moving on to square Uranus in Taurus for the remainder of June. Mars squaring Uranus is another signature for unpredictable outbursts of anger and frustration 

On the plus side, Mars' transit through Leo and its connections with Pluto, Jupiter, and Uranus carries immense creative power and potential. However, the potential for great destruction is there, too, and it is strongly advisable to be conscious of our actions and reactions throughout this tense time.

 

 

Sun Enters Gemini

Exact on May 21, 2023 at 1:09 am MDT

Active from May 21 through June 21, 2023

Happy birthday season to the Gemini readers out there! The Sun enters the clever sign of the Twins today, illuminating this intellectual, social, mutable Air sign. Gemini is a dual-energy ruled by speedy Mercury that emphasizes communication and the many facets of our mind. This time of flexibility is best suited for following our curiosities and exploring where our whims take us.

Gemini marks the end of the long eclipse season that began all the way back in Aries season! Things tend to lighten up in Gemini. However, many other powerful energies are still active and the start of Gemini season may feel a little differently.

Upon entering Gemini, the Sun makes one of two annual trines to Pluto, now in the fellow Air sign of Aquarius. The Sun trine Pluto illuminates a deeper sense of purpose and the ability to understand the profound truths behind what may unfold in our lives. This is likely to be a time when we can see the root of any issue we are dealing with and begin resolving the problems that may have arisen in the weeks or months prior. If significant changes occurred under the previous eclipses, the Sun trine Pluto will give the first glimpse of success under these transformations.

Additionally, the Sun in Gemini will square Saturn and Neptune in Pisces. The Sun makes its first square to Saturn in Pisces on May 27. The energy of the Sun square Saturn is one of challenge and hard work, usually pertaining to the authority figures in our life. This could manifest as feelings of melancholy or as though our plate is too full. Often, with the Sun's square to Saturn, we're pushed a little harder than usual, and although this energy can be difficult, with Saturn, it's always about improvement and longevity. If self-esteem takes a hit under the Sun square Saturn, it's best just to do the work knowing that this energy passes quickly and leads to a reward that is further down the road 

The Sun square Neptune occurs on June 18. This is an nebulous energy when our ability to discern is askew. We could feel a little spacey, confused, or unfocused. Neptune blurs the lines of reality, and with the Sun, we may feel a little lost in our sense of purpose. This energy is best used by taking a rest, meditating, or engaging in any other activity that allows our body and mind to rest and simply allows any feelings of doubt to move through.

 

Written by Stephanie Weiss, edited by Heather and the Astrology with Heather team