Tag Archives: Taurus

A Look Back on Mars-Uranus and an Opportunity Ahead

The astrology of July was mostly smooth, except for one major transit, and that one major transit has pretty much just blown everything up. I’m talking about the Mars-Uranus conjunction that was exact on Monday, July 15th.

What a doozy, huh? 

I had drafted a post that I ultimately didn’t publish, but the gist was this: Mars, the planet of action and aggression, was going to be aligned with Uranus, the planet of disruption and upheaval, and that was occurring in Taurus in alignment with a particular star (Algol) that is associated with beheaded Medusa and referred to as the “demon star.” So on the world stage, the news was likely going to be wild and tumultuous at best, violent and scary at worst. And on a personal level, some of us may feel particularly anxious, paranoid, and under threat.

I was definitely feeling the vibes of the Mars-Uranus conjunction a few days leading up to it and a few days after. The crackling energy has been palpable everywhere. As far back as last Friday, the 12th, it felt like tempers were short and people, men especially, were acting out. I mean, obviously. Besides the T***p rally, which was a very literal manifestation of the Mars-Uranus-Algol combination (he almost actually lost his head), there was also the scary, chaotic situation at the Copa America final.

Mercury is approaching a square to Uranus, meaning that on top of the Mars-Uranus effects, there are also communication disruptions. Cue Friday’s global technology outage. And Mercury is in fire sign Leo to boot, making our interpersonal communications more self-focused and more incendiary.

On the morning of Sunday, July 21st, there’s a full blue moon in Capricorn. A blue moon occurs when there’s a second full moon in the same sign within the month. The Capricorn full moon a few weeks ago was at 1 degree, and now we will get the second, this time at the last degree of Capricorn. In whatever story has been unfolding in your life since June 21st, the other shoe is now dropping. This full moon is conjunct Pluto, which signifies intensity and hidden things. Secrets will be illuminated, and there will likely be some high-profile denouements.

The full moon is also in a helpful relationship with Mars, so on a personal level, it’s a good time for taking actions to let go of unhealthy and unwelcome compulsions and to take a break from anything that’s been driving you crazy. If you are curious to know what topics this may touch on in your own life, look for 29 degrees of Capricorn in your birth chart and see what house it falls into and whether you have any personal planets (sun, moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars) or sensitive angles (ascendant, MC, IC, or descendant) at or close to 29 degrees of a cardinal sign (Capricorn, Cancer, Aries, Libra).

There are more intense moments to come in a few weeks. Mars and Jupiter come together, signifying the expansion of action, on August 14th. On August 15th/16th, Mars makes a tense aspect with Saturn; then on August 19th, Jupiter follows and makes the same tense aspect with Saturn, and we have a full moon in Aquarius (which is answering to Saturn). Saturn is like a stop sign. It represents structure and order, so it looks like we can expect to see conflict between proliferations of assertiveness and heightened emotions, and structures and systems.

Between the events this week and mid-August, Mercury goes into Virgo on July 25th. We don’t get much downtime, but look at this period as a little bit of a break. While in Virgo, Mercury will station and then go retrograde overnight on August 5th/6th. It gets to 4 degrees of Virgo before it starts to go back.

Virgo is an earth sign that is associated with pragmatism, discernment, and efficiency. Mercury retrograde is treated with fear and dread in the zeitgeist, but when Mercury goes retrograde, it’s a chance to reflect, reassess, and reconsider.

Last week, I attended an excellent webinar from Kepler College on the Solar Return of the United States, and the astrologer who presented, Dorothy Oja, pointed out that Mercury’s transit through practical, critical Virgo marks an auspicious time to reflect because this transit will aspect the moon (in Gemini) and Neptune (in Pisces) in the U.S.’s solar return chart. She referred to it as an “antidote to confusion,” which I loved. And while it’s particularly useful in that context, I think it’s also useful for us on a personal level as well. Our anxiety and emotions may be clouding our perspective, but Mercury going into Virgo and then the Mercury retrograde offer us the chance to re-see things in the world, in politics, and in our own lives, with more discernment and ultimately clarity. 

There’s so much to unpack right now. We’re living through truly wild times, so we have to look for opportunities for calm reflection. More to come as we gear up for the August planetary alignments…stay tuned.

Uranian Vibes & the Sun-Jupiter Conjuction

“All the other girls here are stars, you are the Northern Lights” – Josh Ritter, “Kathleen”

The aurora borealis was visible for a wide swath of the US last weekend. At least where I was, it was cool-looking to the naked eye, but captured through a cell phone camera, it was pretty spectacular. The geomagnetic storm that allowed the lights to be visible farther south than usual was a very rare event. Did you feel like you were buzzing? It felt very Uranian, which is appropriate given all the Uranus conjunctions we’ve had lately. 

Slow-moving Uranus, the planet of disruption, surprises, revolution, and yes, electricity, has been hanging out in Taurus since May 2018, and in the last month, we’ve had several faster-moving planets meeting up with the big U. First, there was the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction in April, which coincided with the proliferation of the student protests against the war in Gaza, and to which we will likely be able to trace other major movements and innovations that have yet to unfold. Then, on May 13th, there was a Sun-Uranus conjunction, which means that individually, we have felt some nervousness or anxiety, got some jarring news, or had some emotional or mental revelations. Now, on May 18th, we get the Venus-Uranus conjunction, which could mean that personally, you learn something you didn’t know about your partner, or you may get some unexpected news about your finances, or something you thought you valued may suddenly shift. 

Right on the heels of the Venus-Uranus conjunction, also on May 18th, there is a Sun-Jupiter conjunction. This happens once a year, when the sun gets to the same place in the sky as Jupiter. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, growth, and success. For those of us with day charts, this is especially auspicious, because the sun is our sect light and Jupiter is our primary benefic. (For those with night charts, the moon is your sect light and Venus your primary benefic. And if you want to learn more about your individual chart, book a consultation with me!)

The Sun represents our identity, our calling, our life force. The Sun is what gives us purpose. The Sun meeting up with Jupiter marks a time for us to think about how we want to expand our sense of purpose over the next year. If you have been horrified by what is happening in Gaza, for example, this is a great time to get active, call your reps, and join a movement. If you feel moved to do something else–writing, going back to school, planting a garden (Taurus always lends itself to the literal planting of seeds)–go for it. This weekend is a ripe time to listen and pay attention to inspiration that crops up. 

Jupiter has been in Taurus since May of last year. You can read my thoughts on Jupiter in Taurus here and check out what this would have potentially meant for you depending on where Taurus is in your chart. However, since Jupiter moved into Taurus after the Sun had already arrived there, and the Sun moves a lot faster than Jupiter, this is the first and only Sun-Jupiter conjunction we’ll get in the sign of Taurus for a while. So, again, really have your feelers attuned to what is moving you and inspiring you, especially as it relates to the part of your chart with Taurus, because the seeds you plant now (it’s Taurus, all the metaphors are gardening metaphors), may blossom into events and outcomes that are especially fruitful for you. 

With the electricity in the air, many of us have felt in our bones that big or new things were on the horizon, and this weekend is when whatever it is that is next for us may become clear. And in a couple days, Gemini season begins! Less planting, more talking. 

As always, take all astrological-based advice with a grain of salt. Astrology isn’t fortune telling, and this post is based on my own interpretations of the planetary movements and what they represent.

New Moon in Taurus

There is a new moon in Taurus tonight, May 7th, at 18 degrees. This new moon is glorious for two reasons: 1) it is supported in rulership and by aspect, which I’ll get into, and 2) it marks the end of eclipse season. 

How was your eclipse season? Every single eclipse does not have world-shaking, life-upending implications for every person. However, if you think back through your life, many of the most unpredictable, wrenching events that have occurred likely did so around eclipses. 

I’ll offer a case from my own life. Libra falls in my 4th house, which has significations of home and family, and Aries in my 10th, which relates to career and public identity. Coinciding with the Libra lunar eclipse, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and my world has changed. This has resulted in shifting things around, pulling up stakes to change my home base, and the importance I place on my work and my public life sloughing away, like skin shed from a snake.

This has also meant that I haven’t been writing or consulting current astrology as much of late, but I know it’s there, a constant, and I see the impact unfolding for me personally. I’m ready for this eclipse season to be over, and with this eagerly anticipated new moon in Taurus, it will be. FINALLY. 

And this new moon is resplendent (figuratively). It’s in Taurus, a fixed earth sign. The moon is exalted in Taurus, meaning that when the moon is in Taurus, it is like a special guest star, with fanfare and a spotlight. It operates with aplomb.

Taurus is practical and deliberate. The energy is slow and grounded. This new moon takes place between Venus and Jupiter, also both in Taurus, and both planets are benefics, which means that in ancient astrology, they were considered favorable (vs. the malefics Mars and Saturn). 

The moon in Taurus is ruled by Venus, which, because it’s in Taurus now, is firing on all cylinders. Taurus is Venus’s domicile (along with Libra), so Venus has no barriers when it is in Taurus. Venusian energy, with its focus on relationships, love, luxuries, and values, is unfettered and prominent with this new moon. 

The moon is also making a supportive aspect to Saturn in Pisces. Saturn lends it some stability, and in earth sign Taurus, this new moon becomes an auspicious time to lay the groundwork for new projects and for working toward our desires. It could be an especially potent time to start new physical routines and to focus on your self and your body. The Saturn aspect imbues anything we start now with some extra discipline, much needed after the chaos that the eclipses and Aries season wrought. 

And because it’s in Taurus, the earth goddess sign, it marks a great time to garden and plant flowers, to buy a new piece of clothing or jewelry, and/or to learn to make a new signature dish or dessert. It’s all about beginning anew with mindfulness. Get out in nature if you can. In the words of English rose Natasha Bedingfield, feel the rain on your skin; no one else can feel it for you.

The new moon inspired me to write again and to do a little ritual, which I also haven’t done in a minute, because of the hope springing from it. And then I wait to see how this personal eclipse story of mine will conclude in March of next year, when the final eclipse of this cycle will occur. The rest is still unwritten.

Full Moon in Sagittarius

On Saturday, June 3rd, at 11:40 pm Eastern, there will be a full moon at 13 degrees of Sagittarius (opposite the sun in Gemini). 

Sagittarius is a Jupiter-ruled fire sign. It’s about learning and exploration and spirituality and travel, and Jupiter is the planet of expansion and amplification. Full moons are always emotional and a time for release, but in a Jupiter-ruled sign, the emotions are going to be even bigger and more amplified than with other full moons. You may feel an intense desire to embark on Sagittarian-type activities. This full moon will likely be marked by a strong need to explore. 

Jupiter is currently in Taurus and is answering to Venus (the planet that rules Taurus), so this full moon is also likely to have Venusian themes, with a focus on relationships, love, and money. Venus is currently at the late degrees of Cancer and approaching an opposition to Pluto, still at 0 degrees Aquarius. That energy will be felt around the time of this full moon. 

Oppositions generally mark culminations or turning points, and with Venus opposite Pluto, the planet of transformation, you may experience some deep and long-lasting changes at this time. Venus-Pluto aspects can feel a little obsessive. This may tie into the Sagittarian themes, so a positive manifestation of this full moon may be an intense drive to learn more about a topic that interests you or to book a trip far afield. However, the energy of the full moon could also potentially manifest in feelings of jealousy and insecurity. You might be convinced your partner is keeping something from you, or you may be the one hiding something. Even in friendships and family relationships, we may be feeling extra sensitive, or power struggles can present themselves.

With the full moon in Sagittarius, a sign that is very much about truths, opposite the sun in Gemini, which is all about talking, there will likely be some secrets revealed. It should be an interesting weekend. 

Jupiter in Taurus

On May 16th, Jupiter changes signs and enters earth sign Taurus, where it will stay until May of 2024. 

Taurus is a fixed earth sign ruled by Venus, and it’s associated with money, commerce, the economy, values, resources, materials, stability, and sustenance. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and growth. With Jupiter moving into Taurus, we can expect to see expansion in the areas that Taurus rules. As Jupiter moves through Taurus, though, it will be in conversation with other planets as it moves through Taurus, which will shape its impact.

Right away, as Jupiter first ingresses into Taurus, it will form a square to Pluto, which is currently at 0 degrees Aquarius. When planets form 90 degree angles to each other, there’s tension between them. With Pluto’s movement into Aquarius, we’ve been seeing themes of transformation and regeneration in technology (particularly AI) and movements of collective action. As Pluto forms a tense aspect to Jupiter in Taurus, we can expect to see push-and-pull between the efforts to expand these things and the reactive efforts to tamp them down.

This is further emphasized by Mars, which joins the action as it moves into Leo on May 20th. Mars will be opposite Pluto and forming a square to Jupiter in a configuration called a T-square. The energy will be volatile, and because each planet is in a fixed sign, the conflicts that will arise will be more fraught because of the unmovingness, the unblinkingness, the sheer will of each sign. 

Once Jupiter moves past this initial aspect, its presence becomes a little more chill. That’s until next April, when Jupiter gets to the 21st degree of Taurus and it will form a conjunction with Uranus, the planet of disruption, rebellion, and revolution. Conjunctions represent new cycles, so when Jupiter and Uranus are conjunct in Taurus, we’ll see a new cycle of expansion and disruption in the realms associated with Taurus.

Taurus is about stability, so Jupiter will likely increase the ongoing disruption to stability we’ve been facing since Uranus moved into Taurus. Given that Taurus is an earth sign, there could be literal earthquakes and/or some major climate-related catastrophes. There could also be big changes to the economy, or the value that is assigned to certain things, i.e., currency fluctuations or jolts in the housing market.

It could play out in more positive ways too, though. Disruption and revolution can lead to great things. This transit could coincide with the proliferation and growth of more socialistic movements to check the effects of unbridled capitalism and/or more vocal and mass mobilizations for environmental protection and justice.

Jupiter’s transit through Taurus is a great time for us to examine what we truly value, and to grow our efforts and activism around those values. 

How Jupiter’s time in Taurus will affect you depends on the ways it will interact with your natal planetary placements, but based on your sun and/or rising sign, these are the areas in which you will likely see Jupiter’s influence play out. 

For Taurus & Taurus Rising: Jupiter will be working its way through your first house, the house of self, which relates to our appearances, our personalities, and how we experience the world. Jupiter in the first house can be a great time of personal growth, and because Jupiter is traditionally considered a benefic planet, meaning that its presence is generally thought to be positive, its movement through your first house and/or its proximity to your natal sun can lend to success in your endeavors. It’s an excellent time to hone in on what you really want out of life and take the initiative to make that happen. 

For Gemini & Gemini Rising: Jupiter in your 12th house lends its influence to the realm of your shadow self, your subconscious, and your mental health. This can help with matters of your mental wellness or growth in this area through meditation, therapy, or other practices. When Jupiter is squaring Pluto at the very beginning of its journey through Taurus, you may experience some crises or moments of conflict that affect your mental health or awaken buried parts of your psyche, but ultimately as Jupiter progresses, so will your outlook. 

For Cancer & Cancer Rising: When Jupiter transitions from your 10th house, where it has been in Aries this year, into your 11th house, it’s time to take the career goals you honed in on and act on making those hopes and dreams a reality. The 11th house is also the house of friends and community, so you’ll likely see some growth in these areas over the next year. You may shed some friends whose values don’t align with yours, but you’ll likely feel more compelled to put yourself out there socially and feel more at ease than usual doing so, which could help bring your goals to fruition. 

For Leo & Leo Rising: Jupiter will be transiting through your 10th house of career and legacy. The 10th house isn’t always just career focused, but it deals with the imprint we ultimately make on the world. With Jupiter, a benefic and the planet of growth, in this house, it’s an exciting year for you. You may see yourself getting a promotion and raise, or being elevated in a way that brings you accolades or renown in your field. If you aren’t loving your career trajectory, it can also mark the beginning of a time of exploration for you, where you may take the initial steps toward figuring out what you actually want to do or transitioning to a career that matches your passions. 

For Virgo & Virgo Rising: With Jupiter in your 9th house, you will likely deepen your interest in learning, and you may be asked to teach in some way. Once Jupiter moves further from the square it’s making with Pluto, it’s also a good time for long-distance travel. You may find yourself with an increased sense of wanderlust over the next year, and quenching it through some far-flung travel will be enlightening and feed your need to study.

For Libra & Libra Rising: The transit of Jupiter through your 8th house over the next year could bring about a few different things. The 8th house deals with resources, as Taurus also does, but it’s those resources we receive from others or owe to them. It’s inheritances and debts, and it’s also transformation. So you may experience some changes and growth on a psychological level. You may also see your partner’s income or resources increase, or you could receive some money that’s been owed to you. Jupiter is generally considered a benefic, or a positive planet that helps with success, but depending on what it’s doing in your chart, it could expand your debts as well, so this is a good year to be careful when managing your own and your partner’s and/or family’s finances. 

For Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: Jupiter will be moving through your 7th house, which will see an expansion of your partnerships. If you are in a relationship, you may feel renewed investment in that relationship and it’s generally a harmonious time (save for Jupiter’s interactions with Pluto at the beginning of its transit). You may also build other partnerships during this time, either business collaborations or other one-on-one relationships. If you’re not currently attached, you may be beginning a new romantic relationship at this time, or if you’re at the early stages, this is when you may get more serious or take that relationship to its next stage. 

For Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising: Jupiter’s going to be moving through the area of your chart that deals with the day-to-day work you do, in your job or in caretaking, your co-workers, and your health. You may be taking on increased responsibilities or tasks at work, which one would hope would also lead to an increase in pay or a path to professional development. You could also find yourself increasingly focused on your health, so this is a good time to use Jupiter’s influence to commit to a more healthy lifestyle and/or implement any changes to your routine you have been thinking about or that your body’s been telling you that you need. 

For Capricorn & Capricorn Rising: The 5th house, where Jupiter will be in your chart until May 2024, deals with a few topics: sex and romance, children, creativity, and fun. Embrace joy and leisure time and just doing what you want to do during this transit. If you are single, this is a good time to put yourself out there because you may see some sparks in your love life. If you’re with a partner, it’s a good time for reinvigorating your sex life. You are also likely to find creative and artistic endeavors to be rewarding over the next year. If you do your morning pages, it may lead somewhere. With Jupiter all about expansion, if you’re looking to conceive, you may be more apt to be successful during this period, or you may actually have a child. For those with kids, you may just be spending more quality time with them or find yourself valuing your free time with them more over the next year. 

For Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: Your home and your family will be a focus for the next year, with Jupiter going through the part of your chart that deals with this. You may be buying real estate during this time or moving into a bigger place. You may also see your family expanding in some way, or your relatives and/or the people you live with may see their wealth or resources increase. Jupiter represents abundance, so when it comes to your home and family, this could also mean more abundant love, a compulsion to spend time with the ones you love. 

For Pisces & Pisces Rising: The next year will see some expansion in your communication, and you may feel more energized when it comes to socializing. There will be a buzz around you. Jupiter may also see you traveling a lot because the 3rd house deals with short-distance travel. You might be taking a lot of trips for work or spending the year taking a lot of quick weekend trips to visit friends and/or siblings who live in other cities, and it’s a great time for that. Because Jupiter is a benefit and the 3rd house also encompasses siblings, your siblings may be experiencing some successes or growth during the time that Jupiter is in Taurus. 

For Aries & Aries Rising: Taurus and the second house, which is where Jupiter will be in your chart until May 2024, have overlapping areas of focus: money, resources, and that which we value. Jupiter can signal successes in this realm, so you may find yourself getting a raise or growing your business in a way that increases your income. You may be focused on investing or building your savings accounts now, and it’s a good time to get more focused on your finances and your portfolio. It’s not just money we value, though, so this is also a good time for increased focus on the other things that matter to you. It could be your time, in which case organizing your calendar and ensuring you have more time to spend the way you like can also pay dividends. 

Just a reminder that astrology is for entertainment and is based on subjective interpretation of what’s happening with the planets in the sky. It’s not fortune telling, nor should it be interpreted as such, so take these horoscopes with a grain of salt. 

Mercury Retrograde in Taurus

Mercury went retrograde last week on April 21st, and before that, it was in its retrograde shadow for a couple weeks, so you may have felt the effects before last Friday. It is retrograde until May 14th. 

A couple things about Mercury retrogrades in general. First, it may be obvious, but Mercury doesn’t actually reverse. It just appears to go backward due to an optical illusion that occurs when the Earth is at its closest to Mercury. This happens 3 to 4 times a year. This article in USA Today explains it clearly and has some nice graphics to illustrate the concept. 

Second, things go a little haywire in the days leading up to, during, and in the days after a Mercury retrograde. Mercury is the planet that rules communication, travel, and technology. When Mercury appears to be retrograde, those areas become a little fraught. Miscommunications abound, emails get sent to the wrong recipients, flights get delayed or canceled, and frustrating tech snafus occur. 

It’s been a matter of days since Mercury stationed retrograde, and already there was a global Microsoft 365 outage, Southwest had a technical issue that grounded their flights for several hours last week, and my mother’s refrigerator died. The days leading up to the retrograde seemed particularly rough this time, with the solar eclipse in the mix. 

However, this Mercury retrograde shouldn’t be any worse than most, and in fact, it may actually not be as bad as some. It’s in an earth sign, as are the other Mercury retrogrades this year, and it’s the fixed earth sign of Taurus, so that makes things a bit more grounded than normal. However, Taurus rules money and resources, so you want to be especially careful with financial transactions this month. Double check your online banking so you don’t either pay the same bill twice or experience some unforeseen tech issue that causes your payment to not go through. That’s the kind of stuff that can occur with Mercury retrograde in Taurus. 

Otherwise, just follow the guidance that applies during any Mercury retrograde: reread your emails before you send them, double check your work, avoid buying any new technology during the retrograde if you can, and if you’re traveling, allow extra time, even if it’s just leaving for the subway a few minutes earlier than your normally would. And be patient, knowing that the next few weeks are going to be a little more frustrating than normal and you may have to do things over again later. Many astrologers recommend actually using the Mercury retrograde period to do “re” activities: reflecting, revising, and relaxing.