In the Pacific Time Zone, the New Moon will occur at 8:53 a.m. on Friday, May 19. This New Moon finds the Moon and Sun conjunct (0°) at 28°25’ of Taurus. To further clarify how this New Moon will impact you on a personal level, locate 28°25’ of Taurus in your birth/natal chart. The issues associated with that house are going to be most influenced by this New Moon’s presence. (NOTE: Click here to learn how to find the transiting Moon in your chart.)
New Moons always provide us with an opportunity for a new emotional start in the areas associated with the sign. This time, we are focused on Taurus:
- The higher expression of this sign includes being down-to-earth, responsible, resourceful, reliable, patient, and loyal.
- The lower expression can include being overly materialistic, very strong-will, resistant to change, and excessively cautious.
Taurus is the sign of the bull. Having my natal Mars powerfully positioned in Taurus and having one brother with his Sun and Ascendant in Taurus, I know this sign well. And I personally happen to love this sign! The bull loves his beautiful pasture. He enjoys looking around at the grass, the flowers, and the butterflies. He revels at the feeling of the sun on his back. Taurus is a very sensual sign, and now is a good time to engage in anything that brings us sensual pleasure.
However, because the bull loves his pasture, he doesn’t want to leave it. This is why Taurus can be one of the signs that is most resistant to change. It’s 1 of the 4 fixed sign, and fixed signs tend to avoid change. But the other fixed signs find it a bit easier to adapt than Taurus. Leo is willing to move to a new area, especially if the hunting in that area will benefit his family. Scorpio is a water sign, so it can flow with changes, when needed. And Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, which is the planet of change; so, change is not always enjoyable to Aquarians, but they understand that it is often necessary and important in order to move forward.
Taurus, on the other hand, wants to dig in its heels (um, I mean hooves) until it’s damn well ready to change. If anyone tries to force a bull to do anything against its will, watch out! Those horns can be brutal! When change is required, the bull needs time to adjust to the idea and preferably a plethora of evidence to support the wisdom of moving to a new pasture.
With all that in mind, let’s talk about this specific Taurus New Moon. As is true of any astrological event, we have the potential to tap into both the higher and lower expressions of this sign. On the positive side, this New Moon will be providing us with a lot of grounded, practical energy. There is an endurance to the bull’s energy that can serve us well when working on projects that require slow and steady progress.
Additionally, many of us have recently been experiencing a lot of significant changes in our lives. This Taurean energy will very likely be a welcomed shift. Over the last few weeks, the energy of Aries has dominated our landscape. As a cardinal fire sign, Aries wants to take action. The shift to Taurus, which is a fixed earth sign, is a big change. It will slow us down and give us a chance to make adjustments that lead to long-term stability.
Especially if we have been struggling lately, this shift into Taurus will likely help us feel more centered and grounded. And if we have been feeling drained or lethargic, we may see a return of the energy that has been evading us. This could help us feel ready to dive back into a project that was recently set aside. Or, we may find that new options suddenly become available that weren’t there before.
All of this positivity is due to some wonderful support provided by a minor planetary configuration called a cradle. This is a bit hard to explain in words because it involves a lot of aspects. Here are the basics:
- The Sun and Moon are both in trines (120°) to Pluto and sextiles to Neptune
- Neptune is in a trine (120°) to Mars
- Mars and Pluto are in an opposition (180°)
Visually, a cradle looks like a basket. I always think of it like a basket that is there to catch all the energy generated by the opposition. It’s like a safety net underneath a trapeze act.
But there are other supportive influences available that can help us with the Mars-Pluto opposition. Here’s a summary:
- All of the trines and sextiles within the cradle will help us (a) work through the issues associated with the opposition and (b) effectively navigate any challenges associated with the Taurus New Moon.
- Having the outer planet Pluto as part of the cradle configuration could help us create something that benefits both us and the community. However, because Pluto is currently in retrograde, those ideas may be in the formative stages. For now, we may simply begin to have inklings for potential areas of growth, transformation, and healing.
- Mars as part of the cradle means we will have the energy and courage we need to move in a new direction.
- If we can consciously tap into the qualities of Taurus, they can provide us with diligence, patience, endurance, and determination. The strong Taurus influence will likely make sure those solutions lead to building something solid.
- At the time of the New Moon, Mars is in Cancer, and Neptune is in Pisces. Cancer and Pisces are water signs, which means they can help us to flow with any changes that are needed. They can also provide insights that can lead to creative solutions to problems.
OK, now it’s time to dive into that Mars-Pluto opposition, which is part of a very powerful t-square (right triangle) happening at the time of this New Moon. It involves Mars in an opposition (180°) to Pluto, and both of those planets squaring (90°) Jupiter.
If this t-square sounds familiar, it’s because we talked about the same configuration in the last Moon Update on May 5, 2023. At that time, it wasn’t quite as powerful as it is at the time of this New Moon in Taurus. This t-square has already been influencing us for several weeks, but its power will be especially strong the week after the Taurus New Moon.
Rather than repeat everything that was covered in the previous Moon Update, please be sure to click on this link, which will take you directly to sections of the last Moon Update that discuss this t-square. This information is important! There is a reason I gave the last Moon Update the following subtitle: “A Potential Powder Keg Can Be Avoided if We Make Conscious Choices.”
At the time of this Taurus New Moon and especially the week after that, we should all put several exclamation points after that subtitle. This is because the day after the New Moon (Saturday, May 20), Mars will move out of watery, compassionate Cancer and into fiery, dramatic Leo (where it will remain until July 10). With Mars now in a fixed sign (i.e., Leo), this means that the configuration will no longer be a slightly weaker “out-of-sign” t-square. It will be a fully functional fixed t-square.
Additionally, this means that the Mars-Pluto opposition (180°) and the squares (90°) between Mars-Jupiter and Pluto-Jupiter will all be located at 0° of each sign (i.e., 0° of Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius). This will form an exact t-square on Monday, May 22 at 0° of these 3 signs. Whenever a planet is located at 0°, we say it is positioned at a “critical degree.” 0° of any sign coincides with new beginnings in the areas of life associated with the sign. But in this configuration, all 3 planets will be located at 0° immediately after the New Moon. This magnifies the impact of the t-square substantially.
I describe t-squares as analogous to a burr under the saddle of a horse. It will cause the horse to buck until it can be relieved of this pain. T-squares demand change. This is especially true with exact aspects at 0° of all 3 signs. Possible issues that we may be dealing with could include (but aren’t limited to):
- The difference between being assertive versus aggressive.
- Clarifying and standing up for our beliefs and ethics.
- The appropriate use of personal power versus control, domination, or manipulation.
Fixed t-squares do provide a great deal of concentrated power and determination. Similar to the Taurus energy, fixed energy prefers to work in a slow and deliberate way. Therefore, there is no need to rush into any changes, but changes will be needed. We will likely feel a need to do some research. It will also be important to remember to take into consideration both our needs and the needs of those who might be impacted by any changes.
But as I explained in the previous Moon Update, the energy of this Mars-Pluto opposition is incredibly strong and needs to be consciously managed. If we don’t take control of it, power struggles could ignite those powder kegs referred to in the subtitle. How do we do this?
- One thing we can do is focus on Leo’s heart energy as much as possible. Mars in Leo is typically self-confident and often feels a desire to lead. However, we need to do this from a heart-centered rather than ego-driven place. It’s OK to take the lead, but especially with Mars in an exact opposition (180°) to Pluto, we need to avoid taking control. Leading and controlling can result in the same outcomes but will be responded to in very different ways. Leading with our hearts means we take the needs of others into consideration.
- Venus in Cancer is in a supportive trine (120°) to disciplined Saturn. We may be able to navigate relationship issues in a responsible way.
- Mercury is in a sweet sextile (60°) to Saturn. This can help us speak rationally and responsibly.
Also, hope is on the horizon. Jupiter, which is the focal planet of the t-square, has recently moved into a new sign. At the time of the last Moon Update, Jupiter was in the waning degrees of fiery, warrior Aries. On Tuesday, May 16, it moved into earthy Taurus, where it will remain for the next year. At first, Jupiter may be in a battle with Mars and Pluto due to squaring both ends of that opposition (180°). Given Jupiter is now in Taurus, we need to be careful not to push our beliefs, ethics, or morals on others, especially if they involve our views on how resources should be used (e.g., money, time, energy, material goods).
We do need to be a bit careful about over-doing anything right now because once Taurus digs in its heel (or hooves), it may continue in a behavior no matter what the cost. But especially once the influence of the t-square gradual eases up toward the end of May, Jupiter in Taurus is usually delightful. Over the next year, we will likely find ourselves feeling drawn to engage in sensual activities, enjoying the simple things in life, and gathering beautiful things around us. Our gut-level instincts may help us make wise financial decisions during this time, especially if something requires patience and long-term growth.
On Sunday, May 21, the Sun moves into Gemini. Normally, this would bring a lighter energy. However, it’s going to be a challenge for Gemini to lighten the mood during the remainder of May due to the impact of the t-square described above. However, starting in early June, everyone should be able to be a bit more open-minded. Although we may still want to speak our truth, we are willing to hear what other people have to say. This will be a nice time for socializing, especially if we can learn something interesting while with others. Our curiosity is often insatiable when the Sun is in Gemini. We can be a bit mentally scattered, but having Mercury in grounded Taurus until mid-June will help counter that tendency a bit.
Overall, the annual Taurus New Moon often ushers in beautiful, grounded, sensual energy. However, the ongoing and strengthening fixed t-square discussed above and in the last Moon Update really needs to be taken seriously. As with any astrological influences, how we choose to react to the energy is entirely up to us. Free will is always of paramount importance, and we are never victims of the “astrological winds.” By knowing about something in advance, this gives us an advantage over those who aren’t “into astrology.” Instead of getting involved in power struggles, we can choose to engage in sensual activities that feed our five senses. We may also want to explore whatever is valuable to us, especially if we can convert those desires into something concrete, practical, and possibly worthwhile to others, which Taurus loves! This is also a good time to do some self-reflection regarding our self-worth or how we might be able to simplify our life in some way. Finally, seeking serenity is a good goal at any time, but especially when going through a New Moon in Taurus.
WRITTEN BY
- Anne Reith, Ph.D.©
THIS NEW MOON
New Moon at 28°25’ of Taurus
- Friday, May 19, 2023, 8:53 a.m. PDT
- Friday, May 19, 2023, 11:53 a.m. EDT
- Friday, May 19, 2023, 3:53 p.m. GMT
IMPACT OF ANY MOON EVENT
- All New Moons and Full Moons influence us for the 3 days before, the day of, and 3 days after the actual event.
RELATED LINKS
- Anne’s Astrology Readings
- Training and mentoring sessions with Anne
- Anne’s Blog (Including additional posts about Astrological information)
- Anne’s Astrology courses
- Complete list of classes and workshops offered through IMPART
- Testimonials and reviews
- IMPART’s online Store
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Be sure to Join Anne’s Online Community to receive:
- New & Full Moon Reports.
- Announcements about class offerings, new Blog posts, and new online products when they become available.
- If you have additional questions, feel free to email us at Anne@AnneReith.com or call (714) 599-0017.
Visit our Facebook page to receive Anne Reith’s daily inspirational quotes and announcements.
By Anne Reith, Ph.D.