The New Moon in Taurus arrived this morning before quickly waxing into Gemini by mid-afternoon.  With a bountiful spread of planets in Taurus, ruled by an amorous Venus in Cancer, there is an earthy and watery gravity around rooting down, being resourced, feeling fortified and enjoying the finer things.

At the same time, Mars, soon to depart the most afflicted degrees of its fall in Cancer for the fixed fire of Leo, will tomorrow oppose Pluto in Aquarius.  The t-square they form with Jupiter, newly into Taurus for a year-long stay, has more dynamic and tempestuous qualities than the pastures this Taurus New Moon might prefer.

On a psychological level, earth signs have a particular concern with the economy of personal energy — this is why in pop astrology, one will often encounter a thematic juxtaposition of ‘can do hard work but would rather not’ with Taurus, or say, a mix of demonstrativeness and shuttered contraction with Capricorn.  So the more laid back repose of late might be experiencing some push-pull from Mars/Jupiter/Pluto.

The current spread in Taurus, ruled by Venus in Cancer, has a gentle clarity of consciousness about what we desire and where we would like to go with it.  This could look like the yin of attraction and receiving, or it might beckon the yang of action and pursuit given the more dynamic engagements of Mars opposite Pluto, or Jupiter square either.  They can be a high-energy bunch together, seeking movement and climax.

There is a desire to expand in new directions, to feel the mix of spring’s fertility and the rooting of seeds that have been spread about the prior two months, but decay and release are still lingering narratives that can affect the nerves — as well as irritability, impatience and exhaustion with Mars still at the tail end of what is traditionally the most difficult sign for the red planet.

When Mars enters Leo tomorrow, one might feel some of the last couple months’ emotional ‘slump’ lift, but there may also be a different kind of more readily externalized conflict.  Mars in the Lion’s first decan will task us with maintaining good temperament through a time of charged gusto.  As Mars then opposes Pluto in Aquarius across the next few days, we may find ourselves on a seesaw between feeling centered or not at the wheel; commanding attention or being alienated; in control of our desires or off the rails; motivated to accomplish or feeling strangely defeated in our attempts to manifest the bounty we seek.

The third decan of Taurus, where the Sun is closing out its last few days in the sign, and where the Moon met its solar consort this morning, is traditionally Saturn-ruled by way of the Chaldean order.  Jupiter might have entered an easeful manifestation game at the beginning of Taurus on the 16th, but the lights finishing their taurean stretches encounter some of the third decan’s characteristic struggles: a desire for bounty challenged by fateful forces.  There is some redemption in that Jupiter and Saturn are approaching a sextile; the cold planet in Pisces’ waters can now see its ruler, so we are better able to identify our obstacles.

Just some dynamics to look out for:

*relaxation, desire, pleasure, ease, combined with…
*high energy, motivation, confrontation, friction
*how to feel more rooted, resourced, fortified, bountiful
*how to make the moves one wishes while protecting one’s interests
*’are we planting seeds wisely or just chasing the high?’
*frustration surrounding roadblocks in experiencing or maintaining ease
*feeling well-tended efforts have been especially subject to fateful circumstance
*kick your feet up vs. kick a wall, ‘snug life vs. thug life’
*comfortable dialogues; the ability to have difficult ones but the preference not to
*conversely, poor temperament has prompted a curious amount of confrontation
*feeling centered and present, or alienated and fighting to be seen
*commanding attention or withdrawing, in control of our desires or off the rails
*feeling motivated to accomplish, or strangely defeated in our attempts to do so
*to radiate and do things with eccentric flare; those who can handle it will come
*it’s okay to want and invite nourishing things for oneself even if it’s not clear where you’re going

Do balance the pleasantry and the push-pull friction of the next few days!  Swim well, stargazers ~

—A.B.

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