All signs point to the Reset button this week: the Sun, Venus, Mars and Uranus all make their way from 29°of one sign to 0°of another, and two aspects, involving Venus and Mars respectively with Uranus, are at the 0°degree point. Additionally, the New Moon marks the 0°starting point of the monthly solar/lunar cycle. Many astrology articles of late have considered the significance of Uranus moving into Taurus, where it will spend the next seven years, and this is by far the longest of the new cycles beginning this week. But the repetition of the new cycle theme over and over again underscores that this is a time to call forth our power of renewal as we enter a significant new phase of growth. In astrology, the study of the movement of the planets through time and space is considered a study of cycles. Correlating to the rhythm and flow of life, these cycles present a model of continual beginnings, middles and endings. When so many cycles end at one time, the potential for significant change is great.
The New Moon in Taurus on May 15 marks the time new “seed ideas” arise that will develop over the course of the month. The ideas born at this time are not yet fully formed so it is best to wait for them to clarify before taking action, unless the action is necessary from a previous cycle. In Taurus, the Sun and Moon are archetypally united on a path to develop a sense of values. Ultimately this journey leads to the gift of this sign, which is “non-attachment.”As a fixed sign, Taurus is known for stamina and staying focused on one thing for long periods of time. The Taurus archetype is also known for being acutely in tune with the ebbs and flows of nature and passionately endeavors to flow with them. If this rhythm becomes corrupted through attachment it loses its vitality yet because we won’t let it die, we can remain stuck in a never-ending cycle. As we increasingly let go of our attachments, we gain an ability to consciously choose to let cycles end when their time has come.
Also on May 15, Uranus wraps up its approximately seven-year stay in self-determining Aries where it awakened individual expression. After crossing the zero threshold of Taurus, Uranus will focus its awakening power on our sense of self-worth and how we place value on everything in our lives. Because Uranus is symbolic of the unexpected, events may unfold in shocking ways as Uranus ventures deeper into Taurus in the coming years, challenging areas where we are attached to things as substitutes for self-worth. Uranus’ last sojourn through Taurus was during the height of the Great Depression in the 1930’s when the “New Deal” was enacted to put money and jobs back in the hands of the people. This may be a useful guide for how it may play out this time around. Since the 1970’s we have again witnessed the rise of income inequality with the holdings of the wealthiest 1% now equal to the aggregate wealth of the 99% (Oxfam). In the sign that rules money, Uranus may well correlate to a radical movement to shift the world’s wealth back to the people.
Rounding out the big shifts on May 15, Mars leaves Capricorn for an extended stay in Aquarius, the sign ruled by Uranus that is the archetypal path layer for the future. As a self-determining force, Mars’ assertive nature here is focused within groups, particularly those with a cause focused on the common good. As the next to last stage in the process of individual development through the Zodiac, the lesson of Aquarius and its gift is “service.” It asks us to put to use all the unique skills, talents, creativity and brilliant ideas we developed from the preceding signs into creating a better future for all. In the process of becoming awake to what we uniquely have to offer, we also discover our inherent right to freedom of self-expression. With Mars in Aquarius through the fall, we have an extended opportunity to break free of limiting conditioning and activate our authentic self in service to humanity.
Due to its upcoming retrograde over the summer, Mars will be in the sign of the Innovator through November 15 (except for a relatively short return to Capricorn in late summer). Over this period, Mars will square Uranus three times and remain in orb of influence of this aspect through early October, with the most intense periods surrounding the dates of the exact squares on May 16, August 1 and September 18. Because the first square occurs at the 0°point of Aquarius and Taurus, it is an indication that this Big Reset moment may truly awaken something new in us. Mars symbolizes the force required to birth something. Uranus calls us to awaken to who we are at the core of our being, frequently in radical ways. We could undergo a dramatic renewal if we allow the ego self to die so the soul Self can live. This time in our history calls for a groundbreaking awakening in the collective consciousness of humanity. Will you join the revolution?
Mercury forming a trine to Saturn on May 18 is the only seeming anomaly in the ‘new cycle’ theme of this week’s transits, yet the skills and attributes it represents are a welcome addition to this time of pressurized change. As we cross this threshold, fresh information and original ideas that will define the new cycle will pour in. Mercury/Saturn in harmonious alignment is sufficiently serious to understand the importance of paying attention to what is happening. Furthermore, this stable alignment correlates to a practical and efficient mind that is able to organize the incoming data like a puzzle master so all will be in its right place.
Venus crosses into Cancer on May 19 marking a distinct shift from its cerebral, networking approach to relationships in Gemini. Venus in Cancer will radiate warmth and affection when in the secure environment of a loving group of people. In this sign that rules family (including non-biological ones we choose to be a part of), Venus is tasked with learning Cancer’s gift of “knowing where one belongs.”In that the art of relating is Venus’ domain, knowing where one belongs requires clarifying each person’s role in the relationship to keep it balanced and in harmony.
A few hours into Cancer’s deeply sensitive and intuitive space, Venus forms a sextile to Uranus on May 19 while both are still at the 0°point. This provides an awakening spark to open us to the possibility of seeing our sense of belonging in a new way. Can we come to understand that where we are in each moment is exactly where we belong? If we yearn to be somewhere we are not, it becomes an act of refusing to be present with what is. Venus in Cancer harmonious aligning with Uranus in Taurus (which Venus rules) will create a safe space to express authentically and even may coax us to see the value of who we are, no matter the considerations we have about our external circumstances.
The last planetary event in this busy week of cosmic resets is the Sun entering Gemini on May 20. Leaving behind slow and steady Taurus, the Sun shifting to this intellectual air sign correlates to an uptick in data processing. Seeking out and sharing information is a basic need for the Sun in Gemini, as is exchanging it with others, who are like walking flash drives containing the riches of their experiences embedded in all those mysterious zeros and ones. The gift of Gemini – “the art of letting things happen”– is something that requires a lot of effort for the Sun to achieve in this busy, busy sign. The wisdom gleaned from all that data and all the creative uses we can make of it cannot be forced or sought after. Only a quiet state of receptivity will allow them to come into our awareness. If we choose to let unnecessary distractions fall away as we process all the data that life throws at us, our state of mind will naturally begin to quiet. It is in the moments of silence that the whispers of the cosmos can be heard.
“The true symbol of conscious Man is zero… The evolution of human capacities of perception is one movement of consciousness in two directions: zero reaching toward plus and minus infinity.” – Dane Rudhyar
Here’s the data (Pacific Time, rounded to the nearest whole degree unless otherwise noted):
May 15 – Moon conjunct Sun (New Moon) at 25°Taurus at 4:48 a.m.
May 15 – Uranus at 0°Taurus at 8:23 a.m.
May 15 – Mars at 0°Aquarius at 9:55 p.m.
May 16 – Mars square Uranus at 0°Aquarius/Taurus at 12:03 a.m.
May 18 – Mercury trine Saturn at 8°Taurus/Capricorn at 9:49 a.m.
May 19 – Venus at 0°Cancer at 6:11 a.m.
May 19 – Venus sextile Uranus at 0°Cancer/Taurus at 10:29 a.m.
May 20 – Sun at 0°Gemini at 7:15 p.m.
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