Something extra-ordinary is happening energetically that is allowing us to release old programs and to shift into a state of consciousness where we can relax and enjoy being alive! From what I have observed so far, this could be a permanent shift into another mode of being and doing — a big step from the Piscean to the Aquarian Age.
The current planetary alignments, which I outline below, strongly support a profound inner transformation. Use them to monitor your own awakening process. Keep in mind that what may seem subtle — like the ability to relax, to forgive, to let go and move on, to love and accept yourself, and to give your life mission priority — are in fact deeply significant inner awakenings that form the foundation for the life changes we all hope, work, and pray for.
April 19 to May 19 — The Sun Shines in Taurus
8:30 AM PDT (15:30 GMT)
Once a year, while the Sun shines in Taurus, we get reminded to enjoy and deeply appreciate our special life on Planet Earth. The timing is perfect. Taurus sets the tone to support our growth and evolution of consciousness at this time.
As the first earth sign, Taurus introduces us to the basics of physical reality —
(1) dealing with both the challenges and pleasures of being in a human body,
(2) taking care of and supporting our physical needs in a comfortable and sustainable way,
(3) enjoying the beauty and wisely using the gifts offered by Mother Earth,
(4) using our sensory system to guide us in navigating our outer and inner worlds,
(5) realizing our worth and developing self-esteem to truly honor our lives.
Evolving from the ‘struggle and run after‘ approach to life into the ‘relax and attract‘ mode of living is one of the basic lessons of the Taurus archetype. And a basic theme of Yogi Bhajan’s teachings. (Yogi Bhajan had a Virgo Sun and a Taurus Moon.)
Achieving a sense of mastery in the above five areas are all part of the Taurus formula that extricates us from the stress of struggle and delivers us to the peace that comes when we appreciate and trust our own truth and live in gratitude for our unique life.
The Taurus Bull is an interesting character. Although the bull is generally associated with the male sex, the Taurus Bull represents determined feminine energy and our connection with the Earth Mother. The Bull has 2 distinct aspects to its personality. It is the contented cow grazing in the pasture enjoying the nourishing gifts offered by Mother Earth. And the Bull can also be very emotional and indulge in drama. The enraged Bull is tormented by deep inner conflict. This is related to the fact that Scorpio is Taurus’ polarity. They are a good pair, however, because Scorpio wants a good life too. Scorpio’s job is to figure out why that isn’t happening the way they want it to.
April 21-22 – Scorpio Full Moon
10:23 PM PDT (5:23 GMT)
Scorpio’s mission is to take us deep into our inner reality where we find the subconscious emotional imprints that control our lives. Scorpio obliges us to acknowledge and confront our fear, anger, and sadness. Fortunately, diving deep also introduces us to the peace and power that lie hidden until awakened. Through Scorpio’s journey, we gain knowledge about the complexities of the human psyche and the mysteries of inner transformation.
Scorpio is focused on understanding what motivates us, what drives our passions, and what feeds our aversions. At the Scorpio Full Moon we can ask ourselves — What do we fear the most? What is the source of our rage and depression? What do we really want from our life?
Scorpio connects with the worst and the best in us, but under it all it finds what really matters — to be connected to the light of our soul, to open our hearts, to become conscious men and women, and to be fully engaged in life.
Venus and Uranus Conjunct at the Full Moon
Venus, the planet associated with Taurus, joins Uranus in Aries at this Full Moon. Venus represents what we love, what gives us pleasure, and what helps us relax and let go. Uranus urges us to be original, independent, and to free ourselves from social pressure and conditioning. Their joint impact awakens in us the desire to explore novel ways to express our creativity and to achieve satisfaction in life.
April 17-18 – Mars Goes Retrograde
5:14 AM PST (00:14 GMT) at 9 degrees Sagittarius
Mars appears to be moving very slowly for a few days before and after it turns retrograde. If your ‘get up and go’ energy seems lacking, Mars retrograde is definitely a factor. Instead of pushing yourself, enjoy a respite from your frenetic life. Use the Venus/Uranus influence to find something unusual that gives you pleasure. How about enjoying a hobby or an activity that you haven’t ‘dared’ to indulge in for a long time?
Mars turns retrograde at 9 degrees Sagittarius. Mars goes direct June 29 at 23 degrees Scorpio. It reaches 9 degrees Sagittarius again on August 22. We have over 2 months when our active Mars energy directs us to look inward, to relax, and to enjoy life!
Mars goes retrograde only once every 2 years so take advantage of this special time to avoid frustration and to enjoy some fun!
April 18 – Pluto Goes Retrograde
Just 19 hours after Mars, Pluto goes retrograde for a little over 3 months (until September 26.)
Pluto retrograde takes us on a ride to our inner basement where we find trash to get rid of and a treasure chest to open. Pluto’s goals for us are (1) to wake up, (2) to get involved in our own life at a deep authentic level, and (3) to get connected to the power and purpose of our soul.
Mutable T-square – Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, and Neptune
Mars and Saturn in Sagittarius, Jupiter in Virgo, and Neptune in Pisces
create a motivating dynamic through mid-May. The squares and oppositions of a T-square urge us to take action. However, because the mutable signs are adept at (and prefer) adjusting and going with the flow, we are encouraged to move forward in a more relaxed mode, i.e. give up struggle and stress and accept help from the universe and from our friends. The combination is practical, grounded, and motivated from the heart. New possibilities are becoming available that weren’t available a few years, months, even weeks before. And equally important, a new way of doing things that is more entertaining and less stressful is also now within our reach.
Without Mars after mid-May, the remaining planets keep this mutable T-square active through mid July. As we become aware of misperceptions, misunderstandings, and poor judgment that have caused us problems in the past, and become willing and able to move beyond the above, new opportunities open up. The bottom line is that we must take responsibility for our own lives and become our own authority. This involves releasing shame programming and blame stories and overcoming cultural, parental, and religious conditioning that keep us stuck, resigned to the way things are, and perpetually annoyed or disappointed.
April 28 – Mercury goes Retrograde
10:20 AM PDT (17:20 GMT) at 24 degrees Taurus
Mercury will be retrograde April 28 through May 22 when it turns direct at 14 degrees Taurus. It reaches 24 degrees Taurus again on June 7.
Remember, the day before and day Mercury changes direction are optimal days to meditate.
Actually the whole period of Mercury retrograde is great for meditation because the mind is less tenacious and more relaxed.
With both Mercury and Mars retrograde we have time to recalibrate our priorities and to realign with our heart-felt truth and goals. Some questions that we can ask ourselves include — How can we adapt a lifestyle that releases instead of creates more stress? How can we change our attitude to embrace and not fight what we can’t change? What can we add or subtract from our life that would make us happier?
This is a special time to identify and embrace both and inner and outer transformation that makes it possible to make our lives simpler, more satisfying, and more fulfilling. When you feel like you should be pushing yourself — don’t! Take advantage of the cosmic support to notice and definitely enjoy shifts in your own consciousness. Give up suffering and welcome in more joy, peace, and beauty into your life.
We have until May 22 to enjoy the mental break from Mercury retrograde. With the blessing of Mars retrograde, we have until June 29 to practice being in the relax and attract mode.
May 6 – Taurus New Moon
12:29 PM PDT (19:29 GMT) at 16 degrees Taurus
The Taurus New Moon invites us to upgrade our definition of ‘need’ from the basics of survival to include what makes our heart sing and how we can relax, enjoy, and simply living our lives. Taurus reminds us that our body tells us our truth through our feelings, emotions, sensations, aches, pains, and illnesses. Our body becomes stressed and diseased, when our mental and emotional states lack equanimity and balance.
At the Taurus New Moon, the Sun, Moon, Venus, Mercury, and asteroid Vesta are all in Taurus — the archetype that insists that we value ourselves and our gifts and live according to our heart-directed values.
At the Taurus New Moon we can ask ourselves these questions — What matters the most to us? How can we best use our precious time and energy? Do we really value our uniqueness — our gifts, talents, and mission in life? Do we honor our passions, our struggles, our successes, and the courage it takes to live through the challenges of life?
Earth Grand Trine
The Taurus Full Moon, Jupiter in Virgo, and Pluto in Capricorn form a grand trine in the Earth signs. Trine formations open space for things to flow with less resistance and effort. But we have to know what we want and take practical, responsible steps to manifest our goals. We can’t sit around and expect things to happen by themselves. Trines support us, if we are doing the work.
May 9 – Jupiter goes Direct
at 5:16 AM PDT (00:16 GMT) at 13 degrees Virgo.
Jupiter ends its 5 month retrograde period which began January 7 at 23 degrees Virgo. Now our inner expansion during the retrograde period can support our expansion in the outer world.
May 9 – Mercury Transits the Sun
Mercury transits across the light of the Sun only 13 times this century. The last time was in 2006 and the next time will be in 2019. *(1) Access to higher consciousness is more available on this day. Plan to be very aware during May 9 and mediate with deep listening and sensitive feeling.
This is a good day to reflect on the wise words of Fyodor Dostozevsky —
‘Above all, do not lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lies comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within himself, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.’ *(2)
Touchstones for this special time are (1) love yourself and your life, (2) let go of the past so you can take full advantage of the present, (3) embrace the gift of new future.
It is only when we listen to, follow, and truly believe in our own truth that we become a powerful and peaceful presence in this world. Dear Friends, now is the time!
References and Footnotes
Austin, Stephanie, Scorpio Full Moon – April 21-22, The Mountain Astrologer, April/May 2016, p. 97.
Austin, Stephanie, Taurus New Moon – May 6, The Mountain Astrologer, April/May 2016, p. 101.
1. Austin, p. 101
2. Austin, p. 101
Such a great articleðð»Thank you â¤ï¸
Amazing! Thank you