This May is a transition month, as we take in the last of the Jupiter-Uranus in Taurus vibes, and get ready for Jupiter to move into Gemini starting around May 25. Jupiter and Uranus still have some energy to share with us this month on the way there.
We start the month with Jupiter and Uranus in exact parallel on May 1, and they’ll remain well connected until Jupiter moves into Gemini, when a new story begins. I recorded a separate video and podcast about Jupiter conjunct Uranus, so check that out for more details.
On April 24, while this transit was close to exact, some military horses broke loose in central London, and then a few days later, some zebras escaped while being transported in Washington state.
These are certainly minor events, but they reflect a Jupiter-Uranus energetic of breaking free from restriction, or a moment where the tension breaks after a period of limitation. Maybe you can relate…especially if you have planets near 21 degrees of the fixed signs, Taurus, Scorpio, Leo or Aquarius.
May kicks off with a strong blend of Aries and Taurus energy, punctuated by Mars being in Aries while Venus is in Taurus – both planets in rulership.
When a planet is in rulership, we can think of it as having access to its own resources, but another way of thinking about it is that there’s a clear channel for the expression of its energy. The sign tells us something about that planet’s style, and when a planet is in rulership, its style matches well with that planet’s agenda.
Venus in Taurus may prefer the simple or comfortable life, while Mars in Aries has plenty of energy for taking action or boldly moving forward.
Getting back to some of the longer-term energies, Neptune is moving into a crucial new degree as it hits 29 Pisces for the first time in its current cycle, on May 4.
In this so-called critical degree, Neptune will start to have the vibe that its cramming for an exam, as it conveys the feeling of having a limited amount of time left in its peak unicorn state – that’s a fun image of Neptune in Pisces that Vanessa Montgomery shared with us a few years back.
Neptune in Pisces has correlated with an increase in conspiracy theories and it was during this cycle that we got the phrase “alternative facts”. Well we’re not quite out of the woods with all of that just yet.
When Neptune moves into Aries next year, and makes a conjunction to Saturn at the same time, it seems we’ll all have to sober up pretty abruptly. I’ll be talking about this a lot more as we wrap up the year.
For now, aim for channeling the best of Neptune, which is choosing to spend time “in the zone”, whatever that means for you. Seek out altered states that help you feel connected to something bigger than yourself. Just make sure to choose healthy ways to get there. I
f you have planets in the late mutable signs of Pisces, Virgo, Gemini and Sagittarius, it’s important to work some Neptune time into your routines right now as a way to be intentional with it.
On May 8, Mars in Aries will form a contraparallel with Neptune. It’s separating from Neptune and in a different sign, but the contraparallel tells us there’s more of a connection than meets the eye.
I’d mark this as a day to be sensitive to mixed messages when it comes to ego actions and drives. Mars in Aries tends to be pretty clear about what it wants, but there could be a background energy that needs to be taken stock of and might not be obvious at first. Try to get more clarity with others or wait a few days if you’re sensing something in the field that gives you pause.
Venus is the star of two super conjunctions this month – first with Uranus, when it will be conjunct and parallel around May 18 and 19, and then with Jupiter, when it will be conjunct and parallel around May 22 and 23.
When Venus conjuncts Uranus, it’s already in range of applying to Jupiter too, so it’s drawing all of these energies together.
Venus brings sweetness and opportunity for connection here, but mixes with the breakthrough or potentially rebellious nature of Jupiter-Uranus. This could be a good time for bridge building regarding new initiatives we’re a part of, or just some general ease added to the mix.
Venus in Taurus gives us access to some grounding, centering energy here, even if only for a couple of days, and if you’ve been a bit possessed by the excitement of Jupiter and Uranus, you’ll know this is a very welcome addition. We could also see women’s issues take center stage around this time.
We still have a maximum containment feeling this month as the planets are mainly grouped together, except when the Moon leaves the pack. The peak of this time this month is May 1st to 8th. Check out last month’s forecast video for some thoughts about the bundle chart pattern.
The only out of bounds planet this month is the Moon, and it will be out of bounds from the 9th to the 13th in Gemini and Cancer, and from the 24th to the 28th, in Sagittarius and Capricorn.
Being out of bounds heightens the energy of the Moon, so watch out for May 11, when the Moon is out of bounds in Cancer and square with Mars in Aries.
This aspect is quick, but sensitivity is heightened, so if you get upset with someone, take a beat, and ask for some space, and then check in with yourself. Ask, what’s yours and what’s theirs? Resist the temptation to lash out, and check in first. Describe your own experience, and ask what their intentions were. If you avoid blaming, and instead describe how you’re feeling, you’re setting yourself up for a healthier conversation, as long as they can also show up with that same intention.
Electional Dates for Good Timing
Before we wrap up, I want to share some good days for important actions, and we have some good ones this month.
First, the Moons in Taurus and Cancer are often good choices, and right now, especially so, because both of them make helpful aspects to Jupiter when in those two signs.
When the Moon is in Taurus this month, May 7 and 8, Venus is also in Taurus – so you can get charts with the Moon applying to Venus in Taurus. Well that’s pretty beneficial, and it speaks to some lovely support, but also some steadiness. Only some though, because Jupiter and Uranus are still in Taurus, and the Sun is right in between all of them. That’s 5 planets in Taurus.
The only thing to consider here is that the Moon is balsamic on the 7th, and then the new Moon follows right after. Many electional astrologers will suggest waiting at least 12 hours after a New Moon for an important new action. If you do that, you can still just barely pick up the Moon applying to Jupiter on May 8, and you’ll still have Venus in Taurus in that chart.
I mentioned the Venus-Jupiter super conjunction on May 22 and 23. For an electional, you’ll want to stick with May 22, with the Moon in Scorpio, because after it goes into Sagittarius on the 23rd, the Moon’s last aspect isn’t the best; but more importantly, the Venus-Jupiter conjunction starts to separate.
The Venus-Jupiter conjunction in Taurus is really strong on the 22nd, so capitalize on this opportunity if you can.
Explore the Ascendant signs Libra, Taurus, Sag and Pisces to find a good fit for YOUR action while Venus applies to the conjunction with Jupiter. The parallel stays in range all day, making this a super conjunction.
In Person Mini Conference September 2024
If you’re a planner, save the dates September 6-8 and consider joining us for an exciting mini conference called Under the Shadow of the Moon, where Demetra George, Kelly Surtees, Mark Jones and Lynn Bell will explore some super interesting dynamics related to the Moon.
I hope you’re able to make good use of the planetary energies this month, and until next time, take good care.
-Tony Howard
Listen to this blog post as a podcast
Declination Aspects
- May 1 – Jupiter parallel Uranus
- May 8 – Mars contraparallel Neptune
- May 9-13 – Moon out of bounds in Gemini and Cancer
- May 10 – Mercury contraparallel Saturn
- May 14 – Sun parallel Jupiter
- May 18-19 – Venus conjunct and parallel Uranus
- May 22-23 – Venus conjunct and parallel Jupiter
- May 25 – Mars contraparallel Saturn
Longitudinal Aspects
- May 1-8 – “Maximum Containment” (planets in 4 consecutive signs)
- May 13 – Sun conjunct Uranus
- May 17 – Mercury square Pluto
- May 18 – Sun cazimi conjunct Jupiter
- May 18-19 – Venus conjunct and parallel Uranus
- May 22-23 – Venus conjunct and parallel Jupiter
- May 30 – Mercury conjunct Uranus
Ingresses
- May 15 – Mercury enters Taurus
- May 20 – Sun enters Gemini
- May 23 – Venus enters Gemini
- May 25 – Jupiter enters Gemini
Electionals – Dates for Supportive Aspects
- May 8 – early morning with Moon in Taurus applying to conjunct Jupiter
- May 22 – Venus conjunct and parallel Jupiter in Taurus
