May 2023 Astrology Overview
May 2023 astrology gives us our second eclipse of the season, a revelatory lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This is followed by a fresh New Moon in Taurus that’s tied into the current Mercury Retrograde. Jupiter enters Taurus as well for the next year, driving new growth to this area of our charts. This month we’ll also see Venus seeking comfort in empathetic Cancer while Mars drives us to venture forward in bold, daring Leo.
Although Mercury Retrograde officially ends in the middle of the month, the shadow period extends through the end of May. This means that themes covered during the retrograde will still be subject to review all month long.
The midway point in Mercury’s retrograde cycle comes on May 1, along with Pluto stationing. This is a powerful combination that starts us off on a new chapter with our communications and inner processing. We’ll be more focused on relationships and meeting others eye-to-eye.
With last month’s Solar Eclipse, we walked through a fiery gateway or rite of passage, and there are now many important changes pending in our lives, especially as concerns the Aries, Taurus, and Scorpio parts of our charts.
Mercury Cazimi in Taurus (May 1)
Mercury’s inferior conjunction with the Sun is at 11° 20′ of Taurus. Our new cycle begins in the symbiotic middle decan of Taurus. This is the 6 of Pentacles in the Tarot, Lord of Success, which has to do with reciprocity – giving and taking in equal measure. Ruled by the Moon, there’s a rhythm and synergy at work here, one that makes for fertile ground when the energy’s in its proper flow.
This cycle builds up to Mercury’s maximum brilliance on June 30 in the 1st decan of Cancer. This is the 2 of Cups energy in Tarot, the Lord of Love. Ruled by Venus, it represents the trust and intimacy between two people who are deeply bonded to each other, such as the bond between mother and child.
During this Mercury Retrograde, we’re starting a new chapter that focuses on relationships, intimacy, and the equal exchange of energy.