Most of this month the Sun will be in the earth sign Taurus, perhaps the most methodical and conservative of the signs. However, there will also be significant energy moving through fire signs, which suggests this could be a time of creative action. Mercury, the planet that pertains to the mind and communication, will turn direct on May 3 in Aries. It will be conjunct Uranus, the energy of inspired change, the first half of the month. Mercury and Uranus, in turn are trine to Saturn in Sagittarius, a sign that prioritizes learning and higher mind growth.
Mercury turned retrograde on April 9. This was a time to reflect and review our points of view and the ways we choose to convey them to others. It can be a time of research as well as creative inspiration, especially in writing. Verbal communication, dealing with technology from cars to computers, and travel can be challenging. However, if we took the time to do some introspective review during the retrograde period we might be clearer about what we think and then share those thoughts more effectively.
Uranus has been called a higher octave of Mercury. The latter pertains to ideas and the communication of them. It is an effective networker that thrives on variety of social interaction and multiplicity of information. Uranus is inventive, inspiring and open to ideas and people that are unique and unconventional. Uranus can be more focused on collective social activity. It tends to be socially inclusive and likes to explore new behaviors and experiment with idealistic, even utopian, social organizations that are oriented toward the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Where Mercury focuses on the immediate environment, both intellectual and social, Uranus sees the bigger picture.
In a natal chart, a conjunction between Mercury and Uranus can suggest genius potential. It can indicate someone who is a brilliant trouble-shooter and problem solver. A person who thinks outside the box and whose ideas might seem extreme, threatening or simply eccentric to others. If this aspect is in your natal chart you might have found school challenging, not because you couldn’t do the work, but because you may have been bored. You could also be someone who learns in an unconventional way. In a transit, as we are experiencing the first half of this month, we could expect unprecedented breakthroughs and new discoveries in science, technology and mechanics. Often this type of information takes time to surface. With these planets being in the impulsive sign Aries, however, and because Mercury can pertain to the daily news, we might learn of these things very quickly. If the inventions happened some time ago, now might be the time they are revealed to the public.
One potential problem with this combination of planets and sign, however, could be a tendency to allow the ideas to remain in a conceptual state. Or, we could get so caught up in the ideal or the theory that nothing comes of it in a practical sense. Enter Saturn, the energy of organization, practicality and goal orientation. Especially in Sagittarius, Saturn wants to take new ideas, information or perspectives and apply them to life in useful ways. We could, for example, direct the inspirational breakthroughs of Mercury-Uranus into concepts that can benefit public education, international relations or theological and philosophical schools of thought. These are all areas that Sagittarius focuses on.
On the personal level, we can take advantage of these transits by communicating in a clear, authentic expression. We might feel inspired to do some creative writing, which could manifest as journaling or writing a for a class. The confidence usually exhibited by the fire signs can help us to overcome any tendencies to be so self-critical that we censor ourselves thus blocking any interesting expression at all.
There are also a few caveats to keep in mind. One is to remember that Uranus can be detached and aloof. This could lead to a “know-it-all” attitude that turns off the listener from hearing what we have to say even if the idea is a good one. Another potential drawback is that the information is so conceptual or philosophical that others may be able to follow the discussion. Still another hurdle is to not allow the fire sign’s tendency to seek the limelight to cause us to seek agreement with any point of view we express.
Cautions aside, these are really good transits that can enhance our curiosity to learn about new things and in turn be sources of inspiration that can turn others on to information shared in enthusiastic ways. At a time in world events when there seems to be an impenetrable line drawn between those who want to support everyone in being their authentic self and others want to keep us in boxes that have limited human civilization for hundreds of years, these transits can support us all to be more accepting, inclusive and embracing of all people.
Aries: Venus is transiting through Aries this month. This can impel you to be more focused on the arts, finances and social activity. In your social life, striving to be more thoughtful of others and diplomatic in your interaction are good ways to enhance the quality of the relationship and potential fulfillment for all parties. Growth can come from being more patient and less impulsive
Taurus: With Venus, your ruling planet, in Aries this is a good time to be more assertive in expressing your needs and desires. Interesting and opportune social situations could come up from mid-month to late month. Growth can come from being firm in your decisions and not settling for less than what you truly want.
Gemini: Take the initiative to get projects going. This could pertain to your personal life, social situations, creative output or even spiritual activities. This is a good time to be open to new people, activities and points of view. Staying focused and not getting involved in too many activities are good ways to take fullest advantage of a very interesting month.
Cancer: The full Moon on the 10th can bring up deep feelings that may have flowed beneath the surface of awareness. If you feel too vulnerable to do so, tune in to your intuition, which should also be running high at that time. You will feel what is the right time, place, set and setting to let others know how you really feel. This could help you release latent hostility and lead to expressing more feelings of positivity and love.
Leo: This is a good time to focus on professional and social expression. You can take advantage of the transits in Aries and Sagittarius, the other fire signs, to be creative in these areas. This is also a good time to take a situation that has been difficult and resolve it in creative ways that prove to be acceptable and beneficial for all concerned.
Virgo: This is a good time to get involved in new areas of intellectual discovery. You can also benefit from the energy this month by being pro-active in expressing your ideas and points of view. Growth for you this month can come from stepping out of the shadows of self-effacing modesty and take some initiative in a professional direction.
Libra: Two themes are emerging for you this month. One is a tendency to be generous and adaptable in allowing others to be who they are. The other is the need to relate to others in a deeper, more emotionally intimate way. Those patterns aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, but they do require you to balance the need for harmony with the ability to be assertive and self-affirming.
Scorpio: The new Moon on the 10th can provide insight into the deepest level of your emotional being. This might often cause you to feel vulnerable and seek to hide those feelings. This month, however, avenues of safe expression can emerge, especially with lovers, children and siblings. Take advantage of these openings to deepen connections in ways that are honest and meaningful.
Sagittarius: Expanding your social network and expressing yourself creatively are two powerful directions for you this month. In the former, be careful not to overlook behaviors that could be draining to you later on. The latter opportunity can bring more fun and fulfillment in a desirable and meaningful way.
Capricorn: This is a good time to review both perceptions of and goals that pertain to your home and family. Dialoguing with others can be useful to bring clarity. You might be surprised at how easy it will be to change course. Significant others could also join in making changes that benefit all concerned.
Aquarius: A pleasant pattern has been unfolding for you for much of this year, and this month continues that pattern. It is the opportunity to balance and integrate two parts of your basic nature. One is the need for stability and control. The other is the need for the freedom to be you. Although those themes may often conflict, right now is a time to see clearly how to combine them in a seamless way in which neither part has to be repressed by the other.
Pisces: This could be a relatively comfortable and harmonious month for you with one exception. In mid-month conflict could come up at home. If you are being challenged, you need to be clear in laying out your points of view to the other person. If you are the one doing the challenging, you need to be clear about the true origin of your anger in order to resolve the situation satisfactorily.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic, Astrology and Consciousness and The Astroreader. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. Call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.
