Taurus  New Moon – 2021

By Tracy Cook

Where should my focus be during this next 29-day cycle? 

When we draft a chart for the new moon, we get a sense of the energy that will be up for processing for the next 29 days.  

Okay what is this cycle about   What are your values?   How are you practical?   For twenty-nine days tap into your values and your practical nature, this will nurture you.  

Taurus New Moon May 11, 2021 11:59am PDT 21 Taurus 17

Taurus  New Moon 

21 Taurus 17

May 11, 2021  

11:59am PDT 

Please note all times are Pacific.

Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac and the first earth sign.  In fiery Aries cycle we were action oriented, running around, busy starting this and that.   Now in Taurus we slow down.   We take time to nurture.  In Taurus we get grounded, and we get very practical.   We get out of our heads and feel our body.   We take care of our physical form. This is a good 29- day cycle to make doctor appointments, especially between now and the 29^th before Mercury retrogrades.   Other appointments should be set that address practical matters.   Fixing the broken gate or switching banks or repairing the freezer.   This is the lunar cycle where we lean hard into practicality.  The beauty of practicality will be for all of us to behold.   For the most part the cycle should accent more the evolved part of Taurus.  The drawback to Taurus is that it can be stubborn and so be sure your stick-to-it-ness is not a mask for rigidity and fear of change. 

Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus and while we like to talk about Venus being the planet of love, beauty and money, etc.; really at its core, Venus and Taurus speak to our values.   Taurus is what we buy and if we value it a lot, we will be willing to pay a lot.   If we value that human a lot, we love that human a lot.   Beauty like love is in the eye of the beholder but whatever it is, it speaks to Taurus.   During this 29 day cycle our values are front and center.   Even if we don’t say it outright, “I value X” we are feeling it in our guts.   This cycle we crave and want to nurture what we value.    

While Uranus in Taurus is not making an aspect to the Sun and Moon in the new moon chart, we know that Uranus is still coloring Taurus for the next six years.   Uranus speaks to change.  There are practical changes lurking out there in the mundane world that will need to be changed between now and 2026 when Uranus leaves Taurus.  Each year during the Taurus cycle we have an opportunity to make practical changes that when nurtured will present enriching results down the road.  Things that are airy fairy, fly by night, is not interesting in Taurus.  We want change that is real, we want it solid, we understand slow growth and investing in something long term.  We are not seeking ‘overnight success’ we want to be measured.      

On this new moon chart, the Moon and Sun form a lovely sextile to Neptune and a trine to Pluto.  We consider changes as we tap into our values.  It could be subtle, a trip to a neighborhood park makes us realize we want a move to a more verdant leafy green neighborhood.   Or a meal at a friend’s house makes us want to host our own quiet dinners and nurture friendships that we may have neglected.   The chart is free from heavy aspects and suggests this 29-day cycle is not that we have to suffer a great loss to tap our values, it is just that our senses are more pronounced during this quieter Taurus cycle.   Metaphorically, it is as if our toes are wiggling around, getting grounded in our values.  

Pluto the planet of evolution is always calling for something to morph and Neptune reminds us that there is a place for practical dreams and hope as we build our new realities.   There is a willingness in us during this cycle for these changes.  

A few hours after the launch of the new moon Mars in Cancer forms a square with Chiron in Aries.   Mars aspects are quick and move fast and Chiron is a planetoid, smaller than a planet so this is not a huge aspect, but it does give a patina to the day.  There could be a crankiness around feelings, family, emotions and home that conflicts with healing our desire to be independent and take care of self needs.  It’s not the end of the world aspect, it is more about giving us a process where we can tap Taurus’s ability to get quiet and ponder a long-term action plan that will ultimately provide a solution.   The last time we had this square was May in 2019 but it was not on the new moon.  This time let’s use the Taurus new moon to ponder real practical solutions for more independence and support for self.  

The Taurus new moon launches in the season of eclipses.  On 5/19 Venus will conjunct the north node in Gemini (the nodes are responsible for eclipses) sending a message about areas that may need some fresh thinking and need some fresh air and fun.     Use the Taurus lunar month to consider how to make the most of the eclipses in a practical manner.   

Saturn 

May 23, 2021

 2:18am PDT   

Saturn station retrograde (13 Aquarius 31)

October 10, 2021

7:17pm PDT  

Saturn station direct  (6 Aquarius 53) 

Saturn retrogrades every year  for about four/five months.   Saturn is the planet of responsibilities and takes over two years in a sign.  Once it leaves a sign it will not return to it for about twenty-eight years.  Saturn can do quite a number when it is in a sign and usually is easy to identify by its action.  

For example,  Saturn the planet of restrictions, moved into Aquarius the sign of community in 2020 right when the world went into lock down and everyone was sent home to live their lives.   Aquarius also rules technology and certainly Saturn made  sure we all knew the importance of  Zoom.   Saturn returned to Capricorn last summer during that retrograde then re-entered  Aquarius in December for the long haul.   On this retrograde it will stay in the one sign and move from 13 degrees to 6 degrees of Aquarius.  

Retrograde Saturn provides an opportunity to slow down and fix the areas of the sign that need fixing.  In this case it speaks to community, groups, group thinking, like minded concepts and innovation.    It is interesting that this retrograde is happening as the USA turns a corner and people are venturing out of their homes.   Aquarius is how we all connect.   How we connect with our tribes and people whom we feel sympatico.    Saturn retrograde in Aquarius may suggest that the life we lead before Covid needs more fine tuning.   Perhaps, prior to Covid we felt that we didn’t need community or a tribe.  We had little focus beyond our partner or our family or our work but now we see that approach is perhaps too limiting of a lifestyle?   Or maybe we were too identified with a tribe or group and now during the retrograde we realize we are no longer in sync with those values.  Remember we will not get Saturn in Aquarius again until 2050 so a lot of these kinks in our community need to get worked on during this retrograde and when it returns to direction motion before Saturn moves into Pisces in 2023. 

Technological issues will be in the news especially as we head towards the second round of Saturn square Uranus on June 14.  Once Saturn turns retrograde the tension will build between the traditional  (Saturn) and innovative (Uranus).  Cracks will appear that speak to a need for a practical change (Uranus in Taurus). Weaknesses in society (Saturn in Aquarius) get our attention.   Personally, this drama is impacting the houses where we have Taurus and Aquarius on some level but of course people with planets between 7-14 degrees of fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) are really feeling the aspect.  They may feel over worked, have too many responsibilities and a general feeling of ‘blah’ or maybe depression.   The antidote to depression is of course, ‘action’.  Being active in charity or community activities, even simple actions like volunteering at a bake sale or cleaning a river with a group can help take the edge off any negative energy so can 12 step meetings.   Saturn will leave Aquarius in early 2023 and many people who feel the grind now will be surprised by how much they accomplish by 2023.  

The Saturn retrograde will wrap up on October 10 and while it will not be a whole new world by the time we get there, we will have new insights as to what we feel and what we are doing with our tribes and community between now and then.   Again, hanging out in our values this cycle for the launch of Saturn retrograde will be informative.  

Mercury Retrograde

May 29, 2021

3:34pm  PDT

Important dates 

May 14 – Mercury shadow 

May 29 – Mercury station retrograde (24 Gemini 43)@3:34pm PDT

June 22 – Mercury station direct (16 Gemini 08) @3:00pm PDT 

July 07 – Mercury shadow ends 

If I was a gambling person (and I am not) I would bet the house that this retrograde will be so full of miscommunication, broken technology and gossip that even the most scientific, ‘astrology is hogwash’ person will say, “OMG is Mercury retrograde?”  

Why bet the house on this retrograde?  The retrograde launches between the lunar eclipse on May 26 and solar eclipse on June 10^th.  Both eclipses involve Gemini which is ruled by Mercury.    On May 22, (a few days before the retrograde launch), Mercury gets into a tangle up with Neptune and then does another round on June 5.  If fuzzy thinking could be on steroids, we should consider the fuzz pumping up between May 22 and June 5.    Thinking, ideas and communication will not be easy.  We should prepare for things that seemed so clear one minute to just melt into fuzz in front of us.   Then add the usual bumps and grinds of  retrograde and you get a tougher than usual Mercury retrograde.     During this three-week period, we should ask:

How is my thinking and communication accurate?  What am I saying?   What is behind my thinking?  Am I being given accurate information?  What is the other person saying?   Is whatever I am being told matching the facts on the ground?   This is not an excuse to get paranoid by the way and assume everyone is lying and ‘screwing you over’, ah, no.   It is more about processing the data and adapting.   Our ability to pivot our thinking is important.  Survival of the fittest involves adaptation and the lunar eclipse on May 26 pits our big opinions against the facts.   Is our strident opinion matching the facts as they are now?  Then at the  solar eclipse on June 10^th we are reminded again that it is important to figure out what is really going on and where do we need to pivot?  This eclipse season reminds us that if we are too rigid in our thinking, we risk getting stuck and we can find the world leaving us behind on some level.   Use this Mercury retrograde to highlight some small adaptations that could serve you in the long haul.   Also do not be afraid to ask for help in a technological hurdle that has needed your attention.   This is how we adapt.  We are practical about asking for help.  

The last time Mercury retrograded in Gemini was 2015 and there may be a call back to that period during these three weeks.  The last time we had Gemini eclipses was May/June of 2002 and 2003 which may also be called back during this period.   

As always DOUBLE check any date or plans and paperwork.   Some people will be traveling and will be purchasing tickets, make sure everything is accurate even if you are ‘sure’ it is, double check.    Computers, technology breaks come with the territory.  If you can wait until Mercury station direct to replace anything broken, great but if you can’t buy the good warranty.  

Of course, more to the point this Mercury retrograde is about our thinking, if we have any rusty thoughts that aren’t serving, we’ll know soon enough.    Do yourself a favor, don’t personalize anything just unplug your brain realize any mistakes and take care of it later.  

Psst. One last thing, go on a gossip diet.   Stay away from peeps that rely on gossip to connect, turn off social media that indulges in gossip as well.    You’re welcome.  

Jupiter enters Pisces 

May 13, 2021

3:36pm PDT 

While the moon is still in the new phase Jupiter leaves Aquarius for Pisces.   The pattern for Jupiter is that it spends about a year in a sign but at some point, in that year it leaves the sign goes into the next sign for a few degrees and then retrogrades back into the sign it is primarily doing its work then eventually it will return to the new sign again.   So, in this case: 

December 19, 2020 Jupiter enter Aquarius 

May 13, 2021 Jupiter enters Pisces 

June 20, 2021 Jupiter station retrograde 2 degrees Pisces 11

July 28, 2021 Jupiter reinters Aquarius 

October 17, 2021 Jupiter station direct 22 Aquarius 20 

December 29, 2021 Jupiter returns to Pisces 

The two -month window of Jupiter in Pisces is a window into what next year will bring when it spends the long haul in Pisces in 2022.   Pisces is spiritual, metaphysical, it is the last sign of the zodiac and it reminds us that there is something bigger out there than our humanness.  It is by its nature an expansive sign, as big as the universe but also intimate because it dissolves barriers between human beings either built by us personally or by society.   Jupiter will not doubt welcome its journey into Pisces for two reasons.  One Jupiter used to rule Pisces before Neptune was discovered and therefore is comfortable in the unworldliness of Pisces.  “Hey, Pisces you are a big expansive sign, and I am the biggest planet in the zodiac, I get you!”   The other reason why it will welcome this two-month trip in Pisces is that it does not have to share the sign with Saturn who has been squelching Jupiter for the last couple of years.  Remember, in 2020 Jupiter and Saturn were both in Capricorn then last December Jupiter entered Aquarius but two days before Saturn entered Aquarius.   The master planner in the universe has been clipping Jupiter’s wings for the last couple years by making sure Saturn was his roommate. But now for two months Jupiter gets to fly solo in Pisces.   We should find some good energy out of this transit, some reconnecting to faith and being moved by the goodness of humans.   Our creativity and inner mystic can be pronounced.   There could be a lot of synchronistic moments and events in our lives that have us going, “Hmmm? That’s curious, I was just thinking/talking/reading/watching etc on that exact thing”.      In late July, Jupiter will return to Aquarius and rejoin his taskmaster roommate Saturn but by then Jupiter will have a buoyancy having refilled his reason-for-being during his time in Pisces.  His joy and abundance may rub off on Saturn, which could be helpful.   

On May 21^st we get the first planetary aspect to interact with Jupiter in Pisces when the Sun barely in Gemini forms a square with Jupiter.   On some level, logical thinking will be defied, and communication will be fuzzy, and it is worth noting this is before the Mercury retrograde.  Perhaps giving us a taste to what is coming.   In this case, Jupiter in Pisces has the stronger hand reminding us there is power in prayer and meditation and when we reflect and get quiet, we can  find any answer.  In June Venus in Cancer will form some nice trines with Jupiter again reminding us of the goodness out there if we tap into it. 

In conclusion,

In conclusion, this 29- day Taurus lunar cycle has a lot of opportunities to build something good and embrace the power of slow growth.  We can double down on long term plays.   There is a season for everything and now we take the time to enjoy nature, wiggle toes in sand or grass, find our creature comforts and what we value.  Any confusion that comes with the Mercury retrograde can be viewed as road signs to where we need to make adjustments.   There is nothing so huge that can’t be fixed if we take a moment and tap into our value system and slow down.  

I leave you with this story.  My family and I will periodically foster kittens.   It usually involves me driving to a shelter and getting the kitten (who was about to be euthanized), I put the kitten in the carrier which can be stressful and there are some protest mews in the car ride, which is usually long due to traffic.   Then when we get home, my first order of business is to set up the kitten in the bathroom on cozy towels with food and water.   The kitten will usually eat and drink and then take the longest nap, maybe 22 hours out of 24 hours.   At some point on the second or third day the kitten sort of ‘gets it’, it being, ‘I’m safe.”   Then it will slowly introduce kitten behaviors which are playing with toys, meowing, telling us what it needs and having us run around making sure he or she is good.   This to me matches the story of the first three signs. During Aries we are out there risking much to survive, in Taurus we slow down and seek nurturance . Then in Gemini we explore, play and talk.     May you find your warm towel and nurturance during Taurus cycle and I’ll meet you in Gemini for some playtime.    Mew. 

During the month check out my blog 

http://tracyastrosalon.blogspot.com

Please note all times Pacific 

The 8 phases

Taurus  New Moon 

21 Taurus 17

May 11, 2021  

11:59am PDT 

New moon: Plant seeds, make calls, activate, start projects.   Activate something that will ideally lead you to more.  This is the phase where INTENT is critical.  Even if the results are not immediate, the intent is there.  You may not have all the answers or road map, but you should put out your Intent.

This focus:     Where do you need to slow down?  How are you nurturing yourself?    Where do you need to plan for slow growth?  How are your values finding your attention?   What can you build upon slowly that will generate results way down the road?  How are you being practical?   

Special note:

5/11:  Mars Square Chiron.   Family, feelings, home versus independence goals for self (see above)  

5/12: Mercury trine Saturn:  Solid thinking and communication.

5/13: Jupiter enter Pisces (See above) 

Crescent Moon Phase

May 15,  2021

10:17 Pm  PDT  

Crescent:  We will receive information, we will research a bit more, perhaps get feedback on stuff that we planted on new.  Perhaps get some information that will help down the road on a seed we planted a while ago.  We can collect some data now.  Even if you think you are not getting information, stop, and re-look at everything.  Who called you?  Even the silliest things, when they come up during Crescent are note worthy.  A parking tickets.  An argument with a spouse?  A refund check from the phone company?  All of it needs to be considered a message from the universe.  How can this information help you?

Focus on: What are learning from your family?  What are you learning about your roots?  What are you learning about your home?  How does all this information speak to your value system?   What is valuable?  What is not?  What changes are you making?  Where are you double downing?  

Special Focus

5/17: Sun trine Pluto.  Changes that are practical makes sense and opportunities toward transformation present themselves. 

5/17: Venus conjunction North Node – (see above) 

First Quarter Moon 

May 19, 2021 

12:12pm 

First quarter: We do more actions based on the information that we just received. Or we feel our instincts guide us on something.  We pursue again.  We make another call, or we see someone. We mail something.  We stir the pot again.  This can be a time when we realize that the goals, we planted on New need more action from us, perhaps actions that involve breaking away.   Are there people who say they have our best interest in heart but fear us growing away from them?  Maybe we need to get help from others not the usual suspects.  Some independence may need to be exerted. 

Focus on:  What actions are you taking that are born from strength?   What actions are you taking that speak to creativity?   What actions are you taking that are bold and energetic?   Where are you being a big shot?  How can you run a victory lap on something you have accomplished?  Go for it. 

Special Note

5/19: Venus trine Saturn.  Love, money and creativity are supported.  Structures of help come from love and appreciation.  

5/20: Sun enters Gemini 

5/21: Sun square Jupiter.  Logic and reason sometimes need to be suspended as we remember something is bigger than us out there. Watch for synchronistic events.  

5/22: Mercury Square Neptune.  Fuzzy thinking, facts get fuzzy, thoughts dissolve.   We get this aspect twice.  

Gibbous Moon

May 22, 2021

11:29pm 

Gibbous:

We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, and we organize to be ‘Virgo’ like.  We sort through details.  Have we missed something?  How are we sifting through the information?  Go back and make sure something hasn’t been neglected.  Refine our actions.  

Focus on:  How are you sorting your schedule? 

Special focus

5/23: Saturn retrograde at 13 Aquarius 31 (see above)

Full Moon Phase –  

Lunar Eclipse 

May 26

4:13am PDT  

Full Moon:  We make the needed adjustments on the things we planted. Usually, emotions are up and running and for those people who perhaps did not utilize the new moon and the rest of the waxing moon, this is when emotions can get the better of us.  There can often be a big emotional break, for no other reason than to get back on track.   Some partnership will offer up some balance.  The moon is bright and full and there is no room for shadows, what is reflecting on you?  

Focus on:  

How are belief systems and language influencing your thinking?  Are you holding on to an old belief that is no longer relevant?  Are you gullible to other people’s thinking and language?   What is new thinking?  What is gossip?   

Special focus 

5/27: Venus square Neptune.  Love and money and creativity are fuzzy.   Watch the spending.   Watch the indulgence because of ‘love’. 

5/28: Venus conjunction Mercury.   Thinking about values is paramount.  Speaking about values is paramount.  

Disseminating

May 29, 2021   

10:07am PDT  

Disseminating: Share information; find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full and one feels in need of support and help, this is the phase to reach out to one who knows more. This is when we find a rabbi or a minister or therapist who gives us more insight.   And of course, you too may be ready to teach and share your own information.  

Focus on:  How are you  sharing your executive skills?  How are you sharing your business acumen?  How are you sharing your ability to navigate responsibilities?   

Special focus:

5/29: Mercury station retrograde 24 Capricorn 43 (see above)

5/30: Mars trine Neptune.  Actions based on faith and trust.   Humanitarian actions. 

5/31: Sun conjunction North Node.   Focus on adaptability.   Focus on the power of pivoting.   What is coming up that your old way either doing or thinking just no longer makes sense. 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

June 2, 2021

12:24 am. 

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living “The serenity prayer” 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

Focus on:

How are your values getting shored up by your faith?  How are your values informed by your humanitarian nature?  What actions are you taking that ask you to give up control and let the universe guide you?   

Special focus 

6/2  Venus enters Cancer 

6/2  Venus trine Jupiter.  Joy and spirit are in sync.   

6/5 Mercury square Neptune (again)

6/5: Mars oppose Pluto.    Emotional actions that need real transformational changes.  Family and career are accented.  

Balsamic Moon Phase

June 6 

12:25 am PDT      

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new.  

Focus on How are you letting go being stuck?  How are you letting go of rigidity? 

Gemini New Moon June 10, 2021 3:52am am PDT 19 Gemini 49 – Solar Eclipse