Week 20: May 2023, Week 3 - The Week Ahead Horoscope
Jupiter enters Taurus, where it will stay for an entire year, until May 2024. Along with it is a New Moon in Taurus, bringing major new beginnings. Mars enters Leo & the Sun enters Gemini
Weekly Graphic
Monday, May 15th
[3:55 AM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Aries
[7:41 PM ET] The Moon in Aries square Venus at 09º05’ Cancer
On Monday, the Moon will enter Aries, moving into a tropical sign. When the Moon is transiting through tropical signs, events happen quickly, fast, and are initiated. The Moon in Aries shows newness, action, bravery, and the beginning part of the Martian experience. Some ancient astrologers note Mars as the screams of childbirth which is connected to Aries, but Mars ruling Scorpio also brings in connotations of death and endings. The burst of life that happens under Aries is felt when the Moon ingresses in the morning. It is disruptive, abrupt, and sudden, as Mars is, however things may feel challenging due to a square to Venus. There is a neutralizing effect to the clash between Fire and Water elements today in the sky. Fire has heat and it energies and inflames, while Venus in the tropical waters of Cancer cools and moistens. The Moon making an aspect to a benefic does bring pleasure, relaxation, but through feeling lethargic, tired, and lacking energy since the Aries Moon demands action, but there is a pull from Venus to rest and soothe, kind of putting out the fire. Lubricating what is dry. The square shows there is challenges, but they can be overcome through swift action and “just doing it”. You don’t need to think too much about it today, you just need to feel when the time is right. This square will take place later in the day, and after it separates the Moon won’t connect with any other planets for a full day. The Moon is kind of void at this point in Aries since it cannot witness anything in this sign. The Moon is alone in the sign of Mars, fitting.
Something interesting will happen at this point in the sky because the Moon is currently in a sign-based conjunction with Jupiter who is at 29º Aries, however, before their conjunction occurs Jupiter will enter Taurus tomorrow and then Jupiter and the Moon will be in a sign-based aversion from each other. The hope and optimism, liberation, and freedom that the moon is seeking isn’t achieved in this sign, the situation of whatever the circumstances are in Aries suddenly, abruptly, and swiftly change as Jupiter changes signs, and instead of Jupiter, the Moon’s next aspect is a square to Mars… yikes
Tuesday, May 16th
[1:20 PM ET] INGRESS: Jupiter enters Taurus
Tuesday is probably one of the most notable days in 2023 because Jupiter changes signs. Astrologers are always curious to see when Jupiter changes signs because while it is visibly bright and wandering, it does so slowly taking 11.86≈12 years to revolve around the Sun from the perspective of Earth. Every 12 months, Jupiter changes signs, and in a more short term of the long term perspective, its a significant change that defines the year. Jupiter and Saturn are both planets to pay attention to especially in mundane or world astrology, because they move so slow, but their representations are key to society and human life. Abu Ma’shar opens the first part and first chapter of his Book on Religions and Dynasties saying a prelude that introduces the nature of the division of the spheres into 3.
“Saturn, is the indication for matters of Beginnings like religions, dynasties, and whatever lasts for a long time, since it is like the beginning for the other celestial bodies in terms of height. Related to the planet following it in order, i.e. to Jupiter, is the indication for laws and the like, which are the culminations in perfection for the other things which are preliminary and initiatory. Related to the third of these plan- ets in order, i.e. to Mars, is the indication for wars, strifes, and the like, being, as it were, the decline to the final ends of things, because the ends of things indicate destruction of their orderly arrangements after their perfection, and corruption of their regularity.”
- Abu Ma’shar, Book on Religions and Dynasties, Part 1, Chapter 1.7, translation Keiji Yamamoto and Charles Burnett
He the exterior planets Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars together because they move slower than the Sun, and when we think about the Solar System from the perspective of Earth, those are the 3 visible planets who’s spheres are higher than Earth’s, while Venus and Mercury are interior planets who we must observe while looking inwards into the Sun. Saturn is religions and what last for a long period of time, while Jupiter is the organization of law and signifies judges, courts, and jurisprudence. The motions of Jupiter in the sky have a lot to say about what the law, the code of conduct, and moral/ethical standard is in the world. Jupiter is concerned with how life is ordered. Jupiter brings people together, creates gatherings and brings organization. Jupiter signifies philosophy and how one’s religion or faith orders one’s life. Jupiter is the social obligations we have to each other to build community because we do not live individually. Jupiter includes and encompasses all. As Jupiter changes signs, we shift and change in our philosophy, beliefs, perspective, and worldview.
Some things to note about this transit. Jupiter doesn’t really like the Earth Signs. Part of this comes from Jupiter’s elemental nature and how it doesn’t mesh with the Earth Signs. Jupiter is a Hot and Wet planet. It is primarily hot in its quality, but it is temperate. The temperate heat and moisture are linked to the spring time and the Sanguine temperament which Jupiter has affinity with. The heat of Jupiter gives it an expanding quality. Heat expands the shape and form of things, loosens them up, the way fire loosens metal. The wetness of Jupiter gives fluidity, adaptability, moisture, and an ability to bind things together. Wetness has a connective and binding quality. I would argue this is the antithesis to what Taurus’ element makeup looks like. Taurus is an Earth Sign, which is comprised of the qualities of cold and dry. These are antithetical qualities to Jupiter’s nature. The coldness of Taurus brings an influence that is more contracting, inert, and pulls inwards, while the dryness brings abrasiveness, friction, and rigidity in the situation. This is a Jupiter who is operating with less extraverted energy, and is much more retained in its expression. Additionally, being that it takes on the dry qualities, it is firming and solidifying, the same way that clay dries out and becomes brittle and solid. Jupiter is more buoyant and expansive when it is supported by sign, sect, and hemisphere, since its predominate quality is heat, however the cold of Taurus inhibits Jupiter. Jupiter has this same challenge in both Virgo and Capricorn because those are the signs of its Exile (Virgo) and Depression (Capricorn), so Jupiter is said to be outcasted, estranged, and being deprived of support in these signs. Jupiter doesn’t have that same relationship with Taurus, but it does not do well in 2/3 Earth signs. The Sun has this similar relationship to the Air signs. Jupiter in an Earth sign is forced to be more pragmatic, realistic, and grounded in belief, action, and philosophy. What cannot be ignored is the material, and usually Jupiter is not super concerned with what is physical or tangible but what can be experiential and is spiritual. Jupiter entering Taurus is not like the other Earth signs though, because this is the Spring quadrant, which Jupiter’s nature is similar to being Sanguine. Jupiter will enter into the Spring’s Fixed sign, which stabilizes, solidifies, and fixes Jupiter’s beliefs, morals, and perspective. This is a time of firming and stabilizing with the influence of Jupiter. It brings things that are long lasting, enduring, and slow to change in this sign. Expect to feel the firming nature of Jupiter strongly over the next year.
Aside from the elemental quality, Jupiter will now be ruled by the planet Venus, and this is definitely a much needed shift from the past year of Jupiter in Aries. While Jupiter does have dignity by being in the sign of its triplicity by night, it is still ruled by Mars, who transgresses the law, corrupts oaths, and creates competition and strife. While Jupiter in Aries can bring lots of urgency and audacity, Jupiter in Taurus is more calm, slow, and steady. We go from the active and initiating influence of Mars, to the slowing, stabilizing, and harmonic quality of Venus. The influence of Venus is to harmonize things together, unify, and smoothen. Venus is also a planet signifying justice, fairness, and morals in the same way Jupiter does. They both have the objective to make people happy. When there is justice (Venus) there can be peace (Venus). The themes of justice, freedom, and peace are all benefic thoughts, and their principles are to bring people’s spirits together. Taurus is known for it strong moral fixity with the combination of the influence of the Moon and Jupiter. The Moon represents intimacy, privacy, and closeness and Venus brings people into this private, intimate, space through the mutual love and wanting to help each other. Jupiter is an affirming planet, but together the Moon and Venus are very discerning in this sign and not afraid to cut through the bullshit, so to speak. The influence of Jupiter in this sign urges us to think more about the considerations and compassion we have for each other, community, and those close to us, how to help out and uplift others. The Venusian influence works slow to stabilize our comfort, but also bring liberation, freedom, and support to those represented by Taurus, such as women, entertainers, laborers, and farmers. Jupiter’s influence and the way it promotes its inclusive, freedom-loving, and generous nature is through love, through spreading love, through acceptance, an abundance of dancing, drinks, and entertainment— Jupiter expands all of what Venus provides in the luscious environment of Taurus. This means also, for the next year, Venus will be responsible for deciding how law gets shaped and created, whereas Mars emphasized transgression while Jupiter is transiting through Aries, the power of Venus emphasizes the consideration and care we have for others and the world around us. Pay attention to how Venus’ motion effects Jupiter, especially in July.
Jupiter will also be able to witness Saturn in Pisces for the first time since Saturn entered this sign in March 2023. Saturn in Pisces has a whole plethora of indications that we’ve talked about in the past, and will mention more as we get closer to the connection, but its interaction with its domicile lord, Jupiter is very significant due to reception, but also the fact that its the first aspect both planets have made to each other since the Grand Conjunction on Dec 21st, 2020 when they conjoined at 0º Aquarius. Since then, they haven’t seen or witnessed each other in the zodiac (briefly in Aquarius/Aries but not an exact aspect), so some of the major changes that Grand Conjunction indicates are starting to open up and reveal themselves. This conjunction’s effects will last for roughly 240 years in the long term, but in the short term, the next 20 years. Their meeting in June will determine a lot of what goes on with between government, law, and courts— all Saturn/Jupiter things. We’ll examine this more as June rolls around the corner.
In Natal Astrology, it is important to examine where Taurus rules in your chart, because it will show what topics and themes will have limitations around them removed, liberated, and finding more roads opening.
Abu Ma’shar notes that Jupiter in Taurus, in world astrology, indicates
If it is parallel with the sign of Taurus, this indicates death occurring to the viziers and nobles, and a large amount of piety and dignity among the people; that sometimes pains in the eyes occur to them, together with a scarcity of birds; […] If it is eastern, it indicates abundant rain. If it is western, it indicates the death of some women of the kings and some of the aged among the nobles, together with the excessive wetness of the air. If it is retrograde, it indicates the agitation of their enemies against the kings.
- Abu Ma’shar, Book on Religions and Dynasties, Part 5, Chapter 2.5, translation Keiji Yamamoto and Charles Burnett
Wednesday, May 17th
[5:09 AM ET] The Moon in Aries square Mars at 28º08’ Cancer
[8:27 AM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Taurus
[8:47 AM ET] The Moon conjoins Jupiter at 00º11’ Taurus
[3:35 PM ET] The Moon conjoins the North Node at 04º00’ Taurus
[7:26 PM ET] The Moon conjoins Mercury at 06º09’ Taurus
[7:57 PM ET] The Moon in Taurus sextile Saturn at 06º26’ Pisces
On Wednesday, the Moon in Aries will make a square to Mars in Cancer early in the morning ET. This square is disruptive, volatile, and confrontational. The Moon in Aries brings lots of energy and action and as it makes a square to a planet who it’s exchanging signs with right now (Mars in Cancer), it brings physical harm, violence, sudden disruptions, quickness towards anger and irritation. It is advised not to engage in conflict, as Mars in Cancer is often an indicator of spilled blood. Be careful of hot or boiling liquids too. Things start of cranky and irritable at first, but then things should chill out as the Moon enters Taurus. There is a stabilizing and grounding influence to this sign, and immediately upon ingress, the Moon conjoins Jupiter. This is definitely an auspicious conjunction and sign of good news coming to the part of your chart that Taurus rules. The Moon conjoining Jupiter signifies joy, practice of faith, liberation, freedom from bonds and what is heavy, inclusion, and acceptance. The Moon in her exaltation visiting Jupiter brings good fortune, which can be physically or materially manifested. The Moon also brings important news as it crosses a conjunction to Mercury who recently stationed Direct in the sky. The Moon is crossing through all the major changes that have just gone down in the part of the sky, and as it continues to move through the sign, it will move into the heart of the Sun for the New Moon in Taurus on Friday. Themes of comfort, leisure, feeling tired, wanting rest, massages, physical pleasure and sensation are all heightened with the North Node in Taurus, amplifying this need and desire. The Moon will make a sextile to Saturn which slows down the day even more, introducing minor delays, but Saturn in the 11th sign from the Moon offers friendship to make things long lasting and enduring today. Exercising restraint and abiding limitations can work in your favor today. Saturn brings a stop to our energy at the end of the day after we have exhausted all the North Node has drained from us.
Thursday, May 18th
[5:18 AM ET] The Moon in Taurus sextile Venus at 11º39’ Cancer
On Thursday, as the Moon continues to move through Cancer, there is a VERY nice case of mutual reception where the Moon will be in her exaltation and exchanging signs with Venus in Cancer, in her triplicity and the Moon’s sign. They are both in a sextile to each other, which shows seeking out others love and friendship. This is probably one of the best case scenarios for reception and good vibes between planets. Both dignified, helping each other out, and in reception. This connection is really supportive for seeking out peace, harmony, unity, it is auspicious for love, for love-making, for creating art, for releasing creative and artistic projects, and for doing all things related to Venus. Venus and the Moon together work to provide us with lots of blessings, good news, and harmony in our lives after Jupiter has just freshly ingressed into Taurus. This will be the only aspect the Moon makes today, which keeps the ride smooth sailing. Enjoy the astro-weather break for today. It is the equivalent of clear-skies and breezy weather.
Friday, May 19th
(2:39 AM ET) Mercury in Taurus sextile Saturn at 6º30’ Pisces
[11:53 AM ET] LUNATION: New Moon at 28º25’ Taurus
[1:50 PM ET] The Moon in Taurus sextile Mars at 29º29’ Cancer
[2:47 PM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Gemini
On Friday, the Moon will enter into the beams of the Sun, entering the Dark Moon Phase where she is invisible in the sky due to the proximity to the Sun. The conjunction to the Sun signifies a loss and decrease of energy as the Moon completely looses her light. It is good to retreat, do things in private, to conceal one’s actions, and to remain hidden. We will start regaining energy as the Moon separates from the Sun and starts moving out the beams, especially as it makes a sextile to Mars. It is really interesting because this lunation is very closely sextile Mars, which adds a disruptive and abrupt feel to Friday, feeling feisty, confrontational, and irritable. There is more energy that the Moon starts to pick up especially as it enters Gemini. When the Moon is waxing, up until it hits the square to the Sun, it is in its Hot + Wet phase, and while the Moon is in an Air sign (like Gemini), it gains another Hot and Wet quality today, making this Gemini Moon EXTRA talkative, EXTRA social, and EXTRA quirky. Lots of jokes, conversation, and things to be talked about as the Moon enters into an Air sign in the middle of the day ET. The chatty nature of Hermes influences much dialogue and discussion today.
On another note, in the background of the day, Mercury will be making a sextile to Saturn today. This has been an interesting station for Hermes because, while Venus came in and offered support, to alleviate the harshness, limitations, and burdens Saturn brings holding us in place. However, there is more serious, restrictive, and burdensome news that occurs today, major decisions made by leaders and authority figures since the Moon will come into contact with the Sun. Mercury will start to move past those limitations as it separates from a sextile to Saturn and continues to move through Taurus as a Morning star, fortified with energy, persistence, and endurance in Fixed Taurus.
Saturday, May 20th
[2:57 AM ET] The Moon in Gemini square Saturn at 06º33’ Pisces
[11:31 AM ET] INGRESS: Mars enters Leo
The nature of the weekend starts to change as the Moon in Gemini will encounter a harsh square from Saturn in Pisces early in the day. While we may feel more of the impulse to be chatty and conversational on Friday, there is more of a restrictive influence that Saturn brings us going into the weekend. Saturn makes us very aware of the limitations, burdens, what blocks us, and prevents us from moving forward, specifically in our speech, with access to information, news, and education. This tension between the Moon and Saturn can also bring a lot of melancholy, sadness, and sorrow. The Moon is in a Mutable sign which can show frequent fluctuations of the mind, since this is a Mercury ruled sign. The mind may bounce back and forth between energetic, youthful, and vibrant to being dull, depressing, and damper.
On the same day as this Moon/Saturn square takes place, Mars will finally change signs and enter Leo. This week is honestly PACKED with sign ingresses and this is our 2nd out of 4 consecutive changes. Mars enters into a Fire Sign, which brings lots of heat, choler, and dryness into our realm. Mars’ nature is to be fiery since it is also hot and dry, so there is some affinity Mars has with being in this sign. Mars however is the corrupting influence of Fire, while the Sun is the generating influence. Mars can cause burning, actual fires, too much dryness and heat. Beware of physical fires, excess heat, and irritation that results from it. Mars will be in this sign until July 10th, 2023 and there is QUITE a story it has with Venus here. A lot of the major action in 2023 happens under this Mars in Leo transit, since Mars will square Jupiter in Taurus next week, sextile the Sun in Gemini, and almost make a conjunction with Venus in Leo. Mars in Leo is the contesting of willpower and egos. All that was frustrated and humiliated in Cancer becomes more open and loud acts of disruption in Leo. Mars shows the cycles of war and the cycles of violence in the world, and whereas Mars in the water signs indicate spilled blood, Mars in Fire signs indicates burning, all out conflict, and violence. Mars becomes emboldened to challenge and contest willpower in this sign, especially since it moves out of its Fall. This is a big shift for Mars compared to the condition its been in since late March, having its energy frustrated and weakened by the coldness and wetness of Cancer. Mars can now exude its fire, loud, bright, and fixed Mars is more decisive, quick, emboldened, and even arrogant. The shift of Mars and Jupiter this week is very loud, since they change signs every so often. The shift from Mars in the Water signs to the Fire Signs is always loud and abrupt. Take a look at the house where Leo rules in your chart to get a sense of where there may be more new disruptions, confrontation, call to action, contesting of willpower, and open conflict.
Sunday, May 21st
[3:09 AM ET] INGRESS: The Sun enters Gemini
[11:28 PM ET] INGRESS: The Moon enters Cancer
On Sunday, both of the luminaries will change signs as the Sun enters Gemini early in the morning. The Sun moves into the Mercurial territory of Gemini, where it is witty, inquisitive, curious, and seeking knowledge. The Sun will move out of the same sign as the North Node, which calms down the exaggerations of the Sun, but it will now encounter a square to Saturn in Pisces next week. This can bring Gemini Season with a much more serious tone, as Saturn again reminds us of the harsh blockages, restrictions, and burdens that overcome us and predominate our mind. This will be the theme every time planets pass through Gemini for the next 2 years, they will all receive an overcoming square to Saturn in Pisces. To me, this is significant of the war on education, failures and lies in journalism, defunding libraries, the violence of banning books, and curriculum in colleges. The tension between rulers and elders is signified this Gemini Season. Additionally, the Sun will also be able to witness Mars in Leo, which brings an energizing, combative, and confrontational component that starts off this Gemini Season before the Saturnian influence can kick in. Words hurt, and you may feel bold to say what on your mind, just make sure that if you can’t take the heat, don’t stay in the kitchen.
On the other hand, the Moon will enter Cancer, returning to its home sign. This is a fortune configuration, because while the Gemini Moon could’ve brought more pessimism, depth of thought, wandering of the mind, and frequent fluctuations the Cancer Moon helps to soothe our nerves, anxieties, and calls us to relax. The theme of this week is very much relax, take it slow, and be persistent. Focus on how to care not just for yourself, but for those around you too. The Moon will be witnessing Venus by a whole sign conjunction, and will move closer to her as we go into next week. Today, the Moon gets us in touch with our feelings, maybe a little bit sad since Saturn is within the trine, but giving us space to release and physically feel what we feel instead of talking it out.
Honestly, made me feel a lot better about the week. Thank you 🙏🏼
I am loving this week's writeup so much! Also, love the translation of Abu Ma’shar's "Book on Religions and Dynasties" ~ thanks Max!