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The study of the stars and our connection with them goes back thousands of years. In philosophy, mysticism, science, indigenous culture, religion, or earlier civilizations, the idea that we are one with nature has been part of our understanding of what it means to be human for as long as we know. Ancient cultures understood that by observing nature, we observe ourselves.

Mercury retrograde ends this week in space, bringing lightness and clarity. As Mercury moves direct in Taurus, the New Moon and Jupiter in the same earth sign also herald blessings. This week is an opening, an opportunity, a new beginning, and a welcome to another chapter.

Direct Mercury in Taurus

Mercury began its retrograde in Taurus on April 21st and will go direct on May 15th. During this retrograde, there was an invitation to examine our relationship with the slow and steady, our values, our sense of security, and our self-worth. It was a time of reflection, restructuring, revision and recommitment. It was a sacred pause that allows us to integrate our journey up to this time.

Retrogrades invite greater understanding, perspective and self-awareness. They welcome wisdom and deeper self-knowledge. They do this so that when we begin to move forward, we can do so with greater clarity, intention, and purpose.

As Mercury stations direct in Taurus, allow your perspective to be refreshed. What did this sacred pause reveal to you? What entered your mind? What have you noticed that you are questioning or revising?

As Mercury moves forward, we also feel forward movement within ourselves. This is our invitation to take physical action on whatever we’ve been rethinking in our thoughts.

Jupiter enters Taurus

For the first time in 12 years, on May 16, Jupiter will enter the sign of Taurus, ushering in a new one-year phase in our lives.

There is a current that Jupiter brings, like a river downstream that carries us leisurely into bliss and abundance, sustaining us with wisdom and bounty every moment along the way. When we say yes to this planet’s invitation, doors open, ease is revealed, and our dreams come true.

Taurus is a fixed earth sign. It is grounding and stabilizing, connected to the natural and material world and moves at a patient, persistent and steady pace. Taurus is here to create lasting beauty and fall in love with the entire journey around this creation.

Jupiter spent the last 12 months in Aries where we were invited to nurture new ideas, take bold steps and initiate action. As it moves into Taurus, where it will remain until May 2024, the focus shifts from planting ideas to nurturing them. What do your dreams need to thrive? What environment should be cultivated for long flowering?

As Jupiter moves from Aries to Taurus, the pace slows and becomes more steady. Over the past 12 months, we have received the sparks of Aries passion to initiate ideas that have been in our hearts. Now we propose to make them real. While Aries exists in potential and ideas, Taurus grounds and physically forms. When Jupiter is in Taurus, we are gifted with commitment and perseverance. What have you decided to pour this energy into? What is ready to become a reality?

When we dance with Taurus, we also enter the realm of finances, skills, and values. This is a great time to take stock of your current state and attitude toward your finances and your long-term goals. If there is a skill, career, study or qualification that has called your name, stepping into it during this annual transit is like stepping into the lower reaches of a river and following it.

New Moon in Taurus

The eclipse season in April and May was filled with transformations, releases and changes. By our first lunar day after the eclipse, we will be treading new lands. The May 19th New Moon is a confluence of planets, energies, and invitations to support the exploration and cultivation of the land we have arrived on.

As the Moon begins its new cycle in the grounded sign of Taurus, we are invited to new beginnings, clarity, stability, slow and committed movement, and consistent formation of our desires. As an earth sign, Taurus is rooted in our reality. He wants to feel, see, touch, smell and hear your desires. He wants to be present in the lived experience of your imagination, purpose, ideas and dreams.

This New Moon is an open door for you to experience your life on purpose.

Mars enters Leo

A day after the new moon on May 20, Mars will move into the sign of Leo, where it will stay until July 10.

Mars is our warrior planet. It symbolizes our passion and aspiration, motivation and strength. It is the fire that propels us forward in the direction that calls our name, prompting us to move toward our goals, to take the steps, and to make the changes that we know we need.

Leo is a creative, courageous, enthusiastic and expressive sign. It is royal, proud, determined and loyal. Also a fire sign, he moves and creates with passion, putting his whole heart into every endeavor. As with all planets, the fire of Mars is expressed with ease and support in some signs of the zodiac, and more difficult in others. When it is in Leo, there is compatibility, synergy, excitement and mutual support. Both Mars and Leo are here to express and create, to search and confidently follow your dreams.

While Mars is in Leo for the next seven weeks, we are invited to take the initiative, to put our heart, energy, time and passion into whatever moves us forward, and to be bold in our expression, creativity, pleasure and life.

Your invitation

This week opens the door. He welcomes you to new territory. This encourages the change, transformation, realignment and revision that has been taking place in recent weeks and months to take hold under you and anchor in your reality. There is an element of support in space, filled with whispers of encouragement, guidance, growth and enthusiasm.

As Mercury stations direct, Jupiter enters Taurus, and the New Moon greets you, there is an invitation to achieve clarity, clarity, consistency, and stability around who you are, what you value, and what you want to build in your life—and start living from that clarity .

And when Mars enters the sign of Leo, you get a rush of excitement, drive, and extreme passion to throw yourself wholeheartedly into any endeavor that calls your name. May this week fill you with purpose, remind you of your worth, welcome you as you step deeper into yourself, and invite you to new beginnings.

Learn more about how astrology affects your life, including astrological events, moon cycles, your Sun and Moon and rising signs, how journaling can help you connect with current influences, and more with Jordan Marie at Girl and her Moon .

About our contributor

Jordan Marie is the founder of Girl and Her Moon, a platform and community that explores the soul through the lens of astrology, tarot, and energy healing. She is an author, intuitive astrologer, energy and soul guide, and host of Girl and Her Moon, The Podcast. She inspires herself every day to be a mirror for you to see all that you really are, you in all your infinite capacity, in full expansion, in infinite possibility and love.