April 25th ~ May 2nd

I am the one whose praise echoes on high. I adorn all the earth. I am the breeze that nurtures all things green. I encourage blossoms to flourish with ripening fruits. I am led by the spirit to feed the purest streams. I am the rain coming from the dew that causes the grasses to laugh with the joy of life. I am the yearning for good. ~ Hildegard of Bingen

On April 21st, 2025, Pope Francis left this mortal coil and passed over into the great beyond. This was on the same day that Saturn (spiritual leaders) made its exact conjunction to the true North Node in Pisces. This is a transit that represents a time of great karmic significance. And so this humble priest made his way home at this uniquely pivotal moment. They will soon be choosing another spiritual leader to the Catholic church. Know also that choices made at these times have important consequences. Neptune has just recently entered Aries. This will be followed by Saturn in May, beginning a new spiritual cycle. I envision the new Pope to be something of a spiritual warrior, hopefully willing to carry the torch into the coming era, showing us what it truly means to do God’s work. This is such a crucial time for humanity as a whole, and we will need as much guidance as possible to lead us through the liminal passes ahead.

This week Uranus will sextile the North Node, opening up our awareness to new possibilities: We don’t have to keep doing things the way we always have in the Past. There are alternatives. Like a door opening, we are being ushered into another era, another place, that has, as of yet, never been experienced before. And so, here we all are on the threshold of the next leg of our journey.

On May 4th, Pluto will make its retrograde station at 3º Aquarius 49’. But before it does so, it will first make the last of 3 oppositions to Mars, now in Leo. Oppositions tell us of impending conflict, where powerful forces are coming head to head. This too could look like the fall from grace of a powerful leader, but of a different sort from the passing of a much loved spiritual leader. Mars in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius, looks like the sort of arrogance that can turn on a dime and bring people to their knees. This is weather in which it becomes obvious when and if we underestimate our opponent. 

Mars can also serve as a catalyst, showing us the difference between the positive vs. the negative expressions of Pluto in Aquarius. Pluto in Aquarius goes south when it tries to emulate Leo, its opposite sign, and through this same arrogance loses sight of its mission: the expression of the interdependence of all of humanity, and the reliance on that interdependence to sustain a well-ordered and fully functional system. Ignore that, and the system will fail.

The Mars/Pluto opposition occurs just one day before the New Moon at 7º Taurus 47’, a Super Moon, meaning that the New Moon occurs when the Moon is at the closest point in its orbit to the Earth. We will not see the Moon, but we will see it demonstrated in the tides and affairs of mankind,  as well as on the Earth, our Mother. She too fully depends on a well-ordered and fully functional ecosystem in order to sustain us all. Interdependence comes in many forms, and is the fundamental axiom of the sign of Aquarius. And it will not, and cannot be denied. It simply must be. 

And so the Super Moon stands in the cross hairs of the Mars/Pluto opposition, creating a t-square. Not exact, but exact enough. T-squares create stress, with an over-riding desire to correct that stress, to restore the sacred balance of giving and receiving. Following up on the Last Quarter Moon, which was bringing closure, New Moons, such as the one on April 27th, are about New Beginnings. 

Taurus is a sign of peace, a sign of the natural world, firm and solid beneath our feet, sustaining, supporting, and holding us. It does not falter. Even under extraordinary conditions. Even when it rocks and roils. It only does so to correct, and restore its own natural equilibrium. And so must we also on occasions have to rock and roll to restore our own stasis, security and safety. 

On May 1st we celebrate Beltane in mid-Taurus. One of the fixed cross quarters of the year. A time of celebration for the earth, the greatness of her beauty, and the richness of her potential. And so too is the New Moon a time of potential. In this case the potential for all things gloriously Taurus, which includes things like restoring the natural rhythm and balance of our lives. And so we may all ask ourselves: 

• Are there things that I need to release or let go of in order to have greater peace and stability? 
• Where am I doing too much? In what ways can I better simplify my life? 
• What are my true priorities? Who are those people, experiences or things I most value?
• What are my greatest strengths and talents, and how can I use these most effectively?
• In what ways, and where do I want to channel my precious time, resources and energy?

Then think of the myriad of ways that you can bring that much needed Taurus into your own life. Just before writing this, I sat in the back of my local pocket park, in the middle of a busy week, in very busy New York City, and indulged myself with a brief moment of solace. Surrounded by the tulips planted by neighbors, the soft sound of the birds in the trees, and the Spring Sun warming my face and my heart, I thought, this is what peace feels like. 

The New Moon in Taurus is our opportunity to make the right sorts of decisions based on our true priorities. It is a Moon we can use to ground ourselves, to create greater ballast and security. New life. New growth. New seeds of potential can arise out of the New Moon in Taurus. 

The New Moon, which is indeed also a Super Moon at 7º Taurus 47’, occurs on Sunday, April 27th at 3:30 pm here in New York City (12:30 pm Pacific Time; and 8:30 pm in the United Kingdom). If you would like to make affirmations, or sow intentions with the New Moon in Taurus, do so after the New Moon, but before the Crescent Moon on April 30th, in order to take full advantage of the potential contained within the New Moon phase. Some possible affirmations or intentions to sow with the New Moon might be: 

• May I find my own sacred space that will bring me that profound feeling of inner peace and serenity.
• May I walk with music and beauty in my heart. 
• May I achieve my potential by allowing the creative spirit to move through me, using my voice, my hands, my gifts, to reach beyond my previous limitations. 
• I am worthy of the bounty that the natural world has to offer. 
• I want to see myself spending more time enjoying those things that bring me happiness, joy, and peace.
• May I discover the joy of giving and receiving with an open heart. 

Please dear mother Earth, Help me to stand firm on my own two feet, Drawing on the solid earth below me, Help me to know the constancy of your strength, the power that is you, oh dear mother earth, Help me to walk with the blood of rivers in my veins, and the dark crumbling soil of earth in my flesh, Let my muscles be strong as the tree trunks that rise up out of your belly, To dance in the sky and sing praises to the life all around, Beating, pulsing, rich and full, with your sweet sure energy. Oh dear mother earth, Live in this body today. ~ Stephanie Kaza

For the New Moon in Taurus for your sign (or natal house if you know it), click below:

HOROSCOPES

Image: CrystalWind.ca