Astrological Overview for May 2024 – navigating the planetary shenanigans
In the astrological overview for May 2024, we explore the planetary storms and take the temperature of current aspect patterns. Although May appears relatively calm compared to previous months, we are left to deal with the aftermath of earlier transits.
May 1, 2024:
- Venus Square Pluto
May begins with Venus, the planet of love and beauty, in the steadfast sign of Taurus, in a tense square aspect to Pluto, the planet of transformation, in innovative Aquarius. This alignment stirs the depths of our emotions, revealing hidden desires, power struggles, and unresolved relationship issues. It urges us to confront the shadow and to delve deep into the underlying dynamics. As uncomfortable as it may be, we must talk about things swept under the rug and face painful truths with courage and honesty.
May 2, 2024:
- Moon Enters Pisces
- Pluto in Aquarius turns retrograde
The Moon glides into empathic Pisces and can now connect with the Venus/Pluto current on a deep level. But beware, the Moon in Pisces is prone to sob stories. Taking a spiritual perspective lets us see beyond the black-and-white picture. Use creativity and intuition to problem-solve.
Pluto has entered its retrograde phase, sliding back through the early degrees of Aquarius and into Capricorn for the last time. The events of recent months have given us a taste of the incoming changes that will dominate the next 20 years. If you want to read up on it, see this article about Pluto entering Aquarius.
May 3, 2024:
- Mars in Aries Sextile Pluto in Aquarius
- Sun in Taurus Semi-Square Neptune in Pisces
Mars forms a harmonious sextile with Pluto, empowering us with determination and resilience to pursue our goals. Meanwhile, the Sun’s semi-square to Neptune calls for discernment amidst illusions and deceptions. Maintaining a sense of reality protects us from getting the wool pulled over our eyes, even at the risk of being deemed inflexible.
May 4, 2024:
- Moon Enters Aries
With the Moon entering Aries, enthusiasm, passion, and courage spark a desire for action. Be bold and tackle challenges head-on.
May 5, 2024:
- Sun in Taurus Semi-Sextile North Node in Aries
The Sun forms a minor aspect with the North Node, hardly strong enough to notice. But it reveals a potential that can guide us towards our destined path if we pay attention. Listen carefully for any new opportunities.
May 6, 2024:
- Moon Enters Taurus
- Saturn in Pisces Semi-square Pluto in Aquarius
As the Moon moves into earthy Taurus, we seek stability, security and sensory pleasures. But, Saturn and Pluto are at odds, threatening Taurean comforts. Confinement, frustration, or delays bring unconscious emotions to the surface. Structural issues need to be addressed before we can find a way forward. Those red flags probably hail from the past but trigger reactions to current events. Check where they originate from, and whether they are relevant or appropriate to the here and now. If possible, let them go; get rid of them. If suppressed, the resistance will only grow stronger.
May 7, 2024:
- Mercury Conjunct Chiron in Aries
- Sun in Taurus Sextile Saturn in Pisces
Mercury’s conjunction with Chiron offers opportunities for healing. Healing is a process of acceptance and letting go. Much easier said than done. Meanwhile, the Sun’s sextile to Saturn signals a willingness to learn from experiences and take self-responsibility.
May 8, 2024:
- New Moon in Taurus
- Moon Enters Gemini
The New Moon in Taurus signifies germination and the need to nurture nascent beginnings. In passing, the Moon aggravates the emotional aspect of the Uranus/Jupiter conjunction before flitting into a fidgety Gemini, sparking restlessness and curiosity. Seek novelty and connect with peers. It only takes one spark to trigger a cascade of new discoveries.
May 9, 2024:
- Mercury in Aries Semi-Sextile Uranus in Taurus
Mercury’s alignment with Uranus ignites unconventional or even revolutionary ideas and possibilities.
May 11, 2024:
- Moon Enters Cancer
- Mars in Aries Semi-Square Uranus in Taurus
- Venus and Sun in Taurus Semi-Sextile Chiron in Aries
- Venus in Taurus Semi-Sextile North Node in Aries
The Moon enters Cancer, displaying a more sensitive side. The semi-square between Mars and Uranus may trigger a sore spot. Venus and the Sun align with Chiron, and Venus forms a feeble aspect with the North Node. In our hearts, we know what must be done, but we may not yet be ready for the challenge.
May 13, 2024:
- Moon Enters Leo
- Mercury in Aries Semi-Sextile Jupiter in Taurus
- Sun Conjunct Uranus in Taurus
- Venus in Taurus Sextile Saturn in Pisces
In Leo, the Moon thrives on creativity and playfulness, Mercury’s semi-sextile with Jupiter kindles optimism, and the Sun’s conjunction with Uranus could bring unexpected turns or insights. To see things from a different angle opens up a whole new world. The sextile between Venus and Saturn encourages commitment in social and personal interactions.
May 15, 2024:
- Moon Enters Virgo
- Mercury in Aries Semi-Sextile Neptune in Pisces
- Mercury Enters Taurus
In analytical Virgo, the Moon pays attention to detail – an excellent influence for getting nitty-gritty stuff out of the way. Mercury throws a semi-sextile towards Neptune just before he enters Taurus. If he catches some of Neptune’s inspirational drift, it can now be planted in Taurus to make it real.
May 16, 2024:
- Venus in Taurus Semi-Sextile Chiron in Aries
Venus forms a semi-sextile with Chiron, creating an opening for understanding, acceptance, and reconciliation – if inertia can be overcome.
May 17, 2024:
- Mercury in Taurus Square Pluto in Aquarius
- Mars in Aries Semi-square Jupiter in Taurus
Mercury’s square with retrograde Pluto in Aquarius digs down deep. It smacks of scandal and secrets that may now be exposed. Mars’ semi-square to Jupiter signals overconfidence and impulsivity, ingredients that could spell trouble.
May 18, 2024:
- Moon Enters Libra
- Mercury in Taurus Semi-square Saturn in Pisces
- Venus Conjunct Uranus in Taurus
- Sun Conjunct Jupiter in Taurus
The Moon in Libra likes harmony, balance, and diplomacy, but they are often hard-won. Mercury in Taurus shows the consequences of yesterday’s troublesome aspects as it semi-squares Saturn. Choose your words responsibly and think before you speak.
Venus’ conjunction with Uranus brings unpredictability, which can be spicy or troublesome. But the Sun’s conjunction with Jupiter suggests an open mind and sights set on distant horizons.
May 19, 2024:
- Sun Sextile Neptune
The Sun’s harmonious aspect to Neptune might create some fuzzy warmth or somewhat altered perceptions. Connect with your higher self and tap into your spirituality and imagination.
May 20, 2024:
- Moon Enters Scorpio
- Mars Conjunct North Node in Aries
- Sun Enters Gemini
- Sun Semi-Square North Node and Mars in Aries
The Moon enters Scorpio, adding to the emotional intensity. Mars’ conjunction with the North Node turns the wheel of destiny. The Sun’s entry into Gemini changes the tune. Gemini loves mind games, playing tricks and making fun. But these games can be a form of deflection. As it changes signs, the Sun forms a semi-square with Mars and the North Node. Different worldviews can lead to misunderstanding and conflict. Beware of the culture wars. They will shape the world we create.
May 21, 2024
- Moon square Pluto
- Moon opposite Mercury
There are no major aspects on this day, but the lunar aspects suggest it will be a moody and/or bristly day.
May 22:
- Sun Trine Pluto
Facing the unknown can be daunting, but the Sun’s trine to Pluto motivates us to muster the resilience necessary to do whatever is needed to grow.
May 23:
- Venus in Aries Sextile Neptune in Pisces
- Moon Enters Sagittarius
- Full Moon in Sagittarius
- Venus in Taurus Semi-Square North Node
- Venus conjunct Jupiter in Taurus
- Venus Enters Gemini
- Jupiter in Taurus Sextile Neptune in Pisces
The Full Moon rises in Sagittarius – a call to adventure, or at least, to expand our horizons and try something new and exciting. This may be the most romantic Full Moon of the year! Venus conjuncts Jupiter in Taurus and sextiles Neptune in Pisces, if we are open to chance encounters. Her meeting with Jupiter may open doors and present some unexpected opportunities. The sextile to Neptune conjures romance or spiritual connection. Or, it may come as a creative gift, a kiss of the muse.
Venus moves on into flirtatious Gemini, where she is playful and curious but can be insincere and change her mind on a dime. Jupiter’s sextile to Neptune inspires us to dream big, keep our faith, and trust the universe’s abundance and guidance.
May 24:
- Jupiter in Taurus Semi-Square North Node in Aries
- Mars in Aries Semi-Sextile Saturn in Pisces
Small but irritating stumbling blocs can strengthen our resolve. Jupiter is following in Venus tracks forming a semi-square to the North Node on his way into Gemini. Align your beliefs and actions with your most worthy goals and trust the process. The soul knows which way it wants to grow. We just have to get out of our way. Mars semi-sextile to Saturn supports this process with a structured action plan, patience and perseverance.
May 25:
- Moon Enters Capricorn
- Venus in Gemini Trine Pluto(R) in Aquarius
- Mercury in Taurus Semi-Sextile North Node in Aries
- Mercury in Taurus Semi-Square Neptune in Pisces
- Jupiter Enters Gemini
The Moon enters pragmatic Capricorn, letting us contemplate our fanciful ideas in more practical, down-to-earth terms. We know where we want to go. But how are we going to get there? Focus on long-term goals but also consider current responsibilities and obligations before making big decisions. Break things down into manageable steps or buddy up with an accountability partner, if it helps you stay on track.
Venus trine Pluto indicates that sharing aspects of ourselves that normally remain hidden, can deepen a sense of emotional connection. Sharing our wounds is the key to authenticity and connection. Mercury’s semi-sextile to the North Node underlines this message, but its semi-square to Neptune signals the pitfall of self-deception. Carefully discern fact from fiction and, don’t let Neptune pull his fuzzy seaweed over your eyes. Jupiter’s entry into Gemini on this eventful Full Moon signals a shift in gears. During this transit, which lasts about a year, tall tales will abound.
May 27:
- Moon Enters Aquarius
- Sun in Gemini Semi-Square Chiron
The Moon moves into quirky Aquarius, shifting the focus to social issues. We are social beings, but we must also preserve our sense of individuality and independence. The Sun’s semi-square to Chiron scratches old sores and brings awareness to those wounds and vulnerabilities. This can be uncomfortable but points to where healing work needs to be done.
May 28:
- Mercury in Taurus Sextile Saturn in Pisces
Mercury’s sextile to Saturn amplifies focus and helps us to plan, organise and create a strategy, or to make a formal announcement.
May 29:
- Venus in Taurus Semi-Square Mars in Aries
- Venus in Taurus Semi-Square Chiron in Aries
- Mars Conjunct Chiron in Aries
The aspect patterns of the day have been building over the past week. Now they hit the spot. Venus’ tense aspects with Mars and Chiron highlight tensions that need a resolution. This, like all aspects, can apply to personal or geopolitical issues. Navigating the knife-edge between peace and conflict is always risky, but without justice, there will not be lasting peace. Mars conjunct Chiron makes the issue acute.
May 30:
- Moon Enters Pisces
- Mercury in Taurus Semi-Sextile Chiron in Aries
- Mercury in Taurus Semi-Sextile Mars in Aries
The Moon is moving into Pisces and Mercury semi-sextiles Chiron and Mars. Empathy is the key to conflict resolution.
May 31:
- Mercury Conjunct Uranus in Taurus
The month ends with a bang. Mercury’s conjunction with Uranus sparks unconventional thinking that may lead to unexpected insights and breakthroughs. We are entering new territory and must be open to solving old problems with new approaches instead of repeating old strategies that have never worked in the past, and probably won’t work in the current situation.
