May is full of intense flavor and promise. Feast your eyes on colorful tulips. Inhale the intoxicating scent of gardens growing everywhere. Enjoy a stolen moment outside, after a rainfall. Listen to the earth sing in all her glory. This is the month to delight in your senses. Beauty is all around you. Are you looking?

The astrology of May is no different.

We’ll start the month off with Saturn, the planet of hard work and discipline, turning direct again in Virgo on the 2nd. On the same day Mercury, the planet of communication, enters Gemini, a sign he rules. This puts all of us in a clear zone to move forward with career related plans and negotiations. Be sure to act in the next three weeks before Mercury turns retrograde on the 26th. More on that later…

A New Moon in Taurus on the 5th is beyond spectacular! In fact, there’s nothing but good news attached to this lunation since she’s conjunct Venus and trine Jupiter – the two planets in astrology known for gifts. Be sure to read your individual forecast to see how you might benefit.

On May 9th the cosmic sky is ready to be seen and heard. Mars, the planet of action makes his debut in fiery Leo. After an unusually long stay in Cancer, Mars will be so much more comfortable using his assertive powers now. Our energy levels are changing focus. Your individual forecast will tell you where and how.

On May 9th we have another astrological event to take note of. Jupiter, the planet of abundance, will turn retrograde in the sign Capricorn. Although it will seem as though rewards are delayed, you can rest assured that Jupiter’s nap will not be in vain. This is a time to prioritize your ideals and philosophy concerning your ambitions. You’ll find yourself reflecting deeply over your life purpose and direction. Over the next few months you’ll prepare for the final hurrah of glory that’s sure to come in the house Jupiter is now transiting in your chart.

A Full Moon in Scorpio on May 19th will be especially powerful. It’s the second Full Moon in Scorpio over the last two months – an unusual phenomenon. This suggest everlasting changes being finalized in a specific area if life for you. You’ve let go of something and although it hurt, this lunation is the one to make you understand how necessary that loss really was.

On the 24th Venus, the planet of love, beauty and money, enters the sign Gemini. The gifts of this planet changing signs will be explored through each sign in the individual forecasts.

Finally, on the 26th two planets turn retrograde. Neptune, the planet that knows no limits or boundaries, is one. This will place you in a six month phase of being more introspective about your intuitive and creative side. Not everyone feels an outer planet retrograde strongly however, and I’m not one to believe it has a great amount of weight on our psyches. The second planet that turns retrograde on this day is far more important. Good old Mercury.

From the 26th until June 19th the planet of communication is retrograde which means this isn’t going to be a favorable time to sign any contracts, make new negotiations or begin new projects. Remember, astrology is all about cycles and timing. This knowledge is meant to empower you, never intimidate you. If you’ve started the ball rolling on a major project before the retrograde, it’s fine to push ahead with plans during this time. Just realize there will be delays and you’ll need extra patience. There is likely to be miscommunication all around. People misunderstand conversations and miss important points.

Always remember however, that Mercury retrograde periods are fabulous for going back to any work or projects you have already started. Tasks such as editing or renovating are favored. It’s time to revisit what’s been done before.

With all this dazzling cosmic weather, you’ll want to know how it lights up your personal world. Be sure to read your monthly forecast for both your Sun sign and Ascendant, or rising sign, in order to gain the greatest perspective on what’s in store. The Ascendant is the sign placed right on the 1st house cusp of your birth chart.

If you don’t know your rising sign, you can get a copy of your birth chart right here at InsightfulAstrology! You must know the time of birth in order to obtain your accurate rising sign however. Print out this chart and refer back to it often as you read your forecasts each month.

Happy May everyone!

~Maria