May 2023 comes with our first lunar eclipse for 2023 in watery Scorpio and a soothing new moon in grounded Taurus!
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What is a New Moon?
A new moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact same position in the Zodiac (called a conjunction). New moons are related to beginnings, have high energy, and are enthusiastic.
What is a Lunar Eclipse?
A full moon occurs when the transit (moving) Sun and Moon are in the exact opposite positions in the Zodiac (called an opposition). Full moons are related to endings, culminations, and are emotional energy. Lunar eclipses occur when a full moon is within 18 1/2 degrees of the Lunar Nodes (the points in the Moon's orbit where the Moon crosses the ecliptic).
Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio: May 5th 2023 (1:34PM ET/10:34AM PT)
Our first lunar eclipse for 2023 comes to us May 5th in Scorpio, an intense water sign. Scorpio full moons can be full of intense emotional energy, and that's even more the case with a Scorpio lunar eclipse. We feel everything so deeply, and are impacted by everything on another level. We have little patience for superficiality, and we want to get to the heart of matters.
We may focus on issues that are taboo, or that we normally shy away from. We can be willing to face hard realities, and this can stir up lots of emotion, but it can also help us find solutions. We can be willing to transform, and this may be difficult, but we can do the difficult stuff now.
This eclipse comes a few days after the natural ruler of Scorpio, Pluto, turns retrograde (appears to move backward) on May 1st in Aquarius. Pluto is freshly in Aquarius, and we're dealing with a whole new Pluto cycle.
Pluto retrograde is one of the few positive retrogrades as it gives us a chance to adjust to the massive transformations we've experienced with Pluto. This may be even more true with this round since Pluto is fresh in a new sign and this has come with some massive changes.
We may be looking backward with this eclipse, and reflecting on what has come to pass. We can gain more insights and understanding, and this can help inform what we want to work on next.
This is the last eclipse in Scorpio for this eclipse set. Eclipses occur in sets of opposing signs, and we've been in a Taurus-Scorpio eclipse set. We're now moving to an Aries-Libra eclipse set, and moving from security and stability and resources to focusing on connections with ourselves and others and being more active.
With this being the last Scorpio eclipse, we may see some major wrapping up in some way. Lunar eclipses are times of endings and culminations anyway, but that be extra with this eclipse. We can get things done that we've needed done, release something holding us back, and finally feel ready to move on. This can be a lot of help with all of the new energy that's swirling around.
This lunar eclipse is widely opposite transit (moving) Uranus in Taurus and Mercury retrograde in Taurus. Uranus is the planet of the sudden and unexpected, so the opposition to Uranus may show we experience some sudden, unexpected developments with this eclipse. Something may change quite rapidly, and we have to adjust on the fly. Something may happen that impacts a wide swath of people, and we need to be flexible in how to fix it.
Being flexible is extra important with the opposition to the Mercury retrograde in Taurus, which is pretty fixed, stuck energy. We're so frustrated thanks to the Mercury retrograde, and we may lash out with the intense emotions of this eclipse, but that's not the right way to handle it. Have healthy outlets for frustrations before this even starts to avoid that.
In the world, we may see extra violence (especially that creates a lot of property damage), weather may be extra wonky (of course, the climate is just getting crazier and crazier), and I don't like the energy for the economy (more bad news for banks? Taurus and Scorpio are money rulers sooooo, and I could see the Taurus new moon coupled with Jupiter entering Taurus showing governments and regulators stepping in to "rescue", hmm).
The lunar eclipse occurs at 14 degrees 58 minutes Scorpio. Aspects to the lunar eclipse are:
Conjunction: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Scorpio
Semisextile: 12 degrees 58 minutes - 16 degrees 58 minutes Libra or Sagittarius
Sextile: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Virgo or Capricorn
Square: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Leo or Aquarius
Trine: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Cancer or Pisces
Quincunx: 12 degrees 58 minutes - 16 degrees 58 minutes Aries or Gemini
Opposition: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Taurus
We may focus on issues that are taboo, or that we normally shy away from. We can be willing to face hard realities, and this can stir up lots of emotion, but it can also help us find solutions. We can be willing to transform, and this may be difficult, but we can do the difficult stuff now.
This eclipse comes a few days after the natural ruler of Scorpio, Pluto, turns retrograde (appears to move backward) on May 1st in Aquarius. Pluto is freshly in Aquarius, and we're dealing with a whole new Pluto cycle.
Pluto retrograde is one of the few positive retrogrades as it gives us a chance to adjust to the massive transformations we've experienced with Pluto. This may be even more true with this round since Pluto is fresh in a new sign and this has come with some massive changes.
We may be looking backward with this eclipse, and reflecting on what has come to pass. We can gain more insights and understanding, and this can help inform what we want to work on next.
This is the last eclipse in Scorpio for this eclipse set. Eclipses occur in sets of opposing signs, and we've been in a Taurus-Scorpio eclipse set. We're now moving to an Aries-Libra eclipse set, and moving from security and stability and resources to focusing on connections with ourselves and others and being more active.
With this being the last Scorpio eclipse, we may see some major wrapping up in some way. Lunar eclipses are times of endings and culminations anyway, but that be extra with this eclipse. We can get things done that we've needed done, release something holding us back, and finally feel ready to move on. This can be a lot of help with all of the new energy that's swirling around.
This lunar eclipse is widely opposite transit (moving) Uranus in Taurus and Mercury retrograde in Taurus. Uranus is the planet of the sudden and unexpected, so the opposition to Uranus may show we experience some sudden, unexpected developments with this eclipse. Something may change quite rapidly, and we have to adjust on the fly. Something may happen that impacts a wide swath of people, and we need to be flexible in how to fix it.
Being flexible is extra important with the opposition to the Mercury retrograde in Taurus, which is pretty fixed, stuck energy. We're so frustrated thanks to the Mercury retrograde, and we may lash out with the intense emotions of this eclipse, but that's not the right way to handle it. Have healthy outlets for frustrations before this even starts to avoid that.
In the world, we may see extra violence (especially that creates a lot of property damage), weather may be extra wonky (of course, the climate is just getting crazier and crazier), and I don't like the energy for the economy (more bad news for banks? Taurus and Scorpio are money rulers sooooo, and I could see the Taurus new moon coupled with Jupiter entering Taurus showing governments and regulators stepping in to "rescue", hmm).
The lunar eclipse occurs at 14 degrees 58 minutes Scorpio. Aspects to the lunar eclipse are:
Conjunction: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Scorpio
Semisextile: 12 degrees 58 minutes - 16 degrees 58 minutes Libra or Sagittarius
Sextile: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Virgo or Capricorn
Square: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Leo or Aquarius
Trine: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Cancer or Pisces
Quincunx: 12 degrees 58 minutes - 16 degrees 58 minutes Aries or Gemini
Opposition: 9 degrees 58 minutes - 19 degrees 58 minutes Taurus
New Moon in Taurus: May 19th 2023 (11:54AM ET/8:54AM PT)
We have a new moon in Taurus coming out of Eclipse Season, and this may feel quite refreshing as a result. This Eclipse Season is so full of intense high energy that some calming, grounding Taurus can be welcome!
Taurus new moons are great for grounding, reconnecting with the moment, and taking our time with decisions and actions. Not too much time though, since there is a lot we're working on coming out of those eclipses!
Taurus is the sign of stability and security, and we can focus on pursuing opportunities to improve stability in chaotic areas and stability where we've been uncertain. This can improve our confidence levels, and we can finally feel like we have a grip on things.
Jupiter moves into Taurus just a few days before this new moon on May 16th, and Jupiter is the happy planet of opportunities, so there may be some big opportunities around this new moon. They may be opportunities for improved stability and security; somehow impacting money, resources, or property; or that somehow connect to values/worth.
This new moon is sextile (beneficial aspect, two signs away) transit Mars in Cancer and Neptune in Pisces. This is extra helpful energy along with Jupiter, so we're feeling pretty good with this new moon. We can have control over our energy and drive thanks to Mars, and make use of imagination, creativity, compassion, and intuition thanks to Neptune.
The new moon occurs at 28 degree 25 minutes Taurus. The aspects to the new moon are:
Conjunction: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Taurus
Sextile: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Cancer or Pisces
Square: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Leo or Aquarius
Trine: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Virgo or Capricorn
Opposition: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes minutes Scorpio
Suggested Reading: The New & Full Moons page for general interpretations by house and aspect
Taurus new moons are great for grounding, reconnecting with the moment, and taking our time with decisions and actions. Not too much time though, since there is a lot we're working on coming out of those eclipses!
Taurus is the sign of stability and security, and we can focus on pursuing opportunities to improve stability in chaotic areas and stability where we've been uncertain. This can improve our confidence levels, and we can finally feel like we have a grip on things.
Jupiter moves into Taurus just a few days before this new moon on May 16th, and Jupiter is the happy planet of opportunities, so there may be some big opportunities around this new moon. They may be opportunities for improved stability and security; somehow impacting money, resources, or property; or that somehow connect to values/worth.
This new moon is sextile (beneficial aspect, two signs away) transit Mars in Cancer and Neptune in Pisces. This is extra helpful energy along with Jupiter, so we're feeling pretty good with this new moon. We can have control over our energy and drive thanks to Mars, and make use of imagination, creativity, compassion, and intuition thanks to Neptune.
The new moon occurs at 28 degree 25 minutes Taurus. The aspects to the new moon are:
Conjunction: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Taurus
Sextile: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Cancer or Pisces
Square: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Leo or Aquarius
Trine: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes Virgo or Capricorn
Opposition: 26 degrees 25 minutes - 29 degrees 59 minutes minutes Scorpio
Suggested Reading: The New & Full Moons page for general interpretations by house and aspect
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