On April 27th, the New Moon occurred in Taurus, bringing a fresh start to our lives and a need to take charge when making ourselves feel more secure and comfortable. This New Moon affects us as we begin the month of May. It’s a time for reevaluating our relationship with money and possessions to discover what we truly value and genuinely makes us happy and fulfilled. We should concentrate on what we can do to increase our self-worth and simplify our lives.
This is a time for reconnecting with nature, to our bodies, and our senses. Creative ways of seeing, using, and approaching our personal possessions, valuables, money, and talents are in focus. This lunation has a lot of healing potential.
On May 1st, Uranus forms a sextile with the North Node and brings us life lessons that open our minds to change, progress, and innovation. We attract people or lessons into our lives that encourage us to detach from traditions or conventions that are limiting our growth. We might connect with people or groups with shared visions.
On May 4th, Pluto stations and turns retrograde, and Pluto’s intense and complex energy hangs heavy in the air in the days surrounding this event. Now until October 13th when the retrograde ends, we may be reassessing how we use our power. We are not as open or direct about our desire for control or power, and some of us may be less in touch with it.
On May 12th, a Full Moon occurs in Scorpio, bringing sudden awareness to areas of our lives areas that need more balance. We are challenged to face what we need to let go of so we can move on in a healthier way, as well as the responsibilities and debts we have to others. This Full Moon reminds us of the need to consider, recognize, and appreciate the support, contribution, needs, wants, and input of others. We are excited about making changes, but there can be some impulsivity or abruptness with our revelations with the Sun coming to a conjunction to Uranus.
With Jupiter sextile Chiron on May 18th, our attempts to broaden our horizons through furthering our education, activities, and spirituality, contribute to our personal growth. This subtly uplifting time brings us the opportunity to free ourselves from restrictive and negative attitudes that have been undermining our progress. We are especially open to learning from others and are better able to help others understand our point of view. We might open our minds to different perspectives and philosophies. We are absorbing and sharing what we’ve learned from past experiences and mistakes.
With Jupiter square the True North Node, also on May 18th, however, we tend to attract life lessons, and our philosophies or worldview stand out in comparison to current thought or opinion. We can frequently find ourselves at odds over our viewpoints or moral values now. Tensions are possible as we are going against the grain and our behaviors may seem to pull us away from personal growth or development. Watch for overindulgence, neglecting details and facts, and unnecessary arguments.
Saturn enters Aries on May 24th, and we may experience frustration when pursuing our individual goals. We can feel uncomfortable with big shows of individuality or me-centered behavior while Saturn is in Aries. However, this period also presents a unique opportunity for personal growth. As we learn to balance our individual needs with collective responsibilities, we can overcome our discomfort.
On May 26th, a New Moon occurs in Gemini, prompting a new beginning, particularly with our communications and our mentality. By tuning in to positive Gemini energy, we can learn through others simply by being curious, and we can improve our social and communication skills at the same time. We open our minds to information and we learn to truly enjoy the different personalities around us.
This lunation aligns with Mercury and harmonizes with Pluto, and the desire for more communication and understanding, motivating new beginnings. It can be a pleasantly intense time.
Beltane
Beltane is a Celtic fire festival celebrated on May 1st, marking the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It honors fertility, passion, abundance, and the return of the Sun’s full power, making it a joyful, high-energy celebration of life, growth, and connection.
The name “Bel” refers to the Celtic sun god Belenus, and “tane” means fire — so Beltane roughly translates to “bright fire” or “Bel’s fire.” The festival welcomes summer and honors the union of masculine and feminine energies in nature, often symbolized as the union of the God and Goddess.
Bonfires are central to Beltane. People would jump the flames or walk between twin fires for protection, purification, and fertility. Maypole dancing is a communal dance weaving ribbons around a pole to symbolize the sacred union and balance of energies. Flowers & greenery, especially hawthorn, rowan, and primrose decorate homes and people to invite nature spirits and blessings. Handfasting, temporary or permanent marriages and unions often took place during Beltane.
Fire & Fertility, both literal and symbolic, ignite creativity, passion, love, and new beginnings. This is a powerful time to set intentions for abundance, growth, and transformation. The veil between worlds is thin (like at Samhain), so offerings are made to the fairies or spirits.
A simple Beltane Ritual:
You’ll need:
A candle (red, orange, or white)
Fresh flowers or greenery
A bowl of water (optional)
Paper and pen
Something to represent your passion (a crystal, item, or symbol)
Step 1: Create a Sacred Space. Find a quiet place, indoors or outdoors. Arrange your candle in the center, surrounded by flowers or greens. Place your symbol of passion or creativity nearby. If outdoors, you might gather around a small fire pit or just sit with nature.
Step 2: Light your candle (or fire), and say:
“I welcome the fire of Beltane — the spark of passion, growth, and abundance.” Feel the warmth and visualize it igniting your inner desires and dreams.
Step 3: Set Your Intentions. On your paper, write one or more things you want to grow this season (e.g. love, creative projects, confidence, health, connection). Speak them aloud, affirming. You could say, “As the earth blooms, so do I. As the sun rises higher, so does my spirit.” You can pass the paper briefly over the flame (safely!) to charge it, then bury it under a flower or tree, or keep it on your altar.
Step 4: Offer Gratitude. Sprinkle water around the space or give a small offering to nature (like flower petals, herbs, or honey). Thank the energies of Beltane, nature spirits, and your inner fire. “Blessings to the earth, the fire, and all that blooms.”
You can also dance, sing, or drum as movement is powerful on Beltane! Create or walk a flower mandala. If with a partner, you can celebrate sacred connection through handfasting or shared intention setting.
