The end of the month brings a Mercury retrograde, but until then the chatty sign of Venus will have us hungry for more versatility in our daily lives. Watch out for gossip, though!
Grace McGrade is an intuitive astrologer and priestess based in Los Angeles. She is the co-founder of ASTRAL ORACLES and author of Palpable Magic; a website exploring prose about sex, love, Los Angeles and the occult. Her sessions include natal chart readings, energetic clearing and activations, and tarot readings.
Spring is in full swing as we move into May, midway into sensual Taurus season. Here, we are returning to our sense of worthiness, and enjoying life through the medium of senses. It’s a good time to inspect and reflect on the personal talents that make us beautiful, worthy, and unique. Taurus, sign of the Bull, imbues an earthy, grounded energy upon all signs, where we are in touch with our physical surroundings and tuned into the beauty of material and natural things. We are focused on what has value, physical or otherwise, and gravitating towards what feels pleasurable.
On May 3 and May 8 respectively, Mercury and then Venus will enter the chatty sign of Venus. Here we are hungry for more versatility in our daily lives, eager to learn and try on new ways of being. There is a love of language, discussion, and movement. Although the sign of the Twins is known for its innate curiosity, sometimes the repulsion of boredom can make us gossipy, and a little too eager for verbal rebuttals. Try and exercise restraint when faced with saying the harsh-but-true thing! On May 12, a New Moon in Taurus offers us an opportunity to set intentions around finances and call in more beauty and luxury into our lives. Carve out some time to set your sights on the most sensual picture of the future. Jupiter, planet of bounty and excess, enters dreamy Pisces on May 14, promising rewards when we employ our imagination or visualization faculties.
The Sun joins Mercury and Venus in Gemini on May 21, ushering us into Gemini season. Here, we become voyeurs of reality, happily following experiences that will add to the stories of our lives. We are animated and vocal, eager to try out new things and socialize with our fellows. A Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius on the 26th culminates the month with fireworks, and we are forced to close the door on any outdated beliefs or opinions that no longer mesh with the direction of our lives. Eclipses can “eclipse” people and circumstances out of our lives, so watch out for those cleverly disguised tests of direction. It might be hard to hold our tongues and not share our outlooks, particularly because on the 29th, Mercury in Gemini will station retrograde. Try and exercise restraint and discipline when sending texts to exes, or snappy emails!

ARIES// ARIES RISING
The later half of Taurus season asks you to take inventory of your skills and assets, those hidden reserves of talent you need help owning. With your ruler, Mars, in emotional Cancer, you may feel a little more introverted than is usual. It’s a perfect time to refine your self image, and tune your focus towards the gifts you haven’t quite claimed. As the planets ingress into Gemini, you are more sociable and capable of taking that inner inspiration and carrying it towards your fellows.
Jupiter, planet of luck and fortune, enters your house of subconscious on the 14th – giving you spiritual blessings and a clearer, more open channel to the great beyond. Take some time to do some inner listening and lean into your spiritual faculties, you may be pleasantly surprised by the dormant abilities you can unlock. The month culminates with a bang, with a lunar eclipse in Sagittarius on the 26th. This is an opportunity to cut ties with any outdated opinions or beliefs that have been hindering your growth.

TAURUS//TAURUS RISING
Happy Birthday, late Taureans! Last month, you may have found yourself more reflective and introspective than usual, but as the planets ingress into Gemini, you are given a restored eagerness to chat it up with your friends, and act on new ideas. With Uranus still in your sign, the only constant is change, and how receptive you can be to making adjustments you KNOW you need to make. As a fixed sign, you can be stubborn to change, but this month, every celestial body is pushing you further along. Ask yourself, what adjustments do I know I need to make but I am resistant to? Where does that resistance come from? You will be surprised by how quickly you seem to be able to find your own answers.

GEMINI//GEMINI RISING
Happy Birthday early Geminis! This month promises to be an eventful one, beginning with Mercury and Venus entering your sign, making you the talk of the town. You will find yourself more popular than usual, so utilize this energy to amplify your professional successes by sharing your ideas and perspective. Having Venus in your sign brings pleasurable experiences and adds a rose-tinted hue to the day to day. Lucky you!
The Lunar Eclipse on the 26th can bring partnership issues to a tipping point. Sagittarius rules your area of one-on-one relationships, so this is a time to reflect and (respectfully) close the door on relationships that aren’t working. There has been a build up for you in this area for about a year, so think of this date as a valve where you can release the old. Have faith that better suited relationships will take space from the old, and you are deserving of others who believe in your potential as well as your present persona.

CANCER//CANCER RISING
With Mars starting off the month in your sign, you may find that you have an extra pep in your step, and you feel more physically motivated than usual. Utilize this motivation and clear sense of direction wisely! You are being given a boost to your sense of personal mission, and a sense of newfound clarity in direction. At the same time, your usually tender, receptive nature may be tested by sudden temper flare ups. This is not always a bad thing, and sometimes it’s good to stand up for yourself. The Full Moon Eclipse on the 26th asks you to inspect the bigger picture of your life, and break any ties you have with people who don’t believe in you. Know when relationships, personal or otherwise, have run their course, and when it is not in your best interest to keep giving where you aren't getting back.

LEO//LEO RISING
Early May promises some professional successes, dear Leo, as the Sun, Venus, and Mercury transit your career sector. Look out for important messages and opportunities that can help you expand your public reach and breathe new life into how you work. As the planets ingress into Gemini, you are more sociable and chatty than usual. There are looks and fits that need to see the light of day, and with Gemini ruling your area of friendship, you will have more than enough social obligations to attend to. As a Leo, you detest being cooped up, so this shift in energy will bring you all of the recognition and playtime you have been aching for. Remember to keep the drama to a minimum, particularly on the Lunar Eclipse on the 26th. All signs will be quick to share opinions on this date, so try and exercise some loving tolerance and detachment from theatrics.

VIRGO//VIRGO RISING
The Taurean energy emanating from last month until the middle of May offers you a chance to slow down, breathe, and tune out external pressures. You are the resident busy-bee of the zodiac, but now is the time to focus on your bodily needs and amplify your relationship to wellness. A change of scenery may be instore for you, as the planets move into Gemini, amplifying your innate curiosity and giving you a more experimental approach to life. After being very meticulous and health conscious during the pandemic, as things loosen up you may want to go on trip. Jupiter, ruler of luck and expansion, enters Pisces on May 14th. This promises luck in your love life, as Pisces rules your one and one relationships. Take this as an opportunity to explore and build upon relationships of all kinds, as this is a powerful time for love.

LIBRA//LIBRA RISING
May brings you a refreshed perspective, as Venus anoints your house of philosophy, granting you a new pair of eyes to see the bigger picture of your life. You may be keen to learn more about foreign places or spiritual modalities, and this transit bodes well for travel of all kinds. Bountiful blessings await in your work sector, as mid-month Jupiter showers you with limitless potential and opportunities that will keep your schedule full. As Jupiter will be in dreamy Pisces, you are being asked to employ your skills of visualisation to put you in a position to receive more. As always, you are practicing the art of balance, and as the world begins to open up and we are ushered into social Gemini season, you are called to find a happy medium between socialising and nurturing your inner landscape by taking time off.

SCORPIO//SCORPIO RISING
Last month carried such a heavy emphasis on themes of partnership for you, dear Scorpio, and you will be happy to hear that the storm quiets in May. The more you can lead with vulnerability rather than seeking out to control others, the more liberation you find amidst the currents of your deep, rich, emotional underworld. There is an emphasis on freeing yourself of outdated communication patterns, as the stars ingress into chatty Gemini. Ask yourself, how can I lead with transparency? What do I need to vocalise? You possess the gift of a sharp focus, and an ability to read things below the surface. Use your skills of psychoanalysis and share your perspective proudly. There are things people need to hear. On the 26th, a lunar eclipse in Sagittarius illuminates gaps in opinions and beliefs for all signs. Aim to focus on solutions rather than differences between you and your fellows.

SAGITTARIUS//SAGITTARIUS RISING
Welcome to May, Sag! This month, themes of partnership and relating to others are emphasized, as Venus and Mercury enter your opposite sign of Gemini. You are being called to be more flexible, ambidextrous even, when connecting to others. It may seem like you are in popular demand, and your abundant spirit detests having to fulfill expectations that aren’t your own. Try to remain cool and collected, and avoid colliding with the opinions of others by returning to your breath and staying present.
Your ruler, Jupiter, enters dreamy Pisces on May 14, assisting you in relaxing and restoring your sense of vision. This is a perfect time to replenish your energy system by nourishing your imagination, and exercising your ability to dream things into reality. The month culminates with a bang – a Lunar Eclipse in your sign on the 26th. As always, eclipses bring about lasting change, and this is a personal culmination for you. It’s time to shed some skin and say goodbye to anything hindering your sense of personal freedom. What do you need to turn away from that doesn’t support your growing, shifting sense of identity?

CAPRICORN//CAPRICORN RISING
You are pragmatic and practical, and all of your steps are careful and calculated. You have achieved so much in the face of great change, and May wants you to practice lightheartedness and be more playful. The ingress from Taurus season to Gemini Season shifts the focus from earning to social activities, and you have a busy schedule to look forward to. As Venus and Mercury enter your sector of work, you are being asked to make the planets work for you, and learn how to become more vocal when it comes to speaking in the opportunities you are seeking. Your words are powerful, and although you have a tendency to be more cynical than fantastical try experimenting with mantras that invite love and abundance your way. You deserve it. The month ends in a firework display of emotions and opinions for all signs, as we have a Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius, amplifying differences in opinion. Try and rely on your gift of discernment and avoid battles and rebuttals.

AQUARIUS//AQUARIUS RISING
It's time to get experimental creatively, with Venus and Mercury moving into your sector of personal pleasure and self expression. It may feel as though you have more ideas than ever, as these planets will be shining in Gemini, giving you a boost of information and ideas regarding how you can share your creative gifts. This transit also bodes well for romance, and could bring in a variety of romantic prospects and potential suitors, or perhaps some new ideas how to spruce up an existing romance. The month culminates with a bang, with a fiery eclipse in Sagittarius on the 26th. Try and steer clear of drama on this date, give or take a few days, as it will make all signs more opinionated and reactive than usual.

PISCES//PISCES RISING
Happy May, Pisces! This month, the ingress into Gemini will have you feeling eager to learn more and take your creativity into new places. Gemini energy bestows a sociable temperament onto you, and you may find yourself chatty and more eager to explore than usual. Planet of growth and abundance, Jupiter, enters your sign on May 14 where it will stay until June. This can open doors for you and signifies major wish fulfillment. Expect to be surprised by the opportunities that come billowing your way! This is an opportunity to expand in all areas of your self identity. The month ends in a firework display of opinions, with a lunar eclipse on the 26th in Sagittarius. Be mindful of the opinions of yourself and others you are ready to close out and discontinue for the next six months.