Active from 7^th May to 22^nd May 2020

We began this cycle two weeks ago when the Sun and Moon met in the sign of Taurus on 23^rd April 2020. The two luminaries met close to Uranus and the Moon made a partile (same degree) conjunction to Uranus a few hours later followed by the Sun’s conjunction three days after the New Moon. Uranus plays no direct role in the Full Moon chart as both Sun and Moon have now moved to the middle degrees of their respective signs of Taurus and Scorpio.

Taurus Moon: New Moon in Exaltation

In the New Moon chart the Sun and Moon are conjunct in Taurus: the Sun has no dignity in this sign but Taurus is the sign of the Moon’s exaltation. Normally this would bode well for any chart which finds itself with an exalted luminary which represents good fortune, a sound and healthy constitution, promising finances, and strong family ties. But we are seeing the complete opposite to all of these gifts promised by a Moon in one of its highest dignities.  In the past few days the UN has warned that the world is at risk of widespread famines “of biblical proportions” caused by the coronavirus pandemic. A report estimates that the number suffering from hunger could go from 135 million to more than 250 million.  This is not a new moon that talks about bounty and plenitude, but rather one that warns us about neglecting our duty towards one another and the folly of complacency in the face of a global disaster.

Scorpio Moon: Full Moon in Fall

What should be remembered about a moon’s cycle is that the Moon begins in a particular sign and then comes to the full moon in the sign opposing its new moon position.  April’s New Moon may be exalted in Taurus but by the Full Moon, the Moon has reached its fall sign of Scorpio. This makes the Moon particularly vulnerable in the second most important chart in the cycle. On a global level, what may become abundantly clear in this cycle is the yawning gap between ‘those who have’ (exalted Moon) and ‘those who have not’ (fallen Moon). ‘Those who have’ will ride out this storm in relative safety and comfort, and whilst Covid-19 may frighten them, they will be able to pay for good health care and support themselves through an impending economic recession.  ‘Those who have not’ will be living in crowded conditions, unable to isolate from the virus. They will be hungry and desperate and see shortages in masks, ventilators, health care professionals, and hospital beds.

On a personal level the deterioration in the Moon’s condition does not bode well for a happy conclusion to this cycle. The Moon’s movement from exaltation to fall indicates the worsening of a situation. You may have started this cycle with a feeling of resilience – even in the face of the difficulties presented by coronavirus – but this buoyancy may have evaporated by now as conditions worsen and you wonder if the obstacles are just too high to overcome. Mercury’s involvement with the two luminaries indicates that this may be a case of mental fatigue or anxiety which is causing you the most pain. Mars, the ruler of Scorpio, is in Aquarius at the Full Moon and Aquarius, as an air sign, reinforces the mental strain attached to this fortnight. Aquarius may help with communication but it is still ruled by Saturn, a planet that revels in frustration, obstacles and isolation, and it will do little to help the Moon’s discomfort in Scorpio.

This may be a fortnight where you practice patience (never Mars’ strong point) and actively engage in doing as little as possible regarding the immediate future. Try to make as few important decisions as possible, even though Mercury will be driving you to come up with some ‘simply brilliant’ plan to solve all of your problems.

The Full Moon in your Natal Chart

Although there are twelve houses in total, they can be viewed as six axes which represent life from a different perspective. It’s worth noting that the Full Moon opposition will highlight one particular axis in your natal chart. A quick look at your chart will show you which axis the Taurus Scorpio opposition will lie across, as you will likely be concerned with this axis over the next two weeks.

1^st and 7^th houses (the relationship axis)

Me, my environment, and my physical presence in this world (1^st) versus everyone else including partners, their attitude towards me, and how they help or hinder me (7^th).

2^nd and 8^th houses (the money axis)

Wealth: mine (2^nd) versus everyone else’s (8^th)

3^rd and 9^th houses (the learning axis)

Safe journeys, different beliefs, and physical skills we take for granted (3^rd) versus dangerous journeys, majority religions, and skills which are foreign to me (9^th).

4^th and 10^th houses (the parental axis: the public & private axis)

The father and home (4^th), mother and career or public status (10^th)

5^th and 11^th houses (the friends axis)

My progeny, my lone creativity, my friends and lovers (5^th) verses other people’s children (including my step-children), group activities, social groups and common interests (11^th)

6^th and 12^th houses (the difficulty axis)

Things that trip us up and make life hard: 6^th house describes the illnesses and accidents which derail me and 12^th house covers those things which ‘imprison’ me through fear, downfall, self-sabotage, or hidden enemies who can attack at any moment without warning.

***

Sun conjunct Mercury

Under the rules of combustion Mercury’s close proximity to the Sun is harmful to this planet and can indicate that good communication, clear decision-making, and purposeful direction are all concepts which are difficult to achieve during the next fortnight. Mercury might be slightly aided by the fact that its dispositor, Venus, is currently moving through Gemini and both planets are in each other’s signs. Unfortunately, Mercury in Taurus and Venus in Gemini are in adjacent signs and the term ‘generosity’ applies in this situation. Best case scenario is ‘mutual reception’: when planets are in each other’s signs and the signs are in a Ptolemaic aspect (sextile, square, trine) to one another. Technically, an opposition is mutual reception, but it does not bring good benefits if it is purely a domicile sign opposition as it means that both planets are in detriment and behaving badly together.

Perhaps the best way to describe this particular generosity between Mercury and Venus is that Mercury believes it is being reasonable, socially responsible, and solid in its intentions to be clear, but the popularity or support it seeks from Venus is not forthcoming, as Venus in Gemini has its own problems with the square to Neptune (see below).

Moon opposing Mercury

Mercury is the Term Ruler of the Moon’s 17 degrees of Scorpio. In this role Mercury is supposed to give the Moon certain powers by which it can fortify itself against attack or misfortune. However, in the Full Moon chart Mercury and the Moon are in opposition and this indicates that tension exists between the two planets. Often this aspect shows the dilemma between heart (Moon) and head (Mercury) and if a dispute with loved ones should arise, the Moon may not be willing to listen to reason, especially as it is in its fall and is already feeling exposed or vulnerable. Mercury’s method of ‘fortifying’ the Moon may be to speak out and tell some home truths, but this level of honesty can be destructive in the long-run, especially given that Neptune is also in aspect to both Mercury and the Moon.

Moon trine Neptune

The trine between the Moon and Neptune is in the water element and emotions are probably running high at the moment. Unfortunately Scorpio will not bring out the best in the Moon and Neptune’s trine may see despair or unhappiness seeping in at some point in the next fortnight. However, as trines are an aspect with speed, these feelings can be fleeting and evaporate just as quickly as they appeared. So if you are puzzled by these changing emotions, remember that when Neptune is involved you might not get to the root of what is really bothering you. Neptune pulls at the Moon’s heartstrings, melds your feelings with those of others and brings empathy, care and compassion. These are all admirable attributes, but with Neptune’s other aspects to Mercury and Venus, there may be some deception or lack of clarity, so be careful that what you are committing yourself to in this coming fortnight is not too heavy a burden to bear in the future.  

Mercury sextile Neptune

Mercury in Taurus is not generally looking for trouble and a sextile to Neptune may add a dreamy quality that helps to distract Mercury from any pressing problems which are weighing it down. On the positive side this aspect may talk about having much-needed time out during lockdown to rest and recover or spending time on pleasant Neptunian pursuits such as reading, music or artistic pursuits. On the other hand, too much time on your hands can find Mercury getting bogged down with worry in this earthy fixed sign. Or getting entangled in trying to solve problems that are unsolvable at this moment. Issues to do with finances, paying bills, future employment or any solid decisions about the future once Covid-19 has passed are unknowable, and Neptune’s aspect tells you that no-one really knows what the outcome of this year will be.  Better to let it go, enjoy the benefits of this sextile, and wait to see what happens in the months to come.

Venus (Sun’s Dispositor) square Neptune

Relationships are highlighted in the next fortnight for several good reasons. Firstly, purely by the nature of a full moon and its aspect between our two major luminaries, it means that we often pull others into our sphere under the spell of the full moon. Secondly, the planet of relationships, Venus, is the owner of Taurus (the Sun’s sign) and this bonds us with friends, loved ones, family, and anyone else of interest. Thirdly, the activity between Venus and Neptune suggests a desire to either form a relationship – perhaps based on an ideal rather than a reality – as well as solve a problem in a relationship lacking in boundaries or clarity.

Globally, we could say that it demonstrates the confusion around knowing when and how to lift the social restrictions which have been a major feature of the Covid-19 lockdown. Individually, we share the same uncertainty: we want to get back to enjoying our lives and reconnecting with others but are nervous of what this may mean in terms of the virus’ second wave of infection. What makes this particularly relevant is the fact that the square between Venus and Neptune is not going away after this next fortnight. The same square features in the New Moon in Gemini which follows this one on 22^nd May, so presumably a similar theme carries over into the Moon’s next cycle. Significantly Mercury, the dispositor of Sun and Moon, will join a retrograde Venus, and together they will square Neptune which holds its degree at 20 Pisces.

Mars (Moon’s Dispositor)

Mars does not have any noteworthy aspects in the Full Moon chart as the orbs are too wide to be considered relevant to the activity of this chart. However, it is worth noting the dates on which Moon makes aspects to Mars over the next two weeks. Mars’ position in the late degrees of Aquarius adds a touch of Saturn to the Moon’s state of fall and can add to feeling lethargic, unsupported, overwhelmed, or at one’s lowest emotional ebb. The body can also be affected by the Moon’s poor condition and physical exhaustion can be one of the offshoots of this Moon, especially if you are one of the people involved in the health care industry or essential services. Your reserve tank is running low, so please take care and rest as much as possible in these uncertain times.

Dates to Remember in this Fortnight of the Waning Moon

Over the next fortnight the Moon will continue its journey by completing Scorpio and moving through the signs from Sagittarius to arrive in Gemini where it once more meets the Sun. The following dates are reminders of the Full Moon aspects which may become active when the travelling Moon makes a connection to the various players, dependant of course on what other aspects are at play in your own Natal chart.  

8^th May 2020

Moon squares Mars (its Full Moon Dispositor) A day after the full moon, the Moon reaches 26 Scorpio at 1:30 am GMT: a difficult aspect whilst Moon is still in fall. This may be a day for family tension, or frustration about your living conditions. You may be short tempered, and the best way to use this energy is to get out and use it on something physical, or set yourself a small goal that is achievable within the next couple of days.

9^th May 2020

Moon squares Neptune. The Moon will reach 20 degrees Sagittarius (4:46 GMT) 

Moon opposes Venus (Sun’s Dispositor) Two hours after squaring Neptune the Moon will oppose Venus: activating the Venus square Neptune in the Full Moon chart. This is about relationships. Perhaps wanting to get reassurance on where you stand but this can be difficult given that Neptune is far from transparent. Or you may experience some nostalgia or grief over a past relationship.

10^th May 2020

Moon sextiles Mars (its FM Dispositor) The Moon will reach 27 degrees Sagittarius one day later at 4:46 GMT. On the same day and four hours later the Moon conjuncts the South Node. This will hopefully see a lift in the Moon’s energy and it may feel a little like things are slowly improving.

15^th May 2020

Moon conjuncts Mars (its FM Dispositor) The Moon will meet Mars at 1 Pisces (3:30am GMT) and later that day (5:30pm) Moon squares Mercury at 6 Gemini. Ideas, thoughts and actions may be the theme of this day and can reinforce Mercury’s aspects in the Full Moon chart. If Moon is contacting both Mars and Mercury in the same day, it could also be about agitation so remember that Mercury’s aspect to Neptune may mean that you’ve misinterpreted information or taken offence where none was intended.  

16^th May 2020

Moon conjuncts Neptune The Moon will reach 20 degrees Pisces at 5:30pm GMT. On the same day and two hours later the Moon squares Venus: activation of the Venus square Neptune aspect in the FM chart. This is once again about relationships, a common theme throughout the month. However, a conjunction to Neptune indicates that very little is being resolved and it may feel that you are going around in circles. Not a good day to get straight answers!

20^th May 2020

Moon sextiles Mars The Moon will reach 4 Pisces and will sextile its FM dispositor (12:00pm GMT). On the same day and six hours later the Moon conjuncts Uranus: respite or a surge in energy might mark this day but Uranus may feel uncomfortable or frenetic if your energy is flagging and you are pushing yourself too hard. Ease down and rest during the next two days before new moon.

---

//www.bbc.com/news/world-52373888

---