ASTROLOGICAL SNAPSHOT
This is the 120th day of 2023
52 days until the Summer Solstice
Mercury is Retrograde in Taurus
245 days until 2024
Sun is in Taurus
Moon is in Virgo
Mercury is Rx in Taurus
Venus is in Gemini
Mars is in Cancer
Jupiter is in Aries
Saturn is in Pisces
Uranus is in Taurus
Neptune is in Pisces
Pluto is in Aquarius
Chiron is in Aries
Ceres is Rx in Virgo
Node is in Taurus
Lilith is Rx in Leo
Fortune is in Virgo
Ascendant is in Taurus
Midheaven is in Capricorn
MERCURY RETROGRADE IN TAURUS
April 21, 2023, to May 14, 2023
from 15º to 5º Taurus
Mercury goes Retrograde in Taurus from April 21 to May 14, 2023. This is the second of three Mercury Retrograde cycles of 2023 occurring solely in Earth signs. Mercury’s retracing of Earth sign themes this year asks us to reflect on just how impactful words or communication can be. Additionally, it asks us to reexamine the tangible effect of our systems of organization and our thinking upon our lives.
To put it another way, Mercury’s earth sign tour teaches us that our cerebral lives can affect the real, material parts of our lives. In Taurus, we specifically consider our finances, our sense of stability, our bodies, and our value system.
When Mercury is retrograde in Taurus, we rethink our sense of security and all that contributes to it. Obviously, this includes the material realm of our personal belongings, assets, our financial situations, and our food, shelter, and bodies.
Mercury retrograde periods mark times when we review and rework the area of our chart that he is traveling through. You may find yourself creating new budgets, going over expenses, and considering what needs to be changed. You may consider what has and what hasn’t been working in your diet and your spending.
Venus-Ruled Taurus wants to feel good in its own skin. On a deeper level, Taurus rules our self-esteem, our self-sufficiency, and our value systems. That’s because self-esteem is derived from feeling like we can take care of ourselves and know what is important to us. Values may be theoretical (Air), but they have a very real impact on your material choices (Earth). In fact, values are the cutting edge of what we materialize and what we give energy to.
Our sense of what is important may be in flux at this time. It can be difficult to know what to put our energy into, what to invest in, and what to allow into our world. We may feel vaguely insecure in the very essence of who we are. As long as Mercury is retrograde, we are plunged into an introspective period with regard to our values. So, we may need to wait until Mercury is direct again for any uncertainty to clear. At this point, confidence in ourselves can be re-established.
DAILY SPIRIT ANIMAL
PRAIRIE DOG SPIRIT
Need more stability in a relationship? Want greater emotional control? Prairie Dog, as a Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal, can help! Prairie Dog teaches you to garner strength by digging to the energetic influence of the Earth Element, all while showing you how to better manage feelings threatening to overwhelm you!
The Prairie Dog is akin to Squirrel, and some of Squirrel’s personality traits certainly appear in the Prairie Dog’s demeanor. The main differences are that Prairie Dogs live underground while Squirrel spends most of its time in the lofty trees, and of the two, Prairie Dogs have a shorter tail. Despite their minor differences, both creatures share a good deal of symbolism, so reviewing the meaning of Squirrel as a Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal will offer greater insights into the emergence of Prairie Dog as a Spirit Guide.
The Prairie Dog community spreads out over vast distances through a network of channels. The tunnels help rain runoff, thereby helping to prevent the flooding of the lands. Prairie Dog’s dwelling place gives the creature ties to the Earth Element. Here, your Animal Ally comes to represent stability, grounding, and practicality. At the same time, Prairie Dog’s appearance urges you to place tighter control over the flow of emotions that come “flooding in” so they don’t overwhelm you.
Prairie Dog’s large, earnest eyes are ideally suited to the darkness of the tunnels in which it hides and navigates with ease. Here, Prairie Dog’s meaning and symbolism equate to seeing through shadows and what’s hidden. Your Animal Ally encourages you to expand your vision!
As Prairie Dog moves from place to place, the Animal quite unwittingly fertilizes the ground with its droppings. Here, your Animal Companion encourages you to consider the actions you take now that enrich the soil for the future growth of yourself and others. There are many little words and actions we leave behind without thought that help enrich the days ahead.
Unlike tree-dwelling Squirrels, Prairie Dogs are highly social with specific means for communicating within its colony. They may create clan units where several families band together. Within the family unit, Prairie Dog shows affection by what may appear to be kissing and preening each other thoroughly. Moving into Prairie Dog Town, you can often find as many as 25 distinct groups or wards creating a colony with trees and rocks marking territorial boundaries. Within the pages of Texas’ recorded history, there’s mention of a Prairie Dog colony spanning over one hundred miles. Here, your Animal Spirit Guide represents strengthening familial bonds, working with the community, and enlarging your existing circle of friends.
Within the colony, the burrows have nursing and sleeping spots. Each exit from the colony features a listening post so members of the colony can remain aware of potential predators. The complexity of the colony’s structure is a feat of ingenuity and cooperation: Two vital attributes Prairie Dog Medicine urges you to instill in your life.
The Prairie Dog family consists of a breeding male and two or three females. In terms of children, there are typically two of each gender. In a large family group, another breeding male may join them out of necessity. Related breeding males are friendly toward each other. The mating and large families within Prairie Dog colonies allude to the idea that it takes a community to raise a child.
The head honcho Prairie Dog defends the groups territory. If danger approaches, the creature sounds an alarm that sounds like barking. All Prairie Dogs within hearing distance are quick to dive into the colony holes. When two males meet, they begin fluffing their tails, chattering, and sniffing each other’s scent glands. They may also jump in the air and yip as a territorial gesture. If this encounter moves into a fight, they bite, kick, and headbutt each other. Come winter, Prairie Dogs retreat into the tunnels and hibernate until the harsh cold passes; This does have some dangers from Snakes, Ferrets, and burrowing Owls that may try to take over that space.
Prairie Dog Spirit when you find yourself entangled in situations you rather avoid. As your Animal Ally, Prairie Dog supports you in remaining sure in your steps, while urging you to turn to friends, family, and the community to get through troubling conditions. Prairie Dog understands there’s strength in numbers and reminds you things will work out for the better when you ask for a little help along the way.
Prairie Dog arrives in your life when you’re taking things way too seriously. Perhaps you’ve become pessimistic as you drown in self-pity. Prairie Dog Spirit is all about the power of positivity. The longer you stay stagnant, the harder it becomes to turn the tide. Prairie Dog barks a warning that you need to free yourself from the dangerous emotional tides threatening to overwhelm you!
When you feel as if your sacred space requires defending, Prairie Dog stands firm with you. You have every right and the responsibility to protect what you cherish. Just as Prairie Dogs defend their colony, your Animal Companion urges you to take considerable care in protecting what’s yours.
Sometimes Prairie Dog comes to tell you it’s time for keeping a low-profile. Like your Animal Companion, you may go underground, at least in a figurative sense. Perhaps you are looking to conserve your energy and resources. Give yourself time for a personal retreat. Self-care is of utmost importance.
If you are in the middle of an important decision, Prairie Dog helps you find the open pathways and most accessible way forward. Remember, too, that your colony of friends or loved ones might be an excellent resource for help in making choices of considerable import.
The Prairie Dog Spirit may call upon you to reconnect with the Earth. The creature encourages you to get out and feel the grass on your feet. Let the fair breezes fill your lungs. Reach out with your senses and embrace the free-flowing, stable energy all around you.
DAILY ORACLE CARD
SEVEN OF WANDS
A positive attitude and strong potential will prime you to achieve your personal best. Even if slightly unprepared, you may want to push yourself beyond your usual limits, thinking in larger terms and tweaking your competitive nature. Time and effort spent in preparation could pay off handsomely. You might be the one who vaults right over the heads of those who thought they could outdo you. Move beyond rhetoric and verbal challenges. Now could be the moment to prove what puts you head and shoulders above the rest by demonstrating it in action.
The Seven of Wands has a similar in meaning to the Five of Wands; both cards indicate struggles after the initial fulfillment and satisfaction of an event. The Seven of Wands however is different as it is is about the struggle that you need to go through to maintain your position, rather than to attain it. This is about the difficulties we face to continue to have success. You should be ready for the competition to you defend your title, and to prove yourself. Others are going to desire the same results that you do, so you need to stay ahead of the them.
There will be challenges to the success of your project or venture from an outside source. You must remain dedicated to your desires, and with a clear purpose and effort, you will overcome them.
The overall meaning of the Seven of Wands is to hold your ground, no matter what is challenging your position.
The overall meaning of the Seven of Wands is to hold your ground, no matter what is challenging your position. You will need to defend this position and take a stand against those who are aiming to take your spot. There are setbacks during this time, but you need to keep fighting for your beliefs and confront those that may threaten or oppose you and your beliefs.
MAY 2023 LUNAR CALENDAR
FRIDAY, MAY 5TH: FULL FLOWER MOON IN SCORPIO Moon in Scorpio creates the need to delve into your feelings as deep as possible. You desire meaningful emotional exchanges now more than at any other time even if it is not easy and you are forced to change many things. Shallow relationships do not satisfy you, because they are not purifying enough.
FRIDAY, MAY 12: LAST QUARTER MOON IN AQUARIUS Your relationship with your emotions might be more complicated, because Moon in Aquarius has a strong need for emotional freedom. However, when you are in a group of people, it is easier for you to understand your feelings and free yourself from negative emotions such as fear, anger and jealousy.
FRIDAY, MAY 18: NEW MOON IN TAURUS Your safety depends on the need for stability, which is not easy to satisfy now. You have to learn to accept change as part of your life. The basic problem is finding your own self-respect in order to ensure that you do not mistakenly seek it in material things. When you accept yourself for who you are, it will become easier for you to find peace and tranquility in the outside world.
SATURDAY, MAY 27: FIRST QUARTER MOON IN VIRGO Your feeling of safety is now related to order and clarity, even in emotions. You may have the need to organise everything chaotic and disorganized. Try being more tolerant and accept imperfections of life. It is better to trust life and let it run its own way, not everything must be according to our expectations.
April 2023 Astrological Events
30
Moon in Virgo Trine Mercury in Taurus
Sorting through your ideas and plans can be easier for you to do, and you can tweak your plans, so you’re ready to take action when you get the chance.
Waxing Gibbous Moon in Virgo
MAY 2023 ASTROLOGICAL CALENDAR
MAY 01 — PLUTO GOES RETROGRADE IN AQUARIUS
While Pluto is still in Aquarius for another month, this is a great time to reflect on what you’ve learned and experienced during its brief visit to the Water-Bearer. How can you prepare for the next decade ahead?
MAY 01 — SUN IN TAURUS CONJUNCT MERCURY IN TAURUS
A great day to use logic to solve problems, especially in financial matters. Take your time to brainstorm in order to get the solutions your need.
MAY 01 — JUNO ENTERS GEMINI
With the asteroid of marriage in witty Gemini, the next few weeks are great for having deep talks in your important relationships, as communication will be key to happiness. However, beware of being too flirty, as you may lead people on.
MAY 02 — PALLAS ENTERS LEO
Asteroid Pallas roars in the sign of the Lion for the next few weeks, giving us a boost of valor, courage, and strength to be the royalty of the jungle. However, beware that putting yourself in the spotlight could lead you to danger. Avoid drama when you can.
MAY 04 — VENUS IN GEMINI SQUARE NEPTUNE IN PISCES
A good day to set up strong emotional boundaries to keep manipulative people out of our lives as we focus on cultivating good vibes.
MAY 04 — VENUS IN GEMINI SEXTILE JUPITER IN ARIES
While this is a great day to have fun and take risks, don’t forget about your limits. Remember that you don’t have to open your heart to everyone.
MAY 05 — FULL MOON LUNAR ECLIPSE IN SCORPIO
This volatile eclipse in mysterious Scorpio can make even the gentlest sign vicious right now. The energies are unpredictable, making us all a little edgy and paranoid. Don’t jump to any conclusion, as conflict is easy to start but difficult to finish.
MAY 06 — CERES GOES DIRECT IN VIRGO
With Ceres finally moving forward again, this is a great time to take care of ourselves for the next few weeks—especially our bodies. It’s a good time to take care of our health, start routines, and feel a little more productive.
MAY 07 — VENUS ENTERS CANCER
Get ready for waves of emotions when the planet of love enters nurturing Cancer, which can make us both sweet and a little crabby. While we are very protective of our hearts and loved ones right now, we are also very tender.
MAY 09 — SUN IN TAURUS CONJUNCT URANUS IN TAURUS
After a few tense weeks, we’re ready to start thinking logically again this week. Now is the time to trust our thinking and know that we can creatively solve any problem that comes our way.
MAY 12 — MERCURY IN TAURUS SEXTILE SATURN IN PISCES
Even with Mercury being currently in retrograde, this is still a great aspect for business dealings, signing contracts, and catching up on important paperwork. Just remember to use common sense.
MAY 12 — VENUS IN CANCER TRINE SATURN IN PISCES
A romantic aspect that allows us to dream and plan a future with our partners. Important relationships finally find solid ground.
MAY 15 — MARS IN CANCER TRINE NEPTUNE IN PISCES
Break out the Tarot cards, as this mystical aspect allows us all to embrace our spiritual side. A great day for divination, spiritual practices, and connecting with the overall universal vibe and your higher power.
MAY 16 — JUPITER ENTERS TAURUS
After the urgency of Aries, Jupiter slows down in grounded Taurus as we spend the next year learning to enjoy the ride of life. Over the next few months, we are here to appreciate the small sensual pleasures of life. Remember, it’s the journey, not the destination that matters.
MAY 17 — JUPITER IN TAURUS SQUARE PLUTO IN AQUARIUS
This tense aspect can lead to a stand-off as people stubbornly stick with their convictions. There’s no point in trying to change minds when everyone thinks that they’re right.
MAY 18 — MERCURY IN TAURUS SEXTILE SATURN IN PISCES
Now that we’re finally out of Mercury retrograde, we can start wheeling and dealing as we can make the best decisions in business, finances, and our dreams. Use logic and keep a clear head today.
MAY 19 — NEW MOON IN TAURUS
Career ambitions are at an all-time high during this full moon as we’re all encouraged to make plans that will help us in the long run. Plant the seeds from business goals to romance, and watch them grow throughout the lunar cycle. Nurture them well.
MAY 20 — MARS ENTERS LEO
Summer starts a little early as Mars in Leo brings the heat over the next several weeks. With the planet of drive in the bold Lion, our actions become glamorous, generous, and pretty dramatic. A word of advice: don’t start fights you can’t finish.
MAY 20 — MARS IN LEO OPPOSITION PLUTO IN AQUARIUS
This moody aspect may make it hard for everyone to get along today. Avoid the crowds and do your own thing.
MAY 21 — SUN ENTERS GEMINI
We’re all given the gift of gab over the next four weeks, when the sun shines in the sign of the Twins. As we transition from spring to summer, this is an ideal time to learn to adapt to new situations, ask plenty of questions, and finally make a decision!
MAY 21 — SUN IN GEMINI TRINE PLUTO IN AQUARIUS
This is a good connection to do some research, as we’ll be struck by questions that could keep us up at night. This aspect brings out our inner detective to investigate the truth of deeper issues.
MAY 21 — SUN IN GEMINI SEXTILE MARS IN LEO
This aspect gives a major boost of self-confidence, as we feel we are the star of the show. However, be careful not to be so competitive, as it can drive us to bite off more than we can chew.
MAY 22 — MARS IN LEO SQUARES JUPITER IN TAURUS
Fights start easily during this stubborn aspect as everyone believes they are right. Old grudges can come back to the surface, too. Don’t engage with people who just want to cause problems on purpose.
MAY 26 — VENUS IN CANCER SEXTILE URANUS IN TAURUS
A great aspect for success in both love and money as you make your home a safe haven for your loved ones.
MAY 28 — SUN IN GEMINI SQUARE SATURN IN PISCES
This lazy aspect won’t keep you busy with work but will allow you to have fun with your friends or get lost in a good book.
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DEER MOON ASTROLOGY 