On 5.11.21, at 3:00 pm (ET), there’s a beautiful New Moon @ 21° of Taurus, offering us a crucial opportunity not necessarily to manifest, but to introspect.

Themes of Communication and Connection are paramount at this New Moon, as its potent sextile aspect to Neptune in Pisces highlights the Softer Side of Taurus, increasing our generosity as well as our desire to forgive. 

That said, we’re extremely sensitive and emotionally-attuned to our environment now, bringing on a competing desire to retreat that’s all but overpowering...

Main Points

1. For one, with 0 planets in Fire Signs, we’re all lacking in enthusiasm, inspiration and confidence, and are likely feeling downtrodden, if not completely drained, both physically and mentally. On top of this, Fiery Mars—planet of Action, Drive and Initiative—is at its weakest in watery, emotionally-reactive Cancer, heightening our instinct to hide in the face of conflict, challenge or (perceived) obstacles of any kind.

2. Second, planets in Decan 3 (20° - 30°) of Taurus, are ruled by Restrictive Saturn, meaning that the demands on us feel heavy, and there’s a strong feeling of insecurity surrounding our sense of “deservingness”—particularly when it comes to the Taurean themes of Love & Money. Taurus Suns born between May 10 - 20 know what I mean, as they’re often the most difficult to love, being the most acquisitive (read: materialistic) of the Taurus Decans. Consequently, they typically feel a lack of Self-Love which they make up for with hefty doses of Taurus’ Favorite Thing—Self-Care.

3. But Self-Care is not synonymous with Self-Love, and feeling somewhat unloveable themselves, those born under Taurus Decan 3 are typically just as uncomfortable (if not more so) expressing Love and Affection for even the most deserving of Others. Instead, then, they express their love materialistically, by trying to buy the Love of their Partners, Friends and even close Family Members, hinging their Self-Worth on their ability to “provide.”

Mars in Cancer + Uranus and Chiron: Avoiding Conflict

With Mars in Cancer making exact alignments to Uranus in Taurus and Chiron in Aries simultaneously, there’s not only a pronounced lack of self-confidence, but an equally strong drive to run away, avoiding any potential (or even past) conflicts along the way. We’d much rather go to sleep instead, laying there quietly like Sleeping Beauty, waiting patiently, guarding (read: withholding) our Love & Money, leaving the evil dragons for others to slay. Thus the question is: What is the difference between Retreat and Taking Time Away?

Mercury Trine Saturn: Constructive Communication

The silver lining of this Taurus New Moon is a lovely trine between Mercury in Gemini (now in its pre-Retrograde Shadow phase, when most mistakes + miscalculations are made) and Saturn in Aquarius, prompting us to engage in constructive dialogue with ourselves. 

Mercury in Gemini trine Saturn in Aquarius is a powerful astrological aspect, gifting us with Common Sense and the ability to Clearly Communicate in a way that’s humorous and healing when it comes to smoothing over any past conflicts or miscommunications with those we care about or may have hurt.  

My advice? Put your energy into building upon the connections and relationships you’ve already got, heal past wounds with loved ones, and devote the rest of your energy to some much needed Quiet Time devoted entirely to introspection. 

Just make sure to ask yourself from time to time: When I feel the desire to retreat, is it coming from a need to real need to introspect—or are you *really* acting on the simple impulse to avoid whatever person/place/thing is causing you stress? Because running away from (perceived) Evil Dragons is not the same as slaying them. 

So do yourself a Prince Valiant-sized favor and figure out the difference between Avoidance and Introspection. Because at the end of the day, running away is just another way of avoiding yourself. And where does that leave you? With a boatload of Dragons that no one else can slay...even if you do stay in bed all day.