It is quite possible that as the new moon on May 16 approaches, you feel as if you have descended into the ‘dark cellar of the soul’. The full moon in Scorpio on May 1 and the retrograde of Pluto from May 6 are partly responsible for this. “You may have seen and sensed things about yourself or others that you would rather not have encountered, but which were unavoidable,” says Jetteke van Lexmond (co-founder of the Moonsisters and their well-known moon calendar), according to whom the current energy sheds its light on everything. “What was hidden is now becoming visible. When you are in the middle of such a process, it is anything but pleasant, but it is also a powerful catalyst for deep soul growth. After all, gathering experiences and growing through them is one of the main reasons we are here on Earth.”
Recently, a lot has been set in motion and shaken up. Now, everything is gradually beginning to calm down. “The new moon in Taurus supports this process. You may be more aware of your body and feel more physical discomfort or imbalance,” Lexmond points out. “Your stomach could be more sensitive or feel bloated, muscles and bones could feel more painful, and you could suffer from headaches or fatigue. This is also a good time to think about your lifestyle and eating habits. Are your body and mind getting the nourishment and self-care they really need?”
Things you’ve long ignored demand your attention at the new moon in May
On May 16, not only will the aforementioned new moon in Taurus be in the sky, but the planet Mars will also form a conjunction with the large asteroid Chiron. The Moonsisters explain, “The new moon in Taurus invites you to return to what is truly of value. Not the quick fix or the impulse of the moment, but that which gives peace, stability and trust.” This energy asks you to shift down a gear and consciously feel what is sustainable for your heart, body and life. “What you sow now has the potential to take deep and firm root, provided you give it time to grow,” says Lexmond.
In astrology, the moon is often associated with the feminine: receiving, feeling, intuition and inner wisdom. Mars, on the other hand, carries a distinctly masculine energy: action-oriented, fiery, focused on movement and performance. “As the new moon is in earthbound Taurus while Mars is conjunct Chiron, an inner tension can arise between gentleness and action, between slowing down and the desire to forge ahead,” Lexmond clarifies.
The suppressed feminine can now come to the surface more strongly. The moon expert explains, “Emotions, longings or exhaustion that you have ignored for a long time are now demanding your attention. You may begin to realise how accustomed you have become to asserting yourself, performing or being in control, while a deeper part of you longs for peace, security and emotional grounding.”
