The Big Celestial News for May 2020 and indeed some of the biggest astrological news of the entire year is the arrival of the North Node in Gemini/South Node in Sagittarius Axis on Wednesday, May 6th.The length of a Nodal Cycle is the time it takes for an eclipse degree and Saros Cycle during that cycle to repeat itself after 18 years. The last time the nodes were in Gemini/Sagittarius was October 14, 2001 to April 14, 2003 and we remember what happened then----the rise of terrorism on a global scale and the bombing of the World Trade Towers  in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on September 11th, 2001. (Saros Cycle 132: The first Solar Eclipse after 911 took place on December 14th, 2001 and the Solar Eclipse just prior to the U.S. outbreak of Covid 19 virus was on December 26th, 2019.)  We have just come from a period of having the Nodes of the Moon in Cancer/Capricorn from November of 2018 to present. With its emphasis on the concept of the Cancer-oriented “homeland” and our current president’s insistence on “Making America Great Again,” there has been a strong republican cry to throw up walls around our country, to expel outsiders and to take care of our own. What humanity has discovered through the Corona Virus pandemic however, is similar to what took place in 2001. We can limit international travel, we can hunker-down in our Cancerian crab shell homes, but ultimately, the information we need to overcome our current crisis is going to come from a world-wide effort. It’s going to take great minds from many different continents working together and practitioners on the ground carrying out our new-found best practices to vanquish the Corona Virus dragon. 

     Since the fall of 2001, cyber-terrorism, cyber-terrorism prevention and dark web crime (all Gemini/Scorpio concepts) have been taken to a world-wide (Sagittarian) scale. In recent weeks, researchers at think tanks, the World Health Organization and universities have recommended the adoption and international maintenance of a pandemic radar system which can track the outbreak of infectious diseases worldwide by searching news media through various algorithms that show clusters of activity. On Sixty Minutes last Sunday it was shown that such a system already exists. Developed in Toronto, Canada, by infectious disease physician, Dr. Kamran Khan, the Blue Dot system gives us a first look at how we can track the rise of potentially pandemic outbreaks.  Like early warning radar for hurricanes, cyclones and tornadoes, the Blue Dot system tracks the spread of reported cases of infectious disease and had located Corona Virus spread as early as January 1st of this year. For more about Blue Dot see the article and video at:  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-outbreak-computer-algorithm-artificial-intelligence/ What I want to suggest here is that the Gemini/Sagittarian nodal period from May 6, 2020 to January 19th, 2020 is likely to be an exciting scientific period as we come to grips with creating the science to prevent another global pandemic. On CBS Sunday Morning this Sunday, May 3rd, the Polio outbreak was compared to the Corona Virus and there was further good news to consider. Dr. Paul Duprex who heads the Center for Vaccine Research at the University of Pittsburgh, made the comparison that it had taken Jonas Salk 6 years to create a reliable vaccine for polio in the 1950s whereas there are signs already now, just 6 months into the Corona Virus spread, that there is likely to be an effective vaccine developed within a single year. To read more about this comparison of virus outbreaks: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-the-fight-against-polio-was-won/

     The Gemini/Sagittarius nodal cycle that is with us until January of 2022 will bring an incredible abundance of research and international communication to combat this virus and others to come  in the 21st Century. New educational systems (Sagittarius) will come about as a result of a need to take care of problems in our immediate environment (Gemini.) The resurgence of old beliefs, traditions and xenophobia (Cancer/Capricorn) that reached a peak in the last nodal cycle, November 2018-April 2020, that stunt our evolution as a species, will now be more easily shaken off. New science and philosophies can emerge as a result of exploring new possibilities (Sagittarius) and sharing them on a much faster news cycle with the world (Gemini.) On a more personal level, we all have the capacity to become Mercury-ruled messengers (Gemini) sharing methods with which to network and share resources in ingenious new ways. Teamwork and networking across borders have made disaster fundraising from home by rock stars work. It’s time for us all to get involved in distance learning and resource-sharing with more world-shrinking possibilities. Buying produce baskets from local farmers at a designated place once a week is just one example of ways in which to support and share resources “outside the box.”

     The Full Moon on Thursday, May 7th at 6:45 a.m. EST features a square of Neptune in Pisces to the newly arrived North and South Nodes of the Moon. Neptune rules infectious disease but also the concept of Faith. News hound Mercury is conjunct the Taurus Sun in this Full Moon configuration. This Full Moon indicates the height of awareness of the economic fall-out from the pandemic (Taurus Sun and Mercury) as opposed to its cost in lives (Scorpio.) With Neptunian faith holding the mid-space between these two world-wide crises, it seems that Faith is what we will either have or-- not have-- to carry us through.  It has been heart-warming to witness the outpouring of amazing charity and life-saving work that has been done by ordinary citizens worldwide at this time. If we can stay the course and let science AND faith work TOGETHER, it appears we can vanquish this foe in less than the 2-year cycle than most pandemics appear to have had on the planet up to now. 

     Mother’s Day features a tradition-loving Moon in Capricorn on Sunday, May 10th. Find a way to celebrate Mom no matter what the distance. Good planetary aspects all day make this a day to communicate and share our love.

     On Monday May 11th Mercury (planet of communications & short distance travel) joins Venus and breaks out into the sign of Gemini from deliberate Taurus. We are all tired of the need to quarantine. We all seek some social interaction for which the sign of Gemini is the mascot. The “urge to splurge” is upon us now with the warmer May weather. As businesses start to open across the country, the demand for them is likely to mushroom exponentially. Mercury in slow-moving Taurus is much more capable of self-isolation than air-sign ruled Gemini. Think of Mercury and his winged feet. That is who we all become as we seek that Friday night carryout pizza or that socially-distanced beer on tap. Please observe mask-wearing to protect your neighbor, even if you feel you have probably already had the virus yourself. A whole new range of fashion-conscious masks are out there. Like it or not, Mercury will have us seeking to be “out and about” through May 28th when it dives into the more homebody sign of Cancer. 

     Three planets go retrograde this month: Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. While Jupiter and Saturn go retrograde every year for five months each, Venus only retrogrades every 18 months for approximately 40 days. Venus, our solar system’s planet of love and attraction, will go retrograde at 21 degrees Gemini from Tuesday, May 12th to Thursday, June 24th at 5 degrees Gemini. From May 11th through May 27th both Mercury and Venus will be in Gemini, creating a flurry of communications and social interaction, which is likely to engender a second wave of the virus in July –if we’re not careful! Once Venus goes direct again on June 24th it will have to make its way back, from 5 degrees Gemini to 29 degrees of the sign. It finally arrives there on August 6th and swims off into the sign of Cancer on August 7th.  Under social-distancing rules, Mercury in Gemini for a 4-month period of time (May April 5th to August 6th) is like taking a car full of six-year-olds on a 4-day road trip---exhausting! It will be important for us all to get our aerobic exercise during this frenetic period. Quieting the mind will be the challenge. This would be a good time to take up walking, tennis, golf or any sport that will require you to be outside for several hours. 

     When Jupiter is retrograde each year, we tend to experience a down shift in the economy, especially during an election year. Expect the economy to be very slow to regain its feet. While Jupiter will go direct again on September 13th of this year, don’t expect the economy to be fully up and running until mid-October of 2021 when Jupiter goes direct again that fall. 

     Saturn goes retrograde on Monday, May 11th and will remain on slow speed until September 29th of this year. Saturn is the planet ruling structure and self-discipline in our lives. When starting a new business or major project it is best to begin with Saturn direct. This indicates that we will have solid forward movement toward our goals. If possible, reconsider and perhaps reconsider your plans for a major project.  If you can, wait to start anything that requires a major investment of time and capital until after September 29th. 

     Happy Birthday Gemini! The Sun gets the Gemini party started bright and early on Wednesday the 20th at 9:49 a.m. A Taurus Moon on this day makes this one to celebrate in style with friends! The New Moon in Gemini on Friday the 21st also offers up another great chance to socialize and celebrate. Take your pick or live it up both days, the more interaction, the better--- in the Gemini book. The energy of the Gemini Sun Sign period May 20th to June 19th this year shifts our attention away from the earthly physical pleasures and security concerns of Taurus. Our focus now centers on reading, research, social communication and short distance travel. These are all favorite pursuits of the Twins along with plenty of friends and good-spirited gossip---I mean news! Summer vacation is just around the corner and while most of us will opt for stay-cation this year, there is still the excitement of a break from routine. Our daily routines change as the weather warms. It is time to enjoy this opportunity to visit with friends and network with new business connections. Along with the Libra Sun sign period, this is a social highlight time of year! Saturn has entered Aquarius this year and will bring a fortunate trine of air sign energy to Gemini folks from March 21st to July 2nd and from December 18th through most of 2021. This harmony between your Sun and Saturn in a fellow air sign helps you get a lot accomplished because you’re feeling you are “in the zone” Geminis. Take advantage of this celestial boost Twins! 

     The New Moon in Gemini arrives on Friday the 22nd at 1:39 p.m. EDT. On this day the shift of a dominance of earth and water planets that has dominated the sky for the last 2 years will begin a slow shift toward air and earth. On this day there are five planets plus the north node in Gemini. This New Moon in Gemini makes a potent square to Mars which is traveling in Pisces alongside the asteroid Ceres. With the Sun and Moon squaring Mars there are likely to be slights, threats or disagreements whether these are perceived (Moon) or real (Sun.) The energy of the New Moon in Gemini brings all kinds of exciting new ideas and plans our way. It is excellent energy for sales and you may be in the midst of a home, car or computer sale or purchase at this time. It may be wise to agree to conclude business on Saturday the 23rd or Sunday the 24th in order to think things over a little more carefully. This is a very inspiring day to create new plans and socialize with others. Just avoid impulse buys and/or making or taking careless comments as a threat. These too shall pass.

     The pace of life gladly slows down a bit on Thursday the 28th when Mercury moves into the sign of Cancer for a while. Mercury will remain in Cancer until August 5th due to a retrograde in June and July. Perhaps your big push at work is over for a bit or you’ve planned a long weekend off. Relax this weekend for a change! Just imagine, that’s what weekends were originally invented for. 

     Now let’s take a look at the Taurus Birthday Forecast. Uranus, the planet of sudden change continues shaking things up in your sign for the next five years because it is in the sign of Taurus during this period until April 2026. Uranus in Taurus will bring manifestation of many exciting scientific discoveries made while Uranus was in Aries. Another major effect that Uranus in Taurus will bring is a revolution in the financial sectors of the world. Taurus the Bull has ruled the concept of finance since ancient times when livestock was traded as currency. Having Uranus in your sign however will cause your financial life to be “shaken not stirred,” however. Expect the shakeups to be particularly extreme when Uranus is close to the degree of your Sun in your birth chart. Taurus natives born between the 25th and the 28th of April will be the ones to experience the Uranus Shake Up Factor in 2020. Expect the unexpected and be ready for anything. If there are changes you’ve been thinking of making in your life it is best to be PROACTIVE rather than to have the change imposed UPON you. The other new celestial challenge you are facing this year Taurus natives is that Saturn in Aquarius is now squaring or challenging your sign. Bulls born on the 20th and 21st of April will experience the firm viselike grip of the Saturn square to their Sun. You are being challenged right now on your reliability factor and your ability to carry projects through to completion. Stay the course and do your very best when it comes to your job and relations with elders. You will pass with flying colors! Taureans continue to benefit from having Pluto in Capricorn in an earth-sign trine (or harmony) to their Sun this year. Powerful new contacts and allies come your way in 2020. If you are challenged to take on an exciting new task that seems like a “step up” this year, it is due to these powerful new contacts. Proving yourself has major benefits Bulls, GO for it! Each year we look to the aspects your Sun makes to inner and outer planets to determine the type of year that awaits you. Please note: If you don’t see your birthday included in the aspects discussed you are not being forgotten or left out. This means that you are blessed to experience a year in the essence of Taurus. (Bulls born between the 24th of April and the 1st of May and the 13th of May and the 14th will have an un-aspected Taurus year.) With an un-aspected Taurus year, you are likely to be  involved in working hard to make your practical projects an eventual reality. You are concerned about issues such as real estate and financial estates this year. You want to do your best to take care of your assets and your family. Overall, it is important to you to leave a legacy of security for your family and you make great strides to do that this year. Artistic pursuits are also favored this year so go ahead and start that design project. All in all, this will be a great year ahead!  Taurus natives born between the 2nd of May and the 6th will experience a year in which their Sun is conjunct Mercury. You have a lot to say this year and there are many ready to listen. This is a year to advertise and network with a business, a product or a service you have to offer. Get out and about whenever possible (online as well as in person) to promote yourself. Bulls born between the 8th and the 12th of May will experience a year enhanced by an encouraging sextile of their Sun to Neptune (planet of faith and compassion.) This is a year in which you are likely to have to care for an elder’s health or someone who has become seriously ill. Your compassion will be increased and you give them the very best of yourself. You will be aided in this mission by higher forces. What you need will appear when you need it. Continue to have faith and all will be well. Finally, Taureans born between the 15th and the 20th of May will experience a year blessed by a harmonious trine of their Sun to Jupiter (planet of expansion and abundance.) You will experience one or several lucky breaks this year that bring needed resources your way. When possible, be sure to return the abundance in kind. Your intuition will tell you when to act on a hunch and you will be glad you did. Enjoy your month of-- Yes you May-- Taureans!