In the Stars April 30-May 7, 2023 . . . Shining Light on the Astrology of the Week: Lunar Eclipse

The Sun shines in Taurus now tropically. Taurus symbolizes stability, financial security, and pleasure of all kinds such as beauty, good food, uplifting music, and arousing smells. The solar month of Taurus invites sweetness, delight, and romance.

The penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs Friday, May 5, at 14:58 degrees of Scorpio (Moon) and Taurus (Sun). Retrograde Mercury and Uranus are close to the Sun, bringing an element of shock or surprise. Something may end and a whole new perspective may emerge or be revealed.

Mercury is retrograde until May 14th, and its shadow period lasts until May 31st. Now is the time to review, reconsider, revise, and renovate. Pluto turns retrograde on Monday, May 1st, starting its 5-month backward spin.

Mars is Out of Bounds (OOB) only for a few more days until May 4, the day before the Lunar Eclipse. The planet expresses itself unbounded, or without limits, so the next ten days are particularly volatile, as well as productive.

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Note about the image above: During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon appears to turn red while passing through Earth's shadow. (Image credit: Anantha Jois via Getty Images)

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Sunday is a harmonious, grounded, productive day when a lot can be accomplished. The Virgo Moon trines the Taurus Sun and Mercury. This would be a great day to work on home projects and anything that needs to be cleaned up and organized.

On May Day Monday Pluto stations retrograde. When planets are stationary, turning direction, their energy is strong. Thus, this day is laden with powerful, transformative possibility. The Virgo Moon squares Venus, and the aspect may stir up some feelings that need to be addressed. On a positive note, you can use the tension to lean in and get a lot accomplished. The Sun conjuncts Mercury, which is retrograde, inviting the review or revision of a project. This is a powerful, productive day until late afternoon. At 4:53 p.m. PDT the Moon opposes Neptune, calling for time out to relax and listen to music or watch a movie. The Moon is void of course from 4:53 p.m. PDT until 11: 50 p.m. PDT when it moves into Libra.

Tuesday is a quiet day. The Libra Moon highlights relationships and encourages social activities. Venus, Goddess of Love and Beauty, makes her presence known and voices her needs as she is sextile to Eris.

A Moon-Mars square, together with a Moon-Eris opposition Wednesday may stir agitation and anger. It would be better to channel this aggressive energy into a challenging exercise routine or some demanding work in your home or garden. The Libra Moon keeps us oriented toward conflict resolution and civility.

The Moon moves into the deep emotional waters of Scorpio on Thursday. Shortly after the Moon’s ingress, it squares Pluto, creating turbulence. A Moon-Saturn trine may help establish equilibrium. A Venus-Neptune square may result in illusion or idealism, but this may not be all bad. A Venus-Jupiter benefic sextile may encourage open-mindedness, and may encourage expansion of perspective.

Friday, May 5th holds the Lunar Eclipse. the Full Moon in Scorpio. Due to Uranus’ close proximity to the Sun, this eclipse is likely to bring sudden surprises. A late evening Moon-Mars trine may spur decisive action. This day is laden with intensity. Keep things simple.

Saturday morning is passionate and idealistic as the Scorpio Moon trines Neptune. This aspect at 7:37 a.m. signals the beginning of a long void Moon through the morning hours until 1:03 p.m. PDT. During this time it is best to allow yourself to drift, perhaps doing some gardening, reading, playing music, or whatever you are inspired to do. At 1:03 p.m. PDT the Moon bounces into Sagittarius, signaling time to move and perhaps set out on an adventure. The Sagittarius Moon fosters expansion and exploration. The is a good evening for a small dinner party, as the Sag Moon is social, but Saturn’s square to the Moon in the evening reels us in and reminds us of self-discipline and responsibilities.

Sunday invites an active, weekend adventure in the light of the Sagittarius Moon. Venus moves into Cancer where it will be happy engaging in home and family activities for the next three weeks. We hold to hope and healing in the day’s offerings, due to a Moon-Chiron trine.

The work week Monday starts with the buoyancy of the Sagittarius Moon. The Moon is void of course from 1:27 p.m. to 4:32 p.m. PDT during which time it is best to focus on routine tasks rather than meetings or anything requiring decisions and definition. The Moon ingresses into Capricorn at 4:32 p.m. PDT, inviting us to plan the next few days ahead and set intentions for accomplishment.

The Week in Short: Sunday: Harmonious, grounded day to get your life in order.

Monday: Powerful, productive day. Pluto turns retrograde. Moon VoC 4:53 p.m.-11:50 p.m. PDT.

Tuesday: Light planetary activity. Venus’ focus on love and beauty is highlighted.

Wednesday: Agitation and anger are stirred, but the Libra Moon brings a desire for harmony and peace.

Thursday: Mixed day of turbulence, idealism, and expansion of perspective. Though there are disruptors, focus on the best of possibilities.

Friday: Power surge due to the penumbral lunar eclipse. Expect surprises.

Saturday: Dreamy, drifting morning. Moon VoC 7:37 a.m.-1:03 p.m. PDT. Set out for adventure and socializing in the afternoon and evening, but be disciplined about your endeavors.

Sunday: Active day that calls for adventure. Healing is possible.

Monday: Optimistic start to the work week. Moon VoC 1:27 p.m.-4:32 p.m. PDT. Evening turns us toward work and planning.

Ten Things to Do with the Venus in Gemini (April 10-May 7) 1. Browse in a bookstore. 2. Exercise flexibility in relationship. 3. Call someone with whom you’ve been out of touch. 4. Acknowledge the various expressions of love in your everyday life. 5. Write letters. 6. Plan a short trip. 7. Take an internet excursion and make at least three new discoveries. 8. Explore your surroundings and discover something new. 9. Connect with aunts, uncles, or cousins. 10. Think (and act) more flexibly with money matters—learn something new about finances.

Moon Void-of-Course: This is the time when the Moon makes its last major angular aspect with a planet before it moves into the next zodiacal sign tropically. This void time, when the Moon is not aspecting a planet, but rather floating on its own, is a time when things don’t come together and it is difficult to make good decisions. Purchases made during void Moons often turn out to be unsatisfactory and not work out. Appointments often don’t come together, and meetings don’t result in progress or sound, lasting decisions. We more easily get lost or meander in trying to get somewhere. The VoC Moon times for the next month are listed below so that you can plan meetings, decisions, and purchases at times when the Moon is not VoC; and use the void times for gardening, reading, and routine task work. Void-of-Course Moon times for the month ahead (one lunar cycle): Pacific Standard Time:

May 1: 4:52 p.m.-11:08 p.m. (Moon into Libra)

May 4: 2:16 a.m.-7:32 a.m. (Moon into Scorpio)

May 6: 7:37 a.m.-1:03 p.m. (Moon into Sagittarius)

May 8: 1:27 p.m.-4:32 p.m. (Moon into Capricorn)

May 19: 4:52 p.m.-7:05 p.m. (Moon into Aquarius)

May 12: 8:15 p.m.-9:38 p.m. (Moon into Pisces)

May 14 at 7:56 p.m. through May 15 at 12:55 a.m. (Moon into Aries)

May 17: 2:11 a.m. -5:27 a.m. (Moon into Taurus)

May 19: 10:50 a.m.-11:47 a.m. (Moon into Gemini)

May 21: 3:11 p.m.-8:28 p.m. (Moon into Cancer)

May 24: 2:11 a.m.-7:34 a.m. (Moon into Leo)

May 25 at 11:38 p.m. through May 26 at 8:04 p.m. (Moon into Virgo)