Horoscopes for May 23-29: Full Moon Lunar Eclipse
The energy of this past weekend was dominated by a difficult angle between Mercury and Neptune, highlighting the infinite duality within our nature. Ideally, our awareness is a balance between logic and intuition, dreams and reality- but how do we reconcile the differences therein? Battles within our minds pit two valid perspectives against each other, but the truth is always somewhere in between. Adding to this dilemma is newly retrograde Saturn, who gives us a chance to regain karmic balance, and adjust our lives and routines wherever necessary. On Wednesday, a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse will shine a light on all that was unclear, bringing flashes of realization, and helping us to see what needs to change. By the end of the week, Mercury retrograde will push us to rethink what we were once sure of, bringing our attention to any seeds of doubt that have been growing. It is time to pull the weeds from our mental gardens. Many of us will spend the next few months rearranging priorities and commitments in order to realign with what feels right yet also makes sense.
Aries: To feel perpetually misunderstood is akin to feeling cursed- and when we are unable to translate the wishes of our soul in a way that others understand, despair can follow. During such times, we can either hold firmly to our perspective, or crumble under the weight of the world. Mercury will be backtracking through your 3rd house of communication, pushing you to rethink and rephrase what you say, clarifying and perhaps apologizing for anything that did not come across the way you meant. It will also be a time of contemplating the nature and the health of your closest connections. Communication, however, is a two-way street, so remember you are not solely responsible for making things work. The Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday will illuminate another way, helping you to make breakthroughs and see what needs to change. Your experience is valid and real, but constantly feeling like you have to explain yourself is getting exhausting. Trust your inner truth, even when others do not meet you halfway, and do your best to avoid people or situations that make you feel as though you do not matter. You do, and they are bad for your health.
Taurus: Wouldn’t it be nice if we could spend our days doing whatever makes us the happiest? Unfortunately, bills need to be paid, and there are always endless tasks that divert our attention and sap our energy. It may feel as though you have one foot in the ethereal, and one foot anchored to a sober reality, feeding resentment, and creating a sense of being split or disconnected. Our attitude is the lens through which we see the world- and every now and then we must squeegee the third eye. Trust that even though it often feels like life is happening to us, we truly are the masters of our destiny. This will become clear around Wednesday, when the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse activates your 8th house of karma, life, death, and rebirth. Prepare yourself for a journey that may feel deeply uncomfortable for a while, but the payoff will be the sense that you have not compromised any of your values to get where you want to be. Give yourself permission to float among the clouds in one moment, fully rooting your awareness in the present in another. You don’t have to pick just one. Fitting into a mold is not what is being asked of you right now- but being your unique self is.
Gemini: When we ask the question, “Who am I?”, we often struggle to find labels or definitions that fit. The problem with this is that we are comparing ourselves to what already is, yet there has never been a You before. Mid-week, the Full Moon will be illuminated by the Sun in your sign, helping you to realize that although reflections from others help us see ourselves, what they perceive is not the be-all end-all of that which exists. If it seems as though others do not see you for who you are, consider what you share, and why. Your ruling planet Mercury will be retrograde for three weeks, rearranging your headspace and awareness. There is so much more to you than what is visible on the surface, and this week you will be contemplating the masks you wear. Your sign is adept at outer transformation, like a chameleon blending into its environment, but are you only sharing what you think others will accept, or are you brave enough to share your unedited self boldly, letting your true colors come through?
Cancer: In the blink of an eye, everything can change, catalyzed by realizations or revelations. Something you gave away or shared will be returned to you very soon, thereby altering your plans for the future. When material or energetic debts are repaid, the air is cleared, allowing you to reconsider your next best steps. Having recently let go of your expectations, this will be a pleasant surprise! Your peaceful acceptance of that which is allows you to more easily go with the flow of whatever comes to be- and as a result, your spiritual and physical health are improving dramatically. Remember that those two always go hand-in-hand, and neglecting one will result in imbalance with both. Resentment is a heavy weight, but Mercury will be moving backwards through your 12th house of dreams and inspiration, helping you to release doubt and negativity. Prepare to have your faith restored! Saturn’s 5-month retrograde journey through your 8th house will remind you that you alone write your fate, and no one else.
Leo: Every relationship we have is based on both spoken and unspoken agreements. Over time, it can become hard to detangle our interactions, because we tend to look more closely at the details, rather than the bigger picture. One definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over but expecting different results. Even though we may experience the same thing, our perceptions can be worlds apart, and pointing the finger at another can lead to ignoring what is ours to own. We must be the change we wish to see. Consider the roots of the situation, and ask yourself what sort of precedent has been set. The longer it has been, the harder it will be to shift, but Saturn is moving retrograde through your 7th house of partnerships, presenting you with an opportunity to speak your truth, phrased in a new way. Although difficult dynamics have been stealing your attention and energy lately, that is all about to change. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse this week will present an opportunity to do something you love, reigniting your passion, and infusing you with a newfound zest for life.
Virgo: You have known for a long time that something needed to shift, but the answer always seemed to elude you. Only recently did you made a choice that changed everything. Now that Saturn is backtracking through your 6th house of health and daily routines, guard your progress with vigilance and determination. This is no time to slack off- it is time to cement those realizations in practice. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse this week brings an “ah-ha!” moment that allows you to reflect on how far you have come and how much you’ve grown. Give yourself a pat on the back, and double-down your efforts to evolve and grow towards the light. Your ruling planet Mercury will be retrograde for three weeks, so prepare for the self-doubt to come slowly creeping back in. Your impeccable eye for detail can be too critical when focused inwards, so remember to extend to yourself the same compassion you show others.
Libra: The heaviness weighing down your soul is lifting, making way for beams of light to shine through the cracks. It is not so much that you are illuminated by an external source- rather, it is because of all that you have released that the light is shining from deep within. Embracing new philosophies and changing your environment whenever possible will help you continue to release all that is stagnant and anything you have outgrown. This process is clearing the way for a new sense of freedom, thereby allowing you to create a future you would never have imagined a few months ago. The Lunar Eclipse this week will coincide with an opportunity to share your story with someone in your inner circle. As you do, new realizations emerge. Saturn’s retrograde journey through your 5th house will inspire you to make more time in your schedule for joyful expression, helping to heal your wounded inner child. No longer available for people or situations that lower your vibration, this taste of true happiness has awakened an insatiable hunger for all that truly feeds your soul.
Scorpio: The last time you asked yourself, “Do I matter?”, how did your soul respond? Do you require evidence to believe in your importance? As Mercury backtracks through your 8th house of karma, it will be locked into a challenging angle with Neptune in your 5th house of joy. This dynamic illustrates the delicate balance between cultivating an inner self confidence vs seeking outer validation. We must learn to nurture our own sense of self-worth, because we will not always be assured of our value by others. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday brings confirmation that you matter very much, with people coming out of the woodwork to show you love and support. Soak it all up while you can! Occasions such as these fill our energetic reservoirs, helping us get through future periods of drought. For the next 5 months, Saturn’s retrograde journey will be much like a chapter review, reinforcing concepts of emotional health. Your future success depends on a solid foundation of unconditional love for yourself, regardless of any confirmation you receive.
Sagittarius: That which we are envy in others points to deficiencies or cravings within our own lives. Instead of feeling ashamed of your inner turmoil, consider that your shadow side has a valid point. While Mercury is retrograde for the next three weeks, take the time to water your own grass in a way that you are not pining for greener pastures elsewhere. Perfection is an illusion, and the people who continually boast and announce their successes on social media are typically overcompensating for deeply rooted insecurities and doubt. You are capable of achieving all you desire, but in order to do so, you must believe that you are worthy. Know that your worthiness does not come after you achieve a certain thing- the truth is that you possess all that you need here and now. Saturn’s retrograde journey will be a 5-month exploration of communication, boundaries, and massive shifts within your inner circle. Daily positive affirmations will help you grow in ways you never thought possible. With gratitude, speak as though all you wish for is already present, and you will attract to yourself that which you desire.
Capricorn: In order to evaluate what is worth our time and energy, we typically employ a litmus test of value that hinges on monetary compensation. It is especially hard for your sign to prioritize what isn’t materially successful, but whom do those standards serve? We are raised to find our place in society, but there is more to you than your usefulness and employability. Consider what you love to do when no one is watching and there is no compensation, because that deep sense of joy will infuse you with an endless stream of energy and ideas. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday brings a flash of inspiration, awakening a sleeping passion that will make you feel alive again. This is something that you can integrate into your daily life, and as you realize what was missing, your next best steps will become clear. The answer has always been right in front of you, it just took new eyes to see it. Try not to worry too much about the future, just make sure to be fully present here and now, and everything will come together in divine timing.
Aquarius: Your sign is associated with the inventor, the visionary, the one before their time- yet carving your own path in life can be a lonely journey indeed. In the past, the fear of being alone has compelled you to keep company that does not serve your highest good- but the more you feel comfortable with who you are and where you are going, you will also become more selective about who gets to come with you. Your pursuit of joy lately seems to be at odds with what you want to achieve, but all that you desire is not as far out of reach as you think. Saturn’s retrograde journey over the next 5 months will have you reshaping your self-image in a way that more accurately reflects who you see yourself to be, rather than how certain other people see you. Mercury is only retrograde for 3 weeks, but it will be locked into a challenging angle with Neptune for much longer, forcing you to reconsider your priorities. Are you placing more value on your dreams, or on your relationships? And to what end? It may help to focus on a vision for the future, and then work backwards to imagine the steps and choices that will take you there. One day at a time is all any of us can do.
Pisces: Symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, your sign is the most comfortable with undefined moments with no sense of direction. Because of this, Mercury retrograde does not typically affect you as much as it does others. This time, however, your ruling planet Neptune is locked into a challenging angle with Mercury, increasing your susceptibility to confusion and doubt. That which you were so sure of a few weeks ago is now the subject of re-evaluation, and you may be questioning your choices as of late. Have no fear! This does not mean you have made a mistake- it is simply an opportunity to dig deeper and consider your intentions and motivation. Ask yourself what triggered this- and if it is the fear of missing out, it is not worth changing course. Remember that your path is unique, so meditate on exactly what you are afraid of missing out on. Is that real or an illusion? Resist the urge to make any sudden changes, because the truth will become clear after the Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday. Mercury and Venus unite at the end of the week, dispelling your uncertainty, and returning you to a place of confidence and focus.