Astrology is an art, science, and most of all, a practice. It reflects the old adage, “As above, so below.” Astrology does not predict the future. Nor does it determine our lives’ circumstances. Rather, astrology gives us a way of reflecting upon and more deeply understanding our personal and collective experiences.

Astrology is svadhyaya, self-study. It empowers us to make more informed choices. As we do, we no longer see ourselves as victims of circumstances. Rather, we step into our role as co-creators with the Universe.

New Moon in Taurus.

With Aries comes a lot of initiatory energy. The first day of spring and the first new moon of the astrological new year stir the energies within us. We’re ready for a change in pace, to embark on adventure, or at the very least, we’re primed to try something new!

Taurus, represented by the bull, follows Aries in the Zodiac’s procession. After gaining much momentum in Aries, it is time for us to focus our energy. Aries has an abundance of energy and helps us get things started. However, that much energy burning that intensely is unsustainable.

Taurus allows us to consider our values. In order to create meaningful, steady shifts that allow us to pursue our goals and intentions, we must recognize we have limited energy. The new moon in Taurus gives us an opportunity to determine where our energy is best served. It also invites us to replenish our energy through taking care of ourselves to ensure we have all we need for the journey ahead.

The Sun in Gemini.

The Sun is how we express who we are to the world. Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury. Mercury was the messenger between humans and the gods. This indicates the sort of flavor our personalities take on when the Sun is in Gemini.

The Sun in Gemini is a time for examining all aspects of how we communicate with others. Communication involves both expressing ourselves and listening to other people express themselves. Most of us are gifted speakers or gifted listeners. The Sun in Gemini gives us the opportunity to become aware of our communication styles, preferences, and techniques, and to practice the aspects of communication that do not feel as natural to us.

If that seems like and overwhelming task, rest assured that the Sun in Gemini is and ideal time to give it a try. Gemini loves to learn! No matter what our early education experiences may have been, we can reclaim the joy of learning that is our birthright. Gemini is our life-long inner student and inner teacher. Through learning, sharing, and growing, like Mercury, we flit between the mundane and magical, the immanent and transcendent, that of this world and that which is divine.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius.

Eclipses indicate times of critical change. A lunar eclipse occurs during a Full Moon when Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon. Earth casts a shadow on the Moon obscuring its light.

We can think of a lunar eclipse as a time when we consider things that hinder our ability to shine our light. Often, the sign the eclipse is in gives us a clue as to the area of our lives that would benefit from additional examination.

Eclipses come in cycles. This year most of our lunar and solar eclipses will be in Gemini and Sagittarius. Both of these Zodiac signs have to do with learning, growing, and sharing what we know (or think we know) with others. The lunar eclipse in Sagittarius indicates a time of examining all the things we think we know and questioning our dogmatic beliefs. We take this time to loosen our grip on the things we were so certain were fundamental truths so that we can explore and implement new, healthier ways of doing things at Gemini solar eclipse.

Because they herald significant transitions, eclipses are emotional times for many people. A lunar eclipse is like a super-charged Full Moon. We confront the shadow-aspects of ourselves that prevent us from being the people we are capable of being. At the lunar eclipse, we have the opportunity to release that which does not serve the highest good, personally and collectively.

Astrologically-informed yoga practices for May.

• If it is safe for you to do so, try practicing yoga outside! Have you ever tried doing Tree Pose next to an actual tree? I highly recommend it! It makes you feel like a child reaching your arms to be picked up by a loving grown-up!
• Chanting mantra is a wonderful yoga practice that helps us heal our communication abilities, whether we struggle on the giving or receiving end! One mantra that is accessible to most people is chanting OM Shanti, which loosely translated means “highest peace.” Chanting mantra allows us to heal how we communicate so that everyone we encounter will be uplifted in our presence.
• Deepen your yoga practice by reading or re-reading sacred texts such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita. Or read a modern text by a respected yoga teacher such as Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates or Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater! Challenge what you think you know about yoga in order to learn something new!