Taurus New Moon Solar Eclipse: Abloom with New Life

I always know when the Taurus season has arrived – my backyard is suddenly abloom with magnificent pink and orange epiphyllums! Sensual, beauty-loving Taurus is my favorite sign. It rules the finer things in life—a homemade Caesar salad with an exquisite glass of pinot noir, a barefoot walk in the grass, a long, slow massage. During the Taurus season (mid April to mid May) we feel more than usually inclined toward such indulgences. At the Taurus New Moon, like the one that’s due April 28 at 11:14 pm PDT, we plant new seeds for creative projects, deepen the love in our relationships, and generally celebrate new life. This New Moon is also a solar eclipse, intensifying Taurean themes like security, finances and commitments of all kinds. Yet because Taurus is ruled by peace-loving Venus (currently exalted in Pisces), and messenger Mercury makes beautiful aspects at the New Moon, the stage is set for a calmer, more stable period ahead.

And boy do we need it, after the recent Grand Cross and total lunar eclipse. Talk about wake-up calls! The April 15 eclipse lit up my Neptune in the sixth house of health, and squared my Sun (life force). A week before the eclipse was exact, I suffered a stroke. The doctor was dumbfounded, as I have none of the risk factors for stroke. Nor did I exhibit the usual slurred speech or paralysis. Just an infernal headache that wouldn’t quit. I was lucky. In fact, I was blessed—at the time of the incident, transiting Jupiter was near my Venus (ruler of my sixth house), protecting me. Friends and family came out of the woodwork to pray, send healing energy and surround me with love. I was released from the hospital after only two days, and told I’d make a full recovery (with the help of blood thinners). Cleared for travel, I flew to Houston a few days later to visit my sweetie, who pampered me to the hilt. I was “stroked by love” on so many levels. I even found a chiropractor who greatly reduced the headache.

Still, I can’t help wondering—was the stroke a warning of some kind? It was the second time recently that I’d been knocked upside the head (the first was when my digital marketer partners abruptly pulled out of The Tantric Woman magazine, leaving me in the lurch.) Sometimes it’s hard to discern what the Universe is trying to tell you—especially if your chart is being hit by disruptive energies like the Uranus-Pluto square (catalyzed by last week’s Grand Cross). During such times, all you can do is surrender to the process, avoid making rash moves or jumping to conclusions, be grateful for all that’s good in your life and wait for clarity to emerge.

Set your intentions for grounding, wealth, clarity and sensual enjoyment at the upcoming Taurus New Moon. By the time action-hero Mars finally turns forward on May 19 (or perhaps even sooner, around the May 14 magical Scorpio-Taurus Full Moon), all sorts of good things and new directions should begin to manifest for you.

To cultivate more wealth and well-being in your life, check out this Taurus New Moon ritual from my book, Astro Feng Shui: Making Magic in Your Home and Life. At the bottom of that page, you’ll find a mini-makeover showing how I helped one woman beautify her Wealth gua at the New Moon, which triggered new blessings to flow into her life. And don’t forget to order April Elliott Kent’s terrific eclipse report, Followed by a Moonshadow, to find out what’s ahead for you!