May begins with a waxing crescent Moon – we are in the days after the New Moon when the Moon is beginning to blossom into fullness. The Full Moon in Scorpio arrives on May 12th inviting us to release, purge and make space for transformations that support our personal growth and evolution.
On the day of the Full Moon, the Sun sits with Uranus in the sign of Taurus – Uranus is often described as “the great awakener”. This Full Moon may bring profound insights that help to liberate us from outworn patterns.
Later in the month, on May 27th, we have a New Moon in Gemini. On the day of the New Moon, Mercury (the planet of communication) moves into Gemini. Gemini is Mercury’s home sign.
As Gemini is an intellectual and cerebral sign – this New Moon will be a great moment in the lunar calendar to spark new ideas. It’s a great day to journal and to discuss new thoughts and visions for the future with trusted friends and colleagues. It is a moment in the calendar when something new and exciting could begin to take shape.
One of the most important planetary shifts happening in May is the movement of Saturn (the planet of structure, life lessons and boundaries) moving into Aries on 25th May. This is a three year long transit that will be deeply felt by those with natal Saturn in Aries. This is when Saturn invites us to level up by presenting us with challenges and tests that help us to realign with our highest path in life.
You’ll be experiencing a Saturn Return if you were born on the following dates:
3rd May 1967 to 29th April 1969 (2nd Saturn Return)
7th April 1996 to 9th June 1998 and 25th Oct 1998 to 28th Feb 1999 (1st Saturn Return)
Even if you are not having a Saturn Return this planetary shift will impact us all. It will ask all where we need to build in structure in order to achieve our personal objectives.
Journal prompt for Saturn in Aries:
What are my personal goals and objectives for the next three years? What structures do I need to implement in order to achieve them?
May 1st is known as Beltane – it’s the point in the calendar halfway between spring equinox and summer solstice and it marks the beginning of summer. It’s the perfect day for a ritual or gathering. A time to plant seeds and celebrate the advent of longer brighter days.
So what’s in store for each sign…
Aries (March 21 to April 19)
This is a jam-packed month for you, dear Aries, as there are lots of planets hanging out in your sign. The planets are convening to help you to deepen your imagination, express yourself clearly and to create the structure that you need in order to thrive.
With Venus in your sign for all of May – themes of love, romance and relationships are highlighted. After a long period of self-reflection, you are ready to renew bonds or explore new commitments. When Saturn enters your sign on 25th May, you enter a new era of hard work and increased focus that will equip you with the skills and lessons you need in order to achieve great success.
Yoga practice of the month: When Saturn enters your sign, it calls on you to embrace the yogic principle of Tapas (fiery discipline). This is a Niyama (internal ethic) that invites yogis to be focused and disciplined. This is a month to set goals and to be formal and structured about what you want to achieve.
It’s not all hard work though, because Venus and Neptune bring a dreamlike quality to the month and offer a beautiful contrast to Saturn’s rigidity. You can harness this ethereal energy in your yoga practice by doing a deep meditative flow centred on the heart space and the third eye. Burn incense or essential oils in your home while you meditate to help deepen your inward gaze and to spark your imagination.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
You enter the month on the flipside of your own personal New Moon when you had the opportunity to plant seeds for the year ahead and take stock of how far you have come in the last year. Now your seeds begin to take root and Beltane on 1st May gives you a beautiful opportunity to connect to nature and recharge. Mercury (the planet of communication) enters your sign on 11th May giving you the space you need to express yourself in a slow, steady and thoughtful manner and the Full Moon in your opposite sign of Scorpio on 12th May is a moment of deep release. This month for you, dear Taurus, is giving you the time and space to say what you need to say and to use your voice to unbind yourself from situations which no longer serve you. On the 24th May Mercury (communication) and Uranus (revelations) meet in your sign so you may receive some exciting news or you be the person delivering a surprise to someone else.
Yoga practice of the month: This is a month when your throat chakra is activated and when you might have bold new ideas out of the blue. Keep a notepad with you so you can keep track of all your insights. Yoga-wise this is a month to practice in nature. Your ruling planet Venus is in the dynamic sign of Aries so you may find yourself energised. If you practice around the time of the Full Moon in Scorpio, be sure to keep track of the epiphanies that come to you during your yoga practice as there are bound to be many.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
When the Sun enters your sign on 20th May, it heralds the start of a new solar year so the days before your solar return (astrology speak for birthday) are a valuable time to reflect, assess and evaluate. Since May 2024 Jupiter (the planet of luck and expansion) has been in your sign and it will depart Gemini on 9th June. This means that May is a month to make the most of the luck that is already on your side by being intentional and deciding which areas of your life are in need of luck and expansion. On the 27th May we have a New Moon in Gemini and around the time of the New Moon, Mercury (the planet of communication), makes a powerful link with the Sun. This is a moment to ask the cosmos for what you truly desire – so make time for a ritual. You might also find that you have the gift of the gab at this time so it’s a great day to write an email or have an important conversation.
Yoga practice of the month: On the threshold of a solar new year, it’s important to stay grounded and reflective. At the start of the month practice inversions to help you to see things from another perspective so that when the New Moon arrives, you can march confidently into a new era. Work with the element of air in your practice by harnessing the power of breathwork and practicing backbends to lift the energy up into the higher chakras. From this place of openness, you can maximise the blessings that Jupiter is about to bestow on you.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22)
With a Full Moon in fellow water sign Scorpio on 12th May, you’re due a big emotional purge. There is a bumper load of planets in Aries and Aries’ fiery direct energy doesn’t sit well with your nurturing slow paced approach. You might find yourself needing to rest, retreat and restore this month. Take moments of stillness when you can find them. The New Moon in Gemini on 27th May gives you an opportunity to set intentions and you will find that you are even more intuitive than usual on this day. This month might feel a little unproductive but this is because the cosmos is willing you to slow down. You are being encouraged to spend this month in quiet reverie preparing for your birthday month which will be replete with blessings.
Yoga practice of the month: This is a month for meditative slow flows. Poses that take you into a state of Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) will be very beneficial this month. It can be good to work with twists as a health outlet for any frustrations that you might be experiencing. Guided meditations and sound baths around the time of the Full Moon will support you in letting go.
Leo (July 23 to August 22)
Dear Leo, you might be feeling like you finally got your mojo back. Mars (the planet of drive and ambition) is in your sign for all of May and it’s giving you energy and vigour. Channel this energy into cherished projects and physical activities or you might find yourself getting frustrated and hot headed. As your sign is ruled by the Sun, the New Moon in Gemini on 27th is an important day for you because the Sun links with Mercury (the planet of communication) help to spark ideas and ignite exciting new beginnings.
Yoga practice of the month: With Mars in your sign, it’s vital you have an outlet for your energy. This is a month for dynamic practices (whatever that might mean to you). Harness the power of the New Moon by setting intentions both on and off the mat. Work with the crystal Citrine to help you to get everything done.
Virgo (August 23 to September 22)
This month could bring success in the work sphere and you will find yourself being celebrated for you sharp intellect and your attention to detail. On the New Moon in Gemini, your ruler Mercury makes a link with the Sun – bestowing you with clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. With Venus (the planet of beauty and love) in the sign of Aries your romantic and interpersonal relationships may have a transformative impact on you this month. Pay attention to the conversations you are having with friends and partners this month. These conversations may be the source of a breakthrough that will guide you towards greater fulfilment.
Yoga practice of the month: This is a month when your mind is very active. Meditation will get your mind sharp and clear and will help to reduce over-thinking. On the mat you can try neck stretches and three-part breathing (Dirga Pranayama) to enhance your self-expression and to calm and ground.
Libra (September 23 to October 22)
With Venus (the planet of beauty and love) and Neptune (the planet of imagination) in your opposite sign of Aries for all of May, romantic relationships and platonic partnerships may come into focus this month. Neptune is bringing a dream-like quality to your relationships, enjoy this but try to keep one foot planted in reality. The New Moon on 27th May in fellow Air sign Gemini invites you to set intentions around travel and higher education. It’s a good day to book a trip, if you have the resources.
Yoga practice of the month: This is a month to work on grounding. Create a sense of anchoring by spending time in Child’s Pose (balasana) or by sitting in stillness and visualising roots growing from the base of your spine. From this place of stability, you can make plans for travel and adventure. To prepare yourself for upcoming journeys you can work with Warrior 1 and Warrior 2 as these poses propel us forwards energetically.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)
Your Full Moon arrives on May 12th, demanding that you let go of old baggage and ring in the changes. With your ruler Mars charging through the fire sign of Leo, you’ll feel more energetic than you have for a while. Make bold choices this month. They are cosmically aligned.
Yoga practice of the month: Mars (the planet of drive and ambition) is helping you to feel energetic and driven. This is a month for fast paced practices with a focus on letting go. Deep forward folds such as Humble Warrior (Baddha Virabhadrasana) and Big Toe Pose (Padangusthasana) will help you to prepare for the Scorpio Full Moon.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21)
With planets convening in your fellow fire sign of Aries, you are feeling imaginative, romantic and expressive this month, dear Sag. This month is playful and energetic. The Full Moon in Scorpio is set to deepen your intuition and may reveal some important information to you. The New Moon in your opposite sign of Gemini will give you the words you need to improve relationships or perhaps even to embark on a new one.
Yoga practice of the month: Bring a sense of play and creativity into your yoga practice this month. Your intuition is heightened so connect to the Third Eye Chakra through poses such as Eagle (Garudasana), Cobra (Bhujangasana) and Down Dog (Adho Muka Svanasana). The New Moon in Gemini marks a half-way point in the year for you so it’s a great time to reflect. You can create more space for this in your practice through inversions, backbends and forward folds.
Capricorn (December 22 to January 19)
This month your ruler Saturn is changing signs – what this means for you is that there may be a palpable energetic shift. For the last three years Saturn has in been in Pisces but on May 25th it moves into fiery Aries adding a sense of urgency to your goals and ambitions. As a Capricorn you prefer a steady pace but Saturn in Aries asks you to move with more speed. The New Moon in Gemini on the 27th asks you to be clear about what you want so that you can move forwards deliberately and with purpose.
Yoga practice of the month: Embrace the fire of Saturn in Aries by working with the element of Fire in your practice. Revolved Chair Pose (Parivrtta Utkatasana) melds the energies of Saturn and Aries. Light one red and one black candle. Red will bring the dynamism of Aries and black will bestow you with the discipline of Saturn.
Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)
On the 4th of May, Pluto (the planet of transformation) stations retrograde inviting you to reflect on the changes you have already implemented since the 19th Nov 2024. The Full Moon in Scorpio will shed light on the things that you need to release with regards to your career and work life. Once you have lightened the load on a work level you will be ready for the New Moon fellow Air sign Gemini (May 27th) which invites you to focus on setting intentions around fun and creativity.
Yoga practice of the month: The month starts in reflective mode so try practicing inversions and Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) to help you go inwards. Towards the end of the month you’ll be embracing a more playful spirit so seek out creative sequences that give you permission to free-style and explore.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20)
The Full Moon in fellow water sign Scorpio on 12th May highlights themes around education and learning. Perhaps you are coming to the end of a period of learning. Around the time of the Full Moon you might experience a sudden flash of insight with regards to all you have learned over the last three years or so. Make a note of any insights that come to you. As a water sign, you may have these insights in the bath or shower so pay attention.
On May 25th Saturn finally leaves your sign, this is a momentous day and it would be a good idea to take some time to pause and reflect around this time. For the last three years the cosmos has been offering you challenges and encouraging you to level up. What advances have you made?
Yoga practice of the month: Around the time of the Full Moon, practice a Slow Flow centred on the element of Water. After the practice, take time to journal and reflect. On the day that Saturn enters Aries (May 25th) find a practice that feels spacious and liberating. Saturn has been restricting you for a while so let your practice serve as an embodied way to feel into the beautiful energetic shift that is happening for you.
Sending blessings
From MoreYoga, Amanda and the Good Ghosts
About Amanda Barokh
Amanda Barokh has been studying tarot and astrology since childhood and practicing yoga since 2007 but it was a spiritual awakening in 2013 that started a chain of events which lead her to pursue spiritual work as a vocation and calling. In 2019 she did her yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India. She has also studied mediumship and is constantly developing her intuitive skills.
She loves weaving links between tarot, astrology and yoga and she believes that working with the three in tandem has powerful healing properties.
Amanda believes in using astrology and tarot to empower rather than to predict. Her website is www.allthegoodghosts.com – “The Good Ghosts” is the nickname she gives to her spirit guides.
You can book a tarot reading, birth chart interpretation or bespoke yoga class through her website.