Plus some journaling questions, an astro-tarot forecast and an exploration of the the Sabian symbol for the April/May 2022 new moon + solar eclipse in Taurus.
The April/May 2022 new moon falls in the sign of Taurus. The Taurus archetype is grounded and steadfast, calm and composed, firm and also somewhat stubborn. This is a sign that is practical and earthy, and is associated with material pleasures, desires, luxuriousness, and abundance.
Spiritually, the Taurus archetype teaches the principle of belonging through presence…our presence as sacred human beings…honoring the body temple…honoring the flow of life. This can be difficult given the society we live in, which praises the hustle over reverence and treats time as money rather than a finite resource that should be used wisely in the pursuit of the things that give us meaning.
This new moon also kicks off eclipse season, with a partial solar eclipse that is visible from southern South America, parts of Antarctica, and over the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This gives the April/May 2022 new moon an extra oomph, helping us to break habitual patterns, bringing in an awakening, and offering us the chance for a cosmic reboot.
This new moon + solar eclipse also brings into focus the power of owning your voice. This isn’t always an easy thing – to speak your truth. There’s a lot of anxiety that it can bring up, around how we are perceived; how our words translate; and what people may think of us. It can lead to fears of being “found out” or ostracized – neither of which is a rational fear! In fact, if this is something that holds you back, this solar eclipse would be an excellent time to work towards breaking this pattern.
Astro-Tarot influences for the April/May 2022 solar eclipse
To throw some more light on this Taurus new moon astrology, let’s take a look at the astro-tarot influences of this lunation. The Taurus new moon falls in decan 2, which is represented by the 6 of Pentacles. This is to be interpreted in conjunction with The Hierophant, which is associated with Taurus.
The Daily Pause Oracle Deck
I designed this beautiful, 40-card oracle deck to bring in some stillness, to give us a word or an idea to reflect on as we go about our day.
Supported by the four elements – earth, air, fire, water – and a carefully thought-out structure that connects the cards, The Daily Pause oracle will help you to listen to and trust your own inner knowing.
There’s no learning curve involved with using this deck. Just get quiet, shuffle the cards, pull one out, and reflect on the word you’re presented with.
The concept of tithing or charity is foundational to almost every religious and spiritual practice. I think of it as the capacity to share what you have — be it money, time or resources; or listening, witnessing or simply being there for a friend — while recognizing that that capacity waxes and wanes depending on what is happening in our own lives and also in the wider world around us, especially if you’re particularly sensitive to energy.
I think of the scales in the hand of the figure on the 6 of Pentacles, and to me, that is a reminder that we need to be balanced in our approach to giving. Some of us are givers — we give and give and give without asking for anything in return until we are depleted and worn out. But behind that giving lies fear — the fear of not being enough, of being irrelevant, of being abandoned. Often, the givers don’t know how to be receivers, don’t know how to ask for what they need, and so they never or rarely receive it.
The aspect that, I think, is rarely spoken of, especially with this card, is the shadow side of receiving, which could manifest as a sense of entitlement, or of amassing all the shiny things — including all the freebies available on the internet. I also look at the inability to let go of things that are no longer useful or loved as the shadow side of receiving. Just to be clear, this doesn’t mean that you have to become a minimalist. I think it’s very normal to have an emotional attachment to certain things and to collect and curate collections of things that make your heart sing.
What I’m referring to is the need to hold on to things, maybe because you think you may need it some day — but that day hasn’t come in years. I believe this is also a cry for help, for security, for a sense of surety in a world that can sometimes feel topsy-turvy. I think the impulse for holding on to things often pulls at childhood wounding. Once you start to address those wounds, to acknowledge them, it generally gets easier to release the grip on things as substitutes for security or comfort or stability or whatever else the holding on to them feeds.
And then I look over and notice the The Hierophant’s keys, and I am reminded of what Marie White wrote in the Mary-El Tarot, “the key unlocks the gateway to the gods, which is the gateway into ourselves, the temple of our bodies, a well, a tomb, the subconscious; where the grotesque becomes sublime and we put away childish things, illusions, and ideas.” In a way, the turning of the key helps us to move between the realms of light and shadow, helping us see the stickiness that makes us perpetual givers, or reluctant to receiving, or pushes us over into the shadow side of receiving or giving.
Interestingly, I saw this post on Instagram soon after I finished drafting this note, so of course I had to share it because I think its an interesting illustration of what it means to receive.
Notice how you feel when you read the description. Personally, I thought it was adorable. I can picture my cats embodying this state, but I felt the resistance to actually embodying this for myself. A little bit, maybe. But like a cat? Knowing they deserve all the cuddles they demand? Nooooo!
I’ve copied the caption below in case it’s difficult to read:
“RECEIVE: Meet Tatiana. She feels her inner Queen shining and makes no apologies for relaxing on her throne and receiving in abundance. She knows she is an exquisite flower, beckoning the bees and butterflies into her embrace. Her very existence is a gift to the world, a honey sip of bliss. She is as soft as petals and as open as the cloudless sky. Let go of all shame and doubt. You are indeed a divine splendor. The time for chasing and striving is done. Sit in your innate beauty and magnetism, unravel all grasping, and receive. Become wide open and let the magic in.”
Sabian Symbol for the April/May 2022 new moon in Taurus
The Sabian Symbol for Taurus 10 degrees is A Person Sprinkling Long Rows of Flowers.
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This is such a beautiful symbol of someone lovingly tending to their garden, giving their plants the time, attention, and care they need to grow and thrive. Adequate amounts of water; regular doses of fertilizer; and hoeing, weeding and pruning are just some of the things that are essential to cultivating a healthy garden.
All of this presents rich symbolism for us to work with. Are you getting adequate hydration? Are your nurturing yourself — mind, body, and soul? This more physical aspect of care and restoration is also right up Taurus’ alley — this is a sign that loves luxurious things, sensual pleasures, and earthy delights, so make some time to pamper and treat yourself!
This symbol also points to looking after projects that you’ve recently started to ensure that you have what you need to see the project through to completion.
Tarot spread for the April/May 2022 new moon + solar eclipse
Here’s a simple, yet potentially powerful tarot spread to tap into the energy of this Taurus moon.
1. From the shadow: This card will represent something that triggers you; something that is in the shadow
2. To light: This card represents how you can flip the switch. Think of these two cards as two sides of a coin. What do they say to you?
3. Mamma moon says: This is always an encouraging message, and in this spread, can lend a layer of additional wisdom + insight.
If you share your spreads on Instagram, please use the hashtag #moontarotstories or tag me @moderngypsy.in so we can connect with each other.
Journaling questions for the new moon in Taurus
Not a cardslinger? No problem. Here are some journaling questions for you instead.
- Do you find it easy to receive? What are the thoughts that come up for you around receiving?
- Are you a giver (i.e. give too much)? What would happen if you put up some boundaries to care for yourself first?
- If you hold on to objects long after you need to, what underlies that need? What is the feeling that you sense under that need to hold on to things?
- If the description of the Witch Cats oracle card felt a bit sticky, do some freewriting around it and see what comes up.
Resources to support you during this new moon
Tracking the moon – Some notes on tracking the moon + a peek into my very first moon journal
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