Mercury in Taurus ☿ May 13 – 29

May 13 – 29, 2018

Mercury is a mental support beam for the sun and Venus. When Mercury joins the sun and/or Venus in the same constellation, the mind (Mercury) aligns with outward manifestation (sun) and the heart (Venus). Taking all of this into account, the first week of this transit should be the most synergistic as the sun will also be in Taurus at this time.

Mercury Retrograde was surprisingly forgiving. Aries showed us how to move forward with a smile, and how to better appreciate who we are. Bed the tongue now in the gardens of Taurus. Mercury the Messenger rides the bull, and humorously bold statements abound, all according to the script of Taurean reality. Taurus is self-assured, direct, candid. The bull lives in the basics. When in doubt, keep it simple. Light social interactions are meaningless to the bull, and it’s true that such things are counter to her innate pragmatism. Taureans reject superficial encounters with real irritability as this is a “waste” of their time.

Standing in her shadow, Taurus can be too complacent or unnecessarily argumentative. The bull speaks with conviction, but sometimes her straightforward demeanor is unreasonably severe, intransigent, unforgiving or judgmental. The mired bull does not extend her patience to others, the same patience she so unfailingly expects to receive from everyone else. She is content as long as her surroundings are peaceful, at least in outward appearance. Taurus is often not willing or able to look beyond the purely physical details of external reality. In her most evolved expression, Taurus is a minimalist and essentialist, detached from the illusory comforts of luxury and material possessions. The self-aware bull eliminates the unimportant to see what is important.

Many Taureans struggle to maintain spiritual practices because it is difficult for them to ground in the unknown. This is required of all who walk the spiritual path. Taurus, more than any other zodiac creature, does not like the unknown. She outright fears it and may actively avoid life’s complexities. Taurus is more interested in sustaining and maintaining what is already known, what already exists in her world. The bull must move beyond this block – she must ask with genuine curiosity, what lies beneath the surface, beyond what I can touch and see? However, Taurus is not completely misguided. She inherently understands something important about the spiritual path. And here is that truth, so often denied, buried beneath the fluff: warmth, comfort and security go a long way.

The bull is unabashedly sensual and passionate, though not always emotionally profound, precisely because she prefers not to address issues originating in the subconscious realm. She is well equipped to handle arduous and elaborate missions so as long as they are rooted in the terrestrial scape, so long as they may be managed by the senses alone.

Animals associated with Mercury include the rooster, ram, goat and tortoise. In Taurus, the tortoise blinks sleepily from Mercury’s breast. Though you may feel restless and cagey, it is wise to root in one place and just be there, especially for the first week. Sit and meditate. Taurus is a static creature who demands stillness, so take your time. It’s all about patience baby. Though it never comes to her quickly, resolution gives the bull deep satisfaction. Feel it rising from deep within the earth. May you neither seek nor desire, but sink into the wildflowers with a happy sigh.

Two hours before Mercury enters Taurus, he forms a quick conjunction to Uranus – expect the first day of this cycle to be full of the unexpected. May 15 is a gold star day – we have a new moon in Taurus and Uranus joins the Taurus party too for the first time since 1942. On May 18, Mercury forms a friendly angle to Saturn Retrograde in Capricorn – should be a very productive day. On May 21 we have a quarter moon in sister earth constellation Virgo, so another day favoring work and productivity. May 22 will be a difficult day; Mercury opposes Jupiter Retrograde in Scorpio. Lastly, on May 25 Mercury forms a friendly angle to Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn, and though there will be another benevolent influence with Jupiter and Neptune as well, an unsavory influence will also be at play between Saturn and Venus, so expect a day of mixed outcomes. The last day of Mercury in Taurus is a full moon!

In meditation, focus on the throat chakra. Wear blue or earth tones. Give special attention to your head and neck. Rest your mind with long walks and Taurus Yoga. If you were born with Mercury in Taurus, these two weeks are your Mercury Return. To find your personal Mercury sign, click here.

Mantra:  I mean what I say