I think that’s it’s a fair statement to say that since the beginning of 2020, we have been slammed individually and collectively. What has happened is out of our control and we have limited influence on the outcome (But, please, wear your masks and wash your hands!). No longer able to keep our plates spinning, we are hunkered down and trying to adjust to the changes before us.
Now as baby steps are being taken to re-start our lives again, May brings us 3 planets to join Pluto which is already retrograde. While many panic during these periods, I feel we have been given a pause, a period of time to review our lives and assimilate new lessons. I know it seems as if we have nothing but time to dwell on what is missing, but that’s really not the point. Brooding is not reflection; this is a time to reach deep into ourselves and pull ourselves out of the mire.
Since April, Pluto has been in retrograde motion. Pluto’s action now is internalized and it gives us time to process the changes we have experienced. Pluto will remain in retrograde motion until the beginning of October, giving us a long period of time to explore the deepest aspects of ourselves and deal with our shadows.
Saturn in Aquarius began its yearly retrograde journey on May 11. During this time, it is less about building and accomplishment and more about finishing what we started and letting go of what hasn’t worked. It’s time to reassess our responsibilities. Saturn rules boundaries and isolation; Aquarius governs group activity and our social lives. Expect to see wildly lopsided lifestyles as some states and countries loosen quarantine restrictions while others tighten their lockdowns.
Venus in Gemini turns retrograde on May 13. How we communicate is the topic under discussion. For love to blossom, we need to have a cerebral connection too. Venus in dualistic Gemini could also illustrate the idea of being in two minds about a relationship or undecided about where to invest time and energy. When Venus goes retrograde, we’re prompted to look at our values and consider whether we are living our lives in alignment with them. Issues connected with money may also come up during this time. Given the global situation at this time, it is likely that economic factors are going to be in play for some time for many of us so we could use this retrograde period to go over our accounts and get clear about where our money is going.
Expansive Jupiter in Capricorn joins the retrograde brigade on May 14. Pluto is already retrograde here and the two will unite on June 30 for the second of three meetups this year. As the bountiful and visionary planet makes a U-turn, we may need to scale back our grand plans or temporarily tighten our belt, which makes sense given the economic uncertainty that we’re all facing. Developments in the outer world slow down or stop so that we have time to assess where we are going and to ensure we are ready for whatever it is we are moving towards. Jupiter’s retrograde each year gives us time to attend to inner growth.
You’re probably already feeling the effect of this energy and the retrograde impact can last for a while. Venus retrogrades to the end of June, Jupiter retrogrades to mid-September, and Saturn retrogrades to the end of September. For anyone who wants more detailed information on how these retrogrades will affect you personally, you can order a Retrograde Survival Guide here.