This week: A powerful and magical Scorpio Full Moon. Mercury has a volatile square off with Mars and Pluto. The Sun joins forces with unpredictable Uranus, and the week ends on a high note as Jupiter interacts with the lunar nodes. And April offers a mini-lesson on transiting Saturn going into Aries next week! Plus: A fairy rabbit, groping shellfish, and mature romance!

Read a full transcript of this episode.

Have a question you’d like answered on the show? Email April or leave it here!

Subscribe to April’s mailing list and get a free lunar workbook at each New Moon!

Love the show? Make a donation!

Timestamps

[1:14] Moon Report! The Scorpio Full Moon (May 12, 9:56 am PDT, 22º12’ Scorpio-Taurus) illuminations tension and instability around resources and security, self-worth. The Sabian symbol for the Moon, 23 Scorpio, A rabbit metamorphosed into a fairy, illustrates the transformational symbolism of Scorpio’s modern ruler, Pluto. The Sun is on the Sabian symbol 23 Taurus, A jewelry shop. It's a time to dig deep, to train your instincts, and to allow yourself to evolve.

[3:29] Lunar Phase Family Cycle (LPFC). This is the Full Moon (awareness point) in an LPFC that began at the New Moon on Nov. 13, 2023 at 20º43’ Scorpio. The First Quarter (first action point) in this LPFC was on Aug. 12, 2024, and the Last Quarter (last action point) comes on Feb. 9, 2026.

[4:50] Void-of-Course (VOC) Moon periods. On May 12 (11:37 pm PDT), the Moon in Scorpio trines Saturn. It's VOC for 1 hour 58 minutes, and enters Sagittarius on May 13 (1:35 am PDT). Appreciate the gift of work and have faith in the transformational power of doing it well.

[6:12] On May 15 (11:28 am PDT), the Moon in Sagittarius squares Saturn. It's VOC for 1 hour 30 minutes, then enters Capricorn (12:58 pm). Replace negative feelings with emotional resilience and a sense of duty.

[7:05] On May 17 (9:27 pm PDT), the Moon in Capricorn sextiles Saturn. It's VOC for 1 hour 2 minutes, then enters Aquarius (10:29 pm PDT). Show wise stewardship of both personal and business responsibilities.

[8:08] Mercury squares Pluto (May 12, 10:23 am PDT) at 3º48’ Taurus-Aquarius. When these two planets are square, expect major developments, dramatic market shifts, communication breakdowns, big travel disruptions, or uncomfortable truths that emerge. Mercury’s Sabian symbol is 4 Taurus, The rainbow's pot of gold. Pluto’s symbol is 4 Aquarius, A Hindu healer. 

[11:09] The Sun conjoins Uranus (May 17, 4:32 pm PDT) at 27º17’ Taurus on the Sabian symbol 28 Taurus, A woman pursued by mature romance. The Sun with Uranus challenges us to evolve, often through unexpected shifts. Some will find this transit invigorating and freeing; for others, it's uncomfortable. Embrace what makes you unique and explore that in new ways.

[13:05] Mercury squares Mars (May 17, 9:36 pm PDT) at 13º53’ Taurus-Leo. Communication might get a little sharp or even cut off entirely. Choose words carefully. Mercury’s Sabian symbol is 14 Taurus, Shellfish groping and children playing. Mars' symbol is 14 Leo, The human soul awaiting opportunity for expression. This aspect challenges us to speak with intention, to think clearly, act decisively, and speak truth.

[16:25] Jupiter squares the lunar nodes at 25º05’ Gemini, Pisces, and Virgo on May 18 (11:46 am PDT). Appreciate messages that say you are moving in the right direction.  Use what you know to move you in new directions. Jupiter's Sabian symbol is 26 Gemini, Winter frost in the woods. The North Node is on the Sabian symbol 26 Pisces, A New Moon that divides its influences. The South Node is on the Sabian symbol 26 Virgo, A boy with a sensor.

[19:24] A mini-lesson: A general introduction to what we can expect Saturn to teach us while it's in Aries. In Episode 291, we'll look at Saturn in Aries moving through the houses of the horoscope, and then in Episode 292, a quick look at Saturn in aspect to the planets in your birth chart.

[20:30] Saturn takes about 29 years to make a complete circuit of the zodiac, and it spends about two and a half years in each sign. Saturn will be in Aries through Sep. 1, 2025, retrograde back into Pisces until Feb. 13, 2026, then returns to Aries until April 12, 2028. Transits of Saturn describe periods when we're challenged to become more mature, wiser, and more disciplined.

[21:45] April’s book, Astrological Transits, is an excellent source of information, and she quoted from this book during this episode.

[25:57] Saturn was last in Aries between April 7,1996-June 8, 1998 and and Oct. 25, 1998-Feb. 28, 1999. If you were born then, you'll be having your first Saturn return. And if you were born between March 3 1967-April 29 1969, you will be having your second Saturn return. The Saturn return is when transiting Saturn returns to its exact position in your birth chart. You’ll review issues related to your maturity, achievement, career, and status. 

[26:54] Differences between first and second Saturn returns.

[27:45] As Saturn moves into a new sign, we learn to step up our collective societal game and to take responsibility for a new area of society. Saturn in Aries moving through your personal horoscope can show the area or areas of your life where you are personally called to these challenges. Saturn in aspect to your personal planets symbolize the parts of your personality that will be called into service.

[28:45] April will return to listener questions in a couple of weeks. If you’d like to have a question answered on a future episode, leave a message of one minute or less at speakpipe.com/bigskyastrologypodcast or email april (at) bigskyastrology (dot) com; put “Podcast Question” in the subject line. Free ways to support the podcast: Subscribe, like, review and share with a friend!

[29:54] A tribute to this week’s donors! If you would like to support the show and receive access to April’s special donors-only videos, go to BigSkyAstropod.com and contribute $10 or more. You can make a one-time donation in any amount or become an ongoing monthly contributor.