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Welcome to Taurus season, astrology lovers. The weather of late spring is calm, the buds are blooming, and we’re sipping iced lattes rather than hot ones and finally taking our lunch breaks in the park. (Regardless of season, of course, we are forever opposed to sad desk lunches.) Prior to the excitement of June and the busy summertime kicking into gear, we will bear witness to a beautiful, luxurious, utterly romantic new moon in Taurus very soon.

Mark your calendars: This Friday, on May 19, the warm embrace of a new moon in Taurus urges us to feel safe, to pamper ourselves, and stop and smell the roses (literally, if possible). Mars and Venus in Cancer nurtures and protects us and Jupiter in Taurus is here to luxuriate. Here are the details that you need to know ahead of this enlightening evening.

In this story:

• When is the May 2023 Taurus new moon?
• What does a new moon in Taurus mean, astrologically?
• What's so special about this new moon?
• How can you use this Taurus new moon energy?

When is the Taurus new moon in May 2023?

The moon will join the sun on Friday, May 19, 2023 at 4.53pm (BST), landing itself in Taurus. Depending on how you look at it, a new moon is really a “no moon,” as the sky is actually darker than ever and we cannot actually see the moon. (The exception to this is a solar eclipse, but that is a whole other story.) This occurs because the moon is in the same part of the sky as the sun, but not so aligned in its path that it causes an eclipse.

According to NASA, during a new moon, the portion of the moon lit up by the sun is no longer facing us. Therefore, the moon is up during the day and virtually invisible — how could it compete with the sun, after all? Astronomically, new moons are actually the best time to stargaze. During other times of the month, the moon sheds light in such a way that, wherever in the sky the moon is, you will find it difficult to see the stars in that region.

What does a Taurus new moon mean, astrologically?

Archetypically, Taurus is about taking that cardinal Aries energy, that first spark of creativity and action and saying, "I want to keep this. I want to make this stay. I want to put my treasures in a chest so I can enjoy their beauty." This sign is known for being realistic and practical. Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty, and is affiliated with the beautiful and the sensual. Both are all about the five senses — particularly smell, taste, and touch — and affiliated with our relationships to our physical bodies.

What is special about this particular Taurus new moon?

The new moon is at 28 degrees and 25 seconds of Taurus — almost the last degree of the sign. While a new moon symbolises innocence, newness, and childlike nature, this particular new moon knows and understands the strengths of Taurus’s ability to work with the tangible and physical, to connect deeply to the body and the earth. This new moon is ruled by Venus at 10 degrees Cancer, creating a need for love and nurturing. We also see Mars at 28 degrees Cancer in a tight (within one or two degrees) sextile — an angle of 60 degree — with an energy of safety in the shell. With two Cancer planets in this new moon, you may be feeling emotionally fragile, wanting to stay safe in your shell.

This is also the first new moon in Taurus since Pluto moved into Aquarius, starting a 19.5-year period for our human community to explore questions of equality, revolution, and technology. The new moon is making an out-of-sign trine with our new revolutionary Aquarius-positioned Pluto. (For context, a classic trine is a 120-degree angle between planets in the same element.) But this late-degree new moon in Taurus, an earth sign, is late enough that it is only a few degrees of Gemini, which is an air sign like Aquarius. Taurus’s need for material security is wanting to have a conversation with the idealism of Aquarius.

Last but certainly not least, particularly given the size of the main party involved, this will be the first new moon in Taurus with Jupiter under the same sign, which moved into the bull-symbolised zodiac sign on May 16, 2023.

Jupiter’s themes of abundance and expansion in Taurus play nicely into the stereotype of the pampered Taurus, which supposedly only wants only the good things in life. Jupiter will stick around in Taurus for a year, asking for more enjoyment and exploration of Taurus-ruled themes, such as money, agriculture, fashion, and delicious food.

How can you use this Taurus new moon energy?

There are a lot of ways to work with the energy of this new moon. Connect with your body by practicing transformative yoga. Think about how to add more beauty, art, and enjoyment to one corner of your home. Take yourself on a Friday night date, buy fresh flowers, order a delicious meal at a local restaurant — followed by a delicious dessert, of course — or take a nice walk on a warm night, bringing you closer to nature in time for summer. You can pamper yourself at home, too, by taking a long shower, complete with your favourite hair-care products.

Are you already vibing with the soothing Taurus energy? You could book yourself a massage for the day or pamper your partner with a fun, romantic evening. Pick up tickets to a show, as Taurus rules the voice and vocal chords; whether it’s an opera, a Moe show, or a DJ night is fully up to you. Taurus loves luxury and comfort, but what that means for you is up to interpretation — it can be an at-home pedicure, a spontaneous trip, or sitting in your favorite chair, reading a good book. The best way to vibe with this Taurus new moon? Simply enjoy it.

This article originally appeared on Allure.

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