What is Beltane? The ancient Gaelic holiday is all about the rise of the feminine—and its astrological cross-currents this year could have you, ahem, on *edge*. (Especially since we’re already living through an epic mad-as-hell era.) Never fear, astrologer Jennifer Racioppi is here with her best guidance on how to make this all work for you, for a cosmically kickass week. 

On May 1, we celebrate Beltane. Beltane, a Gaelic holiday, honors the transition from a time of seasonal feminine when there are limited foods available to harvest, into a cycle of tremendous fertility and growth. Beltane invites play, freedom, fun, and festivity. The transition from barren land into one of fervent growth symbolically represents the rise of the feminine. Astrologically speaking though, as we step into May we do so with Mercury, which rules communication, in a challenging position, asking you to look at the shadow of growth too.

This year’s cross-quarter holiday of Beltane invites you to release pent-up feminine anger. Primal screams are not only allowed, often they are downright justified.

Mercury in Aries makes an abrupt and challenging square to the retrograde planet’s Saturn and Pluto, further highlighting the need to examine how you are showing up for yourself (and others) so you can release that which isn’t working. Mercury conjoins Eris, a dwarf planet of discord, suggesting that in addition to fun, the cross-quarter holiday of Beltane also invites you to release pent-up feminine anger, too. With so much to be mad about in the world, remember, primal screams are not only allowed, often they are downright justified.

On the bright side, good luck Jupiter makes a luscious trine to Mercury, too, suggesting that good news is on its way. Further, the weekend brings an extremely potent, and grounding new moon in Taurus, too. Yes.

Why you should definitely put pen to paper this new moon

The new moon in Taurus occurs on May 4 at 6:45 p.m. Eastern, happening at 14 degrees of Taurus. New moons beckon new beginnings and this one in the sign of the bull suggests deepening your commitment to your goals. Carve out time to check in with your needs. Ignoring your truth leads to tragic consequences. So, take time, tune in, and listen. Taurus represents fixed earth, meaning seeds planted now—both metaphorical and literal—take root. Craft clear intentions for this lunar cycle and write them out.

Taurus represents fixed earth, meaning seeds planted now—both metaphorical and literal—take root. Craft clear intentions for this lunar cycle and write them out.

The ruler of this new moon, Venus, travels in Aries while squaring both Saturn and Pluto. Ouch. This combination of Venus in fire sign Aries, making a disharmonious angle to Saturn and Pluto, causes friction. In the same breath, Jupiter, the planet of good luck and good fortune, continues to make a harmonious aspect to Mercury in Aries, indicating that positive momentum becomes possible.

Meanwhile, on May 5, Mars, the planet of action, opposes Jupiter, which represents good luck and good fortune. This Mars-Jupiter opposition means that even though it’s just one day after the new moon, you may feel fired up and ready to go. If so, use it to your advantage. Move your body. Let your workout feel cathartic, liberating and free.

This new moon offers so much mojo to recreate and reinvent. You are not stuck. Like the earth entering into a season of blossoming, you too are on the verge of blooming. Trust. You got this!

And here’s why Saturn going retrograde is a big deal

So, let’s back up to Monday, April 29, when Saturn stations retrograde at 20 degrees of Capricorn—a direction it’ll travel in until September 18. Since the start of the new year, Saturn, the planet of discipline, traversed 13-20 degrees of the sign of the sea goat. These are the same degrees it’ll revisit during this retrograde cycle. What does all this mean? Saturn’s retrograde quest asks you to review what you’ve learned and the commitments made so far in 2019.

While Saturn’s influence often feels more like a bummer than a yahoo, when working with it and obliging its call to discipline, it always leaves a gift.

Saturn’s impact removes extraneous distractions, commanding focus and precision. While Saturn’s influence often feels more like a bummer than a yahoo, when working with it and obliging its call to discipline, it always leaves a gift. In the words of Francis Bacon, “Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.” And this couldn’t be truer of Saturn’s impact. With Saturn stationing on the south node of past karmas, comprehending and creating purpose means shedding layers of past behaviors that no longer serve you, and holding tight to the emerging authenticity that does. How fitting for the waning moon!

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success.