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Sun enters Taurus three, the prayer beads, at 11:49 AM EDT on Sunday 10 May 2026 — just at about the time that many Americans on the east coast will be waiting to take their mothers to brunch. One smartaleck noted that 10am to noon on Mother’s Day was the two-hour period in America when the fewest crimes were committed all year — because all of the criminal masterminds were at breakfast with their children, and the mothers couldn’t get away with anything that morning. Hah!

Austin Coppock called this decan The Prayer Beads in his book on the Decans, 36 Faces, in part because of its associations with Saturn, but also I think because Saturn’s administration of this decan implies a kind of austerity and minimalism as luxuriant aesthetic, and aesthetics are one of the critical elements of Taurus and its Venusian significations. This decan is also associated with the 7 of Pentacles in Tarot, and T. Susan Chang in her book 36 Secrets called this card Fail Better. This decan lasts ten days, eight hours and forty-seven minutes, until the start of Gemini I on 20 May 2026 at 8:36 pm EDT.

Venus the sign ruler of Taurus is inconjunct in Gemini, but “in her own chariot” to use some of the classical shorthand — she occupies the Venus term of Gemini (and the dodek Capricorn of Gemini), giving her an unusual dignity in a place where she normally would have none. It might be said that this version of Venus is the woman who brings her receipts and other artifacts to intimidate and cow her opponents. Similarly, Saturn this decan’s administrator is also in the Aries term of Venus (in the dodek Leo of Aries), also inconjunct to Taurus, but promoting a kind of gracious and festive occasion even in the face of difficulties and tensions. Neither planet is capable of interfering in what the Sun is bringing to light in the dodek of Capricorn of Taurus — the garbage man’s response to the challenges and difficulties of the present moment.

The ancient Greeks looked to Prayer at this time of year — almost literally, since the spirit-beings honored at this part of their annual cycle were the Litai or prayers. There seems to have been a belief that human prayer brought spirit-entities into existence who quickly rose into the skies on clouds of incense and sacrifice, in order to present human petitions to the gods. It’s hard to know if they believed in these things literally, or if they used it as a metaphor for how information crossed between the mortal and the divine worlds — but in either context, a prayer rope of knots or beads would almost continually transmit the thoughts and cares of mortals into the presence of the holy.

At the same time, the Seven of Pentacles in Tarot is a complicated card, showing a farmer leaning on stick while waiting for his vegetable treasures to mature and ripen. Financial whizzes know the so-called Rule of 72, an approximation of the interest-bearing process: if the interest rate on your money market fund is 7.2%, it will take ten years for the amount of money invested to double, because 7.2 x 10 = 72. If your mortgage interest rate is 2.4%, you will pay twice as much as you borrowed by the time the mortgage is over in thirty years, because 72 ÷ 2.4 = 30. If you borrow money to pay for school at 6.7%, after ten years and 39 weeks, you’ll owe twice as much as you borrowed. If you put $500.00 in an ordinary savings account at 0.03%, it will be nearly 2400 years before your money doubles to $1000.00

A lot can happen in the intervening months and years between when you stick the seed in the ground or the cash in a savings account, and the seed becomes a tree bearing fruit or the cash becomes a down payment on a car. Saturn as the administrator of Taurus III, in both cases, represents that slow and vegetative growth that simply cannot be hurried. Even if the bank lends a new business your money tomorrow, that business still needs time to open its doors, find its regular customers, build its reputation, and convert its initial cash to reliable services and products that produce income. The strawberry plant still needs time to convert its wintered-over rootstock to leaves, blossoms and berries — and even that annual delight takes several months, all of it dependent on an existing underground network of rhizomes. The universe does not provide get rich quick schemes naturally.

Yet here’s Mercury in the dodek Scorpio of Taurus, inviting us to take part in pleasures we haven’t earned, creating suggestible moments when we can give into the temptation to treat ourselves and accept luxuriances that are out of step with our ability to pay for them. There are fast-growth that are achieved by compressing time and space through the expenditure of vast quantities of energy: you can eat grapes in spring by rushing them by cargo airplane to your table from the autumn side of the planet, or lettuces in refrigerated train cars. You can wear silk in a land that produces no silkworms, as long as there’s a ship or a camel or a mule or a cart to carry it to your home. Where is that energy to come from, though? Have you borrowed it from somewhere? How is it represented in your accounting and budget?

The slow vegetable growth and the Saturnine patience it requires, may be coming for us all.

Dates to Watch

The Upstart Planet changes affecting most of the next decade are now complete: Pluto in Aquarius, Neptune in Aries, and Uranus in Gemini. A generational change is now upon us. These planets are so slow-moving, though, that it’s difficult to say exactly what they’ll mean to us — Pluto’s last twenty-year stint in Aquarius encompassed most of the American and French Revolutions, for example, while Uranus wandered in Gemini while the US entered World War II, built the atomic bomb, experienced the postwar economic boom, and had the economic and socio-sexual explosion that resulted in the Baby Boomers. Don’t expect them to reveal all their intentions in the first few weeks.

At the same time, it’s worth noting some of the facts on the ground — the on-again/off-again truce/hot war in the Middle East fought with drones and missiles and a closed Strait of Hormuz, the dramatically escalating cost of energy in the form of jet fuel and gasoline, the bankruptcy of a commercial airline company, the efforts by the American presidential administration to criminalize leftist thought and activism as terrorism, the cruise ship in the Atlantic that sent dozens of passengers to airports around the world with hantavirus (just as the Mars-Saturn conjunction was winding up, I’ll note — plague and war tend to show up on schedule!). None of these things are likely to be resolved quickly, or permanently, in the current era. Things like these events are also likely to continue to happen, even if they don’t always follow the same playbook. The standout line from The Devil Wears Prada, “Gird your loins,” should have special relevance to us all, as this sequel emerges for a long stay on the box office marquee.

• 11 May — Sun sextile Jupiter — follow your instincts and your sensitivity to luck when you decide who you’re gonna call: the ghostbuster to dispel distressing thoughts; the analyst to help you decode the political moment; the financial whiz-kid to manage personal deficits. Any time you feel lonely, reach out and touch someone for advice, a laugh, or a moment of mutual aid; trust your feelings in who is the most likely or able adjuvant for the moment.
• 13 May — Mercury sextile Jupiter — Put some detail to your long-term plans. Think beyond the daily patterns of your life. What do you want to be doing twelve years from now? What steps can you work on today, tomorrow, next week that will change your trajectory to get you there?
• 14 May — Sun conjunct Mercury (Mercury Cazimi), 10:24 am EDT — Mercury shifts from being a morning star to an evening star at this Cazimi, which occurs for East Coast Americans in the tenth house of career and reputation — it’s a good time to communicate to your clients and vendors, your employees and supervisors, just who you want to be in the next quarter-year, and what you think you can realistically accomplish. But recognize that you’re moving from hyper-productive and initiating to more reflective and intentional and reactive; you’re more likely to spend the next few months on finishing and completing and responding to requests than delivering new material on your own plan.
• 17 May — Mercury conjunct Uranus, Venus sextile Mars — swift thinking and fast new friendships characterize today’s transits as Mercury enters Gemini at 6:27 am EDT and immediately conjuncts Uranus. Your risk is jumping directly from unexpected news to conspiracy! and outrage! It’s a great day for double-checking information before reacting to news. It’s also a great time for being intellectually busy but accomplishing little. On the other hand, the Venus and Mars aspect is great for diving deep to make new acquaintances into high-quality human connections.
• 18 May 6:26 pm EDT — Mars enters Taurus, Venus enters Cancer — the warrior planet moves from the battlefield to the boudoir at 6:26 pm EDT, making the uncomfortable transition from a place where he feels in command and in control in Aries, to the place where he has much to do but has to accept direction and guidance from She Who Must Be Obeyed in this part of the sky. Fortunately, Venus enters Cancer at 9:05 pm EDT on the same day… to give him every direction he needs. There may be some mommy issues that need addressing. It may be worth telling him in advance to put fresh sheets on the bed and wash behind his ears. My wife would like to remind you, “no man was ever shot for doing the dishes and vacuuming.” Put those 2.5 hours of ambitious indecision into focused but practical effort to do something great for someone you love.
• 19 May — Mercury trine Pluto — intellectual and emotional obsessions can turn into profitable insights and results today and tomorrow.

House Delineations

The First House of self and self-presentation is Leo, ruled by the squaring Sun peregrine in Taurus. The Fire triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Jupiter), square (Sun), or trine (Saturn). Personal honor and reputation are important, but look good while you’re doing what you’re doing. Slow and steady effort encourages people to see you in your best light. Plan big for the long-term, but make a pretense that you’re just learning how to do this hard new stuff for the first time (even if you’re secretly great at it already — set low expectations then exceed them).

The Second House of money and possessions is Virgo, ruled by sextile but peregrine Mercury. The South Node is present. The Earth triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Mars, Moon) or square (Venus). Mutual aid to friends seems both necessary and a heavy burden. Travel plans may go awry and there are emotional issues left unfinished with a spouse or significant other. Everything costs too much. Tend your economic garden but recognize that slow growing wealth doesn’t adapt well to dramatic changes.

The Third House of extended family and intimate friends is Libra, ruled by trining but peregrine Venus. The Air triplicity rulers are opposed (Saturn), square (Jupiter) or inconjunct (Mercury). It’s going to be hard to communicate with family and close friends in these next ten days, but your ongoing efforts to understand the world around you or salvage your long-term goals will depend on balancing professional efforts against your commitments to your community and tribe. Pick up the phone, write an email or a text — hold up your corner of the web of interaction, especially for those you claim to love.

The Fourth House of home, household, and parents is Scorpio, ruled by domiciled but inconjunct Mars. The Water triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Mars, Venus) or square (Moon). House and home are full of emotional turbulences and overcharged feeling. Travel is likely to be difficult, but the desire to see friends and associates in person is equally strong. Spending quality time with a spouse or significant other is important for relieving hidden tensions.

The Fifth House of pleasures and pastimes is Sagittarius, ruled by exalted but inconjunct Jupiter. The Fire triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Jupiter, Sun) or trine (Saturn). Long-term plans and professional matters get in the way of having fun. The Lunar Perigee urges you to play hooky from time to time, even so — but be wary of doing the same thing over and over again; fun should be diversified this week. Plans for upcoming travel shouldn’t be left to the last minute.

The Sixth House of daily routines, pets, and injuries is Capricorn, ruled by exiled and squaring Saturn. The Earth triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Moon, Venus) or square (Mars). It’s worth filling the important vaults of your life on a regular basis: the gas tank in your car, the propane and oil tank for your fuel, the savings account with your bank. Restricting inessential travel may be necessary. Shared responsibilities and connections with friends are important, but consider how to meet these needs and desires on a winter-time footing rather than springing into action: you don’t drive 400 miles for a dinner party when a blizzard is forecast; similarly, meet this moment with a similar seriousness.

The Seventh House of spouse, peer partners, and rivals is Aquarius, ruled by sextile but exiled Saturn. The Air triplicity rulers are sextile (Saturn), square (Mercury) or inconjunct (Jupiter). Pluto and the Moon are present. The important people in your life are meeting the current moment with hidden but critical reserves of personal wealth … and sarcasm. But essential connections may be frayed emotionally. Reconnect often, and recognize that practical matters may be hindering the ideals of your relationships, but that the ideals still matter. Then be responsible about washing dishes and taking out the trash.

The Eighth House of obligation, duty and legacy is Pisces, ruled by trining and exalted Cancer. The North Node is present. The Water triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Mars, Moon) or square (Venus). You seem to need your personal resources at exactly the moment that there is the most call from friends to open your treasury and provide from your own substance. Be wary of calling attention to your personal delights and “needful luxuries” when others experience hardship; but recognize that your comforts may be a hedge against despair: don’t not enjoy them, just don’t show them off. At the same time, share judiciously and be helpful to those who will amalgamate your assistance with their own initiative and thoughtful planning.

The Ninth House of higher learning and long-distance travel is Aries, ruled by domiciled Mars. The Fire triplicity rulers are present (Saturn), inconjunct (Sun) or square (Jupiter). Neptune is present. Travel plans involve both conflicts and delays, constraints and hardship. Meet the moment with fluidity and flexibility; plan to go around barriers along the paths of least resistance, but recognize that you may still be stopped or challenged by authorities. In learning settings like colleges and graduate schools, long-term goals like advanced degrees may be frustrated or delayed or canceled entirely; learn how to move towards what you want to be without always having the necessary credentials this week.

The Tenth House of career and professional reputation is Taurus, ruled by inconjunct Venus. The Earth triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Venus, Mars) or square (Moon). Mercury, the Sun, and the Lot of Fortune are present. Professional matters are highlighted, but the way that careerist objectives interfere with the smooth functioning of familial life may be spotlighted as well. There is freedom in choosing to do what you can and no more. Remember that 60% of your absolute level best is often better than trying to give 110%. Slow-walk toward “I’ll do what I can,” rather than the speed-run to “take this job and shove it!”

The Eleventh House of friends, associates, and allies is Gemini, ruled by inconjunct Mercury. The Air triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Jupiter, Mercury) or sextile (Saturn). Uranus and Venus are present, as is the Lunar Perigee. Making time for friends and allies and acquaintances is important, especially your women friends and your queer acquaintances and allies — especially the people you work with. However, don’t expect the professional associations to immediately become chummy. Prove your allyship this week, knowing that you have to work harder than most to demonstrate that commitment; do the labor for the long haul instead of just this afternoon.

The Twelfth House of both obstacles and opportunities is Cancer, ruled by the inconjunct Moon. The Water triplicity rulers are inconjunct (Moon, Venus) or square (Mars). Jupiter is present and exalted. It will be hard to build momentum toward long-term goals but you should still be working on them when so many possibilities present themselves; but recognize that the emotional distress that comes from fulfilling your duties and the cries for help from your friends may seem like you have to immediately rush into planning for secret migrations and building safe rooms. Recognize that there’s an abundance of emotional slosh right now that’s out of synch with effective goal-setting or realistic strategic thinking. Think through the big picture of what you want to do before you get lost in details.

Horoscopes

Decan I of any sign (usually covering the 21st of the month to the first of the following month) is free to all visitors; Decan II is only available to Patreon and Ko-Fi.com subscribers; and Decan III is available to Patreon, Ko-Fi, and MailChimp subscribers.

I recommend reading your Sun sign, Moon sign, and Rising sign for best results. I write them with rising sign in mind, but several people have told me they find that they do better with all three.

Leo: Your public identity is really what matters in the next ten days. Be out and about, be seen in public. Figure out an affordable cost-curve and stay on the solvent side of the town — but be painting the town red, even so. The best way to make friends, find your next career step, meet your next learning opportunity or discover your newest bedmate, is to advertise your availability. You won’t do that successfully in front of a computer keyboard at home.

Virgo: It may seem like it’s too easy for new debts and obligations to find you, even as it’s hard to find enough loose change in the sofa cushions — and haven’t you rummaged in this drawer already this week? Like Leos though (see the previous horoscope), you have a public role to take in these coming days, and you can’t be a keyboard warrior through it. There is some behind-the-scenes work you have to do on a daily basis, though: finding the personal power to be a critic of the systems in which you are embedded, and the emotional courage to loosen these connections even if you don’t sever them completely.

Libra: Leadership roles, both official and hidden, have a chance to find you this week, if you allow the magic to work on you. But that may involve treating a key ally in your business life as a secret rival, or even an open enemy: don’t reveal every thought or plan that occurs to you even to people you think of as your platonic-workplace-spouse. If you have kids, there may be an emotional blow-out or meltdown coming; be prepared to invest in loosening their unjustified restrictions — or tightening them if they’ve really screwed up. If you don’t, be alert to a similar explosion among your knitting circle or D&D group or similar.

Scorpio: Put some time into developing the daily systems to maintain a healthy and happy home in the next ten days. Two of my earliest such practices was making sure that the kitchen sink was clear of dishes all the time, and that the toilet was cleaned daily. Neither of those things took me more than a few minutes to do, but it left me feeling in control of my house and home, and empowered to do more. In the next ten days, you’re more likely to react to others’ initiatives than setting the agenda, so establishing your residence as a throne of intellectual and spiritual restoration will be really important.

Sagittarius: You may find that having fun this week involves carrying burdens and imagining unreal conflicts — got a D&D game going? Writing the next big political screenplay or fantasy Game of Thrones? Set a two-year schedule for yourself to pace out the work of having fun, but remember that the goal is to have fun, whatever limitations might get thrown your way. It’s easy to be critical of familial relationships you have no control over, but remember that you also have your own knotty kinships and entanglements to untie and lay flat. Parts of your private life may be far too much on display for your own comfort in these next ten days, but it’s critical that you focus on daily work-habits even if career matters feel tanked.

Capricorn: You may find that going private this week is important. Reset your daily practices so that they operate closer to home and stoke your inner fire. Expect that there will be forces that resist this reset, but keep moving in that direction rather than waiting. There will be an important role you need to play for a spouse or a significant other in which you must help them manage an overflowing task-list with generosity and ease. Help a friend manage the practical process of completing a creative task. Communicate clearly about walling off your own leisure activities, but be prepared to drop your play time to answer the Bat-signal in an emergency.

Aquarius: The connections between business partner or spouse or significant other — or enemy — may be much on your mind in the coming ten days. On the surface you’re likely to be fully present in your power and able to defeat any challenge that comes your way (particularly if you have a credit card with a high limit). Under the surface, though, you may be seething with fury and ready to unleash it. My advice, though, is to pour some cold water on this fire. Talk it out in relaxed settings, have some playtime together, and deal with the conflict through intellectual repartee. Even if it takes small conversations over ten days, it will be worth it. Recognize that it’s the bottling-up of this energy that makes it so volatile — airing it out may yet reconcile the fire with the rose.

Pisces: Apparently at big dance parties called raves, there are “raver moms” with longtime experience at helping newcomers navigate their naïveté (and getting all those accents in that word right, let me tell you, requires a similar kind of attentiveness to the world). The callow youth or the ingenue may forget about dehydration or the effects of the recreational chemicals they’ve taken or the distress they feel when their heart grows three sizes that night in adoration of someone — who doesn’t feel the same way in return. You may have to be something of the raver mom this week, shepherding family members, housemates, and social circle members through rough waters and over changing terrain. You’re up for the challenge.

Aries: Travel plans and reaching learning goals both face obstacles and challenges this week, but remember that direction and pacing matter more than reaching given objectives on time. Keep up with the endeavor and brag about the milestones you have already passed. Take a moment to look back and notice how far you’ve come. It’s important to compare and contrast where you were six months ago with where you’d like to be now, and how your purchasing power has been damaged or improved. Your circle of friends is about to go through some long-term disruptions — use these remaining days of Venus in Gemini until 18 May to do some creative outreach to the people you’d like to draw closer in, from acquaintances to better friends.

Taurus: Professional reputation and honor may take center stage this week, but remember that you’re in control. You can navigate the financial disruption, and you have the power to reject the would-be power broker in the workplace and navigate to a separate deal — or separation agreement — that leaves you well-positioned for long-term success (even if the short-term feels stressful and uneasy). You don’t have to shout “I quit!” or “I accept!” at the top of your lungs right away, though. Make a quick phone call to a trusted member of your inner circle and get a second opinion besides your gut reaction — and advice on negotiating for better compensation.

Gemini: Friendship, and the network strengths of loose ties, are among the first things that Uranus’ new position in the sky will be disrupting. Lean into this by creating a ‘traditional’ occasion or ceremony with your best buddies: a tea party, a brunch, a cocktail hour before dinner, a nightcap. Financial improvements are likely to come your way; use them to make magic happen for your inner circle. However, don’t neglect the long-term: where are you right now? Where will you be if austerities hit? How will you limit your self? What and how can you cut back? Similarly, which of your friends do you not want to have on your Zombie Apocalypse Team? It’s not the case that you have to cut these folks out of your life — but it is worth asking if you’re in thick with the right thieves of your time.

Cancer: Solitude (the ability to be happily by yourself) and loneliness (the stress of unable to feel happy even when among crowds of friends and loved ones) are two sides of the same coin. It may be worth sitting with those definitions until you know which one of these emotional states you feel more often, and then figuring out what processes of connection to the Divine help you achieve solitude and leave behind loneliness more frequently. Once you have that understanding, you’ll find it easier to do what really needs doing this week — which is learn how to be the initiator of social events for your friends, the boundary-setter at work, and the planner who makes the duties you share with a spouse or significant other into delightful occasions instead of odious duties. But it’s the sitting and being generous, creative and accepting of your self, that begins all these greater works.

Colophon

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If you want to read some of my astrologically-oriented poetry, the largest collection is called A Full Volume of Splendor and Starlight, available through my Etsy shop, and containing poems and hymns to the planets, constellations, decan deities, and Moon Mansion angels. While not astrological, Festae contains hymns to some of the older Roman gods and spirits from the calendar created by Numa Pompilius, the second ancient King of Rome.

I use iPhemeris for my charting software, and screenshot it to make charts. I want to thank the team that develops iPhemeris for the addition of Terms and Decans to their charts. I also use Hugh Tran‘s Physis typeface to craft logos for this blog, as well.

I use Christopher Warnock‘s The Mansions of the Moon as the basis of my Moon placement delineations, and Austin Coppock‘s 36 Faces for much of my planetary delineations. Neither gentleman endorses me.