Since ancient times the symbol of the bull has been a prominent fixture in many traditions, cultures and religions. The bull evokes powerful associations with creativity and productivity. As the symbol for Taurus, the bull represents the fecundity of the spring, the awakening of the earth, our appetites for sun-soaked skin and naked nymph-like splishing and splashing in the soon to be warm waters of summertime.
In the Northern hemisphere we are pretty far from that, like the opposite end of it. We are in Scorpio’s time. In many places this means less light, less heat, less outward movement … if only on a psychological level. Mystical deaths via underworld journeys, dancing with skeletons and confronting our own fears of the dark are the meals on the menu as of late.
But that is the beauty of a full moon: in the extreme of one sign we get to experience its opposite. The full moon in Taurus will occur on Thursday, November 6th at 5:23 pm EST. Even though it’s a full moon, it is a potential calming point.
Yes, the eclipses are over. Let’s now get on with the practical applications of living, loving and producing.
Taurus is comforting, strong, solid and supportive. It’s into the senses. Taurus is not only down to earth in its sensibilities but Taurus is earthy in every way. Like you can’t move it type of earthy.
Taurus is a creature of contact, comfort and creative canoodling. Taurus loves to touch and taste and tenderize hearts that have become too tightly shut. Down for the decadent exploration of skin, food and napping, Taurus is terrific at being there. A rock. Solid. Steady.
Just don’t expect to do any of it quickly.
Taurus takes time. Will not be pushed. Will not budge. Will not approach change easily. Whatever track the bull is on it will stay until convinced otherwise and by convinced I mean they came to it on their own terms.
The moon loves to be in this sign, it is said to be exalted here. The moon finds emotional security in Taurus who appeals to all her physical senses. Beautifully furnished, comfortable, sweet smelling homes stocked full with tasty treats are the moon’s kryptonite. Taurus builds the moon a home, her greatest desire. The moon is too tender a darling to be traipsing around all hearts and hankerings without a place to hang her hat.
Venus is the ruler of Taurus (and Libra) and it is intricately woven into this month’s tapestry via a conjunction with the sun and Saturn which is in opposition to the full moon. Venus and the signs it rules (Libra and Taurus) have been fixtures in many of the astrological themes as of late, in large part due to the fact that the planet is traveling very close to the sun right now. She was conjunct the last eclipse and will be conjunct the next new moon. We just had a Mercury retrograde and before that a Mars retrograde, both in Libra. This spring we also had two eclipses, one in Libra and in one Taurus, two Venus-ruled eclipses in the same month.
To say that this year has been about relationships is an understatement. Every moon in the closing act of this year seems to move us deeper into this curriculum. Both planets are now moving steadily towards a conjunction with Saturn. Venus will try and kiss the curmudgeon on November 13th and the sun will arrive there on November 18th. Nothing spells hard work and boundaries like a conjunction with our Captain of Contracts, Saturn.
This moon also features a helpful trine from Pluto and a pretty good square from Jupiter. A trine from Pluto can help to wash out old wounds and can make for a powerful and regenerative experience. Jupiter tends to exaggerate whatever it touches, especially in a square.
Taurus wants peace above all else. It wants pleasure. It wants to enjoy. It wants to be contented. It wants a sturdy place to land and build a life.
Scorpio (the sign the sun, Venus and Saturn are currently in) wants truth and transformation and has the fortitude to withstand what others would crumble in the face of. Scorpio is tough enough to see the tenderizing process of transformation through until the end. Saturn wants boundaries, structure, rules, form, function, order and wants us to earn our keep. Venus wants love, love, love and love. The sun illuminates each sign of the zodiac via its transit through it.
You can’t be cheap on materials when trying to building a relationship. If you want the thing to last it’s not worth scrimping on solids. You wouldn’t want the floor to give out when you’re in the middle of a good meal. Weathering storms in romance and every partner dance means being able to consistently connect with our feelings so that we can understand when something is ok for us and when it isn’t. And when it isn’t, good boundaries let us know that we have every right to say no, thank you. We can also say, I don’t know, I will get back to you about that. We can refuse to answer questions that feel inappropriate and invasive no matter who is asking them. We can have permeable and impermeable boundaries depending on the situation and the relationship*.
But there is no way, I repeat in the booming voice of Saturn, no way to do this work with others before we at least start to do it with ourselves. Nothing feels as good as boundaries. Anxiety decreases dramatically. Self-doubt diminishes far quicker. Happiness hangs around longer. Intimacy is always an option because there is a sense of self to be intimate with.
Otherwise we are diminished by the light of another. Otherwise we fold ourselves into the lives of others and hide in the crinkles and stay crumpled. If we are one of the many that grew up with parents that couldn’t see us, couldn’t protect us or, worse, outrightly harmed us then the work of creating boundaries falls squarely on our adult shoulders.
Taurus reminds us to go slowly with this process. Saturn reminds us not to cheat for we are the only ones who will suffer the consequences. Venus reminds us to love ourselves through the process and Scorpio reminds us that if we don’t get down to the truth it will wait for us, no matter what it has to wait through or wade through before we acknowledge it.
May the light of the full moon bless you and yours,
Chani
*Many of these thoughts have come from reading Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin by Anne Katherine, MA
Title inspired by a Facebook post astrologer Kate Petty made earlier this week which read, “You can’t cheat. Love, Saturn”