The new Moon in Taurus occurs at 25 degrees and 57 minutes of the sign on Saturday, 16 May 2026 at 21:00 UTC.

This new Moon exalted in Taurus is applying to a sextile with an exalted Jupiter in Cancer while the other planets are either at the end or early degrees of their respective signs. This lunation is full of beautiful possibilities that speak to enjoyment and pleasure with gentle rolling sextiles throughout the chart. We cannot live joyfully all of the time. It is often through difficulty we cultivate intimacy with ourselves and with others. Mercury is conjunct this new Moon at 28 degrees of Taurus. There is something here about gratification while also dealing with uncomfortable conversations.

Medusa

Nestled between this new Moon and Mercury, at 26 degrees Taurus, is the fixed star Algol or in Arabic raʾs al-ghūl (the Demons head). Algol is associated with the myth of Medusa. It is referred to as the Gorgon of Perseus by the Greco-Roman astrologer Ptolemy. Through various traditions it is a star associated with violence, loosing ones’ head, and death.

In Greek mythology Medusa was once a beautiful priestess in the temple of Athena. After being raped by Poseidon she is punished by Athena who transforms her appearance, granting her snakes for hair. Medusa was beheaded by Perseus while she slept. After death her head retained its power to turn those who gazed upon her into stone. It is a violent, misogynist tale of a woman being punished for the transgressions of man. Yet despite all this Medusa and her power persists. Tales such as this speak to the symbolism of this fixed star.

Tús maith leath na hoibre / A good start is half the work

Something in the new beginning being sown at this new Moon encourages a dogged persistence and a cultivation of power through difficulty. The other aspects of this new Moon are gentle, languid even, apart from this kernel of rage that sits between the new beginning and the trickster Mercury. There might be a stone in the shoe that persists through to the end of May that niggles at the otherwise sensual pleasures that are available to us.

The new Moon takes place in the last few degrees of the sign. There is likely a final composting of the time (approx. 7 years) that Uranus spent in the Taurus part of your chart. Venus, ruler of this new Moon is sitting in Gemini with Uranus and may be imparting some final thoughts on the affairs of the Taurus house. You may be noticing a stillness in the Taurus part of your life, the liberatory force having left and at work elsewhere in your life. His arrival in Gemini, if you’ve not noticed already will be louder come the end of this week.   

The modern outer planets are all in play with Neptune in Aries applying to a sextile with Pluto in Aquarius and Uranus widely applying to a trine with Pluto. Pluto is now retrograde traversing the early degrees of Aquarius once more. These outer configurations are long and slow and work on humanity collectively. They are more likely to materialise as technological progressions, new beliefs or the changing ways humanity connects to one another. They may affect you personally if they are hitting a very sensitive point in your chart or an angle. In this case it would be worth considering a reading with me or another astrologer of your choice.

Uranus, the liberator, is also applying to a square with the nodes. This will not perfect until June but we may be receiving hints now of what this might entail. A fated point, a skipped step, an unexpected plot twist in the Gemini area of our chart.

Péarla a dhéanamh / Making a pearl 

Venus in Gemini is applying to a sextile Mars in Aries. Mars in his domicile is conjunct Chiron in Aries. Chiron the healer, the wounded, a pain point, the sore spot that never seems to go. The advice you give others that you never take yourself. The gentle sextile with Venus is uncovering an old scab and applying a new salve. May your salve be filled with courage, energy, and heart.

This new Moon feels like a languid pause with an ounce of grit, enough to irritate, to hurt to prompt anger. Out of this annoyance something beautiful can be produced. This Taurus new Moon is sextile Jupiter in Cancer. This moment will not last forever but it is speaking to the measure of siúcra agus salann (sugar and salt) required to make something blásta (delicious).

Days after the new Moon occurs Mercury moves to Gemini, Venus to Cancer and Mars to Taurus. The vibe shifts, Mars and Venus will continue to hold their sextile for another week from new signs or another perspective. Venus then continuing forwards to her exact conjunction with Jupiter in early June – the sweetest says of 2026. More delight is in coming with a side of destabilisation and change.