Taurus Time: Stop to smell the Roses!

On April 19 at 9:30 PM EDT the Sun ingressed into Taurus. The constellation of Taurus, The Bull is large and prominent in the night sky from November through March (in the Northern Hemisphere) with several bright stars that can be seen by the naked eye. It is one of the most ancient constellations and has a rich and varied mythology among the Greeks, the Babylonians and the Egyptians to name a few.

Many festivals and celebrations take place when the Sun in in Taurus. The Wesak festival takes place during the full Moon to commemorate Buddha’s birthday, enlightenment and ascension. Beltane or May Day was observed in early May when spring was in full bloom. It was a celebration of fertility, the fertility of the Earth as well as human fertility. The survival of human beings depended on fertile land and procreation. Fertility rites were practiced to ensure that the spring planting would produce an abundant crop while couples were encouraged to produce children.

Taurus follows the urgency of Aries and allows us to calm down. We have survived and now we stand strong. While Aries belongs to the Fire Element, Taurus is an Earth sign, concerned with sensuality, all that is experienced and enjoyed through the five senses. Taurus is concerned with satisfying our physical appetites, like the pleasure we experience when we stop to smell the roses.

Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus, the Goddess of Beauty and Love. When we think about The Bull, Venus is not the first image that comes to mind. Many well-known astrologers have explained the connection between Taurus and Venus by having us think about the feminine cow, content to graze and rarely aggressive. Even a bull is calm most of the time, unless provoked. Taurus does have a temper, but it’s more of a slow burn. When it erupts, run for the hills

If you are a Taurus, you re-charge yourself by being in nature. For some of you that may mean the deep quiet of the woods, for others it’s a day at the beach. Whatever your pleasure, you are meant to experience the beauty of nature through all of your senses. You feel the breeze in your hair, are calmed by the sound of the waves, enjoy the warmth of the sun on your skin, the feel of the sand and the smell of the salty air. Because Taurus is an earthy sign it needs to be in natural surroundings away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you are a Taurus Sun sign and live in an urban area you benefit from indulging in frequent get aways. Sitting quietly and soaking in the beauty of nature will help you feel grounded and centered. Often, we see an interest in gardening, in growing your own food, getting your hands in the earth. Taurus’ connection to nature extends to animals. Being around them brings a sense of peace. Instincts are strong in Taurus so they should trust their gut and pay attention to physical sensations that alert them when something is not right.

Each sign of the zodiac has its cautions and for Taurus, being flexible and adapting to change can be challenging. The Bull can be stubborn, set in its ways. Rigidity and an overattachment to a comfortable routine can get Taurus stuck in a rut. Taurus values material security and can end up paying too high a price for a peaceful life. For example, getting stuck in a mind numbing job that only pays the bills without offering a sense of accomplishment. Overaccumulation of possessions can offer a false sense of safety. Overindulging in food brings health problems. Staying in relationships that have become stale and stagnant causes discontent. Taurus benefits from consciously challenging themselves to try new things. Getting outside of their comfort zone counteracts feelings of being trapped. Periodically evaluating their habits and releasing those that have outlived their usefulness is a healthy routine for Taurus to adopt. That includes re-evaluating the people in their lives as well.

We can’t forget to talk about money. On Wall Street, the financial center of the world, we see The Bull of Wall Street, a large bronze statue that represents the Bull Market, a sign of economic prosperity and financial optimism when stock prices rise and investors get rich. Taurus is practical and seeks stability, including financial stability.  However, Taurus can prioritize the purchase of items of comfort and luxury over saving for the future. I have seen Taurus go either way, from being cautious about their finances to splurging on the finer things in life. Taurus likes to indulge the senses. Either way, money is often a top concern. Having strong Taurus influences in the natal chart can give an individual a knack for banking and other financial careers. I myself have Mercury in Taurus and along with other compatible placements that correlate with my 40 year career at JP Morgan Chase in Expense Management.

If you are lucky enough to have a Taurus friend as I do, visiting them in their home is a treat. The surroundings are comfortable and the food is good. You feel pampered and appreciated. Indeed, The Bull is strong, loyal, protective and stands firm when life gets tough.

 In Taurus, Venus appreciates life’s simple pleasures; enjoying a good meal, listening to music, massage, taking a walk or feeling soft cool sheets on the skin. Taurus enjoys comfort and luxury because the physical sensations simply feel good, like a sigh. Life gets pretty complicated and stressful and Taurus takes us back to the basics so that we can relax. Taurus shows up for each of us. You may not have Taurus as your Sun sign but you may have another planet in Taurus and most likely Taurus rules one of your houses. For example, having the Moon in Taurus is a great placement as the Moon is exalted in that sign. The Moon represents our heart and our emotional nature. Maybe you have Taurus ruling your fourth house of home and family. If so, a comfortable home, maybe growing herbs or flowers and/or having a fur baby will help you to feel happy and content. To see how and where Taurus impacts you personally, consider a natal chart or year ahead reading.

During Taurus time enjoy the fullness of Spring and get out in nature. Plant a rose bush, grow some vegetables, take your dog to the park and snuggle up with your cat!