Author: Matthew Stelzner

Tonight there is an opportunity to see one of the most beautiful astronomical events that is regularly visible: a crescent Moon conjunction with the planet Venus.These conjunctions are sometimes called Venus Gates in reference to the mythology of Inanna and her descent to, and return from, the underworld through seven gates. They have also been called Rose Gates in reference to the beauty of these conjunctions and the flowering of love they can bring into your life. 

I prefer to to think of the sequence of these conjunctions (seven in the morning sky before sunrise and seven in the evening sky after sunset) as an exploration of a rose garden: a rose garden filled with adventures and mysteries that have the power to open you to ever more love and compassion for yourself and others. This rose garden has many gates that open to new spaces filled with devotional temples and altars, each dedicated to the goddesses of love and nurturing. With each Moon-Venus conjunction we are invited to go deeper into the garden, opening our hearts more and more.

One of the most potent alignments of the century begins on May 6th (5:15pm CDT) when the Moon enters Taurus and joins Venus, the Sun, Jupiter and Uranus for 2 days (until 6:15pm CDT May 8th). These 5 planets will not be together again in Taurus for the rest of the century. This is an important moment at the New Moon for creating a special altar, and setting intentions for the month ahead.

Meditate on the meaning of Taurus. In the northern hemisphere Taurus marks the peak of Spring, the peak of fertility, the peak of flowers blooming, and the celebration of the pagan holiday Beltane. Taurus is the ultimate earth sign and gives us insight into the pentacles suit in the tarot. Taurus is all about living the good life, and a philosophy of enjoying the pleasures of the earth, the foods, the sensual pleasures of sexuality, and the beauty of a well kept home.

When you combine Taurus with Jupiter and Venus (which can only happen at most once-in-twelve-years), it is the ultimate alignment of the joys and pleasures of a good life. So you can understand why these coming weeks are meant to be enjoyed...take a vacation, get out dancing, throw a party, make love 10 times as often as you usually do. Take that flight to Paris, let yourself be surprised by love. Surprise your lover with a trip out of town.

Hey Everyone! I hope you all are riding these eclipse season waves well, and that your hearts are filled with love. I've got a new video for you which focuses on a very sweet alignment which is happening tomorrow, and which extends through the 25th. Skip to the 9 minute mark in the video if you want to get right into this discussion. The alignment tomorrow is a rare, exact and visible, grand trine of the Moon, Venus, and Jupiter. The Venus trine to Jupiter continues strongly until the 25th. If you catch the wave tomorrow, you can just keep on riding it.

Getting three planets to line up in an exact equilateral triangle formation is pretty uncommon, and yet we have three forming in the next two weeks (two on the same day, November 3rd). Trines between two planets form frequently, but to have one be in exact 120 degree precision at the same time another planet moves into the sweet spot which forms the perfected symmetry of a tight grand trine, is a much rarer event.