New Moon in Taurus

This year is speeding past at what feels like Mach speed for many of us, at least that’s how I’m feeling. April is coming to an end, and with it several unique astrological and celestial events, including the Taurus New Moon, a rare Smiley Face alignment of Venus, Saturn and the Moon, Venus re-enters Aries, and Mars opposes Pluto. And of course we can’t forget that May 1st is Beltane, but more on that in another post. The last two weeks of April may feel like a lot is happening in the cosmos, because it is, but this period will also be a time where we can slow down a smidge thanks to slow moving, earthy Taurus, and find the balance between introspection and acting, grounding and growth. There is a lot happening in a succession of days to end April on a very interesting and dynamic note, all of which interplay with one another.

The Cosmic Smile: Venus, Saturn, and the Moon Align

First, for those stargazers out there, in the early morning hours of April 25th, a rare alignment of Venus, Saturn, and the crescent Moon will form a pattern resembling a smiley face in the sky. This triple conjunction is a wholesome sight to behold, reminding us of the beauty and harmony inherent in the cosmos. It’s a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the wonders above. This smiley face is an invitation to find joy in your life, even when things aren’t going smoothly. It’s a rare, beautiful, albeit fleeting, opportunity to pause and remember that there is good in this world, that life is worth celebrating. Venus represents love, passion and values, while Saturn brings structure and honesty, and the Moon holds sway over our emotions, all three offering a gentle celestial reminder of the interconnectedness of all life and that if we seek joy, compassion, peace and beauty, we’ll find it. Even amid chaos, uncertainty and change, there are these small moments of connection and beauty worth acknowledging. When we stand outside and take in the magnificence of the world and the vastness of space and smile up at the stars, sometimes the cosmos smiles back at us.

Fire Meets Depth: Mars Opposes Pluto

Mars opposing Pluto on April 26th is one of those astrological moments that doesn’t just come and go quietly, it stirs something deep. Mars, the planet of drive, action, anger, and assertiveness, is currently in fiery, spotlight loving Leo. This is a bold placement, full of expressive fire and the need to be seen, heard, and validated. Mars in Leo fights with heart, often fueled by pride or passion, wanting to create, lead and act decisively and with that signature Leo flair. Spiritually, this is the energy of courage and individuality, the inner warrior who stands fully in who they are for any and all to see. Pluto, on the other hand, sits in Aquarius, holding a very different kind of energy. Pluto governs power, transformation, the underworld of the psyche, those hidden emotional layers and control dynamics we don’t always want to acknowledge. In Aquarius, Pluto is turning its gaze to systems, group dynamics, technology, and collective ideologies. It’s not interested in individual pride or performance. It’s here to uncover what’s broken, imbalanced, or outdated in the larger structures we live within, and to strip away what no longer serves the greater good. So, as you can see, we have the powerful, extroverted individual and the thoughtful, introverted collective creating a dynamic tension that if balanced properly by the individual, can bring about massive positive change. Remember, each unique individual is a part of the whole, not separate from it, so the energy we bring has a ripple effect on everyone else and vice versa, so it’s important to follow Leo’s lead with strong, intentional boundaries, but we should also be mindful of the sort of energy we’re radiating into the collective.

When these two planets oppose each other, the tension can be palpable. It can feel like a cosmic tug-of-war between personal will and collective pressure, between wanting to be recognized as a unique individual and confronting the impersonal forces that shape our world. Power struggles are likely, especially in relationships or work dynamics. You may feel provoked or challenged. You might encounter resistance—either from others or from some part of yourself that doesn’t want to change. There can be frustration, especially if you feel like your efforts aren’t being seen, or if your autonomy feels threatened. But these uncomfortable moments are also powerful catalysts for change. Mars pushes us to act. Pluto forces us to look beneath the surface. Together, they can bring buried patterns to light—especially ones around control, domination, pride, resentment, or avoidance. If you’re feeling reactive, it may help to pause and ask yourself where the root of the trigger lies. Is this about now, or is it touching something older and deeper? Sometimes Pluto stirs emotions we haven’t fully dealt with, and Mars gives us the courage to finally face them.

Spiritually, this is a moment to reclaim true power—not force or manipulation, but the kind of power that comes from knowing yourself and staying centered even in conflict. It’s also a chance to let go of power games altogether. Mars wants to win. Pluto wants to transform. If you’re locked in an old pattern of pushing, proving, or avoiding vulnerability, this opposition might push it to the surface—not to punish you, but to help you clear it. This energy can feel intense, but it’s also deeply productive if you’re willing to be honest. Let it teach you where your strength really lives—not in the performance of power, but in the quiet clarity of your own alignment. If you can stay grounded through the fire, you may come out the other side more empowered, more self-aware, and more ready to act from truth rather than reaction.

Grounding Through the New Moon in Taurus

And now we move on to April 27th and the New Moon in Taurus. Even reading this it feels like more than just a handful of days with the intensity of these astrological happenings. The New Moon in Taurus comes like a deep breath after the storm. It’s quiet, earthy, and grounded, but don’t mistake its calm exterior for something simple. Beneath the surface, there’s a complex interplay of planetary shifts that make this particular Taurus New Moon less about ease and more about realignment. It’s not the kind of new beginning that arrives in a pretty package. It’s the kind that asks us to plant something real after walking through fire. Taurus is ruled by Venus, so this New Moon naturally carries themes of value, comfort, beauty, and stability. Taurus wants us to slow down, take stock, and reconnect with what nourishes us—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It wants us to come back to the body, to the earth, to the senses. After weeks of fire and upheaval, there’s something deeply healing about this return to simplicity. But this isn’t the kind of simplicity that comes from checking out. It’s the kind that comes after hard truths and heavy releases. It’s clarity born from honesty. Beneath its calm, earthy surface lies a powerful invitation: to start again, but differently this time.

This is not a flashy reset. It doesn’t come with fireworks or grand declarations. It’s the kind of beginning that whispers through your body and asks you to come home to yourself. To remember the small, solid truths you might have forgotten in the chaos. Taurus is ruled by Venus, and this New Moon carries her signatures of value, beauty, comfort, and self-worth—but it does so in a way that is tactile and real. This is not aestheticized luxury or spiritual bypassing. This is “What nourishes me in the marrow of my being?” “What helps me feel safe, and seen, and rooted?” Taurus teaches through the senses. Through stillness. Through consistency. It asks us to tend to the soil of our lives—not to rush into planting, but to touch the earth first. To feel what needs composting. To listen to what the body is saying before the mind overrides it. After the emotional combustion of the Mars–Pluto opposition, this New Moon doesn’t offer escape. It offers integration. A steadying of the system. A return to what is essential, without the noise. And realignment doesn’t mean checking out. Quite the opposite. This is the kind of simplicity that follows rupture. The kind that isn’t naive or soft, but earned—clarity born not from comfort but from confrontation. The simplicity that says: “Now that everything has been stripped away, what truly matters to me?” This is the soul of the Taurus New Moon—reclaiming the sacredness of the body, the wisdom of slowness, and the quiet, revolutionary act of building something that lasts. Something aligned. Something honest.

Spiritually, this New Moon invites us to redefine what “security” means. Is it a job, a relationship, a number in the bank? Or is it a sense of deep trust in yourself, your intuition, and your ability to adapt? Taurus loves predictability, but this particular New Moon reminds us that true grounding doesn’t come from external control—it comes from internal integrity. It’s okay if you’re still figuring out what that looks like. That’s the work of this moment. If you want to mark this New Moon in ritual, keep it simple. Light a candle. Take a slow walk. Sit with a warm cup of something and write down the things that make you feel anchored. Ask yourself: “What am I ready to build that reflects who I am now?” Let your answers come from the body, not the mind. Taurus doesn’t rush. And you don’t have to either. The New Moon in Taurus urges us to set grounded, realistic intentions, especially around money, self worth, our physical wellbeing, our home and our long-term goals. Taurus prefers what’s real and tangible, to focus on what’s in front of us that could use our love, care and attention. It has a strong connection to the physical world and often excels at creating stability through routine, effort, and a grounded sense of purpose. Taurus is loyal, steadfast, patient, resourceful and security oriented, but that energy also prefers to take things slow, to feel connected to the body, to experience comfort and is deeply attuned to the pleasures life has to offer. So this New Moon wants us to remember that new beginnings don’t need to be loud or showy, they can be calm, steady choices that support your sense of belonging and desire for stability and safety if you’re willing to put the work in and be patient for the rewards.

Venus Reclaims Her Voice in Aries

And the astrology surrounding this New Moon makes that crystal clear. We’re entering this new cycle just days after a Mars–Pluto opposition, which can leave emotional debris in its wake, conflicts, power struggles, or the internal pressure of having to prove ourselves. That kind of transit doesn’t just vanish once the aspect separates. It lingers in the nervous system. So if you’re feeling activated, vulnerable, or flat-out exhausted, you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re processing intensity. We also just passed through the rare “Smiley Face” planetary alignment on April 25th which was a quiet nudge from the universe that joy still exists, even when life feels unstable. It was a reminder that even under pressure, we can choose to see the beauty in this world.

And now, as we welcome the Taurus New Moon, Venus has just stationed direct and will re-enter Aries on April 30th, just three days after the New Moon—a pivotal shift from introspective energy to bold, assertive forward motion. While three days may not seem like a lot, remember Venus is re-entering Aries and Aries doesn’t share Taurus’ patience. With Venus now direct and moving into Aries, there’s an invigorating push toward action and self-assertion in relationships and personal desires. This placement encourages individuals to pursue what they want with confidence and clarity, embracing a more direct approach to love and value systems. It’s a time when initiating new relationships or projects aligned with personal passions can feel particularly rewarding. That means the ruler of this Moon is freshly awakened and a little fiery. Venus in Aries doesn’t wait to be chosen, she chooses. She speaks her needs, even if they’re inconvenient. She honors what’s true, even if it’s not pretty. So while Taurus energy usually leans toward harmony, this Moon might stir questions like: “What do I really want now that I’m being honest?” or “Where have I been settling for comfort over truth?” Layer in Neptune’s recent shift into Aries and the ongoing influence of Chiron and the lunar nodes, and we have a New Moon that doesn’t just want us to slow down, it wants us to slow down and pay attention. This is a time to check your foundations. Are you building something sustainable, or are you propping up an identity that no longer feels right? Are you choosing what’s real, or what’s comfortable or familiar? The New Moon in Taurus is a wonderful time to make thoughtful, grounded commitments to yourself, to your well-being, and to the life you want to build. But those commitments might look different than they did even a month ago. The recent Full Moon in Libra asked us to release outdated roles, false harmony, and relational habits that no longer serve. This Taurean New Moon gives us a clean slate, but only if we’re willing to sit with what’s really there.