WHAT’S UP – May 2025
by Astrologer Belinda C. Dunn
Scorpio/Taurus Full Moon
May 12 @ 12:56 pm
Gemini New Moon
May 26 @ 11:02 pm
Filled to overflowing with color and fragrance, it’s beautiful, lovely May. Uprising and rising up, an unmistakable vitality permeates the air, and saturates the ground. Be prepared for nature’s parade to dazzle the senses and inspire the heart. Herein is the antidote for human folly, a real distraction in these tumultuous times.
So far, one day after another, each month of 2025 has been filled with headline news in a crumbling of what is familiar, widening the gulf between the nonsensical and pragmatic, while exposing serious cracks in the foundations of modern society. Planetary trends predicted that events during March and April would be critical turning points, shocking in scope, alerting and alarming the global community.
A Recap of Major Trends
For sanity’s sake, let’s recap these major trends. First, Saturn and Neptune have been transiting through Pisces indicative of long-term cycles drawing to a close. Naturally, every ending has a new beginning, and increasing exponentially, the collective focus turns toward the future. It’s less about where we’ve been, and more about where we’re going, as a species and as a planet.
Imagine for a moment you live in a dark room with little light, this is all you have known. Groping around, it’s uncomfortable, but familiar in a strange way. Then, all of a sudden, a door cracks open to let in glimmers of light. The light entices you to walk toward the doorway, and once there, standing on the threshold, you look out upon whole new vistas as though the world has changed overnight.
Astrologically, over the course of the next 12 months, four planets transition into new territory. Here are the dates: Pluto entered Aquarius on November 20, 2025. Neptune entered Aries just last month, March 30. Saturn enters Aries on May 24. Uranus enters Gemini on July 7. The very good news is these four planets will be harmonizing and supporting each other in a rare, once in a lifetime, configuration of positive potential.
Due to retrogrades, there will be a threshold phase during autumn and winter, but by this time next year, not only have these planets crossed the threshold and entered new territory, but the paradigm shift of our lifetimes is underway, big time. Yes, it’s disruptive and turbulent, unnerving and alarming, but the planetary trends are right on target, right on time.
May begins with Venus in Aries, and Mars in Leo
The month begins with Venus in Aries, and Mars in Leo. This is a shift into high gear. What do I mean by that? For most of the winter, these planets were in receptive/reactive mode. Emotions and instinct were in charge, but it wasn’t necessarily time to act. Similar to preparing for a journey by reading maps and studying the terrain, it has been necessary to stand back in order to develop strategies to actually move forward.
The momentum has been quietly building for months, but contemplation is over. As of mid-April, both Venus and Mars are direct in fire signs expressing as ardent, enthusiastic, proactive and fearless. Exact on May 22, these planets meet in a fortunate combination of easy connection, strengthening bonds of affection and friendship. These relationship planets pave the way for creative endeavors, romance, group synergy, alliances, and leadership opportunities.
May 12 Full Moon
Next, let’s consider the Full Moon on May 12. It’s no surprise that Full Moons are intense, heightening emotions and upping the ante. More seems to be at stake, and there is less containment of socially accepted behavior as the Moon’s full illumination exposes underlying conditions. The chart shows Sun in Taurus opposite Moon in Scorpio. These are the zodiac signs of currency, banks, markets, shared resources, worth and value. As of this writing, it’s obvious, this area is of major concern, individually and collectively, nationally and globally.
Let’s dissect the message of this Full Moon starting with Sun in Taurus conjoining Uranus, the wild card planet of surprises, startling revelations, and sudden reversals. It’s anyone’s guess how this will manifest, but overall the energy pattern is unsettling and destabilizing. However, all is not lost, this may be exactly what is needed. The action of Uranus is to close one door, only to open another. The exact conjunction is May 17, so the Full Moon on Monday kicks off a stormy week of uncertainty that may trigger a wide variety of upheaval including turbulent weather patterns, and geological disturbances.
Additionally, Mercury just entered Taurus, triggering Pluto in the early degrees of Aquarius on May 12. This is a tense, unsympathetic square that can only exacerbate differences, conflict, and power struggles. In fact, Pluto just went retrograde on May 4, and dark clouds of a brewing storm have been building on the horizon for weeks, if not months. In this case, Mercury calls out Pluto, giving voice to discontent. To use another metaphor, this is when the dam breaks as suppressed emotions come spilling over any containment, and people act out in desperation.
From the spiritual perspective, the Full Moon in May is celebrated as the legendary Wesak festival. This is a time to remember, honor, and attune to spiritual masters of all traditions. Emotional equanimity and calming guidance is ever present beyond the stormy seas of life on planet Earth.
May 20: Sun enters Gemini
Wrapping up another school year, signaling graduations and travel, Sun enters Gemini on May 20. Gemini thrives on curiosity, the impulse to discover adventure around every corner. Like a breath of fresh air, invigorating the mind and senses, the Gemini New Moon is May 26.
This is an especially important New Moon to watch as Sun, Moon and Mercury join in the early degrees of Gemini, harmonizing with both Saturn and Neptune that have recently entered Aries. These heavy duty planets are ready to write a new chapter, and tell a new story. Since this is a significant shift in focus for most of us, and the planet at large, let’s go deeper into these major transits.
Just entering Aries last March 30, it takes 165 years for Neptune to orbit through the entire zodiac. As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries initiates an entirely new cycle. It’s spring on steroids. Echoing the familiar refrain of, “Enough is enough!” people are worn out with the same old, same old. This is a drastic and dramatic uptick in energy, drive and focus. Transiting through Aries until 2038, we will be exploring this paradigm shift for years to come.
May 24: Saturn enters Aries
Underscoring and promoting the theme of rebirth, Saturn enters Aries this month, May 24. The days of sitting around and waiting for things to happen are over. This planetary trend places responsibility squarely in each person’s hands. What people do with it, is another matter, but Saturn’s entrance into Aries begins a profound process of individuation, and the cultivation of personal autonomy.
The overall trend is toward more self reliance, and less dependence on outer systems of authority. Of course, this won’t happen overnight, and it may take months to adapt and settle into the new energies. Specifically, the timing brings us into early next year as both Saturn and Neptune conjoin in Aries on February 21, 2026.
Between now and then, society will be confronting the enormous gap between idealistic beliefs, and hard, cold reality. Over the next several years, this will lead to a thorough remodeling of many aspects of our collective experience. In the meantime, attempts to build stability upon false premises and fleeting illusions can only exacerbate a systemic breakdown. Humanity is entering a period of massive and widespread reality checks.
Going back to the Gemini New Moon in harmony with Saturn and Neptune in Aries. These zodiac energies work well together. Aries initiates and leads the charge while Gemini educates and communicates the message. The consummate networker, Gemini naturally brings people and purpose together. Sharing ideas and visions, this New Moon helps to launch projects where people can cultivate similar interests along the lines of dynamic connection.
May 26: Gemini New Moon
Not only is the Gemini New Moon on May 26th, but this is Memorial Day, and the beginning of travel season. Out and about, people are ready to expand horizons. One of the key characteristics of Gemini is curiosity coupled with an open mind. The attitude of “never stop learning,” is fundamental to the human experience, and the development of wisdom through a variety of experiences.
Mercury, the ruling planet of Gemini, is especially active the final week of May. Not only harmonizing with Saturn and Neptune as mentioned, but Mercury trines Pluto in the early degrees of Aquarius. These aspects suggest stepping out of consensus reality, and breaking free of the common narrative. Additionally, Mercury conjoins the Sun on May 30, another sign of mental clarity along with decisions that may arise effortlessly and spontaneously.
All these planetary trends come together, manifesting as a sense of rebirth. The chaos and confusion begin to settle as each person stands stronger in their own integrity and sense of knowing. It’s a month to stay open, alert and aware, keeping a pulse on current trends, personally and collectively.
In conclusion, in her seminal book, “Daring Greatly,” Brene Brown writes:
There is a quiet transformation happening that is moving us from turning on each other to turning toward each other.” She goes further with an analogy, “There’s something magical about the idea of twinkle lights shining in dark and difficult places. The lights are small, and a single light is not very special, but an entire strand of sparkling lights is sheer beauty. It’s the connectivity that makes them beautiful. Much of the beauty of light owes its existence to the dark. The most powerful moments of our lives happen when we string together the small flickers of light created by courage, compassion, and connection and see them shine in the darkness of our struggles.
Shine on, dear readers, shine on!
Professional Astrologer Belinda Dunn
Belinda Dunn is a professional astrologer with over 40 years experience.
Belinda Dunn
She received her initial training at The Temple of Kriya Yoga, Chicago, and graduated from the Temple seminary program in 1974. Over the years, Belinda has shared the ancient arts of astrology and yoga with countless students and clients. Since 1992, Belinda’s popular astrology column “What’s UP,” has provided guidance through a variety of publications, and every month posted on her site: www.astrodelight.com
Belinda’s unique approach to astrology is down to earth, accurate, insightful and healing. Meeting with clients in person, phone or zoom, Belinda lives in Arden, North Carolina. Decades of experience as a parent and grandmother combine with meditation, yoga and energy medicine to round out her ability to offer a transforming experience upon your life path.
For more information and to schedule a personal consultation – EMAIL: belinda@astrodelight.com PHONE: 828-215-2101