Once a month, I join forces with my dear friend and astrologer extraordinaire, Heidi Rose Robbins to post an overview of what’s happening in the cosmos and how it might influence your career. It’s called Your Career Forecast.
Whether you’re job-hunting, running your own business, or wondering about the ideal time to ask for a raise or take a vacation, each Career Forecast reveals the important dates that you need to know about.
Let’s dive in!
OVERVIEW
What’s going on this month…
HEIDI: The Sun moves into Taurus at 1:55 am pacific time on April 20th. Taurus is a sign of manifesting beauty, taking practical action and implementing the power of the Will. Taurus rules the garden and under Taurus, the flowers of our lives start to grow. Seeds planted under Aries burst forth and we find ourselves surrounded by beauty.
The month of Taurus slows us down in the best of ways. It is a sign that understands what is of value. So many of us move so fast and have so much on our plate that we forget what is important. Under Taurus, we show up and do the work rhythmically and steadily. With this energy we can grow our businesses and attract resources through our sure, committed work.
Having sounded that note, it’s interesting that Venus moves into Aries on April 20th as well. Venus rules Taurus so it has a greater impact this month. The Aries energy will boost us and add a bit of thrust or pioneering spirit. New ideas abound and a sense of possibility is definitely in the air.
Pluto moves retrograde April 24th and will stay retrograde until October 3rd. This happens every year for a big chunk of time. Retrogrades provide reflection time. As the retrograde occurs in Capricorn, we review the structures of our life. We prepare for the next build. We explore what can be eliminated or is no longer necessary before we engage Pluto to grow our businesses and bring greater depth to our lives. It’s definitely a shedding time.
Saturn also moves retrograde on April 29th. And Saturn is also in Capricorn. These two planets moving retrograde together make sure that we assess before we progress. Saturn stays retrograde until September 18th, so this is a good 5-month period to be clear, meticulous and hard-working before big launches and life changes. We get our ducks in a row.
The New Moon of Taurus occurs on May 4th and asks us what we consider valuable and beautiful in our lives. It invites us to spend our time on what matters instead of frittering it away with endless to-do lists. This New Moon asks us to make choices that are in alignment with our deepest loves.
On May 6th, Mercury moves into Taurus. Mercury, the planets of communication, always takes a breather in Taurus. Mercury in Taurus is good for deliberate study and methodical work. We quiet the chatter of the mind. We definitely do not want to rush our communications in any way.
On May 15th, Venus moves into Taurus, joining both Mercury and the Sun. Venus loves to be in Taurus and brings beauty and bounty. It is a great position for attracting the resources we need. We can breathe in the bounty of spring and the beauty that abounds. Once again, we put our attention on what we value most and we make choices about our time in alignment with those values.
Mars also shifts on May 15th. It moves into Cancer. Mars isn’t overly comfortable in the sign of Cancer as the water energy tends to dampen the vigor of Mars. But Mars in Cancer is a beautiful time to turn our energy and vitality towards family. It is also an excellent time for saving money or getting more financially secure.
Finally, the Full Moon of Taurus occurs on May 18th. At its best, Taurus is a profoundly receptive, intuitive energy. There will be four major planetary positions in Taurus during the Full Moon. Take some time to listen deeply. Try not to be too scattered or busy. Imagine that a great idea is waiting to get through to you and you just need to be poised and present enough to receive it. It’s a great day to meditate or journal about next life steps.
What does all of this mean for your career? Let’s look closer…
JOB HUNTING?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: As Heidi talked about, Taurus is a time that the seeds that we planted in Aries begin to grow. So, all those job inquiries and resumes that we sent out last month might begin to bear some fruit.
However, there are other factors that might slow us down – not I a frustrating way, but rather because it is a good time to really assess what path you want to take and what you might want to do next with your life. You may think that it looks one way, but in fact, the universe may be whispering something else, totally different.
When the New Moon of Taurus occurs on May 4th we are invited to spend our time on what matters instead of frittering it away with endless to-do lists. This New Moon asks us to make choices that are in alignment with our deepest loves.
It is so important not to just jump into the first place that offers you a job. Taurus is a perfect time to take your time to feel into what you want to do next. Making a choice that aligns with who you are. And what you believe will help to guarantee that you will be happy with your job or career choice.
In the book “Designing Your Life” by bill Burnett and Dave Evans they spend a good deal of time talking about finding coherence between your life view and work view.
Take some time to think about why you work? What you want to get from work? How do you want to live your life? What are your values? What is the overlap between the two? This overlap- or coherence- is the compass to help you find work that lights you up.
It can be scary not to jump when you are offered a job but know that you will have support this month to take your time. As Heidi wrote: on May 15th, Venus moves into Taurus, joining both Mercury and the Sun. Venus loves to be in Taurus and brings beauty and bounty. It is a great position for attracting the resources we need.
If you put your attention on what you value most, you will make choices in alignment with those values.
ALREADY HAVE A JOB?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: The month of Taurus slows us down in the best of ways. We work steadily yet also take the time to smell the roses (and all the other beautiful spring flowers that are in bloom).
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I move so fast- almost as if I am automatic pilot, that I forget to slow down and actually tune into what I need and want to do next. Taurus helps us to work steadily attract the resources we need, without the intense buzz we have been feeling. This slow down, quiet the mind chatter, energy will be supported by Mercury (the planet of communication) moving into Taurus on May 6th.
That said, there will be new ideas and a pioneering spirit that spices up our days. Venus moves into Aries on April 20th. The Aries energy will boost us and add a bit of thrust or pioneering spirit. New ideas abound and a sense of possibility is definitely in the air.
It’s National Poetry Month, so pile a bunch of poetry books on your bed table and read a poem before work each day to set the mood. Perhaps honor the memory of a few of the greats, like Mary Oliver or W.S Merwin, who have recently died.
SELF-EMPLOYED OR RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Here’s what you need to know…
ELLEN: Being self-employed is wonderful and also really hard. You are constantly having to make decisions, figure out how and when to launch your next big thing, how much to charge (my least favorite part) and also fight isolation.
Sometimes we need to stop a bit and take the long view about where we are going. Two transits that start this month will help us do that. As Heidi noted:
Pluto moves retrograde April 24th and will stay retrograde until October 3rd. provide reflection time. As the retrograde occurs in Capricorn, we review the structures of our life. We prepare for the next build. We explore what can be eliminated or is no longer necessary before we engage Pluto to grow our businesses and bring greater depth to our lives. It’s definitely a shedding time.
Saturn also moves retrograde on April 29th. And Saturn is also in Capricorn. These two planets moving retrograde together make sure that we assess before we progress. Saturn stays retrograde until September 18th, so this is a good 5-month period to be clear, meticulous and hard working before big launches and life changes. We get our ducks in a row.
Finally, the Full Moon of Taurus occurs on May 18th. At its best, Taurus is a profoundly receptive, intuitive energy. There will be four major planetary positions in Taurus during the Full Moon. Take some time to listen deeply. Try not to be too scattered or busy. Imagine that a great idea is waiting to get through to you and you just need to be poised and present enough to receive it. It’s a great day to meditate or journal about next life steps.
What else can you do? Host a dinner party with other entrepreneurs where everyone can talk about what plans are brewing for them and get the support of how to use this retrograde time. Priya Parker in her wonderful book, ‘The Art of Gathering’ details all sorts of innovative ways to create transformative gatherings. Also listen to some of the podcasts she has been on such as Hurry Slowly.
Hosting a lovely dinner with open and vulnerable conversations is the absolute best way to use the Taurus and retrograde energies this month. Check out Priya Parker’s ‘15 Toasts’ dinners which are set up to give 15 guests the permission to be vulnerable, engage as human beings in an open and genuine conversation.
FAMOUS TAURUSES
Tauruses are known for being unwavering, strong-willed, and steadfast in their opinions. Those born under this sign revel in delicious excess. This zodiac sign is also tactile, enjoying a tender, even sensual, touch. Taurus adores comfort and likes being surrounded by pleasing, soothing things. Along these lines, they also favor a good meal and a fine wine.
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21, 1926, in London, to Prince Albert, Duke of York (later known as King George VI), and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. She married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947, became queen on February 6, 1952, and was crowned on June 2, 1953.
Elizabeth II is the mother of Prince Charles, heir to the throne, as well as the grandmother of princes William and Harry. As the longest-serving monarch in British history, she has tried to make her reign more modern and sensitive to a changing public while maintaining traditions associated with the crown.
For those of us that have read about Queen Elizabeth or watched the many movies on television shows about her life, she clearly exhibits many of the personality traits of a Taurus. She loves the outdoors and animals. She is stubborn, takes a while to change her mind, and is very loyal to the crown
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Elliot Zuckerberg (born May 14, 1984) is an American computer programmer and Internet entrepreneur. He is the chairman, chief executive officer, and co-founder of Facebook. His net worth is estimated to be US $53.6 billion as of 2017, ranking him the 5th richest person in the world.
He possesses many Taurus traits, such as being patient, down to earth, independent, resilient, good with money and very loyal.
Florence Nightingale
Florence Nightingale is a quintessential Taurus. She was born in Florence, Italy on May 12, 1820. During the Crimean War, she and a team of nurses improved the unsanitary conditions at a British base hospital, reducing the death count by two-thirds. Her writings sparked worldwide health care reform. In 1860 she established St. Thomas’ Hospital and the Nightingale Training School for Nurses. She died August 13, 1910, in London.
Despite her mother’s interest in social climbing, Florence herself was reportedly awkward in social situations. She preferred to avoid being the center of attention whenever possible. Strong-willed, Florence often butted heads with her mother, whom she viewed as overly controlling.
She went to nursing school against her families’ wishes. She received many honors in her lifetime, including a broach from Queen (the Nightingale Jewel) and a prize of $250,000 from the British government.
When she was 38 years old, she contracted “Crimean fever” and never fully recovered. she was homebound and bedridden and would be so for the remainder of her life. Fiercely determined and dedicated as ever to improving health care and alleviating patients’ suffering, Nightingale continued her work from her bed for the next 52 years!
She is buried in Westminster Abbey.
OVERALL, THIS IS A GREAT MONTH FOR…
• Listening Deeply
• Taking the long View
• Being in Nature
• Being Steady and Sure
YOUR CAREER MANTRA FOR THIS MONTH:
The Seven of Pentacles
Under a sky the color of pea soup
she is looking at her work growing away there
actively, thickly like grapevines or pole beans
as things grow in the real world, slowly enough.
If you tend them properly, if you mulch, if you water,
if you provide birds that eat insects a home and winter food,
if the sun shines and you pick off caterpillars,
if the praying mantis comes and the ladybugs and the bees,
then the plants flourish, but at their own internal clock.
Connections are made slowly, sometimes they grow underground.
You cannot tell always by looking what is happening.
More than half the tree is spread out in the soil under your feet.
Penetrate quietly as the earthworm that blows no trumpet.
Fight persistently as the creeper that brings down the tree.
Spread like the squash plant that overruns the garden.
Gnaw in the dark and use the sun to make sugar.
Weave real connections, create real nodes, build real houses.
Live a life you can endure: Make love that is loving.
Keep tangling and interweaving and taking more in,
a thicket and bramble wilderness to the outside but to us
interconnected with rabbit runs and burrows and lairs.
Live as if you liked yourself, and it may happen:
reach out, keep reaching out, keep bringing in.
This is how we are going to live for a long time: not always,
for every gardener knows that after the digging, after the planting,
after the long season of tending and growth, the harvest comes.
This should be a lovely, rich, rhythmic month. Enjoy the steady, sure steps of Taurus.
Much love,
Ellen & Heidi