Practicing with the Planets — Pentacle Planning for the Taurus New Moon
I am always excited about moon cycles, but I’m feeling extra excited about the Taurus New Moon this year. The moon will join the sun in Taurus on the evening of May 7th in the Western hemisphere, creating an auspicious New Moon with very good energy. Additionally, Jupiter, Uranus, and Venus are also present in Taurus, and there is an excellent combination of energies for manifestation and magical new beginnings.
A deck I like to consult during changes in the moon is the Moonology Deck, which has become a favorite of mine online. The card “New Moon in Taurus” from this deck includes the phrase “Prosperity Lies Ahead.” This card indicates that the Taurus New Moon marks the beginning of a new chapter in love and money, embodying the Venusian energy of this earth sign. Furthermore, this New Moon encourages us to think about what prosperity means to us or to “have life and have it in abundance,” as the Bible states.
Taurus is a zodiac sign that perfectly embodies “health is wealth.” During this season, you can consider what wellness means in terms of both physical and fiscal health. As Taurus loves indulging in pleasures, it is essential to maintain a balance between self-care that contributes to your overall health and indulgent self-care that drains your wealth. As this season concludes, home-cooked meals and pre-summer exercise goals are great ways to care for yourself. Additionally, moving from a “treat yo’ self” mindset to cultivating better practices around treating others with care.
Although discussions of manifestation tend to be self-focused, the New Moon in Taurus encourages us to shift our focus from self to community. During Taurus season, there is often a desire to pamper oneself because Taurus is associated with second-house energy and personal finances. However, as Taurus is also associated with The Hierophant card in tarot, it’s a call to think about the spiritual significance of money and how it can be used to better yourself and others.
Consequently, last night’s Met Gala and the theme is a perfect example of the meaning and manifestations we should focus on for the Taurus New Moon. Although the Met Gala is often considered an event about luxury and fashion, it is also a fundraising event focused on specific designers' legacy. For this season, the Gala theme is “The Garden of Time,” which references the short story by speculative fiction writer JG Ballard. This story ironically critiques hoarded wealth and the overturning of once stubborn and immovable social systems. I was reminded of movements like Occupy Wall Street, during which citizens protested near the Charging Bull, resembling Taurus's emblem and the sign’s symbolism.
Thus, this New Moon calls us to consider the meaning of “the garden of time” and the purpose of personal resources at a critical moment in our society. Therefore, this post will discuss a philanthropic approach to pursuing pentacles during the post-Passover season. I will also reflect on my experience using tarot to count the omer and craft ritual around the Taurus New Moon that combines both sides of the zodiac wheel.
Taurus in the Tarot: On The Philanthropic Pursuit of Pentacles
During Taurus and all seasons, I have been perusing several tarot decks and practices with unique interpretations of the astrological sign and the New Moon. When reading any card in tarot, it is crucial to think about the story that unfolds from one card to another in each suit and the astrological resonance of the cards. As an earth sign, Taurus is represented by the pentacles, i.e., gold coins inscribed with a pentagram.
To understand the meaning of the 6 of Pentacles in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot, it is crucial to consider the cards that come before and after it. The 5 of Pentacles shows two impoverished individuals outside a church looking longingly at the warm and inviting interior. Next, the 6 of Pentacles depicts a wealthy man holding the scales of justice and giving back to those in need. Finally, the 7 of Pentacles shows someone working hard to stack their coins, literally and figuratively, building abundance for the future.
To understand the message conveyed by the 6 of Pentacles card, we can examine its representation in various tarot decks. For example, in the Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot deck, the Hierophant is not present in the 6 of Pentacles, but both cards reflect the zodiac sign of Taurus. When interpreting the meaning of the 6 of Pentacles, we can view this card as a call for individuals with institutional or spiritual power (The Hierophant) to give back to those in need (5 and 6 of pentacles) as a means of investing in a more just and equitable community (7 of Pentacles).
In the Thoth deck, the Six of Disks card also represents the Taurus New Moon and the 6 of Pentacles in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot. According to the Thoth deck, the Six of Disks signifies:
“Success. Tiphareth is the suit of Earth. Moon in Taurus. The disks are in a hexagram. The planets are arranged in their usual attribution, in the centre the Sun as Rose and Cross. This typifies the harmonious establishment of the energy of the Element.”
In this card, the Rose Cross is a Christian kabbalistic symbol representing the unification of life's secular and spiritual aspects: nature and divinity. Therefore, the New Moon in Taurus is not just a time to build financial success or wealth for oneself. This moon calls us to consider how manifesting in the Earth element can benefit others. Specifically, pursuing pentacles in the material realm is not about hoarding resources (depicted in the 4 of Pentacles) but rather a means of building spiritual wealth through generosity or patronage (6 of Pentacles).
Counting the Omer: Manifestation and Meaning-Making for the New Moon
The 6 of Pentacles holds even more significance during Taurus season, as it aligns with counting the omer — a Jewish tradition that focuses on spiritual growth through dedicated study, typically after Passover. To aid my personal development, I have been counting the omer for the past few years using a book called “Tarot and the Gates of Light: A Kabbalistic Path to Liberation” by Mark Horn. This book combines counting the omer with reading the Rider Waite Smith Tarot as branches of the tree of life.
In reading the meaning of the Taurus New Moon, the Thoth deck describes the 6 of Pentacles as “Tiferet.” In Hebrew, Tiferet translates to the word Beauty, and in “Tarot and the Gates of Light,” the 6 of Pentacles corresponds to Day 17 of counting the omer, also known as Tiferet of Tiferet — The Heart of the Matter. In the book, Horn asks the question:
Think about times when you have been the recipient of generosity: how can you repay the generosity by paying it forward?
I have been fortunate to receive generosity through gifts, money, guidance, and mentorship. As a result, I believe it’s essential to pay it forward by giving advice and sharing my talents with those who may need them. With a Libra Rising and Taurus Mars in the opposite house of its home (the 8th house of other people’s money), I naturally understand the importance of finding personal value in collective growth and building a legacy based on giving to others. At the same time, you might also consider how you can be more open to receiving advice and assistance from others.
I also find it helpful to read the 6 of Pentacles in sequence, starting with “Tiferet of Tiferet” (6 of Pentacles), followed by “Tiferet of Netzach” (6 and 7 of Pentacles). In this case, “Netzach” can be translated as ambition, determination, or persistence. When combining “Tiferet” and “Netzach” with the meaning of the Taurus New Moon, I’m reminded of the quote “There’s Beauty in the Struggle” from the J. Cole song “Love Yourz.”
The song emphasizes that money has no meaning if you don’t have communal support, and any manifestation work you do should reflect gratitude for what you already have instead of greedily striving for wealth. It is important to have compassion for yourself and others by seeing the beauty in overcoming life’s struggles with others instead of succumbing to selfish pursuits. Additionally, this song reminds you to recognize your inherent worth and value as a human being as an important part of what you bring to the table.
Similarly, when writing about Tiferet of Netzach in “Tarot and the Gates of Light,” the author Mark Horn encourages us to consider the question:
“What are examples of the web of mutual compassion that fuels endurance in your work/life, and what can you do to honor them?”
In my personal life, collaborating with others with mutual compassion motivates me to work towards achieving our common goals. The compassion and care we share around our work encourage me to pull my weight in the group. Therefore, during the Taurus New Moon, I focus on finding purpose in pursuing pentacles, as it motivates me to move forward with my goals in a way that benefits more than myself. Therefore, this New Moon is an excellent time to think about your role in mutual aid, mentorship, or creating networks of support in your community.
Developing a collective consciousness also helps you move beyond your limitations and view your success as a part of manifesting a shared vision for the earth’s future. As you think about your manifestations for this time of the year, consider incorporating the energy of Venus into your rituals, especially if you resonate with the Taurus New Moon. Therefore, I have included some examples of ritual work to get you started in the “For the Love of Venus” post.
So, the questions for the Taurus New Moon are:
What are your pentacle plans for this season and how can you pursue your goals with personal and people-focused passion?
I hope your plans come to fruition and you build community gardens instead of planting flowers fenced in by fear. I also wish you a joyful and fulfilling New Moon!
If you seek to deepen your understanding of spirituality or astrology, you can find a wealth of knowledge by visiting my platform, The Professor Priestess. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, you will find valuable insights to help you on your journey!
