Welcome to Indy Maven’s monthly astrology column coming by way of Kelli Jenkins and Hayley Trussell, better known around Indy as the Spellsisters. Check out their website and Instagram feed for even more info from the world of horoscopes and tarot, or to book a private reading.
May 2022 OVERVIEW
Have you ever really broken it down and thought deeply about what a spell is? At its most basic, cellular level, magic is intention. Spells are speaking your intention to bring magic into the sphere of your reality. You can literally change your life by centering down, connecting within, and calling it into existence. Watch things fall into place when you decide you don’t want to be in a situation anymore and call it as you see it.
Leave it to astrology to bring this simplicity into even sharper focus. We enter the month right in the throes of Taurus season, a magical time where languid manifestation, self-care and body maintenance reign supreme. You simply can’t be bothered if it isn’t nourishing, hydrating, or purifying. This month is all about stepping into (and then promptly out of) your comfort zone. When you think about it, your comfort zone is kind of like a box of boundaries that you think of as a barrier against the things you don’t want to happen. But it’s also keeping things you do want from making their way into your life. Everything is on the outside of that box, good and bad. Use this cozy Taurus fulcrum to pivot you into right alignment.
Cue Venus entering Aries on the 2nd. This will create opportunities for red-hot indulgences and shooting your shot (from a distance). Don’t work too hard, but when you see it, grab it. Because you’ve been putting so much energy into saving your energy, now is the time to advance the plot from the sidelines. The boldness of Aries energy teams up with the soft confidence of the Sun in Taurus. Think of this as your body harboring the perfect balance between divine feminine and divine masculine energy.
Accept this Mercury retrograde for the opportunity it is. On the 10th, Mercury briefly appears to reverse in Gemini, its home sign. We know what you’re thinking: “OMG, Mercury retrograde, yikes!” Hear us out, though: Reversals aren’t always a bad thing. The opportunity you’re being granted this time around is for reflection, especially within the context of your closest relationships. A lot of signs have at least one planet traveling through the 7th house of partnerships this month. Consider how you’ve adapted and molded yourself to fit into your relationships. Think about how you have shapeshifted over time to become (hopefully) a better version of yourself. Think about how you can honor yourself moving forward. Do you need to adjust and adapt again, or have you already done too much?
The answers to these questions become excruciatingly apparent with the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio on the 16th. Whatever comes to the surface right now could be brutal, but it’s going to require you to finally face the facts. Drama within crusty interpersonal dynamics could become explosive. Secrets will be exposed. Reality checks abound. This stuff was bound to come out anyway and the Band-aid must be ripped off eventually. Honestly, if it’s been suffocating you, don’t you want to release it, anyway? The answer may be no, but this is not a time where you have control. Lunar eclipses dictate endings that are cosmically ordained. You can’t argue, but you can get crafty and finesse events in your favor. Focus on what you want and not what you don’t want and if something leaves your life at this time, just know that it is allowing space for something wildly better.
The Sun enters Gemini on the 21st, bringing some much-needed comic relief and lightness. Also, Mars enters its home sign, Aries, on the 24th. Risks and rewards have dominated the month up until now, so indulge in the cool drink of water as you set it and forget it at this time. Greater opportunities for play and good times are coming. Don’t worry too much when it gets a little harder to make decisions at the end of the month as Mercury, still retrograding, moves into Taurus, creating some turbulence. The water may be murkier, and briefly, it’s hard to figure out exactly what you want. Just remember that you will know how to get it either way next month as Mercury moves direct.
The final change of course happens at the New Moon in Gemini on the 30th. This lunation brings with it a tone of lone-wolfness and maybe even some urges to play the victim. Self-pity never takes you where you want to be, though, so focus on what can be changed and not on what has already been permanently altered. We leave you with this: Even though we’re in one of the most social seasons, there isn’t anything wrong with a little solitude—and absence is the dark side of presence. They both exist for a reason. You can get what you want even while you’re sad to let go of what wasn’t working. See you on the other side of eclipse season!
BIRTHDAY SPOTLIGHT: Taurus (April 20 – May 20):
Happy birthday, bb! Hey, quick question: Have you been feeling like people have had their eye on you a little extra lately? It’s not really in a creepy or judgy way, though. You have admirers and they have been paying close attention to your lifestyle, your work ethic, and probably your skincare routine. We’ve been taking notes and what better time than your season is there to try things your way? At least, that’s how you see it, birthday boo. This probably won’t be news to you, but you can have a tendency to be a little bossy. Your ruling planet, Venus, enters Aries on the 2nd, giving us all the urge to delight in natural pleasures. It seems like everyone is trying to act like a Taurus lately. You might find yourself judging peoples’ enjoyment, as if they’re doing indulgence wrong. Reminder: There is no wrong way for people to find joy. This month, Mercury goes retrograde in Gemini and has you on edge, kicking the tires on a story that we all thought you’d retired. Beware of nitpicking and being petty. The old stories you’re trying to play out likely no longer apply. Any efforts you make to dig up the past have the potential to spoil a perfectly good situation (especially in romantic relationships). Mid-month, some self-doubt comes creeping in, causing you to question why you’re investing in something that isn’t making any money—could it be that you’re doing it because you enjoy it and that you don’t have to monetize joy? Just a suggestion. This month’s Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio is urging you to invest in doing what you genuinely enjoy doing simply for the sake of feeling good. Ultimately, this is an investment in yourself!
Famous Taurus: Lizzo, April 27
Local Taurus: Rachel Schwebach, Artist & Photographer, April 21
Key Dates: 2nd, 10th, 15th, 22nd
Oracle Message: The things you love don’t have to be productive. You are allowed to enjoy and indulge in things that don’t matter in the realm of capitalism. You do not need to monetize your joy.
RELATED: YOUR APRIL 2022 HOROSCOPES WITH THE SPELLSISTERS
NOW FOR THE REST OF YOU...
Gemini (May 21 – June 20):
Your growth potential knows no bounds this month! Job offers, creative side projects, or consulting opportunities could pop up, seemingly out of nowhere. This is all thanks to seeds you’ve sown, though, and somewhere back there, past-you was setting current-you up for this. This month, as Mercury stations retrograde in your sign, you may feel like this is too good to be true and wonder why little old you is being sought out. But, let’s face it: You are a visionary and a mastermind and you are, in fact, the person for this job. Hold that in your mind this month as the planets do their usual dance and shift around each other. This year has the potential to bring steady financial increases for you. But with great power comes great responsibility. As you rake in the opportunities and collect your bonuses, watch out for the black hole of spending. Consider whether you’re spending (time, energy, love, or money!) to fill a void. If so, what is that void? Can you fill this void with things? The answer is likely no, and while security can, at times, come by way of the material, there’s more of a chance that you are avoiding the recognition that you already have what you need. It’s just uncomfortable for you to sit still and not be striving for some sort of achievement. This is reflected by the fact that everything is going your way this month … and yet, you still feel like something is missing.
Key Dates: 10th, 20th, 28th, 30th
Cancer (June 21 – July 22):
You are deeply attuned to the deeper, more emotional undertones of any given situation. You absolutely love a good tea party, but it doesn’t feel like a chill vibe when nobody brings what they said they were going to bring. To you, it feels like during the month of May, everything is speeding up and getting louder, like a crescendo. It may feel like you’re picking up on something that nobody else is: the fact that this is all leading us somewhere and the intensity foretells some kind of yet-to-be-seen culmination of some kind of yet-to-be-known thing. Your finger’s on the pulse, though, and you know how to read the cues. This month, Mercury stations retrograde on the 10th in Gemini. While you feel compelled to focus on everyone else, you’re being pulled in another direction, deeper within. It would be wise to check for loose ends and look for misplaced objects and forgotten responsibilities before then. Professionally, you are making an impression on someone without even realizing it, as Venus shifts into your 2nd house of career and responsibility. You can rest assured that it’s a good one, as long as you cross your t’s and stay in your lane.
Key Dates: 2nd, 5th, 16th, 20th, 30th
Leo (July 23 – August 22):
Dude, don’t stop your sexcapades for us! We know what’s going on! Because on the 2nd, Venus enters fellow-fire-sign Aries in your 5th house of pleasure and enjoyment. You’re not shy to begin with, but this month you find yourself being even more compelled and empowered to assert yourself. This is great for the first few weeks of the month, since you’re sticking out your neck and taking risks to get where you want to go. Watch for overstepping boundaries and be sure to avoid being over-dominant on the 10th when Mercury goes retrograde in Aries. Keep an eye on your tone and pick your battles wisely; you’re even more susceptible to being misunderstood with this retrograde resting in your communication sector. This might not sound like any fun, but it would be wise to keep it casual on the 15th during the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse. It’s best to simply avoid any situations where toxic patterns or behaviors might rear their heads, and this way, you can be sure you’ll keep your foot out of your mouth and avoid any unnecessary fights or drama. Besides, your sex life is getting an overhaul, anyway. Who has the time for petty nonsense? Not you. You’re especially blessed in romance this month, so whether you’re in a relationship, many relationships, or single, there is good potential for tons of flirting, which is sure to boost your confidence.
Key Dates: 2nd, 10th, 15th, 24th
Virgo (August 23 – September 22):
You’re a natural when it comes to fixing things and you love to swoop in and be a hero, so this month’s focus on healing is giving you a major ego boost. You’re never more in your own skin than when you’re helping someone else mediate their drama. Your ruling planet, Mercury, is the planet of communication, so you have a knack for seeing things from both sides and offering insights, especially in times of distress. That is, when the distress belongs to someone else. Don’t be alarmed, but Mercury once again stations retrograde this month, this time in Gemini. Where things really get a little dramatique for you this month is this Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on the 15th. The main reason is because eclipses are totally unpredictable—you can’t see in total darkness. But you, dear Virgo, would like to do the impossible, and since this one hits your 11th house of friendship, it’s a good idea to take inventory of your grudges and weigh them against their release. This doesn’t require any kind of special ceremony or anything. You just need to decide that you no longer choose to carry it. A weight is lifted when the Sun enters Gemini on the 20th. It’s time for you to break out of your shell and be more adventurous socially. Here’s a challenge for you: introduce yourself to a stranger.
Key Dates: 10th, 15th, 20th
Libra (September 23 – October 22):
The vibes for you are mega-Machiavellian this month, baby Libra. The energy is giggling while you send in a resignation letter or post a pic that lets all your haters know what you’re up to. You have absolutely no patience for those in your way in May, and the Solar Eclipse last month confirmed everything you need to know: You’re a bad bitch and you’re a rising supernova in whatever field you call your home. With your 8th house of other people’s money emphasized, you may be collecting on some old investments and hitting paydirt on dividends. You could also be experiencing some pretty toxic emotions that you effortlessly purge with a low-key shopping addiction. Go for it—as Venus enters your 7th house on the 2nd, you will realize any partnerships are helped by you focusing on yourself and flirting with selfishness for a change. The Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio on the 16th will be heavy but rewarding. You may receive a bump up in income or watch your funds grow as you take on a new role at work. Even if it’s only a slight jump, it has the potential to open up avenues for you that would normally not be available. Anything that ends this month is not serving you, even if it seems cool on the surface. Trust that the things that stop producing results are not a fluke—they are indicators from the Universe that you should stop pouring water on dead plants. Start fresh at the New Moon on the 30th. You may feel a random urge to take a spontaneous trip or enroll in school. This is not a drill and is much more reality than fantasy—play with life and see what happens right now. You may be starting a new cycle, but you won’t be sure until next month when Mercury goes direct on June 2nd.
Key Dates: 1st, 2nd, 13-16th, 24th, 30th
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21):
You enter May super-mega-focused: it’s like you’re hypnotized by your desires and you can only think about one thing. This month you will be feeling hot and heavy and focused on what you want. Still coasting on the fumes at the end of April, the Solar Eclipse has activated your 1:1 relationships and you may experience a major reset with a partner where the roles drastically reverse (in a good way). If you’ve been over-giving, you are suddenly happily seeing your partner/bff helping you out and pursuing you for a change. With Venus entering your ruling planet’s sister sign of Aries on the 2nd, you feel fired up and ready to flirt all through May, but you may also be feeling jealous and just a touch angry. Use the sexual tension in your life as a springboard for manifesting your heart’s desire. From the 10th on, Mercury retrograde will be relatively docile this month for you, so don’t worry about it ruining your plans—they’re good as gold. The major turning point of the month will occur on the Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio in your 1st house of identity on the 16th. You’re in a chrysalis and desperate to claw your way out. Unfortunately, the cosmic surcharge is you have to kill your idols and burn all pix of who you used to be. This can be traumatizing for others but it’s absolutely no sweat for a phoenix like yourself. Mars shifts into Aries on the 24th and the New Moon on the 30th hits your 8th house of investments and sexuality—expect money unexpectedly flowing in and totally feeling yourself. The funds may be locked up (like credit lines, 401ks, bonuses), but they’re slowly increasing your sense of personal power. Allow yourself to acknowledge how far you’ve come and look forward to November when you’ll see the seeds you plant this month bear fruit.
Key Dates: 1st, 2nd, 16th, 24th, 27th.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21):
Your happiness is super dependent on your self-concept this month, and you’re radically shifting that to allow more flexibility with who you think you are. Sag, your identity has been shape-shifting over the past few months and in direct response, this circuit of eclipses starting on May 1st will activate the areas of your life where you are working behind the scenes. You will feel hyper-focused on work at the beginning of the month and forced to combat your never-ending to-do list lest you get overwhelmed. This will pass, but the things you handle at the beginning of the month will never need to be done again, so you can relax when you’re done. As Mercury goes retrograde in your 7th house of partnerships on the 10th, you might see old partners come back to distract you while you try to differentiate who you’ve become since the last eclipse cycle from last year (where you were spotlighted). It’s *not* a time to focus on partnership, but if you were trying to manifest relationships at that time last year, they may be coming in like a delayed online order arriving on your doorstep a year too late. Either way, at the Lunar Eclipse on the 16th, you’re feeling super chill and not detached, and yet also … not. You want to hide for some reason and may be hermitting while you deal with some old traumas or grief. As the Sun transitions to Gemini on the 21st, you will want to reconnect one-on-one with other people and maybe even get closer to a crush or old flame. By month’s end, you might accidentally get married or finalize a contract. Be careful and remember who you are.
Key Dates: 2nd, 10th, 21st, 24th, 30th
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19):
Cozy AF and ready to relax—not really your usual thing, but it’s a vibe this month. You are wildly in your element as Taurus season pushes you into setting new creative goals and focusing on what makes you happy. You feel oddly chill as the Solar Eclipse in Taurus hits the cosmic reset button on your hopes and dreams and your romantic nature. You might realize you have feelings for someone whom you had previously thought of only as “just a friend,” or you could be feeling oddly transfixed by a new hobby that is out of left field for you. Issues with Mercury retrograde on the 10th don’t really affect you heavily this month; just double-check your emails, make sure you’re texting the right person, and DONT. SIGN. ANY. CONTRACTS. We know you want to formalize agreements/talking phases around the Lunar Eclipse on May 16th, but it’ll be best to let events play themselves out and ride the wave until next month. You’re not in a place to decide, but you are in a place to taste-test your dreams mid-month. As Mars shifts into Aries on the 24th, you will feel irritable and impatient, but hold off on action until after the New Moon on the 30th. With your 6th house of routines and work life activated, there is something you don’t know that will affect your daily work life, so wait it out until new events develop by June 30th. You’ll thank us later.
Key Dates: 1st, 16th, 19th, 24th
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18
You’re certifiably spellbound this month as long-burgeoning events exceed your wildest expectations. You slide into May riding the coattails of the powerful Solar Eclipse in Taurus. The tension is palpable and you’re feeling drained but also weirdly more alive than ever. The eclipses this month will affect your home and retreat sector, emphasizing that you will need to clear out your space and spend some time alone at home in order to reap abundance in other areas of your life (namely, your career, life path, and reputation). As Mercury backslides through Gemini from the 10th to the beginning of June, you might feel like you’re losing control of your reality. Events seem to stretch beyond your control and your instant reaction is “no, no—that’s not how this is supposed to go!” Your freedom-loving sign also prefers to have control, so calm your nerves by reminding yourself that sometimes things get worse before they get better. The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse might bring an ending to your career that allows you to instantly manifest something better. You’ve actually been blocking your power by keeping your space filled—it’s time to loosen the ties and let things fall apart. Mars enters Aries on the 24th and with it you feel the flow of energy rapidly advance. It’s time and you’re not waiting anymore. By month’s end, you’re going to be feeling ALIVE. You’re creatively firing on all cylinders, you’re bringing passion back into your life, but you may also be feeling super uncertain about what will happen for you. That’s part of the picture—not knowing. You’re learning to embrace the blank spaces in your life and know with certainty that they are already filled. This life will seismically change you and may just rock your world.
Key dates: 1st, 11th, 16th, 21st, 24th, 30th
Pisces (February 19 – March 20):
You’re feeling so tender this month (and not in the same usual way … we know you know what we mean). To kick this month off, you’re very much still riding the emotional wave that is the April 30th/May 1st Solar Eclipse in Taurus. The cosmic weather has you experiencing an emotional renaissance and attracting a bunch of loving messages and even a few unexpected confrontations. As Mercury goes retrograde on May 10th and planets affect your 3rd house of communication, you may get your wires crossed and realize you’re totally off-base and wayyy misinterpreted an email/text. Even if you feel the urge to overreact, all is forgivable—you’re one of the astro favorites this month. If you’ve been manifesting something special, you will start to see inklings that you’re about to receive it by the end of the month. Your highly romantic soul is in a vice grip as the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse is in Scorpio on May 16th. Take a risk and allow the tension to slingshot you into expansion. If you’re taking a trip, things should go very well even if the tone is low-key chaotic. You love when kismet intervenes—take that energy with you into all the wild situations that come up. As the New Moon on the 30th cools you down, center down in your home space and clear out your closets. The end of the month is quiet for you and you need to create space and rest.
Key Dates: 1st, 16th, 30th
Aries (March 21 – April 19):
This month happens to bring several challenging astro situation-ships, but for you, young Aries, it’s no biggie. Although stress seems to plague other signs this month, given the unpredictability of Mercury retrograde and the second eclipse of this year’s eclipse season, it easily rolls off your back. Early this month, Venus enters your sign, giving you the chance to delight in small pleasures and reminding you of who tf you are. The trick for you this month is to try to stay cool, calm, and collected as other people around you might be going off the deep end and indulging in gossip and drama. Watch your step. You are known for being quick-witted and reactionary, and sometimes your temper can strike a chord. Give yourself more than ample time to listen and digest information before reacting. Do not hit send on an impulsive text, especially after the 10th as Mercury goes retrograde in Gemini. The potential for you to misunderstand or be misunderstood is at a high, and the best thing you can do in such situations is simply to do what you do best: you don’t just read the room. You control the room’s energy with your natural dominance; you know you’re powerful but you’re even more powerful than you realize. Your reactions will either temper or stoke the drama. This month, Jupiter also moves into Aries, giving you an additional fortuitous opportunity to step into your power. You are on a roll, and right now, you’re charmed. Do that thing you do, and read the room … but also, ask questions. Don’t be afraid to make demands. Just consider whether or not you’re actually asking for what you want or if it’s just about power.
Key Dates: 2nd, 10th, 24th, 30th
CHANNELED TAROTSCOPE MESSAGES BY SIGN:
Taurus | 3 of Pentacles: You literally can’t keep martyring yourself. Someone wants to help you and they’re the puzzle piece you’ve been missing.
Gemini | The Devil: Oof, sometimes a taste of your own medicine is exactly what you needed. Get well soon.
Cancer | 6 of Cups: What did you love to do as a child? Do it now.
Leo | Judgment: You only get one shot, do not miss your chance.
Virgo | 8 of Cups: It’s totally okay to leave business unfinished if it’s what’s best for your sanity. You don’t need to tie up loose ends before exiting a situation that isn’t healthy or working for you anymore.
Libra | Ace of Wands: Maybe it’s time for you to admit what you really want without fear of rejection and without shame. Don’t apologize, even when you feel exposed.
Scorpio | 4 of Swords: Times are tough and it’s exhausting to keep all the parts in motion. Log off. Know that it’s better to step back when you’re tired and frustrated than it is to say something you know you’ll regret.
Sagittarius | 7 of Cups: You are tempted to throw caution to the wind and set the world on fire, and you could. Avoid impulsivity. Calculate your next move.
Capricorn | King of Swords: At this point, it doesn’t matter what you’re sick of accepting. You don’t have to fight. Honestly, but diplomatically, choose where you expend energy and let the chips fall where they may.
Aquarius | 4 of Pentacles: Reckless abandon has gotten you into trouble before. Measured steps and inspired action suits you better now.
Pisces | Page of Cups: Your dreams are messengers. What do you need to hear?
Aries | The Star: Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” plays gently in the background.
Photo of the Spellsisters by Schwebach Photography.
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