Los Angeles Friends -- Are You Signed Up for LA Astro Festival? It's Coming! June 27 & June 28

 

I am double downing in my community uplifting efforts. I’m pretty sure it has something to do with my Venus in Aquarius getting some love from the outer planets.

Even in the hardest political time I can remember, I still live in that brackish world where love and desire for an improved community meets the harsh reality of whether people show up. A lot of folks say things. But do they participate? Do they build? That’s the question.

Anyway, in that landscape, I think it is important to get the word out when good things are happening locally, and such is the case for our astro peeps in Los Angeles.

Between June 27–28 will be the second annual LA Astro Festival. My friend and fellow astrologer Vivi Henriette had the concept, vision and motivation to put together the first festival last year and it was outstanding.

I also want to say I remember when LA astrology outreach and community often felt like standing between stacks of books at the Bodhi Tree. We’ve come a long way since then, thanks in part to Vivi.

Last year I thought the material and speakers were inspired, intriguing and fresh and that is saying something since I’ve been doing this astro thing for 50 years.

So, there is that.

If you want to sign up for the event, feel free to use and share my code for 10% off all tickets:
TRACYLAAF

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-la-astro-fest-tickets-1988582037405?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios

May 16: Taurus New Moon

 

May 16, 2026

1:00pm (PDT) 

25 Taurus 57

 

 

I don’t know about you, but I am glad to say good bye to the Aries lunar month.   After all that fire I am ready for the grounding that comes with the first earth sign, Taurus.   

 

This 29-day lunar cycle is not as dramatic as the last couple of new moons.   It is not without some thrills and spills, but I think it will be a bit more manageable.   Yay.  

 

You can find my whole Taurus Lunar Report HERE.

May 5 - 16 Astrology Landscape

 

Disseminating

May 5, 2026

12:44 pm PDT – 

   

Disseminating — Sharing Insight

Reflect on what has transpired during the month and even earlier. What have you learned? How can you share some of your knowledge? What past experiences are you drawing upon? Sometimes we feel the need to teach. Other times we recognize that it is time to seek a teacher. A mentor, therapist, rabbi, minister, or guide may offer perspective that helps us understand the experience more fully.

Hero’s Journey: The hero shares the wisdom gained.
Creative/Science Process: Publication, presentation, or exhibition.

 

 

Focus on:   Are we all breathing now that the waxing and the full moon have completed?   How can we tap our inner CEO?  What does our inner boss, the real person we listen to say about our place in the world?  Can we share our knowledge with others?  Can we seek others advice?   What systems may be helpful if we talk to those in authority?   

 

 

 

Planetary Notes:

 

5/5: Mercury square Pluto (5 AQ) Great big airy fairy ideas that are not practical are put through the squeeze.  Cranky conversations with groups. 

5/5: Mercury sextile North Node (6 PI) Phew, the brain is soothed by remembering faith and spirit and the possibility that there is something bigger out there in charge.  

5/6: Pluto stations retrograde (5 AQ 30) (see above) 

 

 

 

 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

May 9, 2026

2:10 pm (PDT)  

 

Last Quarter — Practical Adjustments

Now we make the final adjustments to the seeds planted at the New Moon. We make the final call, send the final letters, and follow the trails that still make sense. Other paths are allowed to fall away. This phase favors wise action and thoughtful decision-making.

It is a time for living the spirit of the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Hero’s Journey: Rebuilding life after the transformation.
Creative/Science Process: Critique and evaluation.

 

 

Focus on:

What actions are you taking that connect to friends and groups?   For the last twenty days we have been focused on our needs, wants and desires.   Now is the time to turn to our groups and ask for support.  It is also time to go to our groups and friends and offer our own support for their self-agency.  

 

Planetary Notes: 

 

5/10: Sun sextile Jupiter (20 CA) Joy comes from practical support that lines up with our emotions and our philosophies.   Going outside our circles we may find practical alliances.  

5/12: Mercury sextile Jupiter (20 CA) Great day to find new knowledge, learn from others something important that will have practical applications in your own self agency.  

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

 

May13, 2026 

6:32 am  

 

Balsamic — Release

This phase closes the lunar cycle. We release what has run its course so the next cycle can begin. By letting go we clear space for the next New Moon. Reflection, rest, and closure allow the mind and spirit to reset before the next intention emerges.

Hero’s Journey: The return and completion of the journey.
Creative/Science Process: Rest and incubation before the next idea.

 

Focus on:  How are you releasing your warrior.   How are you releasing the battles?   How are you releasing your anger?  

 

 

Planetary Notes:

 

5/14: Mercury conjunction Sun (23 TA) Mercury cazimi in Taurus, and after all the Aries activity, something finally makes sense. A thought lands, and it holds.

5/16: Mars conjunction Chiron (28 AR) (see above) 

 

Taurus New Moon May 16, 1pm PDT

Pluto Retrograde: May 6 - October 15

 

Pluto retrograde

 

May 6, 2026

8:34am PDT

 

5/6            Pluto station retrograde (5 AQ 30)  

10/15:       Pluto station direct (3 AQ 04) 

 

During May, Pluto remains close to 5 degree 22 minutes of an arc.  That could sound like numerical mumbo- jumbo but what it means is Pluto is slowing down and turning retrograde on May 6.  Pluto will move back until October 15^th   when it lands at 3 AQ 20 and then turns direct again. 

Pluto is how we find our power and in Aquarius it is group alliances.    During the retrograde, we look at our groups and decide if we have the same goals.   There is support from Uranus and Neptune during much of this retrograde, bringing moments that feel unexpected or even unusual, we may have opportunities to act with clarity and intention.

Watch what comes into your life between May and October. Watch who shows up and where your attention goes. There is a thread running through it.

 

Scorpio Full Moon: May 1st at 10:23am PDT

 

Scorpio Full Moon on a refrigerator 

Full Moon – Scorpio
May 1, 2026
10:23 am PDT
(11 Scorpio 20)

Every year, the Full Moon in Scorpio reminds us that it is time to let something go. When we release, we gain. It is not complicated. If you have a room stacked to the ceiling with boxes, how on earth can you bring in something new?   The answer is you can’t.  

The problem is that neither Scorpio nor Taurus like to release anything. They hold on tight, and when pushed, they hold on tighter. Until eventually push comes to shove, and something gives. As one who has experienced earthquakes I know when something normally fixed, suddenly gives.  But at some point, there is an agreement, even if it is internal, and the process of shedding begins.

Scorpio is not just the Scorpion. It is also the snake and the eagle. We shed like the snake so that we can eventually rise like the eagle. Somewhere in that three-day Full Moon window, we get on with shedding. 

That is Scorpio Full Moon 101.

Coming at the end of an intense Aries waxing lunar cycle, this Scorpio Full Moon has extra weight. The Sun and Moon are both in square (separating) to Pluto, which amplifies the need to release. Even if part of you wants to hold on, something underneath is saying, “I’m  done with this. I need to let go,” That feeling of being done runs deep.

There is support here. Jupiter in Cancer forms a trine and sextile, bringing some emotional flow into the process. Even long-held opinions (Jupiter) can soften in ways that are better for the heart. But first, we release. 

I wrote all this two weeks ago and it still holds but something I heard this week adds another layer.  

Chani’s Nicholas reminded folks that Scorpio and the Pluto square are a double downing on “composting” which is so true.   Death of vegetation, death of matter, will over time become soil that is rich and a resource for, drumroll, new growth. See how that works? 

She also brought up May Day and the coming together of workers and push back on power.  This is an excellent note to bring out especially since we have Pluto in Aquarius (the people).   One could argue May Day during Pluto in Capricorn era not so people oriented.   Now on year two of May Day in Pluto in Aquarius, this feeling like something else.   Viva La Something Else.  

Astrology Landscape of April 27 - May 4

 

The beginning of the week is Gibbous lunar phase. Everything we started back on the New Moon about 10 days ago needs some refining. Think about what you started and consider what needs trims, tweaks, follow-ups, organizing.  You know all the stuff that turns an idea into reality.  

On the 28th there is some love between Venus and Pluto, which can be supportive when it comes to groups of humans. Love of self can show up as love for others.  Nice. Or maybe it’s the other way around, maybe being around people who get you helps you find your way back to self- love. Either way, there’s something there for ALL of us.  

When the Full Moon lands on May 1, we will all take a moment and enjoy our Treasure Map that we made before May 1st (hint hint), and then it becomes Venus, Mercury, and Mars’s game. Not exactly an easy-peasy Full Moon unless you remember the rule of a Scorpio Full Moon, which is to let go.

 

Gibbous Moon

April 27, 2026

11:52am  

 

 

Gibbous — Refining the Process

We refine our information. We pick and choose, discriminate, and organize. This is the phase where we become a bit “Virgo-like.” We sort through details and ask whether something has been overlooked. Adjustments are made. Plans are refined. The goal is not to abandon the seed but to improve how it is unfolding.

Hero’s Journey: Training and preparation before the major test.
Creative/Science Process: Editing and refinement.

 

Focus on:

On the new moon we dug into self.   What did we start and how were we informed and how did we act and now….how can we refine it all?   Where are there loose ends?  What needs diligence and follow through?   Is there an I that needs a dot?   A t that needs to be crossed?    Refinement is valuable.  

 

Planetary Notes:  

 

4/28: Venus trine Pluto (5 AQ).   Friends and groups are invigorated with new information.   New facts and conversations support matters of the heart.   

4/29: Venus square North Node (7 PI)   Gossip, not accurate is not helpful.  Remaining disconnected from reality is also not good.   Pray and find creativity and work through any hurdles. 

 

Full Moon – Scorpio  

May 1, 2026

10:23 am PDT

(11 Scorpio 20)

 

Full Moon — Illumination

The Full Moon reveals what has been building. Emotions tend to run high because something becomes visible that we may not have seen clearly before now. For those who have been working with the cycle, this can be a moment of realization or progress. For those who have not, emotions can spill over simply to bring awareness back to the situation. The Moon is bright and there is little room for shadows. What is reflecting to you?

Hero’s Journey: The revelation or moment of truth.
Creative/Science Process: Breakthrough — the insight appears.

 Separate Write Up

 

 

Planetary Notes:  

 

5/1: Venus sextile Saturn (9 AR).  Whatever is motivated by love is getting support.   Structures are built out of creativity and build something fresh and new.   

5/1: Mercury conjunction Chiron (27 AR).  Thoughts around impotency or lack of self-agency may bring doubt.  What if you simply changed your thinking?  What could it bring?  

5/2: Mercury enters Taurus.  Hooray, our thoughts leave war and get more practical for the next six weeks.  

5/4: Mars square Jupiter (19 CA) Actions that do not line up with philosophy are hypocritical.   Opinions that cause actions that are disconnected with the heart are reckless.   

 

 

The Signal Changes. What's Going On With Your Treasure Mapping?

 

We have a shift today that deserves attention.

Uranus moves into Gemini for the first time since 1941–1949, and when Uranus changes signs, the environment changes with it. Gemini governs how we think, communicate, and process information. Uranus electrifies whatever it touches, so when it enters Gemini, the mental field speeds up.

Translation: Welcome to warp speed.

Ideas come in fast. Conversations matter more. Information changes direction quickly. None of this arrives in a tidy way. It comes in pieces, flashes, and connections.

This is happening in the middle of the Aries waxing Moon, which is already active and initiating. We planted seeds around self, direction, and new paths.

For those working with Treasure Mapping, this is where the process gets interesting. Something that felt random may start to make sense. A new idea may shift how you see the whole thing.

This is right in the middle of the Treasure Mapping window. If you’ve already started your map, pay attention. Some of you may suddenly add an affirmation or a new image, even if you thought your map was done.

If you have not made your map, there is still time. The window is open—just make sure your map is finished before May 1. Most people complete their map in a couple of days once they begin, and with Uranus now activated, you may move through it quickly.

You do not need to have everything figured out before you start. In fact, this combination of Aries and Gemini works better if you move before everything makes sense.

So the question is not just what you want.

The question is whether you are willing to want something again.

If you want a clear walkthrough of the process, I did a conversation with Astrology Hub that covers it well: