The Week Ahead 25 - 31 May
New Moon in Gemini and words on the Saturn-Neptune conjunction
Hello friend,
What if we reframed “living with uncertainty” to “navigating mystery”? There’s more energy in that phrase. The hum of imaginative voltage. - Martin Shaw
Saturn is now in Aries and conjunct Neptune.
Last week, I had a conversation about doubt with a person I occasionally bump into on one of our local forest trails. It started out with a comment about dandelions. Look how tall they are! Then progressed to small talk on birds and how we both have a soft spot for the plain-looking Hermit Thrush. Then while we stood under a Bigleaf Maple tree listening for Hermit Thrush song she asked me if I was “spiritual”. I nodded along with a constellation of dandelions. My new friend told me she felt let down by God. She recently turned sixty-five and was unexpectedly facing a terrifying challenge (she did not elaborate) that made it difficult for her to envision a future for herself.
I wanted to say I would love to look at her birth chart. I wanted to tell her that at her current age Saturn squares his natal position and a new identity wants to emerge.
Instead, I told her that I love Anne Lamott’s books on faith and that Anne says, “The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty. Certainty is missing the point entirely. Faith includes noticing the mess, the emptiness and discomfort, and letting it be there until some light returns.”
We walked the rest of the forest path down to the main road together in companionable silence and afterwards, at home, I thought about the Saturn-Neptune conjunction. The confluence of these powerful planetary energies makes for an increase in self-doubt and doubt in a general sense, but it also brings in a deeper understanding of what it means to have faith.
Faith, to paraphrase Cynthia Bourgeault, is a subtle seeing in the dark, a kind of night vision that lets you see beyond the surface of things. Aries rules the head and the eyes, so we can interpret this conjunction – this blending of energies – as an opportunity to change our perception and to go beyond the obvious and the prescribed. We need to opt out of reality consensus – the collection of beliefs that a group accepts as real - and choose instead to courageously commit to living the truth of our own lives as we see it (Saturn in Aries).
I will share more musings in the coming months as this conjunction intensifies. (It will be exact in February 2026).
I wrote a short book in which I show you how Saturn in Aries’ 3 year transit will impact you personally.
We’re getting a preview of Saturn in Aries this year. Pay attention to what comes up from this weekend to 1 September. Wherever you feel you are being asked to demonstrate your expertise or skills and capacity to endure that is where you are will be dedicating more time and effort from 2026 to 2028.
In other news:
Instagram can’t decide whether or not they want my account. I was “suspended” several times last week for “not following community guidelines” and then - just as mysteriously - I was “reinstated”. So, if you are following me on the socials please know I may disappear … Please check in with me here and visit my website as I update it constantly. Want to connect? You can reply to this newsletter or you can book a free discovery call here.
The Week Ahead
*All times are Pacific Time
Sunday 25 May
Mercury enters Gemini 5:59pm
This quicksilver energy kicked in early. You may, like me, have already heard fascinating stories this weekend or your head may be filled with stories. Certainly, from today, you will entertain a multitude of ideas and theories.
Mercury sextile Saturn
Go ahead and follow that advice from an older person.
Monday 26 May
New Moon at 6º Gemini 8:02pm
Expect a big reveal or a sudden realization that will help you decide your next steps. You will want to look at the Gemini part of your birth chart (Gemini House).
Want to know what I mean by “houses”? Download my free Astro Cheat sheet.
You are moving towards expressing yourself more authentically but also entering a period of uncertainty. Your head may be buzzing with questions like “What if this messy world of ours implodes tomorrow? What if my work is not seen or appreciated by others?…
In Zen Buddhism, “not knowing” is seen as the path to holiness. It’s also referred to as the “don’t-know practice”. This is not about turning a blind eye to what’s happening in the world or in your immediate environment. This is the practice of considering what’s happening and looking at your response. If in your mind you’re constantly imagining someone’s downfall or you’re stuck with sad images (and yes, there is much that breaks the heart at this time) then “not knowing” is medicine. You don’t have to figure everything out .
Practice saying quietly “I don’t know…” and feel your heart open.
Magically, you want to set intentions that focus on recognizing your response to the suffering of others but also recognizing your own response to others and external events. Recognizing is not the same as knowing. We often arrive at “knowing” through speculation and a sense of righteousness. This moon asks you to focus on revising your moral outlook.
Tuesday 27 May
Mercury trine Pluto 10:56am
Your words are powerful. Choose them wisely.
Wednesday 28 May
Moon in Cancer 10:32am
This moon kicks off your New Moon intentions by asking you to follow your instincts. You may be inspired by your mother or another caring “motherly” figure, or by some person or event from your past. Spend some time near water.
Thursday 29 May
Sun conjunct Mercury at 9º Gemini 9:15pm (Superior Conjunction)
Intentions seeded during Mercury’s Inferior Conjunction on March 25th will culminate this week.
Friday 30 May
Moon in Leo 1:16pm
Be generous. Let someone know you appreciate them. Bring bold, bright flowers into your home.
I appreciate you dear reader. Thank you for being here❤️
Saturday 31 May
No major event.
xo
Yolanda
I love these weekly overviews! Thank you Yolanda for your enlightening writings!