The Moon is waxing toward a second full Moon in Scorpio, to be in its illuminated glory on May 19th (at 10:11 p.m. EDT). It's a rare moment that flings the doors open to soul-level change and practical magic along the Scorpio-Taurus axis.

Out of Scorpio's psychic well, come truths that take the full picture into account. Scorpio is a sign that's not afraid to move through its own darkness on the path of transformation. Your dreams and intuition point the way to tangible change. And at this lunar peak, in the fullness of what is revealed, a more secure foundation can be built (Taurus).

• Full Moon in Scorpio on May 19th

Just got back from a week at a hacienda in Texas hill country. The retreat was based on Celtic ways of respect and spiritual communion. While it was very hands-on, the promise was there, too, of seeing God in the eyes of the horse. It was the first time I'd been around stallions, and hot Peruvian ones at that, a.k.a. pure libido. Maybe you've seen the proud Iberian horses, that can dance and sidestep. Classical Spanish horsemanship works with the horse, to shape all that brio, into something beautiful. You might relate if you've got planets in the fire element in the birth chart. Especially, if like me, your Saturn (discipline) is in fire. With Saturn in Aries (warrior) in the 1st House, seeing the simmering passions of horse & rider turned into an embodied artform was beyond inspiring.

That trip was a gift to myself, to celebrate recovering from an accident last October, in which I broke my leg while driving a horse carriage. On the night of the full Moon in Aries, I lost the reins and rocketed off the carriage. In a post last year, I wrote about Uranus transiting my First House, and its traditional association with accidents. Now I'm seeing other astro-dimensions, like a progressed Moon in Sagittarius that calls for freedom on every level. It fits what's been a lifelong challenge to both free and harness fire.

Sagittarius is all about freedom and the quest for spiritual knowledge, and horses are a totem of this fire sign. During the Pluto in Sagittarius era (since 1995), there's been a real interest in a deeper understanding of the horse psyche and spirit. There's a trend away from breaking horses and ruling by obedience alone. The bestselling books Monty Roberts' The Man Who Listens to Horses, and Nicholas Evans' The Horse Whisperer, both came out in 1996. They brought back into the culture, the idea that horses respond to respect, and are wise creatures in their own right. The Pluto in Sagittarius era also saw the rise of what's called equine-assisted therapies. Books like the Tao of Equus, published in 2001, rekindled something in the collective, a desire to relate to the horse in a new (and ancient) way.

Of course, Pluto's dark side has been seen in the horse racing world, with the deaths of horses like Barbaro and more recently Eight Belles. The result of breeding powerful horse bodies on thin sticks -- for a high stakes game -- was broadcast for all to see when Pluto at 0 degrees Capricorn (big business). Seems meaningful that in nautical terms, as this USA Today article points out, Eight Belles marks the end of one's watch shift. Pluto moves into Sagittarius again in mid-June, for a last hoorah through November 27th. Another chance to re-awaken to the horse as more than HP, but as friend, teacher and traveling companion.

There's something humbling about natural disasters. It's unsettling to see how easily we humans can be tossed around or washed away, or buried under collapsing structures. These disasters wake us up, to other kinds of suffering out there, says Eric Francis of Planetwaves. There are crises emerging that suggest a shaky global foundation -- housing, food, health care, the economy, the climate, and the ground under our feet. Capricorn has been likened to the skeletal frame of the Earth. And Pluto, whose motto is by any means necessary, is just at the threshold. Pluto in cardinal earth, becomes a force that can bring down any structures, manmade or natural.

I'd wager that most people have anxiety about the future. A sense of foreboding can be paralyzing. But it can also inspire you to commit to your potential, desires, sense of destiny or calling. Says Francis in a recent post, "...we have the question of how to respond. Is this rightly an excuse to stop living the adventure of our lives? Well, not if we really are doing that, and many of us know perfectly well that we are not. In which case, we can remind ourselves of the fleeting transience of existence as we perceive it, take a breath and resolve to live every day."

It's a week to be earthwise with a Virgo Moon, and harmonious trines in this grounding element, beginning with the Sun in Taurus to Jupiter in Capricorn. So much earth energy helps you sense the pathways toward something enduring. It's the foundation that's key now, making it a great time to gain practical skills, get those credentials, study with an expert, etc. Where are the cracks in your own foundation? It's about having integrity, and walking your walk. This week's earth trines help you be realistic about what you've got to do, and adds determination to commit to your own life adventure.

• Moon Mama on Why is the Earth Shaking
• Earth Changes on Aquarius Papers

Mercury has just entered what's called the pre-retrograde shadow period, at 12 degrees. Looking ahead, that's the degree at which Mercury will do an about face (from our perspective on Earth), and go direct in mid-June. What's the big deal about the shadow? Because the events and situations in these two weeks are often major plot points that are caught in the eddy of the retro cycle (starting May 26th).

When the planet of communication retrogrades, it's not just a time for delays, misdials, and lost mail. It's a chance to slow down, reflect, and toss around the pieces of a puzzle in your mind. Mercury in Gemini is speedy and playful, and as the retrograde approaches, might start playing tricks early. Gemini is a curious, verbally expressive sign that is drawn to the fragments of the big picture. Stay open to non-linear mental chaos in the weeks ahead, as well as conversations that wake you up to new ways of seeing.

The action planet Mars finally moves out of Cancer, and into the high-vitality sign of Leo. Mars guides the forces of change, self-assertion and force. In Leo through July 1st, Martian initiative comes through courageously, and with dramatic flair. You'll be driven to make your mark, through a creative act that uniquely expresses who you are.

In Leo, Mars acts from an awareness of its own grandeur and power. The fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) find particular support for their naturally exuberant style. Mars spices things up in Leo, being a sign of sexual prowess and showing off. Self-confidence is sexy, and this Mars lights the fire within, and lets you radiate the color of your personality more vividly.

The new Moon in Taurus opens a doorway to change. The essence of Taurus is close to the ground, and woven into the rhythms of the natural world. At this new Moon, call in those aspects of Taurus that would enrich your life. Some themes are: financial stability, creating new income streams, fertility, gardening, home beautification, determination, finding structure for your dreams.

Taurus is a sign that loves to stock up on canned goods and buy in bulk, motivated by a desire for security. The Bull has an eye for the essentials. Where can you cut back on frills and empty calories, in order to find lasting sustenance? It's an invitation to stabilize your life by getting back to what you truly value -- the things that lead to deep contentment. What would an abundant life look like? What will make you feel secure? This new Moon draws the focus back to the basics, the simple pleasures and visions of the good life.

Suzanne White is a Scorpio-Tiger in her unique astrology that marries East and West. If that sounds formidable, it's in line with an author able to reinvent herself by pouncing on, and adapting her content to emerging mediums. Since publishing her first book in 1975, she's come back from a life-threatening illness, and blazed her own trail as a writer-astrologer. In this re-emergence phase, she's revamped her website, and launched a New Astrology application on the social networking site, Facebook.

What keeps readers coming back to her writing, is her playful, no-nonsense voice shining through. Her goal is to de-complicate astrology, and weave in humor. In this Q & A, she offers advice to other authors on e-publishing and retaining e-rights. She also reveals how she creates her New Astrology horoscopes, and why the blending of East and West works wonders every time.

• Q & A with Suzanne White
• How Chinese Astrology Works

With Mercury's move into Gemini today, the messenger is light and fast on his feet. It's a dramatic change from the rooted perspective of earth sign Taurus, to the seemingly random electric circuitry of Gemini. Mercury in Gemini creates a lighter, more stimulating atmosphere because the mind wants to play and learn. A great time to be fascinated by new sights, sounds and people.

This move into Gemini brings us closer to Mercury's second of three retrograde cycles -- all in air signs! The retrograde begins on May 26th and ends June 19th, and this extends Mercury's stay in Gemini through July 10th. Mercury in air signs allows us to gain clarity of thought, and observe life with more detachment. It's the soaring above it all portion of this year's mercurial ride. Mercury in Gemini brings the gift of being curious, and more flexible in our thinking. The trickster invites us to keep a light hold on thoughts. That way, they're easily juggled to stay current with the ever evolving Self.

It's the naturally sexy month of May, named for the Roman earth goddess Maia. The 1st is Beltaine or May Day, a seasonal celebration with ancient roots in Celtic Britain and Ireland. In the first light of May Day, young men would gather the blossoms of the sacred Hawthorn tree. Because these blooms remind men of the scent of an aroused woman, they've been traditionally used in pleasure and fertility rites, and are woven into the crown of the May Queen.

The love planet Venus is at her most nubile in Taurus, enhancing the enjoyment of simple pleasures, attraction and sexual love. Taurus is also a sign of taking root, and cultivating resources in a steady way. Venus dances harmoniously (trine) with powerful Pluto and harnessing Saturn today. It's favorable for redefining the good life for yourself, in harmony with your values. Venus seduces with natural pleasures, and invites lasting change that brings more of what's deeply nourishing.

Venus is a pleasure-seeker and sensualist in her ruling sign Taurus through May 24th. Venus in Taurus heightens the sights, smells, sounds and textures all around us. This turns us into playful hedonists, ready to squeeze, taste, fondle, caress, and just relish in simply feeling good.

Venus in earth signs can be grounding for our love. Languid Taurus draws pleasure out of the things like sharing a delicious meal or a lazy morning spooning under a satiny comforter. The physical sensations of skin on skin draws us closer without having to say a word. Those with earth sign (Virgo, Capricorn, Taurus) planets find some ease now in love, friendships and creativity. But spring's pleasures belong to everyone willing to slow down and savor the moment.