Taurus horoscope by Angelita Biscotti
‘An object of art creates a public capable of finding pleasure in its beauty. Production, therefore, not only produces an object for a subject, but also a subject for an object… Art is always and everywhere the secret confession, and at the same time the immortal movement of its time.’ – Karl Marx (b. 5 May 1818, Taurus Sun, Moon, Venus, North Node)
‘Poverty is not a lack of character. It’s a lack of cash.’ – Rutger Bregman (b. 26 April 1988, Taurus Sun)
‘They thought I was a Surrealist but I wasn’t. I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.’ – Frida Kahlo (Moon in Taurus)
Ludwig Wittgenstein was born under a Taurus sun. So were Giorgio Agamben, Terry Pratchett, Rabindranath Tagore, Nick Joaquin, Charlotte Bronte, Max Weber, Constantine P. Cavafy, Martha Nussbaum, Karl Marx, and Malcolm X. Frida Kahlo had her natal moon in Taurus, and Anthony Bourdain had Taurus on the Midheaven and in the 10th house of profession and public legacy.
Taurus is a fixed earth sign, and in the southern hemisphere, Taurus season marks the passage from autumn into winter. The call of creature comforts, of ‘animal dignity’ as Steven Forrest calls it, is central to the Taurean lifeworld. Taurus is the site of the moon’s exaltation. The moon, which signifies how our body responds to the world and other bodies and how we like to be cared for, is happy in this Venus-ruled sign. Groundedness, reliability, sensuality, closeness to nature, pragmatism, and a deep sense of abundance are classic Taurus traits.
If you ask a Taurus what makes them happy, the answer will likely have something to do with art, design, collecting beautiful objects (including intricately designed limited editions of classic books), hiking, long stays in the country, fragrant baths, hearty home-cooked meals, long slow massages in a candle-lit room, and a physically expressive love language. Speak to the senses if you want to be heard by a Taurus.
(P.S. I’m a Taurus Moon, and I’m always down for home-cooked meals and decadent non-alcoholic bevos in a cozy garden under a meteor shower.)
A colleague in the changemaking sector recently celebrated his birthday. I had initially thought he was a Sagittarius, possibly a Capricorn. I was wrong: he was a Taurus. Upon further reflection, him being a Taurus and an established young changemaker made more sense. Taurus is the master builder of the Zodiac – not just of objects, but of systems, and ideas that endure. We find clear expressions of Taurus in people who build communities from the ground up, and facilitate capacity building. Taurus is about resources – accumulating, storing and investing them. Taurean generosity is also about sharing resources. It’s easy to think of Taurus (the second sign), like the second house, to be purely about luxury and wealth. Remember, though, that Karl Marx, born on the 5th of May 1818 at 2am, was not only a Taurus sun, but also had his North Node, Moon and Venus (Taurus’ ruler) in Taurus in the fourth house of foundations. Historical materialism is probably the most Taurus approach to culture and philosophy. Rutger Bregman, who continues to research and advocate strongly for universal basic income, is also a Taurus sun. Working towards the fairer distribution of wealth is also one of the most Taurus things ever.
Taurus is about resources, and ultimately, Taurus is about worth. For people born with the North Node in Taurus and the South Node in Scorpio, one key insight for this life is to embrace one’s enough-ness. Taurus North Nodes constantly seek self-improvement, not for its own sake, but to earn what they lack: love, power, family, community. Taurus North Nodes need to explore the concept of being enough, of doing what feels honest for its own sake, without thinking ten steps ahead about what they could get out it, of existence as its own fragile gift, of trusting that the self is one’s greatest resource. If your North Node is in Taurus, ask yourself: what’s wonderful about you? What do people thank you for? What are the small and large things you’re doing right that you fail to notice even if other people love it about you?
Taurus is a sign of ambition, because Taurus is about appetite. Taurus seeks abundance – and if you’re a Taurus struggling with material security, please know it’s okay to admit to your heart that you want beautiful things and experiences. But Taurus isn’t stuck at merely desiring. Taurus put their horns down and go for gold. Taurus are built for the long slog.
If you’re a Taurus, find goals that are worthy of your devotion and your ambition. As a fixed earth sign, you’re not likely to let go, even after something you’ve outgrown has overstayed its welcome.
TAURUS THEMES
What owns you (material and beyond material)
What you make, especially with your hands
What your body feels like when you close your eyes
What makes you secure
NOTES FOR THE SIGNS
FIXED SIGNS (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius)
Where does the chatter in your head go silent? Can you find a way to spend some time there?
What’s one thing you’re making more complicated than necessary and how is that blocking your innate wisdom?
When was the last time you did something out of love – not money, not prestige, not out of peer pressure? What did that moment and the days after feel like? Is this a place in your soul you wish to return to?
MUTABLE SIGNS (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces)
Whose life do you wish you were living when you’re feeling dissatisfied with yours? What are you convinced they have that you don’t?
When was the last time you made any kind of commitment? What have you learnt about yourself since?
When you set boundaries, what are you protecting? What do you honour by saying no to some or most things?
CARDINAL SIGNS (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn)
When was the last time your priorities changed? How adaptable are you?
What was the last project you completed (at work, at university, or simply for yourself)? How did persisting throughout the process make you feel? What made you decide the project was worth seeing through despite the challenges you faced?
Whose voices consciously or unconsciously do you find yourself repeating when you tell people who you are and what you do? Is this something you’d like to retain or is there something worth exploring and possibly changing here?
Angelita Biscotti is a queer Naarm-based astrologer available for birth chart readings. @angelita.biscotti