If there’s one thing we could all use a little more of, it’s love. We seem to have forgotten that it’s love, not money, that makes the world go round, so Venus turning retrograde could be a timely reminder that we are out of step with her loving vibes. The planet of love and beauty begins May in the sign of Gemini, calling us to communicate in more loving ways.

This is right on cue, as violent communication has become an epidemic. A quick look at social media (or the mainstream media) reflects this illness, as people fire off harsh and unkind comments. How easy is it to press “send” and deliver a brutal comment, a stinging email, or a nasty text message? Perhaps we’ve been on the receiving end of such things, or at least we know people who have suffered because of them.

It’s not just technology that seems to invite a dispassionate kind of cruelty. It seems to be the order of the day, as humanity is quick to find fault and direct verbal darts at people who would benefit from a little compassion. Racism directed at the Chinese because of the coronavirus is a good example. Interestingly, the coronavirus could be seen as a manifestation of society’s verbal poison. In medical astrology, Gemini rules the lungs and speech, and this virus attacks the respiratory system and brings about the need to wear masks. Covering the mouth can be symbolic of the need to stop talking or spreading vitriol.