Taurus I

Taurus I • The Plow • Lord of Worry

In the first decan of Taurus we find the cultivation of land as a living symbol of long-term labours of love. Tending to literal or figurative soil requires knowledge, attention and a nurturing hand in order to support growth. With Mercury and Venus co-ruling this decan, there is a desire to both understand and create something. Taurus I is where labour and toil is an act of devotion, where we work to see the flourishing of our field through forethought and diligence - as exemplified in both scientific and creative pursuits.

There can be a tendency to be utterly enraptured by a desired outcome, so much so, that we overlook other opportunities or possibilities.

The tarot card for Taurus I is the 5 of Pentacles. Depicted are two dreary figures in a blizzard, under resourced and blind to the warm shelter behind them. Austin Coppock refers to the card as the fear of this decan, the fear being that we are under resourced, and so we labour mentally and physically to see that it is not so.

T. Susan Chang calls this card “Sacred Doubt” and references Mercury as the magician. The magician pours their effort and attentiveness into their craft but at some point the work is done and belief is all that there is left to do. In the same way, the farmer cultivates the land, tirelessly prepares the soil and eventually sows the seeds. The farmers final task then, is to accept the completion of their part in this work and to let the seeds grow.

We find the Moon’s exaltation degree here and I’m left pondering the ancient agricultural practices of planting and harvesting according to the phases of the moon.

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Sterling silver, and brass with an emerald sprout, a stone of Mercury. The talisman was created and consecrated during the solar transit through the decan.