May Elections

By KristaLyn Sofia

Welcome to May! We end our run of all planets being direct this month when Pluto stations retrograde, however the visible planets will all remain direct throughout the month. While Jupiter is still in Cancer, this month, we also now have Mercury in Gemini, which will be the subject of this month’s election.

I wish I could say this is a perfect talisman election — and it’s super close, but the Moon is separating from Mercury by a few degrees, so it isn’t technically the ideal situation of the Moon applying to the subject planet. Still, it is a great Mercury election and I hope you find great use for it!

Here is what we are working with in May:

• The Sun starts the month in Taurus and ingresses into Gemini on May 21
• The Moon visits each sign, as always
  • Waxing from 2Scorpio to 11Scorpio
  • Waning from 12Scorpio to 25Taurus
  • Waxing again from 26Taurus to 16Sagittarius
• Mercury is in Aries until May 3, when they ingress into Taurus and speed straight through to Gemini on May 17
• Venus is Gemini until her Cancer ingress on May 19
• Mars begins the month in domicile in Aries, then ingresses into his detriment in Taurus on May 18
• Jupiter is direct and exalted in Cancer all month
• Saturn is direct and in fall in Aries all month

We are looking for a basic election with the planet of choice well dignified, rising or culminating during their own hour, and preferably day, and for the planet and the Moon to be unafflicted. 

Our election finds Mercury rising in its domicile, Gemini, on Mercury’s day, during Mercury hour. Mercury is rising out of the rays of the Sun and has chariot condition, with the Sun also being in Gemini. The Moon is trine Mercury in Libra, though separating from Mercury by just two degrees. She applies next to Jupiter. The malefics do not afflict the election and we do have both fortunate planets in Cancer, though averse to Mercury.

Here is an overview of the chart calculation and ritual process:

May 27, 2026, at 6:47:00 am ET

NOTE: Be sure to adjust the chart for Mercury hour while Mercury is conjunct the Ascendant! You can check planetary hours in the Traditional settings on astro-seek.com.

Example intentions (source: William Lilly):

• Politics
• Logic
• Writing
• Learning
• Communication
• Talking
• Travel
• Divination
• Business

Ritual

• Prepare the ritual space by using eight multicolored candles and dressing in similarly colored clothes.
• At elected time, light the candles and burn frankincense.
• Perform the elected action.
• Recite the Hymn to Mercury, meditate on desired outcome or perform the elected action.

The Orphic Hymn to Mercury

(credit: Christopher Warnock and www.renaissanceastrology.com)

Hermes, draw near, and to my pray’r incline,

Angel of Jove, and Maia’s son divine;

Prefect of contest, ruler of mankind,

With heart almighty, and a prudent mind.

Celestial messenger of various skill,

Whose pow’rful arts could watchful Argus kill.

With winged feet ‘tis thine thro’ air to course,

O friend of man, and prophet of discourse;

Great life-supporter, to rejoice is thine

In arts gymnastic, and in fraud divine.

With pow’r endu’d all language to explain,

Of care the loos’ner, and the source of gain.

Whose hand contains of blameless peace the rod,

Corucian, blessed, profitable God.

Of various speech, whose aid in works we find,

And in necessities to mortals kind.

Dire weapon of the tongue, which men revere,

Be present, Hermes, and thy suppliant hear;

Assist my works, conclude my life with peace,

Give graceful speech, and memory’s increase.