|
Sign up for your free Skywatch subscription including easy to understand abridged translation!
older Skywatch articles available upon request |
SKYWATCH FOR MAY 2007
As May begins, we are just moving away from the intense energy of the conjunction of Mars to Uranus which was squared by Jupiter and created a fair amount of irritation and release of anger and frustration. After several months with no planets in Earth signs, we now have the Sun and Mercury both in the earth sign of Taurus which brings us back to an appreciation of the beauty of life on earth. There are two Full Moons in May, the first of which is on May 2 at 6:10 am EST in Scorpio. Scorpio is the sign of intensity and passion, the impulse that pulls us into the deepest part of our soul and forces us to experience life in the most profound way possible. The Full Moon occurs when the Moon opposes the Sun, and although the Sun illuminates the Moon it is the lunar consciousness that prevails. Emotions run higher during the Full Moon, and we have greater access to the underworld of our psyche with the Full Moon in Scorpio. This Full Moon incorporates a conjunction of Mercury to the Sun, suggesting that our emotions will be at odds with our thoughts and mental functioning during this period. There is also a square to Chiron which opens up doorways for old wounds that we thought were healed long ago to surface and remind us that we are not yet completely healed. A wide square to the Full Moon opposition from Saturn hints that we may find ourselves feeling isolated and alone as we face the wounds from our past that Chiron presents. This is a good time for introspection and personal work, and the inclusion of Mercury suggests that journaling or talking to a friend can be quite productive now. Mercury is approaching a square to Chiron now that culminates on May 4 and we are likely to continue feeling the effects of Chiron's efforts to promote healing of our mental faculties by clearing out the old wounds that we harbor within us. Fortunately, harmonious aspects from Mercury to Saturn and Uranus aid us in achieving stability (Saturn) and offering insights (Uranus) that help us through the healing process that continues through the first week in May. Jupiter has been within a degree of a trine to Saturn for the past month or so. This is the second phase of this Jupiter/Saturn cycle, and it reaches the exact degree of that trine on May 6. This is a wonderful dynamic that connects the endurance of Saturn with the optimism of Jupiter; it facilitates the spiraling effect of growth and keeps us from unraveling under the simultaneous influence of a square of Jupiter to Uranus which accelerates our growth but which lacks sensibility and practicality. The trine of Jupiter to Saturn is a long-term event that will continue into 2008. Venus opposes Pluto on May 6 as well, and for a few days interpersonal associations (Venus) become overly intense and full of drama. This is a time when any hidden power issues in our partnerships expose themselves, especially since we have a tendency under the Jupiter/Uranus energy to be more self-centered than usual. A square from the Sun to Chiron this day will shine the light on areas of our life that need to be healed, and this could very well be our relationships. Mercury is square Neptune now as well (exact May 7), and it is not always clear to us how we feel or what we think about any given situation. Communication is a bit confused as well; on the other hand, we have good access to creative ideas and may find the soothing effect of music helpful to smooth out our rough edges. This is a good time for a mental retreat; the next day a sextile to Mars on the 8th helps to re-energize our thinking and sharpen our mental acuity. A sextile from the Sun to Uranus adds a touch of excitement and insight, followed the next day by a square of the Sun to Saturn which brings us back down to earth and encourages stability and planning. Venus leaves the Gemini world of ideas for the emotional realm of Cancer on May 8 and our current tendency to focus on our own lives is lessened as we become more tuned in to the needs of those around us. In Cancer Venus is nurturing and empathetic, but can also be oversensitive and touchy. On May 10 the square of Jupiter to Uranus reaches the apex of the second phase of its cycle. Jupiter expands and exaggerates the urge for Uranus to create radical change and break down the status quo, and we've seen this since the cycle began back in March. On a global level this planetary configuration stimulates conflicts between religious and ethnic groups, and on an individual level the effect may be more subtle. Suddenly we feel dissatisfied and impatient with those with whom we agreed last year. We want new ways of looking at the world, we want to live our lives in a different way that more authentically fulfills the person we think we are NOW. This cycles continues through October but is most pressing now, particularly with the addition of Mars which is approaching a square to Pluto where it brings up power conflicts and other battles of the ego. Mercury enters Gemini on the 11th, quickening our minds and increasing our curiosity and our attention to the world around us. As Mars reaches the exact square to Pluto on May 13 we could find ourselves in a battle of wills that plays out verbally rather than physically as Mercury in Gemini accentuates the field of communication. As with any difficult Mars event, the energy of a battle between Mars and Pluto can be difficult to handle. Vigorous physical exercise is a good way to release excess energy but we will also need to give expression to anger over issues where our needs (Mars) are not being met or being blocked (Pluto). Mars is still in Pisces at this time where it tends to operate in ways that are more hidden or passive-aggressive. When Mars enters Aries on May 15 these issues become a little easier to deal with as they move out into the open. Mars in Aries relishes a good battle and isn't afraid of confrontation. The New Moon in Taurus occurs May 16 at 3:28 pm EST. Taurus craves nothing more than peace and stability, and a square from Neptune to the New Moon indicates a need to retreat into the security of home for a few days in order to achieve that goal. New Moons are excellent times to begin new projects that satisfy the Taurean longing for beauty and serenity in the home. This is not a great time for travel or taking on new projects but rather to bloom where we are planted. When the Sun enters Gemini on May 21 there is a renewed focus on change and activity, as well as conversation and ideas. Chiron turns retrograde on May 21 and through October of this year we will be revisiting old wounds and learning how to release them so that we can move forward with greater wisdom. Neptune follows shortly thereafter on May 24 calls on us to connect with the deeper truth that lies within us. When planets are in retrograde motion they tend to affect us on a more internal level. Each planet is a god with its own lessons, and understanding the nature of the planets helps us to understand how to navigate through these planetary events. On May 28, Mercury enters Cancer and renews our focus on family and taking care of loved ones, just in time for the Blue Moon on May 31 at 9:05 pm EST. This Full Moon is full of abundance and opportunity: falling in the adventurous sign of Sagittarius and conjunct Jupiter, there is no end in sight to the bounty that this Full Moon offers. A sextile from Chiron to the Jupiter/Moon conjunction shows that there is healing and a softening of our fears (Chiron) that hold us back from feeling safe enough to trust life to take care of us (Jupiter/Moon). I am just beginning to work with Ceres again after a long hiatus, but an exact trine from Ceres to Pluto on the 31st adds a deeper level to this Full Moon event, highlighting our need to feel secure and nourished by our life on earth. Ceres is the Great Mother who gives more than emotional sustenance - she also gives us our physical life on Planet Earth. This Full Moon gives us the opportunity to recognize the interconnectedness of all things and our place in the world: a renewed awareness of the meaning of life for us as individuals and our world as a whole. This is a wonderful ending to the month and can help us to discharge any lingering stuck places. See you in June! |
5/2
Scorpio Full Moon 6:10 am EST