AstroLink May 2011
A Wedding and an Election:
Taurus month is well underway now, but if you are wondering where the extra heat is coming from, know that six planets in Aries will continue to keep the fires well stoked through mid month.
The wedding of the decade has happened with passionate Mars teamed with the royal planet Jupiter. Perhaps many will be sick of the media overkill, but isn’t it good to have something hopeful and uplifting to capture public attention? Mars and Jupiter can be a bright promise aspect. They signal a new era, not only for the fresh faced couple, but also for the monarchy.
As attendees have attested, the wedding chart’s moon in Pisces in the 9th house and ruler Neptune at 0 Pisces in the 8th, suggests that Wills mother, Princess Diana, was a presence felt by many.
William’s birth on the solar eclipse is befitting for a future king with a singled out destiny, and Catherine’s birth on a lunar eclipse marks her for a special destiny too. They have already redefined the royal protocols. Perhaps her birth on a lunar eclipse symbolizes her special destiny pertaining to the redefining of the feminine and the partner role within that household and figure-head institution. Wheels are now set in motion to change the rules of succession should a daughter be born first.
Mars and Jupiter are joined by dwarf-planet Eris now to May 2. (Eris, also know as the Goddess of Discord, is attributed to starting the Trojan War.) Eris can create distraction, controversy and mayhem. This interference-generating influence is one that can side-swipe what otherwise might have continued along the expected course. Certainly this building influence at the tail-end of Mercury retrograde was challenging to the Vancouver Cannucks facing the Chicago Black Hawks (last year’s Stanley cup winners) in the hockey play-offs. (When you live in Vancouver, you can’t help but get swept up!)
Eris is meant to create a game change, to shake up the status quos. This influence can provide opportunity if you are wise enough to see what the true prize apple is and run with it. It seems Jack Layton, head of NDP party of Canada, has done this the final campaign week before our federal election. At the time of this writing, he has moved his party from third to second place. It is a major coup and a surprise to all.
CANADA’S FEDERAL ELECTION:
The new moon on Canada’s Federal Election day occurs after the polls close. Technically, the election happens during the dark of the moon, or the balsamic cycle, which is an especially potent time of seeding for the extended future. This Canadian election is already a history making one due to the fact that the government (commonly referred to as Harper’s regime) collapsed on charges of contempt of parliament. I predict it will be history making in another regard and that is because there will be a record number of young voters (the Pluto in Scorpio generation).
We can expect a tough fight to the finish. Both Conservative leader Stephen Harper, our current Prime Minister, and Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff, the current leading opposition party, are Taurus born. This is a tenacious sign, and as we have seen, especially with Harper, it can be a stubborn one too. Both men also share their moon positions in cool and collected Aquarius, an apt placement for political and public life. Of the two moons, Ignatieff expresses his moon through an intellectual filter, while Harper expresses his moon with a detached presence. Many would say that Harper is out of touch with the people’s needs and wants. Although the moon in Aquarius is group, community, and people oriented, it is not a warm and fuzzy moon placement, which is one of the reasons that Cancer born Jack Layton has found such opportunity in grooming public favour. Layton’s ascendant, Mars and Neptune in Libra make him personable and accessible – and most would say he’s handsome too. (You can’t ignore the fact that physical appearance counts too.)
The new moon in Taurus, May 2, 11:51 pm PDT, favors Harper’s sun, suggesting his supporters will stay loyal. It also suggests that as he is promises to do, that he will deliver more of the same. If Harper’s steering is not to your liking, check out this website: http://www.projectdemocracy.ca/)
Ignatieff’s chart receives impact from the Aries line-up. The enraged with “as is” are in his camp. Still there are a number of challenges to his chart. The transit of Jupiter could signal a big exodus of voters, I truly hope not, especially if it results in Harper’s gain. The transit of Jupiter conjoins his Sedna – will he be thrown overboard in keeping with this Inuit mythological symbol? It is looking possible right now. Ignatieff’s progressed Jupiter at station has not allowed him to be as dynamic in the public debates as he needed to be. Into the fall and beyond, we’ll see a more forceful and recalibrated leadership as Ignatieff’s Jupiter picks up a stronger momentum. Signalling a new trajectory, he begins a new Mars cycle on election day. Perhaps this election has been astrologically premature for Ignatieff. His potential is building, but his chart has not yet reached its fullness.
Cancer born Jack Layton’s sudden popularity rise is due to Uranus, Venus, Mercury, the karmic axis, Chiron, and the July 1st solar eclipse. With Eris on his side, he plays the golden apple position. He is the wild card draw and it seems he is on the way to delivering a strong finish. The young voters are in his camp. Layton’s moon is in Virgo, a service oriented and hard working sign. He and Ignatieff are of the Pluto in Leo generation, a good placement for a leader. Although Layton can display charming “favourite uncle” humbleness, Mercury in Leo gives him bravado too. Be rest assured, he is just as ambitious and self-assured as the rest are. By the way, Harper is of the Pluto in Virgo generation. Criticism comes his way a lot – and rightly so. How can you choose women’s health as your global initiative and not include reproductive health???
Given the nature of the stars, anything could happen, but one thing is for sure. Apathy is boring. Please get out and vote on May 2. And a special plea to our Pluto in Scorpio generation – you have the power to turn the tides. Our nation pins its hope on you.
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May 2: New Moon: 11:59 pm (12:31 Taurus) Juno stations direct (3pm)
May 17: Full Moon: 4:09 am (26:13 Scorpio)
May 11: Mars into Taurus (0:04 am)
May 15: Venus into Taurus (3:12 pm)
Mercury into Taurus (4:18 pm)
May 21: Sun into Gemini (2:21 am)
Dates to watch: May 1 – 3, 9 – 23
May Overview:
The first half of the month is your best time to take a stab at that burning desire or must-do. This is when Aries, the fresh initiative sign, dominates the sky. The quicker you get at it, the further ahead you’ll be. This may sound like simple advice, but soon enough you’ll see the advantage of doing so. We are about to fix onto a track that will stay the course for sometime to come and it is to your advantage to have as much as possible going for you right from the start. Of course ups, downs and shake-ups are still part of the mix, especially as eclipse season is soon upon us (in actuality, it is already underway). Mid month the planets switch from the predominance in Aries to Taurus. The hectic pace should slow down, at least somewhat. Positively, May provides the opportunity to do quick healing and repair, and to move onto a more stable plateau.
Mercury, the connect-the-dots planet, will align with Venus from May 9 to May 16. This is an unusually long time for the duo to travel together. Their alignment begins in Aries and completes in Taurus. To May 15 it is a time to instigate and explore, after May 15 it is a time to take what is started and to develop it further. Together Mercury and Venus suggest harmonious exchanges, good rapport, easy accord, thinking with your heart, feeling with your head, or head and heart on the same page. This transit offers a good time to tackle money talks, to negotiate agreements, to sign leases, to socialize, network, buy, sell, pitch, or plan. May 11, the day Mars advances into Taurus, Mercury ends its shadow period (completing last month’s retrograde cycle) and conjoins with Jupiter. This is a major opportunity or announcement day; sign a contract, release it, put it out there, take a big step forward. By the way, next month, Jupiter will advance into Taurus, a placement that can see money cost more, so I suggest you make arrangements with the bank or loans institutions sooner rather than later. (Typically, when Jupiter is in Taurus, you’ll find that items are more expensive to buy too.)
In the second week of the month, both Mercury and Venus align with Jupiter; there’s likely to be more of everything in circulation and hitting the airwaves; we can see a lot more runs going on in the speculative markets. (To May 3, Jupiter aligns with Eris, May 8, 9 Mercury and Venus do. As stated above, when activated, Eris can run interference; things may not go as expected.)
May 18 delivers a full moon in Scorpio. Emotional or financial matters reach a peak. Venus and Mercury form a trine aspect to Pluto on this full moon, suggesting a potentially productive and solidifying time for such matters. It can be a time of significant contractual agreements or major purchases. If you have seeded well, the full moon can be time of refortification, empowerment, and fruition. If you have been misled (or duped yourself) or have not clued well enough, the full moon will reveal the trouble spots or sticking points. This full moon can provide you with the strength and resolve to do what you know you must do, to take the hard steps in order to get yourself to where you know you should be. In the week following the full moon, facilitating stars offer opportunity for resolution. Take it a step at a time. And – make sure to mix pleasure and respite into the mix every chance you get.
Completely a cycle begun last August, Venus and Mars start a new relationship cycle on May 23. The last cycle has put the spotlight on others and the complexity of projected expectations, dependencies, and enmeshments. Evolving over the next two year period, this new Venus/Mars regroup cycle is one that turns the priority attention inward first. It will prompt you to address and prioritize your net worth, self worth, and core survival issues (emotional, material, biological, and physical.) It is one of listening more intently to the voice speaking inside of you and of responding to what you hear. How well do you honour yourself? Your relationship with yourself is the foundation from which all other relationships will build. This new Venus/Mars cycle can assist you to shift how you resource from within, and in so doing, it will also shift how you magnetize the energy around you. In turn, this will create a better access point toward the realization of your heart’s true desires.
ARIES (March 21- April 19)
Start of the month moves you past a block and sets you onto full throttle. You should find yourself flying at it fast and furious for the next couple of weeks. This will be especially so if you are born April 13 – 19. Inspiration, desire, drive, initiative, cause, you are on the hot dial now. Opportunity fires up all around you, by all means make the most of it. What you do today is influential for both your immediate needs and the long range future. You will find yourself particularly expressive, especially May 9 – 16. Set aside time for creative endeavours, aim to develop or improve relationship bonds, or put your attention to money matters. Keep exploring and experimenting, consider all options, try it all on for size, set yourself apart from the crowd. The full moon May 17 can bring a particular relationship or financial matter to a peak. You’ll see how things are shaping up and what resources you have to work with too. May 20 can be a good bring it all together day. Jupiter will leave Aries on June 4, but it will still provide you with benefit. For this month, push it for all its worth. What I have written in the intro re the Venus/Mars new cycle particularly speaks to your sign.
TAURUS (April 20 -May 20)
There is plenty going on behind the scenes, even more than you may know. It is important to give yourself extra time and space so you can stay clear on what you truly want. It’s also a time to build your reserves or safeguards, or to take a pause before you dive in full tilt. Mid month, Mars (May 11), Venus and Mercury (May 15) will advance into your sign. From this point forward, either life will come at you, or you’ll take it by storm. The full moon May 17 can provide you with opportunity, if you can identify it as such. Send out your resume, interview for the job, talk to someone influential, put in your requests and applications, introduce yourself to someone or something new. Beyond this, the full moon offers a great weekend to attend an event or to enjoy something social. The last Venus/Mars cycle was one of working through the minus column, addressing the kinks in the system. Through it you discovered a great deal about what you don’t want, what isn’t right for you, etc. It was a qualifying and challenging learning cycle, meant to force you to get on with the necessary upgrades – to health, work, finances, and relationships. This new Venus/Mars cycle is one that can help you to greater self sufficiency, self definition, independence, and self love.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
Mercury, your ruler, is particularly generating for you now. It will continue to spin destiny’s wheels at a faster pace for the next fourteen months. This month, Mercury and Venus spend a lengthier than usual time communicating with one another. (May 8 – 17.) Venus is the attraction planet. It can pump up your social popularity. Too, you find that more people want what you are selling. The pros and cons of give and take can claim your attention now. You can draw benefit from a particular association or relationship, or perhaps they draw benefit from you. Too, a new or existing relationship could switch gears. A lover could move into the friendship category, or vice versa. Whether a relationship, job or some other circumstance, to move on or move forward is likely to feel like a natural next step. Watch an event or spark to get things cooking, perhaps unexpected so around May 8/9. The full moon May 17 through May 23, things can shape up well.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
It is an important, perhaps even critical, moving forward time. In fact, you can do more and make more progress in the next couple of weeks than you have been able to accomplish for quite some time. Of course, if you have not yet found the courage or initiative to get a move on yet, then divine timing may provide your necessary prompt. That is the harder road of course, so hopefully you can make the change you know you want and need before you are forced to scramble. Greater independence and personal freedom is the right aim, so if you have been toying with starting your own business, or striking out on your own in some other way, the answer is yes, do it. With Eris acting as a stimulant, your “it” moment could come sooner than you feel prepared for. Seize the moment, it arrives purposefully. As the planetary concentration shifts from Aries to Taurus, you can better see the shape of things to come. The turning-point full moon May 17 can deliver an empowering or high impact moment. What you say or do could make a lasting impression. Once you fix on a course of action, you should be able to ability to stay the course well. The new Venus/Mars cycle can solidify an important relationship or help you to define and realize your goals in a more substantial way. Don’t hesitate to make a major commitment. Business, relationship, or personal, long-term security is indicated.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
The majority of your attention can be focused on the realization of a future prospect and rightly it should be. Please remember that the attention you give to the here and now is equally important. In fact, take care of today and tomorrow’s is practically a given. While Aries dominates the sky, give yourself licence to explore and experiment, keep your options open and do everything you can to allow yourself maximum room to grow. As you keep your mind and heart open to possibility you’ll find yourself on a closer track to probability. Put another way, as your personal and intuitive awareness expands, you should see your creativity, ambitions, and potentials start to take a new shape.
The new moon May 2, followed by mid month’s planetary sign shifts (Mars, Venus and Mercury) into Taurus suggest it is time to put conscious effort forward to practical matters and immediate goals. The full moon May 17 can bring you closer to a contract finalization or an important personal goal post. Family or real estate matters can reach a peak too. The ending Mars/Venus cycle has taken you through a transitional phase that has built the bridge to where you are now. In the most important areas of your life, this next Venus/Mars cycle offers opportunity for you to redefine your essential priorities, to put better boundaries in place and to develop more consistent self-effort and self control, especially regarding material, professional and health related goal-setting.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
You are just at the start of so much more to come. Continue to call upon your inner awareness, and give yourself a chance to acclimatize to a new way of living with yourself without putting a timeframe on it. There is always more for to try on for size. In the next couple of weeks, you can find that you burn through a lot of it quite quickly. You know what works and what doesn’t – it is good when you make a conscious choice not to waste your time. The main point through this intensified refining cycle is to keep it moving along in the most natural way possible. You may discard more than you take on, but for now it is the way the process works. Mid month onward, you should find you naturally gravitate to your best options and power plays. The full moon May 17 could bring important news, an important event or opportunity, or prompt you to make a major decision that will bring your future into sharper focus. An introduction or chance meeting could be the start of so much more. The new Venus/Mars cycle begins a new self reliant chapter. You should feel a greater sense of confidence and sure footedness as you move it forward from here.
LIBRA (Sept 22-Oct 22)
A hesitation, wait, or pause period is over. Start of the month, you can feel like an invisible block has suddenly been removed. You should see swifter progress through May 15 and beyond. Your decisions can feel clearer cut too. Either it’s firing up for you, or it’s not. It can be as simple as that. There is no reason to let anyone or anything drain your time, heart, or resources. You are wise to streamline who and what gets a piece of you. Put your priority attention in to the things and people who matter the most and give it/them your best. Follow your impulses and go with your first choices. Once you make a decision and take action, you should see quick results.
The full moon May 17 puts the spotlight on a major investment or a major expense. It is a good time to a settle real estate deal, or other home and family matters. Also, it is a time when you seem to have more that the usual sway and swagger, so know you can mesmerize them, call the shots, and/or turn the tides in your favour. The previous Venus/Mars cycle has helped you to discover and resource yourself in a new way. The newly forming Venus/Mars cycle (beginning May 23) will help you to employ these new discoveries and assets to create more personal effectiveness in all your relationship dealings (business, personal, & intimate.) Yes, you are much stronger and more formidable than you know. Take the new you for a test drive. You will like the feel.
SCORPIO (Oct 23~Nov 22)
Since the beginning of the year, and more intensely over this past two months, you have entered into a transitional phase. It is one that has occupied you with working out the kinks in the system. You have had to designing it as you go along. With such a high concentration of Aries, you have likely been breaking a lot of new ground and experimenting with add-ons. It’s been a concentrated period for work-related concerns and for personal repair and healing mandates. Your busy get-down-to-it agenda will continue, at a brisk pace, at least through the first half of the month. Stay narrowly focused on the fix-it program and by the time Mars (May 11), Mercury and Venus (May 15) advance into Taurus, you should find it is starting to shape up well. The full moon in Scorpio on May 17 can be a powerful launch point or springboard time. The week following this full moon can be quite productive and generating. The second half of the month is the time to resurface and re-engage, to market, promote, socialize, or team-up. Relationships, contracts and financial matters can be solidified.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22~Dec21)
If you aren’t quite there yet, watch for the new moon May 2 to put you on a more solid upswing, perhaps unexpectedly so. As the month gets underway, you should find that emotional, physical, or creative roadblocks naturally fall by the wayside. Once you see things start to take shape, you’ll find that the next steps follow along quite naturally and quickly. This faster pace can bring an added sense of relief, and it will help you to regain your positive outlook too. Aim to get as much accomplished as you can in the first half of the month and you’ll create substantial benefit to carry you through the second half of the month and beyond. May 9 to 16, Venus teamed with Mercury find you especially animated, inspired, articulate, and charming. Favoured attention can come your way. Venus and Mercury provide an excellent backdrop for creative endeavours, social pleasures, and romantic involvements. Those born Dec 14 to 21 receive the maximum impact, but all Sagittarius benefit from Jupiter, Venus, Mercury and Mars in Aries. The full moon May 17 can bring something into your awareness that you have not previously noticed. Then again, it can simply signal a good weekend to take a well deserved break. The last Venus/Mars cycle has put added emphasis on your social context and involvements. The new Venus/Mars cycle puts the concentration onto health, work, studies, and creative productivity.
CAPRICORN (DEC 22~JAN 19)
The stellar pressure is lifting now. Know it or not, you have surpassed a major threshold. A major obligation or deadline can be out of the way now too. Just past the new moon May 2, you should start to feel revitalized. From here, you’ll find yourself moving quickly onto a new platform. Now to mid month, take it moment to moment, keep open-ended, and invent it as you go along. Aim for simple and straightforward, your instincts and intuition should offer you strong guidance in this regard. You don’t need to try a lot of things on for size. For the most part your first picks should offer the best. What’s right or most workable should be obvious to you. Don’t waste your time or resources on the marginal. By mid month forward, you should find you are gaining a more even keel, especially re romance, family, financial matters, creative, or professional ambitions.
The full moon May 17 can turn the relationship tides or find you on a sudden redirection. Whether it is to do with social plans or something more significant, know a change spells improvement. The previous Venus/Mars cycle has likely subjected you more responsibility and forced you to define your professional, material, or relationship needs. This next Venus/Mars cycle puts you back in the driver’s seat. It launches a fertile cycle for professional, material, and creative endeavours – and for romance too.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20~Feb 18)
Past the start of this month, you’ll gain a clearer sense of your direction forward. Mental, creative, and intuitive faculties grow much stronger now. You should find you are better able to concentrate on studies and to stay more committed to personal goals. You’ll also gain the ability to articulate well and to cut to the chase in clearer terms. May 9 to 16 can be an ideal time to negotiate a job, a raise, to hire an agent, to develop writing projects or proposals, to host workshops or events, to do promotions and sales. Social interactions should be especially pleasurable. You can develop a good rapport or closer bond with someone in particular (a friend, sibling, a neighbour, colleague, etc.) It’s also an ideal time to look around for a new residence or new business opportunities. Life can keep you especially busy and on the move in this first half of the month. Mid month onward, the stars slow it down to a more reasonable pace. Perhaps you’ll choose to forgo the hot social scene in order to nest or rest a little more. Launching into the Canadian long weekend, the full moon May 17 offers a good time to get away from usual pressures and responsibilities. It may also lead you to some important insight that will help you to make an important decision. The new Venus/Mars cycle beginning May 23 puts the attention toward developing more emotional and financial security. It can begin a new family chapter and also suggests an opportune time to consider self employment, perhaps even, to consider starting a family business.
PISCES (Feb 19~March 20)
Ah, it’s good to be finally moving along, isn’t it? The first half of the month finds you especially confident, resourceful, inspired, and full of great creativity. You are likely to feel an increase of physical energy too, which I’m sure you’ll find helpful considering you have so much you want and need to tackle. Do everything you can to light the fire in this first half of the month and by the second half, you should see that things are starting to shaping up quite well. May 9 to 16, Venus and Mars create ease in relationships and communications in general. It can strengthen the bonds with someone in particular (a friend, a sibling etc.) Whether newly forming or well established, this key relationship is one of a mutual admiration or benefit. It’s the month to concentrate on marketing and sales, to expand your client base and to groom more customer loyalty. Venus and Mercury also set a lucrative backdrop to launch a business partnership. The full moon May 17 could bring important news, a departure, or arrival. It also offers a great weekend to attend a special event, or to enjoy a change of scenery and/or get out of town.
The ending Venus/Mars cycle may have created an obsessive drive that has kept you pushing hard for every gain. This next Venus/Mars cycle can go easier on you. It is one of finding the natural flow and letting it work for you. Let it work on you too.
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