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May 6-20 Venus aspects Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto Venus in Gemini trines Neptune in Aquarius May 3-5, conjuncts Saturn in Gemini May 6-8, opposes Pluto in Sagittarius May 8-10, and trines Uranus in Aquarius May 18-20. What does all this mean, you might ask? What it means to me is that in this period of time, there are several opportunities that we all face in the area of relationship. Venus/Neptune aspects put the focus on getting in touch with your desires and needs for physical merging and unconditional loving in your relationships. If you are not really expressing and getting your needs met in these areas, then these powerful energies can turn inward and manifest as over-idealism and unreasonable expectations of your relationship. It’s a good time to get clear on what you need, whether you are in an intimate relationship or not. Venus/Pluto asks us to go deeper than our normal pattern of superficial day-to-day communication. In other words, if someone asks you “how are you?” you have the opportunity to really tell the truth. With Venus/Uranus, the emphasis is on questioning the degree of freedom that exists in your relationships. Venus/Uranus asks us to get in touch with how much freedom we really need in relationship vs. how much security we need, which is more the case when Venus is conjunct Saturn. Most freedom urges that people experience in relationship are in reaction to the feeling of being trapped or “hemmed in.” True freedom can only be created by telling the truth about what you need and by being willing to deal with your own and others’ feelings of abandonment, alienation, and fear. We are moving into a new era in which the focus is on embodied spirituality. May 8-12 Venus conjunct Mars Venus in Gemini is in the same sign as Mars in Gemini May 8-12. This transit gives us the opportunity to expand the energies of the heart. Take time to appreciate the loved ones in your life. Let your heart lead and show you what to do and say. There is a great opportunity for openhearted sharing and vulnerability. It’s not too bad for romance either! May 12 Neptune retrograde Neptune in Aquarius goes retrograde for the next five months starting on May 12, until October 19 when it goes direct again at 8 degrees Aquarius. With Neptune retrograde, we have an opportunity to see how deeply connected we are to being guided by spirit. With Neptune in Aquarius, we have an incredible opportunity to integrate higher consciousness energies into our being — but only if we are able to open up, surrender, and ground these new energies. Use this retrograde period and the time before October 19 to really ground your spiritual practice, whether that is through meditation, concentration and visualization, breathing practices, internal martial arts, yoga, tantric sexuality, or earth-based ritual or movement. We are moving into a new era in which the focus is on embodied spirituality. In order to fully embody these higher energies, we must create a strong, grounded vehicle that is capable of running increased energy, light, and consciousness. May 12 New moon in Taurus The new moon is in Taurus this month. A new moon occurs when the sun and moon are in the same sign, and signifies the joining of solar and lunar energies. With the new moon in Taurus, what nurtures us this month is getting more grounded and in touch with the natural world. Digging in the garden, or any outdoor activity where you really experience being in your body, is very healing and nurturing at this time. Attunement to the earth through Native American or indigenous cultures’ rituals is also a way of getting grounded this month. May 15-June 7 Mercury retrograde Mercury retrograde in Gemini is a call for greater impeccability in our lives in the areas of speaking, writing, self-expression, and following through on our word. For example, many people experience Mercury going retrograde as a time when communication breaks down to the point that they won’t do or sign anything. The superstition is that Mercury retrograde is a time to lay low and hold any business or communications that have to be done until Mercury goes direct again. In other words, for many people there is ample evidence to substantiate that Mercury retrogrades foul things up; it can begin to look like Mercury retrogrades happen to us! The point of Mercury retrogrades, however, is to teach us that adversity often challenges us to internalize our experience, to deepen our understanding of our own nature so that we can achieve mastery in our lives. Mercury retrograde in Gemini helps us to see, through external events, at what level our Mercury function (or throat chakra) is operating. If our communication skills are lacking in any area, this will be more than apparent when Mercury goes retrograde. May 19-June 1 Saturn opposite Pluto Saturn in Gemini is in a challenging relationship with Pluto in Sagittarius starting on May 19, and is exactly opposite Pluto on May 25. This aspect happens every 35 years, and unfortunately corresponds with times of economic recession (the Great Depression seventy years ago) and wars (the Vietnam War in the ’60s, World War II in the ’30s). Saturn was also very close to being opposite Pluto (within 2 degrees) on September 11, 2001. The challenge this month is to tune in to our natural optimism, awe, and trust that there is indeed a larger, more inclusive reality that is guiding us. Pluto represents the shadow or powerful collective forces that are unleashed when Saturn can no longer hold them in check. With this challenging aspect, it is essential that we become aware of our own shadows as individuals, communities, and nations. It is often very difficult to recognize your own shadow — and very easy to project it onto others. With Saturn/Pluto in opposition, we have an opportunity to become aware of what has been repressed so that we can bring it into the light of consciousness. As we bring light to our shadows, both individually and collectively, we can use the energy that has been used for suppression in more positive ways. In some ways, it is like excising a wound so that the infection can get out and healing can begin. It may require, however, that we have to go into the darkness first to prepare for the healing. Bottom line? This is a very intense transit, and it requires that each of us work on owning our projections and bringing our own shadow to light. As we do this, we can truly alter the way external reality manifests. May 21 Sun enters Gemini The sun enters the sign of Gemini on May 21. In nature, the seedling is now secure (Taurus), and can begin to branch out and interconnect with a complex root system (Gemini). The Gemini principle is driven by the compelling need to connect objects with one another to form ever-greater links. Our job in the sign of Gemini is to experience a diversity of sensations, thoughts, and encounters so that we can create systems or theories of knowledge that we can then disseminate to others. May 24-27 Mars trines Uranus Mars in Gemini is in a flowing relationship with Uranus in Aquarius from May 24-27. Mars/Uranus releases tension with sudden, unexpected, and often unpredictable action. Try to resolve any built-up tensions, whether on a physical, emotional, or mental level, when Mars sextiles Uranus. If we try to resist change, breakdowns will occur. If we embrace change, much can be accomplished during this transit, as it tends to increase energy and the desire to evolve. May 26 Full moon in Sagittarius The moon is full in Sagittarius today. The full moon in Sagittarius brings a sense of renewed enthusiasm and spirited adventure. With the full moon in Sagittarius, the focus this month is on emotional self-expression, heightened idealism, and nurturing ourselves by embracing our spiritual quest. With the moon in Sagittarius, we have an opportunity to learn what nurtures us spiritually. Moving beyond the love of spiritual knowledge (books, classes, workshops), the moon in Sagittarius invites us to move into our own wisdom by practicing and experiencing the presence of spirit in our lives. The challenge this month is to tune in to our natural optimism, awe, and trust that there is indeed a larger, more inclusive reality that is guiding us. The full moon in Sagittarius is asking us to take whatever steps are necessary so that we can be more fully nurtured and inspired by higher self. James Jarvis, M.A., is a master astrologer, professional life coach, and transpersonal counselor. For those who want support in discovering, clarifying, and manifesting their vision, James is available for astrological consultations and life coaching sessions by phone. For a brochure of his services or to schedule phone or mail order consultations, call (831) 688-0574, e-mail <jjarvis@lifeqwest.com>, or visit James’ Web site at <http://www.lifeqwest.com/>. If you would like to receive James' free e-mail newsletter, send your e-mail address to <newsletter@lifeqwest.com>. |
By adding the universal
year 2002 (2+0+0+2=4) to the 5th month of May, we come up with
the vibration of 9. The 9 month is a time to complete outstanding
projects so that you can free up extra energy to devote to your
inner life. Take some time for reflection and self-renewal this
month. As you take time to nurture the nurturer, you can dedicate
yourself without reservation to serving others with your compassion
and devotion.