Astrological Trends May 2 - 8,2011

Astrological Trends for May 2-8

The month of May begins steadily and confidently with the sun in the fixed and stable earth sign of Taurus and five planets in the cardinal air sign of pioneering Aries. Uranus, the planet of change, is still in the early degrees of Aries. Venus, the planet of comfort and affection, and Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, are conjunct in the middle degrees of Aries, opposing Saturn in the cardinal air sign of Libra. This opposition, which has been holding relationships in a critical light, loses its effect after today, and relationship issues should be gentler this week as a result. Jupiter, the planet of growth, and Mars, the planet of action, are also conjunct in Aries, but in later degrees. The potent force of Mars and Jupiter combined in initiating Aries can give you the extra physical stamina and optimism you may need to launch new endeavors or break through your own self-imposed limitations. On Monday, May 2nd, the day begins with the moon in the fixed earth sign of Taurus sextile Chiron conjunct Neptune in the mutable water sign of Pisces. This aspect pattern can tone down the usual Monday morning frantic rush or Monday blues. You may be feeling the afterglow of a pleasant weekend, which makes you more patient, kind, and forgiving of others. The Neptune/Chiron conjunction forms a supportive sextile to Pluto in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn. This aspect holds a special promise of success and rewards if you apply your energy consistently, steadily, and purposefully to a given task. The Neptune/Pluto sextile will be assisting you to succeed all week long, giving you another good reason to put plans in action now and follow through. At midday, the Taurus moon makes a favorable trine to powerful Pluto in serious Capricorn. The key word for this aspect is endurance. Like the Little Engine, you can do much more than anyone else might think is possible - as long as you think you can and stay on track. On the mundane level, this aspect also deepens your appreciation of nature, so do some gardening now or enjoy the splendor of spring. The moon is also semi-sextile Uranus in Aries, which encourages a mild degree of originality and can be the spark that ignites your creativity and desire to begin a new project. A pleasant semi-sextile between the sun in Taurus and Venus in Aries further supports appreciation of art, beauty, and design and can make work feel like a pleasant and satisfying pastime. The sun, planet of presence, in Taurus is quincunx Saturn, the planet of work, in Libra until the 4th, encouraging people to cooperate with each other and do substantial things. Ideas or theories are nothing unless they can be put to good use or create something material or useful under the influence of this energy. Later this evening, as the Taurus moon joins the sun, it also forms a quincunx to Saturn. You, and everyone else, will have a greater emotional desire to connect with purpose and bring harmony to relationships of all kinds.

The new moon in the fixed earth sign of Taurus arrives in the very early morning hours on Tuesday, May 3rd. I always think of Taurus as a particularly benevolent and benign sign. Have you ever read the children's book, The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf? After some bullfighters observe Ferdinand reacting violently to a bee sting, they cart him away to the bull fights, thinking he will be the meanest, toughest bull of all, but all peaceful Ferdinand ever wants to do is sit quietly and happily smell the lovely flowers. The bull is the symbol for Taurus and I recommend you read this simple but classic story to understand the essence of this month's new moon. There is a plain but powerful lesson in the story that can help you start anew using the best Taurus talents in whatever area of life this lunation highlights in your natal chart. The new moon is in a grounded sign with no major planetary challenges and has favorable support to other planets that are in the initiating fire sign of Aries, further supporting a strong new cycle of growth, expansion, pleasure, and success. The sun conjunct the moon in Taurus forms a quincunx to Saturn in Libra and a semi-sextile to Venus conjunct Mercury in Aries. The opposition between Venus/Mercury and Saturn in Libra has faded. The moon makes minor semi-sextiles to Mars and Jupiter in Aries as it progresses through Taurus this afternoon and evening. This Taurus new moon is ushered in quietly and gently, but with a firmness that will help you to get your plans and projects off to a productive and secure start.

Some delayed new moon irritability is possible on Wednesday, May 4th, as the moon in the late degrees of Taurus forms an annoying square to Neptune conjunct Chiron in Pisces. Emotional signals may get crossed or intuition is askew. You may feel creative, but can't find the right way to express that creativity or translate the feeling or vision you have into form. At lunchtime, the moon forms a sextile to Uranus in Aries, which can give some assistance in bringing those dreams or ideas forth by presenting a new or unique angle or perspective. The moon enters the mutable air sign of Gemini later this afternoon, moving activity from the material plane to the realm of ideas and communication. The Taurus moon may have had you focused on your own tasks or responsibilities. The Gemini moon helps you to multitask and share the work. Late this evening, the Gemini moon forms a quincunx to Pluto in Capricorn. Watch your words under this influence. What you say in jest may be taken seriously. It is best to avoid sarcasm or teasing while the fickle and impressionable Gemini moon is interacting with touchy Pluto in Capricorn.

Communication and social interactions are highlighted on Thursday, May 5th, as the moon in mutable, intellectually curious Gemini trines Saturn in discerning, mirroring Libra. Everyone wants to share pleasant conversation and personal anecdotes now. If you are single and dating, now is an excellent time for a casual first date. Common ground is easy to find now and no one will be disappointed if "just friends" is the verdict, because the Gemini moon loves nothing better than friendship. If you are vacationing this summer, make your travel plans and book reservations and tickets today. Nothing but supportive aspects are making this Gemini moon one of the best days possible to do anything related to travel, the phone, or the Internet. Is it time for a new car? Shop the showrooms and car dealer lots now. You can also use this easy-flowing day to get your local errands and shopping trips done quickly. Mercury and Venus in Aries have caught up to Mars and Jupiter in Aries. We now have a powerful lineup of Aries planets that have joined forces, helping you forge ahead unimpeded. At lunchtime, the moon forms a mild semi-sextile to the sun in Taurus. The sun, in turn, is semi-sextile Venus in Aries. At dinnertime, the Gemini moon is sextile Venus in Aries, indicating time spent with your mate or time spent looking for a partner can be entertaining and emotionally, mentally, and physically stimulating. No matter what you do today, it is not a day to be spent alone.

The anticipation of a fun and active weekend builds on Friday, May 6th, as the moon in restless Gemini makes a supportive sextile to jovial Jupiter and active Mars in impatient Aries. Find a way to make work fun or find a way to skip work and make fun. There is zero tolerance for boredom and routine today. If you happen to be a grade school teacher, extra recess or an outdoor class is in order. I dearly recall a teacher who took us out to read under a large shade tree on late-spring days. Early this evening, the Gemini moon trines Neptune in Pisces, stimulating a desire for creative romantic scenarios that involve play, light teasing, or flirting. This is a young-love aspect - how did you act when you were a teen in love? Did you kiss your partner for hours in the park, go bowling together, or spend Friday night with your friends at the mall, flirting? Act like a teen early this evening and feel young again. Later tonight, the moon leaves lighthearted Gemini and enters the cardinal water sign of sensitive Cancer. The favorable trine between the moon and Neptune is still in place, but now the moon forms a challenging square to freedom-loving Uranus in independent Aries. It could be that when the moon leaves Gemini and enters Cancer, the atmosphere becomes too clingy and romance becomes too cloying. Don't take things personally if your mate tires of the early evening romantic play and withdraws for some "me" time later this evening. You may be just as eager to go your own way, taking memories of a pleasant day with you.

Saturday, May 7th, stands out as a day that feels different from the general tone of the week. The morning begins softly with the moon in emotional Cancer trine Chiron in dreamy Pisces. This trine encourages introspection and enhances intuition and empathy. The moon is also opposing Pluto in Capricorn, which intensifies any emotions you are feeling and makes them more dramatic. It is possible for you to identify some old deep emotional trauma and bring it to the surface for a healing breakthrough or crisis. If there are stressful areas of your life, look at them closely and you may discover things you've been unaware of previously or find things you've been denying. Burdens can be lifted as a result of awareness. Later this afternoon, the moon in Cancer squares Saturn in Libra. If there is selfishness or manipulation through guilt in any of your relationships, this lunar aspect will point it out and give you the opportunity to eliminate it.

A deep appreciation of home, family, and the things you possess is activated on Sunday, May 8th, when the moon in the family-minded water sign of Cancer forms a sextile to the sun in the material-minded earth sign of Taurus. The moon square to Venus and Mercury in Aries can stimulate some mild arrogance or selfishness, but a sextile between Mars in Aries and Neptune in Pisces indicates that there are spiritual lessons, and even rewards, to be had when you choose the path of selflessness and service. As the day progresses, the moon will square Jupiter and Mars in Aries, as well. I think the planets are showing you that you have many blessings and much to be thankful for, but you shouldn't take them for granted. It takes attention and effort on your part to maintain the things that matter to you most. Not every situation is perfect, but you can make the best of any situation. You (or the person you are interacting with) may not be perfect, but at this given point in time, believe that you (or that other person) are doing your best.