AstroForecast May 2001

by Lance Rodriguez

May begins with the regal Sun traveling in the earthy and physical sign of Taurus. Themes to identify with will be values, patience, sensuality, finances, material goods and possessions, as well as determination. Issues Taurus can be associated with are possessiveness, laziness, covetousness, stubbornness, hoarding and greed. The guiding angel of Taurus is Hamabiel.

The first day of May, Beltane in the pagan calendar or May Day, is important in the astrological calendar, as it is a Cross-Quarter Day. Cross-Quarter Days are the halfway points between the seasons. On this day fiery Mars is conjunct Chiron the Wounded/Healer that can symbolize activating very strong maverick tendencies especially with new attitudes, perspectives and philosophies. World tensions in regards to immigrants, migrant workers and displaced settlers can escalate. Potentials for trade wars and/or sanctions also increase. Due to Mars retrogradation later in the month this aspect will repeat at the end of May and the end of August. Alternative healing therapies like Reiki, acupuncture, herbal body wraps as well as massage and chiropractic alignments are good for this day.

A Perigee Moon (closest approach to the Earth) occurs on this same day so hypersensitivity and hyper-emotionalism run high as well. Urges for excessive micro-management, anal-retentive behaviors and hyper-criticism carry away the individual. Rein in yo-yo diets and crash-coursing superman exercise programs.

The first weekend of May has astrological aspects that begin building on Thursday the 3rd with an inharmonious aspect between Mercury and Uranus. The cow dung hits the fan with energy-starved states like California as supplies are tight and another round of being strapped with cash issues pops up. A lot of nervous and restless behaviors affect the general public. Explosive devices on high school campuses as well as the potential for fresh bursts of violence across the world can occur. Executive administrations must prepare for adjustments with financial strategies and fluctuations in money markets.

The bi-monthly ecliptic shift of the Moon occurs Friday the 4th that indicates emotional shifts in all relationships in regards to cooperation, fairness and equality. This lunar ecliptic shift also affects seismological, meteorological and volcanic activities especially with a Full Moon the following Monday. Strained international diplomacy has new challenges with the potential for hostage taking scenarios.

Mercury is quite busy on Saturday the 5th, Cinco de Mayo, as two aspects involving Chiron and Mars are engaged. Overly assertive and aggressive individual behaviors can tend to devalue and invalidate relationships that wound on a deeper subconscious level. Is it time for alternative modes of thinking and communicating, you bet! Mercury enters its own sign of Gemini this same day at 10:53pm for a longer than normal 14-day journey as it turns retrograde in June. Mercury in Gemini is a strong emphasis of making connections that bring about communications breakthroughs. Variety that stimulates mental activities is blessed with this passage of Mercury in Gemini. There is a great desire to inform oneself better.

Sunday the 6th at 5:40am is the 3rd opposition of Jupiter and Pluto since last year's September and October oppositions. Here are a few excerpts from the September and October AstroForecasts in regards to this alignment of Jupiter and Pluto: "The last time an opposition of Jupiter in Gemini to Pluto in Sagittarius occurred were the years 1751 and 1752 in the pre-Revolutionary years of the United States of America. Jupiter in Gemini can symbolize the everyday commerce and trade of the common people and Pluto in Sagittarius is concerned with the distribution of power over vast distances uniting all in a common matrix. In the April AstroForecast mention was made of kiss cheap gasoline prices good-bye (with only occasional reprieves here and there) and now the planet of excess and indulgence (Jupiter) and the planet of cartels (Pluto) are locking horns. It was near Labor Day 2000 that the current run-up in oil prices escalated so don't be surprised with another economic wallop happening. The United States, especially the metropolitan urban areas, will painfully have to assess how to solve mass transportation issues of affordability and accountability. Pluto is a planet that rules all shared economic resources including taxes, so gasoline taxes may come under heavy scrutiny. A minimum of one-third of every gasoline dollar spent is being consumed by gasoline taxes on the state and federal levels. Keywords associated with this Jupiter/Pluto alignment are the effective mobilization of practical resources for daily living. Effectiveness is gained through an intelligent capitalization of past achievement. Be observant of worn out clichés. This is also a time period to be mindful of prodigality especially involving finances."

The annual Full Moon in Scorpio occurs on Monday the 7th at 8:53am symbolizing the release/completion phase of the Moon. This is an excellent time to release negative expressions of obsessive/compulsive behaviors, jealousy, envy, covetousness, control and manipulation, emotional betrayal, sabotage, deep-seated rage and anger associated with repressed past emotional issues and violation trauma to name a few. Angel Egibiel is associated with this lunation so if need arises to invoke this angel to help in the release of the aforementioned, get with it! Keywords associated with this lunation are the abolishment of the unhealthy separatist ego personality can now be healthily fused into the piercing white light of the soul community. The inner shadow offers a glint of gold that indicates the true golden treasure within every individual who can evolve.

An earlier alignment between Mercury and Saturn on this Full Moon day can have an impact on stock and commodity markets. Scrutinize all minor details with a fine tooth comb with this alignment to bring about better negotiations and contracts. Burn the midnight oil with any intensive studies.

Thursday the 10th at 8:13pm is the retrograde station of mystical Neptune. A review period of re-analysis, re-assessment and re-evaluation of all Neptunian affairs launches for the next few months until its direct station in mid-October. Neptune rules the oceans, petrochemical and natural gas industries, plastics, the arts, spirituality, charities and the pharmaceutical industries to name a few. Scandals are usually associated with Neptune so any of the areas above may be prone to being caught in the net. The Lower Mississippi Valley south of Memphis may witness flooding more than usual with an extension that begins as far east as Nashville through Shreveport to San Antonio. "The most important thing in the world is to hold your soul aloft" is a quote by Gustave Flaubert that truly symbolizes Neptune. Keywords associated with this retrograde station of Neptune are a spiritual vision nurtures strong loyalties of humanity to create a new social foundation of worldwide compassion, understanding and philanthropy. Humanity is at the precipice either to plunge deeper into chaos or bridge divergent philosophies fusing them as one vision of holistic integration of the universal love principle. Divine mercy is tender and soothing.

Mars' retrograde station occurs the next day Friday the 11th at 11:08am and will remain retrograde until mid-July. The last two weeks of the following signs in the order presented will be strongly sensitized by this retrograde of Mars: Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo and Pisces. A review of the following behaviors will be important; assertiveness, anger, frustration, competitiveness, can-do-attitudes, pioneering spirit, aggressiveness, irritability, annoyance, aggravation and defense posturing. Aggressors who initiate any battles whether in courtrooms, internationally or nationally, or literal physical battles usually wind up the losers with this retrogradation. New relationships that begin during a Mars retrograde period may experience frustrations until the direct station and then the test of time will determine if the relationships continue or are broken off. The Pope and his health will be under closely guarded scrutiny. Keywords associated with this Mars retrograde station are the inner courage of the human personality offers enduring service to the well being of the community. Consider yourself thousandfold blessed for this social contribution.

Between these two planetary retrogrades are harmonious aspects involving Mercury, Venus and Neptune that are receptive to divine inspiration and visionary activities. A film, artistic direction, or musical group or artist captures the public's imagination. Yoga practices and techniques of meditation, contemplation, visualization, affirmation and prayer are quite successful.

An Apogee Moon (farthest distance from the Earth) occurs on Monday the 14th along with an inharmonious aspect of Mercury to Pluto. Healthy emotional detachment is necessary for any heavily manipulated emotional situations. "Either men will learn to live like brothers, or they will die like beasts" is a quote by Max Lerner that can apply to this Apogee Moon. Seething and simmering conflicts over copyrights, intellectual materials and trade negotiations can carry over to the financial markets. Techno Info sectors of the economy experience the "Sword of Damocles" syndrome. Darwinian survival of the fittest applies to this syndrome.

All technology, engineering and scientific sectors can experience chaotic, roller coaster rides with an inharmonious aspect of the Sun to Uranus on the following day the 15th that will have later repercussions when Uranus retrogrades at the end of the month. Economic tornadoes wreak havoc with the markets.

Wednesday the 16th is bargain-hunting time for the technology aftermath players. From this date forward to mid-July will be the new benchmark prices of stocks involving the technology sectors. Astute technology stock players will rally for their favorite companies and will eventually see a new dawn with the new economy.

May 19th is the Pre-Shadow Point of Mercury that refers to the degree position this planet holds on its direct station of June 28, 2001. These two dates may hold something in common with one another. A quote from Virgil may offer words of wisdom: "After living and dreaming, the most important thing in this world is awakening". Keywords associated with this Pre-Shadow Point are entice self-rewarding experiences by releasing limitations that inhibit full participation in the spice of life - variety. Multi-tasking orientations enable the individual to accomplish much even though it may appear to some that the individual has sold out to divergent interests, which is far from the truth.

The second ecliptic shift of the Moon for the month of May occurs on this same day that emphasizes shifting emotions associated with desires to expand, progress, grow and explore new visions and ideals for the future. Competing philosophies and perspectives require thorough soul searching so that values remain intrinsic and rewarding. Shifts also occur on meteorological, seismological and volcanic levels concerning the Earth itself.

The majestic Sun enters curious Gemini on Sunday the 20th at 6:44pm for its annual 30-day journey. The identification of the themes of communications, information, peer relationships, negotiability, bargaining, dialogue and versatility will be brought to the fore. Issues to be addressed will be superficiality, duplicity, lying, cheating, trickery, two-facedness, scatteredness, boredom and fraud.

The annual Gemini New Moon occurs on Tuesday the 22nd at 9:47pm launching the new initiatives/new beginnings phase of the Moon. The following areas will be appropriate for this lunation: electronics, all instructional classes especially those that improve skills, talents and natural genius, computer courses, calligraphy, improved communications, internet website launches, journals, diaries, magazine subscriptions, bookstores and libraries, and discussion groups. This lunation is entrusted to angel Gabriel. "He who cannot interest himself in small things will take false interest in big ones" is an appropriate quote by Leibnitz that applies to this lunation. Southern California especially San Diego, Los Angeles up to Santa Barbara are heavily sensitized to this lunation. Keywords for this New Moon are the mind as a focused tool substantiates humanity's capacity to implement Divine Thought as a reality and in perpetuity. Disarm all false idealizations and resonate to Divine Truth.

Venus reaches its Post-Shadow Point on Wednesday the 23rd that refers to its station retrograde degree position it held as of March 8, 2001. From this date forward Venus covers new degree areas that were halted by its retrograde that began in March. Here is an excerpt quote from the March AstroForecast in regards to this station: "Keywords associated with this degree position of this retrograde Venus station are impulsive acts or impetuous choices lead one into a crisis state of consciousness that boomerangs after the fact. Both the past and the future remain in their context of time; what is the most important is the present now. That is the magical time period that either vexes the individual or opens a new paradigm for a shift in direction. Venus in Aries desires something new and a clean slate in all relationships, values and finances. Either bury the lifeless and get on with the new or resurrect the dead and lead life anew". A second-chance opportunity for stalled relationships, financial affairs or healthy support for personal values is pumped and primed as Venus and Jupiter have a harmonious exchange of energy on Thursday the 24th. Eleanor Roosevelt said it best: "To give love is a way of education"; this quote embodies this Venus - Jupiter interchange. This aspect bodes well for all partnerships, business and social, as well as being great for marriage.

Serious announcements by those individuals in positions of power and authority hit the airwaves on Friday the 25th in regards to negotiations and contracts. This last holiday weekend of May has many repercussions involving teenagers, especially how fathers relate to daughters. Hurtful and heated discussions start to explode all over the landscape. The "I-have-you-under-my-thumb" syndrome has strained what little communication link remains. Combined with a Perigee Moon early Sunday morning emotions are dramatic/traumatic with arrogance and false pride overturning the apple cart. By Memorial Day mothers are there to console the casualties or are engaged in projected rage issues due to pandering to the aggressor.

Uranus is station retrograde on the 29th at 10:11am and will remain retrograde until it is direct late October 2001. Here is a review, re-analysis, re-evaluation and re-assessment of how to liberate oneself from ruts, routines and monotony. A liberating consciousness wants to take hold to free oneself from the abovementioned issues yet more responsibility awaits the individual. A quote from Paco Rabanne helps to understand this Uranian energy: "Freedom must first be accepted, then planned and finally, enjoyed". Chaotic, erratic and spasmodic behaviors or situations arise that create great restlessness and grind the nerves. Shocking, cruel and perverse anomalies ignite. Irony abounds. This date may have a link to February 13, 2002 so watch what transpires that leads to this day in May. Many times in the past transportation disasters have occurred with a Uranus station. Boston and Montreal are highly sensitized to this station and secondly Shreveport and San Antonio. Keywords associated with this Uranus station are it is time to recognize societal handicaps betray the spiritual values and divine nature that seeks to provide deliverance from humanity's suffering. Humanity is poised at the threshold of acquiring true obedience to living the spirit of the law instead of the letter of the law. TransCosmic Light filters into the Soul's Christed Gate of Awareness and it is Divine Love that will free us all.

The second conjunction of Mars and Chiron happens also on the 29th so refer to the second paragraph of this May AstroForecast for information on these two. Mars also activates some much-needed adjustments involving committed relationships whether personal, social or professional. Financial issues are strong as well as stubbornness running high among partners. Jealousy and possessiveness are pernicious behaviors. Resolution is gained by a forgiving nature.

Sudden and exciting new relationships appear on the horizon as Venus and Uranus engage in a harmonious aspect with one another on the last day of May. In ongoing relationships do the extraordinary and breathe new life into your partnership by getting out of the norm. Fathers and daughters may define and clarify their relationships with one another by constructively engaging in meaningful dialogues about whatever may have blown up around the Memorial Day weekend.

Next month stay tuned to the upcoming Mercury retrograde and the intriguing once-in-a-fifty-year alignment of Chiron to the Galactic Center, the second alignment of these two in the year 2001! As always Peace and Prosperity to you and your loved ones!