AstroForecast May 2002

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, goal setting that brings about tangible results, material goods and possessions, as well as practical determination. Issues Taurus can be associated with are possessiveness, laziness, covetousness, gross materialism, stubbornness, hoarding and greed. The guiding angel of Taurus is Hamabiel and the guiding angel of the month of May is Ambriel.

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. An inharmonious aspect of the Sun with Neptune symbolizes the identification of escapist tendencies, unrealistic flights of fantasy and over idealism on this first day of May. This first day of May is also the Pre-Shadow Point of Mercury indicating that on this day Mercury is at the same degree it holds on its station direct later June 8, 2002. These two days may hold something in common so pay attention to this May Day especially in regards to all forms of communications, negotiations, settlements, contracts, transportation, deliveries and cyber-electronics.

May 2nd Mars aligns with last year's opposition axis of Saturn and Pluto that launched the current ongoing war on terrorism. This is the planet associated with war and new developments can occur with this alignment. Deception by falsified documents and false ID's must be exposed and dealt with.

Mars has an astrological conjunction with Saturn in the sky on May 4th at 12:58am that launches a new 2-year cycle of these two planets. This planetary interaction is symbolic of how to harness raw, primal power and convert it to a well-disciplined energy. A "seeding" period begins on this date as to what these two planets combine and create. This "seeding" will come to the conscious surface when these two planets oppose one another February 20, 2003.

A harmonious aspect involving Venus and Neptune on this same Saturday is excellent for romance, art, charity benefits and spiritual meditations. Interestingly enough Venus aligns itself on Sunday the 5th with that same axis of opposition Saturn and Pluto had last year that can be indicative of efforts to bring about solutions for peace. The first weekend of May can literally be a great consciousness movement to bring about peace in a turmoil filled world. Give peace a chance.

Tuesday the 7th is a conjunction involving Venus with Saturn indicating very important developments associated with financial affairs, partnerships and values. As long as discipline, accountability, perseverance and responsibility have been applied in a sustained manner with the above-mentioned areas will a gradual process of stabilization and security begin to take place. Those companies or individuals that lack these Saturnian qualities will be strongly tested and stripped to bare bone essence. The following industries will be strongly affected: telecommunications, cyber electronics, the recording industry, transportation, the Internet, computer chip makers and computer hand held devices. These two planets oppose one another January 28, 2003 and the proof in the pudding will come to the light then. Legal issues can arise as well especially for those ill prepared to make drastic changes.

This same Tuesday is an Apogee Moon (farthest distance of the Moon to Earth) symbolizing healthy emotional detachment. This Apogee Moon coincides with an adjustment aspect the Sun has with Pluto indicating security measures have to be better scrutinized within the administration. Espionage and organized crime take advantage of lax attitudes. More allegations occur with sexual assaults perpetrated against children by the clergy.

Wednesday the 8th is the bi-monthly ecliptic shift of the Moon that can symbolize changes with meteorological, seismic and volcanic activities. Coupled with this ecliptic shift of the Moon is an opposition involving Mars with Pluto that can symbolize brutality, massacres, genocide and abusive use of force and coercion. The last time Mars and Pluto were conjunct one another was March 18, 2001 that symbolized their "seeding" period and now on this date in May we see the full illumination of this "seeding" time. This is a definition and clarification time period to determine what is more useful "raw, primitive" power or "shared" empowerment?

The following day Thursday the 9th is an opposition involving Venus and Pluto symbolizing relationships, financial affairs and values undergo an intense transformation. The last time these two planets were conjunct was December 14, 2001 and the infamous debacle of Enron into bankruptcy was prominent then. "Enronitis" swiftly ensued with how corporations dealt with accounting procedures and practices that ultimately affected the stock markets. It is important for couples to define and clarify any "Enronitis" occurring with financial dealings.

Friday the 10th at 2:56pm is the conjunction of Venus and Mars with one another symbolizing the merging of the peaceful loving feminine with the assertive action-oriented masculine. Passion, intimacy and tenderness exchange with one another. The flip side of all this are behaviors that introduce coyness, cuckoldry, violation, battering abuse and rage. The North Node is also conjunct this Venus - Mars aspect lending a fated quality to this alignment. This Venus - Mars conjunction is also a "seeding" time period and will reveal itself clearly when these two planets oppose one another August 26, 2003.

The annual Taurus New Moon occurs Sunday the 12th, Mother's Day, at 5:45am symbolizing the new beginnings/new initiatives phase of the Moon. The following areas are worthwhile to launch with this lunation: any and all gardening projects, stock purchases, opening of new bank accounts, livestock purchases, durable goods, large appliances, wine cellars, sculptures, lawn furniture and commodities just to name a few. Archangel Gabriel is this lunation's celestial helper so if you want to invoke this angel for assistance do so. Keywords associated with this lunation are persuasive overtures lead to the reconciliation of enormous differences. Dangers lurk ahead for those individuals who support factions, political expediency and situational ethics.

Mother's Day is also the Post-Shadow Point of Saturn that refers to the degree position this planet held last September 26, 2001 when it stationed retrograde. Saturn has now returned to that degree position on Mother's Day 2002. The following is an excerpt from the September 2001 AstroForecast associated with this degree position of Saturn: "What will be important to positively review will be organizational structures, discipline, goal attainments and success with special emphasis on all forms of communications. Weak areas to improve are lack of patience, narrow-mindedness, fear, melancholy, isolation and emotional distance. Keywords associated with this retrograde station of Saturn are facilitate confidence with any situation to bring about a greater ease with adaptability. Be astute enough to recognize serendipity/chance and fortune/synchronicity. The degree position of Saturn on this day is importantly linked to May 12, 2002. The following quote by George Bernard Shaw can help to understand this Saturn station: "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

Monday the 13th at 7:10am is the station retrograde of visionary Neptune launching a review, reanalysis and reevaluation period until Neptune turns direct in mid-October 2002. This date in May is linked to February 8, 2003, as that is when Neptune reaches its Post-Shadow Point. 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. Keywords associated with this station retrograde degree of Neptune are foster a consummate intimacy with spiritual truths that resonate within the deep wells of the soul. Along the way to those deep, dark wells of the soul the individual encounters paradoxical and ironic inclinations to distort, deny and diffuse longings to help others.

Tuesday the 14th is an active day as Venus opposes the Solar Eclipse of December 14, 2001 indicating it's time to clarify financial dealings, relationship issues and differences of values to define a better mode of communications and resourcefulness. The Moon on this day is quite active with three occultations of the planets (occultations are like planetary eclipses) Saturn, Mars and finally Venus. A lot of unconscious material will surface involving fears, panic and apathy. Vesta, the security-conscious asteroid, enters family oriented Cancer this day as well. Strong concerns for safe borders will be paramount. Ceres, the maternal and children oriented asteroid, enters fiery Aries on this day as well. Pent-up frustrations involving children being denied protection and well-being will ignite.

The thrice-annual retrogradation of Mercury begins on May 15th at 1:51pm that will last for an approximate 3-week long period. The ruling planet of communications, connections and exchanges when retrograde can potentialize miscommunications, misperceptions and misunderstandings especially with the failure to grasp details. Delivery systems can malfunction and transportation fiascoes tend to increase. Misfiling, misplacing and misdirections experience an upbeat. Purchases made during Mercury retrograde, especially electronics, appliances, all modes of transportation vehicles and cyber software or hardware are susceptible to breakdowns and spasmodic behaviors. Travelers on vacation during this retrograde of Mercury fare the best when the attitude of foreseen potential development of delays and denials of travel confirmation are accepted as routine. Back up computer files at least a week before this date and be prepared for new cyber viruses. Here is a quote to help you with this backward motion of Mercury by Soren Kierkegaard: "Life can only be understood backwards; but must be lived forwards". The degree Mercury holds on this day is associated with June 23, 2002 as that will be its Post-Shadow Point on that date in June. Keywords associated with this degree position of Mercury are a scapegoat comes into view and the village is ready to unleash its loathing and hatred. Individuals jockey to prove themselves "right" when all along they are way off course. The Mad hatter slips into the hole and no one is wiser for the mischief and mayhem left behind.

Friday the 17th is a minor inharmonious aspect of Jupiter with Uranus in what is the final of three celestial configurations that have occurred last August 19, 2001 and January 18, 2002. Here is an excerpt from the August 2001 AstroForecast: "this alignment can denote pressure to make decisions and to take aggressive actions in regards to technology, transportation, the judicial branches of government, exports/imports, international trade, international diplomatic agreements, uprisings, rebellions, revolutions and civil discontent. Personal freedoms and liberties can be wiped out all in the name of justice (false as they may be)". This same day is an inharmonious alignment of Mars to the December 14, 2001 Solar Eclipse indicating action, assertiveness and new initiatives need to be defined especially with military campaigns.

Sunday the 19th witnesses a harmonious aspect involving Venus and Uranus that is great for the introductions of new friends and social contacts that will lead to future alliances and allegiances. Impromptu gatherings that are mentally stimulating are high with this aspect. Novel approaches that can be applied to financial matters do well. Couples that are caught up in ruts, routines and monotony experience shocks and surprises that invigorate new directions in life

Venus changes signs on Monday the 20th when it enters at 8:27am the family loving, emotional sign of Cancer for the approximate next 28-day period. Venus symbolizes the art of beautifying, valuing, cherishing and treasuring what the heart most desires and here in the sign of Cancer the home, family, secure and stable foundations will be her domain for the following month. Thomas Jefferson expresses it best with "The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have past at home in the bosom of my family." Venus is also conjunct on this day the Solar Eclipse of June 21, 2001 symbolizing how we can all identify that all of humanity is a family.

Tuesday the 21st at 12:29am is the entrance of the majestic Sun into curious Gemini 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 guiding angel of Gemini is Ambriel.

The second ecliptic shift of the Moon in May occurs on Wednesday the 22nd that can symbolize changes with meteorological, seismic and volcanic activities. Compassion and charity are associated with this ecliptic shift especially with any natural born disasters. The next day Thursday the 23rd is the Perigee Moon (closest approach of the Moon to Earth) that tends to heighten emotions and sensitivity around themes/issues of commitment, trust and loyalty.

Saturday the 25th at 9:44pm is the final of three oppositions involving Saturn and Pluto that rocked the early 21st century with the introduction of mass terrorism. World leaders and corporate executives are in high focus. Hypocrisy will be ridiculed unrelentingly. Pluto symbolizes sexuality and the sign of Sagittarius that Pluto is currently transiting symbolizes organized religion. Saturn symbolizes authority and bureaucracy. This tension filled aspect explodes with spiritual hypocrisy and ultimately what can be devastating to organized religions, spiritual bankruptcy of the moral and monetary structures. Pluto is searing in its penetration to the root cause of any dysfunction so that it can be obliterated or reformed. Bureaucratic cover-ups and the shuffling of criminal shepherds of the spiritual flock will be brought to task. This diversion of "cover-your-ass" instead of fully addressing these dark issues can be tantamount especially in the United States of the Second Schism. Pluto remains in Sagittarius until the year 2008. Organized religion will be a totally different breed, as we now know it by then. Pluto's cycle covers approximately 250 years and it was two Pluto cycles ago that the Reformation swept Europe. This is a sobering period indeed for all organized religions.

Closely following this Saturn - Pluto opposition is the annual Sagittarius Full Moon on Sunday the 26th at 6:51am. This lunation is also a Lunar Eclipse. Full Moons are excellent for the surrender/release/completion phase of our earthly satellite. The following issues can be addressed for this Full Moon: negative judgment, hypocrisy, over-generalizations, self-overextension, exaggeration, excess, empty promises, negative opinions, intolerance and self-righteousness to name a few. Foreign embassies, diplomatic missions and consulates come into high focus with this lunation. Angel Kyriel is associated with this lunation. Keywords associated with this Full Moon are mankind is poised to play its part in solidifying universal peace. Universal peace is not a distant planet yet to be explored and discovered; universal peace resides within our collective hearts and souls. The final frontier for mankind to pioneer, explore and discover belongs to those individuals sincerely seeking universal peace. The truly brave ones will fiercely believe in universal peace amidst intimidating adversity. "Although the people living across the ocean surrounding us, I believe, are all our brothers and sisters, why are there constant troubles in this world? Why do winds and waves rise in the ocean surrounding us? I only earnestly wish that the wind will soon puff away all the clouds which are hanging over the tops of the mountains". Shinto Peace Prayer

Memorial Day, the 27th, is the opposition of Venus with Chiron symbolizing the ability to bring peaceful solutions to the table in adverse situations involving finances and partnerships. Compromise and mediation can work with a sense of healing all past wounds. Incongruity associated with time itself disorients many couples.

Jupiter reaches its Post-Shadow Point on this Memorial Day. The degree position Jupiter held when it last was stationary retrograde on November 2, 2001 has now returned to that same degree on this holiday. An excerpt from the November 2001 AstroForecast will help: "Keywords associated with this degree of Jupiter are adjustments must be made that bring practical realities to ideal potentials. Self-motivation has no limits. On an esoteric level mediation facilitates the union of Heaven and Earth to allow ancient visions to be fulfilled. A quote by Jules-Henri Poincare helps to understand this degree of Jupiter: "We need a faculty that enables us to see our objectives from afar. That faculty is intuition".

Tuesday the 28th at 6:53am is the entrance of fiery Mars into emotional Cancer for an approximate 45-day journey. This is a wonderful period to emphasize do-it-yourself home improvement repairs and remodeling. Organize the family to help support an ongoing goal of domestic comfort and ease through this home improvement energy. The negative side of this Martian sojourn through Cancer is nationalistic tendencies that can explode into violent aggressions. Territorial disputes over basic needs become heated. Destruction of homes and properties through natural means or manmade erupt. A national monument becomes the target or locale for a terrorist threat or action. This same day Mars is conjunct the Solar Eclipse of June 21, 2001 symbolizing what preparedness for security do we need to mobilize?

Friday the 31st is an adjustment aspect involving Jupiter and Pluto. This aspect has previously occurred November 26 & September 19, 2001. The following is an excerpt from the September 2001 AstroForecast: "this aspect can symbolize international power struggles that require great diplomacy and tact. Ethical issues really come to the forefront that can be tested in national and international courts. Courts of opinions can really be flooded with commentaries. Religion, transportation, education, international trade and commerce all come under scrutiny".

The entire month of May has strong themes/issues involving peace in the world. This is a month of attunements of the collective consciousness. Taurus energies symbolize the harnessing of material/physical resources to bring about comfort and co-existence with a Mother Earth planetary consciousness. Gemini energies symbolize the distribution of the Solar Logos/Cosmic Mind to stimulate connections of true brotherhood/sisterhood while on the earthly plane. This also stimulates incorporating psychologically "lateral relationships" so that all mankind can stride side-by-side as equal peers in our manifested universe.

"Peace and Universal Love is the essence
of the Gospel preached by all
Enlightened Ones.

The Lord has preached that equanimity
is the Dharma

Forgive do I creatures all,
and let all creatures forgive me.

Unto all have I amity, and unto none enmity.
Know that violence is the root cause of
all miseries in the world.

Violence, in fact, is the knot of bondage.
"Do not injure any living being."

This is the eternal, perennial, and unalterable
way of spiritual life.

A weapon, howsoever powerful it may be,
can always be superseded by a superior one;

But no weapon can, however,
be superior to non-violence and love."

Janist Peace Prayer