Review of APRIL 2011

 

 

Around the April New Moon on the 4th, many people reported experiencing intense aggravation and anxiety as the Sun, Moon and Jupiter in Aries opposed Saturn in Libra. On the world stage, Portugal finally admitted to needing a financial bailout from the EU, which led to all sorts of squabbles about whether the EU should continue to bail out ailing countries in the Eurozone, and the exact nature of what bailouts are – aid or loans? This in turn, led to further discussions about the Euro and the future of the EU.  . Adding to the tension was an explosive conjunction between Mars and Uranus, symbolic of unexpectedly difficult developments or rude awakenings. Certainly, it was a month of bomb scares and road accidents, which resonates closely with this type of configuration. With Saturn retrograde, many of these issues had their roots in the past, leading to added resentment and frustration and possibly explaining the reason for the build-up of negative energy in the first place which was then released by the explosive energy of the Mars-Uranus conjunction - rather like a pressure cooker valve. The overriding theme seemed to be one of conflict between a need for self sufficiency, restraint, and maintaining decorum versus the urge to ignore convention and ‘do one’s own thing’ by throwing caution to the wind and starting fresh. However, by the Full Moon in Libra on the 18th - in the same sign as Saturn -  many found that these situations seemed to resolve themselves rather naturally or dissipate of their own accord.

 

This tension was also present at the Royal Wedding of Catherine Middleton to Prince William on the 30th. On the one hand, it was clear from the  nature of the service, the double kiss on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, as well as the rather amusing way that the newly-wed couple chose to ride to Clarence House in an open-top Aston Martin, that  this was a new generation of royals determined to be themselves and do things their way. However, the presence of a rather conservative monarchy with very specific rules, traditions and customs, as well as structural hierarchies,  was also made clear through the various ceremonious protocols that were observed throughout the day. Hence, from close to the wedding, Kate was referred to as Catherine and she was not saluted by the household cavalry on her way to Westminster Abbey because, apparently as a commoner,  she was not yet entitled to one until she officially became a member of the royal family. Another example is the fact that she will not be known as a princess but, rather, a duchess.

 

On the day of the wedding, we had a stellium of planets in Aries, including planet of love, Venus, planet of royalty, the Sun and planet of  beliefs, cultural traditions and the law, Jupiter. This powerful jolt of fresh fiery energy appeared to act like a shot of new life into the arm of  The Firm, as it is known - a very Saturnine  description! For more comments on the astrology of the day itself, see my Astro-Insights April column, as well as my Facebook page.

 

SOLI-LUNAR PHASES

Over the course of a year, the solstices and equinoxes of the Sun mark out the changing seasons, which affect not only the beginning of different natural cycles, but our moods and choice of activities; whilst on a smaller scale, the Moon's phases make up the time-span of a month. In fact, the etymology of the word month, comes from the Indo-European word, 'me(n)ses', meaning "moon." ¹

 During this period, the Moon also moves through the zodiac, with every progressive full or new moon cycle occurring in the sign more or less following that of the previous month.

Lunar Phases

NEW MOON IN TAURUS

3  May 2011

The New Moon in Taurus on the 3^rd of May (06h51 GMT) is a good time to take matters from last month’s Full Moon one step further.  Drawing up a timetable or plan of action now will help give substance and form to new ideas and personal resolutions. 

According to the Moonwise Calendar, this lunar phase is ruled by the hawthorn tree. Avia Venifica describes this Celtic tree  as representing the union of opposites, balance and duality. This is embodied in the many paradoxes bound up within the tree itself - one hand, it displays beautiful white blossoms around May in the northern hemisphere. yet, nestled amongst these beautiful flowers are large, spiny thorns. whilst the hawthorn is known to have excellent curative abilities, often being used as a tonic for the heart within the herbal tradition of the west, in Celtic mythology, it was considered bad luck to bring freshly-cut hawthorn branches into the home because they gave off a smell similar to decaying flesh, thus we see its life-giving properties juxtaposed with associations of death and dying.

 

This New Moon will be most positively affect those with an earth or water-based Sun, Ascendant or Moon, especially those in Taurus or Capricorn, Virgo, Pisces, Cancer, and to some extent, Scorpio.

 

FULL MOON IN SCORPIO

17 May
On the 17^th of May (11h09 GMT), a Full Moon in Scorpio facilitates progress in research projects and criminal or forensic investigations.  You may also realise some important truths about yours and others’ hidden motivations around this time.  
 

This Full Moon will be most positively affect those with a water or  earth-based Sun, Ascendant or Moon, especially those in Scorpio, Pisces and Cancer, or Capricorn, Virgo,  and to some extent, Taurus .

 

Solar Phases

SUN IN GEMINI

21 May 2010 - 21 June
The Sun ingresses into Gemini at 09h21 GMT on the 21^st of May, beginning a month-long period favouring business negotiations, political pursuits (including local elections!) as well as educational and media-related endeavours.
 

Gemini qualities include youthfulness, curiosity, mental abilities, talkativeness and a tendency to juggle multiple projects or interests at any one time. Intellectual and commercial pursuits are favoured now, as are all forms of communication, including writing, speaking, teaching and learning. In business affairs, May favours marketing, PR, journalism and other media-related pursuits. Debates and political sparring are also well-starred – just as well, with an election scheduled this month! 

 

This solar cycle will most positively affect those with air or fire Sun, Ascendants or Moons, especially those in Aquarius, Gemini, Libra, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.

 

 

Planetary Events & Energy Shifts throughout May 2011

 

During May, Venus and Mercury will act like cosmic twins, conjuncting in Aries on the 9^th and again, this time in Taurus, on the 16^th. In between, they will both contact Jupiter (11^th),  Neptune (16^th), Pluto (20^th) and Mars (21^st, 23^rd). This suggests a busy and productive month  filled with discussions and networking opportunities, as well as social engagements.

 

If you are looking for luck, creative inspiration or favour from superiors, choose the first two dates. But if its change or results you are after, plump for the latter two days.

 

Romance is definitely possible on the 12^th, 16^th and 23^rd whilst break-ups are likely on the 1^st when Venus opposes Saturn.

 

Avoid being undermined on the 22^nd – with the Sun square to Neptune, someone may deceive you or ignore your instructions, and you memory is likely to fail you, meaning you get the facts decidedly wrong.    

 

Other astrological red letter days to look out for are:

 

1 May  – Venus opposition Saturn.  A bit of a serious day for lovers and artists, this transit could set up tension between a personal or creative need for autonomy and to follow your heart, on one hand, and the need for structure and commitment on the other. Used to its best, this transit is about finding a balance between self fulfilment, on one hand, and nurturing relationships through commitment, on the other.

Mars conjunct Jupiter.  The planet of vitality and willpower combines it energies with the planet of ideals and beliefs now, making it a great time to stand up for your beliefs,  or to practice a form of exercise that also has a spiritual element such as yoga or tai chi. Progress can also be made in the field of publishing, the military, surgery, butchery, forestry, the law or higher education now.

9 May  – Venus conjunct Mercury. A highly sociable combination, Venus, planet of charm and pleasantry meets up with gregarious and chatty Mercury. If you are looking for a good time to network or make headway with a creative media or fashion project, this is the day. Outings or conversations with friends should be particularly enjoyable now too. This is the first of two times this month that these planets meet. This time, it is in dynamic Aries, so use this perky energy for personal introductions and initiating important discussions.

11 May  – Mercury conjunct Jupiter.  A lot of talking and thinking is likely to go on now. ‘Think Big’ is the slogan for today. This is an excellent day for blue sky, out of the box, ambitious discussions, plans and ventures.  Sounding confident over the phone or in a meeting should be a cinch now. Beware of chattering or gossiping too much though, which could put some people off.

Venus conjunct Jupiter.  A potent blend of love, creativity, desire and belief. In line with the above transit, by using your charm and a powerful blend of persuasive media or arguments, you could win over a big client now. This is also an excellent day for favour from superiors, as well as romance. Spiritual pursuits in new directions, or as part of a fresh impetus to take more care, should also go well now.

11 May - 21 June - Mars ingress into Taurus.  Today Mars, planet of physical wellbeing and  willpower enters the earthy and sensual sign of Taurus. This adds a certain steadiness to any workout routines or bodily rituals whilst also increasing the drive for physical pleasure and sexual fulfilment. If you are looking for an influx of kundalini energy or a time to work on your base or sacral chakras, this is it.

12 May  – Mars sextile Neptune.  Although your willpower and sense of purpose may soften, if not disappear today, there is a good reason for it. Sometimes we can get so focused on the path ahead that we fail to stop and smell the flowers. Today is a day to do just that. Listen to your intuition, especially about your body or sexuality now - it may be sending you some powerful messages. This may also be a very good day for male fertility, so if you are trying to conceive, get to work!

15 May - 10 June - Venus ingress into Taurus.  Today Venus, planet of love, desire and  pleasure follows Mars into Taurus. As ruler of this sign, Venus excels in everything earthy and sensual, so expect to feel extremely drawn to any activity that enhances your appearance or awakens your senses now. Creative pursuits, if applied patiently and constantly, should result in significant progress - you could easily sell an artwork or ad campaign if you put your mind to it now. This is also an excellent time to conceive or enjoy some pampering, as well as find a lover.

15 May - 2 June - Mercury ingress into Taurus.  Mercury, planet of communication, thought and commerce, also enters Taurus today. From this sign, Mercury may not lead to fast thinking, but rather, slow, deliberate speech and careful planning - no bad thing for a planet that tends to start things  but never finish them. Use this time to make headway in business negotiations and solid purchases as well as plan carefully for the future.

16 May  – Venus conjunct Mercury. This time, Venus and Mercury meet in solid and earthy Taurus. Earlier this month, these two gregarious planets met up in fiery, pioneering Aries, making for enthusiastic exchanges and dynamic attempts to initiate new projects and entrepreneurial enterprises. This time around, the energy is much more deliberate and is more likely to be focused on the pleasure of good company along with a nice meal or exhibition or on consolidating deals or finances and getting things  signed and sealed.

Venus and Mercury sextile Neptune. Both Venus and Mercury in Taurus will also make a friendly sextile to dreamy Neptune in Pisces today. Not only is it likely to be an excellent time for meeting a new romantic partner, but it is also likely to be an extremely inspiring day for those who write or talk about ocean conservation, creativity, music, photography, films or spirituality. Not only are meetings or conversations likely to lead to significant breakthroughs but also donations for worthy causes, especially those related to water or caring for others in some way. Equally satisfying would be a conversation about a spiritual or creative topic in a social setting. This could also be a day when artistic people, especially photographers and musicians or composers, have inspiring dreams.

20 May – Mercury and Mars trine Pluto . Today, swift Mercury and focused Mars in Taurus make a positive contact with transformative Pluto in Capricorn. This is likely to lend an intensity to pursuits that require the engagement of both mind and body, as well as anything that needs  restoring or reform on some level. If you are keen to make drastic changes to your lifestyle, this would be a good day to set your plans in motion. Institutions are likely to be come in for major change now, but of a positive nature. Physical rehabilitation programmes should also enjoy a successful day with plenty of progress.

21 May – Mercury conjunct Mars . Today should be excellent for continuing the activities begun under yesterday's Pluto trine. Any activity that requires enormous concentration and physical strength will go well now. Athletes training  for a competitive event, or indeed, taking part in one, should find themselves easily able to 'enter the zone' now. Making an impassioned speech on behalf of a cause should also go well.

Venus trine Pluto . If you are encountering any resistance to implementing any reforms begun on yesterday, particularly from loved ones or women, then use this powerful transit to persuade others of the merit of your cause. Anyone involved in an institution or romantic relationship that has been resisting what is really inevitable metamorphosis is now likely to come to the party and realise that changes are for the best. This is also likely to be a day of powerful desires and steamy encounters of the more carnal kind.

22 May – Sun square Neptune. Avoid being undermined today by a deceitful inferior or colleague, as this energy can lead to a blurring of personal boundaries and lack of clarity when it comes to who is in charge. Today it is possible that a boss may suddenly become flaky, invisible or disappear and leave it up to his staff to sort out. Conversely, if you are a manager or leader, you may find yourself having to face questions about your actions  or deal with inferiors who stubbornly ignore your instructions or deceive you in some way. Your memory or conviction is likely to fail you, meaning you get the facts decidedly wrong, so plan to have backup just in case needed.  Where possible, wait until the  25th to make important managerial decisions or announcements.

23 May – Venus conjunct Mars . With the planet of love and desire combining with the planet of physical ardour and virility, today could be a very exciting day for romance!  This is a very sexy combination, so be sure to dress as though you were planning to meet up with someone special, because by the end of the evening, that may well be true. Couples may also enjoy a little quality time now away from children and household chores, so lock the door and enjoy!

25 May – Sun sextile Neptune. Today should be an excellent day for finding inspired solutions to staffing and managerial problems. Use your intuition when it comes to identifying subtle ways to promote yourself or display good leadership. Often this means personal service and sacrifice, the mark of a true leader.  Thinking laterally and listening for some heavenly direction are both advised now. Look back to events around the 20th of last month to see if any recurring themes begin to emerge.