Gemini
June 1, 2010
June is the month of Gemini, the sign of the Twins. Mostly we love June. It’s the month we associate with the happy beginning days of summer vacation, with brides and ice cream cones and with sailboats. The air is light and the sun is bright.
Taurus
May 1, 2010
Flowers cover the Earth with beauty as the Sun travels through lush and luxuriant Taurus. (April 19 – May 19) The exuberance and rush of the Martian fire of Aries slows as it unites with Earth in Venus’ sign of Taurus. Beautiful new life results from this union. May is the month of Taurus, the Bull, the most beautiful, sensual, and fertile month on Earth. Taurus is the flowering of Springtime and Taurus’ holiday—Beltane or May Day, as we call it—is a day of love-making festivals all around the world, revealing the Bull’s link with fertility. Many Taureans are proud of their love-making skills.
Sensuality is one of Taurus’ strongest assets. He is deeply in touch with his senses and his connection to the Earth. The Bull is stable, determined, and powerful. He is slow, beautiful, and indulgent. He reminds us that we miss the beauty of the Earth if we are always racing ahead. It is said that the next sign tempers the excesses of the sign before it and we see the truth of this here. The statement “slow down and smell the roses” was no doubt first spoken by a Taurus.
Isn’t it interesting that the creators of Earth Day chose April 22, a day soon after the Sun enters Taurus. It is in this first earth sign, that we learn to love and appreciate the Earth. Our senses connect us to our Mother. As Taurus grounds the Aries spark of life, so too must we be grounded and connected to the Earth in a way that supports our bodies and spirits to flower. In Taurus we establish our values and self worth.
Ruled by Venus, Taurus is also the sign of beauty. Astrologer Stephanie Austin remarks that Venus is a fitting ruler for Taurus because of her association with both beauty and love, reminding us that beauty opens the heart. Taurus rules the land and the growth of vegetation. The Bull loves all things green, from the beautiful countryside (good farmers they are, green-thumbed) to the money that comes from its bounty (good bankers they are, counting greenbacks). The Bulls are very careful with resources.
The Bull’s shadows include gluttony, greed, laziness, and of course, his biggest shadow, stubbornness and the rage that follows if the Bull perceives he is being forced.
Astrologer Nancy Cohen says that baby Taurus is born in a family where money is an issue. The mother is worried, imprinting baby Taurus with a deep need for material security and stability. The Bull operates with a 30-second delay. Those with Mercury in Taurus can hardly get their words on paper, so cautious are they. But hating change, baby Taurus becomes a good and loyal marriage partner later in life.
The Body
Being the second sign, Taurus rules the neck and throat. Many too stubborn or unwilling to change will experience sore throats and stiff necks. Before you take out your child’s tonsils, find out what changes he is unhappy about. If you find yourself wearing a neck collar or brace, look inside to release some stubbornness. Here too is the dark realm of eating disorders, especially found in the afflicted Taurus Moon, where over-identification with form and deep insecurity meet. On the positive side, Taurus bestows the gift of physical beauty and the beautiful voice.
This Month
Many planets make headlines this month. First, Mercury continues plodding backwards in slow-moving Taurus until May 11th, so wait until after then to buy that car or electronic device. Best to put off all major purchases as well. Tempers may flair over delays since Mars makes a harsh aspect to back-traveling Mercury. Next on the skywatch stage appear large Saturn opposite even larger Jupiter. Expansion will be checked now. The world may experience one day optimistic, the next pessimistic. Plus foggy Neptune is in the mix making us very uncertain now about the big picture.
On May 27th, rowdy and rebellious Uranus bursts on to stage as he enters fiery Aries, the sign of new beginnings. This is the stuff revolutions are made of as Uranus moves into hard aspect with Pluto in Capricorn, sign of corporate government, as well. Uranus will stay in Aries for seven years. Many astrologers predict unprecedented breakthroughs in all arenas as well as an increase in violence and lawlessness. “Uranus sets loose a fanatical, blind zeal in Aries that can move mountains or create instant temper tantrums or revolutions. ” (Lance Ferguson, Skywatch)
The best days for new beginnings and purchases this month are the 17th, 18th(a. m.), 24th, and 31st. The 7th is a good day for healing old wounds and repairing damaged relationships. The 12th and 13th are the bet getting-rid-of and cleaning-out days. Remember: no surgeries the 26th, 27th, or 28th, the Full Moon days.
The New Moon on May 13th is a time to review our values and our relationship to money and resources. A powerful aspect from Mars compels us to cut all that isn’t necessary or beautiful from our lives. Simplifying will bring a new kind of wealth. A strong aspect from Neptune helps soften attachments to what is burdensome and no longer useful.
The Full Sagittarius Moon on May 27th asks us to open our hearts to the new day and to the “radical changes that must occur now. ” (Stephanie Austin, Mountain Astrologer) Uranus moves into the dynamic and dare-devil sign of Aries minutes following this full moon. The world is changing fast now so stay centered with an open heart. The symbol of the Sun at this potent lunation is this: A well with bucket and rope under the shade of majestic trees. ” Judy Collins’ reminder that “It’s time to get back to the garden” is reflected in the stars now.
Aries
April 1, 2010
Aries
Thank goodness it’s time to start over. The new zodiacal year is underway. It began on March 20, the first day of spring, the first day of Aries, the sign of the Ram. It’s time to awaken from winter’s sleep and heed the call to adventure. It’s time to get going.
Red hot and unstoppable, Aries is the fire of birth, springtime, and all new beginnings. It is the spark of spirit that sets life in motion. Those born under this exuberant sign are filled with adventure, optimism, and the fire of new life. They may trip and fall, as they often do from going too fast, but they will always get up. It is the Ram’s nature to rise again.
When spring comes, with animation and like clockwork, young green new life appears. Babies of all varieties are everywhere. A joy bubbles forth in Earth’s creatures: the joy of being alive. The Aries among us are similarly filled with joy.
Aries is the Ram, with powerful horns and a plated forehead, enabling him to push his way through obstacles. He is born to be a pathfinder, a scout, and an adventurer. He is out-going and brave. He can be hasty and reckless but he is going somewhere.. A couch potato he is not. Ruled by Mars, Aries is a sign of high energy, activity, and competition. The Ram is undaunted, making him a powerful leader.
Aries is also the Lamb, symbol of springtime joy and innocence. Jesus is correctly called the Lamb of God because his strength derives from his innocence, which “taketh away the sins of the world. ” He came to show us the way out of guilt–eternal winter. Pisces, the 12th sign, represents Lent and the crucifixion. But what power is there in a slain savior? Aries, the first sign, represents salvation.
In fact Aries is the sign of resurrection and rebirth. This is the Easter celebration. Here is our redemption. It is not in suffering and crucifixion that we are redeemed. Through forgiveness, Jesus demonstrated power over death. By following his example, we can all free ourselves by forgiving the world. Joy is the consequence of an innocent heart. Joy to the world is Aries’ highest message. The world can be overcome, after all. Our Aries brothers, who can always renew themselves, know this instinctively.
The Rams enjoy the innocence of play. They may run over others in their excitement, they may be overly rough, direct and headstrong, but there is no meanness in them. They see the world like children: things are either black or white. And being the first sign, the sign of coming out, Aries likes to be seen. Be sure and pay plenty of attention to your Aries child and friends.
The Body
And being the first sign, Aries rules the head. The Ram is prone to headaches, which are metaphysically linked to guilt. The Ram need only remember his innocence—the innocence of the Lamb—to get rid of headaches for good. Fiery Mars, ruler of Aries, is the root cause of all the –itises—diseases of inflammation. Slowing down and relaxing will fade the redness and swelling. These problems are rooted in anger so settle down, cool off, and forgive the person or situation upsetting you.. Then use Mars playfully, like a frolicking lamb, full of spontaneous exuberance, to stay young.
This Month
The desire to get going will be felt more than ever this month as Mars is picking up speed. Saturn’s return into Virgo will provide many with good strategies to navigate the rough waters we are all swimming in. Mercury will turn retrograde April 17th in the slow and often stubborn sign on Taurus, so be careful of stiff necks, the result of an unbending mind. Since Taurus is the sign ruling money, be extra careful with financial transactions during this three week cycle. The most exciting aspect this month is the 4th opposition between conservative and rigid Saturn and rebellious and revolutionary Uranus on April 26th. The first opposition was fall 2008 “crunching the economy and leading to the election of Barack Obama. ” (Jeff Jawer, Mt. Astrologer) July 26th will be the final showdown as times change.
April 5th and 6th are two of the best days this month to put plans into action. The 17th and 20th are also good days for a new beginning but exercise caution as Mercury is beginning his retrograde motion. April 11th is good for cleaning out and getting rid of. The 30th is good for a trip. Remember, no surgeries April 27th, 28th, and 29th, the days of the Full Moon.
The New Moon this month, the newest of all new moons on April 14th, will find many out on dirt bikes, shopping sprees, or at least with their heads in an adventure novel. The call to excitement is strong. Many will have trouble with patience and tolerance as dwarf planet Eris joins this lunation. She is the Goddess of Strife and she is appearing now to initiate a change in our value system from competition and greed to cooperation and sharing. This high energy New Moon requires us “to have ‘Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind,’ to observe without preconception or prejudice, to be curious rather than critical, to be open and willing to be surprised. ” (Stephanie Austin, Mt. Astrologer)
The Full Scorpio Moon on April 28th is one of the most powerful in the zodiac. People are likely to feel fear of loss now. A lot of anger will also be generated around this time as Mars is in hard aspect to both Sun and Moon. Adding to the punch is the Saturn-Uranus opposition, “a breakdown or breakthrough force, ” (S. Austin) exact just 2 days prior. Mercury joins the Sun in Taurus, so be careful of being bull-headed. Many healings are possible at this time also as the Full Scorpio is the healing moon. Remember, since Scorpio is the sign of shared energy, we can’t heal ourselves. It takes another.
Don’t forget it’s spring time. It’s time for faith and hope, but mostly it’s time for action. Remember, “Fortune favors the brave. ” (Terence) .
Capricorn
January 1, 2010
It’s time again to celebrate the season of top dog Capricorn, sign of more kings than any other (December 21 – January 19). It is said that many are called and few are chosen and no sign is more prominent among the chosen few than Capricorn. Capricorn is ruled by the mountain goat and climb he must, no matter how steep or treacherous the mountain. In fact, the difficulty of the journey is a spur to Capricorn’s assured success.
Sagittarius
December 1, 2009
“Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh. .. ” The light-hearted fun this old song brings to mind is the buoyancy and joy of Sagittarius, the ninth, the luckiest, and the most fun sign of the zodiac. (November 21 – December 21). Most of the good stuff of life is somehow crowded into this sign of friendliness, tolerance, optimism, and gratitude.
Scorpio
November 1, 2009
Isn’t it perfect that Halloween is celebrated now, under the sign of the Scorpion (Oct 22 – Nov 22)? The veil between the worlds is at its thinnest and ghosts and skeletons and vampires are at home now, wandering the streets. This is appropriate under the eighth sign, Scorpio, the sign of death, sex, transformations and all mysteries. Contact with the other side can happen easier now for seekers.
Libra
October 1, 2009
At the Fall Equinox on September 23, night and day are equal. Briefly, there is balance, (you can stand an egg on its head today) then the scales tip once again. Days begin to shorten and the time for plants to grow is over. Our work is done for now. Symbolically, the time for working on me and my stuff is also over. Now that I’ve refined myself in Virgo, it’s time to recognize and acknowledge the others around me and enter the world of relationship. Now is Libra (September 23 – October 22), the sign of partnership. Libra and the five signs following focus on relationship with partners, teachers, bosses, friends, and finally, in Pisces, with the oneness of divine consciousness.
Virgo
September 1, 2009
Let’s face it. Nothing is good enough for Virgo. Fussy, fussy. Picky, picky. No one knows like a Virgo how hard it is to carve out a little piece of perfection in this world where everyone does things wrong. No wonder that Virgos fret and worry. And if Virgo is in conflict with other energies, amp up the fretting to obsessing. Amp up the worry to anxiety. Thank goodness Virgos (August 22 – September -22) have wings.
Cancer and Leo
July 1, 2009
Cancer
On the year’s longest day we enter the emotional waters of Cancer the Crab, the sign of the mother, the motherland, and our Mother Earth. In the beginning was the Word, but also the Mother, the cosmic womb from which all life springs.
Gemini
June 1, 2009
“June is busting out all over, ” and good because the month of the light-hearted Twins is backed by a positive skywatch this year. After a month or more of fogginess and delays, there are green lights in the heavens.