Mars opposes Saturn: the big chill

Mars enters Gemini May 11, at 10:40 P.M., est. As Mars transits this sign we will enter into a period of intense communication as Mars is in Mercury's sign. There will be a lot of mental energy available for intellectual work during this time that lasts through June 24. But, Mars gets off to a rough start as it will oppose Saturn, first. After this, we will be able to use this Mars energy more constructively.

As Mars enters Gemini it begins an opposition to Saturn that will not become exact until Friday, May 15, at 2:03 A.M., est. This energy will build as we approach Friday and for at least 24 hours after.

Mars/Saturn is a restrictive and limiting aspect, and the energy may seem tense, terse and argument prone. Mars rules the ego and an opposition to Saturn may put us on the defensive, or perhaps the offensive. If you start a confrontation, you will likely be the loser as the other person will likely react strongly.

Mars-Saturn is cold energy and prone to agitation and conflict, and a typical definition of Mars-Saturn is frustrated action. Watch out for accidents, conflict, dictatorial attitudes, and it is unfavorable for seeking favors.

Practical work can be accomplished if anger and agitation does not interfere. 

This is not the best time for interpersonal relationships and some things, situations and relationships will absolutely come to an end. You will be affected on a more personal level if you have personal planets at 0-4 degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces.

My advice is to focus on practical achievements and make every effort to avoid confrontations during this period.

This energy will play out in the world in terms of police and military affairs that could occur anywhere, but especially the hot spots around the globe. This is a fairly dangerous aspect, and is followed by a New Moon at 26 degrees of Taurus, conjunct the fixed star Algol. Algol is associated with violence and murder.

Mercury square Neptune: Dreams, lies and other contorted visions

Mercury squares Neptune over the next few days becoming exact Saturday, May 9, at 12:09 P.M., est. The energy will become stronger the closer we get to the exact square and a day or so afterwards.

Many people will have powerful dreams, and daydreaming can be common, along with flashes of insight which may or may not be correct.

Mercury is in Gemini where it is very powerful and Neptune is at home in Pisces. Mercury rules communication of all types, pets, young people, cars and travel, relatives, neighbors and co-workers and we could see issues and events related to these matters.

Typically this is a tiring transit, indicative of dreams, fantasies, misinformation, lies, lack of clarity and lack of information. Some may feel depressed. Anything that can be misunderstood probably will be.

Thinking will not be clear and this is a bad day for any kind of negotiation or to start a new project.

Daydreaming, and vivid imaginations may manifest, or creativity in some form as well as compassion for others or spiritual pursuits.

At its worst, it is depression, lies, and an absolute lack of clarity or direction.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Take in any new information with skepticism. Be sure you know what you are talking about-you might not. Be careful when you hit SEND, the email is going to the correct person.

If you are driving use caution as you or another driver could be tired or unaware of what's going on, or you could get lost.

You will be affected to a greater degree if this transit is aspecting your personal chart. If so you have mutable planets (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces) at 7-10 degrees.

If you have Pluto in Sagittarius, born most of 1974-75 this will aspect you chart (Pluto). This also affects you chart if you were born late 1960-62 (most people/Pluto) and something can be revealed during this time.

A Princess is born astrology of Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was born (Princess of Cambridge) to Prince William and Wife Catherine of the UK, and is 4th in line to the throne.

She was born May 2, at 8:34 A.M., making her a 11 degree Taurus (like her Grandmother, the Queen) with a 20 degree Libra moon and a 5 degree Cancer rising. She is the first female born whose position will not be usurped should she have younger brothers in the future.

With a Cancer ascendant she may remind us of Diana, who was a Cancer Sun. Like Diana, she has Neptune close to her midheavan which will draw a crowd, and she should be a showstopper, but enigmatic as well and always mysterious. 

There will be many rumors about her, potential scandals and public interest, just like Diana.

She was born with Jupiter in Leo, the sign of royalty and Jupiter squares Mars-Jupiter and Mars known as the 'kingmakers transit," typical of the royal family. Mars and Jupiter are in a wide orb, as compared to her brother George, who will inherit the throne, and was born with a Mars conjunct Jupiter at 5/6 degrees of Cancer.

Jupiter lies in her third house trine Uranus and Jupiter in this placement generally shows more than one sibling. Jupiter-Uranus transits show wealth, and in this placement she may have some interesting insights during her lifetime, or even be drawn to writing. She will do things in a big way, and at times very dramatic.

She will be attractive as the Sun and Moon are in Venus ruled signs.

She will however be a private individual and will probably spend a great deal of time in seclusion or away from public view, as she has three planets in her twelfth house that include Mars, Mercury and Venus. With this placement she will probably also be a horsewoman, and at least have an interest in large animals.

While George was born with a prominent grand trine in Water signs-a sign of ease, with work is required to be successful, Charlotte was born with two T-squares, which show a more difficult life in many respects. T-squares however don't mean failure, and many prominent people have them in their charts.

A T-square is a difficult combination involving three planets. The first one is between Uranus, Pluto and her Moon.

Everyone born at this time is born will have a square between Uranus and Pluto, and this shows generational issues and experiences, and a rapidly changing world. These individuals will experience a life of dramatic change and upheaval as they become adults. The last group of people born with this transit were born in the early to mid 1930's, just before WW11, and they share this period in common.

 Add to this square her moon at 20 degrees of Libra. Uranus/Moon individuals can be very changeable, and a study in contradiction. When they find themselves in stable situations, their personality can rebel and demand freedom. When left on their own, they can feel alone and crave closeness, and the cycle can repeat itself. At times they can be nervous and experience many emotional ups and downs, and they can feel detached. As Charlotte's Moon falls in her 5th house (children. love affairs, friends) it is in this area the battle between closeness and freedom will play out. At times she may experience difficulties with members of her own sex, and her relationships can become volatile.

As Pluto also squares her Moon, this is also an emotionally intense transit. Pluto lies in her 7th house of marriage, close partnerships and open enemies. Her partners will be powerful and could end up her enemies. Pluto-Moon individuals feel things deeply and intensely. But, these individuals can be manipulative, and she will be drawn to powerfully manipulative partners. This is an intense moon, and there can be issues with the Mother or some other family member who may be seen as overly intense or controlling. During their childhood they may experience many emotional scenes, ups and downs and have these scenes come back to be relived at a later date. Charlotte will be an emotionally complex individual.

The second T-square, and the most prominent involves Mercury (12th house), Neptune in the tenth, and Saturn in the 6th.

Mercury opposes Saturn, and Robert Pellitier tells us, " The opposition from Mercury to Saturn shows that you are strongly opinionated and defensive. You have considerable intellectual ability and can accomplish any goal you set for yourself. You may be inclined to bend the truth in order to get your way with people, but people are more discerning than you realize and often are aware of your deceptions. In this way you will lose friends, which can make you depressed when you are alone. An isolationist to begin with, you alienate your few associates with your criticism and scheming. All this adds up to the fact that you must learn to mind your own business and have respect for the privacy of others. Don't assume that other people think a certain way and then complain because they don't think that way. Your professional life will be strained unless you can become engrossed in your own affairs and forget what the competition is doing. Becoming skilled and competent in your job will give you the security you need."

Neptune is the focal point of this T square which squares both Saturn and Mercury. Mercury-Neptune transits can indicate someone who may view the world in a different kind of way, show psychic abilities and compassion toward others and animals as well. Neptune square Saturn can cause her to be more discerning, even skeptical but at times lends itself toward melancholy and depression.

Saturn in her 6th house shows a life of service and it is in a wide orb to Jupiter in the third connecting her with her siblings.

Mercury is very powerful in her chart and her thinking will sometimes be a challenge. As Mercury rules siblings, we will have to see how she gets along with brother George. At times their relationship may be difficult, but with Jupiter in the third trine Uranus, this should help.

Good luck to the new Princess!

Weekend May 1, Mercury opposes Saturn and full moon in Scorpio

The moon is in Libra until Saturday night and this will turn our focus toward relationships, one way or another. By Friday evening it forms a T-square with Uranus and Pluto and this can be an upsetting period as it sets off the Uranus-Pluto square.  It enters Scorpio, the sign of its lunar peak Saturday at 9:47 P.M.,est.

Scorpio is the most intense of signs and this full moon will be connected to 8th house issues: sex, transformation of all kinds-good or bad- taxes, debt, money and how we feel in our relationships. This powerful full moon forms a T-square, a configuration involving three planets, that include the Sun, Moon and Jupiter. Whatever Jupiter touches it expands and this can include tension, stress or any other negative emotion. It is highly charged, and highly emotional.

Mercury opposes Saturn at 3 degrees of Gemini/Sagittarius May 3, and this is a somewhat negative influence prone to harsh communication and thinking. Mercury rules, pets, young people, travel and communication.

Gemini/Sagittarius represent the third/ninth house axis which relate to our thoughts and communication, legal, medical issues, travel and foreign affairs, education, siblings-relatives and our neighborhoods as well as our general outlook of the world.

May 4, The Sun squares Jupiter and while this is not typically negative, things and situations may get blown out of proportion.  The energy of these transits will be felt before they become exact.

As we approach the full moon, situations can become more intense and be blown out of proportion, and this moon can make some obsessive.

As Mercury is in an opposition to Saturn this is a transit prone to depression ( for some), lack of communication in some cases, harshness toward or from other people, and general irritation, sadness and negativity. With Saturn involved some things will end.

This transit will aspect your chart if you have a mutable planet-Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces at 0-3 degrees. As Saturn is aspecting the above signs at the same degree, it is already aspecting your chart (if you have a mutable planet at these degrees) and as Mercury makes it aspect,  a significant event could occur that involves some type of communication, relatives, vehicles, travel or young people.

As the moon is in the sign ruling 8th house matters, (transformation, death, sex, money, 

 lawsuits) this will be a very significant weekend for some more than others.  Some situations will end.

There could be issues about transportation, pets, vehicles, young people, relatives, neighbors and others. This is a time to use extreme caution while driving, and do not become overly harsh in your speech. Communication could be nonexistent, negative, sad or depressed.

At its best,  transformation could occur in a positive way taking you to the next level, while releasing things, situations, even people that have outlived their time. In the world this transit will play out as well. We could hear news concerning death, sex, and young people or the written word in some form. We will hear some serious news.

Thursday and Friday are significant for the city of Baltimore, bringing unexpected situations, news and events, and the potential for violence, that will hopefully be averted. There could somehow be a focus on money and the leadership.

In a large part the theme of the weekend on a bigger level will concern our neighborhoods, and the safety and welfare of the young people who live in them. Now is the time to transform some of the issues and problems that we have been shown collectively (since the Uranus-Pluto square has brought them to light) concerning justice and equity for all, very much like the mid 1960's and 1930's.(4-30-15)

The Gemini season-Mercury retrogrades

Mercury enters Gemini on April 30, in the sign of its rulership. Mercury turns retrograde on May 18, and as a result will remain in this sign until July 8, a very long time for the typically fastest moving planet. Thoughts and conversation will pick up speed, and be noticeably lacking in emotion as Gemini is more of an intellectual sign, and in this placement Mercury is very powerful.

Mercury rules speech, communication, conversation, travel and young people.

A retrograde period of Mercury is typically much longer than many people imagine, and the shadow period of this retrograde begins on May 4. People often call me and want to know if it is ok to begin new projects a few days or even a couple of weeks before the retrograde, and the answer is no, not really. Mercurial energy will start to shift during this time, and at the very least it becomes a wild card in the equation-a very wild card! Start something shortly before a retrograde and in my experience it is no different than starting it during the retrograde. The energy is already changing and starting to slow down. I've tested this many times, and the result is always the same. So, it's best to buy your electronic items, cars, and major purchases by the fourth of May, or shortly thereafter, and don't start any new projects if you can avoid it.

Mercury turns stationary retrograde May 18-21, and this is typically when it becomes obvious the energy is changing, glitches occur and we sometimes start to find things out that were previously unknown. It will remain retrograde until  June 12, when it goes stationary direct, until June 16. This is the second most important period of the retrograde when  we often find things out, previously unknown,  and energy once again becomes changeable. The stationary direct and retrograde periods are generally the most important times during a retrograde, especially if these periods of Mercury aspect something in your personal chart. A post retrograde shadow period follows that will last until June 27.  Its only after this date that Mercurial energy will return to normal.

So, what should you do if you get a job offer during the early shadow period of Mercury? Unless you can delay it for a long period of time, my advice is to take it and see what happens. Generally people looking for a job are doing so because they need a job. It's a wild card, but take it anyway, if you need it. Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do. I once started a job on a retrograde Mercury years ago, and it lasted two years.  It didn't pan out as expected, and I left suddenly, but it worked for the time. Start a job on a retrograde and you can expect at the very least, it won't be your last job. But, in this day and time, not many people are looking for their last job.

 I have seen instances where people begin a job on a retrograde Mercury and get into a pattern of accepting and quitting jobs on a retrograde, but this is rare. The cycle generally ends when they accept a job during a time that Mercury is not retrograde.

Don't get married or engaged, buy electronics or big ticket items on a retrograde Mercury or start new projects. If you start a new relationship during this period it will likely not work out, but it depends on your chart. Sometimes relationships that begin on a retrograde resurface only during the retrograde and this includes non romantic relationships as well. This time is well spent in re-doing, re-examining and re-accessing your situations, and this is the natural cycle, it just isn't always on our own personal timing.

  

A retrograde Mercury is often a period we can re-connect with those from our past, but it is not a guarantee. It is what I consider a fated period in some respects. We often find things out that affect our decision making and plans that affect the future. Some relationships experience ups and downs that provide an opportunity to examine what is not working. Some relationships will end, but a retrograde Mercury alone is not enough to typically end a relationship unless it began on a retrograde which makes it more suspect.

On a personal level many of us encounter the consequences or results of a retrograde Mercury when we are not centered in our life and thoughts or not fully aware of what is going on around us and in our personal relationships. Thus, when we find out things are different from what we had hoped we become upset, angry or mad. If we are not aware or conscious of what is really going on, as opposed to what we want to go on, this is when we can feel that we are psychologically impaired or damaged by it. The key is to be aware. Then again, those Mercury retrograde glitches and breakdowns are going to occur to us all, and in that respect we are all in the same boat! During some retrograde periods we can all be caught by surprise with some of the things that transpire. But, awareness is the key, always.

During the latter part of May, Jupiter is moving into a trine to Uranus that becomes exact mid-June. This is a very positive transit, especially if it aspects your chart or planets which would be 16-20 degrees of Aries, Gemini, Leo or Sagittarius.  This can be a very positive time for some, and in some ways this will play out in the world. As these two planets get closer in some ways we can all start to reap the rewards and we will likely get some positive economic news-even if it is temporary.  If things seem to be going well make good use of this energy as it won't be here forever.

Other significant transits in May include:

May 3, Mercury opposes Saturn and this is a tiring and often difficult transit. Mercury is communications or thoughts and Saturn has an unyielding side to it. As this occurs just before the full moon, its influence may be marked.

May's full moon occurs on May 3, at 11:42 P.M., EST. This full moon is at 13 degrees of Scorpio and this falls close to the degree of the November 3, 2013 solar eclipse. Events you were dealing with at this time could come back up, or reach some degree of conclusion at this time.

Scorpio is an intense and emotional sign and rules the eighth house of sex, taxes, debt and investments, partners money and change and transformation of all types. As Mercury is still opposing Saturn, there could be a great deal of serious or negative energy and harsh communication.  On May 4, the Sun squares Jupiter, and as this transit is well within orb, things may become blown out of proportion, relative to what they are. This moon will work best for water signs, but as always it depend on what this moon aspects in your personal chart.

This is intense energy that can be used in a positive or negative manner. As Scorpio is the sign ruled by Pluto (regeneration-death) and the Uranus-Pluto square is still within orb, many thing may end. If you want transformation in your life, now is the time. This could be an opportunity to release negative emotions or issues.

May 6, the Sun trines Pluto and this an intense but positive transit when we should be able to find common ground.

May 7, Venus enters Cancer Family issues may come to the fore in some manner or getting together with relatives over this period. Venus in Cancer can be positive for love, but it is a very emotional sign, much different from Gemini. The downside is that some individuals may become needy or needier with this Venus placement. Many people entertain at home, redecorate, or in some way the home can become a center for social activities.

May 11, Mercury squares Neptune and this can be a confusing energy, and the same goes for communication. As we aren't' t thinking clearly, this is not a good day for serious negotiations  and you could be misunderstood or the opposite could occur. If you miss an important communication don't assume the worse. It can also be a discouraging and misleading influence.

May 11, Mars enters Gemini Communication and action takes on a livelier tone, and there will be a great deal of mental energy as Gemini is ruled by Mercury.  As Maras will shortly oppose Saturn the start of this period may seem restrictive.

May 15, Mars opposes Saturn This is a harsh, limiting and restrictive transit and we will see this play out in the world in terms of police and military action. Egos may be out in full force, and this is not the day to force an issue. Things will go best if you do not try and start an issue or antagonize anyone. Best to just let this energy pass uneventfully if possible.

May 16, Venus trines Neptune This is a subtle energy but can be creative or compassionate. Love can seem unreal (positive)or unrealistic. This can be very pleasant, buts its effects are fleeting. Great for creativity and readings.

May 18, May's New moon occurs just after midnight, EST at 26 degrees of Taurus. Taurus is the natural ruler of the second house of money and possessions, and is ruled by Venus.  Taurus is by nature the most laid back of signs. As Mercury goes retrograde this day, events connected with this moon may be delayed by a few days or weeks.

By  8:49 A.M., EST the moon has switched signs and opposes Saturn and we will be aware it is Monday again, all day!

Mercury turns retrograde at 9:50 P.M., EST.

May 21, the Sun enters Gemini for the next 29 days. Gemini is the ruler of the third house of communication, immediate family members and neighbors.

May 21, Venus opposes Pluto Love may become obsessive, possessive and overwhelming. This is NOT a good transit for relationships especially if it aspects your chart. Venus-Pluto is negative overall for women, and indicative of domestic violence and violence toward women if a relationship like this already exists, but it's not enough to cause or create one. At its best, serious relationship problems can be resolved,  but few people have this type of discipline or communication. Best not to force issues at this time and read a good book, rather than try and hunt down the object of your affection. Some relationships will end and you could have an ah ha moment. Regeneration is a theme this day.

May 22, the Sun opposes Saturn and this is a tiring and restrictive transit. Some things may come to an end. If you don't feel you get the credit you deserve just let this energy pass and a better day is around the corner.

May 25, Mars squares Neptune This is a tiring and discouraging transit. The information you give or receive may not be correct and there is an element of the unreal. At its best this transit works well for showing compassion toward others, or spiritual pursuits. We may see water related weather issues.

May 25, Venus squares Uranus Venus rules love and money and we could hear news of both. If you meet someone new and seem to be getting along, time will tell the tale but know that Uranus is not indicative of stability. Some relationships will end, or take an unexpected turn.

May 27, Mercury conjuncts Mars Be careful traveling, watch your pets and try and avoid arguments. This transit is argument prone and you may experience this in your dealings with people.

May 29, Mercury squares Neptune This transit is prone to confusion, discouragement and confusing or misleading conversations. Check your email address before you hit send.

May 30, The Sun conjuncts Mercury This transit comes across as 'willful,' there could be ego conflicts if you aren't careful and a great deal of communication. Be careful traveling.

May 31, the Sun squares Neptune is the planet of illusion, confusion and delusion. This may be a lazy and tired day, but it is Sunday. Don't take things too seriously. Great for creativity, readings and compassion.

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