May 2017: Moving forward again

Spring is here, and the month of May will have fewer stressful aspects than April, although there are a few. Mercury turns direct and this alone is a positive change for many. The pace will pick up and the weather will get hotter as the Sun enters Gemini. Here's wishing you a Happy and magical Spring!

The most significant transit for May occurs when Retrograde Saturn trines Uranus, exact May 19, at 26 degrees of Sagittarius/Aries. This transit however, will have an influence in the weeks before and after the transit becomes exact. The closer it is, the more powerful. The further away it moves the less energy it has.

This transit is beneficial for combining the old with the new, successfully. This trine occurred for the first time last December and it will return for the third and final pass in November 2017 when Saturn is direct.

This transit can mean a practical application of inspirational and creative ideas you may have held for a while, and is favorable for mental, scientific and philosophical pursuits. Some may connect with worthwhile organizations or established people.

There could be an interest in reforming or regenerating existing institutions and it is considered favorable for corporate business, joint finances and making professional changes. This is not so much about the new and unknown, but rather combining what is known or exists already with the new, or new ways of doing things. Some people may return to an old job, old love, old friends or other things from the past, but with a twist of the new!

In every way this is a positive transit and I would suggest making use of this energy. Many things you have been working on can come together at this time as they always do when the outer planets make powerful connections like this one.

The last several weeks of April were difficult for many as Venus squared Saturn, after turning direct on April 15. The square to Saturn however, had the effect of seeming to prolong the retrograde and some relationships/situations ended. Venus entered Aries on April 28, where it will remain throughout May and for the third month this year. Venus was in Aries from February 4-April 3, and moved slowly because of this year's retrograde.  Venus in Aries is not as soft as Venus in Pisces and love energy can be more ardent. Venus will leave its shadow retrograde period and return to normal on May 19.

Venus in Aries is especially positive for Aries and the fire signs. If you are born with a Sagittarius ascendant, it can be a good time to meet someone special as it will transit your fifth house.

Mercury turns direct on May 3, and Mercury will conjunct Uranus at 24-26 degrees May 1- 12.

Mercury will reverse direction and be in its stationary direct period May 3-8. The stationary period is where energy shifts, and things can change again. Sometimes this is a period filled with glitches, but at least we may begin to move forward-just don't jump the gun and move forward too quickly.

As Mercury is conjunct Uranus for an extended period of time, we must use caution in many things, such as communication (this includes email), rash thinking, sloppy thinking, and not thinking things through or jumping to conclusions. We may hear unexpected news, and it's important to use the utmost caution while driving, as many people will not be paying attention. Some people may have an attitude of 'shoot first, ask questions later.' This would be a mistake.

Transits  like this always bring unexpected news in the world and to the collective as well. Look for unexpected situations to occur on the world stage. Mercury-Uranus can deal with unpredictable/unstable and explosive situations, much changeable debate, weather, accidents, and Uranus typically rules coups and freedom as well as aircraft.

Other transits in May:

May 3, the Sun sextiles Neptune-Compassion and creativity are the theme of this transit.

May 9, the Sun trines Pluto. This can be a good and powerful day for accomplishment and working with groups.

Powerful full Moon in Scorpio

May 10, the Full Moon occurs, falling at 20 degrees of Scorpio at 5:42 PM, EST. This is likely to be an intense full moon, bringing a lack of clarity on some issues as well as the potential for unexpected news.

As the full Moon always opposes the Sun, things can get overly emotional. There is a reason medical professionals talk about emergency rooms being full on full moons!

Scorpio is the most secretive of signs and rules the eighth house of money, taxes and debt, other people's money, sex and death and transformation. Some things will change, ready or not.

Saturn is still square Chiron, so many are still trying to deal with and heal old wounds that may come back up at this time with such an intense Moon.

With Mercury conjunct Uranus we may hear unexpected news at this time, or take unexpected actions, or people we are involved with could. But Mercury trines Saturn and this gives us some level of stability, and stable thinking.

Mars is square Neptune at 13 degrees of Gemini/Pisces May 10-11. This is an overall negative, tiring and depressing transit. Gemini rules the third house of communication ( also immediate family and neighbors) and Pisces rules the 12th house of things secret and hidden.  Unknown information, secrets and situations you were not aware of can be revealed at this time.

Overall, there may be a lack of clarity, deception or even self deception. Those inclined to over indulge in alcohol or other substances may do so.

Don't jump to conclusions  and at the same time don't ignore circumstances that seem troubling. There will be more clarity in the few days after this moon when Mars moves away from Neptune.

This transit will play out in the world and in the collective and we may be concerned over issues that relate to money, taxes and debt. 

Believe only half of what you hear and question this. If major programs/new starts are implemented with this transit they will be unclear or not what they appear at all.

Mars-Neptune can also deal with water related situations, scandals, same sex relationships, lies, fraud and theft, as well as sex and addictions.

The highest use of this energy is creative or spiritual matters such as helping someone less fortunate. Compassion can be shown or received.

May 12, Mars trines Jupiter-This is expansive and positive for money matters, business and many other situations.

May 16, Mercury enters Taurus for the second time this year. Thinking and communication may e slower and more thoughtful at the same time. Once a decision is reached it may be final.

May 19, Venus opposes Jupiter-This is generally considered positive but not always. Good for a Friday afternoon as you may not feel like work and it can certainly show over indulgence and lack of discipline. Sometimes it relates to cravings for sweets fattening foods and anything else that can be indulged in. It can also relate to dealing with people who have false values.

May 20, the Sun enters Gemini, the mutable sign of spring where weather starts to change into summer.

May 25, the New Moon falls at 5 degrees of Gemini, peaking in the early part of the morning.

Gemini rules the third house of communication which may be important.

Venus squares Pluto and this is an obsessive transit, prone to suspicion, hurt feelings and obsessive feelings and conversations. Issues could crop up around relationships, money, sex or other social matters. as it is not limited to romantic relationships although this is where it may well play out.

Be careful in the way you approach others as this can be associated with a lack of consideration for others or you could feel you have been treated this way. Jealousy could raise its ugly head, you there could be attempts to remake others. Emotional connections can be shattered and extreme anger can occur in some circumstances. This is not the day to push an issue.

This transit will play out in the world in terms of negative news concerning women, money, and power struggles. We could hear of scandals, domestic abuse/violence, and those who try and push their will and ideas on others.

May 28, Mercury sextiles Neptune-Creativity, intuition and dreams may be highlighted today. You may feel more in tune with others, and this can be expressed through compassion and creativity in many forms.

May 29, Mars opposes Saturn-This is an angry and frustrating transit. Push and others may push back. Not a good day for important meetings. You could feel repressed and held back in some way. A good day to work alone, and there will be a lot of anger floating in the world. Things and people can reach a breaking point. As always this will play out in the collective, and typically involves police or the military. This is a dangerous few days in the world.

May 30, Mars sextiles Uranus-A much better day, especially to try new ideas and situations. It can lead to inspiration in action and ideas. A certain excitement may be felt by some.

May 31, Mercury trines Pluto-This is a day for broad based and deep thinking and you should be able to express yourself succinctly.

Mercury, Uranus and Saturn: Brilliance, persistence and unexpected events (April 23-May 9)

At the time of this post, Mercury is retrograde and will be until May 3, when it turns direct at 24 degrees of Aries. Mercury leaves Taurus and re-enters Aries April 20.

April 23-24 Mercury will trine Saturn. Even though Mercury is retrograde this transit can give us some stability. This is a perfect transit for going back and getting things done. Utilize this energy for practical accomplishment and I expect you will like the results. This transit will return and be even more powerful after Mercury is direct on May 11.

This is good for persistence in action, preciseness in communication and implementation of practical ideas. It can be positive for approaching those in power, talking with people you have known from the past, older or powerful people, and favors mental discipline and practical accomplishment.

Between April 27 and May 9, Mercury is conjunct Uranus.

This transit will last an extended period of time, and the most significant days are  April 27-28, and  May 8-9 when the transit is exact. This is a double edged sword. The typical manifestation is unexpected communication and events. This can make some nervous, and you should be careful traveling and driving as you or someone else may not be paying attention.

The positive side of this transit can be brilliant and sudden insights and original ideas. You could have an intellectual interest in many things as well as exciting and unexpected communication. You could experience some type of sudden change of mind or someone else could.

The theme of Uranus is originality, new ideas and freedom. Some will seek freedom at this time from whatever they find repressive, whether it is an idea or a relationship, or something else.

As always with these transits, major events play out in the world. Uranus rules freedom and coups, and can be associated with weather. It is associated with innovation and technology. We can expect to see and hear completely unexpected news. This could be associated with war and nuclear situations, especially as Uranus is still within orb of its square to Pluto, which is associated with nuclear power. When the Sun was conjunct Uranus on April 14, The US military dropped America's most powerful non-nuclear bomb on ISIS targets in Afghanistan. We will hear unexpected news on many fronts.

Saturn: Sagittarius into Capricorn

Saturn is known as the taskmaster, or the Lord of Karma and the Great teacher to name a few. Without Saturn we have no stability in life. It shows us both our structures and our boundaries.

Saturn changes signs about every two and a half years, and takes about 30 years to circle through the entire zodiac.

December 19, 2017 Saturn enters Capricorn until March 23, 2020 when it enters Aquarius for four months until July 2, 2020. Then, on December 16, 2020, it will complete its tour of Capricorn, not to return for nearly 30 years.

Saturn in Capricorn is far different than Saturn in Sagittarius as it currently exists. Saturn in Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, and is the ninth house ruler, the place of ideas and philosophies.

In 2016 Saturn squared Neptune, bringing with it much chaos and confusion, and as we now know, Russia influenced the US election. The effects of this transit continue to play out today, and a most obvious manifestation of this is the 'fake news,' we are now all so familiar with.

In 2017, Saturn will trine Jupiter late August and this is a far more positive manifestation of energy and it will also trine Uranus toward the end of the year, another positive aspect that could bring new innovations to the forefront.

When Saturn enters Capricorn we will all begin a new cycle and chapter altogether, both individually and collectively.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn so Saturn is very powerful here. The last transit of Saturn in Capricorn was from February 15, 1988 until February 5, 1991.Before that it was January of 1959-January of 1962, and December 1929-November 1932.

Capricorn is the ruler of the fourth house of home, homeland and our basic foundations, and it is here we will be focused from late 2017 until the end of 2020.

Capricorn is a no frills sign and deals with power, business and structure. Saturn here is concerned with security, tradition, organization and defense.

Saturn in Capricorn can denote great wealth but also great limitations. Saturn was in Capricorn during the worst part of the Great Depression.

While in Capricorn Saturn will build things that are meant to inspire respect as much as anything else. The Berlin wall for example, began construction under a Jupiter-Saturn conjunction (August 31, 1961). It was meant to be a political symbol to keep people in their place or out of another place.

Those most affected by Saturn in Capricorn will be the Cardinal signs-Aries (square), Cancer (opposition), Libra (square) and Capricorn (conjunct).

When Saturn enters your sign it can denote a stressful period. Many things end and a new situating begins. 

Typically, I tell clients with Saturn in your own sign you will be re-creating yourself in some way. I certainly know it worked out this way for me!

Those who will fare the best will be those born under the earth and some water signs-Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces.

While in Capricorn, Saturn will conjunct Pluto during January 2020, at 22 degrees of Capricorn. Events leading up to this period will begin the previous year.

Saturn-Pluto relates to the established power structures and ruling elite versus the common people, nuclear events and restriction on many levels. We could see a world wide recession.

Saturn conjunct Pluto will be a stressful period and can indicate limitation, financial loss, nuclear incidents and war and change and transformation. Many things will change at this time or be transformed.

The last time Saturn was conjunct Pluto was in Libra June-July 1983. During this time we saw unemployment rise in the US to the highest level since 1941. Europe was dealing with the IRA, Ethiopia appealed to the world for aid when death tolls from hunger reached 4 million, the US invaded Grenada, the Philippine leader was assassinated, the US embassy in Beirut was destroyed by a suicide bomber killing 63, and Ronald Regan proposed Strategic defense initiative to name just a few world events at this time.

The positive side of this combination  can relate to industrial infrastructure, science and engineering and a deeper understanding of things like genetics and physics.

The negative side is as bad as it gets: tyranny, the abuse of power and corruption, organized crime, nuclear incidents, power struggles, recessions, issues with the monetary system and banks, and war.

The Saturn-Pluto conjunction will fall dead on Jupiter in the chart of the US Republican Party. The party will change or die as it currently exists.

 
During this transit of Saturn and especially around the Saturn-Pluto conjunction world events will play out of great magnitude. The world will be changed collectively and many lives will be changed as a result. 

I will write more about this in the future

Pluto retrograde: Creative change

Pluto retrogrades at 19 degrees of Capricorn on April 20 in the morning. When Pluto retrogrades some things start go beneath the surface. This is nothing to be fearful of as it occurs every year. Pluto will turn direct again on September 28 at 16 degrees of Capricorn, and things that have been hidden, or that you have been working at behind the scenes will come into the open at this time.

Pluto retrograde is a significant planetary movement, especially if you have Cardinal planets-Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn at 19 degrees. If so, changes can occur at this time, depending on what else is in your chart.

Many issues relating to joint monies and investments, partnerships and sex will begin to be internalized during this period allowing us to look at things from a different viewpoint. Pluto is about making deep change that goes beneath the surface. One way of looking at this is destruction of that which is no longer working, which will now become obvious.

Certain issues involving power or power structures may appear to lose steam during this time, but they are not really going away, they are just going under the surface, and in some cases becoming more subversive, and less front and center.

When Pluto goes direct long term issues of this type (power issues) will surface again both in our personal lives and the world. But, as Pluto retrogrades we have the opportunity to look at things from a different perspective and effect a transformative change.