The Grand trine: Compassion, creativity, connectiveness

The grand water trine of 2018 is exact on June 1, but will be in effect over the next 5 days. This should bring something positive for everyone on some level.

Of course, this works best for Water signs who have planets at 15-17 degrees in their personal charts. It can work well for earth signs with planets at those same degrees, but to some extent we should all receive some benefit.

A grand trine is an aspect that places three planets in harmonious angles to each other and is considered an easy and pleasant energy. In this case it involves the Sun (the ego), Jupiter (gain and expansion) and Neptune (creativity, compassion, spirituality). This should bring to the fore opportunities, pleasantries, and compassion, given and received.

Some of the energy may be ethereal in nature, and compassion and creativity will be paramount. You could feel tapped into the infinite, or the ethereal.

Jupiter will remain in a trine with Neptune all summer and this is also good news. Now is the time for compassion, creativity, inner harmony and experiencing a larger connection to your own inner self and that which is considered divine.

Venus opposes Saturn: Love pains

Venus opposes Saturn, and this transit is exact  in the early morning hours of May 26, but we will feel this energy several days before.

Venus and Saturn energies don't blend well. Venus rules love and money and Saturn typically represents restriction of some form. Some relationships will end under this transit, but it would only be those who are tottering on the edge or are unstable.  Others may feel financial pressure.

Don't let melancholy or lonely feelings pull you down and seek other things instead. This is not the day to let your heart rule your world, or to take negative feelings seriously. It may seem harder to express yourself, or others may not respond as you would hope. If others don't respond as you hope, remember they are feeling the effects of this transit as well.

It's a good day to clean out closets and exercise! This is not the best day for financial transactions or important business dealings, but this transit will move on quickly.

This is a day for 'tough love.' What I mean by this is Venus-Saturn transits test relationships. Maybe this is a day your significant other does not appear very attractive- if you are in a committed relationship you realize that every day is not a banner day for romance. Or this could be a day you have to accompany someone to surgery or to a Dr. Or accompany them to a gathering you would rather avoid.  If the person is significant in your life you will do what you have to do. Otherwise, it's not a significant and real relationship!

If you can get through your normal daily activities with no problems, consider that you have done well.

As always, this transit will play out collectively. We could hear bad news or political news or revelations.

May 22: There's magic in the sky

A mystic rectangle forms in the sky May 21, and it becomes exact before noon, May 22. (EST)

A mystic rectangle is comprised of two oppositions (Moon opposes Neptune, and Mercury opposes Jupiter), two sextiles (Moon sextiles Jupiter) and (Mercury sextiles Neptune), and two trines (Jupiter trines Neptune) and (Mercury trines Moon).

Some astrologers believe this is an aspect representing the divine, and this pattern has been called an aspect of, 'practical mysticism.'

Astrologer Dane Rudhyar calls the mystic rectangle, the “Harmonic” Rectangle and wrote, “One of the most practically constructive and spiritually harmonious possibilities of any rectangle is indicated when the 2 oppositions are linked by sextiles and trines.” Where fully active, this ‘Harmonic Rectangle’ points to the potential development of a character strongly organized in an attempt to take an important step in personal growth and/or spiritual development. The configuration tends to bring the polarized elements symbolized by the oppositions into a unity, because a strong sense of organization (sextile) and a cohesive, purposeful vision (Trine) are potential in the personality. Whatever tensions arise in the life or personality that are symbolized in the opposing planets (or opposition) don’t necessarily ‘go away.’ But, they can be “laid on the altar,” or channeled toward the concrete completion of a significant life-task."

US President George Washington was born with a mystic rectangle in his chart, and mystic rectangle formed the morning after the death of Abraham Lincoln.

Either way, this sets off Jupiter's trine to Neptune, which becomes exact May 25. While the planets begin to separate after this, Jupiter only retrogrades to 13 degrees of Scorpio and this energy will be with us all summer as Jupiter remains in orb to Neptune

This can represent true magic, especially if you have Water planets in the mid degrees (13-17degrees of Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces). It can also work well for earth signs or if you have earth planets at these degrees. To some extent, we will all benefit from this transit, and it will form an exact aspect again when Jupiter is direct the week of August 12.

Neptune in Pisces rules all things spiritual, creative, and psychic. Jupiter in Scorpio rules the eighth house of mysteries, sex and other people's money, and these two planets in a water trine can be magical and productive in our lives and the world.

This is the time to tune in to your personal plan for finding your place in the universe. All gifts are not material however, and you should be open to spiritual as well as financial opportunities. As Jupiter was trine Neptune in early December, things that began at that time, or you became aware of may resurface now.

Mars squares Uranus: Unexpected, unpredictable change

Mars enters Aquarius Just after midnight May 16. Mars typically remains in any sign about a month and a half, but due to its retrograde in June, Mars will remain in this sign (except for a month long foray back into Capricorn mid August-mid September) until November 16, 2018.

Aquarius rules the 11th house of the collective, so many of the things that occur during this transit will affect us on a world wide scale. Its planetary rulers are Saturn and Aquarius, so Mars transit through this sign can coincide with many surprising and shocking events.

As Mars enters Aquarius, its squares, or clashes with Uranus in Taurus.  As I wrote several weeks ago, this is a violent and volatile transit, leading to unexpected and volatile incidents in the world such as the recent deaths we have seen in Gaza due to the opening of the American Embassy in Jerusalem.

We could also be dealing with ecological, weather or earth related  disasters that become worse as nearly 20 fissures have opened since the Kilauea volcano started erupting. But, potential issues are not limited to Kilauea in Hawaii.

Needless to say, this transit could involve other unexpected types of news in politics.

Mars rule police, guns, and young men, and Uranus can also rule aircraft.

The Mars/Uranus square is exact May 16, at 3:03PM, EST but this energy will continue over the next week to 10 days.

This transit will return the first week of August as Mars retrogrades and squares Uranus at 2 degrees, and for a third time the week of September 16. We could see certain issues that begin now re-occur at these times.

This transit can cause anxiety and stress as well as agitation. Sensitive individuals may have a difficult time with sleep or rest.

If this transit aspects a planet in your chart at 0-1 degrees of Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius you can expect to see some event connected to it, leading to change. Some relationships and situations will end at this time. Other situations may simply change and plans may change, altogether.

As with all transits if this one is used properly and with control it can be a powerful force to bring about productive change. The best way to handle this energy is with a calm approach and a determination not be become agitated or unnerved.

Uranus Enters Taurus: The Plot Changes on May 15

Uranus, the planet of radical change, surprises, freedom, creativity and innovation leaves Aries to enter the sign Taurus on May 15, 2018. Buckle your seat belt though, because as Uranus changes signs only once every 7 years, it can be a wild ride as the planetary energy shifts!

On the same day, Mars also changes signs and enters Aquarius. This will create an extraordinary planetary clash, and we can expect sudden and surprising news and events.

Uranus does nothing slowly, rather it enters like a whirling dervish, acting quickly and sometimes turning things upside down, or spinning them around in the other direction in the blink of an eye.

Uranus won't be hemmed in and its energy can seem cold and detached at times. What we can expect is for our storyline to change in some unexpected way. This is how Uranus can liberate us from situations, and even people, that have been holding us back.

Big Changes Are Coming

When Uranus changes signs and enters a different sector of our chart, we often find the ideals we have long held no longer apply, or have changed and we have to find new ways of looking at things. Different ideas may come into the picture that perhaps we haven't considered before, and this can become our liberation and freedom from those things and people no longer serve a purpose.  In this respect, we can see how Uranus represents discovery and innovation, as well as liberation from the past. When Uranus removes something from our life, it's time is up and whatever has been removed was often dragging us down more than lifting us up. Either way, change is imminent, and we must move forward in an often untried direction.

Uranus will remain in Taurus until November 6, 2018, when it retrogrades back into Aries for four final months, not to return to Aries until 2103. Uranus will re-enter Taurus on March 6, 2019, where it will remain until April 26, 2026.

Uranus is called the Great Awakener. It can give us a strong impulse for rebellion, shock, change, taking chances, doing unexpected things, and breaking away from those things, people and situations that we find safe, boring, repressive or that which have outlived their usefulness. Uranus’ transits to your natal chart can be surprising and shocking, or exciting and liberating.

Uranus and Taurus at Odds

Uranus rules all things unexpected, the future, technology, electricity, aircraft, scientific and creative genius, as well as global brotherhood and the unimagined future yet to come, such as the internet which was unimagined in the 1960's by most people.

Taurus is a fixed earth sign which represents things that are tangible such as money, land, wealth and material possessions. Taurus is steady and stable all the way and prefers to stick to established norms and situations. Uranus on the other hand, favors revolutions, freedom at any cost, extreme actions/situations and the new and untried as opposed to the Taurean idea of stability and security.

This innate self-contradiction is why astrologers say Uranus in Taurus is 'at its fall.' This does not mean things will be all bad, but simply Uranus and Taurus do not naturally mix well as they represent opposite ends. Uranus is considered at home, or in the sign of its rulership in Aquarius.

Mars will be in Aquarius (Uranus' sign) through mid-November and when these two planets clash, we will see many unexpected changes occur. These clashes will occur as Uranus enters Taurus mid-May, early August and again mid-September.

As Uranus changes signs, we need to be flexible and adaptable. Most of all, we need to remember Uranus rules the future, and the future is meeting up with the present. Change is inevitable on some level with this shift for every living human on the planet.

Taurus is the ruler of the second house of money and its ruling planet is Venus, which concerns love, money and social values. Many shifts will occur in these areas over the next number of years, as well.

During this major planetary transition, it is most important to keep moving, keep positive and not hang on to the past. Circumstances will show you that things are in a state of change, and what worked in the past is no longer working. Uranus in Taurus is not something to fear, but rather to look for areas of your life where you have settled, accepted, underperformed, or may simply be ready to leave behind and try something new, or move in a completely different direction. Do you best to embrace change, because change is on its way whether you’re ready or not!

Changes to Expect:

Money, possessions and finances. Shifts may occur either positive or negative in personal finances/possessions. This is a good time to look at your own personal finances, as well as what you can do to save, invest or work on improving over the next few years.

Society/personal values and our social lives. Sometimes friendships outlive each other and we enter a period where we need to seek new acquaintances. Solid friendships will withstand any momentary crisis.

Love, relationships and marriage. With Uranus in the sign ruled by Venus many relationships will end and new ones will begin. There will be a surge over the next seven years of both marriage and divorce. A solid and well grounded relationship will survive obstacles, and weak relationships that are tottering on the edge will likely end to make room for a more appropriate union.

Changes to Expect Based on Your Sign

Uranus will affect us all in different ways, but Taurus is somewhere in every chart. Here is a quick look at how the signs will be affected, or if you know your rising sign, use that.

Aries - finances

Taurus - its personal, everything

Gemini - the subconscious or spiritual world

Cancer - friendships, hopes and wishes

Leo - career

Virgo - world view, education, travel

Libra - sex, other people's money, transformation

Scorpio - relationships/marriage

Sagittarius - work/health

Capricorn - love, friendships, children

Aquarius - home, family

Pisces - self-expression, thinking, immediate family

Suddenly Taurus

The New Moon falls at 24 degrees of Taurus in the early morning hours of May 15. Taurus is what I consider 'true spring,' as it is a fixed sign and the weather does not shift back toward winter at this point.

Taurus rules the second house of money, possessions and the earth. Its ruler is Venus, the planet of love, money and values. This moon makes no harsh aspects, but rather trines Pluto and Mars, the planets of transformation and action. This Moon, in and of itself is quite pleasant. Now is the time to take a trip in nature and enjoy one of the most beautiful times of the year. Soak up the healing energy nature give us, and let this Moon ground you.

Three and a half hours after the lunar peak, Uranus enters Taurus for the first time since June 7, 1934.

Uranus conjuncts Mercury (unexpected news and events) and just after midnight. Mars enters Aquarius.

This is erratic and somewhat unpredictable if not explosive energy. We will see many events play out in the world over this next week. Aquarius is the sign ruling the collective.

It is important to channel this energy into something positive rather than letting this energy take charge of you. People may be angry, changeable and there will be a theme of breaking free from situations that are oppressive or have outlived their time, and this includes relationships.

This is powerful energy, and a good time to focus on something new, or a new project you have not tried before.

Mars squares Uranus-unpredictable, unexpected events

As Uranus reaches the final stage of its time in the sign of Aries, Mars-the God of War- reaches its final degrees in the sign Capricorn. This creates a square between these two powerful planets, or a major clash.

Squares in astrology bring friction and change and the combination of Mars-Uranus will bring unexpected and unpredictable changes in our personal lives and in the world.

This transit becomes exact in the early morning hours Saturday, May 16, but the energy will be felt before it is exact and for days after. Look to see multiple events happening one after the other.

Add Mercury to this mix, which (in Aries) also squares Mars, May 12, and this becomes an angry if not volatile combination. Both information and propaganda can come from this.

May 13, Mercury conjucnts Uranus, which is prone to sudden and unexpected news, accidents.

In our lives, we must guard against acting with haste and anger because plenty of this energy will be available if this is what you want. Also watch your driving and anything else that could cause an accident. The key is to remain calm and think all things through carefully and clearly.

Many things fall apart under transits like this, and that said, many things also come together but the situations that come together would have a theme of change or breaking free of something. Positive events can happen.

These transits will play out in the world in terms of sudden and unpredictable changes such as those we have recently seen with the US withdrawal from the Iran agreement, the continuing Stormy Daniels saga, and the volcanic eruptions in Hawaii.

You can expect to see much more before this transit is over:

-the potential of further earth related disasters or further damage

-changes in politics and political figures

-violence and the potential of causalities

-accidents or plane crashes

-issues or changes with electronic equipment or the internet

-issues that concern sex or abuse by men

-explosions and explosive circumstances

May 15, Uranus enters Taurus at 1:23 AM, EST   Just after midnight, Mars enters Aquarius, May 16. Mercury, in Taurus becomes part of the equation again, as it squares Mars in Aquarius as well.

This is the same configuration as before, it has just changed signs!

Uranus in Taurus is ruled by Venus, and Mars in Aquarius is in Uranus' sign. I hope you follow this. This is very powerful energy.

-Mercury/Uranus in Taurus concerns money, the earth, women, social values

So, once again we will see sudden and unpredictable changes as Mars and Uranus clash but let's look at what these planets and their signs rule. They have changed from Cardinal (things are going to change fast) signs to fixed (stubborn and determined) signs.

-Uranus, now ruled by Venus (as opposed to Mars) is connected to women, the earth, money and finance, and Uranus rules the internet, and aircraft as well.

-Aquarius rules the 11th house or the collective, so this transit can affect global change. It is also associated with coups, revolutions, war, and explosions or explosive situations.

This period will stretch through the week of May 20, and events that occur now will have long lasting consequences. On some level, most of us will see change and we will certainly see collective change.

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May 2018: Uranus enters Taurus

May is an important month with major planetary change. Uranus, the planet of radical change and the unexpected leaves Aries to enter the sign Taurus May 15, at 11:23 AM, EDT.

Taurus is the ruler of the second house of money and its ruling planet is Venus, which concerns love, money and social values. Uranus will remain in Taurus until November 6, when it retrogrades back into Aries for four months. It will re-enter Taurus March 6, 2019 where it will remain until April 26, 2026. Uranus will enter Taurus approximately every 84 years. Anyone who experienced the last cycle of Uranus in Taurus would be in their mid to late 80's or older.

A major shift like this will change the world. The last several times Uranus was in Taurus were June 6, 1934-May 9, 1942, and April 1851-June, 1958. These were certainly times of change!

Taurus is a fixed sign and rules money. Many fortunes will rise or fall during these years, and while in this sign there can be reversals in fortune, that can go either way. Some of the collective changes can include:

Money and financial markets/banking- Uranus will square Saturn in Aquarius in 2011. This typically has to do with shifts in wealth. The Great depression drug on during Uranus' last trek through Taurus, and in 1857 a panic occurred in the US due to over expansion of the economy. There could be changes in banking, or banking laws, and the financial markets can be affected. I do not see a financial crash this year, but government reports have stated growth in the US has slowed.

Earth changes-Taurus rules the earth and is the most earthquake prone signs. Weather could change and we will see changes in the earth, laws to protect the earth and environment and food production could change.

Marriage and divorce-As Taurus is ruled by Venus this will have a significant impact on love and marriage. Many marriages will occur and many will end.

Coups, revolutions, change in governments-Uranus rules revolutions and coups as it is the planet of explosive change, especially when in hard aspect with Saturn as it will be after 2020, or Mars. Major events and world change will occur in these upcoming years.

Changes will occur with women-The #MeeToo movement was formed in 2018, and there will be a continuation of this. During WW11, more women entered the workforce than ever before and we can expect the progress of women to continue as Uranus is in the sign ruled by Venus.

The Week of Change and shakeups-Uranus leaves Aries and enters Taurus with a bang

Uranus finishes up its cycle in Aries with a bang and enters Taurus with a bang not a whisper. We will have an erratic and unpredictable week starting on May 11, and the dates have been broken down with the transits. Many situations will change in the collective and in our personal lives.

On a collective level we could see revolts, coups, violence, unexpected change, explosions, plane crashes or accidents, disasters, and the financial markets could be affected. This is one of the most significant periods of the year.

Mars will square Uranus again for about a week late July when it  is retrograde in Aquarius. As the Sun will enter Leo at that time, a t-square will be formed involving all three planets so, take note of what this period brings, as it will be repeated, and the themes that occur at this time may be repeated then, and one more time mid-September as Mars goes through Aquarius a third time after it's retrograde.

Following is the transit watch:

May 12-Mercury conjuncts Uranus (in Aries) at 29 degrees and Mars (29 degrees of Capricorn) and squares Uranus. This is the final blast of Uranus in Aries as it clashes with Mars/Capricorn. We can expect unexpected news (Mercury-Uranus), sudden and unexpected events, and situations can turn explosive and unpredictable. It could rule aircraft, accidents and young people (Mercury). This will affect you personally if you have planets in Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn at 28-29 degrees in your personal chart. What happens depends on where these planets are located in your personal chart, but change is imminent on some level.

May 13-Mars squares Uranus and the Moon. This is a continuation of the day before except the Moon (women/emotions) becomes part of the equation. Capricorn rules business, banking, and Mars-Uranus can bring explosive events, explosions, situations that involve breaking away and violent incidents. It is a dangerous time on many levels. Some situations will end abruptly. Mercury enters Taurus at 11:23 AM, ESD.

May 14-Mars squares Uranus at 29 degrees of Capricorn.

May 15-Uranus enters Taurus and conjuncts Mercury in Taurus. This could bring unexpected news about money, banking, earth related situations or anything ruled by Venus/Taurus.

May 16-Mars changes signs and moves into Aquarius, ruled by Uranus, and the sign that concerns the collective. Expect surprises, unexpected events, the potential for explosive circumstances, change or even accidents. Aquarius is associated with weather, wars, coups, revolutions and freedom. Some relationships will breakup or end.

May 17-Mars squares Uranus at 0 degrees of Aquarius/Taurus.

May 18-Mars squares Uranus. Venus enters Cancer and sextiles Uranus at 0 degrees of Cancer-Taurus. This will be a more positive transit and the volatility of the past days should begin to subside, somewhat.

If you have Cardinal planets-Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn at 27-29 degrees, Uranus in Aries with Mars will have a marked effect in your chart and you should expect some unexpected or changeable circumstances to arise.

If you have fixed planets-Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius at 0-2 degrees you will be personally affected as Mars enters Aquarius and Uranus enters Taurus. This could involve money, your social life or other aspects of your life depending on what is being aspected. You could break out of a rut or begin a new venture, at best. Change is in the air.

July-September Uranus will trine Saturn at 2 degrees of Taurus-Capricorn. This will be a far smoother energy in the collective, and it can affect our personal lives for the better as well. Situations can stabilize on some level and we may see some unexpected situations that work out for the positive. In the collective, enemies can become friends, and some things from the past may return. This is the opposite of the Uranus-Pluto square that has shaken the world for the past number of years. This could be a positive time to start new projects.

Now, for other transits of significance:

May 6, the Sun sextiles Neptune-A subtle energy with which to embrace the ethereal or creative. Dreams may be vivid.

May 7, Mercury squares Pluto-This can be an obsessive and argumentative transit. Someone may try and convince you of something or vice versa. Getting to the bottom of the question may be a theme.

May 7, Venus squares Neptune. This could be a day of confusion concerning love or money. With the above transit arguments could ensue over matters that are not correct. At best it could be a romantic moment, but romance is often based on illusion, and unless you know the other party well, bear this in mind.

May 8, the Sun opposes Jupiter. This is typically positive but things and situations can be blown out of proportion.

May 11, the Sun trines Pluto. This is an opportunity to delve deeply into any subject with ease. The trines gives us a chance to use power constructively, rather than be used by it.

May 12, Mercury squares Mars. We experienced this transit April 3-4. This is an argument waiting to happen, and watch out for accidents or driving as things can get volatile in our lives and in the world.

May 13, Mercury enters Taurus and energy changes. Communication may become slower and more thoughtful. It can be a stubborn sign, and once decisions are reached they may not be changed again.

May 15, the new moon falls at 24 degrees of Taurus on the day Uranus enters the same sign. Taurus rules the second house of money and possessions, and is the sign of 'true spring.'

May 16, Mars enters Aquarius. This creates an instant clash with Uranus as described earlier. Mars in the sign rules the 11th house of friends, hope and wishes as well as the collective.

 By June it will reach only 9 degrees, where it will turn retrograde June 27. August 14-September 11, it retrogrades back into the late degrees of Capricorn and turns direct August 27 at 28 degrees of Capricorn.. It will reenter Aquarius September 11, and remain in this sign until November 16.

May 18, Mercury trines Saturn and this is good for taking care of business of any type.

May 19, Venus enters Cancer. Love energy changes and becomes softer, more emotional, and in some cases home-centered. Great for water signs and especially Cancer!

May 20, the Sun enters Gemini. This is the mutable part of spring where weather starts to shift to summer.

May 22, Mercury sextiles Neptune. Great for esoteric or creativity. Dreams may be vivid.

May 23-Mercury opposes Jupiter. This is generally positive but things can get blown out of proportion.

The Sun trines Mars. Positive and energetic.

May 25, Jupiter sextiles Neptune. This is a especially good for any creative venture or spiritual pursuits. Compassion can be given and received. This transit begins a few weeks before and will be within the orb of influence through September. This is subtle, but very positive energy!

Mercury trines Pluto. This is good for getting to the bottom of any question. Communication may be more intense but not in a negative way.

May 26, Venus opposes Saturn. This is not positive for love, money, or social events. Some may feel lonely and isolated, and if you have Cardinal planets (Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn) at 6 to 8 degrees it will have more of an impact on your life. Some relationships and situations may end.

May 29, this month's full moon falls at 9 degrees of Sagittarius. The lunar peak is at 10:19 AM, ESD. Sagittarius rules the 9th house of education, travel and world view. On the same day, Mercury enters Gemini, where it is in the sign of its rulership and very powerful. Mercury here will move faster and communication will increase and reach more of an intellectual level.