Choppy waters ahead but Mercury turns direct

Enjoy the calm before the storm Thursday as the Moon enters Scorpio in the early morning hours. It will trine Neptune and sextile Jupiter and this is pleasant enough.

However, by Friday morning we are looking at a grand cross in the sky as the Moon opposes Mercury (retrograde), which can bring problems with communication and stubbornness on the part of ourselves or others, and of course we are dealing with the deceptive and convoluted t-square between Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune that affects us all summer.

By early Saturday morning the Moon opposes Venus and this can indicate problems with relationships, before the Moon moves into Sagittarius and the energetic and war like Full Moon falls in Sagittarius early Saturday evening.

Sunday, brings another grand cross, as the Sun opposes Mars and if you aren't careful this can manifest as an ego related disagreement. The Moon will square Neptune and Jupiter during the day, and this can be confusing or anxiety provoking.

All is not lost though, and at least Mercury turns direct at 9:20 AM, EST Sunday morning, so as we move into the new week, maybe things will pick up some and we can get closer to being back to normal.

Full Moon in Sagittarius: contentious ideas and anger

This month's full moon falls at 1 degree of Sagittarius, May 21, peaking at 5:14 PM, EST.

Sagittarius is all about ideas and how we think, and herein lies the conflict as our ideas may clash with those of others.

This full Moon is conjunct Mars at 2 degrees of Sagittarius, and this alone represents friction, conflict and anger. Mars rules men, guns, and war. It can represent anger, aggravations and burn-out. Others (or you) may come across as pushy or demanding.

We also have the Sun, which rules the ego, in Gemini, opposing the Moon and Mars over the next few days. People could also be duplicitous in what they say.

Venus is  about to switch signs and is opposing Mars over the next few days as well, and this represents male-female issues and disagreements, or it can also relate to money in some way.

Part of the disagreements in the world will involve political parties and issues, and I would avoid these discussions like the plague because they will all play out on TV anyway! We could see police action or some type of violent incident with this moon, and Jupiter rules foreign born people.

If you are aware of the energy you have a better chance of directing it in a more positive direction. Mars in Sagittarius could act with fairness instead of anger and duplicity (Sun in Gemini) and Venus-Mars could be channeled toward something more romantic.  But that's a lot of if's and will take a lot of  will power  and energy to direct things in this manner. You can take the high road with this moon or the low road.

Jupiter squares Saturn: Paddling upstream:ideas, practicality,money, freedom

Jupiter is square Saturn, and this transit will be exact May 23-31. The effects of this powerful transit however will be felt before and after the exact square.

This transit might be compared to trying to paddling a canoe upstream or trying to drive with the brakes on. While Jupiter is the planet of expansion, Saturn represents restriction and delays, and this is a collision of these two principals.

Money issues may come to the surface, or depending on what is in your chart you may feel the restriction coming from some other area of life, depending on what it is aspecting in your personal chart. For some, relationships may end at this time, but only if they are not working out already. Any relationship can be affected but if the partnership is basically sound it should withstand the stress.

Many things may slow down during this time, or you may lack inner conviction, or your timing can be off.  It is important to consider these factors. You could be dealing with situations and people from the past.

This transit can represent legal, financial and business problems,  and there could be a lack of support, especially if this aspects your natal chart. There could be issues with higher education, moral issues, or indifference. Frustration may build up to the point where something has to give and change occurs at this point. You may have to limit spending on entertainment.

For some this might represent a culmination of business affairs of some type, but Saturn can delay, and restrict.  

There could be added responsibilities and pressures in your job during this period, or you could make some kind of change in your job or work, as this is not all negative. If you are working on a financial deal of some type it may come together at this time, or you will receive evidence that it wont pan out-one way or the other. It could coincide with some type of long awaited opportunity, if the rest of your chart supports this. If you are working on a job offer or real estate deal for example, it may come through, or if the fit is wrong it may not pan out. Some people may withdraw socially, from responsibilities, or in some other way.

Saturn and Jupiter squared each other last August (2015) and we saw the devaluation of the Chinese currency, the normalization of US relations with Cuba, and the economic turmoil in Greece.  

As Saturn is in Sagittarius this shows conflict ideas, concepts and religion,  and Jupiter in Virgo shows issues around work and practical matters either directly or indirectly. For example, many political ideas are floating around at this time, but which ones are realistic, responsible and real?

There has been a major outbreak of the food containment listeria, and we could see more of this on a larger basis, or some other disease could surface.

The Jupiter-Saturn square is actually part of a bigger transit that rules the skies this summer called a t-square, that involves Neptune as well.

Jupiter-Saturn is one of the ten Major planetary cycles. This cycle goes from conjunction to conjunction, and the last cycle began in May of 2000, in Taurus, the natural ruler of the second house of earned income, possessions and money.  Since that time we have seen massive changes in the financial world. In June of 2006, it was in a square to Saturn at 9 degrees, Scorpio/Leo and at this time many analysts were pointing to a bubble in the housing market that would become the crash of 2008. Another square occurred in October of that year at 23 degrees. In 2011, (March) Jupiter opposed Saturn at 14 Libra-Aries, and it was at this point that Greece was feeling the debt crisis and the International Monetary Fund was  signing off billions of Euros to Ireland Portugal and  Italy. Greece  agreed to extreme austerity measures once again on the eve of the Jupiter-Saturn square of 2015, driven by Germany, and this situation will be played out between now and when the next conjunction occurs in 2020, when we will begin this cycle again in Capricorn.

The Jupiter-Saturn cycle has been considered of greatest importance in shaping history and these two planets have been called the 'chronocrators of the ages.' Nicholas Champion wrote, "There cycle can be considered the ground base of human development, which makes the interaction between perception of human ideas, potentialities, possibilities and their manifestation in the concrete material world. As noted under the interpretation of the conjunction this pair has a great deal to do with the development and evolution of social structures and a sense of corporate national identity. Barbault makes a compelling case for the dominance of this cycle in the unfoldment of European history so that each phase of this cycle appears to mark out a relatively clear pattern of development year after year."

This transit brings change in the world and some of it can be very positive as in the normalization of relations and raising of the US flag once again in Cuba, which the US has had no relations with for nearly 50 years!  

Many important events will occur during this cycle and we will see major clashes between political parties at this time, question what is real and what is lies or smoke and mirrors, and the potential of violence  around the globe. Terrorist situations could be  likely.  All in all many situations will be re-accessed that include political alliances, foreign relations, laws, and finances but most importantly ideas.

Your Mother, Your Moon-the astrology

Your life is represented by your personal astrological chart-it is the blueprint of your life. All situations current and past, early beginnings and even your parents show up in your personal natal chart.

The parents are represented by the fourth and tenth houses-the fourth house is the Father and the tenth house is the Mother. 

Astrologers can glean a great deal about your early beginnings by looking at these houses and their planetary rulers.

The Moon in a natal chart represents the emotions, the home, and shows us the Mother as well, and how we perceived her. In a man's chart it also shows the wife, or future wife.  Since the Moon represents the support system that you first experienced after birth, it describes the Mother.

No chart is the same and the Moon can make many different aspects with other planets. For example:

Moon-Pluto transits can indicate an intense if not controlling 

relationship with Mother.

Moon-Neptune transits can represent a confused image of Mother, or she could have had substance problems, experienced mental illness, or even been creative or psychic.

Moon-Uranus transits can show an erratic or very unusual Mother, or show unexpected and sudden events.

Moon-Saturn transits can show a loyal and duty bound, or overly serious Mother, or coldness/lack in the relationship, or loss.

Moon-Jupiter transits can show a kind, loving or permissive Mother interested in justice and fairness.

Moon-Mars transits can show an angry, disruptive, aggravating Mother, or in some cases accidental death of some type.

Moon-Venus transits can show a Mother that is kind, loving and generous or beautiful.

Moon-Mercury transits can show an intellectual, talkative or young acting Mother, or one that irritates and swings between emotional and rational.

The above are some of the combinations astrologers can see connected with the Moon but often more than one planet aspects the Moon, and it also depends on the sign and where it falls in your chart. To get a clear description of your Mother, all aspects involved must be taken into consideration.

Your Moon can fall in one of 12 signs and this also describes your Mother in brief:

Moon in Aries-the Moon in Aries shows a strong Mother, who could have been overbearing at times. She may not have always agreed with your plans and you could have considered her selfish sometimes. She would have been assertive and willing to make hard decisions.

Moon in Taurus-Your Mother probably placed value in comfort and practical details. She may have like fine things and good value for the money. You may have considered her overly practical at times or stubborn. Once she made up her mind, the decision was typically final. Usually, she would have been considered kind, but held strong opinions.

Moon in Gemini-You Mother was light, somewhat intellectual in her approach and seldom boring. She could have liked gossip. She in all likelihood, did not live a restrictive existence, and was open to new ideas and thoughts. You may have seen her as a continual source of information and she encouraged your inquisitive mind. She may have been like a friend.

Moon in Cancer-Your Mother could have experienced a great deal of emotional upheaval in her own life, but she would have been nurturing when she was not in emotional pain herself, and you likely have deep emotional connections. You may feel a sense of duty and obligation to be there for her, and she you. She would have strong opinions as to how you would have been/were raised and the past was important to her.

Moon in Leo-Your Mother would be a bold presence in your life one way or another. She is not someone who held back on her feelings, and could be very dramatic at times. She was/is no wallflower.

Moon in Virgo-You would have experienced your Mother as down to earth and practical, and she could be critical at times, and you could be critical of her, or analyze her every action. But, at the end of the day, she got the job done and raised you to do the same.

Moon in Libra-Fairness and justice would be part of life with a Libra Moon (Mother.) You may feel you have to make sure you keep the peace, and this would be an important part of your relationship. She may have liked beautiful things, and significant relationships would have been important to her.

Moon in Scorpio-Your Mother would have been a passionate women, sometimes very private. You may see her as stubborn, intense and controlling or manipulative at times. You could view her as being very emotional, intense, and as you too are often private, the intensity can sometimes seem overbearing.

Moon in Sagittarius-Freedom would be a theme with your Mother-you or her. Fairness and justice may have been a theme. You may have seen her as less mature than other Mothers appeared, she could have seemed flighty or not as warm as you would have liked. Always fun loving though.

Moon in Capricorn-As Capricorn is ruled by Saturn your Mother may have seemed cold at times. She was all business, one way or another, she could have experienced a difficult life in some way, have been overly stern or controlling, and put work before pleasure. She was there for practical support, planning, and was/is security oriented.

Moon in Aquarius-Your relationship with your Mother could have been a bit distant or even detached. She was more intellectual than emotional and you probably didn't feel like burdening her with your problems. She may have relied on you more so than other Mother's and she may have wanted her space, or it seemed so at times. You probably matured early.

Moon in Pisces-She may have had to overcome many difficulties and had an inner emotional strength not all people were aware of, and she made sacrifices. At times she may have seemed lost in her own world, and you may have felt lost in yours as a result. She may have had a deep seated faith of some kind that inspired her, or she may have been highly intuitive.

In memory of Joan Hurley Peake October, 3, 1924-May 21,1998, and all the other Mothers and daughters and sons that will not be able to celebrate Mother's Day together.

New Moon in Taurus and Grand trine: relax and lighten up!

The New moon (along with the Sun) falls at 16 degrees of Taurus, peaking at 3:29PM, EST May 6th. Taurus is an earth sign and the natural ruler of the second house of money, income and possessions.

Earth signs are typically calm, and this Moon (along with the Sun and Mercury) make a grand trine which is an easy, harmonious alignment. The planets involved are Jupiter (gain and expansion), Pluto (power) and the Sun and Moon (emotions-well-being).

Mercury will form another grand trine with the same planets the latter part of the following week, and Venus will also be part of a grand trine next week as well.

All in all, things may calm down to a degree with these aspects, unless you are a mid degree (13-17 degrees) fixed sign--that is Scorpio, Leo or Aquarius, (or have planets in your natal chart in these signs and degrees) and if this is the case things will be a little more stressful, but you will still receive some planetary help.

As Mercury (and Mars) are retrograde events connected to the New Moon may be delayed, or Mercury in a good angle can still bring chaos even when retrograde.  And of course, the mutable t-square of the summer continues on.