Astrology Report for May 2012

Traditionally, there is the Celtic festival of Beltaine. It marks the end of the wintering months. Frost is pretty much behind us. The time of year was marked with springtime celebrations by many religions and cultures. May Queens are crowned with Chaplets of flowers, Maypoles are erected and woven with colorful ribbons and bonfires are lit. Carnivals, Fairs and Festivals are celebrated with parades, dancing and singing. This holiday is not limited to Europe or its related American descendants, Hawai’i also celebrates this day as Lei Day since 1927. Older traditional names, like Beltane, Walpurgis Nacht and others, were renamed into christianized names; i.e. Rudemas. However, some traditional names have survived and are still used today, regardless of the spelling. An old-wives tale says that you should wash your face with the dew of May Day for a prosperous year. There are similar tales dealing with the dew of May Day to ensure a beautiful complexion throughout the year – May Day dew has magical properties to wash away freckles, acne and other skin conditions.

The Celts recognized the Beltaine as a mid-point between the first day of spring and the first day of Summer. It is an official time to recognize the beginnings of the summer festivities. It marks the 3rd and final Fertility Festivals. The May Pole is erected and flower sprays are placed atop. Music and dancing is typical. Taliesin is typically honored, although the marriage of the God and Goddess is best described. Hedonistic license is prominent among the folk. Wearing of the “Green” symbolized the fresh green Earth in growth and bloom. Foods sacred to the Sabbat were always fresh fruits and vegetables of the season and rarely any meat. Fresh scents of lilac, apple blossoms and heather lingered in the air. Women make rings of flowers (Chaplets) and wear them on their heads.

Full Moon in Scorpio at 16 degrees, May 5, 2012 11:35 pm EDT

A Full Moon happens when it is in opposition to the Sun from the Earth’s perspective. Their energies tend to oppose each other. Where the Moon tends to be more emotional, the Sun can be more analytical. The tides of the Earth can demonstrate too well the amount of energy the Sun and Moon have over the Earth. So consider if these two Planets have that much strength, what does it do to the water-based entities on the Earth? Full Moons tend to pull at the Earth in opposition from the Sun… like you’re being pulled at both ends.

While the Sun sits in Taurus, leadership qualities tend to be conservative. Egos are tame and inhibited. A Full Moon in Scorpio, can have transitional value with hidden agendas. When the emotional Moon opposes the Sun, the ability to focus on the job can be askewed to a degree.

During a Full Moon, Native Americans would recognize this reoccuring event with distinct names. The Full Moon of May is typically called the Flower Moon, due to the abundance of flowering plants during this part of the season. Farmers would also call it a Corn Planting Moon, because it was a typical time to plant corn so it would be ready for harvest early in the fall. It is also known as the Milk Moon, since it is a time for calves to be born. Traditionally, cows were moved to summer pastures for grazing at this time.

Notable Harmonic Concordances

There will be two Trines on May 12, 2012, although they won’t be in alignment to create a Star of David in the sky. When 3 Planets are Trine (120 degrees) to each other, they create a Grand Trine, which allows these Planets to talk to each other – specifically, these Planets will inspire each other and their energies. It is definitely a favorable aspect.

The first Grand Air Trine has Saturn (Libra) trine the Moon (Aquarius) trine Venus (Gemini) and connecting to Saturn again. While Saturn tends to be conservative, its energy in Libra will find self-discipline to be helpful, yet ambitious. It is inspired by transitional Moon in intellectual Aquarius. Thus, we find that our self-disciplines are emotionally favorable. Add to that an approval from hedonistic Venus in versatile Gemini, just before she goes retrograde. This energy brings us to a head to make drastic changes which favor our new way of thinking. All of which happens in the Air Signs of the Zodiac – we tend to have good thoughts and conversations within Air Signs, although they can be superficial at times.

The second Grand Trine puts expressive Mercury in earthy Taurus trine impulsive Mars in earthy Virgo trine transformative Pluto in earthy Capricorn. All of this Earth energy tries to ground these Planets. The Trine helps to inspire those energies so reduce gossip, negative actions and impulsive changes. When these three Planets line up in a Grand Earth Trine, we become more practical and a little inhibited by assertive actions.

Sun Conjuncts Jupiter at 23 degrees Taurus – May 13, 2012 9:19 am EDT

As we watch Jupiter crossing the early evening sky, it will cross behind the Sun as the Earth becomes opposite of Jupiter from a helio-centric perspective. As Jupiter goes “under-the-beams”, the optimistic energy of Jupiter thus becomes more pronounced until it conjuncts the Sun. Any conjunction with the Sun is called Cazimi, which personifies the energy of any Planet that conjuncts the Sun. The energy imbued is intensely positive with life-giving power of the Sun. While both of these classical Planets hover in Taurus, that energy can become conventional and organizing.

Venus goes Retrograde at 23 degrees Gemini – May 15, 2012 4:16 pm EDT

Venus rarely goes beyond 47 degrees past the Sun. As Venus reaches its maximum orbital point, it stretches to 48 degrees for a brief moment. While this happens in Gemini, Venus takes on a chatty conversation about love and lust. Venus becomes a little more hedonistic in her approach to this point, but backs down while retrograde. She finds it difficult to be as versatile as she’s used to being. Venus energy becomes more laid back and relaxed. Affections and devotions won’t be as forthcoming as normal and especially as she crosses through her ruling Sign of Taurus while retrograde. Although it will seem like she’s ignoring your attempts, Venus is very much at home with her thoughts and feelings.

Sun enters Gemini – May 20, 2012 11:20 am EDT

The Sun’s energy will change from conservative Taurus to versatile Gemini on the 20th. As this takes place, a special grouping of Planets forms, called a Stellium. Mercury and Jupiter hang in the balance of Taurus with a Balsmic Moon. This mingling of energy, communications, generosity and banishing emotions, can get folks to blast their enemies and confrontations to the point of releasing them. That new Sun in Gemini allows personal conversations to thrust that energy into effect, especially where reputations are concerned.

The South Node of the Moon is also ascending upon this energy and, within hours, the Moon will eclipse the Sun in Gemini.

Eclipsed New Moon in Gemini at 00 degrees, May 20, 2012 7:45 pm EDT

The New Moon will begin its eclipse of the Sun in Gemini just before the sunset. It will be interesting to watch this eclipse in action as the Sun sets over the horizon. Although New Moon energies are good for fresh and initiating energy, eclipses tend to put a backward spin on that. The Sun in Gemini typically allows us to take control of our personal conversations, but an eclipse could thwart those energies, throwing us for a loop. Take the proverbial foot out of your mouth and insert the other. Eclipses in Gemini can bring conflict within communications.

Overall, May starts out with fun and excitement, but as the Planets transit, so too, do the energies. Stay tuned for the Astrology Report of June 2012 as we continue to watch the Planets in Action… Keeps your eyes to the sky and your feet on the Earth!!

by Lord Fairy Bottom Educifer

Blue Ridge Mountain Clan