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Astro Report for May 2014

Beltaine (traditional) – Sun in Taurus – 11 degrees

Thursday, May 1, 2014 – sunrise, 6:12 am EDT

 

Beltaine (Rudemas)

Names: Beltane, Beltaine, Baltein, May Day, Rood Day, Walpurgisnacht, RudemasGwyl Galan Mai (Welsh)

Date: May 1st (sometimes celebrated on the eve – Apr 30th)

Astro Correspondence: 15 degrees Taurus
Color: reds for (menstrual) blood of the Goddess, whites for semen of the God

Food: fresh fruit and veggies, veal, ham, chicken, (but rarely any meat), pasta, breads, cakes, jams/jellies, wine/mead

Common Info: Maypole dancing to entwine the ribbons of red and white representing Goddess and God (phallic symbol and World Tree lore), Handfasting, Spiral Dancing, Bel Fires, last Fertility Fest, Decorating the Bush/Tree, Fairies return, Chaplets,

 

Beltaine is the Festival of Flowers, which tends to mark the first day of the Celtic Summer or growing season. The date is usually May 1st or when the Sun is 15′ degrees Taurus. As it is also called May Day, many celebrations surround the early flowers of the season. Belinos, Flora and Blodeuwedd are the deities celebrated most. 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.

Bale Fires are typically burned at this time to honor the God Ba’al, a Mesopotamian God of Fire.

 

 

Grand Cross Energies

A Grand Cross literally means there are 4 Planets in specific alignment that resembles an equal arm Cross. It has been popping in and out of shape since 2013 around an Orb of 8 degrees. In other words, the individual Planets are within 8 degrees from each other. My personal belief is that 8 degrees is too distant of a span for good alignments to occur. However, at the end of April and beginning of May, that Orb of difference has shrunk dramatically. At the beginning of May the Orb is only 4 degrees, which is good aspect. Let’s talk about a Grand Cross for a moment…

This shape is the process of universal relationships and integration. It allows opposites to join forces and create a whole new aspect. There is a co-joining of duality or polarity. It is a matter of connecting to others. There is a mutual bonding of creativity. However, there is an underlying fear associated where relationships are concerned about rejection, isolation and loss.

* This symbolizes the continuing development of relationship and unity, which carries the need for connection – to a project, a group, a person or to oneself.

* There is an underlying fear of abandonment with rejection and isolation.

* In myth this is represented by twins, couples and dual identity and themes of duality, polarity, or opposing forces – either between people or within oneself.

* It expresses the value and challenge of partnership and the notion of opposites joining to create a whole.

The planetary Grand Cross is happening in all four Cardinal Signs – Aries (Fire), Capricorn (Earth), Libra (Air) and Cancer (Water). This allows all of the Elements to work in harmony with each other. The problem lies within each of the four Planets and their typical energies. We will go over these individually. In a Grand Cross, you have two Oppositions (two Planets are opposite each other) and four Squares, where two Planets are about 90 degrees from each other. Oppositions try to bring balance into our lives while Squares challenge us to make turning points in our lives.

Uranus (Aries – 14 degrees) – This Planet of revolution and adventure is front and center. Moving direct, it pushes thru the Grand Cross offering an independent freedom. It opposes Mars and challenges Pluto and Jupiter.

Pluto (Capricorn – 13 degrees) – This retrograde Planet tries to transform and make changes, but the retrograde aspect hinders this action. It opposes Jupiter and challenges Uranus and Mars.

Mars (Libra – 11 degrees) – Any retrograde Planet usually takes one step forward and falls back two. Mars is currently experiencing this phenomenon. Libra tries to offer assistance, but the backtracking has the Warrior Planet all befuddled! It opposes Uranus and challenges Pluto and Jupiter.

Jupiter (Cancer – 15 degrees) – The Planet of expansion overwhelms the Grand Cross, because it is exalted in Cancer. It is playing the part of the supreme energy in this Astrological Configuration. It opposes Pluto and challenges Uranus and Mars.

Overall, this Grand Cross seems to offer a challenging time for us. It’s telling us to make changes that are for the better. Allowing the Planets to aid us in the energy flows, helps us grow individually and as a Community.

 

 

Mars starts May Retrograde

The Warrior Planet feels absolutely wonky in Libra, which is its detriment. Although Mars normally feels like taking action and being impulsive, Libra’s detrimental influence tries to oppose this aspect by creating deliberate reaction. Libra tries to be helpful, but Mars is too independent for that.  The Planet of action will feel a little more comfortable by turning the tables on May 20th when it goes direct.

 

 

Saturn continues thru May Retrograde

The Planet of self-discipline and caution defies gravity in Scorpio, where influences are determined to be dogmatic and placid. The retroactive energy continues to throw Saturn for a loop.

 

 

Pluto continues thru May Retrograde

Transformations continue to abate, while Pluto rides the outer perimeter in Capricorn. You would think that Pluto would be fine – making transitions and transformations with caution and thrifty actions. However, the Retrograde pulls back that energy. Where your changes take a step forward, you end up going back two steps. Making head way will definitely be difficult unless you really plan ahead and set standards in advance without deviation.

 

 

Venus enters Aries

Friday, May 4, 2014 – 9:05 pm EDT

Venus is detriment in Aries meaning that she is harmed or injured. The Planet of lust and love feels the hurt and anger of the Warrior. She will ride thru the Sign with care and concern, but she will be hurt on more than one occasion by no fault of her own. For the feminine and effeminate, be aware of the wrath of the Warriors in your life.

 

 

Mercury enters Gemini

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 – 10:44 am EDT

The Planet of Communication enters the Sign of Communication… Hmmm… Interesting how conversations go from subject to subject. It’s a wonder how each segues into the next. And while you’re talking, be wary of what you say about others not part of the conversation. Gossip can bite you in the end.

 

 

Mother’s Day – Moon in Libra – 5 degrees

Sunday, May 11, 2014 – 12:00 am EDT

The mothering and nurturing aspect of the Moon seems to beckon to our emotions and how we feel about “mom”. Although you’d expect to find balance in Libra, sometimes the feeling becomes extreme when what she wants or expects, the opposite is what you want and feel. The Moon is growing stronger as it nears it’s Full Moon phase. On this day, mom has the upper hand. Give in and enjoy the day otherwise.

 

 

Full Moon in Scorpio – 23 degrees

Wednesday, May 14, 2014 – 3:16 pm EDT

A Full Moon tends to shine light on any subject and bring fruition to anything we have begun at New Moon. Scorpio doesn’t allow the Moon to feel comfortable though. If you started a project at New Moon, the result at Full Moon is not exactly what you had planned. It kind of irks and rubs you the wrong way. No worries though – make do with what you have, because in the long run, those results are what you needed, although not what you desired. The universe moves in a mysterious way like that.

 

 

Native Lore

The month of May brings us many delightful flowers after all the April showers. When the Moon is Full, the gravitational pull of the Moon brings the sap up thru plants faster, thus the Full Moon in May is also known as the Flower Moon.

 

May also marks a time of births of many mammals. Nature is full of mother animals milking their babies. The Full Moon of May is also known as the Milk Moon. Typically, animals bear only one or two sets of babies per year and the spring is full of babies, who are breast feeding from their mothers.

 

 

Sun enters Gemini – Happy Birthday, Gemini!!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 – 10:47 pm EDT

The Sun’s energy will change from conservative Taurus to versatile Gemini on the 20th. 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.

 

 

Mars goes Direct in Libra – 9 degrees

Tuesday, May 20, 2014 – 5:05 pm EDT

Mars will feel awkward going direct in its detriment of Libra. The Warrior has been feeling odd at ends while retrograde as it was, but going direct in Libra seems to whack him in the head – confusion and dizziness can drive him wild. If you know a Warrior, somebody born under the Sign of Aries, give them space and time to figure things out for themselves.

 

Memorial Day – Sun in Gemini – 4 degrees

Monday, May 26, 2014 – 12:01 am EDT

The Sun in Gemini can be lead to confusions of the mind, if you aren’t paying attention. Gemini likes to see both sides of an issue. So, when you are engaged in lofty conversations, keep a vigil eye out for anything out of sync.

 

 

New Moon in Gemini – 7 degrees

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – 2:39 pm EDT

A New Moon in Gemini can be quite tricky to experience. New Moons benefit from new emotions and imaginations. Gemini as a Sign can cause excitability and people will talk up a storm – becoming gossip geese. When the New Moon creates this new energy of emotion and imaginations, it propagates the excitability of the gossip geese – honk, honk, honk… There seems to be no end to the talking and gossip. Avoid getting too involved in those types of conversations, because they only cause trouble in the long run.

 

 

Venus enters Taurus

Wednesday, May 28, 2014 – 9:30 pm EDT

Venus is coming home. The love and adoration that has seemed to be distant lately is finally entering its Rulership. Take your time to make amends and fit into your comfort levels. Find your groove and jump right in.

 

 

Mercury enters Cancer

Thursday, May 29, 2014 – 5:00 am EDT

Mercury’s Communication skills become more motherly and nurturing. We tend to be more sensitive and use gentle words to convey our intentions. Now is a time to relax and find comfort in conversation about relationships.

 

 

Nothing conjuncts the Sun in May, except the New Moon on May 28 in Gemini.