May 2008

May is an active astrological month. Saturn turns direct on the 2nd after being retrograde since December 19th, 2007. On the 9th Jupiter turns retrograde until September 8th; and Mercury and Neptune turn retrograde on the 26th until June 19th and November 2nd. Saturn’s direct motion can bring a settled feeling to situations in flux since December. By now most of us are beginning to understand what Saturn in Virgo requires – being frugal, taking care of everyday details, doing without extras and saving for a “rainy day” (which for some may already be here). Jupiter turning retrograde, however, can delay plans to move, relocate or take advantage of opportunities until the fall. Jupiter in Capricorn (opportunity thru organization and control) contacting Uranus in Pisces (using innovation to others and society) on the 21st is the second of three occurrences of this aspect (Jupiter sextile Uranus). The first was on March 28th and the third instance will be on November 13th. This aspect describes many of the issues which the public has insisted that Presidential candidates address. The Sun in Taurus until the 20th focuses on the earth, property, land, security, beautification and improvement. As the Sun continues to move north past the equator, in the northern hemisphere we begin to spend more time outdoors, working on lawns and gardens and making repairs and improvements to homes. The Sun in Gemini after the 20th supports intellectual exchange, social interaction and mobility. Motorcycles, antique cars and bicycles are visible as well as people walking and visiting.

Mercury (communication, writing, contracts, commerce, workers) in Taurus until the 2nd can be persevering, determined and loyal but also be stubborn and closed minded. Mercury enters Gemini on the 2nd and turns retrograde on the 26th at 21 degrees Gemini. The setup of the retrograde begins on May 11th. Between the 11th and the 26th an issue will arise in regard to communication, writing, speaking, teaching, information processing or working with hands. Between the 26th and June 19th is the time to work on the issue/problem or be in a transitional situation. The “exit shadow” of the retrograde spans June 19th to July 4th, during which time there can be finalizing, resolution, agreement or the completion of a transition. Guard against gossip during the retrograde in the sign of Gemini. It will return to “bite” you after Mercury turns direction.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Taurus until the 24th values making things better and more pleasant. It brings energy to make improvements, decorate, plant flowers and work with the earth. Venus in Gemini after the 24th values social interaction and exchange of ideas. In ancient times, Venus was the goddess of war, so communicating could look more like conflict than the type of cooperation we expect from the pleasant side of Venus.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Cancer until the 9th connects energy, vitality, initiation, pioneering and possibly aggression to the sign of family, real estate, security, emotions, community and country. It expends energy on the family but can ignite political passion for the group one identifies with – country, community, religion or special interest. Mars in Leo after the 9th energizes leadership, performance, sales, entrepreneurial efforts, children and talents. It will heat up competition, politics and new business ventures. Mars in the sign of the Sun helps enthusiasm, positive energy and the desire to be outside enjoying the light.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, education, foreign trade, religion, legal matters) transits 22 and 21 degrees Capricorn, where it was in April and will repeat in November and December 2008. Jupiter turns retrograde on the 9th until September 8th. Birthdays most affected are January 12th-13th, October 14th-15th, July 13th-14th and April 11th-12th as well as companies or persons whose charts have planets or angles from 21 to 22 degrees Aries, Libra, Capricorn or Cancer. Jupiter in Capricorn brings opportunity thru organization, consolidation, restructuring, leadership, land, property, control, career, real estate and matters of security.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) retrogrades at 1 degrees Virgo, where it turns direct on the 2nd and transits to 2 degrees. It repeats where it was in September 2007 and April 2008. Saturn’s transit thru Virgo from September 2007 to July 2010 will strongly affect those born between 1958 and 1972, the generation born when Pluto was in Virgo. During the next three years they will begin to gain more responsibility and power. Virgo relates to health, everyday routine and doing what is practical, frugal and orderly in daily life. Most affected this month are those born August 24th-25th, February 20th-21st, November 24th-25th and May 23rd as well as those people or entities whose charts have planets or angles from 1 to 2 degrees Virgo, Pisces, Gemini or Sagittarius. Saturn’s last transit thru Virgo was 1978 to 1980. Review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Pisces), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Gemini) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Sagittarius) to understand what Saturn in Virgo from September 2007 to July 2010 will mean for you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) transits 21 to 22 degrees Pisces where it repeats in July/August 2008 as well as February/March of 2009. Birthdays most affected are March 11th-12th, June 12th-13th, September 13th-14th and December 13th-14th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 21 to 22 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Between May 2008 and March 2009 they will have needed freedom, experienced chaos or made radical changes in their lives. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the start of the previous Uranus in Pisces, Congress granted women the right to vote and the “Roaring 20s” began. Uranus in Pisces supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues such as disaster relief, global warming, health care and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just to support special interests and wealthy individuals.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) transits 24 degrees Aquarius, where it turns retrograde on the 26th. It will repeat this degree in June 2008 as well as in February, September and December of 2009. During Neptune’s retrograde, May 26th to November 2nd, is a good time to release and heal from addictions. Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, inspiration, creative writing, art and dance as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Most affected are birthdays February 13th, August 17th, May 13th and November 16th-17th as well as charts with planets or angles at 24 degrees Aquarius, Leo, Taurus or Scorpio. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see an error, disappointment, betrayal or weakness until it’s too late. The past dissolves to open space for the future. On the positive side this can be a time for faith, healing, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Neptune in Aquarius you can develop intuition, musical talents, practice meditation and pay more attention to your own inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with fact to see events clearly, not with wishful thinking or being attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades at 0 degrees Capricorn where it was in February/March and will repeat in December as well as August thru October of 2009. Most affected birthdays are December 22nd-23rd, June 22nd, March 21st and September 23rd-24th as well as charts with planets or angles around 0 degrees Capricorn, Cancer, Aries or Libra. Between February 2008 and fall of 2009 they will experience major changes in life such as marriage, divorce, relocation, career and/or financial challenges. These are times when counseling or therapy may be required and self-awareness/motivational work necessary. Now that Pluto has almost completed its transit thru Sagittarius, it has brought focus, transformation and paradigm shifts in travel, education, travel, religion, politics and global trade. It has also brought religion to the forefront of world politics, war, conflict and the need to control. It will enter Capricorn to stay in December 2008.

Specific indications for the twelve signs are as follows:

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can gain more understanding by reading the signs of your Moon, rising sign and the sign on the midheaven or career house of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com