MAY 2006

The positive relationship between Jupiter in Scorpio and Uranus in Pisces on the 5th can bring a feeling of hope. However, while Jupiter is retrograde, some goals may remain in the planning stages until August when it has turned direct. This planetary pair was in the same alignment on November 27th, 2005 and will be again on August 29th this year. May is the last full month of the North Node’s journey through Aries (and the South Node through Libra) which began in December of 2004. The Aries/Libra combination works on issues of individual vs. team, independence vs. relating and selfishness vs. cooperation. The Node cycle lasts for about 18 months and repeats the same pair of signs every 19 years. The Sun in Taurus until the 21st supports perseverance, determination, stubbornness and being true to one’s values. Since Taurus is an earth sign and ruled by Venus, it also relates to real estate, gardening and planting as well as property enhancement, home beautification and rehabilitation. The Sun in Gemini after the 21st supports communication, socializing, study, training, vehicles, short trips and errands. Now that the weather is improving (in the Northern Hemisphere) we will see more social get-togethers, car cruises, motorcycle riders and vacationers. Many schools will be winding down their curriculum, conducting exams and graduations; and their students will be looking forward to travel or employment.

Mercury (communications, writing, contracts, commerce) in Aries until the 5th supports ambition, independence, pioneering, drive and aggression. This is a good combination for thinking quickly. While Mercury is in Aries, communication can be energetic and spontaneous. Ideas can come easily, but tempers can raise quickly and arguments begin. Mercury in Taurus from the 5th to the 19th can be hardworking, persevering, loyal but also stubborn. One does not easily change their mind under this combination. Mercury in Gemini after the 19th is more flexible, interactive and open to consideration of other ideas. Geminis do enjoy the “mental gymnastics” of debate and can seem like they are arguing when they are just flexing their mental muscles and exercising the brain.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Pisces until the 3rd values sympathy and sensitivity to the needs of others. This would be a good time for helping those in need and volunteering for activities such as Habitat for Humanity or the Salvation Army. Venus in Aries from the 3rd to the 29th values independence, self-direction, freedom and initiation. Those who have Aries partners could experience a sense of “distancing” under this influence. If they value the relationship, their attention will return to you. Venus in Taurus after the 29th supports beautification, improvement, rehabilitation and effort to develop land, flowers and plants.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Cancer all month supports being motivated by emotional connections with others such as children, parents and other family members as well as friends for whom we have special feelings. It also relates to expending energy to create security in your life regarding a home, family, finances and food. Mars in Cancer includes the extended “family” of community, country, unions and political groups. Since Mars rules anger and aggression, warfare and fighting for the family, country and ideals you are trying to protect are part of this combination.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion, legal matters) retrogrades from 14 to 10 degrees Scorpio, repeating where it was from December 2005 to January 2006 and where it will be in August/September 2006. Jupiter in Scorpio is a cycle of opportunity, freedom, expansion or movement for those born November 3rd-7th, August 3rd-7th, January 31st to February 3rd and May 1st-5th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 10 to 14 degrees Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius. Jupiter in Scorpio supports opportunity thru motivation, commitment, sharing of resources, saving, paying off debt and fiscal responsibility.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) transits 4 to 6 degrees Leo, repeating where it was in August/September 2005 and in February/March 2006. Saturn has brought career shifts and changes in responsibility to Leos as well as restructuring in the house of the chart it rules or where planets in Leo are found. Leo relates to royalty, leadership, entertainment, performing, children and creative talents. During Saturn in Leo hobbies could be developed and turned into home or public businesses. This month’s transit most directly affects those born July 28th-30th, April 25th-27th, October 28th-30th and January 25th-27th as well as those whose charts have planets or angles from 4 to 6 degrees Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio. Saturn’s last transit thru Leo was 1975 to 1978. Review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Aquarius), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Taurus) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Scorpio) to understand what Saturn in Leo between July 2005 and September 2007 means for you. There should be some parallel.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) transits 13 to 14 degrees Pisces where it will repeat in July and August of 2006 as well as February and March of 2007. Birthdays most affected are March 4th-5th, June 4th-5th, September 6th-7th and December 6th-7th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 13 to 14 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Between May 2006 and March 2007 they will need freedom, experience chaos or make radical changes. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the beginning of the previous Uranus thru Pisces, the U.S. Congress granted women the right to vote. It also supports artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that 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 and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just special interests and the wealthy.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) transits 19 degrees Aquarius where it turns retrograde on the 22nd, repeating this degree in June 2006 as well as February and the fall of 2007. Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, inspiration, creative writing and art as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Birthdays most affected are February 10th, May 10th, August 12th and November 12th as well as charts with planets or angles around 19 degrees Taurus, Leo, Aquarius or Scorpio. During the retrograde of Neptune (May thru October 2006) is a good time to release addictive habits, attitudes or behaviors. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a betrayal, disappointment, error or weakness until it’s too late. On the positive side this can be a time for healing, faith, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Uranus in Pisces you can develop musical talents, practice meditation, intuition and inner guidance. But you may also need to watch your back and balance faith with practicality and fact to see events clearly, not with just wishful thinking or remaining attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades from 26 to 25 degrees Sagittarius, repeating where it was in February and where it will repeat in December 2006 as well as the fall of 2007. Birthdays influenced most are December 17th-18th, June 17th, March 16th-17th and September 18th-19th as well as charts with planets or angles from 25 to 26 degrees Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius and Gemini. From February 2006 to October 2007 they will experience major changes in life such as career, relocation, marriage, divorce or financial problems. Counseling or therapy could be required and self-awareness/motivational work found very valuable. Pluto has passed the 24th degree and is now three-quarters of the way thru the sign of Sagittarius, bringing transformation and paradigm shifts in education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Here are the Specific indications for the 12 signs

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can get additional information by reading about your moon sign, rising sign and the sign on the Midheaven 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