May

12

May 12, 2010 | 1 Comment

Spring Breaks
by Johnny Mirehiel

If it is so, as T.S. Eliot says in his magnum opus, The Waste Land, that “April is the cruelest month…” then surely must May be the loveliest: flowers blooming upon carpets of green, gentle zephyr breezes under clear blue skies. Yes, May is lovely and filled with promise, or so it would seem. Here’s what the Southland’s New Moon chart looks like:

The Taurus New Moon

This New Moon, in the sensual and contented sign of Taurus, is a time of rebirth, a time when we are given a chance to start fresh. In Taurus, it presents an excellent opportunity to commit to personal goals that express the positive energies of the sign of The Bull: enjoying life’s simple pleasures: savoring good food, being in touch with nature and our bodies; cultivating patience, “stopping to smell the roses” (which could easily be a Taurus motto, especially if one considers the archetypal Taurean bull, Ferdinand) and re-evaluating our relationship with money and possessions and in so doing to discover what it is that makes us happy, fulfilled and at-one with our own innate values.

It’s also a time to do something new about checking the baser qualities of Taurus. At any new Moon, in order to securely implant our seed into freshly turned furrows, we must clear the field. Metaphorically, during the Taurus New Moon, we have the energy and insight to look at, and root out, the causes of our lazy, pleasure seeking and acquisitive tendencies. But complacency is an ally to fixity, and Taurus is a FIXED sign. It does not like change and can indeed be stubborn and “bull headed,” overly materialistic, possessive and given to spates of jealousy.

May is fertile, and demands new seed. Time to shake things up at the root level and make way for new growth. While we’re down in the dirt, digging into things, let’s not forget that Taurus is an EARTH sign (and, according to a Rob Hand supposition, also the PLANET which really rules – the Earth. But Of Course!) Might we not remember to honor the body of that Mother, as she is the source of that of which our own bodies are made? For indeed, the very atoms within us were first in her, and it is her to whom they shall return.

And while we’re down at that fertile level during this Taurus New Moon Cycle, down where everything is molecular and all is one, it might be appropriate to place your conscious intent into a healing for our beloved planet. She has had to endure, in fairly rapid succession, two 8.2 earthquakes, a huge volcanic eruption and a catastrophic rupture in the sea bed that is causing a continuing massive expulsion of raw and fouling crude oil into the oceans. Please, send your conscious healing intent Her way.

The Taurus New Moon Planets

Jupiter Hot on the Tail of Uranus (Sorry, couldn’t help myself)

But it’s true, I tell ya! At the moment of the New Moon Jupiter is some 03° behind Uranus in the last degrees of Pisces. And on June 5th, just as the Moon catches up with them, they all reach 00° Aries. An interesting mix, that. Uranus wants to be free and unfettered (for good or no), Jupiter wants to expand the consciousness of any planet it contacts, especially by conjunction, and the Moon’s emotional state (and the general public too) is in position to be showered with the fallout from the clash of the two planetary titans, all in the “hurry up I can’t wait” Fire sign of Aries.

Lynn Koiner has an excellent article that details the Jupiter/Uranus Conjunction. She also gives a description of what we can expect to happen during this transit dance (that actually plays out over the next six or so months) as it occurs in each of the twelve houses. She tells us:

“Where this Conjunction falls in the natal horoscope shows where we feel compelled to take a risk with our lives, to experience adventure, to explore our creative potential and to overcome the fears in our lives…It is the Conjunction at 0 Aries – the World Point – that will portend a great scientific breakthrough and the world will be impacted by this (this is the influence of Aries but especially 0 Aries, a very powerful position).”

What Lynn is referring to is the fact that 00° Aries is the first of what are called the Critical Degrees. The concept is heavily used in Eastern astrology, e.g., the Arabic, Hindu and Chinese systems and are based on the Moon’s average daily speed of 12°51’. The influence of the energies of any planets or points that lie within one degree of these “Mansions of the Moon” is much amplified.

Two other key points here: one, we would be remiss if we didn’t notice that in this New Moon moment Saturn bears down on the Jupiter/Uranus pair over the energy circuit of an opposition. Just a little reminder from that august heavyweight that we better take what’s happening now very seriously. And point two: The North/South Nodal Axis stands at 12° Capricorn/Cancer, two more Critical Degrees, perhaps marking a time of critical destiny. Something really big and new is a’brewin’ out there.

The New Moon Square Neptune

With the New Moon squaring Neptune, the sensual side of Taurus will be emphasized. Neptune also has a tendency to cloud over matters, a condition which conflicts with the normally very practical considerations of Taurus. Therefore, during this New Moon cycle, it would be wise to “measure twice, cut once” as the old carpenter’s saying goes. In other words, be as sure as you can that your decisions are based on practical considerations as opposed to whim.

Venus Out of Bounds

In addition to the regular movements of planets along an East-West path through the sky, they also travel North and South of the Celestial Equator (the Ecliptic). This measure is called DECLINATION. When planets reach a declination greater than that of the Sun’s north or south extremes against the Ecliptic (23N28 or 23S28), they are considered to be “out of bounds.” When this happens, they are seen to act beyond the norm of expectations for that planet; there is something exceptional about the behavior they represent in our lives. The action of the planet is manifested either internally (South Declination) or externally (Northern). At 24N35 we might expect to “see” how Venus “acts out” in our lives during this moonth.

When Venus, the planet of love, beauty and harmony is out of bounds in a natal chart, there is an urge to live in a harmonious and beautiful environment without arguments and disputes. In a mundane chart such as this, it represents women’s issues, artists, peace and diplomatic relationships. It gets an expansive push from a hard aspect (square) to Jupiter on the 17th but, as Venus remains out of bounds until June 8th, the effect might appear almost any time during the moonth, especially between May 21st and 24th when it reaches its maximum North Declination of 25°N01’.

In the world’s mundane sphere, perhaps we might see something of significance regarding Israel, as that country’s chart is governed by Venus. On a personal scale it might be well to curb our enthusiasm as this is one of those times when our “eyes are bigger that our stomachs.” In other words, moderation should be our watchword for much of this cycle.

Pluto and Ceres, Again

As pointed out above, the Earth has been experiencing an unusual amount of physical trauma recently. In my last New Moon post, I said we might expect some kind of ruckus between Pluto and Ceres which would manifest as a “…discomfiture of the Mother (Ceres) […causing…] him (Pluto) to shift things around and blow off a little steam himself.” Can you say, “Iceland?”

These two mythological and archetypal characters continue to travel together through the early degrees of the Earth sign, Capricorn. But remember what I said about Out of Bounds planets above: they can be expected to “act beyond the norm of expectations” for that planet. Well, Ceres goes out of bounds on the 17th, and continues there until early next year. I am reminded of a mother bear aggressively protecting her cubs. Better just get out of the way. Remember, “It’s not nice to fool (with) Mother Nature?” Get ready for some more blow-back.

The New Moon Sabian

Once again with a nod to Lynda Hill, here is the Sabian Symbol for 24° Taurus and Lynda’s commentary on it:

AN INDIAN, HUMAN SCALPS HANGING AT HIS BELT, RIDES PROUDLY

You can be recognized for your abilities as a successful leader who is prepared to put themselves at risk to be successful. The risks you have taken are marked by rewards that are admired and respected. Claiming one’s soil and one’s due. Fighting for one’s territory. Trophies of conquest. Aggression. Basic instincts. Territoriality. If negative – displaying success so as to intimidate others. Domination and ruthlessness.

Perhaps the aggression spoken about in this Sabian relates to that Out Of Bounds placement of Venus, mentioned above, in regards to the situation affecting Israel.

The Moon and You

In the left hand column of my New Moon LA blog you will find a statement entitled “A Note on the Southland New Moon Commentaries.” In it I explain my use of the Parallax Moon and a comment on how I have determined the geographical coordinates used in erecting the charts that I present for your consideration.

Also in the left hand column, at the top, you’ll see links to seven additional regions. The Planets in each of the eight locations, including this one for California’s Southland, remain fixed in their positions relative to each other. While they may seem to move around the face of the Zodiacal clock through the Houses, the reality is that where the planets are in any chart is based on the different locations from which the observer sees them.

One of the major consequences, astrologically, of calculating these various Parallax perspectives is that the house position of the New Moon will often shift from east to west with the observer. An even more subtle change that happens in the charts from location to location is that the degrees for the Ascendant and Midheaven change significantly. Using New Moon House placement and the two “local” Sabians as guides, we might better fine tune our intent and focus during the Lunation period and/or in ceremony.

As always, I would encourage you to get a copy of your own chart(from my mates at Alabe.com) and put the New Moon chart “on top” of it. See where its energy wants to be planted in your chart/life. The following comments are more or less specific for California’s Southland.

The 7th House New Moon

Negotiations and diplomacy are highlighted during this Lunar Cycle, as it is a favorable time to begin new relationships or to re-define existing ones. Issues of sharing and partnership come to the fore. Increased awareness of the need for someone significant to lean on or to rely on is often associated with this position. Working on, or resolving to work on, relationships that are mutually supportive is a good idea at this time.

If you find yourself feeling of lacking support from partners, this may be a good time to ask yourself how companionable you are, and to work on developing yourself in this area of life. You might just find that this is a period when you are at your most gracious. It is also a good time to make contacts and to make something public.

The Local Sabians

The Ascendant

The Ascendant (or rising sign) is the mask one wears when meeting others. Perhaps it is most aptly thought of as the automatic responses to one’s environment. It shows our natural defenses and how we cope with day-to-day issues. The energies of the sign and condition of the Ascendant are most overt and obvious to others. The Ascendant shows an individual’s first, natural reaction to new people and situations. In the Southland, the Ascendant is 26° Scorpio, the Sabian for which is:

A MILITARY BAND ON THE MARCH

There is occasionally a need to make a show for society to remind ourselves of successes and achievements. You may find that this will take up a great deal of your time for no real return, but the morale of those around you will benefit and that is the true goal. Noisy announcements. If negative – a lot of volume can be a bit too pompous.

The MidheavenThe MC (Midheaven) often indicates social and career status. It is the most public point in our chart and relates to our career or “life path” and suggests our social standing and reputation. It also represents our most visible achievements in the eyes of society, our public “face,” our accomplishments, and our overall sense of responsibility and standing in the world/society. In the Southland, the Midheaven is 05° Virgo, the Sabian for which is:

A MERRY-GO-ROUND

You may find that the situation keeps returning to the same place and not progressing. But each time you return to the same point, you have had the opportunity of looking at all the other possibilities, you must make a decision: do you want to keep going around and around? Ever repeating circles of activity. If negative – repeating the same mistakes OR bouncing around from one thing to another.

Johnny Mirehiel is a 40-year student of spiritual, metaphysical and astrological ideas. Internationally known as the discoverer of the astrological chart of the Harmonic Concordance, he is a member of the San Diego chapter of NCGR and he has been accredited by The International College of Astrology as both an astrological practitioner and teacher. He now plies his trade in the high desert of Southern California.

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New Moon in Gemini, June 12, 2010 : ncgrsandiego.org on June 11, 2010 8:30 pm
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