May 2008

 

As our new treasurer prepares to hand down his first budget, the two largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn shift gears; Jupiter retrogrades and Saturn moves direct, so some tough decisions may be necessary.

 

Saturn Stationary Direct

3 May 2008

Saturn has been retrograde since mid December 2007, but now turns direct, while continuing its passage through Virgo. Saturn is quite comfortable in Virgo, for both are of the Earth element. Virgo and Capricorn are known for their strong work ethic.

Interestingly, our Virgo Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, (see my article on Australian Prime Ministers) has been taking a hands-on approach to his new job, also asking members of parliament to work harder. At the recent 2020 Summit, Rudd asked delegates to come up three priorities to put on his “to do list” – how very Virgo!             

As Saturn turns direct it ushers in a new period of focus; the groundwork has been laid, it’s now time to get stuck into the job at hand.              

For our PM and for Virgos everywhere, Saturn is keeping the Virgo nose to the grindstone. Through hard work a great deal can be achieved now. Saturn in Virgo is interested in revising, honing and perfecting the system to make it more effective, which is what Rudd, is trying to accomplish. New regulations may be introduced in the months ahead. In August, Saturn will pass over the position at which it retrograded, so we may not see tangible results until then. 

Taurus New Moon

5 May 2008

This New Moon is taking place at 15 degrees Taurus. The Sabian symbol for this degree is; an old man attempting vainly to reveal mysteries. What could this mean? They say wisdom comes with maturity, but perhaps this reminds us that no matter how mature or wise we might become, there are still mysteries that we will never know. Perhaps this is a reminder that we should never stop learning.               

Jupiter Stationary Retrograde

9 May 2008

Jupiter takes 12 months to move through one sign of the zodiac, but moves so quickly that it races through almost a whole sign in just 4 months. Now it slows down and turns retrograde, so we may notice a distinct change in the pace of life. Just a few days after Saturn turns direct, Jupiter the planet of growth, luck and opportunity slows down and moves retrograde, signalling the party is well and truly over.                Jupiter represents growth and expansion, Saturn the process of restriction and limitation, and Jupiter is in Saturn’s sign, where it struggles to make its energy felt. We are likely to be reminded that the good times are over and that in order to make progress now we must face reality, tighten our belts and restructure our lives where necessary.              

Mars enters Leo

May 10 2008

Mars, planet of energy and vitality is much happier in Leo than in Cancer, where it has been located on and off since late September.  Energy levels now increase as both creativity and enthusiasm are boosted.  This should help to lift our spirits.Egos can potentially get out of hand when Mars is in Leo, like a caged lion has been released. Free to exert its power in however it chooses, the focus is on me, me and me.  This is a testosterone fuelled, dramatic, hot-tempered, passionate period, also a highly creative time particularly for anyone involved in the arts. Mars will be in Leo until the beginning of July, when it moves into Virgo and joins forces with Saturn, and a new cycle commences. 

Scorpio Full Moon… yes, another one…

20 May 2008

Alpha and Omega, beginnings and endings; this is the essence of Scorpio. Last month the Full Moon was in the first degree of Scorpio, this month we have another intense Scorpio Full Moon, in the last degree of Scorpio. This emphasises Scorpios message. It’s time to let go of the past, time for change, time to move forward and start a new chapter. Scorpio is often intense, emotional, and even painful in one way or another, but there is also a sense of transcendence; that what is being let go, has passed its use by date and that moving on will allow the future to be born. Whatever our personal experience of this cycle, ultimately Scorpio is empowering because we stop fighting against fate and learn to accept what is happening.  Now is an excellent time to finalise any long term projects and/or make fresh plans. 

Mercury and Neptune retrograde

26 May 2008

This year Mercury retrogrades in air signs; and this month does so in Gemini, the sign of its rulership, so we are likely to feel its effects powerfully. Mercury will turn direct again on 19 June.               Mercury retrograde is synonymous with technical glitches, misunderstandings, computer and transport problems, postal strikes, teacher strikes, and the like; for when the planet of communication retrogrades, anything associated with our modern world is apt to go haywire.               This particular retrograde cycle also coincides with Neptune moving retrograde in Aquarius, another air sign. The two are forming a trine aspect. Neptune is known as the planet of illusion, dreams and deception, among other things, so there is the potential for a great deal of confusion in late May.Even when we think we have got through a Mercury retrograde cycle unscathed, when it moves direct again we can suddenly realise that something has happened in the intervening period that we have overlooked. Maybe there has been some kind of misunderstanding for example, an error of judgement has been made, or a crucial piece of information has been overlooked, the consequences of which do not become apparent until Mercury goes direct.

              When the trickster planet retrogrades, we should try to slow down and pay more attention to what we are doing and saying; look more deeply at what is happening; and it’s because we fail to do so that Mercury trips us up.