Eta Aquarid meteors before dawn May 5

Tonight – May 4, 2016 – the forecast calls for meteors! The greatest number of Eta Aquarid meteors will be lighting up the predawn darkness – as seen from all parts of Earth – over the next few mornings. No matter where you are, watch before dawn on May 5 and 6. The May 6 new moon will guarantee deliciously dark skies for this year’s Eta Aquarids.

It’s hard to say with certainty which morning will be the better of the two – May 5 or 6 – since this shower has a relatively broad peak. But we give the nod to before dawn May 6. Just remember that – as seen from all parts of Earth – the dark hour before dawn begins to light the sky typically presents the greatest number of Eta Aquarid meteors. The beginning of astronomical twilight closes the curtains on the final hour of complete darkness. Don’t know when astronomical twilight begins in your sky? Find out with this handy custom sunrise-sunset calendar.

Under ideal conditions, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower produces up to 20 to 40 meteors per hour. The shower is best seen in the Southern Hemisphere, but mid-northern latitudes will catch some meteors, too. Tropical and subtropical latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere are best, including latitudes like that of the southern U.S. North of 40^o north latitude the meteors tend to be fewer. The reason has to do with the time of twilight and sunrise on the various parts of Earth.

You don’t have to locate the radiant to watch the Eta Aquarid meteors, but people always ask about them. Although the Eta Aquarid meteors streak all over the sky, they appear to radiate from the Y-shaped group of stars called the Water Jar. The Water Jar is part of the constellation Aquarius.

To star-hop to the Water Jar, first of all find the four stars of the Great Square of Pegasus. (See sky chart at bottom right.) Looking eastward at about 4 a.m. (Daylight Saving Time), the Great Square of Pegasus glitters like a celestial baseball diamond. Imagine the bottom star as home base. Draw a line from the third base star through the first base star, then go twice that distance to locate the star Sadal Melik.

To the lower left of Sadal Melik is the small Y-shaped Water Jar, marking the approximate radiant of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower.

Again, you don’t need to know the shower’s radiant point to watch the meteors!

Bottom line: In 2016, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn on May 5 and 6. May 7 before dawn might be good as well. This is a great shower for the Southern Hemisphere! But mid-northern latitudes may still enjoy a decent sprinkling of meteors, and the moon will be totally out of the way. Watch in a dark sky, and you might catch as many as 20 to 40 per hour. Have fun!

Source

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure is the chief writer for the popular EarthSky Tonight pages. Since joining EarthSky in 2004, he has written thousands of astronomy articles, enjoyed here by millions. He also writes, gives planetarium shows and hosts a wide assortment of public astronomy programs in and around his home in upstate New York. If you ask an astronomy question on our site, it’s likely to be Bruce that answers it. His love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and he has sailed the North Atlantic, earning his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. Bruce is also a sundial aficionado. He says his number one passion – besides his wife Alice – is stargazing.

Article published on EarthSky

The Wisdom of Buddha

The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.

Your Daily Influences
May 4th, 2016

Six of Swords Reversed
Life is at a standstill. Difficulties will probably remain as they are.

Perthro
Mysteries will become known to you. You should be able to see your life’s path clearly at this time. Pethro is often thought of as “Gambler’s Rune.” You are in a lucky period right now. Chance is your ally. Take advantage of it.

Scorpio the Scorpion
This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is determined, forceful, emotional, intuitive, powerful, passionate, exciting and magnetic. This person is probably an acquaintance you made at work

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Your Charm for Today

Today’s Meaning:
The good spirits are pleased with you. This period is a happy one. For the immediate future these spirits will protect as you travel through life and reward you with moments of bliss.

General Description:
This curious wooden figure is worn suspended round the neck as a talisman by the natives of New Guinea. It is supposed to terrify and scare away evil spirits. It is also a charm for happiness and is believed to protect the wearer from illness, for the natives believe that illness is caused by a bad spirit entering the body. They are taught by their witch doctors that nature is full of evil, and good spirits, and much of their time is spent in pacifying the good spirits, and frightening away the evil ones.

Your Daily Tile
May 4, 2016

Bamboo 2
Symbol: Duck
The Duck tile symbolizes a long lasting relationship with the strength to overcome all obstacles. It suggests fidelity and trustworthiness as well. Regardless of the type of partnership in question, the 2 Bamboo tile indicates a strong, healthy relationship.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Hourglass

The Hourglass is a gentle reminder that time passes and with it goes opportunity. Every moment is a moment we cannot retrieve or relive, and there are no guarantees that what we put off today really can be done tomorrow. The Hourglass urges us to make every second of our lives as rich and fulfilling as we possibly can.

As a daily card, The Hourglass suggest you may be allowing opportunities to pass you by. If you’ve been procrastinating or putting too much of your precious time into activities with no lasting value to you, now is the time for you redirect your energies into actions that will enrich your life.

Today’s Witches Rune

Romance

Meaning: The Romance rune is also a symbol of connection, just like the Rings rune. But differently from the latter, the former implies a deeper sort of connection. While in the Rings we have two (or more) people joining to reach a similar goal, here we have two people joining for reasons they can’t quite explain.

Hence this rune is related to love, passion, emotional bonds, sexual chemistry and sudden attraction. Any strong bond can be symbolized by this rune, including the unconditional parental love or a very strong friendship. And it’s not limited to the emotions that sparkle between individuals – the love can be also directed to an object, a subject or even a work.

It’s important to not limit this rune to the emotional field. It can be quite physical, representing sexual relations, arousal and irresistible magnetism. This rune is powerful, and often gives an extra impulse to any rune that is close it. Charismatic and seductive people are represented by the Romance rune as well.

Outside from the field of romance and sex, this rune is concerned with any act of creation. If you have any ongoing projects, you can be sure an extra impulse will come and spur you on. The Romance rune can also represent the reconciliation of opposite forces or tendencies, and the resolution of conflicts. Obsessive thoughts, stubbornness in pursuing a person or a goal and lack of objectivity are the downfalls of this rune.

Additional information about Today’s Witches Rune, Romance, courtesy of Your Spiritual Journey Australia

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Star

The Star represents a strong connection to the Cosmos, an open gateway to understanding “the big picture.” It is an optimistic card that promises peace, harmony, and hope realized. For the full power of the forces behind The Star to be realized one must have faith and accept that in cosmic terms all things balance out; that disturbances are sometimes necessary to ensure overall harmony. The reward for such faith is vision on a Cosmic scale, and sense of well-being that may well radiate to those around you through your warm, untroubled heart.

Get A Jump On Tomorrow….

Your Daily Horoscopes for Thursday, May 5th

by Rick Levine

Part of the Daily Insight Group

If Today is Your Birthday: May 4

You are hard working, and somewhat of a perfectionist. Stability and security are especially important to you, and many of the choices you make in life are driven by the desire to achieve these things. As a people person, you tend to feel that life is much better when shared. You are excellent at promoting cooperation and creating harmony. Famous people born today: Audrey Hepburn, Randy Travis, Lance Bass, Will Arnett, Alexander Gould.

Your Birthday Year Forecast:

The Moon is in its Balsamic phase in your Solar Return chart, marking this year the end of an important cycle, or stage of growth, in your life. You take more down time than usual, and this is natural, even good for you. This is a year when you are likely closing important projects or “chapters” in your life. This is an important year for reorienting yourself – discovering what you want, and identifying what you need to do in order to move forward more positively.

Some form of recognition for your work or for past good deeds may be forthcoming this year. Fortunate circumstances arise from a positive attitude as well as sincere self-expression. This is an excellent year in which to advance projects revolving around communications – writing, speaking, selling, and so forth. Your reputation may be enhanced through word of mouth. Making new contacts through learning and mental pursuits figures strongly as well.

You are willing to put in the effort and dedication to a mental interest or project. You are focused, detail-oriented, and may be perfectionistic.

It’s a good period in your life for taking necessary steps towards making yourself feel more secure and safe, and for family or domestic activities. This is also a period when you more readily support or defend others. Taking charge of nutrition, health, and domestic organization can be in strong focus and can be quite successful.

This can also be a very creative, artistic time, and an excellent period for opening up communications with others, as you are more sensitive than usual and more willing to listen. Getting your point across is easier, as it’s not only about what specific words you choose to communicate, you intuitively express the meaning and intention behind the words. You can effectively use words to soothe, heal, and teach this year. You are also especially open to new ways of looking at problems, thus it’s considerably easier to find solutions. You may be gaining respect for your ideas and intelligence.

However, you need to be aware of a tendency to be attracted to impractical ventures at times this year. As well, your energy can vary greatly from one period to the next, so take advantage of the “high” periods in order to offset the possible loss in productivity during the low-energy stages.

There is good energy for imaginative and creative activities this year. It’s a strong period for friendship, communications, learning, and connecting and is excellent for seeking advanced training or for furthering your education. You may be making good contacts with others, particularly through shared interests or schooling. Positive plans and lifestyle changes can be made at this time in your life. There will be times when you battle with varying energy levels, so take advantage of the periods of high motivation.

2016 is a Number Nine year for you. Ruled by Mars. This is a year of completion and transition. It is a time when we need to let go of things that no longer serve their purpose, and hold on to things that have a future. It is a time of cleaning out dead wood, not necessarily for new beginnings. It can be a time when a burden has been taken off your shoulders, and it can be a year of giving of yourself. Advice – let go of things that are holding you back, give of yourself and express your sympathetic, compassionate side.

2017 will be a Number One year for you. Ruled by the Sun. This is a year of action. The seeds you plant now, you will reap later. Others might find you less sociable, as you are busier than ever and you focus on your activities and your needs. Still, you are outgoing and your initiative is stronger than ever. Advice – Stand alone, take action, start fresh, express independence.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, May 4th

Aries

The Moon is in your sign all day, connecting you with your feelings, dear Aries, and especially those that you have neglected in recent weeks. Today’s energies are complicated for practical affairs, however. Go over documents and communications carefully before finalizing them. It’s not a day for new beginnings, but rather one for making adjustments and important edits – ones that may be ignored or overlooked on other days. Decision making can certainly suffer, but it’s largely because you’re not ready to process everything. Minor financial or legal complications might need handling. It’s important to take things step by step today and to focus on priorities and essentials. In two days, a New Moon will occur and help instill a strong sense of direction.

Taurus

This is a time for checking that you’re not overdoing things, dear Taurus, as the Sun in your sign forms a quincunx with Saturn. Others don’t readily let you have your way today, which can be frustrating, but possibly a blessing in disguise. Slowing down is important now, particularly with a New Moon about to occur in just two days, when a new direction and stronger focus can strengthen your resolve. There can be a responsibility to fill that comes out of left field, or a feeling that you’ve neglected one, and for some of you, concern that someone is disapproving or keeping something from you. The need to make adjustments to your plans can be especially annoying after a few days of relative free sailing, but they can in fact be vital to success. Make edits, refinements, or simply wait things out. The Moon in your privacy sector (all day) helps you to detach a little and withdraw.

Gemini

There is a stronger need for down time these days, dear Gemini, but today, responsibilities to others, or complications entering your life through relationships, can interfere, pulling you out of your comfortable space. Others may be calling you out on promises or simply pushing you to be involved. This is a time of year for identifying the deadwood in your life and letting go of bad habits and attitudes. It can also be a time for wrapping up projects. However, you also need more personal space in order to do all of this, and others may not be very sensitive to this need right now. Be wary of deceptive or overly demanding people right now. The Moon in Aries all day helps you to detach your emotions enough to better deal with minor disappointments.

Cancer

There is a strong desire to do your own thing these days, dear Cancer, as well as to branch out and seek out more freedom. However, responsibilities and duties can loom large in your mind today as the Sun and Saturn form a quincunx, interfering with plans and dreams. Problems encountered now are simply reality checks, slowing you down just enough to make important refinements. Some social awkwardness is likely today, so if you can, avoid scheduling important interviews, events, or even serious conversations for now. Timing is off. Sticking to routine may seem dull, but is your best bet now as you center yourself. The New Moon in two days should bring refocusing of energies and a stronger feeling of direction.

Leo

The Moon is in your sector of adventure and higher learning all day, dear Leo, helping to keep your spirits high. Even so, today can involve some dilemmas or difficult decisions. The Sun is currently transiting your solar tenth house, turning your strong attention to career, life path goals, and major structures in your life. Saturn’s presence in your creative sector can mean you’re busy working on creative projects. You may be taking relationships more seriously. Creatively speaking, you may not be as spontaneous as you typically are. It may be better not to mix personal and professional matters today as the Sun and Saturn form a quincunx, and in some cases, there can be difficulty determining how to blend them successfully down the road. There can be some reticence experienced now about throwing yourself into new enterprises. Watch for working too hard or taking on more responsibilities than you can handle today.

Virgo

Recent days have found you feeling freer and more confident with a strong influence on your adventure sector, dear Virgo, but today you could be feeling hesitant or uncertain. Alternatively, family responsibilities may seem to block your plans. With the Sun in your adventure sector, you are letting more spontaneity into your life, but Saturn is forming an awkward angle to the Sun today, reminding you of your limits and duties. You could be see-sawing between positive thinking and worrying. While you could be feeling quite weighed down by a reality check of sorts, this type of checkpoint is good for slowing down long enough to see where you may be making errors before going forward freer and more confident.

Libra

There can be a need to make refinements to our plans and adjustments to our lives right now, dear Libra. You are drawn to the deeper side of relating and viewing your life these days, but you’re also, very often, so engrossed in your daily affairs and personal interests that you don’t always have the time to explore these things. As well, there can be mixed signals given off as you seem impartial one minute and personal the next. Conversations may not be especially satisfying, as they can be a little too analytical or critical. Do your best to observe rather than jump into new endeavors and important conversations. Also, if you catch yourself criticizing when you could be doing something more constructive, try to tame the urge. Use your enhanced ability to see flaws for good use. As well, avoid making final decisions on financial matters. In two days, the New Moon will bring a stronger sense of direction.

Scorpio

Socially, your life has been picking up pace recently, dear Scorpio, but don’t read too much into today’s apparent slowdown. You could be second-guessing a partner, a plan, or even yourself. Try to use this temporary block as a chance to catch your breath, as well as to come to a more realistic assessment of a relationship or project. You might first entertain an overly negative point of view before getting to the middle ground. Don’t let insecurity prevent you from opportunity, but do wait for a better day to actively pursue your desires. While the day is complicated and timing can be off, it’s a good time for thinking in new ways and for taking a break from the action in order to rethink a few things. It’s also a fine time for taking care of details or some of the duller aspects of daily life.

Sagittarius

Work or health matters may not be straightforward today, dear Sagittarius, or you may be second-guessing yourself and/or your ability to handle your work and daily affairs effectively. There may be additional responsibilities to deal with or a feeling of being physically a little off. Motivation or energy levels might wane temporarily, and timing can be off. While this is not an ideal day to elect for a new endeavor, important conversation, or interview, it’s a good time for seeing where improvements can be made, as plans built on weaker foundations may reveal themselves now. Be a little more diplomatic with people you work for, who work for you, and who you work with! There can be some misunderstandings now. Take this time to fill some personal needs rather than pour all your energy into doing things for others.

Capricorn

There is more playful and expressive energy with you recently with the Sun, as well as Mercury and Venus, in your creative solar fifth house, dear Capricorn. Today, there can be some reticence or second-guessing, however, as the Sun forms an awkward angle to Saturn. Try not to let this discourage you. Instead, let it slow you down long enough to make important refinements and adjustments to your plans. There can be some matters to handle from the past that need your attention, or feelings of guilt and unrest to deal with. Children or a romantic partner might be a little difficult to please, or you could find insecurity or responsibility prevents you from doing what you want to do and expressing yourself openly and naturally. You might also have some doubts about a romantic interest. This is a time for addressing problem areas before moving forward with plans.

Aquarius

The Moon in Aries is bold and also encourages you to learn, connect, and move about today, dear Aquarius. However, with a Sun-Saturn quincunx, there can be a conflict or dilemma stirring related to competing desires to be nurtured and stick with familiar people and situations, and to reach out and connect with others. Social and domestic goals can seem equally important now, and you may not know which to choose. Whether to play it safe or do your own thing can be a question. Current blocks, while temporary, do point you in the right direction in terms of what types of adjustments and edits you need to make. Relationship bumps and bruises may be in the mix today, so it’s best to be flexible and to avoid letting misunderstandings get to you.

Pisces

There is a need to slow down today and tomorrow, dear Pisces, and possibly to deal with some blocks, whether these come from bad timing or poor planning. There can be a strong desire to focus on learning, pet projects, and personal interests these days, but outside duties and responsibilities can interfere. While it may be too easy to focus on what’s not working in your life at the moment, better use of your energy would be to work on straightening out problems and details today. Be a little more careful to avoid misunderstandings, particularly in public or professional settings, and look for opportunities to make important edits and adjustments. The New Moon in two days should bring more confidence in your work and endeavors.

Astrology of Today – May 4, 2016

Summary:

• The Moon is in Aries all day (until Thursday, May 5th, at 1:10 PM).
• The Moon is waning and in its Waning Crescent phase.
• A Last Quarter Moon occurred on the 29th, and a New Moon will occur on May 6th.
• Mercury is retrograde (Mercury is retrograde from April 28-May 22).
• Mars is retrograde (Mars is retrograde from April 17-June 29).

May 2016 Astro-Energy Report

a message from Sarah Varcas

To view more of Sarah’s insight, please visit her website, Astro-Awakenings

Intuition,  Intention and Insight

May begins with five planets retrograde (Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto) and ends with three (Mars, Saturn and Pluto). Reflection and receptivity are key to how this month unfolds. There will be great motivation to honour the truth, make decisions that serve it well and reflect our deepest knowing, no matter the immediate cost of doing so. Success in those endeavours that truly reflect the deeper purpose of our lives is well aspected. This is not instant success, but progress into a more authentic life for those with the courage and resolve to take the plunge.

Our spirits are being strengthened for the long haul. Iron woven through our soul. We may receive intense visions of how life could be and the world along with it, for good and ill. The veils between worlds and realms are thin this month and many may pick up on information, experience and vibration otherwise out of reach. If we’re used to such experiences they will be stronger and more vibrant. If new to us they may be unsettling in their accuracy and accompanied by the desire to write them off as meaningless coincidence. But they will only be meaningless if we choose to make them so. If, however, we decide to watch and learn, allow the breadcrumb trail of clues lead us where they do, we may discover some truly astonishing connections and unearth information that could change our life if we let it.

Beware too much day-dreaming though! There could be a lot of it about. Our focus may subtly shift from inspired action to mere escapist fantasy. But we were not born simply to escape as soon as possible! Life must be embodied and lived with every cell. The different levels of being aligned into one exquisite whole which reflects the many aspects of this infinite universe. We must face what we’d rather ignore, take responsibility for what we project and accept that our own perspective is just one among countless others in a world of seven billion people.

We may have access to so much ‘data’ this month, from pure facts to other’s opinions to inner knowing, heightened perceptions and powerful intuition, that overwhelm occurs before we’ve put any of it to use. Trying to take account of everything may leave us mentally and emotionally burned out. It won’t all have equal weight and our task is to sort the wheat from the chaff to identify what really matters at any given time. Most important now is our ability to balance the mundane and supramundane worlds in such a way that neither rules the roost but both are afforded the time and space they deserve. This balance is key to moving forward, for as sensitivities escalate and veils thin, increasing amounts of information in all its forms will be available, even as we continue living our everyday lives. Whether we opt to live the ordinary life in an extraordinary way or an extraordinary life in an ordinary one, finding how best to accommodate those senses beyond our first five is vital to peace of heart and clarity of mind.

The first week of May features an alignment between the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn which fosters clarity of purpose, honest but buoyant hope and the staying power necessary to endure some of the lengthier processes of realignment and healing. If you have plans to make, this week would be a good one to do so. It carries a practical but other-worldly air which can potentise our intentions with a certain heavenly ‘zing’.

From 5^th May until mid-October Pluto trines the North Node, purging unconscious obstacles which have hindered progress. This may be unnerving at times, as we lack control over what emerges from the shadowy recesses of our psyche. Reactions may seem out of proportion to the matter at hand. We might feel more vulnerable than usual or oddly frustrated for no apparent reason. It may be tempting to think something’s gone wrong, but rest assured that’s not the case. Far from it! Like a blocked pipe that needs to have the c**p blasted though to free up the flow (Pluto transits require Plutonian metaphors!), so do we! The very nature of these times liberates previously stagnant energy which has to go somewhere. The best direction is out. Gentler than many Plutonian events, this one encourages us to release mental and emotional detritus we don’t need anymore, thereby creating space for emergence of the new. We would be wise to take the opportunity now rather than put it off for later. Later could be a lot trickier and considerably less measured when it arrives!

A New Moon in Taurus on 6^th/7^th May presents a choice: to live by the light of truth or the power of ego. In many ways this is the very crux of every spiritual path. The development of a healthy ego alongside a courageous spirit ensures we have all we need to navigate this world. Ego is not the demon it’s often made out to be, but a tool to be used wisely. When healthy and mature it knows when to speak out with confidence, when to remain silent in humility, when to act, when to wait, when to grasp and when to let go. It becomes a wise and trusted friend who sustains us through times of emotional and spiritual drought. If, however, we pursue ego transcendence before understanding its true nature, we falsely bypass a process to which we must return. Truth is as much an aspect of ego as of soul, of the mundane as of the spiritual. We are immersed in relative and absolute truths all the time and tasked with discerning the two, knowing which to honour, when and how. This New Moon reminds us that truth has many faces and a mature ego serves it even at its own expense.

7^th to 16^th May sees a string of Grand Trines in Earth providing stability and substance. They anchor us as we process some of the more challenging emotions we may encounter, keeping us in touch with the earth and rooted in our inner space where all wisdom exists, awaiting the right moment to make itself known. Jupiter stations direct in Virgo on 9^th having been retrograde since 8^th January. Efforts made this year to live more authentically begin to bear significant fruit from hereon in. It takes often mighty courage to honour the truth as we see it, especially when it sets us apart from others or challenges the status quo. For those who’ve committed to doing so since January, greater freedom is now at hand. With restricting bonds broken and obstacles overcome we are liberated to better serve the agenda of awakening than ever before.

Mercury also crosses the face of the Sun on 9^th May. Known as an ‘occultation’, it further amplifies the power of Jupiter’s change of direction, reminding us that freedom – or lack of it – reverberates through all that we do and all that we are. This is a good time to reflect on how we express ourselves and what our behaviour says about our relationship with truth.  Spiritual-speak and positive words can be as much tools of deception as of the divine. The truth may not always be gentle and attractive (that’s why we shy from it so readily!). It may ask of us great boldness and actions that call down scorn upon our heads. But we will know it as truth nonetheless, by its resonance within and its quickening effect upon the journey into our own soul.

15^th – 30^th May sees an alignment between Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn which supports practical action informed by honest and realistic optimism. This fortnight will provide plenty of opportunity to observe our inner dialogue and how it impacts our mental and emotional state. Do we speak words of encouragement to ourselves when things go wrong or are we our own worst enemy hurling criticism and abuse at the slightest opportunity? Do we acknowledge our own achievements with the same attention to detail as our mistakes and failings? Are we realistic in our expectations of ourselves or do we set impossible tasks with improbable goals and then collapse under the weight of our own demands? Saturn now retrograde in Sagittarius calls for balanced optimism: a steady faith in our ability to achieve and overcome alongside focused effort to manifest our most treasured outcomes in the best way we possibly can.

Neptune chimes in between 18^th and 26^th May. It may be an unsettling presence if we seek security, be it physical, mental or emotional. Until, that is, we recognise that true security is found in embracing uncertainty, not striving to banish it to the outer reaches of the cosmos! Neptune affirms the divine is present throughout our life, in its each and every aspect. We are not more sacred when meditating than when we’re scrubbing the floor! Every moment is infused with the divine. When we fully know this as truth our search for security ends, a distant echo of times past when we thought it was all down to us to make life work. Now Neptune reminds us that at work and play, awake and asleep, in joy, pain and everything in-between the divine is fulfilled through and as us. Anxiety and fear arise when we forget our true nature. Peace is born when we remember and let go

The Full Moon on 21^st/22^nd May coincides with Mercury completing its retrograde passage through Taurus. It is also the first of two full moons in Sagittarius, making next month’s an astrological Blue Moon. This month’s Full Moon lifts our spirits and enhances our faith, no matter what may be going on in our lives. Conjunct retrograde Mars it enhances the warrior spirit, encouraging acts of spiritual daring that break through barriers previously feared. Marking the start of a month during which we may well have our spiritual mettle tested, it assures us we have the courage and power to prevail over even the toughest and most intimidating forces. But we do so not by false optimism and denial, but by embracing them with guts and guile, awake to the tricks of ego, the seductive nature of the mind, the power of thought and the dominion of fear that’s been allowed to hold sway for so long in this world. Spiritual warriors one and all, this Full Moon illuminates challenges ahead whilst enhancing the strength of our heart and the clarity of our mind to meet them face to face, resolved to journey through and out the other side, hand in hand with each other and all transformed.

As Mercury gathers forward pace in the wake of the Full Moon, it’s time to put plans into action, and live according to insights and wisdom born of the past three weeks. What have we learnt about ourselves? How does this challenge previous self-beliefs? And how does life now look taking into account our new perspective? An opposition between Mars and Venus (as she enters Gemini) from 24^th to 27^th May, highlights the importance of balance and the vitality available when we can live both ends of a spectrum and know the centre point too. We can never be totally one thing, for its opposite will always lurk in the shadows. Nor can we always strike a perfect balance between two opposing states. Instead we must learn to make peace with our paradoxical nature, with the opposites we display at different times, our inconsistencies and confusion. This is who we are. Within this peace dwells the most creative spark of all, for the divine is all things everywhere and as such can never be a singularity. It is you and me, our greatest loves and most hated foes. It is our biggest mistake, deepest regret and moments of triumph. Just as it cannot be contained in tidy boxes and convenient definitions, nor can we.

27^th May sees Mars retrograde back into Scorpio for a couple of months, further enhancing our resilience and determination to leave no stone unturned when it comes to self-knowledge and the on-going raising of consciousness. If we tried to skirt around some thorny issues during its previous journey through the sign of the Scorpion (3^rdJanuary – 6^th March 2016) now’s the time to revisit and do what needs to be done. This time a Grand Trine in Earth between Pluto, Mercury and the North Node keeps our feet on the ground while we descend into the depths to unearth both our god/dess-given grit and divine grace. Mars in Scorpio can be a tough taskmaster, unremitting in its efforts to dislodge whatever obstructs the truth. Secrets kept at this point may be best brought out in the open before Mars does it for us with his characteristic and uncompromising zeal!

The month comes to a close with Neptune squaring the Sun from 29^th May to 5^thJune. Beware a tendency to self-deception and conveniently overlooking that huge pink elephant in the room! And don’t be thinking that others haven’t mentioned it because they’re not aware it’s there. They may be in a similar state of denial hoping the fly in the ointment will quickly disappear! It won’t. Be it recognition of something about ourselves that leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, an inconvenient turn of events that threatens to scupper a treasured plan or an unexpected hitch in what looked like a sure thing, the best approach now is searing honesty and utter openness with all involved. For in responding this way the blessings of Neptune are unleashed, softening hearts, opening minds and allowing for miracles to occur where once it seemed only disaster was assured.

How this month ends is really up to us. It could be on a high with an open heart buoyed by a new found faith. Or it could be on a low, mired in confusion and denial, fearing the next step for the uncertainty it threatens. Of course there’s plenty of in-between ground we could occupy too! But the important thing to remember is this: We forge the next moment with our attitude to the present one, and destiny – whatever that may be! – is held firmly, at this moment, in our hands.