Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology Weather: May 11, 2015 through May 17, 2015

Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology Weather: May 11, 2015 through May 17, 2015
We begin this week with Mars and the Sun in the sensual, stable sign of Taurus. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we rest in the stable part of Spring. By the end of this week, Mars will have entered Gemini as we move closer to the point where we realize and remember how short the season is.
Before the end of next week, the Sun will follow Mars into Gemini and we become embroiled in our desire to squeeze every drop of pleasure out of this brief season.

Here in Vermont, we have been enjoying amazing Spring weather and it still seems that all the pleasure lays ahead of us. Soon, we must face the reality of how short this season is and how important that we enjoy every minute.
As Mars enters Gemini, we feel the increase in the heartbeat of time and we want to explore and experience all that is available to us. Mars is the planet that pushes us forward with assertive strength and drive. Don’t let this time slip away. Enjoy!
 
BALANCE PLEASURE WITH CONTEMPLATION
Monday, May 11, 2015:
Monday brings us to the Third Quarter Moon which is encouraging us to release something in our lives as we prepare for the new Lunar Cycle. This cycle begins with the New Moon on Sunday.
This week we move through the Dark Phase of the Moon. Our time will be spent going inward, spending time alone for contemplation; and becoming softer, kinder, and more pliable in the process.
The Moon is in Aquarius becoming VOC* at 6:35 AM EDT following the square to the Sun. She remains in limbo until entering Pisces at 10:54 PM EDT.
At 10:39PM EDT, Mars leaves Taurus behind to enter Gemini, ushering us into more physical and mental activity. The early part of Spring (Aries) is a time of sudden dramatic growth, and the mid part of Spring (Taurus) is a time of absorbing the energy and the sensual nature of Spring. Now as we enter the later part of Spring (Gemini), our activity and desire to participate in everything increases as we realize we must enjoy this time and these abundant pleasures before they are over.
It is important to balance your seeking of pleasure with inward contemplation; each will support the other.
 
REALITY WITH A SOFT FOCUS
Tuesday, May 12, 2015:
Tuesday should feel like a softer day as the Moon moves through Pisces, gently connecting with Venus and Neptune. Our imaginations are activated, and our rose-colored glasses are firmly in place as we encounter a gentle sense of loving kindness.
However, the downside is that we may want to avoid the necessary conflicts or rough conversations that must move forward.
We want pleasure and a soft touch and yet reality requires that we address certain issues at this time.
This is a balance that must be worked with on Tuesday. Don’t avoid what at first seems unpleasant. Enjoy the soft focus even as you look clearly at the reality and speak your truth. If you are able to do this with compassion and honesty, you have navigated the potential conflict well.
Encourage others to speak what may not be easy for them as well. Accept what they have to say as their own truth; hear them out without defensiveness. Take it in and respond with kindness.
 
CONTEMPLATION & ACCEPTANCE
Wednesday, May 13, 2015:
On Wednesday, we likely sink even deeper into soft fantasy. If you don’t absolutely have to work, stay home. This is a day to relax, sunbathe, listen to music, meditate, or daydream.

Following a sextile to the Sun at 12:55 PM EDT, the Pisces Moon is VOC* until Thursday morning at 1:14 AM EDT when she enters Aries.
As we are in the Dark of the Moon, the Moon is also encouraging us to spend time contemplating and investigating the inner terrain of our hearts and minds.
Pisces is not simple energy to understand. It is unfathomably sensitive, watery, and deep. It represents our consciousness; not the contents of consciousness but consciousness itself.
Understanding Pisces and Neptune, the planet of its ruler-ship, can be tricky. I think of Pisces as the rose-colored glasses we put on to avoid what is difficult. Pisces represents softness, lack of clarity, dreams, and suffering.
On Wednesday, it may be hard to feel that our feet are firmly on the ground. Don’t try to force them today. Allow the softness and the lack of clarity. Go inward for contemplation and full inner acceptance.
 
ENGAGE COURAGE
Thursday, May 14, 2015:
At 1:14 AM EDT, the Moon enters Aries, ushering in a day with more energy than we have had recently. We don’t want to waste time, we don’t want to ask permission; we want what we want simply because we feel it is our due. We don’t want to be slowed down by anyone and we don’t want anyone getting in our way.
This is a day to open our eyes fully and act with bravery and courage; a day to step forward for our own self-interest. Make sure your self-interests are not destructive to others and accept them for what they are.
Thursday can be problematic if you try to work with others; work on your own and you can move forward. Utilize physical strength and endurance; don’t let fear stop your movement forward. Engage courage.
 
ADJUSTMENT TO REALITY                       
Friday, May 15, 2015:
Another day with the Moon in Aries and we continue on a path of self-interest and the development of courage. At 2:02 AM EDT, Mars opposes Saturn.
Look to the start of the cycle between Mars and Saturn in August of 2014 at 17degrees Scorpio. Consider the development of some serious physical discipline or use of energy that began at that time; perhaps a new yoga class, a new sporting activity, or even a new sexual relationship.
Was a next step taken regarding the new discipline in mid-January? Now it becomes clear what the full expression and the full reality of what that discipline has become. Are there adjustments that can be made? Was it a worthwhile use of your precious energy? What have have created for yourself in this cycle of structuring our most active energies?
Consider that this cycle often relates to our sexual relationships or our sexuality in general. It may also refer to strong physical endeavors, sports, or something else that utilizes your physical body in a powerful way. Consider how you want your energy or sexuality to express itself in August 2016 at the start of the next cycle between Mars and Saturn.
We may feel that something is restricting us at this time; as though the cycle didn’t play out quite the way we have wanted/expected. Look clearly at the reality, don’t sugar coat it. Notice what adjustments can be made that will move your sexual energy in the direction you would like to see for your future.
The Aries Moon connects with both Pluto and Uranus early Friday morning following the conjunction to Uranus at 8:03 AM EDT.
The Moon is VOC* until 3:02 AM EDT on Saturday morning when she will enter Taurus for steadfast stability for the weekend.
 

FREE YOUR FANTASIES
Saturday, May 16, 2015:
Saturday morning, we wake up with the Moon in Taurus. This brings us to a fabulous weekend for spring yard-work or gardening.
Connecting with the earth in whatever way speaks to you is the very best use of this energy. Work with what is stable, solid, and dependable. Dig a ditch, plant a garden, cook a meal!
At 2:48 PM EDT, Venus trine Neptune suggests that within the solid stability of Taurus there is a deeply resonating dream coming to the forefront. You may not need a solid focus, but keep the dream alive and your internal soft imagination humming.
Create beauty in your world; make that yard and garden fill your soul with tender joy and unfocused beauty.
Allow fantasies freedom and free reign to join your reality.
 
 
NEW MOON: BEGIN A CYCLE OF SENSUALITY
Sunday, May 17, 2015:
Technically, the Taurus New Moon does not occur until Monday morning approximately 13 minutes after midnight.
But I don’t want to wait to talk about it! I think it is important to think about this now. Consider the opportunity the Taurus New Moon brings. This is a time when we are asked to begin a new relationship to our senses, to the sensuality inherent in our bodies, and the enjoyment our senses offer us.
Monday morning, allow yourself to observe and experience a new relationship to your body, your sense of beauty, and your own deeply internal values.
Along with Mercury turning retrograde, next week heats things up, prepare for the ride!
 
_________________________________________________________
This week: The VOC* Moon!
VOC* (void of course) refers to the period of time between the final aspect that the Moon makes while in one sign until she enters the next sign. This can consist of several minutes or many hours. These periods are best handled with little expectation of accomplishment. These times are ideally suited for rest and contemplation.
Block off these times in your schedule and avoid making significant decisions or working on important projects during these times. During VOC* Moon, focus on routine tasks. You will be surprised at how this one change will smooth the edges of your life!
Do you have questions about what is appropriate to do or not do during the VOC* moon? A simple way to think about it is to ask a simple question: Do I hope that this activity will amount to something? If the activity does not need to amount to anything, go ahead with it!
If you have an expectation or desire that this action is going to amount to something, do not do it while the Moon is VOC*. Think about the time you bought a book you were certain you were going to love and you never could finish it! Think about the time you bought the perfect article of clothing that you ended up never wearing. That is the Moon VOC*!
Monday, May 11, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Aquarius) following a square to the Sun at 6:35 AM EDT until entering Pisces at 10:54 PM EDT.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Pisces) following a sextile to the Sun at 12:55 PM EDT until she enters Aries on Thursday, April 14^th at 1:14 AM EDT.
Friday May 15, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Aries) following a conjunction to Uranus at 8:03 AM EDT until entering Taurus at 3:02 AM EDT.
__________________________________________________________
* In these weekly reports, I am exploring the major aspects formed by transit between the planets. I do not consider every aspect that the Moon makes each day as they can be numerous and are often fleeting moods. I will consider the final major aspect formed by the Moon prior to its VOC* time, as that aspect holds its influence throughout the VOC*.
The aspects I consider: conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions.
The planets I am working with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.