Astrolore’s Weekly Astrology Weather: May 18, 2015 through May 24, 2015
Before we start the week, we must prepare for the Mercury retrograde, which begins Monday evening at 9:48 PM EDT. If you have followed my work for any amount of time, you are familiar with my ideas on Mercury retrograde. If you are new to my work and have the expectation of a great deal of negativity during Mercury retrograde, it is time to consider a new perspective.
I love Mercury Retrograde. Are you surprised to hear that? I remember when I was younger and had not yet learned how to manage these Mercury retrograde cycles. I encountered the same difficulties everyone is warned about.
Communications always seem to go wrong. Electronic and mechanical devices of all sorts broke down, misunderstandings occurred at every turn, and I couldn’t manage to get to an appointment on time nor did any of my clients show up on time. These are frustrating situations indeed.
It is amazing that a new perspective, a new attitude, and some preparation have totally changed my experience of Mercury retrograde. I encourage you to take on this new perspective along with the preparation.
Think about the pace with which we live our lives. Most of us have very little time for relaxation, contemplation, or rest. We seem to always be moving from activity, to appointment, to project, to whatever the next thing is. When Mercury is retrograde, we must slow down and look at all the loose ends we have left in our wake as we have rushed forward since the last Mercury retrograde (January 21st to February 11, 2015).
Get out your calendars and journals. Make a list of any projects, important communications, and plans that you have been working on since February 11th. Make a list of all that must occur to bring those projects, plans, and communications to their proper conclusion.
Mercury will remain retrograde until June 11th. Between now and then, your mission is to check off as much from this list as possible. If you begin new projects, plans, and significant communications during Mercury retrograde, you are likely to get tangled up in the difficulties and challenges you may have experienced during previous Mercury retrogrades.
Since I began employing this plan during Mercury retrograde, I am amazed at what a productive time this can be! The whole thing delights me so much that I am nearly in denial that there’s any difficulty at all with Mercury retrograde! 🙂
I understand how difficult this change of perspective and new way of managing Mercury retrograde can be! Be kind to yourself as you learn to watch this cycle in a new manner and with new expectations.
TAURUS NEW MOON; MERCURY RETROGRADE
Monday, May 18, 2015:
The Taurus New Moon is exact at 12:13 AM EDT. By the time we awake on Monday morning, the Moon is newly in Gemini. On an emotional level, we feel a new start and we are ready to begin new communications on well-seasoned issues.
As we encounter new perspectives on old issues, we must be extra careful in communicating those perspectives in a way that others will understand. If you have been dealing with a difficult communication with a partner or loved one and now find a new perspective, be prepared for the challenge of sharing that perspective in such a way that it will be welcomed and understood.
Mercury turns retrograde at 9:48 PM EDT. I hope you made your list of all the things left undone since the last Mercury retrograde in February. Prepare yourself to focus on completing those tasks over this next three weeks. Mercury will turn direct once again on June 11th.
All the tasks that have been set aside and left on the table are now ripe for a new perspective and completion. There is much to be accomplished. Encourage those around you to join you in this new way of experiencing Mercury retrograde.
COMMUNICATE WITHOUT MISUNDERSTANDINGS
Tuesday, May 19, 2015:
Tuesday is a day of adjustment. I think we can expect this to be a challenging adjustment in how we communicate, and how we anticipate and understand the communications of others. If there is something you do not understand, in any situation, ask for clarification.
Watch carefully for the tendency to make assumptions. Making assumptions this week will create fertile ground for misunderstandings that will color the next three weeks (and beyond).
You may see exciting new possibilities on some of the issues that have been troubling you for the past few weeks. If these possibilities are starting you in an entirely new direction, steer clear.
If the new possibilities and perspectives are a continuation of what you have already begun, work on clarifying your thinking and communicating it with patience. Be certain that your intention is being heard clearly.
At 1:58 PM EDT following a sextile to Uranus, the Moon is VOC* until Wednesday morning when she will enter Cancer.
CREATE PRECIOUS MEMORIES
Wednesday, May 20, 2015:
The day begins with the Moon VOC* and we may feel terribly unmotivated to get moving early. However, at 9:56 AM EDT, the Moon enters Cancer. Other then the continued adjustment to Mercury retrograde, we sail rather smoothly through Wednesday.
This is the final day of the sun in Taurus. On Thursday, the core energy of the Sun, the energy that gives light and warmth to all the planets, enters Gemini as the season moves into a busy time of growth here in the Northern Hemisphere.
Plan on enjoying this final day of sensual Taurean Energy as she so readily feeds Wednesday’s Cancer Moon need for closeness, connection, and love. This is a day to enjoy the sensual delights of shared food, shared memories, and shared physical connection.
Invite family or close loved ones to enjoy a meal together on Wednesday evening. Allow yourselves to reminisce and languish in memories of times and loved ones from the past.
Remain conscious that the love, affection, and pleasure you engage in now is a future precious memory.
SUN ENTERS GEMINI; WAKE UP
Thursday, May 21, 2015:
It feels to me that as the Sun enters Gemini, we all wake up!
The Sun enters Gemini at 4:44 AM EDT. Gemini is the final sign of Spring here in the Northern Hemisphere.
As the Sun entered Aries in late March, we certainly woke up to begin the assertive process of Spring. When the Sun entered Taurus, we rested in the sensual pleasures of Spring.
Now, as the Sun enters Gemini, all of our senses are on high alert as we attempt to observe and experience all of the new life pushing forward.
Think of all the new life and growth in this period of time. Take a walk in the woods; how many new varieties of flowers can you count? How many new ideas are percolating through your being?
Mercury (who has just gone retrograde this week) is the planetary ruler of Gemini. Gemini longs to communicate, understand, and make connections everywhere.
There is no question that it is a challenge to have Mercury retrograde while the sun is in Gemini. However, there is no point in bemoaning this fact! Consider this to be an opportunity, pay careful attention to your communication skills and pay close attention to what is being communicated to you from others.
Curiosity is a wonderful gift of Gemini. Keep your eyes open, listen carefully, ask many questions, and do not make assumptions. Make sure your communications are being interpreted as you intend them to be. Double-check everything!
At 9:56 PM EDT, Venus opposes Pluto. Where is love or money demanding that you look very clearly into the very darkest corners of your heart, mind, and experience?
On December 20, 2014, the cycle between Venus and Pluto began. At that time, how was love, your deep values, or some financial situation insisting that you start a new cycle of great depth? Was there some way that money, relationships, or your values insisted on a new and profoundly deep path?
Look at where that path has brought you since its beginning. At this time, you should clearly see what you began and where it has landed you. The intensity of this situation releases its energy as you move forward to assimilate its full growth.
With the Cancer Moon connecting with both Pluto and Uranus, anticipate sensitivity and practice deep kindness. At 8:36 PM EDT following a square to Uranus, the Moon will be VOC*until Friday evening. No internet shopping on Thursday evening!
A MATURE SENSE OF SELF
Friday, May 22, 2015:
The Moon remains in Cancer and is VOC*until she enters Leo at 5:42 PM EDT.
Friday is likely to be a day of very little accomplishment. Not a lot will result from your efforts. Give yourself and anyone you encounter a lot of slack, as I can imagine a great deal of frustration as we try to get through to the other side of this day.
We may feel nostalgic and lonely, somehow seeing the past as preferable to where we are today. The intensity of the last 24 hours may leave us concerned that we have made a serious mistake in our lives. Keep moving forward, do not buy into regret, there are many more steps along this path.
At 9:34 PM EDT, the Sun opposes Saturn. This is energy that we feel for a day or so on each side of the exact aspect. Traditionally, we tend to think of the Sun opposing Saturn as being a time of restriction, regret, and hard work.
I am much more inclined to think of it in the context of the cycle between the Sun and Saturn. This cycle began in mid-November 2014. What was the hard work that you took on at that time? In what area of your life were you working to develop a more seriously mature perspective?
This is a cycle of maturing within the self. At this time, it should be obvious whether what you began in November has led you to a place of deeper maturity or not.
You may feel a bit heavy, even a bit depressed, but if you have developed deeper maturity you are on the right path. If your honest answer is no, that you have not developed a deeper maturity, it is time to make an adjustment that will lead you to a more serious space within the self.
BEGIN TO EASE UP
Saturday, May 23, 2015:
The opposition between the Sun and Saturn is firmly with us on Saturday as well. Spending serious time in self contemplation or meditation on Saturday morning should be very helpful.
Do not belabor the point, do not get stuck in feelings of restriction and self-denial. Understand that as humans we all make mistakes and we all learn from those mistakes. Shake off feelings of heaviness with physical activity.
The Moon is in Leo all day. Find fun and playful people to spend time with! Do not avoid the serious self contemplation, do not try to go directly to the fun and play.
You must do the work before the play. However, the playful, demonstrative self-expression of Leo is available once you have done the hard work.
Get it out of the way early in the day and get on with an enjoyable Saturday evening!
NO EXPECTATIONS; KEEP IT SIMPLE
Sunday, May 24, 2015:
No chores, no tasks, no expectations! Following a trine to Uranus at 6:50 AM EDT, the Moon is VOC* in Leo. She does not enter Virgo until Monday morning, giving us a very long VOC* Moon under the influence of Uranus!
Sunday is traditionally a day set aside from the rest of the work-week; a day for rest and spiritual renewal. I am not sure that this is a day specifically aligned for spiritual renewal but it is certainly a day for rest, and simple, if not unusual, pleasures.
Plan a day with uncomplicated friends and uncomplicated activities. Keep in mind the clarity that is required in your communications and enjoy working with friends toward simple fun.
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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 18, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Taurus) following a conjunction to the Sun (the New Moon) at 12:13 AM EDT until entering Gemini at 5:27 AM EDT.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Gemini) following a sextile to Uranus at 1:58 PM EDT until she enters Cancer on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 9:56 AM EDT.
Thursday, May 21, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Cancer) following a square to Uranus at 8:36 PM EDT until she enters Leo on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 5:42 PM EDT.
Sunday, May 24, 2015 the Moon is VOC* (in Leo) following a trine to Uranus at 6:50 AM EDT until she enters Virgo on Monday, May 25, 2015 at 4:52 AM EDT.
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* 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 under consideration: conjunctions, sextiles, squares, trines, and oppositions.
The planets I work with: Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.