ASTROLOGY REPORT FOR MAY/JUNE
 
by Dorene A. Carrel
 
            May is highlighted by four planetary stations and a busy full moon period.  The month begins on a stabilizing theme, with six planets in earth signs. The first is Saturn in Virgo, which turns stationary direct on May 2, allowing our plans and ideas to take concrete form over the next several months.
  
            This earthy trend continues on May 5 with a New Moon at 15 degrees of Taurus.  Taurus themes include finances, resources, art, values, and the senses. This lunation period would be a good time to examine our resources and possessions to take note of whether they reflect our true values.  Are we holding on to things we need to recycle?  Or is there a way we can make our lives more comfortable while staying within our budget?  If you are working on attracting prosperity or another goal, you could use an appropriate affirmation while imagining the full achievement of that goal using all your senses.  Taking some practical steps toward your goal is also favored. 

            On May 9, Jupiter turns stationary retrograde in Capricorn.  Now we are challenged to stay grounded as we expand in new directions.  Jupiter in Capricorn is goal-oriented, but encourages caution and a step-by-step approach.  We will want to know how any abstract philosophy can translate into making our daily lives better.   Mars entering Leo today will energize our endeavors over the next couple of months.

            The Full Moon, occurring on May 19 at 29 degrees of Scorpio, is favorably aligned with Venus, Jupiter and Uranus. The period from May 18-21 looks very promising for attracting relationships, prosperity and new opportunities.  However, since this full moon has a challenging alignment with both Neptune and Saturn, we need to proceed cautiously and do some reality checks along the way.  Especially since we entered the shadow period of Mercury retrograde around May 11.

            Both Mercury and Neptune turn stationary retrograde on May 26.  As Mercury is in its own sign of Gemini, this period can be especially challenging for communications and link-ups of all types.   Mercury turns direct on June 19.  As Neptune rules other realities, this combination can be deceptive and illusory.  Situations and people can be cloaked in veils of delusion and we see them with rose-colored glasses.  Venus in a challenging alignment with Saturn on this same day can provide a needed obstacle that prevents us from taking some action that we might regret later. 

            June begins in a calmer mode, but picks up energy later in the month after Mercury turns direct.  The New Moon on June 3, occurring at 13 degrees and 34 minutes of Gemini, is favorably aligned with Venus, Mercury and Mars.  This lunation period is best used for inner activities involving communication, such as research, journaling, investigating one’s genealogy or doing a past life regression. Now is the time to use one’s adaptability and humor, especially for events turned upside down due to Mercury retrograde.

            On June 13, Pluto returns to Sagittarius for a final sojourn until late November.  We can use this period to further examine our own beliefs and how they are influencing our present life experience.  The Full Moon, occurring on June 18 at 28 degrees of Sagittarius, is aligned with Pluto and the Galactic Center.  The Sagittarian themes of expansion, freedom and truth-seeking are given more power during the last part of June.

            Mercury turns stationary direct on June 19 at 13 degrees of Gemini, followed by the Summer Solstice on June 20.  We can now move forward with life goals and outer activities should be smoother. However, it would be best to wait until July for any new long-term beginnings.  This is due to a challenging alignment of Mars and Neptune on June 21 and a Uranus station occurring on June 26.  The Mars/Neptune aspect can result in confused action, while Uranus brings unexpected changes.  The month ends with a favorable alignment of Mars and Pluto on June 30, providing us with motivation and drive for moving through personal obstacles.   Blessings for a wonderful Summer Solstice.