Astrology for May
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Astrology for May 2020
The days are edged at twilight with the bright lantern of Venus hanging high in the western sky, and before dawn with the arching starry alignment of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars in the East.
As I sit in my office writing, the immensity and profound interrelatedness between the events of the stars and the world situation overwhelm me. How do I give words to this collaboration of earth and sky, humanity and the archetypal dance now enacted through the planetary alignments, which shows greater and broader meaning to these times?
What we do know together is that time isn’t holding its linear sequence as before, but is sinking into a deeper frequency of embodying the days and ourselves. Together we are experiencing a break in time.
This break in time is mirrored in the heavens as the break in forward movement of 4 planets, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Pluto. From April 25th through May 14th we engage with a powerful period of reversal and review. It is sometimes described as a time when, ‘something has to give’. We now stand on an edge of sheltering in place and moving out into the world. The sky mirrors and gives instruction for the time ahead. We are held in place to allow for a radical rearrangement and transformation as renewal takes place. Such a massing of planets turning retrograde in a small window of time speaks of the many dimensions of being, and collective perception intertwined with outer reality that are being reviewed, revised and reevaluated.
This worldwide experience marks a highly unique time to re-imagine the world.
“At some deep level, it has become necessary for collective humanity to gain a more conscious awareness of the psychological fact that we are all in this together.” Michael Meade. …We are engaged in “the meaningful practice of conscious descent” a ritual long known and enacted by the indigenous peoples of the world. This is a global initiation, retreating, going down into the deep, experiencing the liminal place of in-between and transformation, then to be born anew. This is exactly the mythological significance that the Mayans gave to the Venus retrograde period now upon us.
Celestial events for May
April 9th – Jul 28th – Full Venus retrograde cycles begins before it retrogrades
Before Venus retrogrades on May 12th, we are immersed in a gathering of conflicting issues and opinions regarding our perspectives and values. We witness this in all the discussion about how to proceed forward from the shelter in place. To stay polarized between opinions misses the point of the gathering, which sets the initiation, and possible renewal, at a higher and more integrated level.
May 12th – June 24 – When Venus goes retrograde from the 12th to June 24th the review deepens. We are now engaged in a powerful turning point as Venus disappears from the evening sky and enacts the descent into the deep to be born a new, appearing once again, but this time on June 9th as the morning star.
The retrograde phase brings to our attention neglected areas or situations of conflict in order to understand the underlying motives and needs that are being ignored. What arises during this time then becomes the teaching. Just think of all the issues that are being exposed and seen during this pandemic, both personally and collectively. (Addressing a core issue in how to best proceed forward, listen to Bill Maher interview Dr. David Katz.)
May 7 – Full Moon in Scorpio – the Wesak Moon, Celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment
Buddha was said to have become enlightened during this Scorpio full moon. During this Wesak Full Moon, with the Sun in Earthy Taurus and the Moon in intense and deep feeling Scorpio, we have the opportunity to realign ourselves. By taking the time to sit and touch in to the fundamental goodness of ourselves, by opening to the shared heart of all humanity we honor the depth of the Buddha’s wisdom and the soul of each being. We are aware of the intensity of feeling worldwide during this time.
May 10 – Saturn goes retrograde at 1 Aquarius (we reflect on the current effectiveness of our choices)
May 12 – Venus goes retrograde at 21 Gemini, (Read more here)
May 14 – Jupiter turns retrograde at 27 Capricorn (now is our opportunity to connect with a deeper and more personal sense of justice)
May 20 – Sun enters Gemini,
May 22 – New Moon at 2 Gemini, (seed an intention for creative & thoughtful communications)
As Venus retrogrades in Gemini, how will we weave together the polarities in which we live? The invisible world now erupts and breaks our linear time to have us remember the timeless interconnectedness of all life. Through separation and ‘we are all in this together’, through the break in time and rearrangement of our habituated patterns, and through the deepening calm juxtaposed against extreme crisis, we find ourselves in the Venus in Gemini retrograde. Here the rhythms of the cosmos pull us back into reevaluating what it is we most value as the foundation of being. Can we break the spell of profit and power and realize the power of other dimensions of knowing to guide us forward, the power of our choice to heal and renew?
The Twelve signs for May 2020: For Sun and Rising Signs
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): During this Venus retrograde time, dear Aries, Venus highlights your communication patterns. Any communication issues that arise are your teachings. You are aware of dualities that exist within your mind. One side sees the positive and the other finds yourself lacking. During this time you know that ‘something has to give”. You return to your deeper values, that which is essential becomes your ground of being. It becomes your mantra. When Mars enters Pisces on the 12th, be thoughtful of your sensitivity to what and who is around you.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Such a change time for you, dear Taurus!! Be flexible as you navigate between the old and the new. Let the insights that the new bring to you be held with attentiveness, creating new understandings, and altering old ways of being. Polarities that existed in relationship have the potential to be woven anew. Venus retrograde has you review your sense of yourself, your self worth and your relationship with money. It asks you “How do you define your worth?” Then seeks an even deeper answer.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): Oh Gemini!! Venus retrograde in Gemini feels both wonderful and challenging. From April to August, it both brings pleasure and sweetness, and lets you know where you scatter yourself too thin, stretched across all the things you love, all those brilliant ideas. Now you are called to a deeper place. You are asked to review how you navigate your world. Take time this month to sort through, to slow down, to move step by step with patience, for your imaginative powers at this time may sweep you into a complete lack of any order. You are engaged in a deeply transformative process.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): Dear Cancer, some kind of completion is taking place. It calls for you to reflect and tune into what wants resolution and completion. Here you may reevaluate your deepest spiritual values and connection. The time spend alone enriches your time with others, as if you are taking a deep thirst quenching drink. You reflect on how those values are carried over into your relationships and into all you create. There is also a project, or phase of life, that is ready to be completed. By September it finds its way into the world.
Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): Dear Leo, in this shelter in place time, don’t deprive yourself of the friends and people that you love. Now communication and a sense of relatedness are essential. Certain relationships may recede and new ones emerge. It is an interesting time to find yourself involved with groups. You feel a fondness and a give and take that is rewarding. You recognize the value you place on sharing with more than one person at a time. It is also a time to plant seeds for future endeavors, setting your course according to your hopes and ideals. As Venus retrogrades from May 12th and June 24th, you review those goals.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Dear Virgo, the universe urges you to bring your communications out into the world. While Venus dwells in Gemini and retrogrades, you find yourself inspired to accomplishment certain goals, whether it is studying or writing, some form of communication or creative projects. You now review your career goals and your career in general, bringing your consciousness to what is most valuable in what you do. It is the time (regardless of a career) to really value how you contribute to the world around you, whether it is the natural world, the world of friends or extended family, or the larger community. It is here that you most fully embody your heart to others.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Dear Libra, with Venus being the planet of Libra, each retrograde passage of Venus carries the potential of transformation. With Venus retrograde you now review your beliefs, beliefs about yourself and what gives meaning to this life we live. You find yourself sorting through opposing beliefs, which create stories you tell yourself about who you are. What would you like to release? At this time meet your edges with softness and name the underlying perception of meaning that guides your life. It makes me think of the Dalai Lama who says so simply, “My religion is loving kindness”. Find that perception of meaning that transcends polarity. Let it become your mantra from now until Venus moves into Cancer on Aug 7th.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Dear Scorpio you are more sensitively attuned to others at this time and particularly to deeper issues that exist. Your perceptive antennae are heightened. This is also a positive time for collaboration with others, especially on creative and esoteric projects. The Venus retrograde can bring greater intimacy, as well as a reevaluation of intimacy, closeness and the willingness to let go of tightly held agendas. It may be a particularly potent time for healing and for bringing healing communications to others. As sensitive as you, are you also have a core of strength and presence you can rely on.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): Like an arrow you move when you name your task or goal. Such an admirable quality! Now Venus pulls you into feeling the quality of your relationships and partnerships. This month calls for you to notice, in each of your encounters, the quality of presence, which you and another create. We teach each other about ourselves in that dynamic field of relatedness between us. We are indeed one great heart shared in this living humanity. Venus now in Gemini is opposite Sagittarius marking the time to find your balance between your arrow driven focus and your enjoyment and love of others, never forgetting how precious each encounter is.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): This Venus retrograde cycle calls your attention to your health and well being, to the quality of presence you bring to your daily routines and to your work. As the foundation for your uniqueness, the retrograde time asks you to review your relationship with body, mind, and soul. This is the very definition of yoga, the state of union or communion with one’s true Self. You are in a fine-tuning process. You tune into what daily practices support you and which don’t. You re-evaluate your relationship to your work, your coworkers, and the service you provide, bringing in more harmony and respect both to yourself and others.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): With Saturn having entered Aquarius at the end of March, you, dear Aquarius, can feel a new responsibility taking form, a new level of ownership for your own wisdom. Saturn wants to give shape to the brightness of your insights. Venus now highlighting another air sign, graces your chart in the house of creativity and self-expression. You may find that your poetic voice or general creativity have opened their doors to you. In this moment you feel very connected to what it is you love. During the Venus retrograde period, mid May to through June, what a wonderful time to more fully embody the creative projects and the children you love.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): Dear Pisces, this Venus retrograde calls your attention to the quality of your being from the inside. It accentuates the deep foundations upon which you rest. Now in this time, with the shifting, changing world around us, you turn to align with an inner quality of heart and being. It’s a deep meditation into the experience of your body, the awareness of the energy within yourself and the ground upon which you depend. As issues and feelings arise, each one can be embraced with love. You are reorienting your sensitivity inward, finding love and well being as your inner foundation. And from here you will meet the world, holding to that center.
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 35 years, bringing together traditional & esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah, astrology and or, painting classes, and for personal consultations, call (831) 479-3751, or go to www.susanheinz.com.