All Times Pacific: Astrology Report May 15-May 23
Friends, we have a busy week of astrological aspects. Sunday May 15 Venus conjunct Chiron was exact before dawn. Chiron can indicate healing crisis. In the big picture this suggests that romance, art, socializing may lead to health issues, in other words, we may be headed for a summer surge in the pandemic. In our personal lives art, creativity, love, music, beauty can help us to heal. A good time to work on healing our relationships. Creative people, the work you do now can enshrine insights and perspectives that could possibly help your audience heal.
Also Sunday sun square Saturn is exact just after noon. With Saturn slowing down to stationary retrograde on June 4. This can be a time of exhaustion, pessimism, criticism, depression. But Saturn also indicates a time when simplification, discipline, patience, study and practice can help us turn weaknesses into strengths. As Tolstoy wrote, “The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.” With sun sextile Neptune also exact today about a quarter after noon, there may be a melancholic quality off-setting the will to party. This combination is the right atmosphere for creating mystical art, film, music, writing, etc.
Mono no aware, the Japanese phrase for the poignant feeling of appreciating beauty while feeling the sadness of impermanence. As Taco Johnathan, an indigenous punk artist Tamra played for me this week sings: “That’s what a moment does! It dies!” This subtle but powerful experience can help us relax away from daily obsessions, from the tyranny of the schedule. and apprehension of expectations. Dwelling on the past is only useful for learning from our mistakes and cherishing what we have loved. Anticipating the future should not be an exercise in doom-scrolling. The present is where we are free from yesterday’s mistakes and tomorrow’s challenges. Here we have powers of action and non-action that can help us make up for mistakes in the past and prevent them in the future.
Samuel Beckett beautifully described the state of anxiety we face when we lose focus on the present: “Have you not done tormenting me with your accursed time! It’s abominable! When! When! One day, is that not enough for you, one day he went dumb, one day I went blind, one day we’ll go deaf, one day we were born, one day we shall die, the same day, the same second, is that not enough for you?”
Also Sunday at 9:14 PM the full moon and lunar eclipse at 25 degrees Scorpio squares Saturn slowing down to stationary retrograde. Conditions could be established that will lead to the return of restrictions in pandemic hot spots. Major secrets may be revealed, especially regarding Saturnian issues, for example, Johnny Depp is suffering his second Saturn return with the entire world watching. Any Chinese astrologer could have warned this Water Rabbit to beware the Fire Tiger he married. In general, pessimism is likely to increase, and shortages with them, until the Saturn station June 4. Take it easy. Pay attention to details. Learn well.
Mon May 16 only lunar aspects are exact.
Tue May 17 Mars conjunct Neptune is exact before midnight, well known as a pandemic indicator, especially in Pisces. We may also see problems and conflicts around water. Expect propaganda to surge again, and men are likely to be caught up in nostalgia, conspiracies, intoxication and delusions, especially if ambition, libido, or anger are repressed. Not a good time to argue, as misunderstandings easily multiply. Violence inspired by propaganda is another common theme. Yes, this aspect was in effect during the Buffalo shooting. Remember the aspects do not cause events, they are like synchronicities, or indicators of likely weather. Plotinus wrote: “The stars are like letters that inscribe themselves at every moment in the sky. Everything in the world is full of signs. All events are coordinated. All things depend on each other. Everything breathes together.” Quite possibly the most most beautiful thing every written about astrology.
Wed May 18 only lunar aspects are exact.
Thu May 19 sun trine Pluto is exact before dawn. Dawn meditation may be especially healing with this aspect. Make small adjustments in areas needing attention to avoid trouble further down the line. Are you missing any opportunities for making positive changes in your life?
Also Thu Mercury sextile Jupiter is exact, usually a joyful aspect of humor and good times, but sextiles are weak and Saturn is approaching stationary retrograde so many may miss this opportunity to cheer up. It increases the desire for social interaction, with Mars conjunct Neptune, the lunar eclipse, and Saturn slowing down, that may be how a summer surge gets started in earnest.
Fri May 20 sun enters Gemini in the evening, a placement that loves short trips, gossip, and socializing, especially with sun conjunct Mercury exact over the weekend. People are still trying to feel what life was like before, but we are not back to how things were. This will be dangerous for those who become statistics, but most risk takers playing the percentages will avoid worst case scenarios. However caution now can prevent restrictions, and regrets. Get some writing done. Resist the urge to lose valuable time in hours of gossip and news.
Saturday May 21 sun conjunct Mercury is exact. A great aspect for writing and other forms of self expression, but it can put extra ego into our communications. Enjoy some good conversations. Also good for reorganizing routines and surroundings.
Sunday May 22 the dark of the moon begins just before noon, as always a better time for endings than beginnings. A good time for introspection, and for getting extra rest. As Rilke wrote: “So like children, we begin again… to fall, patiently to trust our heaviness. Even a bird has to do that before he can fly.”
Also Sunday Mars sextile Pluto under the best of circumstances can put an edge on libido and ambition, not to mention anger. At best we can protect our boundaries, make adjustments in the above mentioned areas that help us get rid of unnecessary problems from the past. But argument can easily turn to anger and there’s an obsessive quality about Mars Pluto aspects. With Mars conjunct Neptune and sextile Pluto there is a danger of another significant mutation. Sextiles being positive aspects we can hope that if there is a mutation it will not be more dangerous and more contagious or vaccine resistant.
Also Sunday Mercury enters Taurus. Food, comfort, security may occupy our minds with this placement. Some of the aggressive urge to socialize after being cooped up for so long may ease as Mercury in Aries was eager to get a fresh start, but Taurus wants to settle down and feel good. Especially good for writing music or writing about music. Try out a new recipe. Lounge a little.
Mars enters Aries Tue May 24. Mars conjunct Jupiter gets stronger until exact May 29. Politics is about to heat up in a big way. The war about choice will become angrier. The war in Ukraine will probably expand in some way. And since Mars can indicate virulent diseases the Jupiter conjunction may be another indicator of a summer surge. On the other hand Mars in Aries is a fresh start, and Mars is much more comfortable here in the sign of its rulership than in Pisces where it’s been since April 16. Mars conjunct Jupiter can be a boon to health, and is a good time to establish exercise or other healthy physical practices, but begin gently as there are so many celestial cross currents. For many it may require extra effort to avoid seeming arrogant with this aspect. Don’t let enthusiasm mislead you into premature actions.
Keep in mind during these challenging times that is a wonderful opportunity to work on mindfulness, tranquility, patience, and tolerance of suspense. We are nearing the end of a big cycle. Next year, for better or worse, Pluto leaves Capricorn for Aquarius. The world will change significantly. Those who fear change or who mourn the past may attain greater well being by looking forward to inventions, discoveries, and new generations, rather than imagining only the worse. 2008 to 2023 is a story told by Saturn.
