May 2016 FOrecasts

New Moon in Aries May 6
The new Moon phase brings a new start in the natural first sign of the Zodiac; Aries on May 6 at 20.29 (GMT +1).  The Moon reaches the Sun's degree in the lunar sign Bharani, which is contained within Aries and represents a birthing, which is symbolized by a yoni,  literally 'vulva'. Bharani is a creative and passionate sign. Being ruled by Venus and held entirely within Mars' sign Aries, it combines the gender planets and a strong sexual nature, but also a cruel one, as something is born within us and is forced into the world.

There is a need for restraint, as the new Moon is but an indication of what is to be born, and the current retrograde planets in this sign and Mars' other sign, Scorpio are expressing a slow and sometimes painful birth. 

Ordinarily, Mars represents unbridled passions and a need to jump straight in. However, as Mars is now retrograde and transiting alongside Saturn, there is hesitation and restraint, as things simmer underneath a tight lid. Mercury is also retrograde alongside this new Moon, as well as Jupiter and Saturn's retrograde transits, marking a time to get back to the drawing board before venturing onward.

​Use the new Moon period to acknowledge this restraint and cook your passions so they are more easily digested at a later stage.
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Akshaya Tritiya May 8/9
Akshaya Tritiya is the third lunar day of the current lunar month and means 'never diminishing'; a day each year which is celebrated in India and all over the world when both the Sun and Moon are exalted. The Moon begins to wax after the new Moon in Aries on May 6, and subsequently enters the sign Taurus, its place of exaltation, leaving the Sun in its place of exaltation, Aries. 

This year the third lunar day (Tritiya) falls on Sunday afternoon, May 8th and into Monday morning (BST) May 9, which means the Sun and Moon are the day rulers and placed in exaltation for this auspicious day. It is said that there is no need to consult an astrologer for timing the best start to an event, as this day is the most auspicious of the year, and cancels out any other inauspicious factors at play. 

When our two sources of light are in such a strong position it is worth taking advantage of the benevolence in some way. Traditionally, people in India buy gold, but you may wish to plant a seed for something you would like to grow in your life, and find that you can 'bloom where you are planted'. 

What will you choose to grow?

Jupiter Stations Direct in Leo May 9
Jupiter stations at 19 degrees Leo on May 9, appearing motionless - intensifying its effect. At this time, Jupiter is more able to show us how to move forward. It shows this to us slowly, however. With Jupiter barely moving in May and being aspected (influenced) by restrictive Saturn (exact by the full Moon), our big ideas meet with a lot of doubts. Mercury moves across the face of the Sun on this day also, leading to many more revelations, as a result of Jupiter's influence from the Sun's sign, Leo. 

Jupiter represents growth and optimism, which have been curtailed of late due to Jupiter's retrograde transit, with an aspect from Saturn and a conjunction with Rahu. Now we can at least move forward with a new sense of what is possible, even if we are still left in the dark somewhat due to Rahu's transit alongside Jupiter, as well as Saturn's continued influence until August. There are also other, more pressing, transits asking us to recalculate our steps carefully before we actually do anything. These are Saturn, Mars, and Mercury's retrograde transits. 

Jupiter represents our sense of connection and cohesion. It is at a management level in the planetary line-up; bringing all of the ingredients together to make something run smoothly. It is concerned with all of the elements involved in bringing about cohesion, and is a part of us which realizes that without the inclusion of everyone and everything, there can be no real cohesion. In Vedic philosophy this is known as the harmonious quality of Sattva.

Rahu's influence is particularly challenging, as it is opposite to Jupiter in many ways and represents the quality of Tamas, which is self-orientated and offers up confusion because of this 'going it alone'.  Rahu does represent new ways of thinking and doing things though, as old ways are left behind. However, this is at odds with the way they've always been done. You may find yourself out of a loop if you dare to do things different than most. This is especially the case if you are experiencing a 'Rahu time-period'. Rahu shakes things up so we can see things from a different perspective. However, while we are doing so we are likely to be thrown off course and get it completely wrong. Of course, we know that there is nothing 'wrong' from a bigger perspective. But getting things wrong is still very much a possibility while Jupiter comes together with Rahu. And because they do not come to exact conjunction until June 23, there is still a lot of confusion and room to maneuver. 

Tune into your inner guide - your inner voice - by listening to the sounds around you; the subtlest of sounds from your environment, in your body and your breath. Find the pauses between breaths, the space that is experienced will give you insights which the breath itself cannot, only the awareness. Doubts may arise as to how to move forward, but rest assured in the presence of a deeper knowing; an inner intelligence which knows everything is working it all out for you if you could just be still and open a space within yourself to hear it. 
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Photo © Samir Mahmood

Sun in Taurus May 14 - June 13
Taurus is the most comfortable and sensual sign of the zodiac. It represents beauty and pleasure, ease and contentment. This time of year highlights the things in life we often do not pay enough attention to while figuring out the problems of the world and in our lives. That is the domain of the opposite sign Scorpio, which is having a lot of focus at this time. This is due to the transits of Saturn and Mars in Scorpio, placed in opposition to the Sun between mid-May and mid-June. 

Taurus offers a sweet counterbalance to the stresses experienced in life. It represents a time of year when the 'living is easy'. No matter how difficult a situation you may be grappling with, the Sun's rays and the comfort of the summer season offers a more relaxed and restful state to rejuvenate. Venus, the ruling planet of Taurus, is the planet of sexuality and sensuality, and if we can use these tools wisely, we can revamp ourselves with the increased energy as the sap rises; a reflection of how the energy increases in our own bodies at this time of year. 

You can use this time to rejuvenate and reinvigorate yourself, but you cannot ignore your duties and responsibilities as you do so. 
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Venus enters Taurus May 19
Venus moves into strength in its own sign and this marks a period of enjoyment and contentment for the summer. Those who are more geared to enjoyment i.e. those strongly influenced by Venus, are more able to tap into the benevolence of this transit, while others more focused on Saturn or Mars in Scorpio will need to balance this sense of ease with other life stresses. 

Venus in Taurus expresses beauty, art, sensuality and love in a very practical manner. In other words, these things are not abstract ideas or ideals, but actual experiences available while Venus transits its earth-dominant sign. This is the time of year we become more aware of Mother Nature's bounty and venture out into the garden, represented by the sign Taurus. The image often used for the sign is of the cow, chewing the cud contentedly in the field. Taurus represents represents food, comforts, including clothing and luxury items, family and support, and security and well-being. Those strongly influenced by the sign are at home in the physical world and are very tactile and loving people ordinarily. 

There are some stresses to be experienced this summer, however. Saturn and Mars in opposition to Taurus are creating pressure on our ability to just simply enjoy a sensual life, pressing us to get things done. We cannot see our guiding light of Venus due to its proximity to the Sun, and have to find a way of enjoying ourselves in some intense situations. Remember that the softness of Venus is always available in some form or another. On a hot sunny day, a glass of cool water quenches the thirst.

If you can make time and space for the simple pleasures in life while Venus is moving through Taurus, you can balance your duties with your very practical needs which involve enjoying yourself. These needs are not frivolous, but very necessary ones which find balance alongside hard work. 

'A Mars [and Venus] a day, helps you work, rest and play'.
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Full Moon in Scorpio May 21
​The Moon reaches its glorious fullness in the sign Scorpio in exact conjunction with Mars, the sign's ruling planet and opposite Venus in Taurus. The month of May is a passionate mix with a lot of restraining factors which must be adhered to. Passions run high but are buried deep during this full Moon in Scorpio.

The Moon is fullest at 22.14 (GMT +1) on May 21, with the Moon beginning its full phase during the night of the 20th on Venus' day, Friday. This kick starts the weekend in a dramatic and intense fashion.

Mercury is about to station in Mars' other sign, Aries and this can feel like a build up of mental activity, while Saturn influences Jupiter by exact degree, fueling doubts. 

This full Moon is a heady and deadly mix for some, and perhaps a controlled and skillful one for others. The more awareness you have of these transits, the more you can fall into the latter category, but if you find yourself giving in to your passions to feel some relief, be kind with yourself and considerate of others in the process. 
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Mercury Stations Direct in Aries May 22
Once Mercury stations direct we can gather our thoughts and begin to see a way forward with new awareness of all the elements involved in the game. This is helped by Jupiter's direct motion and influence from Leo, but held in check by Saturn's influence to Jupiter. And, as always, there is a period of intense awareness of the change in motion, as Mercury, ordinarily the fastest moving planet,  is at its slowest during its station. This brings more scrutiny to the things Mercury represents; chiefly communication and daily routines, and May offer up many setbacks in relation to these so we can fine tune them.

Now that Mercury begins to move forward again, we can at least think in a forward motion. However, Mars is still retrograde until the end of June, influencing Mercury while it transits its sign until June 7, at which time it clears its shadow phase (the point at which it began its retrograde motion in April) and moves into new territory. So don't expect things to move full steam ahead until the second week of June. Take slower strides forward by the of May.

Be mindful of Mercury's slow turnaround by the second half of the month, leading to explosive situations which may play out in your communications with others. It's always best to listen more while Mercury is changing its direction, to figure things out before saying something you may regret. 

Stay open for new insights and cues in how to move forward in the coming weeks. 
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OM TAT SAT