By Dorene Carrel

May brings harmonious planetary energy that will give us a break from the hectic activity of the past few months. Although May begins with several planets still in Aries, they will move into moderate Taurus by mid-month. This is a good time to consolidate and build on ideas and plans that were initiated earlier in the year. The momentum for new growth and expansion is strong with Jupiter and Uranus in Aries all month, although Jupiter also moves into Taurus in June.

The New Moon occurs on May 2 at 12 Taurus 31. Taurus themes include personal finances and resources, art and nature, as well as what brings more comfort, security and contentment. As Taurus is a fixed earth sign, there is more persistence to work towards goals, making them more practical and grounded. This lunation makes a quincunx aspect to Saturn in Libra, which favors cooperation and making adjustments for the good of the whole. The Sabian symbol for this degree, “A porter carrying heavy baggage,” suggests a need to release old beliefs and burdens that can hinder our new creations. It also suggests a need to allow others to provide assistance so one does not feel so overloaded.

An alignment of Mercury, Venus and Jupiter in Aries from May 9-11 will be favorable for creativity, relationships and social gatherings. Aries is a pioneering sign, providing the impulse to check out new ideas and activities. The Venus/Jupiter conjunction on May 11 can also bring good luck, making this is one of the best times of the year to enter lotteries and other contests. On May 15-16 Mercury and Venus in Taurus make a sextile aspect with Neptune in Pisces, which favors communicating with compassion and sensitivity. There is an opportunity to express one’s higher ideals at this time.

The Full Moon occurs on May 17 at 26 Scorpio. Scorpio themes include power, self-mastery, resourcefulness and emotional intensity. As a fixed water sign, it also provides determination to reach goals. This lunation makes a challenging alignment with Neptune, which can result in a tendency towards secrecy and illusion. However, this will challenge us to use our intuition to open to a deeper awareness. The Sabian symbols for these degrees suggest the need to overcome the forces of control that can take us away from our higher purpose.

On May 20-21 Mercury, Venus and Mars in Taurus make a harmonious trine to Pluto, which favors practical communications and cooperative activities that have a sustaining purpose. These aspects are beneficial for manifesting greater prosperity and deepening relationships. The Venus/Mars alignment at 9 Taurus on May 23 is especially favorable for making promising new relationship connections. On May 24-25 Saturn makes a testing adjustment aspect to this pair that can provide some needed moderation. However, this will be a beneficial period for social networking.

Over the US Memorial Day weekend, the Taurus moon favors productive, practical activities that bring harmony to one’s home environment. Challenging Mercury aspects with Pluto and Saturn warn against obsessive thinking and pessimism. This is a good time to focus on maintaining one’s inner equilibrium.

The planetary pace becomes more intense in June with three eclipses from June 1 to July 1. Eclipses can represent important activation periods, affecting us profoundly on mental/emotional and soul levels. This is especially true if there are personal planets or angles on these degree areas (see below). On June 1, a solar eclipse occurs at 11 Gemini, followed by a lunar eclipse on June 15 at 24 Sagittarius. Then on July 1 a solar eclipse occurs at 9 Cancer. The effects of an eclipse can be experienced 1-2 months before it becomes exact and several months afterward. The June 1 eclipse in the mental sign of Gemini can deeply influence our thinking, perceptions, beliefs, ideas, how we learn and communicate.

I will write more about the eclipses in the next Astrology Report. Best wishes for a peaceful, harmonious and productive month!

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Dorene Carrel is a professional astrologer with over thirty years of experience, offering birth chart, transits/progressions and relocation astrology readings. She is certified in Astrocartography. For more information, contact Dorene at dorenea5@yahoo.com. Paypal accepted.

Eclipse Special: Short email readings on 2011 eclipse placements and Jupiter transits bringing growth opportunities. Contact Dorene for more details and please include your birth data. dorenea5@yahoo.com.

All references to Sabian symbols are from An Astrological Mandala: The Cycle of Transformations and Its 360 Symbolic Phases, by Dane Rudhyar.

Check out my astrology blog at www.astroconnections.blogspot.com for ongoing astrological observations on current events, people, trends, etc.

Background and previous columns can be found at www.alcseattle.com. Donations also gratefully accepted. Send to P.O. Box 432, Seahurst, WA 98062

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