Number 50                                                christiner@netspace.net.au

 

May, like April, is a potent month for introspection, facing our demons and making friends with our fear.  By month’s end Mercury, Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune will join Pluto  retrograde  while the two Scorpio Full Moons have increased the pressure to let go of whatever has outlived its usefulness and the New Moon in Taurus falls on the Sabbat of Samahin [only in the Southern hemisphere].

 

The energy also has a powerful mystical feel that supports the spiritual journey as Neptune conjuncts the North Node and the Scorpio full moon marks the celebration of Wesak.

 

Blessings

Christine

 

Christine Rothwell

' 03 9584 6532

Email: christiner@netspace.net.au

Website: www.christinerothwell.com

 

Contents

1. May  Overview
2. Mercury Retrograde
3. Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune Retrograde
4. Courses and Workshop Information

      Heart Awareness Workshop

      Astrology Classes

      Consultations and Gift Certificates

 

1.    May Overview

 

 

May, like April, is a potent month for facing our demons and letting go with Pluto retrograde [see last newsletter], Samhain [only in the Southern hemisphere], Venus disappearing into the Underworld and the second of 2 Full Moons in Scorpio.

 

By the end of this month Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune, Pluto and Mercury will all be retrograde, emphasizing the process of review and reflection. Sections 2 and 3 cover this in more detail.

 

An element of magic and healing is added to this Scorpionic intensity with both Neptune and Chiron conjuncting the North Node. It suggests an influence that is creative, spiritual, intuitive and visionary that is available for those who are ready to let go their fear and surrender to mysteries…this could mean breakthroughs for many who are working with the Ascension process.

 

This energy is available all month but peaks early in the month for Neptune and later for Chiron.  Neptune enhances our connection with the greater whole and allows us access to what is normally hidden or veiled. It may be possible to catch a glimpse of the ‘Divine Plan’ if we sit quietly and believe it is possible. Chiron offers the initiate the opportunity to heal old wounds, especially wounds around rejection and alienation.  These dates are very powerful times for meditation, insight and personal and collective healing rites and rituals.

 

Saturn, the Reality Principle and Lord of Karma, turns direct on May 2 after 4 months of retrograde activity. Saturn challenges us to take responsibility, claim our personal authority, re-evaluate life structures and set realistic and constructive boundaries. As Saturn stations direct it becomes very powerful and demands our attention. If you have used the retrograde period productively to re-evaluate your plans and modify your strategies then you are ready to move forward. If you have fallen into a Saturnian trough of overwhelm and self criticism it’s not too late [and it’s never too late] to regroup, refocus and decide what you want to achieve this year.

 

The Scorpio Full Moon of May 20 is the second of two Scorpio Full Moons.  Each year there are 12 to 13 lunations [new and full moons] so there is often a doubling up in one sign if a lunation occurs at very early degrees of a sign. The April Full Moon was at 0 degrees Scorpio and the May 20 Full Moon is at 29 degrees of Scorpio.  This marks the final degree of the sign of Scorpio [the anaretic degree], also referred to as the crisis degree as it marks the final stage of the karmic lesson symbolized by the sign. This intensifies the Scorpionic challenge to face our shadow and what we hide from due to fear. It may challenge us to confront an area of our life where we feel powerless and find the strength to let go our fear and move forward into the light.

 

The full moon in Scorpio is celebrated as Wesak, the Festival of the Buddha. It honours both the physical birth of the Buddha and his spiritual birth or enlightenment. In esoteric literature this Festival is the time when the Buddha returns to remind us of the possibility of awakening or enlightenment. It is a time to refocus on our spiritual lives and look at what needs to be released or let go, so we can become more compassionate and awakened.

 

The sextile of Jupiter and Uranus on May 22 is the second of three transits and suggests the potential for breakthroughs and creative problem solving, personally and collectively. Uranus rules technology so we may see some advances in environmentally friendly thinking and technology during 2008. This combination speaks of the power of innovative and creative thinking. It is a great time to focus on any area of your life where you have felt blocked and see if you can use the lateral thinking power that these two planets invoke as they form this harmonious aspect.

Venus disappears into the solar glare as She comes within a 10ï orb of the Sun where She will remain ‘invisible’ for the next couple of months, reappearing as the Evening Star in July.  Sumerian myth described the Venus Cycle through the story of the Goddess Innana. In myth this period corresponds with Her entry into the Underworld domain of Her Dark sister, Ereshkigal, where She must relinquish all Her power and submit to a process of death and rebirth.

2. Mercury Retrograde

Mercury entered the retrograde loop on May 11 in preparation for turning  retrograde on May 27, a process that heralds a new Mercury cycle that will begin on June 7 when Mercury conjuncts the Sun.

 

The most intense part of this process will be between June 1 and June 15 when Mercury is lost in the blaze of the Sun. In ancient times this was said to be when Mercury assumes his alter ego as Psychopomp and Guide to the Underworld. In this role Mercury is associated with the Egyptian scribe Thoth, who has access to the Halls of Record. Esoteric writers suggest that the retrograde phase of Mercury creates an opening that allows access to the wisdom of our soul.

 

Key dates

·        Exact dates: May 27 to June 20

·        Sensitive degrees: 12 to 21 Gemini

·        Full time of influence: May 11 to July 4

·        Time for  insight: June 7 when New Mercury Cycle begins

 [ Mercury conjunct the Sun]

·        Time for action: between June 20 and July 4

 

Currently Mercury is still visible in the evening sky but he will disappear for   about a week and by June 15 he will re-appear in the sky just before sunrise.

 

 

 As the retrograde cycle moves mainly through the sign of Gemini it is inviting us to attend to all things ruled by this sign. Remember Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs.

 

Concerns may arise over the first few weeks and the answers and insight can appear when the new cycle begins on June 7.  Sit with your insights until June 20 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action.

5.    Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune Retrograde

At various times during their orbit the planets [with the exception of the Sun and Moon] appear to move backwards.  This happens when the planets are at their closest to Earth and is due to one planet moving faster than the other. The best analogy is two trains travelling along parallel tracks: the slower moving train appears to move backwards if you are in the faster moving train.

The traditional interpretation of retrograde planets suggests that they become weak, inhibited or repressed. Psychologically we can see this quite differently: the planet is no longer functioning in its usual mode and can offer us a new angle or perspective as it moves over one area of the zodiac three times. Retrograde motion always suggests a time for introspection, review and revision.

Jupiter, the Principle of Expansion and Lord of Olympus, goes retrograde once a year for about 4 months. As the largest planet in our solar system Jupiter symbolizes our search for meaning as well as expansive states that come from faith such as confidence and optimism.

The retrograde motion of Jupiter invites us to review our growth, examine our moral codes [personally and collectively] and develop a deeper sense of what is right and true for us. Our plans for expansion may undergo a reality check and require revisioning. Sometimes we lose track of what is right for us and get carried along with collective beliefs that are not congruent with who we are. Jupiter retrograde can expose this as we gain a new perspective on our visions, beliefs and plans for growth.

Sometimes we can feel deflated [particularly if we have been inflated] and there is a major conflict between what we had hoped for and the reality of the situation. The challenge is always to review and revise our plans and to hold onto a positive attitude. Jupiter rewards positive [not naïve] thinking and invites us to walk our talk and move out of our comfort zones.

Chiron, the Wounded Healer, retrogrades May 25, inviting us to develop a more objective viewpoint regarding our personal and collective wounds. Old wounds may open for healing insight and unfinished business may resurface. The healing potential of this retrograde phase is intensified as it occurs conjunct the North Node, the Destiny point. This invites us to let go the past and utilize the lessons and gifts that we have learned and earned and move forward into unchartered territories that serve our soul’s growth.

Neptune, the God of the Sea and ruler of the collective unconscious moves retrograde on May 27, intensifying Neptune’s inner focus on the realm of images, symbols, imagination and spirituality.  It creates a more introspective mood that can heighten our awareness and senses.

The retrograde phase can also bring up all our negative Neptunian tendencies so we can gain a new perspective on theme them, PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY. It provides the opportunity to see our blind spots, illusions, delusions, fantasies, self deception, co-dependent and escapist patterns as Neptune slowly dissolves out dated structures.

 

Courses, Workshops and Classes

 Contact Christine on 9584 6532 or christiner@netspace.net.au for a brochure.

 

 

Heart Awareness

  Sunday September 14 & October Sunday October 12

This workshop will introduce you to simple yet powerful meditative techniques that will allow you to access the intuitive wisdom and healing power of your heart.

Heart Awareness gives you the tools to use throughout the day to manage stress and feel more peaceful and heart centred. The optional second day will introduce you to a process to work through old negative patterns and problems, see them in a new light and discover creative solutions.

Ring or email for a brochure

 

2008 Astrology Classes

First Year Classes: 7pm Monday

Second Year Classes:  7pm Thursday

Correspondence classes available for first year – start anytime

 

Christine offers an in-depth psychological and mythological approach to astrology. This course is suitable for those individuals who are wishing to learn more about themselves, as well as those interested in becoming a professional astrologer.

 Classes can be taken on a term by term basis and CD’s are available for any classes you can’t get to. CATCH UP CD’S ARE AVAILABLE FOR LATE ENROLMENTS. Classes are also available by correspondence – start anytime and work at your own pace.

 

First year covers all the basics that you need to begin to understand a birth chart. Second year goes deeper and looks at predictive techniques, relationship astrology and much more.

 Please ring or email for a brochure

christiner@netspace.net.au

 

Blessings

Christine Rothwell