Number 62                                                                

 The month of May will be a powerful month for reflection, insight and healing with Mercury moving retrograde, the spiritually powerful Wesak Full Moon and the triple conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius.  The potential to awaken to higher levels of awareness and consciousness is profound, so take the time to work with the energy, rather than succumbing to fear or ‘mindless’ escapism.

 The next series of Advanced Classes begin on Saturday May 9 and term 2 Astrology classes began the week beginning April 20. There is still space if you are interested in beginning or resuming a study of this fascinating subject.

 It was a bit of a rush to get this out so please excuse any typo’s – there may be more than usual!

 Blessings

Christine

 Christine Rothwell

' 03 9584 6532

Email: christiner@netspace.net.au

Website: www.christinerothwell.com

 Contents

1. May Overview
2. Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter conjunct in Aquarius
3. Samhain [Ring Lucy on 0418 382 924 if you would like to attend  a Samhain ritual]
4. 2009 Astrology Classes.

·        Beginner’s / First Year on Thursday nights

·        Intermediate / Second Year on Monday nights

·        Advanced / Third Year one Saturday afternoon per month

5. Consultations and Gift Certificates

 

1.    May Overview

 May holds the potential to be a month of spiritual insights and breakthroughs. The triple conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune [see section 2 for a fuller discussion of this topic] could be described as encouraging spiritual [Neptune] healing [Chiron] on a large [Jupiter] scale. The gifts of insight, healing and love [Neptune rules Divine Love] will come to those who are willing to face their wounds [Chiron] and grow through this process. This is one of the most potent healing configurations possible, especially for those consciously working to raise their vibrations and release their fear. The challenge will be to stay focused on positive outcomes when we fall back into old patterns. Remember, Chiron always works homeopathically and presents us with a little bit of the old toxin so we can integrate it and move beyond the old pattern. 

The shadow side of this transit reveals a much darker possibility: the potential for large scale [Jupiter] deception [Neptune] and wounding [Chiron]. This could play out in any of the major collective spheres: business, government, technology, health etc.  

Venus squares Pluto for the third time in early May. [The earlier transits were in February and early April] This aspect invites us all to do some serious soul searching and face deeply buried wounds and fears around relating and our relationships. Pluto invites us to find the courage to enter his Underworld domain of the personal unconscious, face our fears around intimacy and release old wounds that may hinder a deepening of intimacy with others and our self. If we resist this process then we may find ourselves involved in power struggles and the [unconscious] need to control others in order to feel safe. As this is the final of three transits, the potential for resolution of an ongoing relating issue is possible if we have been willing to honour the Plutonic process and take responsibility for our fears and shadow.

Mercury moves retrograde on May 7, emphasizing and facilitating the need for us all to look inwards and take some time out for reflection. Mercury entered the retrograde loop on April 23 in preparation for turning retrograde, a process that heralds a new Mercury cycle that will begin on May 18 when Mercury conjuncts the Sun.  

The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review – a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.  

This is also a time when normal communications can go haywire and things often don’t run to plan. Remember to be patient, maintain your sense of humour, CHECK ALL PLANS, BACK UP YOUR DATA AND DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY IF THINGS GO WRONG!

[For more information go to www.christinerothwell.com/page5.htm ]  

The most intense part of this process will be May 12 to 26, 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 7 to 31

·        Sensitive degrees: 22 Taurus to 2 Gemini

·        Full time of influence: April 23 to June 15

·        Time for insight: May 18  when New Mercury Cycle begins

        When Mercury conjuncts the Sun

·        Time to act on new ideas and beliefs: May 31 to June 15 when Mercury moves direct 

 As the retrograde cycle moves mainly through the sign of Gemini, it is inviting us to attend to all things ruled by this sign. As Mercury rules Gemini, the whole process of communication and thinking is being doubly highlighted. Old dysfunctional thought patterns/processes can be reviewed and reworked at this time. Remember Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking and communication 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 May 18. Sit with your insights until after May 31 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action. 

The Full Moon in Scorpio on May 9 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 most prominent feature of this full moon is the square aspect from the triple conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune which is also a feature of the New Moon chart for May 24. The full moon can always provide insight and illumination if we are willing to reflect on our lives and become the detached but compassionate observer. This is a key time to meditate and seek guidance around our fears and limitations and see how we can ‘enlighten’ ourselves through awakening to self defeating patterns. Mercury retrograde assists this process of reflection. 

Saturn, the Reality Principle and Lord of Karma, turns direct on May 17 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 New Moon of May 24 takes place in the sign of Gemini. The New Moon conjuncts Mercury [which is retrograde] and squares Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter, highlighting all the major themes of May. Communication and thought processes / beliefs are emphasized and make this a powerful time to set new intentions to act on when Mercury moves direct. Just beware the potential for seeing only what you want to see and falling prey to your own and others illusions and delusions [negative Neptune]. The possibility of some mass deception [s] /lie [s] being uncovered around now is also strong.

Neptune, the God of the Sea and ruler of the collective unconscious moves retrograde on May 29, intensifying Neptune’s inner focus on the realm of images, symbols, imagination and spirituality.  It creates a more introspective mood [if that is possible at the moment] 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.  

2.    Neptune, Chiron, Jupiter conjunct in Aquarius 

During May these three planets all come together in a dance of sorts as they pair up and move apart to pair up with another partner. All the conjunctions take place around 26 Aquarius. Over the next 18 months the dance continues as the planets continue to conjunct each other, mainly between 21 and 27 degrees of Aquarius. Anyone with planets at 21 to 27 degrees of fixed signs will feel this process intensely, but everyone on the planet will be experiencing the alignment through the house position where 21 to 27 degrees of Aquarius is found. 

Key dates in these cycles

Jupiter conjuncts Neptune [13 year cycle]

• May 28 [as Neptune moves R] at 26 Aquarius, 28
• July 10 at 26 Aquarius
• December 21 at 24 Aquarius  

Jupiter conjuncts Chiron

• May 23 at 26 Aquarius 9
• December 3 2009 at 21 Aquarius  

Chiron conjuncts Neptune

• May 27 [within 15 minutes – Chiron 26›15, Neptune 26› 29]
• February 16 -17 2010 – exact at 26 Aquarius
• Within orb again November 2/3 2010 at 25 Aquarius 55 minutes.  

This alignment symbolizes a complex and multi-layered phenomenon that will operate on many levels and can take many forms both positive and negative. Much has already been written about this alignment and the imagery suggests the potential for spiritual [Neptune] healing [Chiron] on a large [Jupiter] scale. 

The gifts of insight, healing and love [Neptune rules Divine Love] will come to those who are willing to face their wounds [Chiron] and grow through this process. This is one of the most potent healing configurations possible, especially for those consciously working to raise their vibrations and release their fear. Beware that Neptune can sensitize our wounds to facilitate this process. 

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. As the higher octave of Venus, Neptune rules our connection with Spirit and Divine Love. My sense is that this alignment is calling us all to come into our hearts and find new ways of relating that transcend the limitations of race, religion, ethnicity etc 

Chiron may re-open old wounds to allow the healing of ‘unfinished business’, especially around rejection and alienation.  The danger here is to fall into these wounds and miss the potential for healing and growth. Chiron always works homeopathically and presents us with a little bit of the old toxin so we can integrate it and move beyond the old pattern. We are being called to let go our wounds and see the BIGGER PICTURE, personally and individually.  

The shadow side of this transit can occur on many levels. Beware the following: 

• We can fall into the Chironic abyss and become overwhelmed by feelings of PAIN, ALIENATION AND REJECTION FROM SOCIETY AND OUR SELF.
• We can fall into the shadow side of Neptune and get lost in our fantasies, illusions and delusions. We may choose to escape into addictive and self destructive patterns rather than deal with any pain that emerges.  

As with all astrological configurations the opposite also exists as a potential: large scale wounding and grief. Both Chiron and Neptune are associated with viruses, and Neptune can sensitize the immune system [Chiron], so the potential for a large scale virus does exist as a possibility, but the danger here may be more illusory than real. [Neptune also rules illusion and deception] Whatever the outcome of the current “Mexican Flu” [I don’t want to give pigs a bad name], the pain and fear that has been created is real and potentially crippling to many people. The rush to find new vaccines could also lead to many allergic and crippling reactions – as happened with the disastrous effects of the mass immunization program instituted in the US during the last “Swine Flu outbreak in the 70’s.  

On a collective level this alignment reveals a much darker possibility: the potential for large scale [Jupiter] deception [Neptune] and wounding [Chiron]. This could play out in any of the major collective spheres: business, government, technology, health etc. One hopes that the current hysteria about ‘Swine Flu’ is not being manipulated by the large pharmaceutical companies. 

3. Samhain or Halloween

[Ring Lucy on 0418 382 924 if you would like to attend at Samhain ritual]

Samhain, better known as Halloween, the Celtic Festival of the Dead is celebrated at the end of October in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere we honour the Spirit of Place by celebrating this festival the end of April/ early May when we are at the mid point between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. 

Samhain is the eighth and final sabbat in the Great Wheel of the Year and marks the time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. It is a time of endings, releasing and letting go in preparation for the new life and new potentials that await birthing with the Sun at the Solstice. It is also the time to honour the dead and that which has died in our life.  Samhain calls us to release the dead wood of the last cycle so we do not carry it into the new cycle that will begin in several weeks when the Sun is reborn from the darkness at the Winter Solstice.  

A Samhain Supper

Traditionally a midnight supper was held at Samhain to honour the dead. A place was set at the table for the souls of the dead and lights were left burning in the windows to guide the souls of those who had died in the last year in their journey to the Otherworld, found in the Aurora Borealis, home of the Great Goddess Arianrhod. The veil between the worlds was envisaged by the Celts as a turning silver wheel and Arianrhod was the keeper of this wheel. It was said she wove the fates of humanity as she wove her magical threads. At Samhain the veil opens and Arianrhod calls home the spirits of those who have died in the last year so they can await rebirth when the time is opportune. 

You may conduct your own special supper with a place set for loved ones who are no longer with you. At some point in the meal everyone present will speak the names of loved ones who have died and share any memories that come to mind. Or you may choose to have a few minutes silence to each remember those who have moved beyond the veil into the realm of Arianrhod. You may light a candle for each loved one that has passed away. If you are comfortable you could

Ø      Encourage recently departed loved ones to move forward into the light and release the ties that may keep them earth bound.

Ø      Open to memories and messages that may come through from beyond the veil. Samhain is a time for mediumship and you may find a loved one communicates with you via your intuition or your dreams around this time.

 A Simple Samhain Ritual

v     Centre yourself and invoke your highest inspiration.

v     Light a black candle to honour the dark and the process of death and rebirth.

v     Meditate briefly on what you need to release to move forward. It may be a relationship, job, a habit or pattern but it will always involve an old belief that no longer serves your conscious intent.

v     Write down what you are choosing to let go /sacrifice to the dark and reflect on how this may have served you in the past.

v     When you have a deeper understanding of this process, offer it up for transformation by burning the paper. Use the candle to set it alight and have a fireproof dish at hand to contain the flames.

v     Ask for guidance to help you with this transformation.

v     Give thanks and open yourself to a vision of the future.

v     Light your candle whenever you feel your self slipping back into old patterns and reaffirm your commitment to the future.

 

Samahain is also a time for consulting the oracles so you can create a personal ritual around opening to the wisdom of your higher self through vision, tarot or any other method of divination that you use.

_______________________________________________________

 

Blessings

Christine Rothwell

 

Courses, Workshops and Classes

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

2009 Astrology Classes

Late enrolments welcome 

First Year/ Beginner’s on Thursday nights

Second Year / Intermediate on Monday nights

3^rd Year/Advanced on one Saturday afternoon a month 

Christine offers an in-depth psychological and mythological approach to astrology. These classes are 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.  

Students with some background in Astrology are welcome to join in the Second and Third Year classes.

 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.  

 Third Year gives you the opportunity to integrate what you have learned through a more tutorial and experiential format.

Please ring or email for a brochure and let me know the level you are interested in.

christiner@netspace.net.au