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(Sitting in for Site Astrologer Felix Rodriguez)
Click on Your Sign to Read Your Monthly Forecast. Dates listed below indicate the sun’s transit through each sign for the 2007-2008 calendar year. For those whose birthdays fall on the cusp of a sign, refer to an ephemeris chart to determine which sign the sun was in at the precise time of your birth.
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May 2009 Featured Question of the Month:
With several planets moving in and out of retrograde this month, it’s a good time for a mini-refresher course on that aspect:
Although the word “retrograde” is defined as moving backward or going in reverse, in astrological terms it does not mean that the planet has literally stopped and started revolving in the opposition direction. Its direction never actually changes (any more than a new moon truly disappears). However, as the planets circle the Sun, the vantage point we have from Earth may cause a planet to appear to rotate in reverse of its usual spin. The same optical illusion can be seen when you travel in your car. As you drive along the highway, you may go under an overpass. As you look in your rear view mirror, a car on that overpass, though traveling forward in the same direction, may appear to retreat, or even go backward, depending on its speed, the angle and direction of the overpass and the velocity of your own vehicle.
Any time a planet is said to be in retrograde motion, the influence it has on Earth’s inhabitants is contrary to its usual effect. It may be the complete opposite, as with Mercury (obstructive rather than supportive), or lessened, as with challenging planets like Saturn.
Mercury being the closest planet of this month’s retrogrades, its effects will be the most noticeable by the greatest number of people. The most challenging of those effects are usually experienced by those born under the Sun sign in which Mercury is traveling. Mercury retrograde is not all that rare, occurring three times in 2009. The aspect lasts approximately three weeks each period but the transitional three to five days before and after have been known to be influenced to a certain extent as well. This month, Mercury goes into retrograde motion from May 7 through 31 in Taurus.
What does that mean to us? Since Mercury is the planet governing communication and transportation, we need to be prepared for possible glitches in those areas. This aspect has been connected with things that crash, such as cars, computers and communications (verbal and technological). So, back up the hard-drive and take your vehicles to the mechanic for a check-up in advance. In fact, it is advantageous to anticipate all possible delays or foul-ups in connection with any sort of travel. If at all possible, do not schedule any important negotiations or signing of legal documents during this period, as whatever is decided or set in motion may have to be reworked in a few weeks, or worse, the deal or situation may have problems that don’t show up until it’s too late to go back.
Alternatively, as Saturn governs individual karma and life lessons, everyone can expect a reduction in challenges or “tests” to some extent in that area of their life while Saturn is in retrograde (see Virgo’s forecast for more information about Saturn’s role).
In other words, the area ruled by the retrograde planet will be the primary one affected (see December 2008 Featured Question) and whatever sign the retrograde planet is in will be the most strongly influenced. The next most vulnerable signs are the ones ruled by the retrograde planet. For instance, in the case of Mercury, that would be Gemini and Virgo.
Mind you, a retrograde period does not create a negative situation; it only brings something already problematical to the surface. The positive use of such time is to research, review, rework, rethink...whatever you’ve been doing in the area of your life affected by the planet involved. For instance, for an author, Mercury retrograde is the perfect time to do fact-checking or revisions.
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May 2009 Aspects:
SUN in Taurus, moves to Gemini May 21
NEW MOON in Gemini May 24
FULL MOON in Scorpio May 8
MERCURY in Gemini, goes Retrograde May 7, moves back to Taurus May 14, goes Direct May 31 in Taurus
VENUS in Aries
MARS in Aries
JUPITER in Aquarius
SATURN in Virgo, Retrograde, goes Direct May 17
URANUS in Pisces
NEPTUNE in Aquarius, goes Retrograde May 29
PLUTO in Capricorn, Retrograde
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Aries, your ruling planet, Mars, will be in its most powerful zone—your house— this month. This strong, masculine energy will be just what you need to get work projects back on track but it could also trigger a temper tantrum if things don’t go as smoothly as you expect them to. Also, with Venus holding Mars’ hand all month, there is no way you’ll be able to avoid your relationship issues. Whether in work or personal situations, regardless of how “right” you believe you are, take a ten-count to think before speaking, especially if your adrenalin is pumping. In particular, you may experience an abundance of miscommunications once Mercury goes retrograde.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAURUS! Being one of the more “grounded” of the zodiac signs, you usually prefer not to be in the spotlight (though you do enjoy being with someone who is). However, regardless of your usual comfort zone, the sun will be shining brightly on you through the 21st of this month, so the most practical thing to do is take advantage of it. Don your most attractive outfits. Put your best hoof forward and dare to dance on tables. Okay, that’s probably too much to expect of you, but at least show off a little. You will get additional encouragement to be more outgoing than usual by your ruling planet, Venus, who will be getting some extra oomph while she’s dancing with her masculine counterpart in Aries. There’s a good chance you’ll be getting a birthday gift, in the form of an opportunity for advancement, from an Aries or Leo. On the other hand, be especially mindful of Mercury’s retrograde motion in your sign during the second half of the month, especially with regard to signing documents.
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Gemini, your ruling planet, Mercury, moves into your sign on the 1st. No one would ever suggest you were the shy, silent type, but with Mercury in residence, your ability to use your gift of gab is given an extra bit of sparkle. If there is anything you have been wanting to say to someone, a speech or argument you need to present, a book or screenplay you’ve always wanted to write, be sure to have such a conversation or begin any new work project at least a day or two before Mercury goes retrograde on the 7th. It would be to your advantage to use Mercury’s retrograde energy to do research for that book you’ve been thinking of writing or that career change you’ve been considering for so long. The actual writing, required training or job interviews may not be possible, however, until Mercury is back in your sign next month. Also make note, this retrograde period could be most challenging in your transportation area. Although the Sun moves into your sign on the 21st and the New Moon is in your sign on the 24th, you won’t be able to get the kind of attention you want until Mercury goes direct, so you’d be better off not demanding it.
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Cancer, your ruling planet, the Moon will be full in fellow water sign, Scorpio, a little before midnight on the 8th. That powerful energy should carry you through the month on an unusually high note. Although Mercury’s retrograde motion suggests that you be cautious about signing any documents or making promises, there’s no need for you to hide in your shell this month. You could make an important business contact if you just set your mind to it and act with confidence. Socially, it’s well past time for you to get out of the house or office. If partnered, create a date night and commit to going somewhere special each week. If single, attending a local gathering or event would be a good way of finding a new friend who could end up being much more.
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Hey, Leo, how’s your love life? If it’s been less interesting than you’d like, then this is the month it could change for the better. With Mars and Venus hooking up in fellow fire sign, Aries, your prospects for finding true love and/or making a long-term commitment are quite good. All that fire, sparks and spontaneity are great fun and could stir up enough energy to spill over into benefiting other areas of your life but don’t forget to protect yourself (literally and figuratively) or someone could get burned next month.
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Saturn, the Karmic Lord and Taskmaster, has been in Virgo since September, 2007, which means you’re more than halfway finished with your turn in the hot seat. Every sign gets a 2-1/2 year visit from Saturn as it slowly works its way through the zodiac and, during that time, Saturn forces the person to work on a personal karmic issue, usually through “hands-on” experience. The nature of that issue is always foretold in one’s natal chart, but if you weren’t previously aware of it, you will be by the time Saturn moves on. Saturn went retrograde on December 31, so its challenging effects on Virgo have been temporarily eased, but that’s about to change as Saturn goes direct again on the 17th. Since Virgo is a bit of a taskmaster herself, living with Saturn is not as difficult as it is for other, more free-spirited signs. However, even you can’t anticipate every challenge. Look to whatever area of your life is currently out of balance for a hint. One more word of caution: your ruling planet, Mercury, is in retrograde motion most of this month so that’s another reason to be extra-prepared for challenges.
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Libra, with your ruling planet, Venus, dancing the tango with Mars in aggressive Aries, your wish for sweet romance is not likely to be manifested this month. The type of relationship that will be available to you is probably just a fling so don’t try to turn it into something more. Mercury’s retrograde aspect this month will not only affect your personal communication and computer issues, a crowd of others will be looking to you to mediate in a variety of situations they find themselves in. As much as you enjoy feeling needed, be careful not to get in the middle of someone else’s volatile situation that could backfire on you.
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Scorpio, your greatest support this month comes with the Full Moon in your sign, which will occur a little before midnight on the 8th. What’s in your way? What bad habit would you like to break? What needs to be illuminated or clarified in order for you to make progress? Whatever your answers, this Full Moon can help. Just be sure to wait until after it is completely full to make your wishes. A midnight moon ritual would be perfect! Mercury’s retrograde motion is sure to create some additional obstacles to your plans but they will be quite temporary. Use its energy to review what you’ve done so far and plan your new strategy for going forward. Your Full Moon wishes will be taking effect next month so you need to get ready now.
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Sagittarius, except for some minor setbacks during the three-week Mercury retrograde period, things will pretty much fall into place for you this month. If there has been a project you’ve thought of launching, if you’d like to change jobs, start a new relationship or take one up to the next level, this month and next will be the best time of 2009 to do any of those things. You don’t seem to be moving forward alone, however. With Venus and Mars making sparks in fellow fire sign, Aries, there’s a good chance you now have, or will find, the right partner for whatever you wish to do next.
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Capricorn, whenever Mercury goes retrograde, your stress level rises. Your innate work ethic simply cannot abide all the computer glitches, miscommunications and project delays that accompany this aspect. Although this month’s retrograde should not be as bad as it has been at other times, you still need to anticipate the possibility of problems in order to avoid losing your control. The best way to manage the extra stress this month is to let yourself be distracted by someone with seduction on his or her mind. With Mars and Venus playing together in Aries, you could get a very tempting offer.
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Aquarius, with Neptune residing in your sign for such an extended period, you have probably been tempted to forget about your earthly chains and spend all your time astral-traveling, or at least in spiritual or metaphysical pursuits. That temptation will be reined in at the end of the month when Neptune goes retrograde but it could increase in the weeks before that happens. Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on one’s perspective—earthly matters are going to demand attention this month while Mercury’s retrograde motion creates havoc in your workplace. The Great Benefactor, Jupiter, is also still in your sign but even its powerful energy is bound to be somewhat blocked by the retrograde planets. In other words, expect to feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride this month and you will handle the uphill climbs and the scary descents with your well-known cool.
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Pisces, with Uranus, the planet of surprises, visiting you for many months now, you may be getting used to the last thing you would expect to happen happening. But this month the surprises may take on a different quality while Mercury is in retrograde and Mars and Venus are teamed up in Aries. An innocent conversation could unexpectedly turn into a serious argument or reveal a shocking secret. This could be especially true if you are in a relationship and thought you knew everything there was to know about that person. If single, there’s a good chance someone completely different from your usual choice may surprise you with a tempting invitation.
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Marilyn Campbell is Managing Consultant of The Lotus Circle and author of TLC books Tarot of The Lotus Circle, Metaphysical Fitness: Ten Commandments for Spiritual Being, Numerology To Go and Dreams of You (as Campbell del Rio). For more information about Marilyn and her books, visit www.marilyncampbell.com
Felix Rodriguez has been a practicing astrologer since 1981. A member of the American Federation of Astrologers, he has been trained in all areas pertaining to Natal and Progressed Horoscopes. Felix can be reached at felix@thelotuscircle.com
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