May Horoscopes

Astrology of May
Current Configurations
Past Months

Aries	Libra
Taurus	Scorpio
Gemini	Sagittarius
Cancer	Capricorn
Leo	Aquarius
Virgo	Pisces

May 2008

Current Astrology

	The Sun is in Aries
	The Quarter Moon is in LeoThe First Quarter Moon is in Leo: All day
	Next Mercury Retrograde Apr 21 - May 14

May Horoscopes

by Henry Seltzer

The Astrology of May again features Mars and Venus, Saturn and Pluto, with a touch of Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune thrown into the stew for multi-dimensional flavoring. Mercury also retrogrades near the end of the month. Saturn stands still in the sky in its apparent motion on May 2nd and as it does, almost exactly trines Pluto in the first degree of Capricorn. Saturn with Pluto implies that something has to give, in terms of the basic structures of our lives, as we saw during the fall of 2001 when they were opposed across the U.S. Ascendant and Descendant during the event that became known as 9-11. This month, with the trine, we might expect a much more graceful passage. Still in our individual lives and in the progress of the country as a whole we may feel as though caught between a rock and a hard place, as the aftermath of 9-11 and the American response to it continues to unfold.

At the time of the May 5th New Moon, an aspect pattern known as a Yod forms to Mars in Cancer involving both Neptune and Pluto, just as Mars is getting ready to make his transition into Leo on the 9th. This New Moon also strongly aspects Pluto and Chiron, meaning that patterns of behavior that are more or less unconscious will be up for recognition and potentially painful readjustment. It is important to keep our eyes wide open during this time and to pay careful attention to whatever comes up for us.

Uranus and Jupiter remain closely sextile to each other in this May time frame. In fact, their connection draws closer through the first twenty days of the month. Jupiter retrogrades on the 9th, with only half a degree separating them. The sextile is an open minded aspect between these two optimistic and forward-thinking planetary energies, and provides the possibility for new thoughts and visions to rapidly enter into our collective awareness.

The other outer planet configuration in the mix at this time involves Neptune in the last phase of its opposition to Saturn. The Full Moon of May 19th emphasizes both Saturn and Neptune, archetypal energies that are largely antithetical, representing the mystical ideal versus the practical and concretely here-and-now. This configuration can indicate a loss of faith in social institutions and a focus on Spirit. Their opposition has been active over the last two summers, and this month's last pass may provide a summing up.

The energy for transformation represented by Pluto in Capricorn remains an important and potent presence through this entire time, as Saturn contributes emphasis. The times are hard and they are a'changing, and we must accept what we cannot immediately cure. The good news in all this is that sometimes change is fundamentally needed. We win when we recognize this simple fact of our existence and choose hope over despair, the depth of our process over distraction, and spiritual over superficial reality, aligning ourselves with the numinous possibility inherent in all our striving. We win when we choose life.

Transits to the U.S. Chart

Last month we stated that the military was likely to be implicated in the American political climate and that as the race for the Democratic nominee heated up there would likely be changes in the way we see ourselves as a nation. With U.S. Mercury activated the press could also be involved. Indeed this past month saw increased military activity with the death toll mounting in Iraq and questions concerning the uses of retired military personal as television pundits. See article published in the April 20th NY Times: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042008Z.shtml

Of course the press coverage of the Obama campaign and the questions asked of both candidates during the Pennsylvania Primary debate on Wednesday, April 16th, also reflected the view of the nation as a whole and the campaign in particular as well as the combative nature of journalism today.

In the current month, Jupiter stations retrograde opposite U.S. Mercury on May 9th, and then the May 11th Quarter Moon emphasizes the aspects to Neptune in the U.S. chart from transiting Jupiter, Chiron and Uranus. Neptune in the U.S chart represents both the high road of spiritual values, a factor brought to great prominence by the founding fathers and still a powerful influence today, at least in name, and the potential for deception that might be practiced upon the population in attempted coercion. Both of these element might well come into play in this next month, especially in the period of time from the 5th to the 12th. Combined with the heightened presence of aspects to U.S. Mercury as well, issues of press coverage might once more occupy the nation's attention. Another important time would be the retrograde of Mercury on May 26th directly on U.S Mars, representing the nation's military. Increased consciousness of the purpose and uses of the U.S. military, as well as deceptions in this regard, might come to light for deeper reflection at this time.

For more information on these important placements in the U.S. chart and the politics of today's America from an astrological perspective, see our new Zodiactivism feature.