Forecast for May 18 to May 24, 2006by Ellen Zucker
After the Moon passed its Full phase this past weekend, it began to shrink in the night sky. Each night it shrinks a little more until it disappears altogether. The point of disappearance is the place where Moon meets Sun to start the lunation dance all over again.
Midway in its waning journey, it makes, what we astrologers call a “closing or waning square.” The rest of us are probably more familiar with the term waning Quarter Moon.
It is time to consolidate and share what we have learned during the past month.
Notably the waning square occurs just as the Sun is about to say goodbye to Taurus on May 20.
When two planets are in square aspect, as the Sun and Moon are during the quarter moon phase, their energies are in conflict.
The Sun describes who we are, the Moon, what we want. Sun in conservative Taurus is interested in stability and tends to look backward. The Moon in airy Aquarius is progressive and forward looking. Reflecting the overarching theme of this Taurus lunar cycle that we’ve experienced this month, we are asked to declare what we value by making a choice.
We must choose because we can’t have it all.
And once you’ve chosen you move ahead as Mercury and the Sun leave staid, stable Taurus for fast-paced Gemini.
Gemini is a mutable, air sign. It loves ideas and mental hi-jinks. Light and airy, flighty and glib, Gemini is the ultimate multi-tasker. It juggles multiple projects in the air and turns on a dime.
Gemini’s currency is information. It loves information; digging it up, organizing it, sharing it.
One other astrological event of note this week is Neptune’s retrograde station.
It appears from our perch on planet Earth that from time to time, a planet slows up, pivots, then travels backwards for awhile. This is an optical illusion due to the difference in the speed of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun relative to that of the other planets.
The apparent change of direction of a planet is called a “station,” because it appears as if the planet has come to a stop. This will happen to Neptune in the wee hours of Monday. But since the Moon is in Pisces all weekend, a dreamy quality overlays this period.
Nonetheless, all of us, no matter what makes up our chart configurations, will feel a spring breeze as the week progresses. Gemini’s ruler, Mercury is the planet of communication, so talk and social activities are in the air.
May 18
Today is a very active day for communications. Phones are ringing, lots of small talk, information changing hands as the Sun and Mercury join each other. The Moon’s entry into group oriented Aquarius suggests that much of this activity may occur in the context of committees and groups.
Moon stares down Saturn in the late morning (Eastern - early afternoon Pacific) so tread lightly with authority figures. Or better yet, wait until late in the day.
May 19
An overall pleasant and laid back day to wrap up the work week as Moon aspects Venus late morning, then meets with Neptune in the early afternoon.
Mercury enters Gemini in the late afternoon. Let’s make plans to get a few friends together to hang out and talk about the events of the week.
May 20
During the night, we experience the Moon’s waning square and a few hours later, its square to Mercury.
But by the time we wake up the Moon is in languid, magical Pisces. Enjoy the day. Pamper yourself. Take a walk in the woods. Let yourself breathe.
May 21
The pace picks up as Sun enters Gemini today for its month long visit. Listen to your dreams this morning - there may be the germ of an interesting idea or an out-of-the-box solution to a long festering problem.
We find ourselves active in the pm as Moon exchanges flowing energy with Mars. Intensity builds as the evening progresses and Moon and Pluto square off with one another.
Neptune is about ready to stand still in the sky to begin its retrograde journey. It is easy for emotion to overwhelm our better judgment.
Take it easy on the alcohol. Instead, take out your paintbrush and put on some stirring music.
May 22
We have vivid dreams as Neptune hangs motionless in the sky. The day begins on a foggy note, yet we get an energy boost as the Moon enters Aries at the start of the workday.
Later our mood, and our thoughts stabilize as Sun, then Moon makes a series of easy aspects to Saturn, the planet of structure and Mercury the planet of communication.
May 23
Energy and emotions are high. Physical activity is more satisfying than impulsive action as a way of handling the conflict between your wants and your needs. So how about a furious game of squash?
May 24
It is a relief when the Moon enters Taurus in the am. Taurus’ influence calms our frayed nerves after yesterday’s heat. But the Moon forms a conflicting aspect to Saturn in the evening. If we hold onto our resentment and anger and it can easily degenerate into stubbornness. Better to channel our frustration into hard work.
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