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Saturn Stations Direct, Mercury Enters Gemini,
and The Cinco de Mayo Taurus New Moon, Olé!
By Shelley L. Ackerman
[From my 'Shimmering Stars' column in
The Westchester Guardian, © 2008]
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
Wright and Wrong
Before getting into the meaning of the Taurus New Moon on May 5th, and the Obama/Wright and Clinton/O’Reilly news of the week, let’s briefly touch on the significance of the Saturn “station” on May 2nd, and Mercury’s entrance into quixotic Gemini, where the Messenger God will “commute” back and forth for ten weeks- (including a retrograde from 5/26--6/19) through July 10th!
Since late last December, Saturn, the Lord of Karma and hard work-especially in the sign of Virgo, has been traveling retrograde (in apparent reverse motion). This hasn’t been easy for anyone, but it’s been especially tough on Capricorn, Aquarius, and Virgo: Tasks that are usually accomplished effortlessly have exhausted the heartiest among us. Pluto in Capricorn has just barely begun and the economic recession is a clear reality now: Bags of rice are being limited to one per customer in Costco and Sam's club.
But on May 2nd Saturn stations (appears to stand still), and as the ruler of Capricorn slowly begins to go forward once again, some of the stuck energy will start to dissipate. And after the New Moon on May 5th, (and Mars’ long- awaited entry into Leo on May 9th), we will at least feel the benefit of some positive mojo and can expect some momentum to return to our lives. The New Moon takes place at 8:18 am on May 5th, at 15 degrees of Taurus and 22 minutes. That degree is on the “world axis”, one of the eight “portals” of the calendar year, which makes it an extremely powerful New Moon, one that will impact the collective and individuals alike. The questions for all of us: What and who do you value? How well do you use your time? What do you spend money on?
As you read this, the North Carolina and Indiana State primaries area but days away, and pundits say that there should be a clear winner - a definitive decision- based on pledged delegates as to who the Democratic nominee is, right?
But since this primary is on May 6th with fiery and competitive Mars still swimming through the last degree and a half of watery Cancer, and with Mercury about to go retrograde in Gemini on Memorial Day, I wouldn’t bet on anything being signed sealed and delivered or set in stone for the Nov. 4th ballot just yet.
Yes, the planet Mars has a lot to do with war, sports, and the well-being of our individual and collective mojo in general, but it has even more to do with leadership and temperament: An overwhelming majority of US presidents have had Mars in either Leo or in Scorpio,( Mars rules both Aries and Scorpio and is exalted in Leo and Capricorn). Hillary Clinton is a Scorpio with Mars in Leo. And though Barack Obama is a Leo, he has Mars in Virgo, a placement that doesn’t relish competition the way that Hillary’s Mars in Leo does. For the record, John McCain is a Virgo with Mars in Leo, hence his “I don’t care if it takes 100 years in Iraq” comment. Sen. McCain and his Leo Mars are in the fight for the long hall. In contrast, people with Mars in Virgo are focused on getting to work, getting the job done well, and would rather leave the squabbling it takes to get elected in the first place to others.But Obama has had a fight on his hands, and on more than one front:
Obama
Wright
Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s former pastor (and father figure?) was born on Sept 22, 1941. He is a Virgo with the Moon in Libra and Mars in Aries. He too is prone to fight rather than back down and wait for a more appropriate moment to get his point across. Adding to Jeremiah’s hot-temper, is his Venus in Scorpio in hard aspect to Pluto in Leo. You don’t want him as an enemy, though he himself has made quite a few in recent weeks. Rev. Wright is being demonized by many, not only for his inflammatory comments about the US Government’s shameful history of racism and hegemony (preponderant influence or authority over others-from Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary), but for his terrible egoist timing which amounted to a very agonizing betrayal of his friend and parishioner who just happens to be the first black man who has gotten within walking distance of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Bill Moyers’ PBS interview with Rev. Wright was excellent. And if you heard all that the Reverend had to say, it was hard not to agree with some or most of it, though admittedly I have a hard time validating anything that Louis Farrakhan says- ever- but that’s just my personal opinion. And though his rage is justifiable, as a loving friend, Rev. Wright should have stopped there and waited till after January 20, 2009 to have his say. He is well aware of the fact that we live in an era of spin and sound bites, and that much of what he would continue to say would be clipped, taken out of context, and used to damage his long time friend and surrogate son.
In her column of April 30th, Maureen Dowd (who shares her Jan 14th birthday with Michelle Obama- both have Mercury in Capricorn and Jupiter in Aries) made an excellent point by citing that Obama was first betrayed by his father who abandoned him at age two, and again now by his substitute father, Reverend Wright. Probably advised to do so by his handlers, Obama was forced to renounce Wright and sever the tie, though I personally believe he would have rather not gone that route. Dowd could have taken the symbolism of the betrayal a step further: We as a nation are being betrayed by our ‘father’, in this case George Bush’s administration. The Obama/Wright drama is a metaphor for the bigger picture. And though Obama is far more noble and truthful than Hillary, he is also that much more vulnerable than she. What a choice: Integrity versus Armor!
Clinton
O’Reilly
And from the ‘if you live long enough, you get to see it all department’, Hillary Clinton’s appearance on The O’Reilly Factor was quite not the train wreck that many expected, but IMO she missed a splendid opportunity. When the twisted king of right wing spin (like John McCain, Bill O’Reilly is a Virgo with Mars in Leo who’d rather fight than switch) pressed Hillary about Rev. Wright’s controversial comments and Obama’s forced sad public renouncement, she could have and should have been more humane. How noble it would have been if she had said, “Betrayal is never easy, it’s painful. I’m sorry for what my opponent has had to go through”.
She should know.
Chart: Taurus New Moon
Click for larger view
May 1: Moon in Pisces, Venus trine Pluto @ 3:46 am
Venus trine Saturn @ 6:20 pm
May 2: Moon v/c @ 5:34 am, enters Aries @ 6:51 am
Mercury enters Gemini @ 4:00 pm
Saturn Stations Direct @ 11:07 pm
May 3: Mercury Square Saturn @ 3:50 pm
May 4: Moon v/c @ 3:16 am, enters Taurus @ 7:58 am
May 5: Taurus new Moon @ 8:18 am
May 6: Moon v/c @ 4:22 am, enters Gemini @ 7:17 am
*Moon v/c = ‘void of course’, a time of disconnect until the Moon enters the next sign
* All times EDT.
ARIES: Stop kvetching about not having any time for yourself-when what you’re really upset about is not having as much time as you’d like to play. Well, as was said in many a schoolyard: “tough noogies!” Count your blessings, be grateful for what you have to work with, and do what’s expected of you with a smile. This is about your future and Spring ‘08 in particular is about growing up once and for all. Invest your time and energy wisely. So- act like an adult even if it kills you.
TAURUS: The week begins with a fortunate if not sober grand trine alignment between your ruler (Venus0 and power brokers Saturn and Pluto. The force is with you, but you have to step up to the plate. The New Moon should provide a refreshing opportunity for you to revamp and restage your entire ‘presentation” so to speak. The Saturn’s direct motion in your 9th house of legal, religious, and foreign affairs will get things moving in all three arenas. Mercury enters your 2nd house of $$ for an extended 10-week stay: Use the time to clean up your act.
GEMINI: Your ruling planet enters your sign for 10 weeks and there will be more to think about and more to say than usual. Geminis need to get their hefty quota of words in every day and have a tendency to drive others bananas with double talk. So- from now through July 10, put this on a post-it at every phone and computer you have access to: “BREVITY IS the SOUL of WIT”. It will spare you and those you love a ton of confusion. If you ever wanted to write that great American novel, now is the time to put up or shut up.
CANCER: Your wings may feel as if they’re clipped and your sense of movement restricted, but it’s not anyone’s fault so don’t try to assign blame. Agitating Mars has been in and out of your sign since September and your nerves and patience have both been frayed and tested. In a few more days, you’ll see some relief. But until then, the Saturn standstill in your 3rd house of communication and transportation may slow you down-so don’t push it or force any unnecessary travel. Being still will work out very well for you. Don’t fight it.
LEO: The frustration of a financial stalemate will ease and an impasse with a vital negotiation will give way to a new phase of cooperation-if you’re willing to bury the hatchet and work with your “perceived” enemies of the past few months. No one had it in for you-it was bad timing for everyone all around, and besides, the wait will end up working in your favor, you’ll see!.
VIRGO: One way or another, the status quo is about to change, and the paralysis that has plagued you since the holidays in December will melt into a cycle of productivity that you will enjoy to the hilt. The new Moon on May 5th takes place in your philosophical and travel-oriented 9th house. It’s time to hit the road literally and figuratively and adjust your perspective on things. Taking an inspiring class will do you a world of good.
LIBRA: The say that indecision defines your sign, but truth be told, it’s not the corner stone of your existence –nor should it be: the search for truth and meaning is. The New Moon in your 8th house of shared resources will put a family or a financial issue on the table to be dealt with once and for all. This conversation and subsequent action (that must be taken- i.e. writing a will) has been a long time coming. Delaying it further could have catastrophic results, so don’t.
SCORPIO: A partner, significant other, or someone you hold very dear is changing rapidly before your eyes, and it is in your best interest to support them during this transition. The favorable alignment of earth planets in your communication houses should prompt a forthright conversation on your part. Putting your cards on the table and trusting the appropriate parties to do the right thing will circumvent a problem that could erupt later.
SAGITTARIUS: The Taurus New Moon in your 6th house of health and routine could easily call for a complete renovation of how you approach your medical needs, but do your research before making any drastic moves. After you check things out, it may be wise to change your motus operandi (MO) and/or your bank, your doctor, your job, or something as insignificant as your vitamin regimen. But don’t worry. This change is very good and will serve you well in the long run.
CAPRICORN: Stand firm in what you know to be ethically and morally correct but don’t get too rigid in the way you expedite your orders. You can and will catch more bees with honey than with vinegar. As the fine teacher that you are, you know that patience, kindness, and a little coaching is often required to motivate those who depend on you for leadership. Your frustration will ease slowly but consistently in the weeks ahead. The New Moon on May 5th takes place in your 5th house of creativity and romance. Need I say more?
AQUARIUS: If you experienced a rejection for a loan or mortgage that you were counting on, please take it as a blessing in disguise: You WILL do better elsewhere. The New Moon in your 4th house of home and family on May 5th signals a time of getting your home base up to snuff. If you need to rearrange your space and add wiring or any extras that will make you more comfortable and will increase the value of your property –do it now.
PISCES: For months you’ve had to tolerate the stubborn behavior of someone near and dear and you may have taken it personally when none of it was really directed at you in the first place. No need to sit and suffer in silence any longer! A conversation will clear much of it up, and the relationship will begin to grow. The New Moon in your 3rd house of communication should encourage you to express more of what’s on your mind to those that can and will help you to so something about it.