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by Anita
Astrological Beltaine occurs when the Sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus. During the period from Beltaine to the Summer Solstice, the Sun passes through the second half of the sign Taurus and all of Gemini, sign of commerce and communication. Although the bull (Taurus) might seem at first to be just as aggressive a symbol as the ram (Aries), which I wrote about last issue, they are as different as night and day. Aries moves fast, and Taurus is careful where it steps. Aries might be described as blunt and outspoken, but Taurus is more likely to keep its secrets and smile a lot. Taurus is, after all, ruled by lovely Venus, which likes to see everyone happy. Aries, being a fire sign, is likely to be ready for action at a moment's notice. Taurus, an earth sign, needs prompting before it will leave the comfortable situation it has established for itself. But if you're the one who disturbs Taurus's comfortable environment, watch out!
Beltaine has everything related to Taurus. Taurus rules the second house of money and values. Beltaine rituals down on the farm involve blessing the crops and the livestock so that they can grow and you can prosper. It's no coincidence that Wall Street uses the bull as a symbol of a thriving, growing stock market. In addition, it's the bull, not the ram, that is usually portrayed as a sex symbol. Aries is just too aggressive and somewhat impatient; Taurus, lover of flowers, knows how and when to be gentle, has staying power and can wait patiently. "Sensual" and "practical" are words that describe Taurus.
Many years ago, I took a trip with a friend to the ocean. My friend had a grandmother who lived on a farm near Aberdeen, and on the way we visited her. She was beaming ecstatically when we arrived. When we asked her how she was doing, she said, "Wonderful, just wonderful! Fourteen cows and fourteen calves!" That's the spirit of Beltaine.
Astrological Beltaine
The Sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus on May 5. The Moon is waning in Aries, just three days before a New Moon. A waning Moon is good for endings rather than beginnings, so this might pose a predicament for those who want to ask for fertility, growth and prosperity on Beltaine. However, it's a good time to plant root crops, and similarly, it's a good time to be in the planning stages for a new project -- sending down roots for future growth. The Aries Moon is good for exploration, too: Explore your alternatives before making decisions at the New Moon. The Moon in a fire sign just before the New Moon is also a good time to plan purging or banishing ceremonies. Burn away the obstacles that prevent you from reaching your goal.
May 8, 1:45 a.m. PDT, New Moon in Taurus: This is an excellent time for planting or any kind of a ceremony involving growth, commitment, finances or art. If you have anything that you need to charge with the blessings of Taurus, don't let this day pass you by, because both the Sun and Moon are in Taurus today.
May 9, 9:14 p.m. PDT, Venus enters Gemini: Venus, lover of beauty and harmony, is traveling through the sign of communications. Use this time to enhance your communication skills. She will be in Gemini until June 3.
May 12, 2:13 a.m. PDT, Mercury enters Taurus: Mercury, planet of speed and swift communications, arrives at the sign of earthy practicality and gets stuck in the mud. Try writing, instead of speaking, during this time. Slow and steady Taurus will allow you plenty of time to rearrange your words. Mercury isn't very happy in earth signs. Don't let your thinking get stuck in a rut. On the other hand, this is a good time to review how you communicate with others or to be happily silent and enjoy your surroundings.
May 15: Several planets are involved in difficult angles with one another today, not the least of which is a conjunction -- a meeting -- between aggressive Mars and unpredictable Uranus. Be very careful how you drive today. Mars and Uranus are both in the sign of Pisces, which rules illusion and daydreaming. Too much inattention can get you in trouble. The Mars-Uranus conjunction could bring electrical storms, tornadoes or power disruptions. A good use of today's energy is to spark yourself into some kind of humanitarian activity.
May 19, 4:36 p.m. PDT, Neptune retrograde (until October 26, 2005): Retrograde planets reflect energies turned inward. Since Neptune governs spirituality and psychic energies, you can use the period between May and October to meditate, follow your inner path, or develop intuition or psychic sensitivity. It's a time to reassess the guiding visions in our lives and make sure they are not self-deceptions. Even the noblest purpose can become a limiting straitjacket or misguided passion when it has outlived its usefulness. Neptune also rules illusion, deceit and confusion, so make sure you protect yourself during rituals and meditations.
May 20, 3:47 p.m. PDT, Sun enters Gemini: Farewell to earthy practicality, hello to fast-moving air! While the Sun is in Gemini, it's a good time to engage in activities that involve other people. Gemini loves to communicate, but you can't communicate very well when you're alone! It's a time to work on versatility, adaptability and mental agility. Patience is not a virtue of Gemini, so during the coming month you may need to force yourself to settle down and do something about the dozens of ideas that present themselves to you. On the other hand, it's good for the earth-bound to escape into the airy world of ideas and flights of fancy once in a while.
May 23, 1:18 p.m. PDT, Full Moon in Sagittarius: The farsighted Sagittarius Moon energy is directed toward solitude and freedom of movement. The inquisitive Gemini Sun energy is directed toward interacting with other people. The best use of this Full Moon is to focus on helping others, teaching them what you have learned and understanding the need for balance between social interaction and your private life.
May 28, 3:44 a.m. PDT, Mercury enters Gemini: Mercury, planet of speed and swift communications, arrives at its own home, Gemini. This time period (from now until June 11) is favorable for any type of communication, written or verbal, and for short-distance travel. (Short, of course, is a relative term. What's a long trip for one person can be a short one for someone else.)
June 3, 8:18 a.m. PDT, Venus enters Cancer: Venus, planet of relationships, beauty and harmony, enters the sign of home and mothering. Beware of a tendency to feel over-protective toward loved ones. While Venus is in Cancer (now until June 29), it's a good time to bring beauty, art and harmony to your home and to nurture special relationships.
June 5, 12:20 a.m. PDT, Jupiter goes direct: Since February 2, the planet of luck and generosity has been retrograde (appearing to move backward), producing a lack of opportunities and leaving us to get by on our own resources. Sources of income may have decreased, or unexpected big expenditures may have arrived. But now that Jupiter is back on track, it's time to breathe easier and hope for help just around the corner.
June 6, 2:55 p.m. PDT, New Moon in Gemini: The New Moon in Gemini is a good time for ceremonies that focus on sisters and brothers, neighbors, short trips or elementary school education. It brings favorable energy to requests for easier communications and for impartiality and flexibility, and it is especially beneficial for those with a naturally inquisitive mind. Begin new writing projects.
June 11, 12:03 a.m. PDT, Mercury enters Cancer: Mercury, planet of speed and swift communications, enters Cancer. Communication while Mercury is in a water sign can be tricky. The emotions are almost always involved, and sensitivity is heightened. Mercury in Cancer focuses the mind on internal or personal issues, rather than on the outer world. From now until June 29, when Mercury enters Leo, it's a good time to work on understanding your nonverbal communications and to think about whether or not you might be communicating in ways that demand the sympathy of others.
June 11, 7:03 p.m. PDT, Mars enters Aries: Mars, planet of energy and ambition, enters its home sign, Aries. From now until July 29, when Mars moves into Taurus, you can benefit from the clear, strong energy of Mars on its home turf. We are in a New Moon period, so the energy is increasing, building. It's a good time for physical activity, building physical strength and also to take off in directions you haven't gone before (Aries is the pioneer). This is a good preparation for the retrograde Uranus period, which begins in a few days.
June 14, 3:30 p.m. PDT, Uranus goes retrograde (until November 15, 2005): Since Uranus is the planet of reversals anyway, what difference should it make when it actually does go backward? Ay, there's the rub. Uranus can bring insight and revolutionary change, but when it goes into reverse gear, you are under powerful pressure to transform the areas of your life that have become too comfortable and settled. This is particularly true for those born on or around March 1, June 1, September 3, or December 3. Changes brought about by Uranus can be exciting, although it's often very stressful to let go of the familiar. Retrograde Uranus requires us to be especially flexible. Pay attention to accidents or unexpected coincidences, since they can be the signs that point you in the directions you need to follow.
June 20, 11:46 p.m. PDT, Summer Solstice (Sun enters Cancer) and June 21, 9:14 p.m. PDT, Full Moon in Capricorn: The Summer Solstice this year will be a powerful one, coming so close to a Full Moon. More about this in the next issue!
I am always interested in feedback. If you have questions or comments about this article or series of columns, please contact me at sylviafan@juno.com. I'd especially love to hear from any of you who have experience with astrology for the Southern Hemisphere.
Copyright © 2006 by the article's author