Note: These influences are working during the entire month, and form a substrate for each individual day.

May is a month of flowers and greenery. It is earthy Taurus’ month, ruled by fruitful Venus, sometimes called The Lady of the Garden. We have set our seeds and our plants; now we watch them grow, fed by the Sun, the Moon, the stars, and the rain.

May is indeed a good month for growing, for allowing a true slice of life from the depths of ourselves to burgeon and to flower. It is a deep month, and we speak now of deep earth, of a concern with all things tangible, from our finances to our bodies to everything we use in our lives.

This month it is the ancient plants which are the focus. GW Bush set the tone with his meeting with Crown Prince Abdullah, ruler of Saudi Arabia, at his ranch at the end of April. The Saudis control a large share of the world’s oil. “The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight,” says Thom Hartmann. How will it be apportioned? And will it be paid for in dollars or Euros?

The planetary aspects show a set of slow, steady complex changes during the entire month. Most of the planets move slowly this month, for one reason or another. This means that their aspects continue, in some cases for the entire month, and that they have an extra strong and lasting impact. In addition, Transpluto, the energy of resurrection, stations to turn direct now. Transpluto will sit at 26 Leo 38 for all of May. Various Taurus planets will stimulate her as they move on through Taurus during May.

Pluto, now retrograde at 25 Sagittarius, will be heading for a super-creative trine with Transpluto by Next March. We begin to feel it now—very deep and very lasting change occurring. New forms of being are in the process of being born. Yes, genetic engineering certainly does fit in this scenario, as well as genetic mutation.

At the same time, there is excitement in the air, as Uranus provides the stimulation to make unusual changes, and to open to new worlds.

This is primarily a personal time. The main focus is on ourselves. Not only is Taurus a personal sign, but all four of the major asteroids are prominent this month. Each of them, in their own way, help us to focus on the stuff of daily life.

The first week of May gives us a focus on money and investments, as well as all possessions, territory, and things which we value. The U.S. itself begins a new four-year money cycle. Neptune is the big mover now, and Neptune is the planet of smoke and mirrors. There will likely be so many interlocking, conflicting, complicated cross currents in what we are told about economics in the U.S. that seeing through the web of spin to recognize the existing financial mess of the U.S. will be very difficult. Remember the key word: oil.

The financial environment of this first week, which includes the New Moon in Taurus on May 8, will serve the country for the next four years. Note: Taurus can be a very greedy sign.

The middle part of the month is dominated by a shocking Mars-Uranus conjunction, which adds impulsiveness to spaciness.

Sun enters Gemini on May 20, and the rest of the month is lighter and livelier. Taurus’ full moon is in Sagittarius, and this means spreading around the Taurus goodies for the following two weeks. Towards the end of the month, energy is more smoothly integrated.

Moon’s Nodes comprise a destiny polarity in the map. They show where we’re going during a one and one-half year period. Eclipses tie in with the Nodes, and give us pushes in the direction indicated. For instance, the Nodes are now in the Libra-Aries polarity, which is about who we are in partnerships, and about justice and fairness. Current eclipses focus on that polarity, and have opened the world—as well as our lives—to a huge power shift in relationships.

North Node is in Aries, which encourages us to reach out with our own initiative, to fight for what we consider our rights, and to welcome challenges to our autonomy. It is time to stand up against all types of abuse. With South Node in Libra, we do this in the context of relationships. As each of us insists on room to move, there can be conflict as a partnership adjusts to these needs.

Aries-Libra is an inherently conflictful polarity—self and others—what is more basic? Aries needs Libra’s sense of justice, and Libra needs Aries’ propensity for assertion. Balance is the key here. The new Pope has this polarity with his Aries sun and Libra moon. GW Bush has it with his Aries midheaven, where he faces the world, and his Libra nadir, his home.

So why do I bring it up now? It was last month that was Aries month, and also Eclipse month. There are two reasons. This month the Nodes are nearly stationary in the heavens. This is not usual, and it means that they have a particularly potent impact in respect to current relationship dynamics.

Adding to that impact is Saturn squaring those nodal points all month. Squares are always challenges, and this is particularly true with a square from Saturn. The squeeze is on to balance our relationships, national and personal, i.e., to assert our own needs bravely, to listen to our partners’ needs, and to cooperate and compromise until harmony is achieved.

Saturn will give us the real story, and some lessons besides. And whatever is achieved now will have enduring results. Saturn is in Cancer, so that security issues are at the nub of this fragile process. I can see Pope Benedict XVI, in his first month in office, being a metaphor for this work. He suddenly must balance an infinitely complex arrangement of factions, and play the role of a leader who can satisfy them all. His work this month sets the tone for his future reign, and places him on an important historical trajectory. This is true for all of us.

Saturn indicates for us all obstacles, lessons, authority, and permanence.

Besides running head-on into problems, and having to solve them, we have another major mode of operation this month. We will be making continual adjustments to try to fit together disparate parts of our lives. We will simply never come to the perfection of what we’d like, just as we will never achieve perfect balance in our relationships. These are all processes. They are processes which keep us on our toes and vigilant.

Yods, or “Fingers of God,” show us that at times there will be jarring shifts, which rebalance situations. In general, the instrument is aggressive action, which may appear fated rather than consciously predetermined. “I had no choice.”

The work we do, no matter how seemingly personal, will penetrate deeply into our psyches and change our outlooks. We will learn much from how we live our lives this month, and its consequences will extend far into the future.

An extraordinary number of bodies are occulted by the Moon—both in May, and in the entire year of 2005. These are small eclipses, and they indicate changes in the energy of the occulted body. We have four this month. All of them are visible in Latin America, three in Africa, and one in the U.S. They are

It is the Antares occultation which is visible in North America. Antares is a reddish fixed star in the constellation of Scorpio. It correlates with Martian, aggressive activities, and is a major star in the U.S. chart. (We can see it now in the late evening in the southern sky.)

This month, and through the summer, Antares is being squared by Uranus. This enhances its assertive tendencies.

I think one of the connections to these occultations is the ongoing process of occulting respect for the U.S. throughout the world. Antares, for instance, a key fixed star for the U.S., is eclipsed 13 times this year. It is said to make people tough, belligerent, and pugnacious, as well as foolhardy and violent. It is often connected with the military. It can also be unfortunate for the eyes, especially when on the Ascendant—which it is for the U.S. Perhaps this accounts for the prevalent U.S. blindness to the actions of the nation.

Jupiter is also being occulted frequently. Jupiter, King of the Gods, is the ruler of the U.S. Sagittarius-rising chart. It relates to the optimistic, arrogant, recklessness of the nation.

Degrees which are especially activated now are from 20-25 of all signs, 9-11 degrees of all signs, and 17-19 degrees of fixed signs.

Pay particular attention to your life now. Take the time to ponder it, and take the trouble to match it up with your values. Whether or not we are aware of it, we are doing some crucial growing and cultivating now.

Later: I’ve just finished with the daily success guide, and I realize that for the U.S., this month’s energies are all about a war buildup. As Seymour Hersch told us, June is definitely target time. Preparation should be completed by the end of May. I cry as I write this. And yet, we’ve been seeing it coming.

Note: A VOC Moon period is when the Moon is making no further major planetary aspects before it changes signs. Moon and its aspects are strongly associated with our everyday behavior, and without those aspects to direct our course, we are left much more free to pursue our own ends in our own way. It is like you're driving down the freeway and find the road signs removed for awhile. On the one hand, plans may go awry, you may miss your exit; on the other hand, inner work is greatly favored as those external "instructions" are reduced. Times used are EST, because the overall influences for the United States are centered in Washington DC.		Click on a date to jump to the calendar entry for that day:
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Last Quarter Moon at 11 Aquarius occurs at 2:24 a.m. EDT. We begin this May Day with a burst of energy—because of the quarter moon, because the moon is traveling in idea-ful Aquarius, and because this moon has a lovely trine to Jupiter, which signals that the sky is the limit. This can be a very pleasant day of connecting with others. It can also have conflict—due especially to confusion and mixed signals. Stubbornness can exacerbate any differences which may appear. Everyone wants to hold their ground. Fixed signs rule the day, and they do want to hang on.

This is the last quarter of the Aries lunar cycle—time for us to figure out what is important for us to continue to work on, and what we can let go of. Aquarius will have its set ideas about this sorting, and Taurus and Scorpio will resist the release, each for their own reason. Just plain possessiveness is a major one. “It’s mine!”

The instrumental energy now is Neptune, visionary and deceptive, most often both at the same time. Addictions are in Neptune’s domain, whether they be to oil, drugs, consumerism, or whatever we find compulsive. Be conscious of focusing on healthful activities. This would be a great day to go to art exhibit, a concert, or a spiritual retreat—as well as to work in your garden.

Two keys to good relationships today are focusing on clear communication, which means listening as well as talking, and being very conscious of a fair give and take. The urge to compromise may be stifled, and we may have to make a big effort in that direction. Librans have a natural talent for this; the rest of us have to work at it. Some time alone, away from the pressure of maintaining smooth relationships, might be helpful. Then we have to deal only with our own inner conflicts.

This is a long and stimulating day, with good work energy. Work which involves some completion is favored.

The U.S. Vesta return, which begins a new four-year financial cycle for the U.S., is in process. It will be completed just after the New Moon in Taurus. This is the week when the nation lets go of old economic paradigms. Keep a close eye on Congress and on GW.

The New Moon which started this Aquarian cycle occurred on February 1, 2003, the day the Columbia shuttle crashed in Palestine, TX. Just afterwards Bush was involved in another crash item—submitting to Congress a $2.2 trillion budget with a $1.1 trillion shortfall.

The Sabian Symbol for 11 Aquarius is

“DURING A SILENT HOUR, A WOMAN RECEIVES A NEW INSPIRATION WHICH MAY CHANGE HER LIFE. The need to rely on inner inspiration and guidance at the start of new developments. What is implied here is the essential value of keeping open to the descent of spiritual or Soul forces, especially when a new period of activity is about to begin. There is a creative power within, which can be tapped. OVERSHADOWING of the individual consciousness by an inner, Transcendent, power.”

MONDAY MAY 2

This is not your rush-out-to-work Monday morning. Moon is VOC this morning until it enters Pisces at 10:43 a.m. EDT. It soon conjoins Mars, which will energize it for the day. Imagination is queen today. Use the next two days for your creative work. Taking a swim, or even just sitting or walking by water would be inspiring. Tonight can be exciting, and we may be up until late.

TUESDAY MAY 3

And now we’re up early. We have a long, pleasant, and productive day. Many things come together, as we finish up our current Moon cycle. This is a day to let it all hang out. Give yourself to the universe. Be spontaneous, and you can do no wrong.

WEDNESDAY MAY 4

This is a free morning. Moon is VOC in mellow Pisces until 2:36 p.m., when it enters Aries. Fairness in partnerships is on our minds now. It’s time to stop victim roles, and to do away with abuse of whatever kind. This is one of those big adjustment days, and we may feel blocked, irritated or frustrated. Foggy Neptune is also prominent today. These next few days can be both difficult and exceptionally creative. We are building up to a whole new deal beginning at New Moon on the 8th.

THURSDAY MAY 5

Aries moon always helps us to move into action. Now we look ahead to the future, and today we prepare by concentrating on eliminating abuse. Cinco de Mayo represents a fight for self-assertion and a push for freedom from tyranny. The heavens today support this celebration. Notice what parties win in British elections.

FRIDAY MAY 6

Moon is VOC in Aries today, and we are doing a lot of thinking. Oil, oil, oil and all of its ramifications is the big subject. Production of oil, oil equity, safeguarding and increasing supply. Those of us who talk about saving energy may begin to have a voice. This is a fine day for nurturing those things which are dear to our hearts. Feelings of fear and caution may be nibbling around the edges today.

SATURDAY MAY 7

Moon is in Taurus, and we prepare for tomorrow morning’s new moon by sorting out those values which we truly want to protect and nurture in the future. There is some very deep and penetrating thinking going on regarding partnerships, resources, and lifestyle. Healing is happening as we ponder possible changes. By tonight we may want to just let it all drop, and escape into fantasyland.

SUNDAY MAY 8

New Moon at 18 Taurus occurs at 4:45 a.m. EDT. During the coming Taurus cycle we gather together our values, with the goal of helping them to grow. This can be a very productive month, but perhaps not exactly in the way we expect. Taurus is the year’s moon month when we stake out our garden, when we decide our major focus for the next year. Seedlings planted now will show culmination during the last half of the year, when Mars travels slowly, and then retrogrades, in Taurus, going over all of the territory which is now being marked—programmed, one might say.

Neptune and Vesta are the big supporting players now. Two words for this combination are OIL and INVESTMENTS. Taurus is about all material resources in general, but we can narrow it down. However, oil is, in the U.S., the engine which runs the economy in multiple ways. We are being faced with the need to make some major shifts. (Interestingly, the U.S. uses 50% more energy per GDP than does Europe!) This does give us all a lot to think about.

Important things are happening in the sky. Neptune in Aquarius squares Sun-Moon now, giving us the opportunity to be idealistic and visionary in regard to our values. Venus in Taurus squares Transpluto, opening the way for resurrection of the heart. Jupiter quincunxes Uranus, showing some optimism about the oil situation.

Chiron in Aquarius is stationary-retrograde, forcing our consciousness to focus on energy, and how we use it now and in the future.

Saturn, the Teacher, conjoins the U.S. Mercury, putting reality in front of our faces. Transiting Mercury in Aries squares them both, showing a turning point in the nation’s thinking in regard to looking at what is realistically possible regarding the nation’s security. With Mercury in the martial sign of Aries, further military action may seem to be a solution. Pallas in Virgo square Pluto in Sag also indicates this strategy.

Vesta at 20 Taurus conjoins Sun and Moon. This is the degree of the U.S. Vesta, and thus today is the exact day of beginning a new 46-month financial cycle for the U.S. Today’s interplay of celestial energies sets the tone for these next four years.

The tone of this Moon is exceedingly strong, and very focused on economic matters. Taurus is a very robust and sturdy sign, and here we have its strongest point of the year—the Taurus New Moon. In addition, it conjoins Vesta, which gives it tremendous focus and concentration. Taurus’ ruler, Venus, is also in Taurus, greatly fortifying it.

It is most unusual for the U.S. to have its Vesta return during the Taurus moon cycle, let alone with the Taurus New Moon. This, then, is a particularly potent money cycle, centered on oil, and guided by elusive Neptune in Aquarius, which can be deceptive and sabotaging. At the same time, Chiron brings up the whole issue of energy.

This is a crucial month.

The Sabian Symbol for 18 Taurus is

“A WOMAN AIRING AN OLD BAG THROUGH THE OPEN WINDOW OF HER ROOM. The cleansing of the ego-consciousness. The traditional teachings of human nature are somehow reconciled with the youthful enthusiasm that sees in every problem of growth an issue between the 'good' and the 'bad.' The symbol suggests that the real enemy is within the mind; it is the ego and its attachment to possessions. The mind is shown in the likeness of a 'bag,' now empty and needing to be aired in the sunlight. But the 'window' must first be opened and the bag emptied. PURIFICATION.”

Most appropriate.

Mothers’ Day can be very loving, and sensual. Enjoy good food.

MONDAY MAY 9

Moon in Gemini enlivens our minds and bodies. In fact, our nervous systems might be a little jumpy with this high stimulation in the midst of our shifting orientations. This day calls for mental challenges.

TUESDAY MAY 10

Curious Gemini energy is building up, as Venus also enters Gemini. We have an urge to communicate our current perceptions, opinions, and conclusions. Sun Conjoins Vesta today to vitalize the New Moon process. Strategic power is a major component. Watch for power struggles tonight.

WEDNESDAY MAY 11

Our financial-security action continues. Moon is VOC in Gemini from 10:58 a.m. EDT until it enters Cancer at 1:20 p.m. In the meantime, Ceres is squaring Neptune. Ceres in Scorpio is a keeper of secrets, and producer of oil. Neptune diffuses reality, and is also correlated with oil. This adds up to oil secrets. Strategist Pallas is also stimulating the U.S. Neptune (in the 9th house of foreign lands) as she stations on it, and turns direct. The oil saga continues, with probably much of it out of sight of the public. Moon in Cancer encourages us to focus on home and family.

THURSDAY MAY 12

This is a fine day to secure the ramparts. Moon is traveling in Cancer with active, helpful aspects. Mercury has just moved into Taurus, and security is on our minds.

FRIDAY MAY 13

This morning is great for hard work. Try to complete something. At 11:04 a.m. EDT, Moon goes VOC. Ambition may slack off for the rest of the day. TGIF!

SATURDAY MAY 14

Moon is in expressive Leo, and we will have a powerful weekend. Moon in Leo completes a grand fixed cross, giving us a preview of autumn’s configurations. The fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius. They are all occupied, and each of them is stubborn in holding onto their power centers—although the cross pushes them to release. Resistance, power struggles, and conflicting pressures can result. Hard creative work is a good outlet for excess energy.

Mercury in Taurus squares a nearly stationary Chiron in Aquarius, to give us an idea of what Chiron retrograde in Aquarius is all about. Chiron is the Wounded Healer. Energy itself is probably one of the main focuses.

There are many comfortable aspects today, and Leo Moon helps us to have a good time, and to enjoy the day. However, the month’s underlying tensions remain.

SUNDAY MAY 15

Today Mars conjoins Uranus to give us the month’s major action aspect. Mars plus Uranus means sudden, forceful action. It is an accident-prone combination. Pisces, however, is the sign of this meeting, and Pisces takes the starch out of both of them. Pisces is more concerned with the spiritual side of life than with physical energy. Pisces also relates to oil.

At the same time—and for the entire month—Jupiter quincunxes Uranus. This is an aspect of overexpectation, and of being caught up in a world of optimistic dreams, unwarranted by reality. The result is, at some point, disappointment and disillusion. There will be a tendency to make a move towards a hoped-for goal. A few reality checks are in order before we make that move. This quincunx aspect is in orb through July.

Mars leaves Pisces on June 11.

Moon continues in Leo, and this is a super-creative day.

MONDAY MAY 16

First Quarter Moon at 26 Leo occurs at 4:57 a.m. EDT. Taurus is the sign of green plants, Leo the sign of flowers. Our garden begins now to flourish

Moon now conjoins Transpluto, to stimulate the energy of rebirth. This theme is enhanced by first quarter itself, which helps us put the new moon energies out into the world, as well as by Moon’s trine to Pluto, the planet of renovation.

Besides Pluto and Transpluto, Sun and Vesta are major supporters of Moon now. So here we have the financial-investment complex embedded in a transformation process.

Action now is whole-hearted, for most of the celestial bodies are interconnected and working together. And Leo enthusiastically puts its whole self into a situation.

In the chart set for Washington DC, all four of the angles—the most expressive places in a chart—are occupied. In the midheaven, where the world sees the action, is Chiron. Chiron in Aquarius means new electronics and technology. The U.S. government tends to apply those inventions to weapons. Keep an eye on what comes out of the Administration.

At the bottom, the nadir, is Saturn, showing that security at home is a major goal. This urge of the people can be manipulated by the Administration in any number of ways, and has been. And will be. For Mercury is on the Taurus Ascendant, communicating insecurity about resources.

Ceres in Scorpio is in the seventh house of partnership. Ceres is productive, and Scorpio is another oil sign. This is excellent energy for working with resources generally—discovering, producing, and recycling. Mother Ceres is also associated with labor, the work, basically, to get food on the table. Labor, and labor issues may be prominent.

The Sabian Symbol for 26 Leo is

“AFTER THE HEAVY STORM, A RAINBOW. Linking above and below, the Covenant with one’s divine nature, promise of immortality. In the Bible, the rainbow in the sign of the Covenant established by God with Noah (the cyclic 'seed man') guaranteeing that no longer shall the destructive power of Spirit (the Shiva aspect of the Divine) be used to destroy life on earth. As we come to this scene of release, we fine the person who has been able to weather the cathartic storm face-to-face with their divine Archetype. Because he/she has been victorious, a link has been established with the Divine Soul-being. Both the human and the divine partners should remain linked. H.P. Blavatsky’s last words are said to have been, 'Keep the Link unbroken.' This is the Link she forged with the Trans-Himalayan Brotherhood that had sent her into the darkness of 19th century materialism for this purpose.

The symbol of the rainbow shows us the need to maintain a state of open communication between the Sky and the Earth within our total being—not for the sake of finding an ever-elusive “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow, for this end is never to be reached, but in order to face the totality of our individual selfhood as it is projected in the many-hued dome of our sky-flung consciousness. After every successfully-met crisis, the REVELATION OF WORTH comes to us, and with it comes the promise of success, if only we do our part.”

After the quarter, Moon is VOC until it enters Virgo at 1:46 p.m. EDT. Use the morning to assimilate these energies, and recreate your own rainbow within yourself. Afternoon will be busy.

TUESDAY MAY 17

Virgo Moon encourages us to be industriously working on security problems. We may run into obstacles early in the day, but by early afternoon, they can be resolved. Evening will be pleasant and harmonious. Conversation and discussion are favored.

WEDNESDAY MAY 18

Moon continues in problem-solving Virgo. And we do have plenty of problems this month. This is a day of bright ideas, which can help us in the problem-solving department. We also have a need to be independent.

THURSDAY MAY 19

Moon closes the week by traveling in sociable Libra. This evening at 6:06 p.m. EDT, Moon occults Jupiter. This eclipse is visible in the Caribbean, Central America, and Venezuela, areas where there is much social ferment right now. At around the same time, Neptune is stationing to turn retrograde. Both Jupiter and Neptune are sky planets, holding big ideas. Such ideas now receive a setback. A Neptune station emphasizes Neptune concerns. Music and the arts are such a concern, and we may want to indulge ourselves in entertainment tonight.

FRIDAY MAY 20

As I said in General Influences, many of this month’s aspects endure throughout the month. At the same time they are complex and inter-connected. On different days, different parts of the complex whole are emphasized. However, this same complexity underlies all of the month’s activities. The Loch Ness Monster comes to mind, where different observers at different times see different parts, but no one sees the whole thing.

With Moon in Libra, let’s talk today, perhaps seriously, about heavy things. Sun enters Gemini at 6:47 p.m. EDT, and our urge to communicate grows.

SATURDAY MAY 21

Moon in intense Scorpio introduces us to a dynamic Full Moon weekend. Politics and power will be two subjects on our minds. However, with Mercury square Neptune, we must focus on grounding and practicality to avoid getting caught up in cobwebs. It might be more productive to focus on tangible goals today.

One of the entire month’s aspects is a close square from Pallas Athena to Pluto. Squares are stressful. They are challenging, but they do inspire creative activity. Today Pallas in Virgo makes its exact hit in squaring Pluto in Sagittarius. Pluto always means deep power. It is lawless, and obeys only its inner urge to power. Pluto is now traveling through the first house—the house of self—of the United States (for the first time), and this nation is illustrating Pluto’s ruthless qualities. Pluto is inexorable. Its action transforms whatever it contacts.

Pallas Athena is a strategist, and also a defender of a civilized social order. In Virgo she is concerned with health, with labor, and with the military. Power struggles are occurring now in all of those areas, and they may be coming to a head. This includes our own health, especially our immune systems, and the stress leaves us open to disease. Take especially good care of yourself during May. Take time to completely relax.

SUNDAY MAY 22

Moon continues in dynamic Scorpio. It’s both a dreaming and a doing day, so take your choice of activities. Tonight Venus square Mars may promote an outburst of passion, mental or physical. This is a creative, brainy combination, and should be fun. Both events on May 15 and on May 18 are part of this day, and ramifications will continue through the week.

MONDAY MAY 23

Full Moon at 3 Sagittarius occurs at 4:18 p.m. EDT. Gemini is an information junkie, and is tuned into the details. Sag, with a wide view, puts the relevant pieces together into a coherent system. We are continuing the Taurus moon cycle, and it is time now to take a look at finances, possessions, needs, and values with some objectivity, to use our minds to find an overview and greater understanding of what is occurring. Full moons illuminate the seeds planted at new moons.

We need to look at Chiron at 4 Aquarius for some light on these times. Both this full moon, and the full moon of a month ago (Eclipse in Scorpio) most closely aspect Chiron. Chiron opens us to new vibrations, particularly in Aquarius, and the world is changed.

Another of the month’s long-lasting aspects, Pluto quincunx Saturn, is exact today. Saturn is ready to take on much responsibility. Pluto can add to its willingness to push ahead, but at the same time, (1) Saturn can take on too much, and burn out, and (2) subtle power plays can put obstacles in Saturn’s path. With this aspect we must push ahead—but watch your back, maintain your boundaries, and put contractual agreements in black and white.

This moon sequence began with a Total Solar Eclipse at 2 Sag on November 23, 2003. On this day Congress passed the horrendous Medicare bill which is very complex, not serving people well, and costing twice as much as projected. (Many called it a giveaway to the big drug companies—who have become perhaps the largest contributors to the political process.) Now that Congress sees those consequences, what will they do about it? Anything?

The Sabian Symbol for 3 Sagittarius is

“TWO MEN PLAYING CHESS. The transcendent ritualization of conflict. Essential to sociocultural living is the transmutation of man’s natural aggressiveness under most conditions of existence. Many rituals, sports, and games have no other basic aim. In chess the complex types of energies which, in their togetherness, constitute a human person are symbolized by six kinds of pieces. The struggle between Light and Darkness is ritualized, ending in most cases with the checkmating of the king (the ego, conscious self). In a dualistic world such a contest between polarized forces is omnipresent. The basic realities in interpersonal INTERPLAY.”

Chess requires strategy, which is Pallas Athena’s forte. In contest now with Pluto, she may be sharpening her methods. Sagittarius (the U.S. rising sign) is a gambler and a risk-taker, but there are times when strategy is more effectual than blind optimism.

We may be up late tonight, as Moon continues its lively trip through Sagittarius.

TUESDAY MAY 24

Moon in Sagittarius continues to open the path of adventure for us. Here’s an adventure: check the low southwest sky at 4:00 a.m. EDT to watch the Moon cross over the red-orange star in Scorpius, Antares. This Mars-like star will be part of the influence of this full moon. Today is apt to be very energetic. Twelve hours after the occultation, transiting Moon squares Mars itself.

WEDNESDAY MAY 25 AND 26

Moon is VOC in spontaneous Sagittarius this morning. At 1:11 p.m. EDT, Moon enters Capricorn, and we come down to earth. We do some very good thinking and planning from now through THURSDAY—and we probably need to do that at this stage in our hectic month.

FRIDAY MAY 27

Moon continues in Capricorn, with excellent focusing power this morning. We have a change of orientation, and can think more clearly. At 11:22 a.m. EDT, Moon goes VOC, and at 2:10 p.m. it enters Aquarius. The good-feeling vibrations take us over, and perhaps a party is in the offing tonight.

SATURDAY MAY 28 and SUNDAY MAY 29

The party mood continues, and the sense of humor comes alive. Have a great weekend!

MONDAY MAY 30

Last Quarter Moon at 10 Pisces occurs at 7:47 a.m. EDT. Pisces, the sign of surrender, is perfect for a fourth quarter moon, which is signaling us to release something, and just keep the essentials as we let go of this Taurus cycle.

Uranus is the dominant planet, and that disruptor will insist, in fact, on breaking things up, or at least shaking them up. The chaff will loosen now, to be blown in the wind. Perhaps the public will become more conscious of the huge U.S. involvement in torture, and insist on humane treatment of prisoners.

Taurus is losing its grip for now, and we are moving into a time of greater flexibility, and a focus on the human being.

Moon is moving ahead to occult Mars early tomorrow morning, visible only in the far southern parts of the globe. Mars rises in the east in the early morning. At the time of this eclipse, Mars (with Moon) is squaring the U.S. Mars and opposing the U.S. Neptune.

This could be a very warlike moon for the U.S., and it may be that this interconnected, complex action of May has been the time for a war buildup. Pluto, prominent all month, can mean violence. Pallas in Virgo is a perfect symbol for the military. Several quincunxes have outletted on the U.S. Mars. The month’s four moon occultations can move us in a warlike direction. There are several other indications, but the major one is transiting Uranus.

Major Uranus transits historically figure in U.S. wars. The U.S. horoscope has both Uranus in Gemini and Mars in Gemini in the arena of relationships. Furthermore, the U.S. Uranus is in the position of the fixed star, Aldebaran, which has a Martian character. And it is opposite the position of Antares, another Mars-vibe star. Assertive energy clusters around U.S. relationships.

Beginning in March, transiting Uranus has been squaring the U.S. Uranus (and thus Aldeberan and Antares). This opens the final quarter of the 84-year Uranus cycle which began with the conclusion of WWII, in 1944-45.

That was when Pres. Roosevelt made the agreement with the Saudis that they would favor the U.S. in selling their oil in exchange for U.S. military protection.

This Moon features Uranus. In addition, Sun now conjoins the U.S. Uranus (and Aldeberan). In the chart set for Washington DC, Mars is on the midheaven, right out in front of the world, and in transit Mars is squaring the U.S. Mars.

Way too much Mars! (And this whole Uranian Moon complex sets off GW’s own Mars like a firecacker!)

The New Moon which begins this moon family occurred on March 2, 2003. Bush was full of war talk then, against a number of nations, and the U.S. was poised to bomb Baghdad.

So we have 21 years of wind-up time. The new Uranus cycle for the U.S. will begin in 2027.

How will we finish out this cycle? What will be the effect of the U.S. progressed Mars turning retrograde soon?

Stay tuned. And stay centered. Difficult in these times.

The Sabian Symbol for 10 Pisces is

“AN AVIATOR PURSUES HIS JOURNEY, FLYING THROUGH GROUND-OBSCURING CLOUDS. Mastery.”

TUESDAY MAY 31

Moon continues in Pisces this morning with strong, constructive aspects. At 1:53 p.m. EDT, Moon goes VOC. We will not feel ambitious this afternoon. However, we will get a jolt of energy when Moon enters Aries at 8:07 p.m., and just afterwards Sun squares Uranus, to complete yesterday’s Last Quarter Moon action.

Yes, we are moving into the fateful month of June on the greased skids of Mars and Uranus.

In two days Mars squares Pluto to really push power. On June 5, Jupiter turns direct to give new impetus to the U.S. On June 11, Mars moves into the martial sign of Aries.