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Boots Hart Astrological Overview May 2008 Boots Hart provides an overview and synthesis of the major energies, transits and key dates for the month as a whole.

by Boots Hart

Within the first ten days of May, Saturn goes direct, a New Moon occurs in Taurus and Jupiter goes retrograde—all as Mars finally (finally!) completes its foundational stripping-down-and-rebuilding cycle, a cycle which began back in September 2007.

So! With that being in the offing, we all can expect May to be filled with vital doings, starting with Saturn going direct at 1 Virgo on May 2 (May 1 in US longitudes), a period when you may well experience any/all of the following:

• You may be required to make an effort or deal with something you’ve been trying to ignore, or hoping to avoid.
• You may voluntarily undertake some task which requires extended effort and meticulous attention.
• You may receive word on something which has been in the works for some time.
• Health or work issues may take a turn.
• You may, out of need or necessity, be required to make some sort of sacrifice.

Or…

You may reap the rewards for seeds planted back in mid-December 2007.

Being that Saturn at 1 Virgo involves learning through challenge, those who reap the greatest rewards are likely to be those who have experienced hard times or made concerted contributions to a process. People who encounter difficulties now will be those who have been avoiding necessities…and it’s worth remembering that this period can feel like you’re being tripped up even if you’ve been doing things you think are useful. Why would that happen? Because when we choose something we would prefer to do over something we should do (or which needs doing), Saturn represents all those things we then metaphysically stub our toe on. It’s the jerk back out of our cloud, the life incident or force which yanks us back to cold, hard reality.

Yes, the universe is singularly inflexible about such lessons. We’re all eventually forced to knuckle down and do because life is structured to push us to experience our full capacities. Like it or not, we can’t see all ends, so while we’re wanting to stay within our comfort zone, life creates situations which force us to do things which are productive, even if not particularly popular. Whether life for you is good or bad, let’s face it—many of us prefer the "devil we know" rather than the uncertainty involved in the new or unknown. Yes, if life isn’t what you want it to be, the only way to better things is to change things…but the rut is so comfy, right?

Suggestion: if you find yourself facing difficulties, admit your fear (reluctance, laziness, etc.). Be honest about what’s really holding you back. Feel the feelings, then (yes,) get on with it.

As Mercury enters Gemini on May 2, a quickening of life’s pace may help your getting into gear, too. Then again, it may just stir up clouds of distractions. Being that Mercury symbolizes thought and communication and Gemini is all about making choices, the combination becomes all about sorting the important from the merely interesting. Does this rule out fun? Certainly not! Just make sure to give important matters priority—you’ll thank yourself later!

Moving on to the New Moon at 15 Taurus on May 5, we know this is about the start of something because all New Moons represent "beginnings." Sometimes you’ll begin a new phase of an ongoing project. Sometimes you’ll start something entirely new. Sometimes a New Moon is all about getting a new point of view on something you thought you understood. With this New Moon occurring in Taurus, the core idea is either about worth or your sense of security.

Taurus is often thought of as "money" and without question, people born under a Taurus Sun (or Moon) often love fine things. But the underlying energetic isn’t about riches—it’s about a rich freedom of personal consciousness: the ultimate Taurean lesson. The realized Taurus energetic empowers the value of existence with such acute fullness that contentment with who you innately are allows you to explore how to make use of your every attribute, harnessing your self worth and talents in every facet of your life. That’s what produces the money, satisfaction and security people associate with Taurus—it’s just the good stuff is the payoff. Without the self worth, the confidence, the emotional basis in self all else becomes a craving, a longing, a search which never ends.

As for 15 Taurus, this is one of the zodiac’s four "cross quarter" points, indicating a shift of phase—in this case from the primary phase (that of discovering or establishing what something is) to a secondary phase (discovering use, value or operative selection). This symbolism harmonizes well with the New Moon theme of "beginnings," telling us that if you’re willing to move on, you can.

The basic challenge for this New Moon process is represented by three modifiers. The first is asteroid Hephaistos at 16 Taurus, which can be taken as the necessity to "forge" a future or "steel" one’s self where steadiness, determination and internal understanding of self become assets. Second in this roster of modifiers is centaur Thereus at 17 Taurus, telling us that this process involves balancing the cool of reason against heated desires: the purification of one’s point of view is essential, so try to set aside preconceived notions, presumptions, longings, grudges and guilt. Third in this New Moon triad is dwarf planet Sedna at 20 Taurus—a combination of symbol and degree which points to a need to see things through before drawing conclusions or expecting rewards. There’s a need to acknowledge societal rules and to find one’s individual way here too—an idea very much in keeping with Taurus’ requirement that we own and be secure within the individuality of Self. Because achieving this may require some period of separation, isolation, alienation or rejection, if such a situation occurs now, try to hold to the idea that as trying as the short run may be, in the long run you may well be grateful.

Some people will experience this moment as a release. For others, things will become so complicated they’re forced to make uncomfortable choices or deal with choices being made for them. Whatever happens, remember the theme of the New Moon: the days between May 5 and May 19 are all about testing the stability of your individual foundations by putting you in a position where you can recognize where you are not yet properly prepared or solidified.

Come May 9, Jupiter takes its station and goes retrograde at 22 Capricorn as Mars enters Leo. Given the recent Saturn station and New Moon effects, if anything of note (even something as predictable as a birthday) occurs on May 4, 5 or 6, you are advised to take particular note, as this is likely to become some sort of long-range life turning point.

As for the Jupiter station in particular, the basic theme is twofold: either your ability to move ahead gets halted by external forces, or something you’re responsible for has to be dealt with fully before anything else can be taken on. Even without an event or birthday, this direct-to-retrograde station means it’s time to reconnoiter, solidify gains and trim your efforts so that you aren’t spread too thin.

Because the degree of this station speaks yet again to "rewards" and being in Capricorn indicates the issues of achievement, reputation or social status the question is one of responsibility—primarily to self, which makes this yet another version of the Taurus requirement that you know yourself and be living a life consistent which who you really are. Not who someone wants you to be, not what you hope you can be—what and who you really ARE. If (and to the degree that) you are living in some "alternate reality" (or just plain kidding yourself) expect to encounter tough love. The impetus of this "confrontation" will come from external forces but the real issue is about the internals of your life.

With Mars entering Leo, the urge to have it your own way runs high, but unless you’re sure you’re on solid ground, don’t be too assertive. This is not the moment to wimp out, but things aren’t going the way you want them to, or "be all right" just because you want them to be that way. You can have everything you want but make sure you don’t lose the truth of integrity, productivity and viability in the process.

Bare hours before the Sun enters Gemini on May 20, a Full Moon at 29 Scorpio marks much begun back at the May 5 New Moon coming to a head with critical moments of achieving understanding and agreement—or when rejection or negativity explodes in a flurry. Whether good or bad however, this is no end of any process, so don’t hide, pout or sit on your laurels. A couple of hurrahs are fine if all goes well—and yes, you’re allowed to recover your composure if things go wrong, but it’s important to move on and do whatever can be done promptly—but only if you know what the truth of the situation really is.

Why the warning? Well, because Mercury and Neptune are going retrograde on May 26 while in trine to each other from air signs. This by itself is a classic astrological indicator of "veiled" communications, meaning anything from fantasy to deceit. So it’s a great time for fun, entertainment or romance, but perhaps problematic when it comes to negotiations, clarity of thought and communication, sobriety or drug use (even prescribed drug use). It’s a bad time to tell a lie and a terrible time to falsify documents (as if there is a good time for such a thing?). Also—back up your computer (and blackberry) before this date dawns. Because Jupiter and the lunar nodes also figure here, don’t be surprised if events involve society, social functions, business or legalities. The gist here is about not confusing fact with fantasy and avoiding risk which isn’t merited, but within that, you must know yourself, lest you lose out on opportunity through anxiety-driven self-delusion. Use all your senses, but know your mind.

And with that said, that’s it for May—a busy month, as promised. Have a good one!

Best,

Boots Hart, CAP