DAILY ASTROLOGY IN FILM: MAY 21 SAG FULL MOON

The FULL MOON IN SAGITTARIUS is exact at 5:14pm EDT on Saturday May 21st. The Full Moon is a time of culmination of projects begun at the previous New Moon. After the Sun has entered Gemini at 10:37am EDT on Friday May 20th, the Sag Moon then opposes the Sun on the 21st creating a Full Moon at 1 degree Sagittarius/1 degree Gemini. Note that the Moon conjuncts Mars at the time of this Full Moon which indicates even more tension in need of resolution. Generally speaking, a Full Moon reflects the tension of The Feminine Principle (Moon) in opposition to the Masculine Principle (Sun). This tension seeks resolution. The Feminine/Masculine principles reflect for example: Mother/Father; Female/Male; Emotion/Mind; Receptive/Creative; Dark/Light; Unconsciousness /Consciousness; Past/Future.  The specific dynamic of the Gemini/Sagittarius polarity tends to reflect a consciousness which is actively gathering pieces of information, processing it logically and sharing it with others (Sun in Gemini)...opposing an undercurrent sense that a bigger picture, philosophical principle or Truth is involved - of which we may not yet be aware but in which we have faith or intuit (Moon in Sag). Both Gemini and Sagittarius are Mutable signs which indicates a changing flow of ideas and perspective. We have the ability now to adapt to new information, to form different opinions, to change our minds. Positions or attitudes we've been holding on to are up for reconsideration. The opportunity here is, instead of opting for an either/or position of acknowledging one and denying the other - as most often happens in our modern rational mindset - we acknowledge both ends of the polarity so that, for example, we see the broader principles as well as the separate pieces of the puzzle. With a complete picture and flexibility we are more able to proceed with clarity. (See March Post: The Hidden Opportunity of Oppositions) 

SCENE FOR THE DAY: CONTACT, 1997; Director: Robert Zemekis; Adapted from Carl Sagan's book Contact. In order to comprehend the body of information sent from the star Vega, Astronomer Ellie Arroway, owned by Jodie Foster, is guided by her benefactor Hadden, played by mesmerizing John Hurt, to break through her logical mindset to access an expanded perspective. A great Sagittarian adventure ensues as a result of this shift. This is one of my all-time favorite films - a must-see!

DAILY ASTROLOGY IN FILM: MAY 19-21

MOON IN SCORPIO from 2:30am EDT on Thursday May 19th until 7:40am EDT Saturday May 21st. Ruled by Pluto, the Scorpio Moon reflects primordial Power: Life, Death and Regeneration. This Fixed Water sign is deeply emotional and often concerns issues of jealousy and possessiveness in relationships. Intensity in some form is usually the order of the day and often shows up in the area of resources or money, particularly other people's money - as in inheritance. This is also a very creative and sexual time though power struggles may ensue. Pluto goes down to the core of whatever structure - physical, mental, psychological/emotional or spiritual - breaks it down and re-constructs, remodels or regenerates it. What is available to us now is a step in long-term deep transformation.

LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Opposite Venus at 7:40am EDT on May 21st. The sexual intensity of the Scorpio Moon may be heightened with an opposition to Venus in her own sign of sensuously earthy Taurus. Both are Fixed signs and resist flexibility in the relationship. As we are building to the FULL MOON in Sagittarius later on May 21st (the Sun enters Gemini on May 20th at 10:37am EDT) and Mercury is in its last days of retrograde, the drama may be about a culmination of a previous conflict. Some circumstance in the outer world, most likely involving a woman, may hinder a positive resolution. Actions initiated during this time are likely to have a CHALLENGING result.

SCENE OF THE DAY: Damage, 1992; Director: Louis Malle. Forbidden love has dramatically Plutonic consequences when a member of Parliament, played by Jeremy Irons, falls into a passionate affair with his son's fiance, played by Juliette Binoche. Here we witness Scorpio's darker qualities of possession, jealousy and death in a most compelling and unusual love triangle drama. Malle shocks us to our depths in his exploration of the shadowy desire of human sexuality and how close to the edge, and over it, we will go to satisfy this drive. After what feels like an obligatory climb to a devastating climax, each character slowly begins their respective journey to reconstruct their life.

DAILY ASTROLOGY IN FILM: MAY 16-18

MOON IN LIBRA from 1:33pm EDT on Monday May 16th after being VOID OF COURSE all morning, until 11:23am EDT on Wednesday May 18th. Wednesday the 18th is VOID OF COURSE the rest of the day (SEARCH APRIL 7 POST). Ruled by Venus, Libra reflects Relationship. This includes any Partnership and the focus is on The Other. The glyph of the Scales which represents Libra indicates a striving for Balance, Harmony and Equality. Peace, Beauty and Art are intrinsic aspects of this yearning. This is a time to pay attention to our significant others - what they need and how we can serve them. What goes around comes around and we will most likely benefit from taking attention off ourselves. Relationship is the most obvious and ever-present vehicle we have to learn how to work with the marriage of opposites in our daily lives. If you've read earlier posts you know how important working with oppositions are - in astrology as well as life in general (See March post: The Hidden Opportunity of Oppositions). Concepts like negotiating, collaborating and compromising come to mind when training ourselves to collectively inhabit the planet. Making Art and creating Beauty in our environment serves all who witness it.

LAST ASPECT OF THE MOON: Moon Opposite Uranus in Aries at 11:23am EDT on May 18th. Significant actions initiated during this time will tend to have a CHALLENGING result. Though the 180 degree opposition generally indicates a difficult circumstance from the outside world we also have the opportunity to acknowledge the opposition and incorporate it into our own perspective - hence marrying the opposite or making a compromise. The opposition to Uranus can be particularly upsetting because it reflects the archetype of breaking apart or separation. So if your relationship is in need of repair this aspect will demand your attention. If issues are not addressed and if this transit is strongly placed in your chart this could signify a break-up. Ultimately one partner is likely to need more freedom (Uranus). Often, negotiating this need will ameliorate the situation.  

SCENE OF THE DAY: The English Patient, 1996; Director: Anthony Minghella which he adapted from the novel by Michael Ondaatje. There are so many films with stories of broken relationships but the English Patient is one of the most dramatic! The plane crash/walk-to-the-cave scene is just too classic not to include here. The lovers played by Ralph Fiennes and Kristen Scott Thomas (as well as the complementary lovers played by Juliette Binoche and Naveen Andrews) have the odds stacked against them from their initial meeting and outer circumstances prevent them from negotiating a successful resolution.

DAILY ASTROLOGY IN FILM MAY 14-16

MOON IN VIRGO. Moon enters Virgo at 1:52am EDT on Saturday May 14th until 5:20am EDT on Monday May 16th. Ruled by Mercury, Virgo reflects the analytical mind and its ability to problem solve. It is oriented towards creating perfection - so order, organization and attention to details are its forte. Virgo has to be careful that its drive for precision doesn't criticize everyone else for the lack of it. It's not too easy on itself either. As I've said before, I look forward to this time for cleaning house and organizing  everything in sight. The energy really does seem to inspire these efforts. A MUTABLE EARTH sign, we tend to feel grounded and productive now, able to adapt to whatever shows up as needing to be addressed. As always it's a great use of Virgo's time to write, read, teach, speak or communicate in any form. 

Speaking of Virgo... Jupiter has been transiting this sign since August 2015. It went up to 23 degrees Virgo in January 2016 when it went Retrograde - all the way back to 13 degrees. Just this week, on Monday May 9, JUPITER STATIONED DIRECT. This reflects an exciting time when, after a period of turning its perspective inward, Jupiter's archetype of growth and striving for meaning and wisdom is available to us once again in our dealings with the outer circumstantial and relational world. This is something to celebrate! FYI: Investors also look to Jupiter's sign - which changes yearly - to determine what categories of stocks will 'grow' or increase. Jupiter in Virgo would reflect benefits in educational resources or any products/companies with a focus on analyses. Also health, healing and care-giving products or businesses, cleaning products and any service-oriented companies would be considered the arenas for good investments.

LAST ASPECT OF THE MOON: Moon Trine Sun at 5:20am EDT on Monday May 16th. This should be a GREAT time to get a lot accomplished! Especially things listed above that you have previously begun and are going back to complete or re-do. Actions initiated during this time have a MIXED evaluation for the eventual result produced - only because Mercury and Mars are still retrograde. Though thoughts and emotions are in harmony and you should be able to communicate what you're feeling with great detail and clarity, continue to check and double check that you're all on the same page and that your timing is in sync! Also, try to be conscious that you're not too nit-picky in your judgments.

SCENE FOR THE DAY: The Big Short, 2015; Director: Adam McKay. Talk about analyses! This film basically attempts to explain, in the most entertaining way possible, the financial crash of 2008.  With wonderful performances by Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Brad Pitt and others, the development of the housing market bubble is described in amazing Virgonian clarity, detail and drama. This crisis was - and continues to be - a huge disaster for so many people, not to mention an horrific breach of ethics by those aware of what was happening. Most of the characters in the film who bet against (shorted) the housing market made a lot of money. In this regard only, the characters are 'successful' (even though they expected to make a lot more than they did) and the film is in sync with the positive last aspect description. 

DAILY ASTROLOGY IN FILM: MAY 11-13

MOON enters LEO at 5:32pm EDT Wednesday May 11th after being VOID OF COURSE all day. Ruled by the Sun, the Leo Moon shines in exuberance, generosity and playful warmth of spirit. This FIXED FIRE sign does have itself in the center of its world so the atmosphere may be oriented somewhat towards self-service. But once Leo feels acknowledged for whatever he values most about himself, there is no sign more willing to acknowledge everyone else in his vicinity...with grandeur! It is vital for Leo to express himself honestly and with full disclosure. King of his universe, this royal leader and leading man on stage feels like a complete failure when this self-expression is blocked or denied. 

 LAST ASPECT OF THE MOON: Moon Square Sun at 1:02pm on Friday May 13th. Yes, that's FRIDAY THE 13TH. The Leo Moon squaring its ruler, The Sun, is harsh treatment for this childlike energy that wants to play. Though there may be many moments of lighthearted gaiety during this time, significant actions initiated during this time are likely to have a CHALLENGING result. Not only is Leo's ruling planet making a hard aspect to the Moon, but the Masculine principle of self/identity and consciousness (Sun) is challenging the Feminine principle of inclusiveness and the unconscious (Moon). Not only may genders clash but everything associated with the Masculine and Feminine principles may be more oppositional than complementary at this time. We may discover our personal power and authority compromised. It's likely we'll find our emotions unable to be truly expressed or be validated if they are.  Leo's light may sink before sunset.
  
SCENE FOR THE DAY: The King's Speech, 2010; Director: Tom Hooper. Royal self-expression is the order of the day in this triumphant film as Colin Firth's King George VI works with therapist Geoffrey Rush to minimize his speech impediment. The King's stutter dramatically undermines his sense of identity as honorable and respected representative of his people. This challenge reaches a climax as he rehearses his delivery of the speech of a lifetime as Britain prepares to enter the second World War.  Though the speech is finally delivered victoriously, this scene reflects the challenges faced by this persevering monarch.

DAILY ASTROLOGY IN FILM: MAY 9-10

MOON enters CANCER at 1:24pm EDT on Monday May 9th after being VOID OF COURSE all morning. The Moon is the natural ruler of Cancer so it is very much at home here. The Moon carries the archetype of The Feminine: Receptive, Emotional, Protective, Nurturer, Container, The Mother, The Dark Unconscious, Intuitive, The Past, Memory, Family, Home. While the Moon is in its own sign these qualities tend to be activated. So it is often an emotionally sensitive time where the women in our lives are center stage. There will be needs that need to be addressed - and for all you readers who just can't get with the emotional expression program, please do try to address them! It will make life much easier. And you may be surprised how much talking about your feelings actually does clear the air. Cancer is a Cardinal Water sign so in spite of the reserved and private kind of atmosphere, the conversation about what's really going on beneath the cover-up politeness, denial or avoidance will be initiated by someone. And then, because all the Cancers I know are unifocused on FOOD, you can all go out and have a great meal!    

LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon square Uranus at 3:34am, Wednesday May 10. You may notice that we're having a lot of Uranus Last Aspects this month. That's because Uranus is the highest degree of most all the planets (21-23 degrees Aries). And that means a lot of great or terrible surprises, upsets, separations, revolutions or sudden enlightenment experiences or technological breakthroughs. Moon Square Uranus is no exception. This would be a time of some form of disruption to expectations held dear...emotionally dear. Expect emotional responses too. These sudden changes are likely to be in the vicinity of home and family and yes, particularly the females in our lives...like mood swings, temper tantrums, breakdowns and breakthroughs. But don't forget: there's a feminine side to every male. Actions initiated during this time will tend to have a CHALLENGING result. 

SCENE FOR THE DAY: Requiem for a Dream, 2000; Director: Darren Aronofsky. This shocking dysfunctional family drama epitomizes a broken home. (Uranus square Cancer Moon). The container of protection and nourishment is smashed into the powder everyone is ingesting by various means. The story is centered around the archetypally-extreme Mother character played unbelievably believably by actress extrordinaire Ellen Burstyn. If you don't want your children to do drugs and you are very very brave, have them watch parts of this film...well, maybe not. But you get my drift. Mother and son (Jared Leto) live in their own worlds, doing everything they can to satisfy their own fantasies barely surviving the ordeal known as daily life. Aronofsky is a mold-breaking director with films like Pi, The Fountain, The Wrestler and The Black Swan in his filmography. I swear I didn't know this but I just checked his natal chart and his Sun is in Uranus-ruled Aquarias and he has Moon square Uranus. This actually isn't an uncommon phenomenon. We do live out our charts in one way or another.  Making a film about a broken home is much better than having to live it.

DAILY ASTROLOGY IN FILM: MAY 7-8

MOON enters GEMINI Saturday May 7 at 12:34pm EDT after being VOID of COURSE all Morning. Ruled by Mercury and with wings on his feet Gemini loves to travel. Remembering Mercury is retrograde, if you do decide to get in the car and take a physical journey this weekend double check all likely barriers to getting there - especially schedules! The mind is also very active; ideas and realizations abound and, as ruler of communication, Gemini loves to share his thoughts.  Journaling to keep track of these myriad ideas is always a useful idea.

LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon sextile Uranus at 0:15am on Monday, May 9th. With aspects to Uranus - the higher vibration of Mercury - mental synapses are firing on all cylinders. You may experience fast moving stream of conscious thoughts racing through you. Try to grab on and retain them, as opportunities may be available through these new ideas. Expanded states of consciousness may be experienced. Uranus rules the electronic arena so brainstorming (great concept for Gemini/Uranus!) on computers and mobile devices are highly successful. Though many mental connections may be made now Uranus may also reflect some surprising disruptions and changes so keep moving to get through them. These kinds of actions initiated during this time are likely to have a GOOD end result!
  
SCENE FOR THE DAY: Adaptation, 2002; Director: Spike Jonze; Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman. Meryl Streep plays Susan Orlean, a New Yorker journalist who becomes fascinated by eccentric (Uranus) botanical connoisseur John Laroche ingeniously played by Chris Cooper (wins Oscar for Best Actor). His passion for orchids makes her realize she longs to care about something as deeply as he does. In this scene she has a profound realization about her concept of 'change' (Uranus). She hopes that finding the elusive Ghost Orchid will facilitate her transformation; it does, but in an unexpected turn of events (Uranus). The multi-faceted Nicholas Cage plays both roles of the Gemini twins, Charlie and Donald Kaufman. The film, itself an adaptation of real-life Orlean 's The Orchid Thief, takes the already unusually structured (Uranus) non-linear novel to a whole other self-conscious level of deconstruction. Both are brilliant! (Uranus!)

DAILY ASTROLOGY IN FILM MAY 5-6

MOON VOID OF COURSE until 1:10pm EDT May 5th when MOON enters TAURUS until 10:10pm Friday May 6th. When the Sun and Moon are in the same sign, we have a New Moon. The NEW MOON IN TAURUS is exact on Friday May 6th at 3:29pm EDT. Ruled by Venus, Taurus is a Fixed Earth sign. This reflects an earthy sensuous attitude which moves slowly and deliberately. Its primary drive is to provide security and well-being to those Taurus loves. If Mercury weren't retrograde, I'd advise luxuriating in a new well-deserved cushy purchase! Taurus loves to be comfortable and surrounded by Beauty; Venus also rules money. But since we don't have Mercury's forward-motion support, I'd keep the treats small and maybe luxuriate in the bath with your honey! If you buy something now it's likely it will have to be returned for some reason. A Fixed sign can translate as stubborn so try to keep things as fluid and flexible as possible. But Fixed can also mean grounded. It'd be an EXCELLENT time to work on a building or a craft project that never got completed. Try getting down in the dirt and re-envisioning a garden with a new design. The Taurus New Moon as well - as the whole time Mercury is Retro in Taurus - would be used with great benefit to distinguish between what values are important to you versus what you've inherited from your family and culture. It's also a time to discover how to make your own money instead of relying on or hoping for support from others. This is a big one.

LAST ASPECT OF THE MOON: Moon conjunct Mercury at 10:10pm EDT on Friday May 6th. Emotions and Mind tend to be on the same page now. You can communicate what you feel. Again, because this Mercury is retrograde, choose your words consciously. You may not be understood at first, so the traditional caution for retrograde Mercury - of checking and double checking all forms of communications - holds here. Try saying what you may have held back in the past, or re-open a previous dialogue that didn't reach a satisfying conclusion. Remember this is a GREAT time for going over past conversations to get them right as well as using the New Moon in Taurus to re-work an existing project.
SCENE FOR THE DAY: A Little Chaos, 2014: Director: Alan Rickman. The New Moon in Taurus is reflected by this precious film about two architects building the waterfall garden of Versailles. A new visionary project by a female architect, Mme de Barra, played by the luminescent Kate Winslet broadens the imagination of traditional Master Architect played by Matthias Schoenaerts. They combine their ideas (Mercury) to make a truly Venusian new work of art (New Moon in Taurus) fit for a King. In this scene the Master describes (Mercury) the plan. This is the last of two very special films directed by actor Rickman (the first being The Winter Guest with Emma Thompson) before his sudden recent death. He will be sorely missed.