MAY 21-23: GOOD VIRGO MOON

MOON ENTERS VIRGO at 10:03pm EDT on Monday, May 21 after a VOID OF COURSE DAY and remains in Virgo until Wednesday, May 23 at 10:55am when it goes VOID OF COURSE for the rest of the day. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon  Trine Pluto in Capricorn. A VOID OF COURSE DAY is usually a time when things seem to be in limbo. Plans just don't gel. Let your expectations of 'business as usual' go. Instead, use the day for any creative act. Brainstorm ideas. This is about lingering in the unknown and letting the imagination loose. Follow the images that come through. It's often the pathway to where life wants to take you. Moving into the Virgo Moon makes me think it will be a good idea to take notes on your musings...

This is the next-to-the-last VIRGO MOON for literal Spring Cleaning support! We have one more Virgo Moon right before Summer Solstice on June 21. Ruled by Mercury, this Mutable Earth sign reflects a time of striving for perfection on the material and analytical planes. When you feel the urge to organize and order everything in your environment, go with it! As Virgo is the Feminine sign of the Vestal Virgin, Keeper of the Sacred Hearth, invite some women to create order with you! Just remember the shadow side of Virgo - wanting, expecting, perhaps demanding others go with your flow. Both Virgo and Pluto have control issues, so the two together are likely to step into this complex, though the Trine suggests that some good would come of it!  Everyone has their own rhythm and priorities so conjure up some leniency and freedom as you hurricane through your closets, drawers and gardens! It is, as always, prime time for writers, speakers and researchers to do their nitty-gritty detail work. Pluto's presence suggests tapping resources that others might offer. It also symbolizes the ability to go deep, both in your cleaning and investigating. Psychological benefits are there in spades to harvest. Virgo also rules health - keeping the body in order. Pluto suggests that regeneration is a good possibility! In general, actions initiated during this Moon period are likely to have Good resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf5S-1tJlg0

VIRGO FILM SCENE: Sunshine Cleaning, 2008; Director: Christine Jeffs. Amy Adams and Emily Blunt are sisters who open a crime cleaning business which turns out teaching them a thing or two about life. A Sundance favorite and nominated for its Grand Jury Prize, the film was a vehicle for both actresses to take on leading roles. Crime scenes often involve death (ruled by Pluto) so the movie lends itself to some great dark humor and being a perfect example of this Moon period! The last line of the trailer says it all! Both actresses have gone on to brilliant careers from this small indie film: Emily Blunt is compelling in The Young Victoria, The Devil Wears Prada, Salmon Fishing in Yemen and, most recently with husband John Krasinsky, A Quiet Place; Amy Adams went on to star in Julie and Julia, The Arrival and American Hustle - my favorite is her standout role in The Fighter. There's nothing quite like two sisters attempting to solve relationship issues, including the one with their deceased mother, while scrubbing blood spatter off a murder scene. Enjoy!

MAY 19-20: VERY GOOD LEO MOON/SUN ENTERS GEMINI

MOON ENTERS LEO at 7:11pm EDT on Saturday, May 19 after being in CANCER until 5:14pm. MOON IS VOID OF COURSE between 5:14pm - 7:14pm. MOON REMAINS IN LEO until 11:30pm on May 20. LAST ASPECT OF LEO MOON: Moon Square Jupiter in Scorpio. Ruled by the Sun, this Fixed Fire Moon should see an abundance of passion and creativity. Love affairs may abound! While 90º Squares suggest challenges, squares to the Great Benevolent Jupiter are less troublesome. The major quality to watch out for is excess! Too much passion? Too much creativity? I don't think so. Just keep you're antennae up - you know how center-stage Leo are! And how possessive and jealous Scorpio can be. Make sure everyone else gets their due...and their freedom. This should be a fun weekend where your child-self gets to come out and play! It's a great time to be entertained, if you're not the main attraction yourself. Actions initiated during this Moon period tend to have Very Good resolutions. PS: SUN ENTERS GEMINI on Sunday May 20 at 10:15pm EDT and stays until June 21 at 6:07am. Ruled by Mercury, planet of communication, travel and mind processes, this is the month for short trips and riding the writing wave! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_890849&feature=iv&list=PLPLCARv-v6LX5ITEBcofKrE8VkIJJIvikGo&src_vid=aHJKwOGb7MI&v=Ar-hnj5Zsk4

LEO FILM SCENE: It Happened One Night, 1934; Director: Frank Capra. Gable and Colbert get creative in this classic romantic comedy which was considered the blueprint for future films in this genre. A pampered heiress rebels against her father and marries a famous aviator. She spends most of the film on the road, however, with a wise-cracking reporter who makes a deal with her to help return her to her husband if he can write her story. Conflicts arise in abundance but all's well that ends well, as is the convention for this type of movie. The hitchhiking scene above and the legendary 'Walls of Jericho' blanket room-divider scene below are great examples of the playfulness early rom-com's afforded audiences. Short on overt passion due to Depression Era filmmaking, the subtle attraction between the two characters is expressed in their overt adversarial banter. Evidently both lead actors found the script 'tasteless' but reconsidered their judgement after the movie won five Academy Awards: Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director and Writing. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zUaNKBQ04c

MAY 17-19: EXCELLENT CANCER MOON

Woman and Child - Redon

MOON ENTERS CANCER on Thursday, May 17 at 5:47pm EDT after being in Gemini until 2:18pm. (Moon is VOID OF COURSE from 5:47pm - 2:18pm). MOON REMAINS IN CANCER until Saturday, May 19 at 5:14pm. LAST ASPECT OF CANCER MOON: Moon Sextile Sun in Taurus. We haven't had a great Cancer Moon for a LONG time! Because Uranus has been in late degrees of Aries for more than a year, we've seen mostly Challenged Cancer Moons, with Last Aspects Square to Uranus. Now that Uranus is in Taurus (note: it retrogrades back to Aries in November to March '19) we'll see more possibilities for easier Cancer Moon periods. Mothers say Hallelujah!  The Feminine Archetype is released and home, family, food and nurturing of all kinds is highlighted. With the Sextile to the Sun in Taurus, opportunities are available for all these qualities to yield great benefits. The Moon, Cancer's natural ruler, also rules public sentiment. With the aspect to the Sun in Taurus this Moon period offers the opportunity to find a strong sense of self-worth and put your true Self out there in public view. Having the courage to do this should have very positive results. Remember Chiron's recent ingress into Aries is also focused on this theme, so stand up and present yourself, even if its only to your inner circle! Of course, this is also a wonderful time to stay home, create fabulous meals to share with ones you love. Actions initiated during this Cancer Moon are likely to have EXCELLENT resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k7WUCIr16g

CANCER FILM SCENE: Little Women, 1949; Director: Mervyn Le Roy. June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Janet Leigh, Margaret O'brien and Elizabeth Taylor star in this classic adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel. The family saga of four daughters and their mother, living in Concord, Massachusetts, navigating life when their father/husband goes off to war. Jo, played by Allyson, is the modern 'little' woman who wants to be a big writer. We watch her impressive individuation process as she blossoms into an independent woman. She's a perfect example of Moon in Cancer Sextile Sun in Taurus! It's wonderful to see that this film, which is almost eighty years old, still holds up dramatically and emotionally. Though, for some reason, the trailer shown here is in black and white, the film was actually shot in Technicolor. The rich saturation of colors are no longer Hollywood's style, but it's awesome to go back in time to revisit the eye-popping deep reds, blues and greens. 

Though it's hard to let go of the gorgeous high contrast of the black and white replica...and then there's the excellent 1994 version directed by Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career) with Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst, Samantha Mathis, Susan Sarandon, Eric Stoltz and Christian Bale. Amazing cast! The plot remains the same, as does the theme it explores: how does a woman negotiate society's expectations for marriage and family with her drive to engage in her own professional work. A constant Cancer consideration...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKqi9edJVQY

 

URANUS IN TAURUS

URANUS ENTERS TAURUS on Tuesday, May 15 at 11:23am EDT and remains here for about seven years, until April 2026. This is a big deal for astrology lovers! When an outer planet (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) changes signs, it's an indication of a major collective shift. Because one of Uranus' key descriptors is 'sudden change', we can also imagine some manner of cultural revolution. 
Uranus is the sky-god Ouranos in Greek creation myths, the husband and son of Earth goddess Gaia. Already this sounds like trouble! Indeed, as Hesiod describes his myth in Theogony, because Uranus disavowed the children Gaia bore him and imprisoned them in Tartarus, a place of torment in the underworld, Gaia asked her children to retaliate by castrating him. Cronos, or Saturn, was the only offspring to act and did so successfully, throwing Uranus' testicles into the sea.

The Mutilation of Uranus by Saturn: fresco by Giorgio Vasari and Cristofano Gherardi, c. 1560

The myth continues, that from the severed genitals and the sea-foam came Aphrodite, or Venus, a point to which we shall soon return. Indo-European and Greek etymology describes Uranus as the ‘rainmaker,’ while the Russian and Sanskrit derivations have him as ‘the one standing on high.’

The Birth of Aphrodite (from the froth of the sea) by George Cruikshank, 1860

Symbolically, Uranus’ archetype represents the principle of separation or breaking apart. The range of its interpretation is from its least optimum expression: disruption, upset, eccentricity, violent revolution and the shock of a lightening bolt - to its most optimum expression: freedom, release, liberation, independence, the unusual or unique, science and technology, higher awareness, intuition, New Age communities, and the proverbial Wake-Up Call.

Ingressing (entering) into Taurus (ruled by Venus) after residing in Aries (ruled by Mars) for seven years, suggests a significant qualitative transition. While Uranus in Fiery Aries can reflect a radical change in identity and willfulness, in Earthy Taurus it is likely to mirror a shift in 'what we value', what affords us security; it can also be more focused on the material world, what we physically build (Taurus is the Master Builder) and the personal resources it takes to accomplish these things. The combination of Uranus and Mars offers up images of explosion and war while Uranus aligned with Venus might portray something akin to a relationship break-up. Though, as the previously referred to etymology suggests, Venus’ mythological existence is directly linked to Uranus. I like the idea that archetypal Venusian Beauty/Love is the result of the ‘demise’ of Uranian separation…or freedom?

Since Taurus is considered the Money sign (Venus = what we value) we can also imagine a change (disruption) in financial conditions for the greater collective. The quick and high vibration of Uranus (the collective resonance of Mercury) also rules electronics and the digital arena (wide and fast distribution of information). There's been so much attention on bitcoins and other electronic currencies - and with Uranus in Taurus it would appear likely that the conversation will continue to grow in this direction. With the direct use of electronic currencies disregarding intermediary banks,  this is indeed a revolutionary idea whose time may come - big time - with this planetary shift. 

Some variations in the combined themes of Uranus and Taurus might give us: lightening striking buildings, innovative construction, shocking or liberating relationships, disruption in finances, a radical change in our values or an explosion on earth (as in the recent Mt. Kilauea volcanic eruption in Hawaii). Of course, it's all about perspective - a seemingly negative shocking disruption can, in the end, be just the wake-up call we needed to put us back on the right track.

I'm reminded of that great scene from the Mike Nichols film Charlie Wilson's War when Philip Seymour Hoffman's character tells Tom Hank's congressman Charlie Wilson  about the Zen master's "We'll See..." story. (The great Aaron Sorkin's dialogue, of course!) You just never know how it's going to go. But the enduring symbolic language of astrology most often gives us a good heads up! As always, more to come on the subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2L1-TgfKb4

MAY 15-17: EXCELLENT GEMINI MOON

MOON ENTERS GEMINI at 4:43pm EDT on Tuesday, May 15 after being in Taurus until 4:30pm. It remains in Gemini until Thursday, May 17 at 2:18pm. LAST ASPECT OF MOON IN GEMINI: Moon Conjunct Venus in Gemini. We continue the New Moon momentum, which actually picks up in Gemini...big time! Communication and Travel are highlighted. Go! Do! Be! Ruled by Mercury, now in Taurus, this Gemini Moon period should benefit greatly by URANUS' INGRESS INTO TAURUS today. (Uranus is the collective resonance of Mercury - widely distributed information) This is a huge moment of change (Uranus remains in Taurus, the money sign, for the next 7 years) which I address in a separate post. Mercury's conjunction with Uranus ignites our imagination and mental activity in general. Our thinking patterns may go through a transformation now. New ideas, especially about Uranian technology and higher consciousness, are likely to explode into Taurus manifestation. We are likely to be thoroughly excited by our thoughts and venture into innovative projects. Try creating new solutions to old problems today and see what you come up with. This a perfect time for an astrology reading or making a public announcement over the Uranus-ruled internet - especially about your new project! This Moon period might also yield a new love relationship - or two - created via inspired dialogue. The Last Aspect to Venus blesses our endeavors and actions initiated during this Moon period are likely to have EXCELLENT resolutions. PS: Remember Mercury is also Trickster!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1LxRJno7N8

GEMINI FILM SCENE: Sweet Home Alabama, 2002; Director: Andy Tennant. Gemini Tennant is the perfect romantic comedy director (Hitch, Fool's Gold) and this is one of my all-time favorites. Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey form a love triangle which travels from New York City's fashion industry down to the deep south country music of Alabama. With great comedic dialogue and dramatic setups, the Trickster rules the roost. Also features Candice Bergen, Fred Ward and Mary Kay Place. And the Music is Lynyrd Skynyrd at its best! Enjoy!

🌙 MAY 13-15: VERY GOOD TAURUS NEW MOON

MOON REMAINS IN ARIES until 2:05pm EDT on Sunday, May 13 when it goes VOID OF COURSE for ten minutes. At 2:15pm MOON ENTERS TAURUS and remains here until Tuesday, May 15 at 4:30pm. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Trine Mars in Capricorn. NEW MOON EXACT at 7:48am on Tuesday, May 15 at 24º Taurus. Ruled by Venus, the Fixed Earth Taurus Moon should have lots of Mars in Cap energy and ambition for being the Master Builder that it represents. And the NEW MOON indicates the moment to Begin something new! Both Taurus and Capricorn strive to manifest in the material world and be recognized for their achievements! So, if you have a project that results in a physical product now would be an Excellent time to begin the work! Accomplishing tangible results around the home, where Venus loves to create beauty and comfort, is a wonderful use of this Taurus New Moon. Taurus may be a slow worker but he's thorough, committed and has endurance... he is strong like Bull. He's also the lover of the sensuous life - and the Trine to Mars could add some very sexy energy to this time. In general, practical and physical actions initiated during this time will tend to have VERY GOOD resolutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgv68E_o6VM

TAURUS FILM SCENE: "The Apu Trilogy"1950-1959, India; Director Satyajit Ray; Adapted from novels by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. The Earthy sensuous New Moon in Taurus brings to mind the very earthy and visually sensuous life journey of young Apu in Ray's classic and groundbreaking Indian saga. I stepped into Apu's world in the late 70's at AFI when Ray came to speak to our class and screened the three films. We were transported to a very rich and colorful black and white reality and felt the very human connection between our very different cultures through it all. This was a New Moon first for almost all the participants in the cinematic endeavor: Ray was a commercial artist who felt compelled to adapt the serial novel of Apu; the cinematographer, Subrata Mitra, was a still photographer who, at Ray's urging, borrowed a 16mm camera to shoot his first motion picture; most of the cast had never acted before and Ravi Shankar (father of musicians Nora Jones and Anoushka Shankar), who performs the soundtrack, was a novice at the time. (Click on links for some performances) Roger Ebert wrote a glowing review - here's the link: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-apu-trilogy-1959 - and here's a quote from it: "The great, sad, gentle sweep of "The Apu Trilogy" remains in the mind of the moviegoer as a promise of what film can be. Standing above fashion, it creates a world so convincing that it becomes, for a time, another life we might have lived. The three films, which were made in India by Satyajit Ray between 1950 and 1959, swept the top prizes at Cannes, Venice and London, and created a new cinema for India--whose prolific film industry had traditionally stayed within the narrow confines of swashbuckling musical romances. Never before had one man had such a decisive impact on the films of his culture." The trilogy follows Apu in three stages of his life: "Pather Panchali", "Aparajito" and "The World of Apu." Step into Apu's world yourself - slow down into Taurus' rhythm and experience the gorgeous earthy reality of life's demand for endurance.

Satyajit Ray

MAY 11-13: CHALLENGING AND DARING ARIES MOON

Joan of Arc - Redon

MOON ENTERS ARIES at 8:40am EDT on Thursday, May 11 after an early morning VOID OF COURSE Moon. It remains in Aries until Sunday, May 13 at 2:05pm. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Conjunct Uranus in Aries. Ruled by Mars, this Cardinal Fire sign brings us the Warrior Archetype. Its range of expression extends from conflict, anger, impulsive action and arrogance to intelligent leadership, courage, competitive physical activity and a strong sense of identity. The Conjunction to Uranus tends to emphasize unexpected or impulsive and perhaps shocking behavior. With Chiron, the Wounded Healer, having recently entered Aries, the ante is raised even higher. Since Uranus slides into Taurus on Tuesday, May 15, this will be the last Aries Moon to make a conjunction to Uranus for awhile. (Uranus will retrograde back to late degrees Aries and be the Moon's Last Aspect again from November to March '19.) So, let's celebrate the occasion by highlighting the most optimum expression possible. This could be an exciting time to begin cultivating a new attitude of Aries self-awareness and courage. So if a Moon/Uranus conflict does arise, find your brave old soul and let it guide you towards a new-found confidence. Aries, the number one Fire sign symbolizes identity. Take your attention off what might be falling apart around you just long enough to remember who you really are. Dare to believe the mantra: This moment, each and every moment, is the most important moment of your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq_7T5IHsgA

ARIES FILM SCENE: Joan of Arc, 1900; Director: George Méliès. An example of courageous and clear sense of self is evident in the character of Joan of Arc, the iconic saintly figure of French history. Her faith in God allowed this young country girl to find the courage to lead an army into battle in order to save France from occupation by the English. Her behavior was unexpected and even shocking - as was her death by Fire. This short film of about ten minutes contains many of the elements we have come to cherish about Méliès' many films, particularly his classic A Trip to the Moon - magic, dissolves, a stationary camera, sets designed to move towards and away from the lens and, of course, Méliès featured in every scene. This film also demonstrates the use of hand-tinted coloration. Early film didn't edit scenes. A single scene is one long shot. (feel free to fast forward through some laboriously repetitious footage) Méliès is considered the first narrative filmmaker because he joined these single-shot scenes together to construct a story. You may remember the 2011 film, Hugo, which was a tribute to this legendary early master of cinema.

MAY 8-11: FAIR PISCES MOON

MOON ENTERS PISCES at 11:11pm EDT on Tuesday, May 8 and remains here until 5:02am on Friday May 11. LAST ASPECT OF MOON: Moon Sextile Mars in Capricorn. Ruled by Neptune, this Mutable Water sign takes us to dreamland! The Last Aspect to Mars reflects an abundance of energy for imaginative artistic projects as well as dreams - indeed this configuration is referred to as 'the practical idealist'. We are likely to have the courage to stand up for our beliefs and fight for the underdog. This is a great time for making Music and writing Poetry. We'll tend to see the symbolic world more easily than the literal or material, so don't try to force logical understanding or concrete facts now. Allow yourself to trust the oceanic fluidity of your intuition - dare to follow the images which your unconscious mind offers up. You may discover perspectives to old issues that your rational mind could never deduce. We may now experience a special empathy for those in need or underdogs. This time supports helping - just know that Neptune/Pisces isn't very clear on boundaries, so be extra conscious about not crossing over others' inappropriately. Note that any Moon/Mars combinations, even the positive Sextile, can be tricky...as in testy. If you can get to a body of water now, you're likely to feel cleansed and calmed just by its proximity. If not...well, the bath always works for me!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC7jREW6cv8

 PISCES FILM SCENE: Nowhere Boy, 2009; Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson.  Who better to represent the most successful Neptune/Mars practical dreamer than our cultural icon John Lennon? Lennon's birth chart actually has a Neptune/Mars conjunction (out-of-sign). Aaron Taylor-Johnson (he married his director, Sam Taylor-Wood) carries the legendary rock star persona with such ownership that our eyes are constantly glued to his image. This is the story of the young John, his precarious teenage years when he unexpectedly meets and develops a brief relationship with his birth mother, Julia - played by an intoxicating Anne-Marie Duff. It is Julia who entices him into a love affair with music, particularly the blues and Elvis Presley. Kristen Scott Thomas plays his adopted mother Mimi, Julia's sister, who takes on the authority figure in John's life. We meet young Paul and George but Ringo is not yet in the Beatles' story. We hold Lennon dear for his entire body of work - with the Beatles and his solo recording. But for so many of us, the first thing we remember about him is his idealism for the world - demonstrated in his cult-status song Imagine. That it was rated by BMI one of the 100 most-performed songs of the 20th century is a testament to his ability to tap into the collective soul and offer a continual sense of hope. Nowhere Boy's story is dramatically spellbinding, entertaining and endearing - an all-time favorite! The trailer is the top clip and the wonderful boardwalk Dreamer scene with Julia is the bottom clip. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6tC5Mp9NVA