“Are you restless or are you serene?
As the red earth lies under just a covering of Green”
~~~Elvis Costello Green Song
“Walking on velvet green
walking on velvet green
Distant cows lowing.”…
~~~Jethro Tull, Velvet Green, from Songs from the wood
This month we are invited to stabilize after last month’s heartbreaking and explosive journey through Aries, the sign of war and action. We send healing prayers and blessings to Boston, as we turn our attention to the pursuit of Peace, love and sanity.
In May we have entered the realm of Venus, the ruler of Taurus, in her most sensual and stable incarnation. While Libra, the other Venusian sign actually rules Peace it is often caught up in the strife of conflict resolution and negotiation. Taurus is actually the most innately peaceful sign of the zodiac as well as the most stable.
In Taurus we explore and celebrate our most primal relationships to the earth and our own bodies. Taurus reminds us to get quiet and grounded. We accomplish this by developing a relationship to the ground. Sitting or walking in nature can have an immediately grounding effect. When we are grounded we have landed back in our bodies. As we leave the realm of the mind and fully inhabit our senses we become peaceful, quiet, and delightfully absorbed in the sights and sounds and textures of nature.
Taurus clearly wants us in our senses, as no other month holds the promise of more sensual delight. Here on the East Coast cherry blossoms are bursting in soft petal pink and white. Fragrant lilacs intoxicate us with their heady scent. Tulips and daffodils gradually open their secret beauty for all to behold and the recently bare canopy of trees do their opposite strip tease and gradually don deeper and deeper veils of sheltering green velvet. The burgeoning world of new life reminds us of nature’s abundant bounty and beauty and restorative power.
Taurus, the sign of money, values and possessions asks us to reevaluate our relationship to the material world. In this month of ever-deepening beauty, heady with pollen and bursting with life, Mother Nature herself weighs in and shows us her wealth and her values. Clearly our mother values the green growing world that is her own gorgeous body. She values the astonishing variety of botanical, floral and vegetable beauty that she brings forth so abundantly. She values the many herds and creatures, including us, who she provides food and shelter and beauty for. She values seed and rock, leaf and bulb, acorn and mighty oak. She values the awesome cathedrals of the sacred wood that she has patiently grown over centuries.
We would be wise to allow our sustaining mother to inform our own values and choices so as to align with the only Being that can sustain our very lives. Our sustaining mother reminds us that the material world is a spiritual fact. Within every form including our own bodies is a magical energy and spirit.
Scorpio the opposite sign rules the living energy in and surrounding every bit of the material world. Scorpio reminds us there is a ghost, a holy ghost, in every machine, in every life form. Scorpio, the ruler of magic also presides over death, the magical vanishing act of the natural world, reminding us that the entire material world is in a constant flux of new forms arising, peaking, decaying and passing away.
We are reminded by these facts that our bodies are sacred temples of soul and mysterious energy. We are encouraged by Mother Nature herself to enjoy them with innocent and delightful exploration and when the time comes to let them go. We are also reminded that acts of Eros that arise out of the magical force of attraction and the innocence of vulnerability are sacred as well as joyful and delightful.
Taurus at its best can be a wonderful antidote to the consumer culture (negative Taurus) which turns the earth, animals and people into commodities. While the market has its place, Taurus with its simple appreciation for the natural world reminds us to treat our bodies and the natural world with reverence. In fact with Saturn passing through Scorpio, Taurus’s opposite sign, therefore opposing Taurus, we are all being asked to bring a sacred approach to all things material and sexual. How can we conduct business, banking, the markets, taxes, all joint sharing of wealth including the water, food and energy supply, as well as our approach to intimacy in a sacred manner?
This is already happening as many companies are creating wonderful clean, green products while going about their business in a humanitarian, earth friendly, organic and fair trade way. There is also a movement to bring the sacred dimension back into the realm of intimacy. Many yogic and tantric, and other indigenous paths to intimacy have reemerged. As to finance and taxes there is growing dialogue concerning the fair distribution of collective wealth, and fair methods of investment.
To make excellent use of Taurus energy this month, walk in nature, spend time in the woods, and sit on a rock. Really see the beauty of spring flowers, plant a tree or garden, spend time on a farm or near cows. Align with their placid peace.
Buy some lovely body cream and delight your skin with it. (I don’t usually do this but I recommend Weleda Wild Rose Pampering Body Lotion.) Eat some delicious food. Listen to beautiful music or the sounds of the wood or stillness. Treat yourself to lovely essential oils or perfumes. There are many clean organic ones. I love the Pacifica line of perfumes especially Neroli and Persian Rose
Adorn your body with beautiful sensual clothing that feels as good as it looks. This month err on the side of what feels good. Look into sustainable banking and investment. Make money doing what you value most. Spend your money where people are supporting the earth. My favorite health store is Beacon Natural owned by a wonderful Taurus and her Virgo husband in Beacon, New York.
Do one good act for the earth. Give to a green charity. Sign a pro-earth petition. Explore all your senses. If you are in a relationship, delight in romantic sensuality. Take stock of your values. If what other people thought of you didn’t matter at all what would you really want to have, do or be? What feels most natural, delightful and important to you? Begin to think of your body as a temple. Begin to think of our beautiful earth as a temple and this month pray with all your senses.
The Planetary Report
The Sun went into Taurus on April 19th at 6:03 PM EST and will remain there till May 20th when it enters Gemini at 5:09 PM EST The month begins with Mercury, the planet of thought still in Aries for the 1st day of May but quickly moving into Taurus on the 2nd where it joins Venus and Mars, both lover planets in Taurus, making the beginning of May a time of slow patient stability. It is a great time to work on planting, finances, construction and grounded sensuality. With both Venus and Mars in Taurus the first week of May is great for romantic relationship.
Mercury remains in Taurus till May 15th when it moves into Gemini speeding up our thinking considerably. On the 9th which is also the day of the new moon at 8:28 PM and solar eclipse in Taurus. Join us for this month’s New Moon ceremony with Spiritual Living on Thursday, May 9th at 7:00pm Eastern. Venus also moves into Gemini, encouraging us to explore a variety of interests. On May 31st Mars also moves into Gemini, kicking our energy levels into overdrive just in time for June, the busiest astrological month of the year.
Jupiter is still in Gemini, where it will remain through late June. The second half of May will prove a time of burgeoning ideas and mind expansion beyond the norm, when Jupiter Venus the Sun and Mercury are all in Gemini.
Saturn remains in Scorpio asking us to really focus on matters of joint finance, Shared resources, energy, power, intimacy and deep transformation. We are also asked this month to meditate on what is most important to us in terms of money values and possessions.
Uranus remains in Aries encouraging individual freedom and activism as well as individual outbursts of sudden violence. Evolutionary levels determine which approach is taken, as with any astrological aspect.
Neptune in Pisces helps us dream up a new Dream with Empathy, kindness and compassion for all.
Pluto in Capricorn squaring Uranus in Aries continues to change the structures of our world as we know them.
ARIES: This month there is a major focus on all things material as the Sun is shining in the house of your own money, values, possessions and the self-esteem that allows you to live either abundantly or with constriction. This month with Saturn the great teacher of the zodiac, in Scorpio the sign of deep healing opposing these Taurus planets, it is time to do the depth work that will allow you to heal your relationship to self-worth, abundance and your ability to share your life with a new and healed approach to intimacy. Mighty Jupiter, the planet of abundance is in your house of communication, in the sign of communication, making this month and next an excellent time to prosper from your writing and communication projects. After the 15th there is a massive planetary line up concerning communication and abundance. The major transformation this decade for you involves personal liberation and career transformation.
TAURUS: Happy Birthday Taurus!
Your birthday month begins with the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars all in your sign making this an excellent time to contemplate relationships including, but not limited to, romantic ones. This is a year of testing for you as Saturn, the stern teacher of the zodiac opposes your Sun and this month your Venus, Mars and Mercury as well, asking you to develop boundaries in all your dealings with others. Saturn is the planet of endings and formal commitment. As it moves through your partnership sector some partnerships will be ending while others will be deepened and legally formalized. The trick to Saturn transits is adulthood. Saturn will show you where you lack maturity. These are areas where you may need to do some inner child work and healing. Saturn will also show you where your boundaries are weak and need strengthening. Remember “No” is a complete sentence. Saturn also asks you to do the deep healing work on how you share yourself and your resources with others. The work you put in this year will lay a foundation for truly adult joyful relationships in the years to come. On the 9th, there is a solar eclipse on the new moon in Taurus at which point old subconscious patterns of intimacy will come up for healing.
Do the healing work and clear the past so you can accept the new approach to intimacy that is your birthright. Jupiter the planet of wealth and luck is moving through your house of money this month and next. Say yes to all abundant opportunities; they could be bigger than you imagine.
GEMINI: The month begins with a major planetary line up your spiritual sector in Taurus the most grounded sign of the zodiac, making the beginning of the month an excellent time for you to get still, quiet, and grounded. Spend the first part of the month tapped in to The Source. This will prepare you for the second half of the month when half the zodiac moves into your sign to join Mighty Jupiter, the planet of expansion and abundance. The quiet grounding you do now will enable you to move swiftly and with intuitive clarity to act on any abundant opportunities that are surely coming your way. From the 9th on you will feel increasing excitement and new mental energy to deploy on communication projects. Saturn in your house of work and health asks you to put the serious focus on both your health and your day to day work. The solar eclipse on the New Moon on May 9th brings up old issues of physical, mental and spiritual health. This month find the health practices that restore the mind body spirit balance.
CANCER: The month begins with a major planetary line up in your house of friendship and networking. This month friends, allies and associates can lead you to lucrative opportunities and the fulfillment of your cherished wishes and projects. Make sure you get out and connect in the first week of the month. After the new moon on the 9th, old friends and associates may resurface. From that time on the planetary energy begins to move into Gemini and your spiritual Center. Spend the second half of the month aligning your mind with the higher mind. Each morning ask that your mind be aligned and informed by the higher Universal mind. Create a mantra that you repeat many times a day that resonates for you like: My every thought is directed by the higher mind. I am filled with divine brilliance. With angelic Jupiter in your house of spirituality you are surrounded by angels and protection at this time. Make regular contact with them.
LEO: This month begins with a massive focus in your career house asking you to take steady constructive action in that sector. What infrastructure do you need to build to sustain or support your career? Saturn in your home and family sector makes that the area that requires focused attention and boundaries. On the 9th the new moon and solar eclipse could bring up old career contacts or could bring up deep family of origin issues that prevent you from really shining in your career or public persona. Do some deep healing on whatever surfaces at this time. Mighty Jupiter in your house of networking makes this a month when friends open doors of massive opportunity for you. See that you step through them. Your approach to work, health, publishing and writing is going through a massive transformation this decade. Continue to get healthy and organized and keep teaching and learning.
VIRGO: This month there is a massive line up in your house of philosophy and higher learning in the earthy sensual sign of Taurus, making this an excellent month to ponder your relationship and philosophy regarding the material world and your values. This month explore how other cultures connect to the earth. Explore indigenous approaches to Mother Earth and the sharing of all resources. Then with Saturn the great teacher in your house of communication, you may have a message regarding shared wealth or intimacy that you wish to speak or write about. After the 9th on the New Moon and solar eclipse you may find old ideas and philosophies regarding how you share resources and what you feel you deserve may be re-surfacing to be healed. Jupiter at your midheaven makes this a time of major career opportunity. Spend the first part of the month getting clear about what you truly feel you deserve and the second half of the month taking many actions to assure your professional success.
LIBRA: This month begins with a major planetary line up in your house of deep emotion, shared resources, energy and intimacy, making the beginning of May an excellent time to heal your relationship to all of the above. Good themes to explore this month include how your sense of self-worth has affected both your love life and bank account. Review your material resources and ask yourself with whom you might like to share. Ask yourself what jointly owned possessions you are interested in acquiring. Your lessons these days with Saturn in your house of money have to do with fiscal boundaries and partnerships. It’s all about sharing but the trick for you and your partners is to be very clear about what you are sharing and what you are not. Clear and even written boundaries will make everyone feel safer. With Jupiter in your teaching and publishing sector, communication could be very lucrative, especially in the second half of the month.
SCORPIO: This month the focus is all on partnership as the month begins with the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Mars all in your house of marriage and partnership. These days with Saturn moving through your sign, the serious focus is on defining yourself and your boundaries like never before. Learning to say NO and mean it to whatever does not feel appropriate for you, will allow you to say yes to wonderful new relationships based on mutual respect. The new moon on the 9th may bring up old issues of how you may have lost yourself in former partnerships. With mighty Jupiter, the planet of abundance and protection, moving through your house of intimacy and shared resources, you are poised to take a giant step on how you relate to others at the deepest level. Any depth work like shamanism or transformational techniques like EFT or EMDR could be very fruitful this month.
SAGITTARIUS: This month the major planetary focus is in your house of work, organizing and health, making this a great time to create a diet and exercise structure that supports your maximum health and well-being. This in turn will support you as you embark on performing the major amount of work that is coming your way this month. With Jupiter in your house of partnership, wonderful abundant business and personal partnerships and relationships will support you while you focus on the work at hand. Saturn in your spiritual sector asks you to put the serious and disciplined focus on your spiritual life and to approach your work as a sacrament of beauty and service. The solar eclipse on the new moon on the 9th could bring up old resentments and spiritual issues that need healing.
CAPRICORN: This is an excellent month for fun and romance Capricorn. The month begins with a major planetary line up in your house of self-expression, regeneration, and children. Use this time to ease up from your busy work schedule and explore hobbies and art. Spend time having fun with your kids or any kids. They are great at teaching adults the art of play. Getting out into nature could have a wonderful and regenerating effect. With Saturn in your networking sector, the serious focus for you this year is on networking and socializing. This month it could be quite fruitful to engage in joint creative projects or attend events that involve the arts. Jupiter, the planet of wealth and protection is in your work and health sector, expanding your wise approach to the body’s health, while increasing your work and payload. Say yes to new work opportunities and to new approaches to health and fitness.
AQUARIUS: This month there is a major focus on home, family, and family money and real estate. This is a great time to work on your garden, any home construction or de-cluttering of the home that needs doing. Go thru your possessions and ask yourself which items you truly value and enjoy, and which are gathering dust and taking up space. This is also a great month to buy or contemplate buying some of the big ticket furnishings or items that would add to the beauty, comfort or value of your home. This month with Saturn in your career sector in Scorpio, the sign of merged resources, you may contemplate a joint real estate venture with family members. If you do, the trick is to be very clear and put everything in writing so nothing is left to chance. Mighty Jupiter is still in your house of fun, creativity and children making this a time when playful creativity on your own or with your children expands your world in wonderful ways.
PISCES: This month there is a major planetary line up in your house of communication in Taurus, the sign of money, building and planting, making this an excellent month to get the word out about what you are investing in, building or planting. This is an excellent time to ponder your bank account, as well as your possessions and values. Your career will be affected by what you are contemplating this month. Saturn in your promotional sector asks you to continue seeking partners with whom you can merge professional resources for mutual benefit. Neptune, the visionary planet, in your sign for the foreseeable future makes you the visionary this decade. This month build or plant the foundation of your next dream. Jupiter, still in your house of home for the next couple of months, makes your home or family the key to your next big opportunity.
Namaste,
Demitra