May 20th, 2004
IT IS NOW THE YEAR OF THE WOOD MONKEY!!!
HIGHLIGHT: SUN EXITS TAURUS!
| CURRENT ECLIPTIC LONGITUDE AND EQUATORIAL DECLINATION | |||
PLANET | SIGN | DECLINATION | RETROGRADE? |
| Sun | 29 TAURUS 53 | 20 N 8 | NO |
| Moon | 14 GEMINI 57 | 25 S 29 | NO |
| Mercury | 04 TAURUS 54 | 10 N 10 | NO |
| Venus | 26 GEMINI 00 | 26 N 52 | YES |
| Mars | 08 CANCER 22 | 24 N 25 | NO |
| Jupiter | 09 VIRGO 17 | 09 N 18 | NO |
| Saturn | 10 CANCER 49 | 22 N 40 | NO |
| Uranus | 06 PISCES 37 | 9 S 47 | NO |
| Neptune | 15 AQUARIUS 25 | 16 S 16 | YES |
| Pluto | 21 SAGITTARIUS 23 | 14 S 12 | YES |
Tarot Aspects for Today
Sun Prepares to Exit Taurus:
This is the last day that the Sun will be in Taurus this year. Taurus brings energy that is quietly determined, sensible, patient, and persistent: Taurus never gives up! It affords an energy that continues when all others have fallen by the wayside. Warm, calm and easygoing, they reflect an enjoyment of life's simplicity. During Taurus, we do not like to rush into anything, we want to make careful and deliberate decisions, and always consider security and financial issues in any decision. As Taurus begins to change to Gemini, our energy begins to quicken. We find it harder to be patient and we want results more quickly. We become tired of dealing with people who are self-seeking and drag us down: and we let them know it by articulating our feelings clearly yet still in a refined way. The JUDGEMENT card, Number 20 in the Major Arcana reflects this shifting energy well. This card reflects transition, change, a different approach to achieving your goals and living your life. This change reflects a natural, logical conclusion to events - Taurus does not leave in a hurried fashion, he swaggers out with a regal yet humble air. The coming Gemini energy helps you to make decisions more quickly - this past month, they have taken some time in most cases. This new energy also gives us confidence that our decisions are the right ones. The tail end of Taurus still affords us the luxury of pondering what we have accomplished in the past month, to savor the actions and decisions we have made and move into this quickened new energy with some sense of satisfaction.Mars Conjunct Saturn:
If you look at the table, you will see that Mars and Saturn are in almost the exact place - Mars is at 8 degrees Cancer while Saturn is at 10 degrees. This profoundly affects each of us, no matter when we were born. Mars conjunct Saturn helps us to use our energy in a constructive way. The normal desire to assert yourself on impulse is balanced by realization of the consequences of such an action. This quality of restraint can mean great accomplishments for you because you don't waste energy on unproductive efforts. Your sense of economy and efficiency come out, helping you to achieve success; you know how to use your talents purposefully for specific objectives. You are realistic in applying good judgement before taking any action. The World card, Number 21 of the Major Arcana matches this sort of deliberate energy. It also represents change, but change that is done in a careful way ensuring a successful outcome. It indicates financial and material success, but even more importantly, it points out spiritual success. This attunes well with the slow aspects that Venus, Neptune and Pluto are holding for the long-term: aspects that demand that we all attune more to our Spirits and Hearts.The following three aspects will continue for several moons to come - Venus will be retrograde for most of the summer; Neptune and Pluto extend even longer. Notice how slowly they move each day - for instance, Neptune and Pluto have not moved at all since yesterday.
Venus Retrograde in Gemini:
Venus is now resting in Mercury's sign, Gemini - a wonderful event if you are inclined to relax and enjoy the beauty of life. This is the perfect time to take stock of what is aesthetic and beautiful in your life: and to change what is not. Our spirits and hearts need beauty and refinement in order to express themselves fully. This is a good aspect for this: Art, Creation, Gardening, Magic and Self-Development are all favored if we can approach Venus' backwards movement with care and respect. She can help us discover what or who it is that we truly love,..and to sift through the "stuff" that makes our lives seem boring or even ugly. Venus correlates to the Goddess, Aphrodite who is exemplified in the Empress Tarot card of the Major Arcana. She brings artistic creativity, inspiration, feminine wisdom and caring, and a general sense of well-being.Neptune Retrograde in Aquarius:
When Neptune is retrograde it is time to build up your strength and resistance both physically and spiritually. It is the perfect time to engage in healthy and healing past times such as meditation, fitness activities, healing sessions, chakra work, being out in nature especially water, gardening, walking, visiting a spa, going on vacation to a relaxing secluded place and so on. A perfect time too to learn and practice Eastern philosophies and exercises or First Nations rituals. The Aquarian energy urges you to think of the future and of humanitarian causes.Neptune retrograde brings the danger of infections, allergy distress and being more susceptible to bacteria, viri and the like. Boost your immune system with vitamins, herbs, chakra work, homeopathy and such. Natural medicines work better now than traditional ones. Watch out for poisons and pesticides at this time. Remember you are responsible for your own health. Feed your body, your mind, your spirit with positive nutrients by eating well, thinking well and engaging in daily spiritual practices that bring you peace and harmony. The Tarot Number 1 Major Arcana card, the Magician reminds us of Neptune retrograde, bringing new confidence, good communication, and skillful, intelligent self development energy. Your strength of will and ability to channel your energies into achieving desired results will ensure your success.
Pluto Retrograde in Sagittarius:
Pluto is the planet of transformation, calling us to right our lives, to change what is unhealthy and unwholesome and begin to lead a clean and aesthetic life. One that involves charity and kindness and the ability to withstand the fires of purification and change. If you resist the change, you suffer. If you flow with the changes, you transform and rise like the phoenix, shining. It's as simple as that! Pluto will support and protect you when you accept the changes and move along without resistance. Or, if you resist, it will school you in the arena of hard knocks. You have no choice - you must change! You must transform! But do so not out of fear or coercion but out of maturity and willingness. Follow your intuition, be kind to all around you and help others around you go through their own transformation.The Sagittarian energy moves you to become fit, to travel, to add adventure and new experiences to your daily routine. The High Priestess, the Number 2 card of the Major Arcana, lends energy to this aspect: she urges us to make decisions with our heart rather than our heads; she affords wisdom, guidance and foresight; and brings good judgement and self-reliance. She also reveals that which is hidden, in our hearts and souls. Truly time for a holistic spring cleaning!
