Astrological Forecast for May & June 2011

Let’s review, because a lot has been happening. The first half of 2010 saw a great deal of forward motion on many levels. In our individual lives and at the level of countries and cultures, we began to feel the stirrings of deep change. Then, in the autumn things seemed to take a step back. It’s not that nothing was happening, but it was more a matter of simmering beneath the surface than overt change. I stressed that this was the time to set priorities for the future.

This winter, as Uranus went through the very last degree of Pisces into Aries, and as Neptune followed through the end of Aquarius and into his home sign of Pisces, we saw revolutions and revolts at every level, from political upheaval in the Middle East to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. For many of us, our personal lives went through a similar process, with unbearable tension finally breaking through to bring changes. Not all of these personal and collective changes have been positive, obviously. The Neptunian/Pisces energy can suggest a sense of hope-lessness, always a problem but even more so with the Uranus/Aries insistence on action.

May and June of 2011 adds some twists and turns to the energy. The personal and collective changes will continue and intensify, but it will be spreading out to areas of life we hadn’t necessarily expected. Deep change is by nature likely to affect everything, as we’ll be seeing.

We begin with charged Mars/Jupiter meeting on May 1st. Although we are coming into the quiet of the New Moon on the 3rd, this aspect challenges us to get moving. Use this energy constructively, to finish projects and close deals.

The 11th has such good energy that I’ve chosen that afternoon to launch my new book. Venus meets up with Jupiter in the morning, and Mercury connects with Jupiter in the afternoon. Socialization ought to be good for a day or so before and after, in fact all the way out to the 15th.

Ah, but then... the Full Moon in Scorpio falls on the 17th. Regular readers will know that this moon is usually quite difficult. The Cosmic Mother doesn’t particularly like to have her belly exposed at the Full Moon, and the sign of Scorpio is cutting and invasive, very different than the subtle lunar energies. On a practical level, this usually means that emotions and feelings that are better kept to oneself are blurted out. More than that, we tend towards the negative: power-struggles of jealousy and possessiveness, and we can become overprotective of our finances. This is a time when we may feel that the best defense is a good offense, but the result is sometimes that we become offensive for no real reason. Anyway, try to keep your cool.

If you have something to say, say it on the 20th, when Mercury meets Mars and Pluto, as those two planets make a soft trine to each other. This is a banner day to get things done, and the energy will be flowing on a verbal and mental level, as well the physical. Ask for what you want, and take action, too.

The energy of the 22nd and 23rd suggests that we might over or under-estimate something or someone of importance, as the Sun squares Neptune on the 22nd and Venus meets up with Mars on the 23rd. These aspects cast a nice light on romance, but can make more practical matters difficult.

There is a partial Solar Eclipse on June 1. This eclipse is only visible in extreme northern latitudes, beginning in Japan and moving eastward to end near Iceland. Areas under an eclipse tend to be the most affected, and the polar region is likely to get some attention in the coming months. The eclipse falls in the sign of Gemini, thus it has more power for those with significant placements in that sign, as well as Sagittarius, Virgo and Pisces.

Eclipses build in intensity over the two weeks leading up to and following them. This time around, we have a Lunar Eclipse on the 15th of June and another Solar Eclipse on July 1st. That means an edgy intensity is likely to prevail from mid-May through mid-July. During an eclipse cycle, feelings long buried tend to come to light. The full moon in Scorpio that kicks off this cycle is likely to set our individual and collective tone for the months to come.

On June 3rd, Mercury squares Neptune just minutes before the God of the Seas stations to retrograde. Be very careful of decisions made around this time. The combination of the eclipse, the aspect, and the station means that an intense but foggy energy will prevail. We may feel pushed to action, but can be very far off in our estimation of the facts we are acting upon. This energy is best used for meditation and intuitive work, although even there you may want to be a little cautious about what you see (and think you see).

The 8th through the 10th has more Neptunian energy, keeping the dream going. The highlight of this time is Venus squaring Neptune on the 10th. We can easily think someone is a knight or princess - or a demon or witch - when much of what is going on is really within us. Still, it could make for a nice time, and with the Goddess of Love in Gemini odds are we won’t take things too seriously. Venus is in the sign of the twins through July 4th, helping to keep socialization light and flirty through the spring and early summer.

Venus will make an easy aspect to Uranus on the 12th, and under most circumstances I would suggest that this means a fun time. However, that is also the day of a Saturn station, and those usually mean work, deadlines, and a kind of sombre attitude. Colds and other minor annoyances tend to circulate around Saturn stations, so take care.

The energy of the Saturn station is heavy, but the Lunar Eclipse on the 15th has a more upbeat feel. Now, don’t get me wrong, eclipses are still kind of edgy, but this one is on the Gemini-Sagittarius axis and the Full Moon ought to have a pretty nice feel. The eclipse is not visible from North America.

A series of nice aspects on the 17th suggests that dreams and intuition can supply creative answers. Journal, take notes, and pay attention to your feelings. Poets should really benefit from this energy.

The mood changes considerably on the 18th and 19th as Mercury makes tense aspects to Uranus and Pluto. These aspects herald the upcoming Uranus-Pluto square, active from 2012 through 2015. Look to the news of the day to see what’s going on at the global level, but also pay attention to your own life. Watch out while driving, and once again be aware of what you say. On the other hand, sometimes a revolution is called for in our lives, and this is your opportunity. Brilliant ideas can also take off at this time. It’s hard to use powerful energies wisely, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.

At 1:16 p.m. EDT on June 21st, the Sun enters Cancer at the Summer Solstice. The days are long, and the hard winter we came through this year seems in the distant past. Yet it is just at this peak of light that the other half of the cycle begins, and the Sun begins his downward motion towards the darkness of December.

But as of now, it’s summer, and the Sun is ready to party. He meets up with Jupiter, Uranus, and Pluto before the month is over. Adding to the fun, Mars squares Neptune on the 22nd, an aspect that can push us to go overboard and beyond the limits. Watch the speedometer! Only the last of the Sun’s aspects, to Pluto on the 28th, is really challenging, but it is also just before the third eclipse in this cycle, on July 1st. That eclipse is not visible on any continent, as it takes place in a small area between Antarctica and Africa. Once again, although we aren’t in direct line, we’ll all be feeling the eclipse in our own way.

May and June are action-packed, astrologically. We’ve been aching to move forward for a long time, and despite any anxiety, we ought to make the most of these opportunities for change. Remember that we all have an active roll in shaping the future.