Astrological Forecast for May & June 2014

After the intense astrological energy of April, it is difficult to say where we will be as May begins. Although the peak of intensity is past, we will continue to experience aftershocks in the cosmic grid, and very likely ripples down here on earth as well. Still, we have some time in the late spring to integrate the changes that have been taking place in our lives. In many respects, it is the process of integrating events and decisions that really sets the tone of the time. A single day can be wonderful or horrible, but how we choose to live in the shadow of it can make all the difference. Wherever your life has been experiencing stress and change, this is a time to make an effort to deal with it in as conscious and openhearted a way as possible. That may be a challenge at some points, and in the midst of significant changes we often contract a bit. Still, we ultimately don’t want to stay in a place that we create on the spur of the moment in a reaction.

Venus, the planet of love and relationship is quite prominent in May, as she enters the sign of Aries on the 2nd. With Venus in this sign, romance and our overall social mood become more outgoing and less tied to manners, rules, and niceties. For her trip through this sign, the goddess will be making some edgy aspects, bringing some of April’s inten-sity to the area of personal relationship.

On the 10th, the sun opposes Saturn, suggesting that we may run into some opposition from authority. Concerns about finances or security could provide a sense of limitation, although the feeling probably won’t last long. Venus opposes Mars on the 11th, as Mercury squares Neptune. We could find ourselves getting a bit overheated about a romantic issue or a partner. Communication is usually the way to go, but this energy suggests that being open and honest could be tricky. Sometimes we don’t even know when we are bending the truth. In all areas of life, it’s a good day to use your intuition and tap into dreams and ideas, but it’s probably best to wait before making any final decisions on practical matters.

On the 14th, Venus squares Pluto just before the Full Moon in Scorpio. The Scorpio lunation is always a bit tense, as buried feelings erupt to the surface, sometimes bringing a flow of unresolved emotional material with them. With Venus elbowing Pluto, we may have power struggles around the area of relationship. The tension could break on the 15th, as Venus meets with Uranus. The middle of May is a time when many of us will be fighting to have our way in partnerships, and ultimately our urge for emotional freedom and independence is likely to win out. A strong relationship may be tested by this energy, but can emerge refreshed and stronger. Bonds that are more frayed may not hold through these turbulent emotional waters.

If relationship changes are underway, the square between Venus and Jupiter on the 18th is likely to infuse a sense of possibility. After meeting with Uranus and squaring Jupiter, Venus (in Aries, remember) is ready to set off on new adventures in relating.

Mars stations to move direct on the 19th, ending ten weeks of retrograde motion. Issues that have been on the table all year can finally reach some resolution over the next couple of months. If you’ve been in an emotional or legal battle for some time, get ready for one last round. Right around the station, patience – already at an all-time low this spring – is a virtue we’re unlikely to see much. Lay low while others vent their fury. Let off some of your own steam via creative projects, sensible exercise, or fiery sex.

The New Moon on May 28th is in the sign of Gemini. Set intentions around communication, writing, and everyday activities. Envision what you’d like your everyday life to be like, and plan accordingly. This New Moon is square to Neptune, so a spiritual sense of possibility may be very strong. Go within at this time – there will be plenty of opportunities to move forward into manifestation in the near future.

Later the same day, Venus leaves Aries for her home sign of Taurus. Social meetings and romance take on a softer, more sensual, tone with Venus in this sign.

On the 31st, the energetic last day of May has the Sun in trine to Mars. This is a great energy for going forward with projects and plans, and putting ideas from the New Moon into action. Enlist the help of others, and offer your cooperation when you can.

Mercury stations to retrograde on the 7th. The Cosmic Messenger will be running backwards in his own sign of Gemini until July 1st, although he is in Cancer until June 17th. The retrograde is likely to have two phases, with Mercury’s time in Cancer and Gemini feeling rather different from each other. In general, retrogrades in Water signs (Cancer) are more challenging. In Gemini, Mercury may slow us down a bit, but the potential to really integrate information should be very strong. It may not be a time to take in lots of new data, but we can process what we have to attain a real mastery of it. From the 7th through the 17th, take extra care around areas where water and electricity are near each other (like the kitchen).

An easy sextile between Venus and Jupiter on the 18th should cast a nice glow over the surrounding days. A midweek social gathering in late June could be a nice break from edgy times.

The Sun moves into Cancer on June 21st at 6:50 a.m., marking the summer solstice and the beginning of summer. After a long, cold winter in our area followed by a powerful springtime of astrological storms, we finally reach the peak of the Sun’s energy in the northern hemisphere. Almost impossibly, given this past winter, we recognize that it is just at the peak of his energy that the Sun can only go in one direction – down towards winter.

Venus changes signs yet again on the 23rd, dancing her way into Gemini. Here, the goddess of love is more flirty and fun. While acknowledging the value of a serious partnership, Venus in Gemini would like to explore the possibilities. If May’s energetic push has left you single, this is a good time to enjoy the lighter side of romance and social activities.

As the month ends, we get a replay of April’s energy, as Mars begins to aspect the planets he bristled against during his retrograde. The first is an opposition to Uranus. Although oppositions can be tense, the signs involved suggest cooperation between these two powerful energies. Rules are broken, and manners are cast aside. That’s potentially liberating if you’ve been held in place, but it may also lead some of us into erratic actions. Use the energy wisely.

The New Moon on the 27th is in the sign of Cancer. We’re likely to be thinking about home, and what and with whom we identify. To the extent that the past few months have been difficult, there may be a tendency towards circling the wagons for apparent safety and security.

The last aspect of the month is a square between Venus and Neptune on the 29th. This aspect tends to make a partner or potential partner look either too good or too awful. The knight in shining armor, the princess to be rescued in the tower, the black knight, the witch, the dragon, and all the other fairy tale characters are likely to be projections of our own egos. Enjoy yourself, but try not to take the drama too seriously.

May and June continue the roller coaster energy of the spring of 2014 into the summer. Things are moving swiftly, as they have for some time, and it can be hard to keep up. Build in some downtime and a few chances to get away for an hour or a day. There’s tremendous potential for evolution and positive change, but not everyone is going to see it that way.