May and June give us a moment to pause and consider thechanges we’ve been experiencing, as well as the opportunity to integrate them into our personal lives. Although the Uranus-Pluto square is technically over (it will remain within orb for another two years), we’ll be feeling the reverberations. Major transits don’t really end, because they aren’t isolated experiences so much as the beginning of new stages. Just as learning to ride a bicycle is an experience – but one that teaches us a skill that we can use for a lifetime – transits like the Uranus-Pluto square introduce a series of new issues and perspectives that we will work with for a long time. As we head into the summer of 2015, we may feel that things are somewhat back to normal, although we also recognize that normal has changed significantly.

The first week in May features some rather tense energy that may have a feeling of restriction and caution. The Full Moon in Scorpio is on the 3rd, and this is usually a challenging lunation. Full Moons tend to bring things to light, and Scorpio digs down into difficult territory. The result is often a few days when insight and irritability compete for our collective mood. With Mercury opposing Saturn on the same day, we may find that confrontations with authority figures (or our own internal sense of authority and structure) result in a sense of limitations. On the other hand, Mercury will be in his own sign of Gemini, so David may have a chance to beat Goliath this time around. The Scorpio Moon may give us the determination to stand by our convictions, while a buoyant Sun/Jupiter square on the 4th should provide the courage. We’re being tested, but with luck we may pass the test.

Venus enters Cancer on the 7th, beginning a month in the sign of the crab. In this rather conservative sign, the goddess of love favors tradition (hence June weddings?). Family picnics and school outings may be more in the spirit of the time than wild parties, but do your best to have fun. On the 9th, Mercury squares Neptune. Words may get a little slippery with this aspect, so double check the facts and temper enthusiasm with a bit of suspicion. Because Mercury is stationing to retrograde in a little more than a week, we’ll actually have a series of three Mercury/Neptune aspects. If you dive in too quickly to a situation, it may be late June before you can extricate yourself. You may feel like you’re driving with the parking brake on when Mars opposes Saturn on the 15th. The planet that says “Go!” stands opposed to the planet that urges us to stop. In the signs of Gemini (Mars) and Sagittarius, this is likely to be a verbal struggle – a war of beliefs – more than anything else, although watch out while driving for more physical manifestations.The energy turns inward, and perhaps downward, as Mercury stations to retrograde on the New Moon on the 18th. Mercury retrogrades may not mean greater prevalence of mishaps and snafus, but they tend to be more prominent, especially around the stations. It may be best to avoid signing contracts and buying new software and electronics for the next few weeks (until June 11th), although major catastrophes are unlikely.

Venus is very active at the end of the month, beginning with an opposition to Pluto on the 21st. Power struggles in relationships are a possibility, including jealousy and perhaps a reason for it. Yet although some partnerships will feel the strain, others will be able to go deeper and feel greater passion. Venus is in Cancer, where bonding is a strong need, so this may be a time to affirm or reaffirm commitments.Yet just a few days later, on the 25th, Venus squares Uranus and independence becomes a priority. Freedom is likely to trump commitment, especially if that commitment is based on a sense of following rules and societal expectations. This is a time when we want to do what is right for us as individuals, and attachments may be seen as impediments. With Mars square to Neptune, we could be willing to go overboard, perhaps based on information that is incomplete, erroneous, or just plain wrong. Mercury helps to befuddle us a bit more as he retrogrades past Mars and Neptune on the 27th and 29th, and the Sun gets into the act with a square to Neptune on the 31st. Suffice it to say that our motivation to act is probably going to be very strong at the end of May, but it will be hard to obtain solid information, so take time to consider if you’re being realistic in your demands and expectations.

The Full Moon on June 2nd is in the sign of Sagittarius, and our belief systems come to light. Look for political and social issues to peak around this time, and note that to what extent beliefs and facts are in conflict with each other. On a personal level, we are likely to have the same dynamic – we may find a degree of cognitive dissonance between our belief systems and our actions (or words). Although this could mean disharmony and hyperbole, it is also an opportunity to grow beyond the splits that prevent us from being whole.

Venus takes off her apron and puts on her party dress on the 5th. The social mood lightens and romance flourishes. With a trine to Saturn the next day, it’s also an opportunity to build on our relationships and make them more solid.

Neptune and Mercury stations share a similar energy – although Mercury may work at a different level than Neptune. The two planets station within twelve hours of each other on the 11th and 12th, creating the perfect cocktail for confusion, amped up by (misplaced?) enthusiasm as Mercury goes direct and Neptune retrogrades. If there’s been an issue that has been both odd and frustratingly hard to resolve, perhaps beginning in early May, this is likely to be a point at which things seem to spiral out of control. It is after the final square of these two planets on the 23rd that resolution is most likely, although at present it may simply seem like the puzzle pieces keep marching off the table. Travel and communication problems may be the theme of the day, and it could be hard to get traction on resolving problems.

On the same day, Saturn retrogrades into Scorpio, where he’ll be spending the summer. He’ll be cleaning up some of the issues that were prominent with him in the sign over the past two years. Power and control issues, particularly in the areas of finance, may be at the top of the list for each of us personally, but at the collective level we’ll be very concerned with questions of who is in authority and what they are doing with the power they have. The New Moon on June 16th is in the sign of Gemini. It’s a great time to set intentions around your everyday life. Although we tend to focus on major life areas like career and relationship, it helps to remember that our everyday routine really accounts for a great deal of our lives.

As the month ends, relationship gets a boost as Venus makes a trine to Uranus as we build towards the Full Moon. It’s a great time to get out and try something new, breaking out of routine patterns in romance and socializing.

May and June of 2015 are going to be anything but boring – so be ready to make the most of the ever-changing celestial weather.