Taurus Grounds New Ideas To Find Form and Expression

THE SUN ENTERED the earthy, receptive, practical sign of Taurus on April 19. Coming after the impetus while the sun was in Aries to create something new in our lives, Taurus lays the groundwork to support and nurture our creations into being. We had a new moon in Taurus on April 24 that helped to ground our new ideas and begin the process of transforming our values and sense of self-worth. As we shall see, this is a necessary step before we can truly birth something new in our lives and in our culture.

Venus Teaches How To Cherish What We Value

To understand the full implication of this spring season's potential for pivotal change in our lives, we need to look back a bit. Beginning March 7, Venus, the planet of love, beauty, material wealth, and values, was in retrograde (apparent backwards) motion, and this continued through April 17. If you recall that period of time as being particularly challenging, it may help to know that it was a necessary challenge. Through the bi-annual retrograde of Venus, we learn much that needs to be understood in terms of our values and our self-worth, and in terms of our love relationships and our beliefs about money. We discover what truly deserves to be cherished in our lives, and how to live by our higher values rather than just our desires.

Our Values and Relationships Undergo Transformation

With Venus in a tense aspect to transformative Pluto for the first week of May, we have the opportunity to learn that money is actually a symbol of love; it is the concentrated form of the result of our work, which is ideally the way that we share our love with the world. On a more practical level, this means that we transform our relationship to money, which results in learning how to better attract and manage it. We also take a deep look at whom and what we value in our lives. The integration of this universal short course on love and money continues into the third week of May.

Retrograde Mercury Calls For a Review and Clearing Of Old Business

If it isn't enough to be integrating new wisdom about love, money and values, we also have more change in store. On May 6, Mercury, the planet of communication, turns retrograde in Gemini-Taurus. While retrograde, Mercury makes it difficult to forge ahead with new projects because our attention is absorbed with clearing and completing communication issues and projects from the past. Mercury will return to direct motion on May 30, but will not pick up speed until mid-June, so it is best to use this time wisely by completing existing projects, clearing any misunderstandings, and visioning or planning ( but not implementing) for the future.

Full Moon Highlights More Transformation; Life's Lessons

On May 8, we have a full moon in Scorpio, opposite the sun in Taurus, and once again, we find the keynote of change and transformation. Innovative ideas and visions or plans for grand expansion abound, but it will be necessary to evaluate the resources needed and other practical implications before acting. Use this time to study, review, get your facts straight and make workable plans for the future. May 16 brings the four and one-half months long retrograde of Saturn to a close. Saturn imposes structure and is the great "taskmaster", bringing us life-lessons and "karma" (whether good or bad). While retrograde all those past months, we have been integrating lessons from the past, but now, with Saturn direct, we will be in a new learning phase.

Gemini Calls For Ideas That Address the Needs Of Humanity

On May 20, the sun enters the light-hearted, playful sign of Gemini, but on the same day, our retrograde Mercury forms a stressful aspect with the grouping of planets in Aquarius, Neptune, Jupiter and Chiron. This comes with a call to return to that which is natural and balanced within our culture, to align our intentions with the rhythms of nature and needs of all of humanity. Innovative new ideas may be birthed at this time, and, while they take time to germinate and take hold, as a culture, we begin to move forward with dignity and grace. A new moon in Gemini on May 24 brings welcome new energy and insights that have the potential to move us forward, but moving forward will be easier after Mercury resumes direct motion on May 30.

B E S T   D A Y S
All Times Stated are PST

The very best days to start new projects or relationships, acquire new clients, launch a creative project, apply for a new job, list your house for sale, and generally start anything new:

For most of May, there are no truly outstanding days for starting anything that would involve signing a contract. If you must launch something new, the best day would be May 4.

There are some fairly good days for advancing existing projects:

• May 3 and 4
• May 14 until 6pm
• May 21 until 3:30 pm
• May 24
• May 25 until 6pm

The remainder of the month is best spent with existing projects, or reviewing relationship and monetary concerns, planning and developing new ideas, and completing existing projects.

S U N   S I G N S   F O R

M A Y   2 0 0 9
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	Spring is in the air and in your case, spring cleaning is going on at quite a pace. The reflections you have been faced with in the past weeks regarding your own self worth and how you interact within your relationships need some definite action from you now. Money and shared resource issues can do with a thorough and clear reevaluation this month, along with consideration of future plans, but realize this may not be the time to make any new commitments.
	You may be wondering about many of your relationships early this month, as you experience tension both in the workplace and with partners. Remember that even though other people can give you many clues about yourself, and it can be good for the harmony of a relationship to consider the viewpoints of others, your answers are always within you. Let go of old grudges, clear the air with loved ones, and release old ideas and values around money so you can move forward with clarity.
	You have probably been appraising many aspects of your life lately particularly around how you see yourself in a world where so many values appear to be changing. You might well be moving towards a change of your future plans, as you evaluate your monetary resources, and partners will need to be in agreement. Stay steady with educational or travel goals.
	Lately it's been all work and no play! You may make an agreement with yourself that it's time for more fun and creativity in your life, whether you find fun with friends and family or by exploring pastimes that bring you joy. You reevaluate your work in the world and can have a breakthrough in seeing what needs transformation, both at work, and in your primary relationships. You know what your goals are; it is time to see who shares your ideals in life.
	You may well have been questioning your spiritual or philosophical beliefs, especially in terms of how well you integrate them with your work or health and wellness habits. Your home and family life is highlighted at the May 8 full moon, and you spend some time reviewing finances, as well as re-visiting your long-term future goals and plans. Clear up the past and make space for new goals, spring cleanups can be satisfying and fun!
	The full moon sheds light on many issues that have gotten your attention lately, relating to lack of clarity in your relationships, particularly around financial matters. It becomes perfectly clear that significant changes in your career or business must be made, and it can be easy enough to make them once you embrace the necessity. Communicating your needs to everyone around you, particularly those whom you cherish is important.
	Money can make for all sorts of pleasures and pains in life if you let it, especially when you are trying to balance your resources with others' input. Your primary relationship may be strained as challenges that need resolution surface. Simply throwing money at a problem is rarely going to serve you. Finding shared values and being realistic about what is truly important is the key to transforming your financial wellbeing and finding greater harmony with loved ones.
	The full moon in Scorpio this month shines brightly on you and your transformative lifetime. A review of your shared resources or mutually held assets is in order this month. Clear up any outstanding miscommunications with loved ones, business partners or clients; you will learn something valuable in the process. Like the phoenix, you rise from the ashes of your own challenges and begin to realize some of your most treasured life's goals.
	Always the futurist, you have lately been drawing on your past experiences to envision where the currents of change are taking you, particularly in light of present financial realities and relationship needs. As you review your most intimate relationships this month, realign yourself with the vision that takes you and them towards a brighter future. Focusing on building a stronger presence in your workplace or business will bring steady rewards.
	Your long-terms goals in life are highlighted at the May 8 full moon. You have the creative drive to bring much into play, but must find clarity concerning how you will go about grounding and instituting your plans. You may be experiencing challenges in your home and family life as you stretch to transform your reality. Long distance travel or higher education brings inspiration to creative projects.
	Watching the dawning of the Age of Aquarius is sometimes like watching a tree sprouting new leaves. You sense so many possibilities to speed up or reorder the process, but must be patient as everyone adjusts to the new ways of integrating the truths that are to become our new principles and guidelines for living. Use the current planetary energies to clear up any misunderstandings with friends, lovers or relatives. This frees your energy to focus on building a new foundation.
	Your core beliefs and philosophies are highlighted at the full moon as you seek to come to terms with how to live your truth and express your values You may have felt vulnerable in your relationships lately as you've been called to reexamine your sense of material well-being and long term goals. Insight comes from finding clarity within your self through deep contemplation, prayer or meditation.

© Carola Eastwood, 2009

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carola Eastwood is a professional astrological consultant, counselor, and teacher with over 22 years experience providing insight and guidance for clients throughout the world. Carola has appeared on national TV, hosted radio shows, spoken at national conventions, and presented classes and workshops to numerous audiences.

Your astrological chart is your "blueprint" for this lifetime. A personal session with Carola is a journey deep into the heart of your being, a look at your entire lifetime, and a remembrance of your spiritual purpose. For more information, or to schedule a session with Carola, call Earth Star Consulting Services 1 858 - 259-1590, or email to estar@greencafe.com.

You can also visit Carola's website at www.earthstarconsulting.