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Cayelin by Lake Okauchee July 2007

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Sign and Degrees Explanation
Moon Phases Chart for 2008

May 2008 Celestial Timings
By Cayelin K Castell

 

The Cathars accepted the world as it was and consequently learned to transcend it. They taught that in order to go beyond this earthly life, you had to experience it. You couldn’t run away from the world, but if you genuinely experienced all it had to offer, both positive and negative, at that point you could throw off the shackles of addictions and attachments. In other words, all of the temptations of life, including the last vestiges of holding on to pain and loss, had to be extinguished before you could begin to transcend. When you were no longer bound to the world, then you could truly enjoy it.
~Sylvia Browne Secret Societies… And How They Affect Our Lives Today

May is the month marking the astrological cross-quarter between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice also called Beltane. The word Beltane means 'bright fire' or 'lucky fire' and in the Celtic seasonal year, Beltane celebrates the start of summer. In ancient traditions this was a time when all the fires were extinguished on the Eve of Beltane and new fires lit at Beltane sunrise. Often these fires were lit on the hills and in the Standing Stone Circles found on hilltops marking the ley lines of the Earth Grid. The Beltane Fires on the Hills are the beacons or points of light intended to alchemically activate the energy of the Earth and those who dwell here. Astrological Beltane occurs around May 5 when the Sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus, marking the original Sabbat or High Holy Day. Many ancient Celtic traditions began their celebration of Beltane on the Full Moon or New Moon nearest astrological Beltane, and often the celebrations lasted until the next Full or New Moon over a two-week period.

This year we have an exact New Moon occurring on May 5 at the same time as Solar Beltane increasing the power and potency of this seasonal time. Additionally and quite remarkably the second Scorpio Full Moon since April is occurring in the midst of the “Days Of No Shadows”. It is rare to have a Beltane season with Lunar occurrences so precisely aligned with these two significant annual Solar alignments. It will be 19 years before we have this particular alignment happen again!

Additionally Venus slips into the underworld as the month begins emphasizing a further underworld planetary initiation as we dance between two Scorpio Full Moons. This also marks the half way point of the two Venus transits occurring eight years from each other. The first was in June 2008 and the second is in June 2012.

This poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, called “Maud” describes Venus as she approaches the Sun from her morning star place.

For a breeze of morning moves,
And the planet of Love is on high,
Beginning to faint in the light that she loves
On a Bed of daffodil sky,
To faint in the light of the sun she loves,
To faint in his light, and to die.

Visible Planets

Invisible Planets

Stars worth noting in the Night Sky this Month
This month the Milky Way is seen lying flat around the horizon so not clearly visible unless you look up to the Northeast highest part in Cygnus the Swan. However this position of the Milky Way gives us the sense of the Plane of the Galaxy when looking Northeast toward Cygnus Galactic Center is to your right.

Also prominent this month is the constellation of the Virgin Priestess (a.k.a. Virgo) containing seven main stars. The most visible star in this group is the bright bluish white star Spica, meaning "spike of grain." Higher in the sky and a bit to the right of Spica is the star Denebola which forms the lion's tail in the constellation also known as Leo. If you follow a direct line from Spica to the upper left you will see the bright red star Arcturus. These three stars Arcturus, Denebola, and Spica form what is sometimes called the Spring Triangle best viewed from April to June. Plus, we have the perfect 30-60-90 degree triangle formed by Arcturus, Spica and Regulus (the heart of the lion). Look East South East to spot both triangles. (See August 2007 Archives for more about Arcturus, Spica and Regulus triangle.)

Daily Highlights

May 1, Thursday. Saint Germain’s Ascension Day. The Moon is in Pisces conjunct Uranus, Neptune is nearly exactly conjunct the North Node reaching the exact conjunction on May 4 and Venus is trine Pluto and Saturn.
May 2, Friday. The Moon moves into Aries, Mercury moves into Gemini visible just 2 degrees South of Pleiades and Saturn Stations Direct.
May 3, Saturday. Mercury is square Saturn and will actively trine Chiron from May 8 to July 10. (See May 30)
May 4, Sunday. Moon moves into Taurus and we are entering the window of the Cross-Quarter Exact Tomorrow. Plus, today marks the exact conjunction of the North Node with Neptune
May 5, Monday. Eta Aquarids Peak today plus this is also the exact Beltane Cross-Quarter with a Taurus New Moon (15 Taurus)
May 6, Tuesday. Moon is about a degree North of Pleiades as it moves into Gemini and conjuncts Mercury and Aldebaran
May 7, Wednesday. The “Out of Bounds” Moon is traveling through the Sacred hoop
May 8, Thursday. Guatama Buddha’s Day of Enlightenment http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Vesak/id/50777 . The “Out of Bounds” Moon moves into Cancer crossing the Galactic Edge
May 9, Friday. Jupiter stations retrograde and Mars Moves into Leo
May 10, Saturday. Pangea Day is designed to bring together millions of people from all over the world in a unique shared experience, use the power of film to create a better understanding of one another and form a global community striving for a better future. Info Here www.pangeaday.org. Moon occults Mars visible in North Africa, All of Europe except Northern part, South Asia
May 11, Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day. First Quarter Moon 21 Leo.
May 12, Monday. First Quarter Moon occults Regulus visible in South America and Antarctica
And then moves into Virgo and meets with Saturn. Sun trines retrograde Jupiter
May 13, Tuesday. Best View of Mercury at greatest elongation 22 degrees from the Sun
May 14, Wednesday. Sun squares Neptune
May 15, Thursday. Moon moves into Libra last night
May 16, Friday. Moon passes by Spica
May 17, Saturday. Moon moves into Scorpio
May 18, Sunday. The Moon is visible near the fixed stars Zuben Elgenubi and Zuben Elshamali
May 19, Monday. In these days of No Shadows we have the Scorpio Full Moon at 29 Scorpio 27. Moon moves into Sagittarius and Venus squares Neptune.
May 20, Tuesday. Moon occults Antares visible in Eastern South America and South Africa
May 21, Wednesday. The Sun Enters Gemini
May 22, Thursday. The Moon moves into Capricorn the Sun squares Saturn and Mars is visible in the Beehive cluster best seen with binoculars or telescope.
May 23, Friday. The North Node is nearly exactly conjunct Chiron with the exact conjunction occurring on June 2. Plus the Sun (2 Gemini) and Venus (28 Taurus) are still very closely conjunct the Pleiades
May 24, Saturday. The Moon conjuncts Jupiter with Jupiter 2 degrees North of the Moon and Venus moves into Gemini.
May 25, Sunday. The Moon moves into Aquarius and Mercury is station retrograde tomorrow morning.
May 26, Monday. Happy Memorial Day. Venus is square Saturn Neptune is stationing retrograde just prior to the Moon occultation over Neptune
May 27, Tuesday. The Pisces Last Quarter Moon (7 Pisces 10)
May 28, Wednesday. North Node (21 Aquarius 30) is nearly exactly conjunct recently retrograde Chiron (21 Aquarius 09)
May 29, Thursday. The Moon moves into Aries
May 30, Friday. Retrograde Mercury (21 Gemini) is trine retrograde Chiron (21 Aquarius)
May 31, Saturday. The Moon moves into Taurus and is activating the Grand Trine between Saturn (2 Virgo) and Pluto (00 Capricorn 20)

Sky Map of Mars

Watch as Mars moves past the heads of the Gemini twins in the next few days, while Procyon watches from below. The blue 10° scale is about the size of your fist held at arm's length. http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/ataglance

Daily Timings
May 1, Thursday. Not only is May 1 celebrated as May Day (or Beltane see intro) it also marks the 1684 May First Ascension Day of Saint Germain who brought us the alchemical gift of the Violet Flame. http://www.crystalinks.com/stgermain.html

This month begins with the Moon in Pisces conjunct Uranus and Neptune is nearly exactly conjunct the North Node reaching the exact conjunction on May 4. Also Venus (1 Taurus) is trine retrograde Pluto (1 Capricorn) and Saturn (2 Virgo). These aspects speak to the importance of genuine radical compassion for ourselves.

In her book The Places that Scare You, Pema Chodron shares valuable insights from the perspective of radical compassion as a transformative tool in helping and healing ourselves.

When we touch the center of sorrow, when we sit with discomfort without trying to fix it, when we stay present to the pain of disapproval or betrayal and let it soften us, these are the times that we connect with bodhichitta (Pema defines bodhichitta….chitta is mind, heart and attitude. Bodhi means awake, enlightened or completely open.) “Sometimes the completely open heart and mind of the bodhichitta is called the soft spot, a place as vulnerable and tender as an open wound.”


Tapping into that shaky and tender place has a transformative effect. Being in this place may feel uncertain and edgy but it’s also a big relief. Just to stay there even for a moment, feels like a genuine act of kindness to ourselves. Being compassionate enough to accommodate our fears takes courage, of course, and it definitely feels counterintuitive. But it’s what we need to do.

The above quote also brings to mind the message of Eckhart Tolle and Osho who both speak of the transformative power of awareness in the present moment as a way to heal the separating pain we feel when we are not living in the Now.

Mercury with the Pleiades

Mercury beside the Pleiades just after Sunset

May 2, Friday. The Moon moves into Aries energizing the mysteries of the defenders of the cosmic order. In the Bhagavad Gita the great warrior Arjuna questions the rightness of going into battle when he realizes if he fights millions will die and if he does not fight millions will die. Arjuna discovers the answer is to fully embrace his dharma as a warrior without attachment to the outcome or the fruits of his actions. The true warrior acts to protect their family and community and does not seek battle for the sake of battle or glory for the sake of glory but rather seeks to live their dharma as genuinely as possible. A true warrior promotes peace when possible but willing goes into battle to protect and fight for what they believe is just and true.

Mercury moves into Gemini visible just 2 degrees South of Pleiades traveling through Gemini until July 10 due to its retrograde station May 26. As Mercury connects with the Pleiadian stargate, passing into the Sacred Hoop, the transformational messenger is accessing the informational doorways that stretch beyond our known reality providing new perspectives, added insights, and new networks of inspiration. (See May 6)

Saturn Stations Direct at 1 Virgo 41 very near the fixed star Regulus. If you go out after Sunset and look high in the sky you can see the sickle marking the Lion’s head. Saturn is sitting beside Regulus also known as one of the magical Behenian stars of the ancient alchemists. The alchemists felt that the power of the Behenian Stars was magnified whenever a visible planet was within 6 degrees. The power of Saturn is through its ability to give structure and form to our experience. Saturn’s passage through Virgo suggests it is time to restructure our relationship with Mother Earth. In Virgo’s realm reverence for the sacred expression of the Earth is vital for our continued survival.

May 3, Saturday. Mercury is square Saturn and will actively trine Chiron from May 8 to July 10 due to the Mercury Retrograde beginning May 26. (also See May 30) Messenger Mercury is providing Saturn with information and insights designed to creatively assist in the process of formulating sacred relationship with the Earth that are playful, fun and entertaining as well as effective and efficient.

May 4, Sunday. The nearly New Moon moves into Taurus as we are entering the window of the Cross-Quarter, exact tomorrow. Today marks the exact conjunction of the North Node with Neptune (24 Aquarius). In this cross-quarter window when the veils between the worlds are thinnest it is easier to reach beyond this world into the magical realms of the fairies and elemental beings. During the past few weeks Neptune has been energizing the North Node with other worldly energies that support the fulfillment of our divine destinies. This is powerful time for tapping into the part of our self that knows (beyond logic and reason) and follow the inner guidance we receive even if it doesn’t make logical sense. This knowing comes from a magical realm existing beyond what we experience as ordinary reality. Trusting what you know without knowing how you know is easier when you are not attached to the outcome.

May 5, Monday. a.k.a. Cinco de Mayo, a day celebrated in remembrance of Mexico’s 1862 historic battle for freedom. Today is also exact Astrological Solar Beltane with a Taurus New Moon a extra potent in-between time when we can easily step into a magical co-creative alignment with the intended beauty, pleasure and abundance of seasonal Beltane. When we are celebrating life with joy and gratitude we are connected to the source of all life that abundantly provides for all our needs and desires. The Taurus enlightenment path comes from our ability to embrace and enjoy beauty as a passionate transformative orgasmic ecstatic experience.

And beauty is not a need but an ecstasy.
It is not a mouth thirsting
nor an empty hand stretched forth,
But rather a heart enflamed and a soul enchanted.
It is not the image you would see
nor the song you would hear,
But rather an image you see though you close your eyes
and a song you hear though you shut your ears.
It is not the sap within the furrowed bark,
nor a wing attached to a claw,
But rather a garden for ever in bloom
and a flock of angels for ever in flight. ~Kalil Gibran

Moon with Mercury and Pleiades

Mercury is between the Pleiades to the lower right and the crecent Moon to the upper right.

May 6, Tuesday. The Moon may be visible about a degree North of the Pleiades after Sunset sending us transmissions from the Pleiadian Stargate. Then the Moon moves into Gemini and conjuncts Mercury now about 5 degrees beyond the Pleiades although still transmitting transformative Pleiadian codes.

It is interesting to note at this point in the process of the Turning of the Ages that the Pleiades (an asterism marking the should of the Bull constellation a.k.a Taurus – see article on The Difference Between Signs and Constellations) are starting their move into the seasonal sign of Gemini after nearly 2,150 years in the seasonal sign of Taurus. Three stars in the Pleiades, Alcyone, Atlas, and Pleione, have already moved into the first degree of Gemini. However, six other Pleiadian stars are still in the last degree of seasonal Taurus, including Electra, Celaeno, Maia, Merope, Taygete and Sterope or Asterope. Alcyone (zero Gemini), also known as Eta Tauri by astronomers, is the brightest star we see in the Pleiades and has been considered the central or main star of this asterism.

In the ancient Arabic world the Pleiades were seen as a cluster of grapes, a symbol some ancient myths and paintings have used to symbolize Galactic Center and the secrets of the universe. The Mayans saw the Pleiades as “Tzab” or the rattle of the snake and when the Sun and Pleiades meet as the opening of the stargate as described on the May 19 Timings. Other cultures associated these stars with rain, tears, war symbols, engineering, architecture, and the healing arts.

With three of the stars of the Pleiades now in the seasonal sign of Gemini these mysteries are beginning to find greater expression through mental processes. So with the Moon and Mercury in this area of the sky tonight’s opportunities for inspiration and insight are heightened. (See May 19)

May 7, Wednesday. The “Out of Bounds” Moon reaches beyond where the Sun can travel through sky. Currently this is located in the area of the sky known as the Sacred Hoop where one of two Galactic Crosses form in the sky. The Galactic Cross is formed by the intersection of the Galactic Equator (the line running through the center of our Milky Way or Galactic Plane) and the Ecliptic (the path the planets follow and the plane of our Solar System). Only once in 26,000 years can the Summer Solstice be located at this intersection point and that is happening now. Currently for the rest of this year into the next, when the Moon is between 15 Gemini and 15 Cancer it is in its “out of bounds” phase. This means we are still experiencing direct transmissions via the Moon coming in from the Galactic Edge. This is just one of many current symbols in the sky telling us we are experiencing a major turning of the Great Wheel of time.

In her book Initiation Elizabeth Haich describes the place between ages or what happens as we move from one age to another. She describes how two different ages are not separate from each other but flow one into the other during a transitional time (the time we are in now). She says;

… The old ideas don’t satisfy the new generation any longer, while the old generations are (often) unable to accept and assimilate the new…

The generations aren’t literal in terms of the age of a person but rather in terms of the old concepts formed in past generations. Today we see plenty of older people who are willingly embracing new ways of being and plenty of younger people who are still holding onto old ways. Many elders of these current times are on the forefront of bringing through the best of what has been in the past and bridging it with the best of what is emerging now.

May 8, Thursday. The “Out of Bounds” Moon moves into Cancer crossing the Galactic Edge and the center of the Sacred Hoop or the Great Shining Circle. This is the area of the sky where June Solstice is currently located at what is known as the Galactic Cross. (See May 7) When the Solstices reach alignment with the Galactic Plane we know this is a time for completing with what has been in our old vibrational code. This is because it is essential to make room for the new vibrational codes and frequencies beaming in from these Galactic Alignments.

May 9, Friday. Jupiter stations retrograde (22 Capricorn 22 taking us more deeply into the quest for new structures that support healthy living in accordance with the needs of all life on Earth. Any planetary Still Point is similar to the experience of a pendulum as it changes direction, where it appears to stand still or stop. This is further explained by Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle stating that …”If we know the exact momentum of a particle, then its position is completely unknowable, and vice versa. We know when the pendulum is in the changing point, when it is at rest, its velocity is zero…. From the standpoint of one observer, there are always two points at which either of these systems appears to be at rest. To be completely at rest means that the movement has reached the point where it changes or reverses direction. That point of rest implies somehow a disappearance of matter in infinite or almost infinite velocities. http://www.aip.org/history/heisenberg/p08.htm

Jupiter has stopped its forward movement through the sky from the Earth’s perspective. The effect on us as Earth based observers creates the experience of the Still Point or Stand Still, where we have an opportunity to access infinity. When we are considering the already expansive qualities of Jupiter that are designed to actualize the path of self-realization it is especially useful to consciously attune to this timing pausing at this Still Point and asking what this means to us personally particularly in expanding our understanding of how to live in greater harmony and cooperation with Earth?

The Moon and Mars are near Pollux as Mars Moves into Leo until July 2, 2008. Mars last entered Leo on June 3, 2006. Mars in Leo explores the mysteries of radical, radiant Self-Love as a key component to creating healthy family and community. Experts agree it is essential to love ourselves first before we can truly love others in a healthy way. Self-love is much easier when we have genuinely forgiven ourselves. With Mars in Leo over the next month this is a great time for practicing self-forgiveness for the purpose of powerfully transforming the wounds of self-judgment and self-punishment.

“There can be no form of suffering that fails to hide an unforgiving thought. Nor can there be a form of pain which forgiveness cannot heal.” A Course in Miracles

Here are three quick examples of self-forgiveness statements.
I forgive myself for all the ways I have ever disapproved of myself or others.
I forgive myself for all the ways I have not been fully present or fully myself at any time.
I forgive myself for all the ways I have allowed fear to dictate my choices and actions.

Moon and Mars Near Twins

The Moon is to the lower right of Mars

May 10, Saturday. Pangea Day is designed to bring together millions of people from all over the world in a unique shared experience, use the power of film to create a better understanding of one another and form a global community striving for a better future. Info Here www.pangeaday.org.

Moon occults Mars visible in North Africa, All of Europe except Northern part, South Asia for the second month in a row. This Moon occultation over Mars represents the fourth labor of Mars in his quest for creating healthy family and community. Also worth noting is the configuration of the Moon and Mars with Castor and Pollux looking toward the west after Sunset. (Star Map)

May 11, Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day. First Quarter Moon 21 Leo is visible near the head of the Lion. The Lion constellation in the Great Above corresponds to the Sphinx in the Great Below where “The Hall of Records” is located. The first quarter Moon is a time of accelerating light energy and tomorrow this Moon phase will occult Regulus, the heart of the Lion. This means we have an important opportunity to receive a direct transmission including a greater understanding of the records or codes of light located in the hall of records within our own DNA.

Moon with Saturn and Regulus

The Moon is to the right of Saturn and Regulus.

May 12, Monday. This First Quarter Moon occultation over Regulus is visible in South America and Antarctica and is forming a compact triangle with Saturn for the rest of us. Then the Moon moves into Virgo and meets with Saturn. Plus, the Sun (22 Taurus) trines retrograde Jupiter (22 Capricorn). The energies today cover a wide range including the importance of self-love that taps universal power or cosmic life force energy for the purpose of deepening our connection to the cycles and rhythms of life.

When we feel grounded and connected to the natural world and her sacred timings we find ourselves connected to an eternal wellspring of information and inspiration guiding us with compassionate, loving acceptance. As the Moon passes by here once each month and Saturn has been lingering in this area of the sky this past year the transmissions coming in include new understanding of these codes or records and how best to put them into form. This timing reminds of the divine codes we all carry within ourselves. This is a powerful time for intentionally accepting, integrating and living our true divine natures.

May 13, Tuesday. We currently have the best View of Mercury (15 Gemini) at greatest elongation (22 degrees) from the Sun. Mercury is located inside the Sacred Hoop just 5 degrees beyond Aldebaran, the eye of the Bull. In an approximately 120 day cycle Mercury experiences two points of greatest elongation, one in the morning sky and one in the evening sky. This Mercury elongation is taking place in the evening sky and is visible shortly after Sunset. Mercury is not always easily visible even when at greatest elongation so this is a great time to look toward the west and see if you can spot Mercury above the afterglow of sunset.

Mercury has reached its greatest stretch away from the Sun signaling an approaching retrograde on May 26. This is a time for noticing new, fun, playful and entertaining ways of perceiving reality.

May 14, Wednesday. Sun (24 Taurus) squares Neptune (24 Aquarius) catalyzing transformational change by whatever means necessary. Practicing self-forgiveness and random acts of kindness toward ourselves are helpful ways to support the changes now seeking expression. This Sun and Neptune square is also signaling the approaching retrograde station of Neptune on May 26. This is not a time for logical practical rational clarity but rather a time for intuitively attuning to innovative insights that revolutionize our in the moment experience.

May 15, Thursday. The Moon moved into Libra last night energizing the mysteries of partnership and relationship. The primary gift of relationship is to connect with, know, and relate to our own divine nature through the reflection and interaction with another. Many make the mistake of focusing on the Other rather than themselves. When we focus on loving, valuing, and blessing who we are then it is much easier to love, value and bless others.
May 16, Friday. The Moon passes by Spica a bright blue star located in the hand of the Virgin Priestess symbolizing the mysteries of sowing and reaping. Said another way this is about the energy, as it is expressed through our thoughts, words, and deeds (actions), that we put into the world magnetizing to us what we are experiencing.

May 17, Saturday. The Moon moves into Scorpio reaching its fullest rise on May 19. The Moon in Scorpio is transmitting the shamanic mysteries of death and rebirth, surrendering who we believe ourselves to be in a shamanic death for the purpose of being fully empowered and birthed into who we truly are.

May 18, Sunday. The Moon is visible near the fixed stars Zuben Elgenubi and Zuben Elshamali the two brightest stars of the Scales marking the pans that weigh the sufficient and insufficient price. http://www.constellationsofwords.com/Constellations/Libra.html

Ray Bogucki shares this historical information about these stars.

It's interesting that Libra, the constellation to the west, was once part of Scorpius. When Julius Caesar designed his new Julian calendar, he needed one more Zodiac figure to make twelve for the twelve months. Roman astronomers solved the problem by cutting off the scorpion's claws and designating them as the new figure, Libra the Balance, which is the only inanimate object in the Zodiac. The history of this event is preserved in the delightfully mellifluous Arabic names for the two brightest stars in Libra, Zuben Eschamali (zoo-BEN ess-shah-MAH-lee) and Zuben el Genubi (zoo-BEN-el-jeh-NOO-bee) which translate into the more prosaic names, Northern Claw and Southern Claw. http://www.dudleyobservatory.org/InTheSky/Skywatch2002/skywatch_07_2002.htm

In historical Egyptian cosmology (pre-dating Rome) this constellation was viewed as the scales of justice weighing the hearts of the dead against the feather (symbolizing truth) of Maat (Egyptian Goddess of Wisdom). In the ancient texts of India, the Sanskrit word for this constellation translates as Tula, the name for the 'Holy Land' located in the north. William Henry defines Tula as “the place of Peace” similar to our concepts of Shamballah and Shangri La in his book The Peacemaker and the New Key of Life

“The Key of Life is a secret teaching that enables the Children of Light to enter the Promised Land which is the biblical code for the ultimate human experience. It is called Tula the Sanskrit word for ‘balance’ in ancient Texts.” http://www.williamhenry.net/index.html

Tuning into the nearly full Moon with the stars marking the balance of life creates an opportunity for a powerful transmission coming from these stars as the Moon approaches its fullest light over the next couple of nights.

May 19, Monday. Guatama Buddha’s Day of Enlightenment is celebrated during the Full Moon in May. http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Vesak/id/50777. In these days of No Shadows we have the Scorpio Full Moon at 29 Scorpio 27 rising near Antares tonight and Venus (23 Taurus) squaring Neptune. May 19, 20 and 21 mark the annual zodiacal conjunction of the Pleiades with the Sun.

The Mayans left an important clue about this Timing, built into the pyramid (Kukulkan) at Chichen Itza. May 20 is exactly 60 days after the Spring Equinox and the pyramid Kukulkan rests near the 23rd latitude where the Sun reaches the Zenith (exactly overhead) at Noon when no shadows are cast on the pyramid. These days occur twice each year and were called the “Days of No Shadows” by the Mayans.

John Major Jenkins, author of the Maya Cosmogenesis, indicates that the pyramid Kukulkan, (a.k.a. Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent) tracks the Sun-Pleiades-Zenith conjunction. The Crotalus rattlesnake found repeatedly in Meso-American art resembles the Mayan glyph for the Sun “Ahau” (pronounced Ah-how) and relates to the flow of time or the flow of consciousness through the seasons of life as they end and begin again. http://alignment2012.com/

“Tzab” is the Mayan word for the Pleiades, also known as the rattle of the snake. When the Pleiades conjuncts the Sun at the zenith, the rattle is in place. This Sun-Pleiades-Zenith alignment is occurring during a 72-year window, from 1976 to 2048, with the well-known date of 2012 at the center. Interestingly and highly synchronistically, on May 20, 2012, the Sun-Pleiades-Zenith passage features a solar eclipse, meaning the Pleiades and the Sun are joined as the Moon passes between the Sun and the Earth. The implications of this event are worth pondering as we approach that date. Meanwhile the Sun is a catalyst, or key, further unlocking the Pleiadian stargate over these days when the Sun and Pleiades join together at the zenith.

Full Moon rising near Antares
May 20, Tuesday. Moon occults Antares (10 Sagittarius) visible in Eastern South America and South Africa. For those around 23 degrees latitude north or south of the Earth’s equator this is the center point of the “days of no shadows”. Plus, with the Moon occultation over Antares there are two stargates receiving important activations today. The Sun with the Pleiades (see May 19) and the Moon with Antares (See May 26, 2007 archives). This year - 2008 - we have 9 Moon occulations over Antares due to the Lunar Standstill affect still at play. Antares is a Behenian star meaning these Moon occultations provide us with direct access to the power and magic of Antares marking the Golden Gate of our Galaxy.

This quote from David N. Elkins author of The Sacred as Source of Personal Passion and Power is a great reminder about why awareness of these magical events inspires wonder and awe at this miraculous journey through life during these transformative times.

"Authentic spirituality awakens the soul, reconnects us with the sacred, and fills us with the passion of life. Spiritual development is not about religious rituals and practices; it is about waking up to the wonder of life." -- David N. Elkins

May 21, Wednesday. The Sun enters Gemini today where it remains until the June 21 Solstice activation at the Galactic Gateway. The Gemini mysteries include the art of being in the moment, spontaneous, outrageous, hilarious, and entertaining. This is the domain of the trickster who defies logic and reason, who goes beyond the ordinary boundaries of duality, who demonstrates that things are not as real as they appear, leaping empty-handed into the void knowing and totally trusting s/he has transcended the laws of duality and is now living total freedom. (See May 6 reference to the Pleiades at zero Gemini)

see caption May 22, Thursday. Tonight Mars is visible in the Beehive cluster best seen with binoculars or telescope.

The Moon moves into Capricorn and conjuncts Pluto, plus the Sun (2 Gemini) is squaring Saturn (2 Virgo) drawing our attention to our relationship with the Earth and with each other. We must wake up and remember the importance of listening to the “Circle of Grandmothers” and their ability to help guides us toward a genuinely healthy relationship with the Earth and all life.

The Moon in Capricorn and Saturn square the Sun are strongly related to the mysteries of the sacred expression of structure and form on the Earth plane. Plus the Sun and the Moon are the two most visible celestial bodies from Earth’s perspective. Ancient cultures viewed the Moon as Grandmother highly respected for her wisdom and insight. It is timely then to listen to our elders, to the Wise Women, to the Grandmothers, to that ancient and wise part that is within each of us. To help inspire this process here is part of The Grandmothers Manifesto.

We are the Grandmothers, the Keepers of the Creator's Highest Law, which is the Law of Good Relationship. We are the elder women of all cultures. Some of us have borne children, some have served the world in other ways. Having already brought forth and nurtured the younger ones and the dreams of our youth, we now hold our blood and, in so doing, carry the Wisdom of the Ages within our wombs.
We know that it is only in good relationship to ourselves, to each other, to the Mother Earth, and to the Divine which resides within all of creation that life has any value, meaning or true purpose. http://www.awakenedwoman.com/grandmothers_manifesto.htm

May 23, Friday. The North Node is nearly exactly conjunct Chiron with the exact conjunction occurring on June 2. Plus the Sun (2 Gemini) and Venus (28 Taurus) are still very closely conjunct the Pleiades. Chiron brings an opportunity for even deeper cellular healing to all that stands in the way of the fulfillment of our true divine destiny. Chiron conjunct the North Node suggests that our DNA is going through a powerful Shamanic Healing intended to support a more conscious connection to the Cosmic Overview and the massive evolutionary changes now taking place. With Sun and Venus near the Pleiadian stargate new information can be more easily encoded into our DNA as we vibrate more fully with our divine nature.

Moon near Jupiter

May 24, Saturday. The Moon is 2 degrees North of retrograde Jupiter (22 Capricorn) as they join together to expand the wisdom of the Circle of Grandmothers. The Grandmothers continue to speak through more of their manifesto.

For too many long eras of human history the voices of the women have been silenced. The wisdom of the Grandmothers is expressed in our Love for the innocents, our respect for the healing gifts of Nature, and our patience with the unfolding natural rhythms of life. Sadly, this wisdom, honed by years of experience and our womanly perspective, has long been ignored, discounted or forgotten. But we are the graduated citizens, representing the ultimate leadership and benefit to society, for our holistic intelligence has the welfare of the human community at heart. http://www.awakenedwoman.com/grandmothers_manifesto.htm

Venus moves into Gemini still conjunct the Pleiades for several more days and travels through this area of the sky until June 17. Venus is not visible now because she is so close to the Sun in her underworld journey. This also marks the half way point between Venus transits over the face of the Sun. The next one occurs on June 6, 2012. It is interesting to note that Venus is near the area of the sky where she will be in 2012. Only in 2012 she will be with the Sun in her retrograde phase rather than on the other side of the Sun in her direct phase as is currently the case.

In her underworld journey as Venus is exploring the Feminine expression of Leo in her current 584 day journey that began last August and traveling through the domain of Gemini this brings the Goddess face to face with any forgotten or denied shadow aspects of the Amazon Queen as she encounters the seemingly crazy wisdom of Gemini that goes beyond logic and reason. This playful youthful energy reminds us to have fun, to lighten up, and to remember life is not as real or as serious as it often appears.

May 25, Sunday. The Moon moves into Aquarius energizing the radical revolutionary who brings unexpected change designed to further our evolutionary experience. Plus, Mercury (22 Gemini) is stationing retrograde tomorrow morning in zodiacal alignment with fixed star Capella the 6th largest star visible from Earth. Capella is in the constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer and is one of the Stars marking the outside rim of the Sacred Hoop. Capella has associations with the goat that the Charioteer is carrying on his left shoulder, the cornucopia, “horn of plenty”, “food bearer”, and in India it was seen as the sacred “heart of Brahma”. In Akkadian it was the “messenger of light”. For some it was the “rainy goat star.” http://www.winshop.com.au/annew/alphabet1.htm

These are all powerful images to begin the Mercury retrograde that will last until June 19. Mercury will station direct on June 19 at 13 Gemini just three degrees from the royal fixed star Aldebaran the eye of the Bull. http://www.celestialtimings.com/articles/mercury_overvw_01.html

Aldebaran is a portal to the mysteries of the mind. Mercury represents the mind itself as it operates through cognition, perception and communication. Thus Mercury is retracing its steps to take a deeper look into these mysteries. The supportive energies of Aldebaran are accessed when we approach its mysteries with integrity, honor and purity of intent.

May 26, Monday. Happy Memorial Day. And Happy 18th birthday to my youngest Son, Jeremy. Venus (2 Gemini) is square Saturn (2Vigo) and Mercury (22 Gemini) and Neptune (24 Aquarius) are stationing retrograde just prior to the Moon occultation over Neptune occurring a few hours later. This occultation is visible in Northern half of Africa, Southeastern Europe, and Western Asia if you have a telescope.

Neptune has been hanging out at 24 Aquarius since April 24 and will stay at this degree until June 26 due to its retrograde station or standstill position where past and future gather in the field of all possibilities. (See Standstill info on May 9)

The Moon occultation over Neptune (19 Aquarius) energizes our dreamtime experience of the Aquarian ideals that include living freedom beyond the societal rules that seek to control, limit and restrict the human experience. Unique, innovative and ahead of its time the Aquarian energies break down old restrictive systems for the purpose of breaking through to new experiences of expanded states of awareness. This is a great time to do something completely unexpected that is intended to break up old routines and patterns and break through to new experiences of living greater freedom.

May 27, Tuesday. The Pisces Last Quarter Moon (7 Pisces 10) is illuminating opportunities for greater personal and collective healing through radical forgiveness. Pisces operates best through universal love. Healthy Pisces asks; What would love do now? This is a wonderful question to ask any time you don’t know what to do next. It is also a great question to keep in mind when you are working with an important Piscean healing tool known as Radical Forgiveness.

"Radical Forgiveness is much more than the mere letting go of the past. It is the key to creating the life that we want, and the world that we want. It is the key to our own happiness and the key to world peace. It is no longer an option. It is our destiny." ~Colin Tipping http://www.radicalforgiveness.com/

May 28, Wednesday. The North Node (21 Aquarius 30) is nearly exactly conjunct recently retrograde Chiron (21 Aquarius 09) revolutionizing the healing of any deep wounds that keep us from the experience of universal love and oneness with all life. Universal love transforms everything from the micro to macro cosmic experience. An interesting synchronicity with is in mind is that some years ago a healing energy called Deeksha was introduced to the planet assisting in accelerating our ability to physically manifest the incoming vibrational energy of Divine Grace.

Deeksha is a transfer of divine, intelligent energy creating a neurobiological shift in the brain and awakening the energy centers (Chakras) in the body. This shift in consciousness frees you from the suffering created by the mind, balances the body’s natural healthy and healing energies and attunes the brain with the fields of unity, bringing an end to the illusion of “apparent separation”.

Once initiated, it is a gradual Awakening process that leads you naturally to a lasting state of Oneness, Inner peace, and Well-being. Deeksha does not belong to any religion or belief, it is a ‘dogma free’ universal energy that can be received by anyone*, whichever path they choose to follow. It works uniquely and intelligently to connect you directly with the truth of your own being. http://www.deeksha.com/
http://www.onenessmovementdc.org/what_is_deeksha.php http://www.onenessuniversity.org http://www.onenessmovementdc.org/related_articles_index.php

If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to experience Deeksha you can Google Deeksha to see if anyone is offering it in your area.

May 29, Thursday. The Moon moves into Aries energizing the mysteries of trust, spontaneity and courage as expressed by the Warrior - Adventurer - Explorer. Spontaneous decisive action, based on trusting the-in-the-moment intuitive process for inner guidance, helps direct and support the courageous authentic actions of this timing. Aries asks "What part of the cosmic order am I committed to furthering and upholding?"

May 30, Friday. Retrograde Mercury (21 Gemini) is trine retrograde Chiron (21 Aquarius). This is a phenomenal time for taking time to ask the universe, God, Goddess, Great Spirit or the part of yourself that knows; “What’s next in healing all forms of communication with self and others?” When we intentionally ask questions answers always show up. The challenge is in asking questions that help us to grow and make better choices. If we ask what we are doing wrong in a situation the answers may be difficult or depressing. Asking what we can learn from the situation is far more helpful. Journaling around the question can provide you with surprising and often extremely helpful insights.

May 31, Saturday. The Moon moves into Taurus and is activating the Grand Trine between Saturn (2 Virgo) and Pluto (00 Capricorn 20). The strength of this timing is in tuning into exactly what you are experiencing in the moment with acceptance and forgiveness. This challenges the old Saturn form that is driven to DO and accomplish. Often this drive comes from an unconscious motivation to avoid our feelings especially the feelings or beliefs of not being good enough, inadequacy, guilt, shame and so on. The old program says hard work will pay off and you must pay your dues through you hard labor before you have value or worth. This is what drives many of us and keeps us distracted from what we are feeling because if we can DO enough and accomplish enough we will have value. Being disconnected from what we feel tends to create feelings of being scattered and internally frustrated. Taking time to allow ourselves to feel and accepting whatever it is we are feeling is the antidote.

Accepting means you allow yourself to feel whatever it is that you are feeling at that moment. It is a part of the is-ness of the Now. You can't argue with what is. Well, you can, but if you do, you suffer. Through allowing, you become what you are: vast, spacious. You become whole. You are not a fragment anymore. -Eckhart Tolle

Other Resources not already mentioned:
The Astronomical Calendar 2007 by Guy Ottewel
The Celestial Guide 2007 by Jim Maynard
Sky and Telescope Magazine January 2008 Issue
www.sky.org/skywatching
Sky and Telescope Website

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