First Quarter Square and

Spirng Blooms                                                          Catherine Al-Meten

When we are not sure where the road will lead, we sometimes simply need to stop along the way, and get some perspective before we move forward. This week may be such a time for many of us. And no matter how complicated, busy, or overwhelming life may seem sometimes, remember the word from the childhood stories of Winnie the Pooh: 

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” 

 On Tuesday May 6, 2014 at 11:15 P.M. EDT/8:26 PDT. the first quarter square occurs with  the  Moon in Taurus and the Sun in Leo. In the aftermath of the Grand Cardinal Cross at the Full Moon in Taurus on April 29, this lunar aspect  finds us looking back over what has transpired.  First quarter squares are times when the first signs of what is happening with what we  set into motion at the New Moon a week ago. The New Moon in Taurus coincided with the Grand Cardinal Cross and the Solar eclipse, and this past couple of weeks may have  erupted like a tornado in our lives. 

We have all crossed over the threshold onto a new path, and for some, what happened last week brought the urgency for change full force upon us. Surprising, sometimes upsetting, and often shocking reminders of what needed to be eliminated in our lives in order for us to move forward. Over the last few years, we have been moving with surprising swiftness through unconscious material, and deep-seated issues that had been clouding judgment, controlling outcomes, and creating energy blocks in many areas of our lives. When we fail to heed the call to clear up, clean up, and walk away from stifling and unhealthy situations, we find we have to be removed from those situations or be  shocked into understanding why those  conditions, situations, relationships, or beliefs are no longer viable.  

For some, particularly those who had suffered great losses but had learned from the loss the gifts that were to come out of transformation, this period of time was somewhat anticlimactic. Had you made great changes in your life, relationships, attitudes, general sense of self regard, and intentions, you may not have noticed much outer change. Most of us, however, did feel a surging of new energy welling up in our lives, often experienced through creative and artistic expression. Those who were able to channel the energy of the Grand Cardinal Cross into life-affirming, creative ways, probably felt this was a very productive time.  Depending upon where the aspects manifested, it has been and will continue to be, a time when new doors open, new ways of approaching relationships, and innovative and artistic ways of viewing our life purpose have been released. 

Some may feel, as I have noticed, that it is far more difficult to hang onto old patterns, beliefs, rationales, excuses, or ‘the same old story’ stories. We can no longer even function on that level, and feel the immediate drain of energy if we enter into that realm or meet up with someone who is till circling the drain trying to hold onto some long gone reality.  It’s harder to see through that lens anymore. We can be compassionate, but feel less and less empathetic. We may struggle with tolerance and acceptance, or if we’re fortunate, find that we have accepted the new facts of life-we are not responsible for fixing anyone but ourselves. “This above all-To thine own self be true, and it follows as the night the day, thous canst then  be false to any man [anyone]” (Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Polonium’ advice to his son, Lertes upon leaving home to seek his fortune). Whether or not the changes have been drastic and marked, or subtle and just below the surface, something has changed that sets the tone for the future.

On May 2, Mercury’s opposition to Saturn, allowed us to process what has happened, and helped us integrate the lessons of this drastic change into our lives. We seem to have little time or energy to mourn what’s gone, but instead feel grounded where we are, gaining perspective and balance as we are poised on the edge of a new precipice of change. As I write this column, Venus is leaving the soothing, romantic, nebulous realm of Pisces and entering the fiery zone of Aries. Passions, love, lust, and action combine in new starts and in setting off powerful changes around how we express those passions. The Moon remains in Cancer until tomorrow (Monday, May 5) mid-morning to mid-day, when it enters Leo, the sign that rules this New Moon. 

Today, Sunday May 4,  lunar aspects set off some light transmissions. In the middle of the night/just past dawn, depending where you live, the Moon in Cancer squared off against Uranus in Aries. Emotional sparks may have been evident in the early hours of the day, perhaps a rude awakening or nightmare just before waking.  Later in the day, the Moon forms a conjunction with Jupiter in Cancer, then two trines with Chiron and then Saturn. The conjunction puts us emotionally in touch with the good fortune and the blessings around us-provided we are willing to acknowledge what blessings we have been given. Sometimes what we feared or lost, ended up to have opened a door for something better than we could have imagined. What kinds of blessings may you have been overlooking? This aspect awakens us to that sense of plenty. The trines open doors first for healing over and through past wounds, and second in understanding the lessons that have helped us grow.

The Moon in Cancer seisquiquadrate Neptune in Pisces late at night, may create a sense of tension or edginess-have we done what needed doing, completed a task correctly, or come to an understanding we need to heal? These question and others like them, may be triggered on an emotional level. Rather than allowing these thoughts to disturb our sleep and rest, write them down as issues to be examined, later. Then set them aside, knowing if they need to be answered, they will be. Over the course of the night your dreams, consciousness, or both may work to reveal what you need to know. 

On Monday, May 5, Mercury forms a seisquiquadrate to Mars bringing whatever questions we had to the surface and into conversations that fly and flow through all forms of communication. The energy from this aspect may make us feel edgy, disagreeable, or act or speak with a sense of urgency that is wholly inappropriate. Take your time, pace yourself, and be very selective and considerate with how you choose to  act, respond, handle tough situations, or make decisions. This is not a great time to be impulsive. Just before or after midday, the Moon enters Leo. The Moon is Void-of-Course from early morning until the afternoon, so this is a time to hold back, avoid confrontations and conflicts, and be careful and cautious if we need to be focusing on details. 

Tuesday, May 6. During the night/early morning hours, The Sun in Taurus sextile Jupiter in Cancer increases our sense of good will, hope, optimism, and receptiveness to our highest good. This is a good time for communications, negotiations, and decision making, particularly around the issues dealing with the houses/part of your life where the Sun and Jupiter are currently transiting. We are feeling more at home in our own skin, and seeing where our worth, intentions, values, and gifts fit into the larger scheme of life. We get a glimpse, if we hadn’t before, of where we are headed, and in  the potential for fulfillment, success, achievement, and the unravelling of mysteries of the mind and soul journey we are on.

Later, the Moon in Leo trines Uranus in Aries, setting off an emotional charge and connection that brings ideas, inspiration, communication, and meaning deep into our core being. 

Also on Tuesday, Mercury, the planet of the messenger and of communications, in Gemini forms a seisquiquadrate to Pluto, the Great Transformer. Doubts, fears, and untested and untried relationships may cause us to question and mistrust some of what we hear, see, and sense.  Levels of trust are at issue, and sometimes that simply means we are too tired to see what’s really happening. In order to fully comprehend an issue at this time, it is necessary to investigate thoroughly, pay attention to whatever is setting of stress, and listen to your intuition, gut reactions, and mental red flags. Avoid giving in to pressure, and get plenty of rest. Nothing is that urgent that it can’t wait for a clearer picture to emerge. When we are triggered by Saturn to slow down, let ideas sink in, and pay attention to what is beneath the surface, it is best to listen. The presence of Mercury means that though we feel a need to find out, we can moderate our responses now. 

On Wednesday, in the middle of the night, Mercury in the last degrees of Taurus forms a semi-square to Uranus in Aries.  The Sun in Taurus is also sextile Chiron in Pisces on Wednesday. We seek and find a connection to our greater purpose. We stop trying to figure out how to get ‘there’ and instead are able to connect how what we are doing where we are is leading us toward our mission. With this awareness, we are open to learn, grow, and heal. We are willing to put aside our need to be right or in charge, and allow ourselves to flow more freely in the boat we’re paddling. This frees energy to allow us to solve some problems that have been weighing us down, or unravel a mystery we couldn’t understand. When Mercury enters Gemini, our minds seem to become more active than ever, and the need to discern and ground our ideas is needed as well.

Thursday, Mercury semi-square Jupiter (late night Wednesday/early morning Thursday), we may be bombarded with what seems like insight. Because the energy is so scattered however, it may feel more like we’re being filled with too much information. This exhausting flow of energy may make it harder to focus or pay attention to details. It may also make us feel confused and consequently, frustrated in our efforts to think clearly. Since this restlessness may occur in the middle of the night, it might be good to do some stress-relieving practices to help yourself calm down and release the need to analyze or sort through all that is flowing into you now. 

On Saturday, the Sun in Taurus is in opposition to Saturn in Scorpio. Saturn’s wet blanket of reality-based reminders, may dampen our enthusiasm and zeal for life today. When the Sun (our desire to act and create) opposes Saturn, the Great Teacher, we are reminded of all we don’t know, and all that we need to learn. The heaviness of this aspect may make us feel somewhat like we are plodding through molasses-our confidence is shaken, our outlook is less than optimistic, and our perceptions are colored by Saturn’s big picture outlook. There’s always going to be more to do or handle or understand than we are capable of doing. Use your best spiritual practices and other healthy outlets to release yourself from the Saturn-based doubts, fears, obligations, loads, and burdens that you may feel you are carrying.  Get enough rest. Connect with the beauty of the earth. Take care of one tiny piece of life at a time, and live with the reality of the undone, unfinished, and unknown. Make some type of peace with uncertainty and any sense of doubt over your own capacity to live a fulfilling, creative, rich life. Avoid taking on all the issues of a lifetime in a single day! Find something constructive to do, take a nap, go out to dinner, walk along the beach or river, or mow the lawn. Do now what takes your mind off the big picture and puts it squarely in the mindful task before you. Bite into an apple and savor each taste. Life is better than you think it is. 

Sometimes the best advice we can give is that which a friend has shared with us at a hard place on the road. So here it is. In the immortal words of A.A. Milne’s conversation between Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh, “If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

For more about what is happening in the night sky, visit this National Geographic website.