One of the topics that came up at a recent talk for the Fraser Valley Astrology guild was how the north and south nodes of the moon were known to carry a fairly negative impact, and that many of the mass murderers, Dictators, stalkers and other deranged types had their natal moon conjunct with either Rahu (north node) or Ketu (south node) of the moon. Now, not all people that have their moon with the nodes are affected negatively, such as Mahatma Gandhi, but it seems to bring some type of notoriety or fame into the persons life. The list is long and shocking when you look into it, as to those that have made a huge imprint on the society that have this combination. In the April Star Wise column I had said that Mars was drawing close to Pluto in the last half of the month, and that it was an  ominous combination that would bring violence etc. In ancient times the astrologers noted that the moon moved rapidly in comparison to the planets, and that each day the moon visited a different star group. The star groups were called constellations, asterisms, lunar mansions, or Nakshatras. Each Nakshatra was ruled by certain deities, some very positive, and some not so nice, and the souls that were born when the moon moved through these Nakshatras carried the impulses and influences of the gods, goddesses and other deities. One would imagine that when the moon and the nodes connected in the more negative Nakshatras that there would be some type of insanity manifesting. All this material brings me to the horrible event that took place in Toronto on April 23, at 1:05 P.M. The moon was rising with Rahu, moving through the Nakshatra called Ashlesha, all this while Mars and Pluto were in a tight conjunction. At that time Mars had very powerful status enabling his worst traits to manifest. If you google the Nakshatra, Ashlesha you will find that the Astrologers considered that this was probably the worst of the 27 Nakshatras. This astro combination was nearly a perfect storm in which this dynamic and devastating scenario manifested at the hands of a madman, maniac with no regard for human life, and has caused untold sadness and suffering. The one positive outcome of this tragedy is that it has drawn the human spirit together, and has made us pull close in order to help and support those that are suffering. We are strong and the human spirit is strong, and one day love will overcome all this negativity and suffering. The answer is to keep giving, living, loving and forgiving.

ARIES 

MARCH 21 – April 19

We’ve heard the expression, ‘measure twice, cut once’. It’s a good one for the impatient Mars /Aries types that cannot stand to be impeded in anyway, shape or form. It takes one, to know one, and I’m one, Aries that is. I bumped into a wall once and hurt my elbow. I instinctively lashed out and punched the wall. My grounded and very pragmatic Virgo Son asked, “Dad why did you do that?” I responded, feeling a bit sheepish, “it hurt me, so I hurt it”. Keep this story in mind in the first half of May, as there will be opportunities to react, lash out, peel out, freak out, and get yourself involved in accidents and incidents. So chill out dude, and you too Atilla the Huness.

TAURUS

April 20 – May 21

The Sun continues his journey through your sign until May 20, bringing his warmth, wisdom and strength your way. It’s your solar high of the year, and certainly you should be in gear, out and about doing your thing. A new start takes place on May 15 with the Taurus New Moon, plus Uranus enters Taurus the same day and sticks around for eight years. Taurus really doesn’t like a whole lot of changes unless they’re really planned out and thought out thoroughly. Well, thats not the case with revolutionary Uranus on board. It’s shift, shock, change and rearrange, and the best way to deal on it is to be open and honest with yourself as to what you truly need and want in your life. Don’t hide under the bed, as it could prove to be a truly exciting time of growth and adventure. Bring it on.

GEMINI

May 22 – June 20

Your solar high begins on May 20 as the Sun enters Gemini. It’s brings a great boost of enthusiasm, confidence and strength. Lovely Venus is in your sign until May 19, bringing her gracious and divine creative vibe your way. Spring is in the air, and hopefully a spring in your step. Compliments and innocent flirtations wing their way through the airwaves, and true love manifests for some of your lucky rascals. Put your best duds on, and apply for the position that you have been fantasizing about. With the Venus vibe around you could pull it off. At the very least, do enjoy the days, smile, give your love, and do something good for yourself, and your community.

CANCER

June 21 – July 22

It’s a mixed bag of cosmic energy for Moon Child this month. The first half of May has some frustrations, dangers and limitations to contend with. Keep the lid on, and bite your tongue, and keep in mind that a soft reply turns away wrath. If you have an agenda and a chip on your shoulder certainly someone will manifest to reflect your energy and anger. You don’t want to go down that road. On the other side of the coin, the Sun is casting a soothing and wise vibe that will help to disentangle and knots or snags. Jupiter, king of the gods also casts a special ray your way bringing grace under fire, and wisdom to boot. You have deep decisions to make regarding family, relationships, and career. Innovation and inspiration comes along as Venus visits Cancer starting June 19, and Uranus the wild card planet casts good vibes as well. Stay true to yourself, stay original and honest, and things will get worked out.

LEO

July 23 – August 22

The last half of May can be a little hairy as Mars and Uranus square off and cast their energy your way. Much depends on what you’re doing, and where you’re at, physically, psychologically, and spiritually wise. If you’ve been holed up and hiding out and resisting change then changes are going to come on pretty strong, and probably unexpectedly. Conversely if you have been desiring change and have been facing your problems squarely, and truly wanting to make a difference In the world, then your time has arrived. Weigh anchor, heave ho, mount up and head out. Gird your loins and make ready for battle, be it inwardly, spiritually or somewhere within your realm of reality. You may thrive on it, and experience some type of thraldom as you breakthrough seemingly impossible barriers. This Mars, Uranus thing is going to be on board until mid November, so roll up your sleeves, face your demons, and get on with the show. Hi ho, hi ho, its off to work I go. Or stated another way, I owe, I owe, its off to work I go.

VIRGO

August 23 – September 22

It’s green light go for the industrious Virgo. Never mind the details. Oops, sorry, you can’t say that to a Virgo, it will drive them crazy. Okay let’s break it down. The Sun travels through Taurus until May 20, another Earth sign like Virgo which is very good. So does Pluto, Uranus, Saturn, Mars and Mercury. They’re not all in Taurus, but they are all casting excellent energy your way. Jupiter, Venus and Neptune are in water signs which also harmonize with the earth signs. We don’t have a lot of space to carry on at length, but the gist of it is that there is a whole lot of cosmic cooperation going on that can be very beneficial if you capitalize on it, or not. If not then you can have a good time, and just live off of the fat, but that would be a big mistake. Get at it, get with it, and get on it, would be my advice.

LIBRA

September 23 – October 22

Lovely Venus casts her magic spell your way until May 19, bringing good times and happiness. Then the Sun takes the helm as he spends late May and most of June in Gemini which harmonizes with Libra. Mars will be in Aquarius from mid May until mid November casting another positive ray of energy and enthusiasm into the mix. This will be well needed as Saturn and Pluto are not so much in a cooperative mood and could cause some difficulties and concerns that have to be contended with. Libra is ruled by the scales, and as we can see from what is written above the planets may very well balance each other out. So you can expect business as usual, laughter and tears, joys and fears, and time marches on. Did I mention that money may come your way, or at least your earning potential is on the rise. Be wise and make it happen. Be your joyous self, and continue to grace us with your love, wisdom and divinity.

SCORPIO

October 23 – November 21

Although it’s not exactly the same, you can take some hints by reading the Leo paragraph. The Mars,Uranus square from Mid May until mid November will be ruffling the eagle’s feathers. The Eagle is one of the higher symbols that represent Scorpio and like the eagle many Scorps have long and deep perception. Expect to be a bit anxious or restless and you may not know why. A lot of Scorpios are deeply psychic and pick up on a lot of material on an unconscious level, only to realize later what the concerns were about. You’ve got that nagging feeling that your mate is cheating, or that something is going on, and you find out later that you were right on. In the mean time, it just might be you that is changing and going through changes on a deep level. Take flight, move towards the light, and in the end everything will be all right. Nothing remains the same, and we’re here to work off our old indebtedness, and now the universe is offering you the opportunity to get things right. You have great internal strength and resolve. Let’s see what you can do with it now.

SAGITTARIUS

November 22 – December 21

The areas of your solar chart pertaining to health of body, mind and soul have become active. It’s a clarion call to pay attention to what your body and spirit is saying. Sagittarius is known to be quite cavalier and to brush things off as not important. Well, you don’t want to be bitten on the bum, and it will pay dividends to pay attention to what your deep inner psyche is saying. There may not be anything wrong, and you need not look for problems, but keep six anyway. Late May through to the third week in June is your solar low of the year indicating a time to let down a bit, take some time off, and get some garden soil under your nails, or go sailing, traveling or whatever brightens your spirit.

CAPRICORN

December 22 – January 19

All the heavy weight planets, Mars, Saturn and Pluto are moving through your sign. Mars moves on mid month, but in the meantime he can give a boost of confidence and energy. Saturn is at home in his own sign, so he may be welcomed there. His energy helps you to focus and refocus on what is real and what is important. Mars gives energy and Saturn seemingly takes it away. A feeling of lethargy and limitation often accompanies Saturn transits. Possibly they will balance each other out. Pluto will be around for a while and he represents transition, regeneration and rebirthing in some way, shape or form. Venus cast her energy into your sign as she transits through Cancer in the last 10 days of May and the first half of June. She brings peace, love, and creativity onto the scene, or at least the opportunity for those types of topics to manifest. Venus also assist in helping us to understand what we truly value in life.

AQUARIUS

January 20 – February 19

Mars visits Aquarius from mid May till mid November amping up energy all kinds of ways. He will also make a square aspect with the Aquarius co-ruler Uranus which indicates that things can get shaky and dicey if you tempt fate too much. So… the best way to deal with this nitro-glycerine energy is to play it safe and stay off the cliff face, and other risky ventures. Unless of course, that’s your thing. Then go ahead and fill your pockets and get it on. On the real positive side of the coin all types of adventure and exploration can take place which as we know can be wonderfully fulfilling. You won’t be bored, you may be floored, but whatever the case certainly you will grow in wisdom from your experiences.

PISCES

February 20 – March 20

The majority of planetary energy sways in your favour in the first few weeks of May. Even after that the planetary balance is still quite positive. The co- rulers os Pisces Jupiter and Neptune form a triangle pattern that will be in play from mid May until at least mid September. This is a good harbinger of good things to come, all the more so if you are pro- active and out there making the magic happen. Late May and early June is a special time in which love can manifest all kinds of ways, along with artistic and creative inspiration. Move past the daydreaming perspective, put it in gear and let the clutch out and see where you get to.