The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are thrilled once again to have our good friend and guest blogger Steve Nelson return to share his wisdom. Steve is an astrologer who follows a Jungian mythological tradition. He was raised by a part Cherokee shaman Aunt Maude who learned much of her lore from Molly Runningwolf, the mother of Amanita Sequoyah, the last Cherokee medicine man officially recognized by the Eastern Tribe. Steve’s Indian name is Steven Red Wolf, his lineage is of the wolf clan, one of the 7 tribal groups of the Cherokee. Steve follows many of the Cherokee traditions especially as these relate to celebrations, the use of ritual fire and star lore. For more information about Steve Nelson see www.GaiaAstrology.com
This merry month of May brings many blessings. Psychic shadows come before the May Muse Gate to be transformed. As shadow patterns are broken, energy is set free for new creation. Celebration is key to transformation. Beltane festivities culminate on May 5, the mid-Taurus solar gate when the Sun spirit Bel unites with the Earth Spirit. The midpoint of each season focuses energy for the next. Creative ideas and dreams fertilized at Beltane bear fruit through the Summer to be. This year May 5th is also Wesak, the Sun in Taurus Full Moon. Wesak celebrates the birth, enlightenment and annual return of the Buddha. It marks the peak of the 2-month “higher interlude” or Springtide, the most creative period of the year.
Venus continues Out of Bounds above the zodiac all month working her magic from on high. In this evening star phase of her cycle, Venus is empowered to clear from the world all that stands in the way of natural grace and divine order, prosperity and Love.
The Gemini solar eclipse on May 20 releases the magic of the Pleiades to liberate the world. The global liberation begun in the Arab Spring and continuing through the Occupy Movement will bring dramatic results in the 10 months that follow this solar eclipse. This Saros cycle 14 eclipse favors revolutionary new ideas with commercial success. Breakthroughs in science and communications will transform the global economic and cultural order.
Shavuot/Pentecost Sunday, May 27 brings enlightenment to all who ascend a mountain to receive the new fire of inspiration. Understanding grows until we come to know and live our destined way to create a New World.
Walpurgis Night/ May Day Gate of Inspiration, Apr 30 – May 1
On May Eve, women dance with bells on their ankles and beat pots with wooden spoons to chase out shades of the old world. Such practices clear the way for the new world to be. May Day brings new light and revolutionary fervor to realize our dreams. In colonial America the Maypole became the Liberty Tree. Dancing clockwise around a pole or tree sets the soul free to realize destiny. A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 each year. Whatever blocks creative flow comes before the Gate to be let go. This is a time to dissolve body tensions that hold outmoded ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply, move freely, dance! Shed the old, open anew. Happy May Day! See our previous post on Gates of Inspiration!
Wesak Full Moon, May 4-7 (exact 11:35 pm edt May 5) – Illuminate
The Buddha is said to have been born, achieved enlightenment and left earthly incarnation under the Wesak (Sun in Taurus) Full Moon. Followers of this tradition also believe the Buddha returns each year for 8 minutes at the time of this Full Moon. Those who wish can attend the Wesak celebration in meditation to receive revelations from the Buddha. Each Full Moon is a time for revelation and opportunity for healing body, mind and soul. Meditation, deep breathing, music and dance help open to receive. Spiritual energies flow strongly for 3 days following the Full Moon. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. Stay tuned.
Beltane Cross-Quarter Day / Cinqo de Mayo, May 5 – Celebrate!
The Beltane celebration culminates May 5 when bonfires light the night. Beltane fires fix the vital spirit in earth and stone fertilizing natural growth. People and animals pass three times between twin fires (2 candles will do) to clear away astral shadows so the Sun spirit Bel can enter into the fullness of Spring. “This was the time of fruitfulness, and time to plant. During Beltane (May 1-5) the Druids performed magical rites to encourage the growth of cattle and crops, and honored Belinus, their Sun god. Dancing was done in Sunwise direction, and torches were carried around the fields following the Sun’s path.” – Of Ritual Fire and Feasting, Victoria Williams
3rd Quarter Moon, May 12-13 (exact 5:47 pm 5/13) – Realize Dreams
This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting dreams into action. The 3rd Quarter integrates new ideas into creative expression; it’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.
Mother’s Day, May 13 – Honor the Divine Source of Life
May is the month of Maia/Mary, the World Mother. Today we honor and celebrate our mother, mothers of the world, and the mother within us all.
Balsamic Moon, May 15-18 – Make a Wish!
This is the Wishing Moon, the best time to put wishes on the air. It is also called the Witches Moon, a time to bring to mind those who need healing.
Feeling invokes healing, the deeper we feel, the deeper we heal. The deeper we feel, the more Moon magic is invoked for this new cycle. Shadows that appear before the New Moon can be cleared through deep breathing with attention to the light within. See the wee waning Moon rising before the Sun.
Dark of Moon/New Moon/Solar Eclipse, May 19-21 – Go Within
The day before the New Moon until Sunset a day after is ideal for psychic and physical house clearing to make way for the new cycle; outer activity is favored when the crescent appears. This New Moon/Solar Eclipse (exact 7:47 pm edt 5/20) is a cosmic spring that flows freely as we slow down. This is when mystics descend to drink from the magic well within. An eclipse is Mother Nature’s most powerful editing tool. When an eclipse occurs above, outmoded patterns get eclipsed here below. This eclipse begins a month of transformation with some major breakdowns and many wonderful breakthroughs. As old patterns break, new worlds emerge.
Crescent New Moon, May 22-26 – Sow New Seeds
This Moon tide energizes whatever it touches; it is the time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds after the crescent appears (Sunset May 21) when seeds become fertile on every level. New beginnings are favored. Seeds sown in our inner garden will flourish through this lunar cycle. Moon magic is strongest from Sunset to Moonset when the New Moon shines through the 7th House. Meditation opens doorways, wishes take wing and prayers bring blessings through the lunar cycle.
1st Quarter Moon, May 27-29 (exact 4:16 pm edt 5/28) – Choose
This Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky; it’s time to cut free the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. Sacred to the Druids, this lunar phase is pivotal in the cycle of creation. Choices made now are likely to be the right ones. Breathing deeply through the light of the crown frees energy flow up and down to power our dreams to be realized.
Bright Blessings to you on your New Creations this Springtime! 🙂
Steve Nelson, Mythic Astrologer with The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)
***Steve Nelson is a professional astrologer who uses Tarot, name analysis, and traditional astrology to help clients understand personal myths and realize natural abilities. He can be reached at www.gaiaastrology.com
*****The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are available for keynote talks, classes, events or for seminars (1/2 day or up to 2 day) on personal transformation, team-building, motivation, anger management, intuitive development, or collaboration for private groups, conferences, corporations or corporate events. Contact them at info@shiftyourlife.com or find out more about them at www.shiftyourlife.com