The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.) are thrilled 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 magical month of May opens with a powerfully invocative Balsamic Moon and a fabulous 6-planet stellum in Aries, the sign of innovation and pioneering action. Great works will be realized and many wonders will be revealed in this Moon cycle.
As the Sun moves through Venus ruled Taurus, Nature flourishes and the Spring tide crests. Venus is empowered now to bring love and harmony to the world. With the Venus/Mars conjunction May 23-25 many new couples who have a role to play in this new cycle will be meeting and coming together.
May begins on Walpurgis Night/May Eve with bells, women dancing with ankle bells and spoons beating pots to chase out demons. These practices help clear the way for the May Day Gate of Inspiration. Psychic shadows show up just before the Gate to be cleared. As shadow patterns are broken, energy is freed for a new creation. May Eve/May 1 is a super magical Gate of Inspiration. Dancing clockwise around a May Pole or Liberty Tree now sets our soul free, brings us joy and helps realize our destiny.
Beltane (“bright fire”) festivities culminates on May 5, the Spring cross-quarter day when the Sun crosses the Taurus midpoint, the power gate of the earth element. Ritual passage 3 times between twin fires (2 candles will do) clears astral shadows of disease so health, physical and psychic, will be insured for people, pets and livestock. Bel, the Sun spirit (or soul) now enters into the fullness of this auspicious Spring, brimming with potential to realize dreams.
Other cosmic highlights this month include a fortunate conjunction of Venus and Jupiter on May 11. This cosmic pairing signals the coming together of a number of dyad relationships that are instrumental in creating a new Heaven on Earth. The May 4-17 waxing Moon brings opportunities for success and personal fulfillment in extraordinary ways. Many consider the May 17 Wesak Full Moon the year’s most powerful.
May is the month of Maia, mother of Mercury. 2011 is a year of Mercury, the inner ruler and guide of Aries, the sign of Initiation. The New Mercury that began in Aries April 9 brings a new mindset for this new time. May 9 Mercury leaves its retrograde “shadow loop” striking out to go where no one has gone before. Exciting breakthroughs in global communication come now along with inventions that will revolutionize the global economic, political and cultural order. Mercury rising before the Sun is “Mercury Prometheus” bringing new fire to mortals. This Aries Mercury cycle favors all new enterprises moving forward. New Mercury magic is cooking up. Gaia is awakening.
May 1 – Dance Free, Open to Receive: May Day Gate of Inspiration
May Day brings in new light, dancing around a Maypole sets the soul free. Clio “the Proclaimer” is the May Day Muse. Clio holds the scroll of fame and fortune; those who gain her favor become stars. Whatever inhibits inspiration comes up now to be cleared. Releasing tension now frees energy for new creation.
May 4-8 – A Time to Sow: Crescent New Moon
This Moon tide energizes whatever it touches; it is the time to bring forward what is to be realized. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing and prayers bring blessings through the lunar cycle.
May 5 (exact 4:25PM) – A Time of Fruitfulness: Beltane Cross Quarter Day/Cinco de Mayo
The Beltane celebration culminates May 5 when bonfires light the night. Beltane focuses earth energy, and Beltane fires fix the vital spirit in earth and stone fertilizing natural growth.
May 5-6 (4:06AM 5/5 -7:27PM 5/6) – Open-Minded/Ready for Change: Moon Out of Bounds North
New ideas are successfully shared now. This is a good time to start a new business, have a special social gathering, share opportunities, make announcements and bring new discoveries to light.
May 8 – Honoring the Divine Source of All Life: Mother’s Day
May is the month of Maia/Mary, the World Mother. Today we honor and celebrate our mother and other mothers throughout the world.
May 9 – It’s a New World!: Mercury Out of Shadow
Venus aligns with Mercury just as the winged messenger completes the “shadow loop” path covered during Mercury retrograde. Now it’s time to strike out into new territory: a new world awaits us. Mercury is the Hierophant guiding our way and bridging between the worlds.
May 10-11 (8:05AM 5/11) – Time to Choose: 1st Quarter Moon
This Moon is like a scythe cutting across the sky. It’s time to cut free from the trappings of the past and affirm our purpose moving forward. Choices made now are likely to be the right ones. As we breathe and focus on the light within we power our dreams to be realized.
May 12 (11:55AM – 8:17 PM) – Meditate: Moon at the Equator South
Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times ideal for creative visualization. 0 Point South is ‘The Sunset’, a time to connect in and seed the new cycle.
May 17 (exact 7:09AM) – Illumination: Wesak Full Moon
The Buddha was 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 Wesak Full Moon. Those who are in meditation at that time may receive revelations from the Buddha. Spiritual energies flow strongly for 3 days following Full Moon. Revelations come in dreams, chance encounters and flashes of inspiration. This is the peak of the 2-month “higher interlude”, the most creative period of the year.
May 18-19 (2:27AM 5/18 – 12:43PM 5/19) – Moon Out of Bounds South
As the Moon “rides low” below the zodiac our inner world is illuminated. Outmoded patterns of belief and behavior are revealed and can more easily be let go. This is a time to go below the surface, do original research, change habits and renovate our inner world.
May 24-25 (exact 2:52PM 5/24) – Realizing Dreams: 3rd Quarter Moon
This Moon cuts away all that distracts from putting our dreams into action. 3rd Quarter Moon integrates new ideas into creative expression It’s time to follow our bliss and do what feels good in concert with the whole.
May 25- 26 (2:56PM 5/25 – 4:07AM 5/26) – Imagine!: Moon at the Equator/Zero Point North
Lunar 0 Points are cosmic balance times for creative imagination. Moon at the Equator going North is a time to envision what we wish to be.
May 29-31 – Make A Wish!: Balsamic Moon
Needs felt now invoke response from the new lunar cycle. Feeling invokes healing as we feel we heal. The deeper we feel the more Moon magic is invoked for this new cycle. Venus rising with The Balsamic Moon calls forth new creative artistry and new love.
Bright Blessings & Happy New Creations! 🙂
Steve Nelson and The Shift Doctors (Tracy Latz, M.D. & Marion Ross, Ph.D.)
-Steve Nelson ( www.gaiaastrology.com ) 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 the following email: stevenelson@carolinarr.com
*Check out The Shift Doctors’ books at the Amazon link by clicking here and the Meditation CDs at the digstation link by clicking here
This is great. I do follow astrology and have found that when the moon is in a certain element that it some choices are better than others to take on. For example Aries moon is when I want to jump start a passionate project, and Moon in Cancer is when I take care of more family needs and spend nurturing time at home.