May 2023 Newsletter
Dearest Friends
Kindly note that the days and times given below are in PDT (Pacific Daylight Saving Time, including AZ). For Rocky Mountain Time add 1. For Central Time, add 2 hours. For Eastern Standard Time, add 3 hours. For Alaskan Time, subtract 1 hour. For Hawaii-Aleutian Time, subtract 2 hours. For Greenwich, add 8 hours. For Central European time (CET) add 9 hours, for Eastern European Time (EET), add 10 hours.
MAY 2023
RUNE OF THE MONTH: Perth, the rune of “luck”. A month to take risks, try something new, take the road less traveled. If something has not been working in our lives, the time has come to go in a completely different direction. The more we listen to our inner voice, the more we shall attract wonderful events, situations and people who offer us the support we need to follow our true purpose and manifest our highest destiny. Luck doesn’t just happen to us. We happen to luck by making positive choices.
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Mercury is retrograde until 5/17 when it turns direct at 8:17 PM (5º51’ Taurus). This degree is represented by “A cantilever bridge across a deep gorge”. By mid-May we shall have revisited our values around material stability, solidity, and comfort, and feel ready to overcome even dire circumstances with the inner knowledge that no matter what abyss we have to cross, our inner strength will see us through.
On 5/1, Pluto turns retrograde at 0º22’ Aquarius until October 10 (at 27º54’ Capricorn). Its shadow period ends on February 1st 2024. The degree covered in May is represented in the Sabian Symbols by “An old adobe mission in California ”. The collapse of the old structures is afoot, but will not become completely visible until February 2024. The masses are waking up a little everywhere and starting to stand against the abuse of power of our leaders and the corruption of big corporations, but the world situation will need to get worse before it gets better.
Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio (14º58’) on Friday 5/5 at 10:34 AM. This degree is symbolized by “Children playing around five mounds of sand”. Eclipses are always turning points. The house they fall in in our natal chart (picture of the heavens based on our birth data: date, place, and time), determines which area of our lives will resolutely shift to another level. In a more general way, this eclipse requires of us to express deep emotions that have been lurking under the surface for some time. Their expression may be sudden, unexpected, and are likely to push us out of our comfort zone. The revelation of those buried feelings could be uncomfortable and lead to a whole new balance between our private and social life. It could mean the break-up of a relationship we were not anticipating, a sudden coming together that we had never imagined, a move we were not planning on, a career change, or a new light being cast on a past event revealing secrets we had no idea about. This eclipse forces us to make a sharp turn that opens a new chapter, even a new book, in our lives, in the area of our natal chart where it occurs, the consequences of which will unravel in the next few months.
Venus enters Cancer on 5/7 until June 6. We shall be focusing on emotional safety, our connection to home and family. This is a wonderful time to beautify our surroundings, invite our loved ones over, cook together, draw, adopt a pet, consider having a child, or move in with our partner. A sense of coziness, warmth, and comfort permeates the atmosphere. We are more sensitive, caring, emotional, and romantic than usual.
Jupiter enters Taurus on 5/16 at 10:20 AM until May 25, 2024. This peaceful influence encourages us to focus on our well-being, heal, spend time in Nature, and honor Mother Earth. Planting fruit trees, creating a herb garden, growing vegetables are all activities in alignment with this very prosperous transit. Money is rightfully valued and becomes more solid. We are willing to work hard to secure the comfort we need, and invest in a financial future that also benefits the environment.
Mars enters Leo on 5/20 at 8:31 AM till July 10, 2023. Leo natives, as well as those whose Ascendant is in Leo, are favored during this period. This is an excellent period to initiate playful activities with children, engage in creative endeavors, or join a theater group. We may become more dynamic, even maybe a little aggressive in our pursuit of romance. Our sex drive is likely to be intensified. However, we should beware of impulsive financial investments and stay away from gambling.
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The Moon will be Void of Course (V/O –forming no major aspect with any planet before entering the following sign-):
On Monday 5/1 between 4:53 PM and 11:09 PM: when the Moon enters Libra.
On Thursday 5/4 between 2:17 AM and 7:32 AM: when the Moon enters Scorpio.
On Saturday 5/6 between 7:38 AM and 1:04 PM: when the Moon enters Sagittarius.
On Monday 5/8 between 1:28 PM and 4:33 PM: when the Moon enters Capricorn.
On Wednesday 5/10 between 4:52 PM and 7:05 PM: when the Moon enters Aquarius.
On Friday 5/12 between 8:15 PM and 9:39 PM: when the Moon enters Pisces.
From Sunday 5/14 at 7:56 PM till Monday 5/15 at 12:56 AM: when the Moon enters Aries.
On Wednesday 5/17 between 2:10 AM and 5:28 AM: when the Moon enters Taurus.
On Friday 5/19 between 10:51 AM and 11:48 AM: when the Moon enters Gemini.
On Sunday 5/21 between 3:12 PM and 8:28 PM: when the Moon enters Cancer.
On Wednesday 5/24 between 2:12 AM and 7:35 AM: when the Moon enters Leo.
From Thursday 5/25 at 11:38 PM till Friday 5/26 at 8:05 PM: when the Moon enters Virgo.
On Monday 5/29 between 2:46 AM and 7:51 AM: when the Moon enters Libra.
On Wednesday 5/31 between 7:53 AM and 4:45 PM: when the Moon enters Scorpio.
Mark these periods in red in your calendar and avoid scheduling anything of importance during these times as they would amount to… NO thing!
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Scheduling our activities using the zodiacal position of the Moon
Moon in Virgo until Monday 5/1 at 11:08 PM + between Friday 5/26 at 8:05 PM and Monday 5/29 at 7:50 AM: Excellent for starting a new fitness program, learning, healthy nutrition, fasting, clearing our closets, cleaning our home, reorganizing our drawers…. Perfect also for detailed work, the focused use of our intelligence, and taking care of small pets….
Moon in Libra between Monday 5/1 at 11:09 PM and Thursday 5/4 at 7:31 AM + between Monday 5/29 at 7:51 AM and Wednesday 5/31 at 4:44 PM: Great for relationships, associations, diplomatic exchanges with others, anything related to beauty (a haircut, buying new clothes, a make-over…), art (especially painting and decorating…), a pleasant social event (concert, art exhibition…).
Moon in Scorpio between Thursday 5/4 at 7:32 AM and Saturday 5/6 at 1:03 PM + between Wednesday 5/31 at 4:45 PM and Friday 6/2 at 10:02 PM : Perfect for scientific research, esoteric studies, self-transformation, shamanism, dealing with the mysteries of life, death, and sexuality, as well as insurances and issues involving personal power.
Moon in Sagittarius between Saturday 5/6 at 1:04 PM and Monday 5/8 at 4:32 PM: Perfect for traveling, religious and/or philosophical activities or matters related to higher education and the law. Excellent for lecturing, learning, perfecting a foreign language, exploring other cultures… Perfect also for athletic training and tending to large animals (horses….).
Moon in Capricorn between Monday 5/8 at 4:33 PM and Wednesday 5/10 at 7:04 PM: Good for furthering our ambitions, asking for a promotion, enlisting the support of people in positions of authority, making a good impression, re-structuring our business, and redefining our long-term goals…
Moon in Aquarius between Wednesday 5/10 at 7:05 PM and Friday 5/12 at 9:38 PM: Perfect for philanthropic activities, charitable organizations, meeting with friends, making new acquaintances. Good also for inventions, far out, progressive ideas, inter-dimensional and time travel, anything related to UFOs, computers, and technology in general….
Moon in Pisces between Friday 5/12 at 9:39 PM and Monday 5/15 at 12:55 AM: Great for meditating, sitting by the ocean, anything related to the sacred, dancing, painting, swimming, dreaming, music, photography, film, sleeping, channeling, connecting with the mystical, the magic and the oneness of all that is…
Moon in Aries between Monday 5/15 at 12:56 AM and Wednesday 5/17 at 5:27 AM: Perfect for intense physical activities, anything requiring forceful, direct action and self-assertion. Good also for leadership, spontaneity, good will, being a way shower, initiating new projects or bringing our car to the mechanic….
Moon in Taurus between Wednesday 5/17 at 5:28 AM and Friday 5/19 at 11:47 AM: Perfect for any financial matter: paying our bills/debts, asking for the money that is owed to us, opening a bank account, investing in real estate, buying, and selling. Perfect also for a stroll in the park, going to the countryside, connecting with our Mother the Earth… Good also for gardening, pottery, sculpting, as well as bodywork…
Moon in Gemini between Friday 5/19 at 11:48 AM and Sunday 5/21 at 8:27 PM: Excellent for multi-tasking, curiosity, any form of communication, exchanging information, sending e-mails, calling friends and acquaintances. Great also for social activities, attending conferences, reading a book, watching a documentary, gathering data on various topics, connecting with new people….
Moon in Cancer between Sunday 5/21 at 8:28 PM and Wednesday 5/24 at 7:34 AM: Perfect for family activities, especially those involving children. Good for spending more time at home, cooking, nurturing ourselves and those we love, inviting the people we cherish over for dinner. Excellent also for drawing, creative writing, humor, and anything requiring imagination and a touch of craziness….
Moon in Leo between Wednesday 5/24 at 7:35 AM and Friday 5/26 at 8:04 PM: Excellent for anything glamorous, dramatic performances, being in the public’s eye, throwing or attending an elegant party, playing with children, romance, and creativity in general…
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This month’s intentional meditation starts on Friday 5/5. Let us take out as many blank sheets of paper as we have intentions and place them near a window, on a balcony or in a garden so that they basked in the light of the Full Moon in Scorpio (Lunar Eclipse) at exactly 10:34 AM. Once that moment passes, let us gather our Full Moon charged blank sheets and place them in a folder.
On Friday 5/19, take out your blank full moon charged papers and write on each a concise, positive intention. Place them on a balcony, in a garden or near a window so that they are out by exactly 8:53 AM for the New Moon in Taurus. Once that moment has passed, staple them together and put them away in a folder expecting the manifestation of all your dreams….
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Monday 5/1: Sun Conjunct Mercury (4:28 PM)
A mentally active day. Excellent for any kind of straight forward communication, writing e-mails, making phone calls, selling, trading, trying something new, and meeting people casually.
Thursday 5/4: Venus Square Neptune (10:40 AM), Venus Sextile Jupiter (9:03 PM)
Today, we could be both too exuberant and overly trusting. A relationship which seems to be made in heaven, could be evasive, filled with deceit, lies, and subtle manipulations. As long as we stay anchored in common sense, keep our enthusiasm and generosity within healthy boundaries, and don’t go overboard in indulging in pleasures, this is a good day for love. Artists may find it quite inspiring.
Friday 5/5: Lunar Eclipse in Scorpio (10:34 AM)
Kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Sunday 5/7: Venus enters Cancer (7:25 AM) until June 6
Kindly refer the opening paragraph.
Tuesday 5/9: Sun Conjunct Uranus (12:56 PM)
A day to expect the unexpected. Plans may change suddenly. Unusual events are likely to occur. Unforeseen doors open. Unorthodox people cross our path. We seek freedom, independence, and could be more erratic and detached than usual.
Friday 5/12: Mercury Sextile Saturn (1:42 AM), Mercury Sextile Venus (7:44 PM), Venus Trine Saturn (11:57 PM)
Perfect for clearing our desk of backlogged work. Anything we had kept postponing, today, we address efficiently. Facing our responsibilities, organizing, making plans, enjoying the advice of older, wiser people, are all favored. Our seriousness of purpose, our commitment and dedication to our relationships, and our ability to smooth differences out with kindness and understanding, help make this day socially very rewarding. Excellent for starting a romance grounded in reality, moving in together or getting married. Very good also for stabilizing our finances, paying our debts off or opening a savings account.
Sunday 5/14: Mercury turns direct (8:17 PM)
Today, there may still be some miscommunications, lost keys, forgotten appointments or missed flights, but tomorrow, all will be back to normal.
Monday 5/15: Mars Trine Neptune (6:44 AM)
Excellent for a mini vacation. We are easy going and contemplative. Artistic people are stimulating. Our imagination and our sensitivity are heightened. We are likely to seek relaxing pleasures and are drawn to the ocean.
Tuesday 5/16: Jupiter enters Taurus (10:20 AM) till May 2024
Kindly refer to the opening paragraph.
Wednesday 5/17: Jupiter Square Pluto (6:11 PM)
One of the most challenging aspects of this whole year. The time has come to face, and completely eliminate, an element in our life that had been disruptive for a while. It may be a job, our living circumstances, or a relationship. Especially if it was affecting our self-confidence or our peace of mind, it has to go. If peaceful negotiations do not do the trick, a clear ultimatum may be in order. Manipulations and religious dogma could present a danger. In the face of people stuck in extreme positions, it is important that we remain cheerfully optimistic, generous, and tolerant without compromising our own beliefs.
Thursday 5/18: Sun Sextile Neptune (2:00 AM), Mercury Sextile Saturn (11:40 PM)
A day of enhanced creativity. We feel inspired and with focused, practical work, are able to give a concrete form to our imagination. We envision practical, yet unusual solutions to the situations we find ourselves in, are sensitive, compassionate, intuitive, as well as grounded and focused. A great day to start writing a novel, designing a website, or creating art.
Saturday 5/20: Mars enters Leo (8:31 AM), Mars Opposition Pluto (8:12 PM)
Regarding Mars in Leo, kindly refer to the opening paragraph. Today, more specifically, we could feel ready to push forward but somehow meet with some resistance. Despite being passionate about what we want, forcing issues is not advised. We should also be careful while driving, and beware of people quick to anger or prone to violence, as tempers are likely to flare up without much notice.
Sunday 5/21: Sun enters Gemini (12:09 AM) till June 21, Sun Trine Pluto (6:58 AM), Sun Sextile Mars (10:57 PM)
During the coming month, we are more versatile, curious, and communicative. Excellent for studying, traveling, and socializing. We may be somewhat scattered. Our nervous energy could be a little high, but if we manage to remain balanced, this can be a very exciting month during which many new intellectual doors open. Today, more specifically, our charisma and will power are intensified. We have the courage and the energy to move ahead with our plans, and act in pioneering ways. Our leadership abilities are high. We are optimistic. A great day for launching a project requiring drive and stamina. Excellent also for a dynamic athletic activity or starting a new fitness program.
Monday 5/22: Mars Square Jupiter (10:13 PM)
Moderation in pleasure, sports, expression of our beliefs, and finances is an absolute necessity. We could squander money on items we later regret or were vastly overpriced, or get into accidents that could easily have been avoided. Legal actions are unlikely to turn in our favor. Gambling is not advised. Best to postpone a long-distance trip.
Friday 5/26: Venus Sextile Uranus (12:37 AM)
A day of stimulating social encounters with unusual people who walk to the sound of their own drum. We are likely to be more flirtatious than usual. An unexpected romance based in friendship and respecting our independence, could bloom today. Our esthetic tastes are more eclectic. A sudden financial windfall could give us more freedom.
Sunday 5/28: Sun Square Saturn (3:46 AM)
We could feel rather depressed and unsupported. Obstacles delay our plans and test our patience. Our workload increases. Our responsibilities feel heavy. Social interactions tend to be formal, tedious, or boring. Our authority is likely to be challenged by lower rank people. A day to lay low, focus on what needs to be done, and remain as practical and self-sufficient as possible.
Wishing you a powerful month of May!
In Loving Light.
Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.
Astrologer, Shaman, International Conference Speaker
Author of Astrology for Enlightenment (Atria Books, Simon & Schuster)
Founder of the Online Llankay, Munay, Yachay School of Shamanic Studies
www.facebook.com/ michelleKaren8867
www.youtube.com/c/MichelleKarenAstrologerShaman
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