Beltaine/May Day - May 1st
Beltaine is a pagan celebration held on May 1st. It celebrates the return of the sun and fertility. It was a time of fertility and unbridled merrymaking, when young and old would spend the night making love in the Greenwood. In the morning, they would return to the village bearing huge budding boughs of hawthorn (the may-tree) and other spring flowers with which to bedeck themselves, their families, and their houses. They would process back home, stopping at each house to leave flowers, and enjoy the best of food and drink that the home had to offer. In every village, the maypole - usually a birch or ash pole - was raised, and dancing and feasting began. Festivities were led by the May Queen and her consort, the King who was sometimes Jack-in-the-Green, or the Green Man, the old god of the wildwood. They were borne in state through the village in a cart covered with flowers and enthroned in a leafy arbor as the divine couple whose unity symbolized the sacred marriage of earth and sun.

For more information on Beltaine, please follow these links: Celtic Spirit , May Day


Cinco de Mayo - May 5th
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16.
Cinco de Mayo is a time to recognize the bravery of those who fight against oppression. Perhaps that is why this holiday is popular wherever there are people of Mexican descent.

For more information about the history of Cinco de Mayo, please follow this link, Cinco de Mayo


Mother's Day USA - May 13th 
On the second Sunday in May, American children of all ages treat their mothers to something special. It is the one day out of the year when children, young and old, try to show in a tangible way how much they appreciate their mothers.

England was one of the first countries to set aside a day to recognize mothers. In the eighteenth century when many people worked as household servants for the rich, "Mothering Sunday" was reserved for them to return home to be with their mothers. Though this custom stopped when the Industrial Revolution altered the working and living patterns of the people, one Sunday for Mothers was established as a holiday in the twentieth century.

But the origin of Mother's Day goes even further back to the era of ancient Greece and Roman times.

Click here to learn more about Mothers Day


Memorial Day - May 28th
Memorial Day began as a memorial for Civil War veterans in the United Sates. It has become both, a National Decoration Day of family graves, and the holiday that opens the summer season. It is celebrated with backyard barbecues, outdoor picnics, and parades. Most important though, it is a time to remember and honour all those, in all countries, who have given their lives and dedication in both war and peace times.

For more history on Memorial Day please visit this link: Memorial Day

May brings two major events for us to work with. The Goddess of finances and love, Venus, will begin her retrograde cycle on the 15th of May in Gemini. Venus represents love, relationships, marriage, money, the arts, and all that is beautiful and graceful. In Gemini, Venus asks us to review our ideas on these topics and to be a bit more flexible in opening to new concepts. On a spiritual level Venus and Gemini mix very well. Here is where we gain knowledge and open to healing. Venus turning retrograde will allow us to review our values and desires through the end of June. The second event occurs on May 20th when we experience a solar eclipse in Gemini. A solar eclipse asks us to to dig deep to that part of our being that allows us to see what our soul really wants us to do. 

THE SUN

The Sun has been in Taurus since April 19th and will remain there until May 20th when it starts to shift into a new sign
When the Sun is in Taurus, we are also given the strength and tenacity to follow through on all those projects that were initiated and probably deserted during that impetuous Aries Sun. Taurus may not be a time for brilliant ideas or innovation, but remember that saying about reaping and sowing! Someone's got to do the grunt work sometime -- and the Taurus Sun is that time. Tie up those loose ends! The Bull is also practical and hard working, sharpening our awareness of our needs and values and cultivating resources that will maximize the chances for material success in the future. The Bull motivates us to attain a level of very basic security, the kind of security garnered through routine and through taking things slowly

A good time for:
* Savoring rich, flavorful food
* Engaging your creative side through painting or performing music
* Taking bubble baths or enjoying other sensual pleasures 

The Sun then moves into Gemini on May 20th - 
Knowledge and diversity motivate us with the Sun in Gemini. We are more sociable, intellectual, and insatiably curious under this influence. We tend to scatter our energies as a result of this curiosity and awareness of all of our options. We are more communicative and versatile, but we can also be unreliable. Picture it as sun beams shining in many directions at once.

When the Sun is in Gemini, communication of all sorts becomes an effortless, instinctive and enjoyable activity, even for those of us who would usually feel reticent about speaking up or sharing our feelings. This Air Sign instills in us a restless energy and a thirst for new knowledge and experiences. Love initiated at this time will certainly be based on an intellectual connection; sparks will fly as freely as witticisms and ingenious ideas. While thoughts will flow easily, the Gemini Sun also brings with it a keen skepticism. This isn't cynical skepticism, though -- it's motivated by an urgent need to know the truth. The Gemini Twins are curious seekers. Gemini's influence also grants us some much-needed flexibility and a playfully realistic attitude about ourselves. Careful not to get irritable if everyone's not moving as quickly as you -- and watch for idle gossip!

A good time for:
* Getting your point across, writing letters or speaking in public
* Initiating flirtatious new friendships
* Taking short trips

 

MOON

May 5th - Full Moon In Scorpio -
The Full Moon part of the moon's cycle brings about the culmination of plans to maturity. It is also believed to be the time for ending or letting go of many situations in our lives. Intensity is what the Moon in Scorpio is all about. Whether it's passion, elation, sorrow, or desire, emotions are felt on a deeply personal level. We are motivated by the desire to get to the bottom of things, and we instinctively read between the lines. Superficiality won't work for us now. The Moon in Scorpio urges us to uncover our own power, and it's an excellent time to rid ourselves of old fears and limiting habits. It can be an intimate and passionate time. Avoid manipulative tactics, brooding, and suspiciousness.

The Moon in Scorpio generally favors the following activities: Taxes, accounting, intimacy issues, psychological examinations, research, self-examination, getting rid of old things.

May 20th - New Moon in Gemini/Annular Solar Eclipse
This can cause some confusing shifts in communication. New Moons are perfect for new beginnings. Taurus being the earthy sign that it is can motivate us through the desire for serenity, security, peace, and comfort. What is started now has staying power but remember it will take time and patience to nurture! The Moon is at her most sensual and constant in Taurus. Our basic impulses are to relax, resist change, and "stop to smell the roses". Life slows down a little, and we get comfortable. We may also be inclined to stubbornness and materialism under this influence. Deep sharing with others comes with memories that come back through the senses.

Our basic instinct is to communicate, think, and learn under the influence of Moon in Gemini. We are motivated by a desire for variety and by an instinctive curiosity. The Moon in Gemini is light-hearted, breezy, and curious, but it can also be restless and fickle.
The Moon in Gemini generally favors the following activities: Mental and communicative actions, and more than one activity at once. Reading, learning, letters and emails, errands, writing, teaching, making connections, short trips.

 

PLANETS

May 3rd – Mercury sextile Venus (Mercury in Aries/Venus in Gemini) -  
It's easy to make social connections under this transits influence so there is quite a bit of potential to benefit from social connections, diplomatic communication and receptive awareness. Bear in mind that this doesn't mean things will just fall into your lap! A certain amount of effort is still needed to make it all happen. This is also a good time for negotiating contracts and other agreements. There is also potential to appreciate and express beauty, pleasure and sensuality. It's a good opportunity as well, if there's someone in your life that you want to get closer to, to try speaking gently and listening receptively. this can be the key that opens the doors to harmonious communication. Have some creative ideas stuck in your head? This is a great transit to find a way to express these things. One thing to be aware of though is a tendency for manipulation to achieve ones goals. So keep things clear and straight and use diplomacy in dealing with any conflicts or coming to agreements.

May 5th - Mercury opposite Saturn (Mercury in Aries/Saturn in Libra) - 
Mercury's opposition to Saturn draws us to have a bit of a reality check, especially regarding areas we have been trying to avoid, or that we need to finally accept and deal with. Or, you might have to conform to the expectations of others because there's no other way around it. Or, you could find that your ability to communicate, say what you want to say, or get your point across is harder for a few days. Don't fret though, this will soon pass. This transit can also bring the opportunity to see how much you really know and how skilled you are at using the knowledge you have gained so far. Some may see that their hard work and preparation that they have done over the past several months will pay off now.  

May 8th - Mercury enters Taurus -
When Mercury is in Taurus, our thinking is down to earth, solid, and grounded. The speedy messenger finds itself slowed down by the fixed sign of Taurus allowing us to concentrate and focus on ways to put ideas on a more realistic foundation. Common sense reigns over more fanciful thinking. We communicate more deliberately under this influence, and our minds are oriented to the world of the five senses. We prefer the tried and true rather than new ways of thinking. Attention to one thing at a time can simplify our lives, but we may be in danger of narrow, overly conservative, or rigid thinking. Heart to heart talks are beneficial under this transits influences because of its down to earth, grounded energy. You will find that trying to change another's mind is a bit of a challenge however as this energy can cause one to dig in their heels if they feel pushed in a direction they are not comfortable with (Stubborn bull energy!) calm and easy going communication and action will benefit you more now that aggressiveness and force.  


May 15th - Venus Retrograde in Gemini - 
Venus's retrograde cycle will kick off a time where we will be reviewing the areas of relationships and resources. The love planet in fickle Gemini will be with us till June 27, turning back the clock on relationships as we revisit old romantic dreams and ideals. We may find ourselves drawn to reconnecting with people from the past. And this can be constructive time that helps us revise what we want and what we have learned, especially considering that making new connections will be a bit difficult at this time. We may find that others, or ourselves, are a bit unreliable and easily distracted as promises are ignored and expectations changed without notice. This is also a time where we can rediscover old pleasures, passions, and hobbies that made us feel good, things we may have let go of or put aside before now. It's important to try to avoid pinning ourselves down because this value-based planet twists tastes in a variety of directions. What and whom we like can shift with the wind, reminding us to avoid making major financial or emotional investments. Yet for those who've gone off track in their desires, Venus' retrograde period is ideal for making course corrections.

May 16th - Mars Trine Pluto (Mars in Virgo/Pluto in Capricorn) - 
Under this transit passion and purpose unite and we find we can accomplish an incredible amount of work and progress during this time. This is a good period to work on long-range plans and ambitions. Creating a plan for self-improvement is ideal and we find we have a good sense of what’s possible now, even if we know it will be a bit difficult getting there. Endurance, patience, stamina, ambition, and strategy are all the gifts of this transits energy. We seem to have a keener intuition of when to wait and when to get moving. So this is an ideal time to trust your gut feelings! We may also need an outlet to release some of this intense energy now so look to things like exercise, dancing, drumming, zumba, etc. 
 
May 16th - Mars opposition Chiron (Mars in Virgo/Chiron in Pisces)- 
Mars brings out aggression and confrontation which can feel a bit uncomfortable when it opposes Chiron, the wounded healer. You have Mars in Virgo wanting to get down to the details of getting hold of those old wounds, aggressively trying to fix things. And Chiron in Pisces, when not handled the right way, can have one holding on to and getting caught up in our pain and suffering. But we can use this transit in a positive way too. It can bring the wounded to us where we can share our experiences and gain some healing through helping others. The trick is balance that pull towards being a martyr with the confrontational energy of Mars that wants to shout "Just get over it already!?!"

May 21st - Mercury conjunct Jupiter (Both in Taurus)- 
With Mercury conjunct Jupiter we can visualize in broader terms and see the "big picture". This could be a time when you have a strong desire to verbalize your own goals and ideals. Words flow freely but be careful not to exaggerate! Travel is favored as well under this transit. Jupiter in Taurus helps us to find inspiration and Mercury in Taurus helps to set the groundwork for those inspiring ideas. We just need to be careful against rigid thinking. This is a good time to submit ideas, applications, promotional efforts, and so forth, all things equal.

May 24th - Mercury enters Gemini- 
Messenger Mercury enters talkative Gemini to double the mental energy! So it will be important to give your brain some time to turn off from time to time under this transit. Our minds are going so fast now that our hands and mouths can't keep up. And this can result in sloppy handwriting and even sloppier dialogue if we are not careful. The tendency to just blurt something out without thinking can happen more under this transit. On the upside though, this transit turns our brain into an information super highway! A great time for any project that needs attention to details to find solutions or thinking outside the box.

May 25th - Mercury square Neptune (Mercury in Gemini/Neptune in Pisces)- 
With the winged Messenger at odds with Neptune, we find we are not thinking as clearly as we would like. We are more prone to daydreaming or over fanciful meandering. It's also a time when technical facts can get glossed over so not a good time for detail oriented projects and planning. Also not a good time for making a presentation, to ask for what we want, or to formalize agreements. Following the facts, directions, or even instructions right now can be a challenge and we might even question the facts altogether or try to avoid being pinned down for answers. This is a poor time for major decision making and for signing on the dotted line.

May 28th - Mercury square Chiron (Mercury in Gemini/Chiron in Pisces)- 
Under this transit our mental alertness could be so finely tuned and precise that we can actually make things happen with our thoughts. Use this magical power with care, it's potent. Focus on what you want to heal or change in your life now and watch it manifest! 

May 30th - Mercury square Mars (Mercury in Gemini/Mars in Virgo)- 
This is a time of mental agitation. Although we are quick-witted now, we could also be ready to argue! Alternatively, we could be meeting with aggressive or critical people under this transit. This could be a time when we are working under stressful or hectic conditions, as we feel pressure to get things done quickly. We are more inclined to be snappy and irritable, and we might too easily interrupt others rather than listen. Conflicts of interest are likely to occur now. This is an unfavorable time for any kind of meeting, starting a new project, and business proposals. We can be irritable and say all the wrong things. Impulsive communications and hasty decision-making are things to watch for now. 

What to watch for next month, June 2012

June brings a lot of exciting things like the Summer Solstice, a total lunar full moon eclipse, Venus' transit across the Sun (something the Mayan's took great note of), and Jupiter entering Gemini. Saturn and Venus both turn direct towards the end of June as well!  Lot's of other major energies at play too for June but I will tell you about that next month ;)

May brings on the interesting Venus retrograde cycle that will have us reviewing key values and desires. And we have an annular solar eclipse/new moon that can bring confusing shifts in communication. 

Well my darlings, that wraps up this month's newsletter! Hope you all enjoyed it! Pass it on to anyone who may be interested! And feedback is most welcome so if there are ideas or things you would like to see in my future newsletters, let me know!

In Love & Light
Sherry (ShadowFae)

http://earthspirittarot.com