AstroSpell
by ELIZABETH HAZEL

Overview of May
Sweet Beltane, that orgy of lusty indulgence, arrives with a lucky crescent moon in her first quarter. Look into the night sky - if the dark part of the moon is visible along with the crescent, it's called "earth glow," and it is considered to be lucky to witness it. Although May 1st is the traditional date for Beltane, it's a Monday, and the planetary conditions for celebrating are actually more favorable on May 3, 4, and 5. Venus enters Aries on the 3rd, propitious for bonfires, wild drumming, and dancing.

During the second week of May, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus form an extended Grand Trine in the water-element signs, tapping into reservoirs of emotion and passion. Don't expect this to be a "peaceful, easy feeling" though, because these planets rock. This configuration generates excitement, unexpected surprises, and a few cases of knee burn.

The Full Moon in Scorpio mid-month is the Hindu holiday of Wesak, which commemorates the birth, illumination, and death of Gautama Buddha. People gather worldwide to pray for peace and the evolution of the earth. Wesak is fortified with beefy Jupiter connections: high-vibration juices will drench the devoted. The visually magnificent Moon and Jupiter combination symbolize the impregnation of Danae by Zeus disguised as a golden cloud. Consecrate, initiate, share, and fertilize under this dynamic duo.

Mercury and the Sun enter Gemini during the third week of May, and another series of favorable configurations assists the ambitious to leapfrog through levels of testing. The New Moon is on May 26th/27th, hyper-stimulating the powers of transmission and exchange. Venus boogies into her beloved sign of Taurus on Memorial Day. Flower power is at a peak; the senses of smell and touch are heightened. Stop and smell the roses!

May Highlights
May 1st (Monday): Beltane. 1st quarter Moon in Cancer. Intense emotions; desires and egos can clash. Preferable to celebrate later.
May 3: Venus enters Aries, Mercury/Pluto contact. Bonfires, drums, dancing - primitive forms of celebration.
May 4: Sun-Jupiter-Uranus configuration. Energetic and upbeat; perfect for a theatrical approach to Beltane, with medieval costumes or showy rituals. Swift luck spells, popularity spells, as well as more traditional fertility and abundance workings.
May 5: Mercury enters Taurus.
May 7: Grand Trine in Water (Mars-Jupiter-Uranus). Spells for harmony, safe travels, and spiritual growth; initiations or other celebrations that recognize graduation. Use cedar incense for growth and harmony, angelica for protection.
May 12-13: Full Moon in Scorpio (11:51 pm PDT). Wesak. The Moon conjuncts Jupiter. Spiritual power gathering, group prayers, all-day mantras for peace, and charity. Great for sex, attraction, and fertility spells.
May 19: Mercury enters Gemini.
May 21: Sun enters Gemini; Grand Trine in Water (Mars-Jupiter-Moon/Uranus). Another turbo-charged power day. Mars is aligned with Sirius the Dog Star. Spells for regeneration, fertility, and protection.
May 22: Neptune retrograde station in Aquarius.
May 26-27: New Moon in Gemini (10:26 pm PDT).
May 29: Memorial Day. Venus enters Taurus, Grand Trine (Moon-Jupiter-Uranus). Spells for garden growth; plant magical herbs, add milk to the watering can. Use green candles with cinnamon oil, and pink candles with rose/jasmine oil for abundance spells. Make spiced breads or bouquets for hostess gifts.

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Overview of June
The Sun, Mercury, Venus, and Mars engage in minor skirmishes with harsh, big-boy slow planets as June begins. These planetary spats test the easy-going arrangements initiated since April - people get to find out what others really think of them or their projects. Mix encouragement with constructive criticism, or offer the facts and keep the truth to yourself.

The second week of the month is more favorable, and the Full Moon culminates in Sagittarius. The balanced yang and yin energies set a superb stage for weddings and other large-scale celebrations.

Tempers are short and to-do lists are long during the third week of June. Mars contacts Saturn and Jupiter: megalomaniacs burst out of the closet and demand their way. Mercury in Cancer bogs down communications, requiring an extra push to initiate calm. The Uranus retrograde adds a knuckle sandwich of last-minute upsets. Psychic and emotional vampires appear en masse - set firm limits to avoid being sucked dry.
Summer Solstice is on Tuesday, June 21st, and jam-packed schedules make it a tough date to arrange group rituals. The New Moon on Saturday, June 25th, is a sweet-tempered day for coven gatherings. The Sun, Moon and Jupiter exchange loving, nurturing energies. The Sun-Jupiter trine continues until the end of the month, and brings success, recognition, family abundance, and luck during travel.

June Highlights
June 3: Mercury enters Cancer, Mars enters Leo.
June 6: Grand Trine in Air (Moon-Sun-Neptune). The waxing moon in Libra accelerates sharing and exchanges. Good for attraction and drawing spells, spells to increase sales; excellent for divination.
June 11: Full Moon in Sagittarius (11:03 am PDT/2:03 pm EDT). Excellent Sun/Neptune and Venus/Uranus contacts. Large scale events and weddings are superb. Rub a small birthday-cake candle with clover and burn down to the stub for luck. Throw ground wheat or corn meal to the winds to bring lucky messages.
June 18: Mars conjunct Saturn. Bad boy meets bad-ass daddy. Keep a low profile.
June 19: Uranus retrograde, Mars square Jupiter. Head-bangers crack skulls in the mosh pit.
June 21: Litha - Summer Solstice (5:26 a.m. PDT/8:26 am EDT). 4th quarter moon in Taurus forms a difficult T-square with Saturn/Mars and Jupiter. Solitary rites recommended: identify problem areas and concoct strategies. Write affirmations (i.e., "I conquer obstacles easily," "I meet challenges with calm confidence") and repeat aloud nine times every morning for a week.
June 23: Venus enters Gemini.
June 25: New Moon in Cancer. Sun and Moon trine Jupiter. Excellent for feasting, hosting, and sharing with family and friends.
June 28: Mercury enters Leo.
June 30: Sun trine Jupiter. Symbols of royalty and rulership. Take the four kings out of a tarot deck. Consider what these kings do to ensure the well-being of their elemental kingdoms, and apply wisdom to personal circumstances.

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Overview of July
July begins with a holiday weekend for Americans; this is a good match for the approaching Mercury retrograde, which will move backwards from Leo to Cancer. This retrograde offers a siesta from the grinding routine. Difficult aspects to this retrograde are thankfully absent, but just the same, exercise caution when driving, don't write important stuff on little pieces of paper that the pixies will steal, and don't sign any contracts.

Jupiter makes its direct station during the first week of July, still slogging through the Scorpionic swamp. Jupiter's station does improve interest in literature; with the Scorpio influence, murder mysteries and paranormal thrillers will top the beach book list.

The Full Moon makes her splash during the second week of July, and enjoys terrific vibes from Jupiter and Uranus. Mercury backs into Cancer, adding to the desire to linger in the pool or hot-tub at the end of a long summer day. Mars and Venus strike sparks as the week ends, a fine time for first dates, romantic thrills, and Green Day concerts.

The planets play Twister as the third week arrives. Venus enters Cancer, the Sun enters Leo, and Mars enters Virgo. This adjustment in elemental energies brings hints and reminders that the fun may last a little longer, but autumn is just around the corner.

The Moon fizzles and snuffs during the final week of July. The New Moon is somber and a little lonely as the pool party finally ends. Mercury goes direct - time to start planning autumn schedules. Not to worry, Venus in Cancer winds up the month with a tickle for Jupiter and a tweak for Uranus. This mischievous combination offers intriguing faces and fresh places, practical jokes, and perhaps one last open air concert as July says goodbye.

July Highlights
July 4: Mercury retrograde in Leo.
July 6: Jupiter direct station in Scorpio with Sun/Uranus. Good for forecasting and prognostication.
July 9: Venus trine Neptune. Excellent for glamour charms. Make a love-attracting talisman: place rose petals and kelp/seaweed leaves in a pink or red pouch, sprinkle with favorite perfume or floral-scented oil, and charge under the full moon.
July 10: Full Moon in Capricorn with Jupiter/Uranus contacts. Mercury backs into Cancer. Perform spells that enhance mastery of skills, or spells that favor lasting results. Also good for water and mirror scrying.
July 14: Venus/Mars and Moon/Jupiter aspects. A Friday night custom-made for romance. If looking for a new lover, put the talisman made on July 9 in your pocket and attend a gathering of friends. Intense attractions may emerge from chance meetings. Musicians and other performers will fare especially well under this combination.
July 18: Venus enters Cancer.
July 22: Sun enters Leo, Mars enters Virgo
July 23: Grand Trine in Water (Moon-Jupiter-Uranus). A lucky Saturday night, favorable for parties that bring choice networking contacts.
July 24/25: New Moon in Leo (9:31 pm PDT).
July 26: Venus trine Jupiter. Best of the best, both beneficent in aspect. Love and wealth spells well favored for success. Make a list of desires, place in a wood box and sprinkle with spices. Add a rose quartz. Leave undisturbed for a year, then see which wishes have come true.
July 27: Moon occultation of Mars. Sprinkle Four Thieves Vinegar on doors and windows to prevent theft and attacks. Make enemies unable to find you - paint a face on a round rock and blindfold it, then bury it far from your home.
July 28: Mercury direct station in Cancer.
July 30: Venus trine Uranus. Excellent for divination, try new methods or skills. Perform spells to attract a powerful totem animal or helpful guardian.

 

- ELIZABETH HAZEL is an astrologer, Tarotist, and author of Tarot Decoded. Contact her at ehazel@buckeye-express.com, or at 419-242-1696.