Alacazem 2011.05.12

12 May Alacazem 2011.05.12

May 12 to 19, 2011
Visible Planets: Morning: Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter 
Evening: Saturn

Aries Courage & Will + Taurus Earth Beauty and Bounty

The recent alignment of personal planets Mercury (mind), Venus (love & money), Mars (motive and ego) with generous Jupiter (beliefs and spirit) and revolutionary Uranus (freedom and liberation) in primal Aries (attention ME!) has given us all a series of lightening-bolt jolts and radical new awakenings via our personal and collective relationships and experiences. And yet, it all comes down and back to – guess who? Me, myself and I. No matter what we do or where we go, we are the center of our own personal universe, viewing life from our own perspective, filtering events through our own optical lens and physical, emotional senses. People and planets rotate around us, throwing rocks or tossing treats our way, appearing and disappearing like ships in a proverbial storm. Sometimes, we can see them coming a long way off. Others times, they pop up suddenly, “out of the blue.” Amidst the chaos, drama, beauty, grace, trauma, joy and mystery of life, we are and will always be our own unique and individual selves, captive souls in physical bodies, ethereal spirits in material realities, living and breathing in the here and now.

A cluster of planets traveling in close proximity to each other through the tropical zodiac tends to constellate energies that feel out-of-balance, overwhelming and intense. Our lives seem to have some sort of recurring focus – an issue, a person, a situation – that simply demands attention and can no longer be ignored. It’s somewhat like a firing squad showering us with cosmic bullets from the make and model and of the tropical sign through which the planets travel. And recently, Aries, the first sign of the tropical zodiac and natural year, has been that sign.

Ruled by Mars – the ancient god of war – Aries calls us to battle, asks us to fight for our rights and do whatever it takes to fulfill our desires. It’s the energy of pursuit, predator and prey; the king or queen of swords, the courageous warrior and the primal will to survive. Five of ten planets in this sign provide a huge tailwind for breaking free from the past and discovering new ways to solve old problems. Aries is fire, cardinal and masculine; it needs to move forward, to continually break new ground. Behaviors or practices that were formerly tolerable are now totally unacceptable. Big breakthroughs are possible, as well as big breakdowns. There is only one way out, and that is forward, not back.

Sound radical and revolutionary? Wild and raucous? Imperative and impatient? It’s simply time to wake up and get going, stop waiting for something or someone to change, take personal initiative and go forth. And this week, with Mercury, Venus and Mars all moving in to neighboring Taurus, the flavor of the angst will mollify, impulse and anger will calm, intensity lessen and reaction decrease. The upcoming Taurus/Scorpio Full Moon on May 17th illuminates value and stability, patience and reality, personal responsibility and material security. We can take our hot, new Aries awareness and move forward with the solid strength and practical effort of Taurus.

Good luck and may the courage of the warrior and the bounty, beauty and fertility of the Mother Earth be with you.

Aries (Mar. 20-Apr.19)
Mercury, Venus and Mars (mind, love and motive) – the planets of personal impact and import – move from Aries into Taurus this week, shifting gears, calming hearts and changing perspectives. Take a deep breath and center yourself in the here and now. A practical, realistic approach works best. Manage time and money with caution and care.

Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20)
Happy birthdays continue as several personal planets move from Aries to Taurus and you are somehow the center of attention and the life of the party. You may not have consciously signed up for what you get this week, but forces beyond your control have placed you there. Accept the gift of life in all its mysterious grandeur and experience grace.

Gemini (May 21-June 21)
Aries is the pioneer and Taurus is the settler. As planetary impetus shifts this week from initiative to substantive, take time to slow down, count your blessings and touch the earth. Guardian angels protect and divine will directs. Surrender to what is; accept what comes as necessary and true to where you are today. Focus on and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
The Taurus/Scorpio full Moon takes the powerful initiating energy of the May 3rd New Moon and grounds it in the here and now. Inner fires and passionate desires evolve toward the practical and realistic. Take a good look around your heart and home. Touch the earth and turn the soil. Feel the hope and inspiration of Mother Nature. Surround yourself with good.

Leo (July 23-Aug.22)
You may feel a shifting shape of energy and will as several personal planets change signs and the Moon grows full. Suddenly you feel the pressure of setting goals and making decisions. What you once found exciting and desirous may have lost its luster or appears too difficult to achieve. Take your time, relax and take it easy. The solutions will come.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep.22)
The recent Taurus New Moon highlighted outdated attitudes and dysfunctional behaviors toward money and material resources. A new global era dictates a more frugal, practical and respectful approach to our physical world. Recycle, recover and refurbish, it’s time to use and take care of what you already have. Kiss the Mother Earth and follow your heart.

Libra (Sep. 23-Oct.22)
The rather stressful balancing act you’ve been a party to over the last several weeks has peaked and is now in decline. Many important challenges and lessons have awakened and enlightened you, however, pulling and pushing you into brave new frontiers of soul and spirit. Cultivate inner peace and proceed with calm tranquility. Keep the faith.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22)
The annual Taurus/Scorpio full Moon marks a fruition and illumination of sorts regarding your most important one-to-one relationships. You can see clearly now just who is who and what is what where others are concerned. Reco
gnize the extreme power of your part in your pairings. Silence is often golden and listening is the magic key to communication.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 20)
Self-improvement is the name of the game this week and you will become even more aware of what you need to do to play it well. Rather than beat yourself up over what you haven’t done, focus on what you are doing now to be happier and healthier. Practice is something we do daily, hourly and by the minute. Remember, it’s practice and progress, not perfection.

Capricorn (Dec. 21-Jan. 19)
The white-hot heat of the Aries fires cools a bit this week as the earth-centered energy of Taurus dampens flames and calms inner conflagrations. Anger dissipates and impulsive reactions disappear as you feel more grounded, calm and accepting of what is. Suddenly, you see the natural world as phenomenally beautiful, loving and healing. Embrace it.

Aquarius (Jan. 19-Feb. 18)
While workloads may suddenly increase and you find yourself challenged to get it all done, recognize the power of now. Relax in your busy-ness and approach it with a one-thing-at-a-time attitude. Make lists, organize spaces and revel in the joys of accomplishment. This is a time for creating structure via goal setting, patience and perseverance. Good luck!

Pisces (Feb. 18-Mar. 20)
Calm, patient communication (listen rather than talk) is the golden key to opening those golden doors of love, peace and happiness. As a spiritual seeker in this lifetime, you are hunting the mysterious and divine. Traveling a road of humility, compassion and personal responsibility takes you to the magical lands of gratitude and grace. Happy trails!

Cynthia is a third generation astrologer living in the high mountain desert of the American Southwest. Visit her website @ www.alacazem.com.