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May/June 2007 Starscope
AstroMark
Let's Pick Up the Pace!

by Mark Dodich

Mark Dodich

Take a deep breath and put your mind at ease. The planetary forecast for May and June is considerably easier than has been the case so far this year. This easing up doesn't translate into kicking back and getting lazy. It's quite the opposite.

Action planet Mars moves through impatient Aries from May 15 to June 24. This energy lights a fire under you to propel you into high gear. You need to get physical under this athletic combination: dance, hike, do yoga - just get into movement.

A pattern is forming in the sky called a Grand Fire Trine from June 4 to 11. Ambitious Mars in pioneering Aries, expansive Jupiter in adventure-seeking Sagittarius, and serious Saturn in heart-warming Leo create a large triangle around the earth to help you put your plans into action.

Initiate projects in early June that stimulate your passions and creativity. It is easy to get in the flow of activities that speak to your spirit under this triangular stimulation.

The flip side is also true. If you are participating in activities that are dull or do not spark your enthusiasm, then those projects will feel like drudgery or fall to the back burner of your life.

All of this hurry-up action is highlighted with the Blue Moon on May 31. A Blue Moon is the rare second full moon in a month. Although no one really knows where the term began, common myth suggests that the moon turned bluish after the massive eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in 1883.

This special full moon activates the signs of Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo and Pisces. Known as the mutable signs, you must practice flexibility and adaptability in the month that follows. Combine higher philosophy, good communication, service and simplicity, and intuitive insight to make the most of this cycle.

Just as you are beginning to overload from all this fiery stimulation, communications planet Mercury turns retrograde on June 15. Take advantage of this communications breakdown cycle by taking a break.

Instead of becoming frustrated by the normal schedule changes and bad timing associated with this mental meltdown cycle, do something nurturing just for you. This normally intellectual planet appears to move backwards in the emotionally supportive sign of Cancer.

Regardless of the zodiac sun sign at your birth, everyone must stop their busy lives in order to do some self-care. Sneak away to a spa, send the kids to camp, turn off the telephone/computer for a day or soak in a hot tub. Take time just for you.

Although this mental rebalancing act with the emotions completes the three-week cycle on July 9, Mercury retrograde is part of the three-month chart cast for Summer Solstice.

The solstice is exactly at 11:07 a.m. PST on June 21. The strongest elements for the summer are water and fire. Think about the nature of these elements - both can spread destructively without proper boundaries. To avoid your life becoming like a flood or forest fire, personal life management is required this summer.

If there is something you would like to accomplish over the summer, then you must make a plan and work the plan. Fire and water energies can put their passionate creativity into great productivity when they create goals and deadlines.

Of course, it is summer and you may want to let life come at you as it will. You can choose to bounce through the coming summer like a pinball caroming around the playing field, or you can focus on accomplishing specific goals. Whatever your choice, do make time for fun this summer because taskmaster Saturn will be active in the fall.