May 2015 Newsletter
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The New Moon on May 4 falls in Scorpio and marks the annual Festival of the Buddha, also known as Wesak. This is a time for reflection, especially regards our spiritual path and this is highlighted by this year’s second retrograde cycle of Mercury, emphasized by the fact that it takes place in the Mercury ruled sign of Gemini.
The 21st International FAA Astrology Conference will be held in Sydney over the 2016 Australia Day week-end. There are many speakers from both Australia and overseas –myself included – so please check out the link below for more information.
Blessings
Christine Rothwell
0438 730 133
Email: christinerothwell@outlook.com
Website: www.christine-rothwell.com
All dates and times are for Australian Eastern Time. The month starts with Jupiter and Saturn retrograde while Pluto joins them on April 17.
The Full Moon of May 4 falls at 13 degrees of Scorpio, exactly opposite the Sun at 13 degrees of Taurus. The Scorpio Full Moon on May 15 is also the annual Festival of the Buddha, known as WESAK. It honours both the physical birth of the Buddha and his spiritual birth or enlightenment. In esoteric literature Wesak is the time when the Buddha returns to remind us of the possibility of our awakening or enlightenment. It is a time to refocus on our spiritual lives and look at what needs to be released or let go, so we can become more compassionate and awakened. The days either side of Wesak are potent times for inner work, reflection, meditation and letting go.
The Full Moon in Scorpio is asking us to face emotional blocks to intimacy and sharing in both our personal relationships and on a global level. The Scorpio Moon is both emotionally intense and fearful of rejection and can prefer solitude to risking the pain of intimacy and possible loss. This conflict can lead to times of deep grief and loneliness, whether we are in a relationship or not.
The opposition from the Moon in Scorpio to the Sun in Taurus asks us to balance our needs to have and accumulate [Taurus] with our need to share and let go [Scorpio]. Jupiter squares both the Sun in Taurus and the Moon in Scorpio which may also provide some much needed optimism, but can also expand or intensify our current state of mind … positive or negative, personally & collectively. Beware of over-reacting and over committing yourself at this time too.
The New Moon on May 18 falls at 26 degrees of Taurus, with Mars conjunct the Sun and Moon and Saturn opposite them both. Saturn is coming to make its closest approach to Mother Earth for the year, so its energy will be particularly potent in this New Moon chart.
The New Moon in Taurus puts the spotlight on the Taurean part of all of us and highlights our values and security as well as our relationship with the physical, material and financial realms. The conjunction with Mars suggests both the drive to achieve these things and the possibility of conflict and aggression if we push too hard while. The opposition from Saturn can highlight what is lacking, showing the glass half empty rather than the glass half full. Saturn always calls us to ‘get real’ and take responsibility. With Saturn opposite the Sun, Moon and Mars it may be that the challenge comes from outside in the form of restricting events or perhaps criticism from others. See the information below on Saturn’s opposition to the Sun on May 23 for more information.
Mercury moves retrograde on May 19, its second retrograde cycle for 2015. This cycle takes place in the sign of Gemini, highlighting the process of communication. Section two outlines this retrograde cycle in more depth.
Saturn opposes the Sun on May 23, marking Saturn’s closest position to Earth for 2015. The annual opposition between these two planets always take place at the midpoint of Saturn’s retrograde phase and emphasizes the need to attend to the Saturnian task of responsible action. Saturn calls us to ‘get real’ …to re-evaluate and re-structure, especially in the house where Saturn is transiting in our chart. Often Saturn highlights what is not working in order to prompt us to act. With Saturn opposing the Sun [and also Mars] we may experience Saturn’s limitations as externally imposed either through restrictions on our actions or criticism. If this happens, try not to get lost in blame, anger or the recriminations and the self-destructive internal dialogue that Saturn can often activate; see it instead as a message from your Higher Self that you need to DO something differently …a call to constructive action. It may be a call to assert yourself or try a different approach.
Mercury Retrograde
Mercury enters the retrograde loop around May 4, the precursor to turning retrograde on May 19. Mercury’s retrograde phase always heralds a new Mercury cycle that will begin when Mercury conjuncts the Sun on May 31. This retrograde process takes place in the signs of Gemini, the sign that is ruled by Mercury, creating a sort of ‘double whammy’ as we are all challenged to focus on all the Mercury and Gemini realms – especially our communication and thinking. So much of what we think, what we say and how we say it, is habitual; this retrograde cycle may highlight some of these habitual patterns and give us the opportunity to see whether they are congruent with the person we are now, or wish to be.
Please be aware that the retrograde phenomenon is activated from the time that Mercury enters the loop to the time that it leaves: May 4 to June 27. The most chaotic times are when Mercury stations – around May 19 and June 12.
Key dates / degrees
During 2015 the three Mercury retrograde take place in air signs: Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. Air signs are connected to the mind and the thinking and relating functions. This suggests that the three Mercury retrograde periods this year will ask us to review our thinking processes as well as our social life and social connections. We may find ourselves reflecting on how our mind works and the beliefs and attitudes that we hold that we may have outgrown. The retrograde cycles always give us the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. If we can remain conscious of our thoughts/ words / beliefs, we can experience shifts in awareness that can stay with us after Mercury has moved direct.
The houses where Mercury retrogrades will also be a focus of the process of review and reflection and we may find ourselves taking a new perspective on our thinking in these areas of life.
The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review … a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.
This is also a time when normal communications can go haywire and things often don’t run to plan. Remember to be patient, maintain your sense of humour, CHECK ALL PLANS, BACK UP YOUR DATA AND DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY IF THINGS GO WRONG!
Currently Mercury is still visible in the evening sky but he will disappear for about two weeks when he is lost in the blaze of the Sun from around May 24 to re-appear in the sky just before sunrise around June 6. In esoteric terms this is the most intense and powerful part of the retrograde process as this when Mercury assumes his alter ego as Psychopomp and Guide to the Underworld. In this role Mercury is associated with the Egyptian scribe Thoth, who has access to the Halls of Record [Akashic records]. It is during this phase that we may have our most powerful insights and shifts, peaking around May 31 when the new cycle begins. Esoteric writers suggest that the retrograde phase of Mercury creates an opening that allows access to the wisdom of our soul and the wisdom of the Cosmos.
Remember, Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs. Concerns may arise early in the retrograde phase but around the time the new cycle begins on May 31 when new solutions and insight may emerge. Sit with your insights until after June 12 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action.
May the Goddess & God Bless You All
Christine
www.christine-rothwell.com
christinerothwell@outlook.com
The New Moon on May 4 falls in Scorpio and marks the annual Festival of the Buddha, also known as Wesak. This is a time for reflection, especially regards our spiritual path and this is highlighted by this year’s second retrograde cycle of Mercury, emphasized by the fact that it takes place in the Mercury ruled sign of Gemini.
The 21st International FAA Astrology Conference will be held in Sydney over the 2016 Australia Day week-end. There are many speakers from both Australia and overseas –myself included – so please check out the link below for more information.
Blessings
Christine Rothwell
0438 730 133
Email: christinerothwell@outlook.com
Website: www.christine-rothwell.com
All dates and times are for Australian Eastern Time. The month starts with Jupiter and Saturn retrograde while Pluto joins them on April 17.
- April 4: Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse in Libra
- April 9: Jupiter direct
- April 12: Venus to Gemini
- April 14: Mercury to Taurus
- April 17: Pluto retrograde
- April 19: New Moon in Aries
- April 20: Sun to Taurus
The Full Moon of May 4 falls at 13 degrees of Scorpio, exactly opposite the Sun at 13 degrees of Taurus. The Scorpio Full Moon on May 15 is also the annual Festival of the Buddha, known as WESAK. It honours both the physical birth of the Buddha and his spiritual birth or enlightenment. In esoteric literature Wesak is the time when the Buddha returns to remind us of the possibility of our awakening or enlightenment. It is a time to refocus on our spiritual lives and look at what needs to be released or let go, so we can become more compassionate and awakened. The days either side of Wesak are potent times for inner work, reflection, meditation and letting go.
The Full Moon in Scorpio is asking us to face emotional blocks to intimacy and sharing in both our personal relationships and on a global level. The Scorpio Moon is both emotionally intense and fearful of rejection and can prefer solitude to risking the pain of intimacy and possible loss. This conflict can lead to times of deep grief and loneliness, whether we are in a relationship or not.
The opposition from the Moon in Scorpio to the Sun in Taurus asks us to balance our needs to have and accumulate [Taurus] with our need to share and let go [Scorpio]. Jupiter squares both the Sun in Taurus and the Moon in Scorpio which may also provide some much needed optimism, but can also expand or intensify our current state of mind … positive or negative, personally & collectively. Beware of over-reacting and over committing yourself at this time too.
The New Moon on May 18 falls at 26 degrees of Taurus, with Mars conjunct the Sun and Moon and Saturn opposite them both. Saturn is coming to make its closest approach to Mother Earth for the year, so its energy will be particularly potent in this New Moon chart.
The New Moon in Taurus puts the spotlight on the Taurean part of all of us and highlights our values and security as well as our relationship with the physical, material and financial realms. The conjunction with Mars suggests both the drive to achieve these things and the possibility of conflict and aggression if we push too hard while. The opposition from Saturn can highlight what is lacking, showing the glass half empty rather than the glass half full. Saturn always calls us to ‘get real’ and take responsibility. With Saturn opposite the Sun, Moon and Mars it may be that the challenge comes from outside in the form of restricting events or perhaps criticism from others. See the information below on Saturn’s opposition to the Sun on May 23 for more information.
Mercury moves retrograde on May 19, its second retrograde cycle for 2015. This cycle takes place in the sign of Gemini, highlighting the process of communication. Section two outlines this retrograde cycle in more depth.
Saturn opposes the Sun on May 23, marking Saturn’s closest position to Earth for 2015. The annual opposition between these two planets always take place at the midpoint of Saturn’s retrograde phase and emphasizes the need to attend to the Saturnian task of responsible action. Saturn calls us to ‘get real’ …to re-evaluate and re-structure, especially in the house where Saturn is transiting in our chart. Often Saturn highlights what is not working in order to prompt us to act. With Saturn opposing the Sun [and also Mars] we may experience Saturn’s limitations as externally imposed either through restrictions on our actions or criticism. If this happens, try not to get lost in blame, anger or the recriminations and the self-destructive internal dialogue that Saturn can often activate; see it instead as a message from your Higher Self that you need to DO something differently …a call to constructive action. It may be a call to assert yourself or try a different approach.
Mercury Retrograde
Mercury enters the retrograde loop around May 4, the precursor to turning retrograde on May 19. Mercury’s retrograde phase always heralds a new Mercury cycle that will begin when Mercury conjuncts the Sun on May 31. This retrograde process takes place in the signs of Gemini, the sign that is ruled by Mercury, creating a sort of ‘double whammy’ as we are all challenged to focus on all the Mercury and Gemini realms – especially our communication and thinking. So much of what we think, what we say and how we say it, is habitual; this retrograde cycle may highlight some of these habitual patterns and give us the opportunity to see whether they are congruent with the person we are now, or wish to be.
Please be aware that the retrograde phenomenon is activated from the time that Mercury enters the loop to the time that it leaves: May 4 to June 27. The most chaotic times are when Mercury stations – around May 19 and June 12.
Key dates / degrees
- Exact dates: retrograde from May 19 to June 12
- Sensitive degrees: 4 to 13 Gemini
- Full time of influence: May 4 to June 27
- Time for insight: around May 31 when the new Mercury cycle begins
- Time to act on new ideas / beliefs: June 12 to 27.
During 2015 the three Mercury retrograde take place in air signs: Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. Air signs are connected to the mind and the thinking and relating functions. This suggests that the three Mercury retrograde periods this year will ask us to review our thinking processes as well as our social life and social connections. We may find ourselves reflecting on how our mind works and the beliefs and attitudes that we hold that we may have outgrown. The retrograde cycles always give us the opportunity to see things from a different perspective. If we can remain conscious of our thoughts/ words / beliefs, we can experience shifts in awareness that can stay with us after Mercury has moved direct.
The houses where Mercury retrogrades will also be a focus of the process of review and reflection and we may find ourselves taking a new perspective on our thinking in these areas of life.
The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review … a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.
This is also a time when normal communications can go haywire and things often don’t run to plan. Remember to be patient, maintain your sense of humour, CHECK ALL PLANS, BACK UP YOUR DATA AND DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY IF THINGS GO WRONG!
Currently Mercury is still visible in the evening sky but he will disappear for about two weeks when he is lost in the blaze of the Sun from around May 24 to re-appear in the sky just before sunrise around June 6. In esoteric terms this is the most intense and powerful part of the retrograde process as this when Mercury assumes his alter ego as Psychopomp and Guide to the Underworld. In this role Mercury is associated with the Egyptian scribe Thoth, who has access to the Halls of Record [Akashic records]. It is during this phase that we may have our most powerful insights and shifts, peaking around May 31 when the new cycle begins. Esoteric writers suggest that the retrograde phase of Mercury creates an opening that allows access to the wisdom of our soul and the wisdom of the Cosmos.
Remember, Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs. Concerns may arise early in the retrograde phase but around the time the new cycle begins on May 31 when new solutions and insight may emerge. Sit with your insights until after June 12 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action.
May the Goddess & God Bless You All
Christine
www.christine-rothwell.com
christinerothwell@outlook.com
2015 Astrology Classes
…are enrolling now.
First Year/ Beginner’s - Thursday nights
Second Year / Intermediate – Tuesday nights
Advanced Group - one Saturday afternoon a month
Christine offers an in-depth psychological and mythological approach to astrology. These classes are suitable for those individuals who are wishing to learn more about themselves as well as those interested in becoming a professional astrologer. Classes can be taken on a term by term basis and sound files are provided for any classes you miss.
Students with some background in Astrology are welcome to join in the Second and Third Year classes.
First Year covers all the basics that you need to begin to understand a birth chart.
Second Year goes deeper into horoscope and looks at predictive techniques.
Third Year gives you the opportunity to integrate what you have learned through a tutorial and experiential format.
Please ring or email for a brochure and let me know the level you are interested in
christinerothwell@outlook.com
or
www.christine-rothwell.com
for more information
Consultations & Gift Certificates
Are available as:
Personal Consultations
Mail readings [recorded onto a CD]
Skype Readings [recorded]
Telephone consultations [recorded].
Prices available on the web-site at http://www.christine-rothwell.com/astrology-classes.html
Gift Certificates are available for most consultations.
AN INITIAL CONSULTATION explores the soul’s journey as revealed through the personal symbol of the birth chart. The focus is on the potential inherent in the birth chart and the challenges that need to be embraced in order to realize this potential.
Other readings available include:
In-depth Consultation: Two one hour CD’s exploring both the soul’s journey [see above] and the year ahead.
Chart Up-date: The Year Ahead: Explores the year ahead from a psychological perspective.
Understanding Your Child: A wonderful gift for new parents and explores a child’s unique needs, motivations, potentials and challenges.
Relationship Analysis: Helps explain the dynamic between two people to facilitate their understanding of each other and them selves.
Relocation: Explains how a different location may impact on your psyche. This can be helpful if you are thinking of re-locating and can be included with any of the above consultations.
…are enrolling now.
First Year/ Beginner’s - Thursday nights
Second Year / Intermediate – Tuesday nights
Advanced Group - one Saturday afternoon a month
Christine offers an in-depth psychological and mythological approach to astrology. These classes are suitable for those individuals who are wishing to learn more about themselves as well as those interested in becoming a professional astrologer. Classes can be taken on a term by term basis and sound files are provided for any classes you miss.
Students with some background in Astrology are welcome to join in the Second and Third Year classes.
First Year covers all the basics that you need to begin to understand a birth chart.
Second Year goes deeper into horoscope and looks at predictive techniques.
Third Year gives you the opportunity to integrate what you have learned through a tutorial and experiential format.
Please ring or email for a brochure and let me know the level you are interested in
christinerothwell@outlook.com
or
www.christine-rothwell.com
for more information
Consultations & Gift Certificates
Are available as:
Personal Consultations
Mail readings [recorded onto a CD]
Skype Readings [recorded]
Telephone consultations [recorded].
Prices available on the web-site at http://www.christine-rothwell.com/astrology-classes.html
Gift Certificates are available for most consultations.
AN INITIAL CONSULTATION explores the soul’s journey as revealed through the personal symbol of the birth chart. The focus is on the potential inherent in the birth chart and the challenges that need to be embraced in order to realize this potential.
Other readings available include:
In-depth Consultation: Two one hour CD’s exploring both the soul’s journey [see above] and the year ahead.
Chart Up-date: The Year Ahead: Explores the year ahead from a psychological perspective.
Understanding Your Child: A wonderful gift for new parents and explores a child’s unique needs, motivations, potentials and challenges.
Relationship Analysis: Helps explain the dynamic between two people to facilitate their understanding of each other and them selves.
Relocation: Explains how a different location may impact on your psyche. This can be helpful if you are thinking of re-locating and can be included with any of the above consultations.