The Low-Down on the Far-Out

Solar Eclipse in Taurus, Planetary Transits

May.09 – SOLAR ECLIPSE ~ NEW MOON in TAURUS (19:31 of Taurus)

If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.
~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Taurus: it's what you got.

It's your stuff. The stuff you buy, the stuff you sell, the stuff you collect.

Good stuff, bad stuff, free stuff and priceless stuff.

You can strut your stuff, like Taurus-Rising Mae West. But if you're too arrogant about it, you're seen as Mr. Big Stuff ("who do you think you are"). If you're haughty or rigid, you're a stuffed shirt. Or, you could be warm and fuzzy, like a stuffed toy.

You can accumulate knowledge, skills and other cool stuff, or stuff your head with stuff and nonsense.

You might revel in luscious food and drink, stuff your face and then feel like a stuffed turkey.

Stuff happens. And when the stuff hits the fan, you'd better get out of the way. "Stuff" is often interchangeable with....well, you know what comes out of a bull. ;‑)

You need the right stuff to make something work: talent, skill, knowledge, training, resources. And when it does work, it can be powerful stuff. But if you don't really know your stuff, sooner or later people will know you're full of bullstuff.

Above all, Taurus says: don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all small stuff.

Funny thing how it is. If a man owns a little property, that property is him, it's part of him, and it's like him. If he owns property only so he can walk on it and handle it and be sad when it isn't doing well, and feel fine when the rain falls on it, that property is him, and some way he's bigger because he owns it. Even if he isn't successful he's big with his property. That is so.

But let a man get property he doesn't see, or can't take time to get his fingers in, or can't be there to walk on it - why, then the property is the man. He can't do what he wants, he can't think what he wants. The property is the man, stronger than he is. And he is small, not big. Only his possessions are big - and he's the servant of his property. That is so, too.
~ John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath

Taurus is also about ownership. What does it mean to "own" something?

To own something is to take possession. You call it your own; it becomes part of who you are—a part of who you are. You are what you do, think, feel and have. It becomes the stuff you're made of. And with Taurus' love of good food, you definitely are what you eat!

Ideally, you own it – it doesn't own you. Otherwise you become possessed by it, by your desire for it, by your pursuit of it and by the importance you give it in your life. You can own or be owned.

Someone who owns is bigger than what they have dominion over. When you own your desire—for food or clothes or money or stuff—you can stop when you have enough. Someone who cannot stop is owned by their desire. To own something is to be in charge of it, yes, but more importantly it means you're in charge of the part of you that wants it or needs it. You can decide about it, including the decision to do without it.

So: what exactly is enough? It's almost never just about the stuff you're going after, but about what the stuff represents to you. What is it in you that longs to be fulfilled when "enough" is reached? The answer may be different than you think.

For what are you possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?
~ Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

The quest for wealth, for example, may start out as the need to have "enough" to live on, to live comfortably and even to have some put away for future needs. But if the hunger is still there even after that goal has been reached, then there is probably something else that's driving that need or desire. Think about it: how much money does one person really need? Even if you are responsible for taking care of others and therefore your need is more, there's still a limit to how much is truly enough.

If you keep pushing back the finish line as you approach it, afraid you don't have enough yet, then you need to ask yourself why. Did you miscalculate how much "enough" would be? Did the situation change how much "enough" is? Otherwise, perhaps there is something else driving your quest other than the thing you are questing after.

At its most disconnected extreme, we often call it greed or obsession. At a certain level, it may be a lust for power, since excessive abundance of something can give you power over others who have less of it and need more. But we are complicated creatures, and cut-and-dried labels usually oversimplify a much deeper and more complex layer of truth.

For example, obsessive greed for wealth might be driven by a past experience of not having enough. Fear of returning to that state could drive us to accumulate more and more. It doesn't even have to be something from our own past, if our family experienced serious injustice related to poverty in the distant past. Fear of falling back into that place of powerlessness and lack could be passed down from generation to generation, where we continue to act it out without even realizing it. It would be camouflaged very effectively because it would just "feel normal."

The thing is: if we don't ever address the underlying reasons (in the example, the fear of poverty and all that it entails), it doesn't much matter how much money we have—it will never be enough. As long as we believe that only money will fill that void, no amount of savings, investments or insurance will ever feel like it is bigger than that bottomless pit where our fear resides.

Freeing yourself was one thing,
claiming ownership of that freed self was another.
~ Toni Morrison, Beloved

At this New Moon in Taurus, the concept of "enough," and how we define it and why, are very important. This New Moon is also a Solar Eclipse, so the work we do at this time around those concepts will have far reaching effects and implications.

Let's start with the Stellium in Taurus: Mars, Mercury, Sun and Moon, all cozying up within about 5 degrees. And we'll throw the South Lunar Node in there just for fun, since that's what makes this New Moon a Solar Eclipse.

All those planets in Taurus can be a blessing or an obstacle, depending on how you work with it. Taurus is an Earth sign, so it's important that you work with Taurus issues in a practical, realistic way, and preferably slowly, patiently and methodically. Sudden change is not something Taurus enjoys very much, and Taurus has a high priority of wanting to enjoy life!

Taurus is also a Fixed sign, which is kind of what it sounds like. You ever tried to push a cow? Solid, grounded, contentedly chewing on grass out in the pasture—she ain't goin' nowhere! The more you push, the more she's likely to slowly look back at you as if to say, "Dude, you're doing this why...?" Either that or she could give you a swift kick, like she would whisk away flies with her tail. No sense getting all stirred up if the problem can be taken care of simply, with a minimum of effort.

So, as a Fixed sign, when Taurus is in her tranquil, relaxed, couch potato mode, she's not going to want to get up and at 'em without a pretty good reason. Conversely, once she's mooooving, she's likely to stay in motion until there's a reason to stop. After all, in the name of practical efficiency she might as well get other stuff done while she's at it, right?

We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled.
The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over
and let the beautiful stuff out.
~ Ray Bradbury

Mars in Taurus will not be happy about this tortoise approach. Mars wants to do things quickly, directly or abruptly. This slow gradual pace makes him feel like he's running through molasses or maybe drunk on some really expensive wine. So your get-up-and-go might tend to stall or take a while to get revved up enough to get going. However, once you're going there's a lot of endurance to sustain you through the journey or task or whatever you've set your sights on.

Mercury in Taurus can be a bit awkward. He'll excel at something that requires sustained concentration and pragmatic answers, but might stumble a bit in the quick-witted department. His usual winged messenger sneakers have been replaced by a pair of hand-tooled Lucchese cowboy boots – beautiful, classy, uber-expensive and still practical!

Ready for a change of scenery, Venus, the planetary ruler of Taurus, has just turned a somersault into Gemini. That puts she and Mercury in Mutual Reception, where they're in each other's signs – kind of like wearing each other's clothes.

"Ah," dawns Mercury, "that explains the pretty pink cowgirl boots." Venus picked a fun pair of winged sneakers out of Mercury's closet that met her high fashion standards—in holographic rainbow colours, of course.

Venus is the dispositor of the herd of Taurus planets ("What's a Dispositor?") so she has a starring role in the chart. Venus' spin is one of awareness and creative expression, especially if they can be used for practical application. Venus is also about admiration, appreciation and enjoyment. In Gemini, she knows it's not enough to just be cool and hang out – you have to be aware of the fabulous goodies around you. What's the point of appreciation if you're not aware of it? It's like sleeping through a great movie.

Venus' only major aspect is a square to Neptune, which can definitely get the creative imagination flowing, especially telling some of Gemini's famous tall tales. However, the square aspect means you may need to be careful not to fall into a trap of expecting that if you can imagine it, it is therefore real. It can become real, with some of Taurus' patient hard work, but that's not the same thing as being real now. Do the reality check before you assume.

"Stuff your eyes with wonder," he said. "Live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories."
~ Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

The Sun and Moon are exactly semi-sextile (30°) to Jupiter. The semi-sextile tends to be a minor energy that's subtle and not very substantial. At its worst this aspect can feel irritating, emotionally insecure and fleeting, since it lacks perspective and clarity – kind of like trying to focus on something you can only see out of the corner of your eye. At its best, it is curious, intuitive and a magnet for all kinds of information and knowledge.

Jupiter has a tendency to overdo everything. Unless well-balanced and grounded by Saturn, Jupiter's expansion can build forever until it collapses or burns itself out due to lack of substance. In other words, Jupiter often doesn't know when enough is enough. This can amplify Taurus' issues about excess, and given the elusive nature of the semi-sextile, you might not even realize it's happening until it's suddenly in your face.

With Jupiter being in Gemini, you could gather massive amounts of facts, information, ideas and resources toward a long-term project or goal, which can be very useful. However, you might also fall into the trap of believing this is getting the job done, but later find you're stuck in the mud because you still haven't actually put the car in drive and stepped on the gas. Oh ya—that.

Jupiter is sesqui-quadrate (135°) to Saturn, currently wide but applying, which gives it more strength (exact on May.20). The sesqui-quadrate is a dynamic but conflict-oriented energy, derived from the square aspect. Therefore, Saturn's wagging finger is visible out of the corner of Jupiter's eye, with Saturn intoning, "Do the reality check. Make it practical. Prioritize and organize."

Life is pretty simple: You do some stuff. Most fails. Some works. You do more of what works. If it works big, others quickly copy it. Then you do something else. The trick is the doing something else.
~ Tom Peters, The Best Corporate Strategy? None, Of Course
(misattributed to Leonardo da Vinci)

There are precious few applying aspects in the chart (which tend to be stronger, as the energy is still building). Almost all are separating (meaning they have already reached exact and are now drifting apart). Even the Moon goes Void of Course after it leaves the conjunction with the Sun (meaning it makes no more exact aspects to any planets until it reaches the next sign). The majority of separating aspects suggests that much of the energy you're working with, going forward from the eclipse, has already emerged and now you will be integrating it, applying, assimilating it and/or letting go of it.

The applying aspects become the largely dominant forces in the chart. Uranus and Pluto apply to yet another square (exact on May.20), which brings in considerable dynamic tension between the impulse to break free of old patterns versus the urge to stabilize and control them.

Saturn and Neptune apply to another trine (exact on Jun.11), providing some creative harmony that make it easier to see the greater potential of those old patterns. This is helpful to Taurus as it carries out the day-to-day grunt work that must happen if that potential is to be manifested.

Mercury applies to a conjunction to the Sun (exact on May.11), as well as a semi-sextile to Jupiter (exact May.10). This is likely to feed the hunger for information, but might also help to slow down the compulsion to feast endlessly on insubstantial ideas. And Venus applies to her square to Neptune (exact on May.13), so creativity can be high but watch out for any mix-up between thinking about doing something or talking about it versus actually doing it.

Taurus' Fixed nature can make change evolve slowly. Patience, grasshopper! It will unfold in its own time. Ironically, the more you push, the more it will slow down the process. Find a space of tranquility in the present moment, and let go of the panic, fear or urgency that you feel. You'll soon see the seeds you planted beginning to sprout.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ... and it's all small stuff.
~ Title of a book by Richard Carlson (Sun in Taurus),
but originally used 16 years earlier by Robert S. Eliot

May.11 – Sun conjunct Mercury (21:19 of Taurus)  (May.12 in AU)

During this transit, your sense of self and purpose can become merged with what you think, perceive and say. On one hand, this can make for an easy flow of ideas and communication from inside your brain to the external world. It can also increase your perceptions and observations of the world, as you file it all away in your internal database. On the other hand, you may find yourself a bit tongue-tied, as it could be hard to separate your sense of self from your perceptions and ideas enough to find the words to adequately express them. In that case, just observe and go with the flow; the words will come later. It can also be a time when it's not easy to be objective, especially about yourself and how you bring yourself to the world around you. It's like your Being automatically expresses and sets into motion the things you think, perceive and want to say. This can help you to feel like your sense of self is shining effortlessly, but if your thoughts and perceptions are in conflict with other parts of you (e.g., emotions, needs, objectivity) then it might become a time when you act a little too quickly with blinders on. Strive for balance and self-honesty before you act.

May.13 – Mars conjunct South Lunar Node (16:50 of Taurus)  (May.12 in NAmer MT/PT)  ("What's a Lunar Node?")

This transit's range of influence is roughly 2 weeks before and after this date, although it reaches its peak now. The South Lunar Node is where we let go of, move away from, express or release something. Although the South Node can involve loss of some kind, it can also signify that what had previously been actively in the "foreground" of your life is now moving into the "background" and becoming assimilated as simply one part among many, rather than being a specific focus. Often whatever is being released is something we took in, embraced or began to move toward when Mars passed over the North Lunar Node. The North Node is sometimes known as the Dragon's Head, which eats or consumes. The South Node is known as the Dragon's Tail, which... well you get the idea. ;-) Since this involves Mars, what is being embraced or released likely has to do with anger, aggression, assertiveness or forcefulness. This might also be about sex or physical energy or something being set into motion. Depending on your natal chart, this could also involve the houses Mars rules and resides in, as well as where the current transit is taking place.

May.13 – Venus square Neptune (05:12 of Gemini/Pisces)  (May.14 in AU)

Money, material resources, relationships and pleasure could be subject to confusion, deception, or unrealistic wishful thinking under this transit. It may seem that what you thought you had (love, friendship, pleasure, money, resources) has suddenly disappeared or isn't as dependable as you thought it was. You might feel disappointed, disillusioned, sad or alone, but this is more likely to be a passing phase than a serious crisis. The question is: what are your secret longings and subtle desires that may be operating unconsciously? These could be clouding your ability to relate to people and situations in your life. Old addictions, depression or idealism may surface as way of dealing with feelings. A better outlet would be to channel your feelings and experiences into creativity, beauty, inspiration and compassion; for example, art, music or helping others.

May.15 – Mercury enters Gemini (until May.31)  (May.16 in AU)

Mercury is the planetary ruler of Gemini, so the mind wants to fly fast and free. Communication and perceptions may come and go like a fresh breeze through an open window. This can create a wide variety of ideas but not necessarily productive application of those ideas. You might find it a little easier to articulate words, sharpen your mental focus, and collect and analyze your thoughts and information. This can give wings to your ideas and self-expression, but remember that you'll have to back up any promises and "fast talk" with action and substance. Let this be a time to explore possibilities and enjoy social interaction, rather than jump to final conclusions. Collect the raw data and exchange ideas, but be aware that understanding the broader meaning will likely come later.

May.18 – Mercury square Neptune (05:15 of Gemini/Pisces)

Your mental focus may be a bit clouded, confused or lethargic right now, as your conscious mind struggles to grasp the formless, limitless expanse of the Universe and the unconscious. You may experience some disillusionment or disappointment, in your observations or communication with others. However, what is flowing under the surface of events right now is the need to dissolve away the crust of old expectations that blocks your view from seeing a greater Truth. If you're feeling off-balance, try to listen more than you talk, so that you can be receptive to your inner sensitivity. Left-brain analysis might be difficult to work with right now unless you balance it with a lot of right-brain intuition. You may have to let go of a rigid mindset, or give up what you think you understand about a situation in your life, in order to open yourself to a new perspective that is difficult to define but is ultimately in the best interest of your spiritual growth.

May.18 – Venus sextile Uranus (11:08 of Gemini/Aries)  (May.19 in AU)

Relationships, finances, resources and pleasures could benefit from spontaneously trying a completely different approach. If these areas of your life have been getting a little stale or too routine, this transit could shake things up a little...just enough to make things interesting and breathe some fresh air into your familiar routine. Unexpected income could come your way, or you might discover something you just can't resist buying, or you might have an opportunity to make new social connections. The upside of this transit is that it's possible to break free of old habits and enjoy spontaneous interaction. The downside could come in the form of impulse purchases that are beyond your budget, or behaving a bit recklessly or making snap decisions that you can't live with later. This energy is best used to break free of what restricts you, without shattering the foundation you're standing on.

May.20 – Venus square Chiron (13:30 of Gemini/Pisces)  (May.21 in AU)

You may be forced to make adjustments to relationships and/or finances now, as you face situations in these areas that just don't want to balance out the way you want them to. You may feel a bit like you're in a catch-22 (no-win situation), where the more you try to find balance and harmony, the more you feel like you're chasing your own tail around in circles. This is a time when healing in relationships and financial problems may be difficult to obtain. Harmony in these areas can seem impossible or blocked, yet it is still necessary to keep trying. By trying anyway, it may be possible to find a solution that meets your needs, even if it may not be what you wanted, hoped for or expected. Strive to find a creative solution that draws on your best side.

May.20 – Sun enters Gemini (until Jun.21)  (May.21 in AU)

Happy Solar Return to everyone born in the sign of Gemini! This is the time of year for the cosmic Twins to party, but it is also a time for all of us to explore our dual nature and our sentient awareness that emerges from it. Communication and exchange of information and ideas are specialties of Gemini, and this period brings these areas into focus for everyone. If you're looking for ideas to explore your Gemini nature, try writing your thoughts down, or listen to the buzz of activity around you, or express your observations in both verbal and non-verbal ways. Pay special attention to conversations with others, and be alert to the new information that can be learned there. Connect with your Inner Imp and let yourself be playful, clever, cheerful and fun! Learn a new word every day. Find out the names of things you never even noticed before. Read a book or newspaper or newsletter...or write one! Ride the bus to an area of town you've never been to and see what you find. And remember that it is largely through our interactions with other people and with the immediate world around us that we develop consciousness, perception and mental focus. Therefore, use this as an opportunity to increase your awareness of your immediate surroundings. Exchange information and ideas with others. Use your ability to communicate in every way you can think of. And let yourself be curious, clever and playful!

May.20 – Uranus square Pluto (11:14 of Aries/Capricorn)  (May.21 in UK, AU)

If you haven't noticed that the world is been heating up in the last few years, with controversy becoming the norm and escalating competition for dominance by competing philosophies and priorities... well you just haven't been paying attention. Uranus and Pluto have been moving into position for the square aspect (90°). Think prize fight between the Hulk and Darth Vader. I'd suggest loading up with popcorn and grabbing a seat on the sidelines, but in this drama there aren't really any true sidelines. Everyone will be (and are being) affected by the massive changes that our world is undergoing.

This square aspect is the first major turning point in a roughly 140 year cycle that Uranus and Pluto make together. The last conjunction (the start of the cycle) took place in 1965-66. The social upheaval that occurred during that time was legendary. We are still feeling ripple effects 40+ years later. In fact, those ripple effects, which themselves produce more ripple effects, have built up to the point where they are becoming waves crashing into each other. We have 3 years of exact passes of the square transit, with its effect spread out over a good 15 years, all told, possibly more depending on how you look at it.

So what's a mere mortal to do?

It's so easy to get caught up in the "hooray for my side" politics, trying to persuade others with impassioned urgency. It's as if Pluto is stubbornly refusing to budge, while Uranus does his best to throw the knockout punch. The rock meets the hard place. Everybody's yelling; nobody's listening except to formulate their next argument. And in a competitive world, winning can feel like the only worthwhile conclusion, while losing can feel like the end of the world.

This is the kind of atmosphere that wars are spawned from.

When the negotiation of Venus is overridden by the winner-take-all attitude of Mars, there's more destruction than healing that takes place. Chiron's message is that some wounding can be a good thing if it removes the toxin and stimulates healing, but too much will only destroy what is still healthy and sabotage healing.

This is NOT about any particular political party or religion or nationality or any other group that forms itself around a philosophy or ideology or belief system. In fact, all groups are subject to this escalation of energy as a collective reaction. That kind of dynamic only serves to narrow the focus to such a sharp point that it's impossible to see anything else, and that almost never goes anywhere good in the end.

Here are some suggestions. Use this transit to observe the ways you get swept up in the turmoil. (This could be personal turmoil in your immediate life or global turmoil.) How much of your own opinion, perspective and passion is being amplified by the eruption of energy from those you identify with? Or how much is a reaction to the force with which your opponent is expressing their position and trying to persuade you?

Being influenced and having your own thoughts, feelings and actions affected by the collective currents around you may or may not be something that's beneficial for you. For now, just observe it and be aware of it. See where that leads you. Aim to respond rather than react. Question, question, question. Let go of the belief that you must win at all costs or that the end will justify the means. Trust your ability to find ways to rise above what you do and don't believe to be true – it will allow you see more of what is.

May.20 – Mercury sextile Uranus (11:14 of Gemini/Aries)  (May.21 in NAmer AT/ NT, UK, AU)

There is potential for brilliance and excitement under this transit. You may be more spontaneous, upbeat and eccentric than usual. If you are used to a fairly predictable lifestyle, it is a time when you may be inspired to experiment with something out of character. If you are used to being whacky, zany and impulsive, this transit can provide opportunities to express this. You may have an increased ability to "think outside the box" if you stretch your mind a little, and there is the possibility of having an "ah-ha!" experience, when answers and realisations fall into place. There is also the possibility of being mentally restless, so that it's hard to slow down your thoughts or apply yourself seriously to your responsibilities. Your attention span may be a bit short for a couple of days. This energy can be used to consider new ideas that seemed outlandish or impossible before, and see new potential in them.

May.22 – Mercury square Chiron (13:32 of Gemini/Pisces)  (May.21 in NAmer PT)

Your mental focus and perceptions may feel a bit strained right now. You could find yourself locked in a struggle of indecision that stems from a "glass half empty" versus "glass half full" dilemma. It may be difficult to stay objective and evenly balanced in your perspective, but by working with this you could also find a new mental focus that gives you increased clarity. It might be tempting to sink into cynicism as a way to deal with what seems like a no-win situation. On the other hand, this transit could bring your mental perspective to a kind of "healing crisis" that forces you to get a better grip on the ideas, communication and frame of mind that have been problematic for you. Instead of reaching for extremes (hoping this will clarify the path in front of you), it will help more if you can take a few steps back to allow all the conflicting and out-of-sync elements to coexist together – creative paradox. If you have been in denial about something, this could be a turning point that allows you to grapple with the complex reality of your situation.

May.24 – Mercury conjunct Venus (18:52 of Gemini)  (May.25 in UK, AU)

Social connections, diplomatic communication and receptive awareness mark this transit. It can be a great time to negotiate contracts or agreements because the communication can usually flow easily. Focus your awareness on achieving a mutual balance between you and the other person. A win-win solution is especially easy to achieve now – so much so, in fact, that it might be tempting to only say what you think the other person wants to hear (which may or may not be wise). This can also be a time of appreciating and expressing beauty, pleasure and sensuality. If there's someone you want to get closer to (in terms of romance, friendship, business, partnership, or even an adversary!), talking gently and listening receptively can be the key that unlocks the door. You may also get new creative ideas from your interactions with people or from observing them.

Next Update:  LUNAR ECLIPSE in SAGITTARIUS, available by May 25, 2013.

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© 2013 Wendy Guy. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied without the author's written permission. Most of the quotes on this page were found at GoodReads.com. Images of Taurus, Sagittarius and sunflower from CanStockPhoto.com. Photo of bird and clouds from MorgueFile.com.