© Terry Lamb
Transition Time
The May 2006 Forecast
by Terry Lamb
The Planetary Events grid now appears at the end
of the forecast.
G
asoline prices. This is what’s on our mind right
now, and this is emblematic of the situation
we’re experiencing in May. As soon as Saturn
left its retrograde (backward-motion) period, we began
to feel its impending connection with Neptune later this
year. If Saturn is limitation and Neptune is liquids, their
energizing combination leads us to experience
limitation through the liquid that is oil — that is,
limited supply. Through Jupiter, the planet of
expansion, into the mix (which we can), and we get
extraordinarily high prices.
While we are relatively powerless to control
the price of oil as individuals, we can direct more
positively the energies that have been misused by those
in power. No month is better for testing our mettle than
May. Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune are in fixed signs (along with Chiron), and during May the Sun, Mercury, and Venus
visit the fixed signs. Throw the Moon into the mix, and you’ve got one dynamic energy pattern!
Here’s how the energies play out. They’ll all be part of a single theme in your life (with perhaps layered
situations and experiences), rather than many different situations pulling you in several different directions at once.
May 4–5
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action that is a culmination of activities of the last 6 months; innovation; moderate emotional tone
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May 7–10
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anxiety/stress can be used to prompt action; process will lead to greater understanding of undermining
influences in your life; confusion is the signal that something is hidden, greater truths will be revealed
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May 11–12
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it may seem as though your actions will bring little or no desired result; gain greater understanding now
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May 14–15
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confusion can be used to create clarity; core issues come to the surface, including in health
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May 18-19
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a hurry-up mood may accompany this end-of-the-astrological-month period; this is not the last chance,
only the end of this energy cycle
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May 22
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subtle spiritualization process takes on greater focus
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This month’s events tie in with those of last fall, especially November, and the end of January – February. You
may have noticed a theme emerging in your life starting in mid-July that became more dominant in the fall. Then in
January–February, you may have taken action to resolve the situation, with a break through at the end of January. Now
you get to see what progress you’ve been able to make since then and boost it up a few notches with the energies that are
available now. There are many “flow” energies to work with this month to ensure that your efforts bring results, even if
the results are not completely evident this month.
The Power of Spring
Because the Sun is gaining in strength and length of day, the spring is not a natural time of completion, but a time
of “ramping up”. While the other planetary cycles may contradict this at times (as does Saturn now), generally there’s
always more to be accomplished, something still undone, and — the best part — time to do it when it’s springtime. The
Beltane (May Day) fete is a reminder of this. We are 3/8 of the way through the solar year which began at Yule (the
winter solstice). Much is yet to be accomplished, and much time remains to do so.
Saturn says that it’s time to end a winter of effort, so if you feel like slacking off a little now, that’s
understandable. It’s also true that this is a good period to take a little time to enjoy life, from now until the end of July.
When the Sun talks to each of the planets it contacts, it hears different messages:
From Saturn
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“Your efforts are ripening. Follow the plan, and you will be rewarded.”
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From Jupiter
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“Your plans for expansion are being tested. Did you take the steps based on the promises you made?
Did you over- or underreach?”
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From Chiron
(the healer)
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“What is holding you back? What are you hiding even from yourself that is the root of all obstacles
in your life?”
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From Neptune
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“It’s time for your clarity and faith to be tested. What are you willing to commit to even if you only
hear a voice or have a vision of what it is?”
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For Chiron and Neptune, we’re just starting to see the hand writing on the wall. However, with Jupiter and
Saturn, all is revealed (with a glimpse of the far future from Saturn). The greatest of advantage of having so many planets
working together is that we get perspectives from all different parts of the planetary cyclic process.
The Future of Oil
Oil prices reflect the planetary patterns of our time, triggered by the tensions in the Middle East, particularly in
relations with Iraq and Iran. It is the nature of the universe that whenever power is concentrated in one place that
imbalances occur in other areas as well. The simple solution is energy independence, and finally some steps are being
take in that direction, but not by those in control. More and more people are getting on board with a coherent program to
follow once power changes hands. Oil prices will be more volatile than usual until after Saturn passes Neptune for good,
in June 2007. There will be downward pressure on prices after that time, providing enough nations (especially the US)
have made moves toward energy independence. Prices would fall if US drivers used on 3% less fuel. This means driving
more slowly, driving smaller vehicles, and relying more on alternative fuels. When will we have a people’s grassroots
movement to gain more control of our own lives by taking enlightened actions as a group? This is where change will have
to come from, most likely when Jupiter enters Sagittarius next November.
They’re Teaching Us How to Express Our Freedom.
Remember last month that I talked about the
public protests related to immigration reform? The
pundits can’t figure it out, because we’re in a
relatively good economic cycle right now. If they
used astrology, they’d understand the power of the
eclipses and the Mars activation of Pluto. Pluto has
been in Sagittarius since 1995 and since then our
population has shifted ever more toward the Latino
people that support our infrastructure so well. It
seems like there’s a win-win process happening,
even if there are problems that leaders are trying to
grapple with as our focus is drawn there. While
these planets are not activated in the same way as
during March and April, they are still working on
background. The May Day demonstrations were
timed to activations of these planets like clockwork.
The thing that I think is most unsettling to Americans about the demonstrations is that the demonstrators place a
high value on the freedoms that most “natural-born” Americans are complacent about and take completely for granted.
They see a group of dedicated people who stand to lose the freedoms they recognize so clearly exercising those freedoms.
Much of the rest of the population are too busy hanging on to what they have to risk it by standing up for what they
believe.
This pattern sleeps until May 17, which opens the door to a month of greater activity in global awareness and
internationalized situations. This includes the situation with Iran (which partakes of both patterns I’ve talked about here),
as well as that in Iraq and the woes in Washington DC. If there are patterns in your own life that were triggered in March-April, they will be stimulated again at this time.
Pluto’s theme is: Now that you know the whole truth, do you dare slay the dragon and go for what you’re aching
to have? The dragon needs to be slayed (or charmed) in June, but there’s a build-up in the meantime.
Waves to Ride
Some of the harmonious contacts that we’ve had over the past few months with surprising regularity are not
available now for a while. This means that it’s a little trickier finding a good time to sign a contract (although it still can
be done). The best of these comes in the form of innovative thought, which can be brought into reality with persistence
and faith in the unknown. These energies were never stronger than they are in May, especially through the 7th. Actions
taken after that will fold into a more complex process that will be activated in early July and late August-early
September. Let your creative spirit soar anytime this spring to gain the most from this pattern. Big dreams bring big
results if you’re willing to commit actions to bring them to fruition.
With this pattern available, our potential is boundless!
More than anything else, May is a time of breakthroughs in awareness. Some of these will be challenging, while
others will be harmonious releases. It brings a transition to new understanding that will lead to this year’s greatest
successes. Even if oil prices are high, set your intention that it is not a problem for you.
Planetary Events
Jupiter and Pluto are retrograde. Saturn is in detriment.
May Day/Beltane
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May 1
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Mercury trines Pluto ℞
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26°27' Aries/Sagittarius
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May 3
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Venus enters Aries (detriment)
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0°00' Aries
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May 3
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Sun sextiles Uranus
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13°54' Taurus/Pisces
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May 4
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Sun opposes Jupiter ℞
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14°00' Taurus/Scorpio
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May 4
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Jupiter trines Uranus
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13°55' Scorpio/Pisces
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May 4
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True Beltane (Taurus Solar Cross-Quarter)
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15°00' Taurus
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May 5
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Mercury enters Taurus
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0°00' Taurus
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May 5
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Venus conjoins North (Lunar) Node
(moving eclipse point)
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2°24' Aries
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May 5
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Mars trines Jupiter ℞
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13°39' Cancer/Scorpio
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May 7
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Mars trines Uranus
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14°01' Cancer/Pisces
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May 7
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Mercury squares Saturn
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5°19' Taurus/Leo
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May 7
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Venus trines Saturn
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5°20' Aries/Leo
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May 7
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Mercury squares Chiron
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9°45' Taurus/Aquarius
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May 10
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Sun squares Neptune
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19°47' Taurus/Aquarius
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May 10
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Mercury opposes Jupiter
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13°04' Taurus/Scorpio
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May 11
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Venus sextiles Chiron
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9°45' Aries/Aquarius
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May 11
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Mercury sextiles Uranus
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14°09' Taurus/Pisces
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May 12
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Taurus-Scorpio Full Moon (Wesak
Festival)
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22°23' Taurus/Scorpio
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May 13
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Mercury sextiles Mars
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17°37' Taurus/Cancer
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May 13
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Venus quincunxes Jupiter ℞
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12°44' Aries/Scorpio
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May 14
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Mercury squares Neptune
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19°48' Taurus/Aquarius
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May 14
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Chiron begins apparent backward
motion (stationary retrograde)
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9°46' Aquarius
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May 15
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Mars quincunxes Neptune
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19°49' Cancer/Aquarius
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May 17
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Sun & Mercury quincunx Pluto ℞
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26°11' Taurus/Sagittarius
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May 17
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Mercury enters Gemini (rulership)
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0°00' Gemini
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May 19
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Sun enters Gemini
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0°00' Gemini
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May 20
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Neptune begins apparent backward
motion (stationary retrograde)
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19°49' Aquarius
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May 22
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Venus squares Mars
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23°28' Aries/Cancer
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May 23
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Mercury trines Chiron ℞
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9°43' Gemini/Aquarius
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May 24
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Mercury quincunxes Jupiter ℞
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11°30' Gemini/Scorpio
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May 24
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Venus trines Pluto ℞
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25°58' Aries/Sagittarius
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May 25
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Mercury squares Uranus
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14°30' Gemini/Pisces
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May 26
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Gemini New Moon
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5°48' Gemini
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May 26
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Mars quincunx Pluto ℞
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25°56' Cancer/Sagittarius
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May 27
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Sun sextiles Saturn
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6°45' Gemini/Leo
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May 28
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Venus enters Taurus (rulership)
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0°00' Taurus
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May 29
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Sun trines Chiron ℞
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9°37' Gemini/Aquarius
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May 30
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Mercury opposes Pluto
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25°49' Gemini/Sagittarius
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May 31
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All dates are based on Pacific Time.
Blue = harmonious/Red or orange = energizing
Events in bold are more significant/noticeable in our lives.