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Nodal Notes by Boots Hart, CAP


Nodal Notes
May 5 - June 2

Fifteen degrees of Taurus is one of the four 'cross-quarter'degrees of the zodiac. These degrees are far less well known than the cardinal sign ingress/seasonal degrees - 0 Aries as the beginning of Spring, 0 Cancer as the northern hemisphere's Summer Solstice, 0 Libra as the beginning of Fall and 0 Capricorn as Winter Solstice the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere.

Positioned half way between these seasonal markers, the cross-quarter points divide the zodiac into eight 'sub-phases' with 15 Taurus marking the transition from recognition and acceptance of self into the personal and primary phase of learning to harness one's abilities. Philosophically this divides Taurus into a primary phase - that about self worth - and a secondary phase - development of your abilities (talents) which become the principal tools of one's self worth, and thus one's life.

As it happens, this New Moon also falls half way between the dates when Saturn goes direct (May 3rd - or May 2nd for those in the Americas or Pacific basin) and that when Jupiter goes retrograde (May 9th). Together these planets represent the principles of growth (Jupiter) and structure (Saturn), and although they are most often talked about astrologically in terms of nations, corporations and the rise and fall of religions and regimes, these precepts are just as alive in each individual's life. Thus this New Moon is in the greater sense about a moment of straddling and shifting from expanding one's efforts and horizon to building gains made into better form, incorporating them into your life structure as you get rid of 'dead wood' and outmoded relationships, situations, possessions, lifestyle habits - whatever is appropriate.

Because Taurus is a fixed sign, there is some resistance here; expect it to manifest as anything from hesitation and reluctance to thinking things through or even out-and-out procrastination or avoidance. The image for this degree is one of internal self-confrontation, so don't be surprised if you feel a little daunted, a little frustrated, a little annoyed - even while you see everything which you can truly yet accomplish.

Into this image comes the message of the Lunar Nodes - our symbolic connection to our society and worldly efforts. Moving fairly quickly as they descend through the upper degrees of Aquarius, the North Node outlines a quickening of activities, suggesting that Saturn's turn to direct solidifies situations, allowing reality to set in, replacing the questions, efforts to bring into being (or correct) and the many forms of wondering which have been part of these months passed.

With the South Node in Leo, there may be some sense of wanting to have a 'last gasp' at something you like but must relinquish or a notification that something you enjoy can no longer be provided to you (or continue as it has) without your taking on some additional responsibility - a responsibility you will almost certainly not enjoy all that much.

An interesting note is thrown into the latter part of the month when on May 26, Mercury goes retrograde at 21 Gemini and Neptune goes direct at 24 Neptune - with the North Node at 21 Aquarius and the South Node at 21 Leo.

On one hand, any time we see Mercury and Neptune take station in trine there is a marked tendency towards the 'unreal.' The negative form of this combination includes hoaxes, lies, swindles, intoxication or toxic substances, airborne afflictions/respiratory illness and jumbled, lost or deliberate omissions in the course of communication. The positive forms of this combination include romance, fantasy/entertainment, relaxation/leisure time and spiritual connections.

This is a 'moment' in time but not one to bet the proverbial farm on as this image is one of a situation which is in flux - at the minimum it's probably best to explore options without making commitments until Mercury goes direct again on Jun 19th. By then your point of view will have changed; you will have a far better idea of what events of late May might mean to your life in a greater sense.

This all may sound disturbing, but it doesn't have to be- that message is sent us by the North Node passing through 21 Aquarius as Mercury and Neptune do their dance. The image given is one about simple appreciation for the good things you have an opportunities which may yet come. Seen from this perspective, the Mercury/Neptune station becomes a moment to give yourself credit for all you've done, to appreciate what you have and recognize the blessings in your life, whatever they are. Life can always be more provided we are willing to commit to making it into more, but in these last few days of May, considering how full your glass is - perhaps in comparison to how empty it could been or has been - that's the thing to look about. Not looking for the 'pie in the sky' solution or romantic cure to one's ills, that may well be the best way to go here - and that's not so bad. We are all still making the shift from a decade of media deluge and electronic imagery, and come June, Pluto will once again retrograde back into Sagittarius, giving us a last dose of Plutonic fire until the year 2067.

Think that's a long time? It is. But plainly we've had all the inspiration and fiery rhetoric we need for a while. So accept your gains and acknowledge your challenges...it's time to move ahead with letting go of the old so that come fall, you're not merely ready, but in the process of moving on into a next phase of life.

©2007 Boots Hart - All rights reserved. No reproduction or use without written permission. For copies of prior articles, questions, suggestions or requests regarding other types of astrological information, please feel free to email Boots at .

Read More from Boots:
on the Fixed Signs

Information on readings by Boots:
Astrology Readings


 

 

Taurus Lunation
Gibbous Phase
Taurus Sun
Scorpio Moon


What's Up Index

Zodiac Arts News - May 5
Monthly Overview
Monthly Horoscopes
Moon Phase Calendar
Mandala Meditation of the Month
2008 Lifecycle Forecast by Donna Drozda
Nodal Notes by Boots Hart
Galactic Astrology by Alex Miller-Mignone
Soul Astrology by Margaret Koolman
Solar Eclipse Feb 6/7
Lunar Eclipse Feb 20/21
Mercury Retrograde May 26 - Jun 19
Mars Retrograde Nov 15 07 - Jan 30 08
Eyes on the Skies


Boots Hart, CAP

Boots has a professional practice as an ISAR certified astrologer, in addition to being an entertaining and talented writer. She was the favorite columnist at Zodiac Arts Seasonal Digest (a prior hard-copy incarnation of ZodiacArts.com) and is widely known for her popular astrology columns in New York Spirit magazine and Free Spirit magazine.

Live in the northeast?
Pick up a copy of New York Spirit and look for her fun and
frisky educational column, 'Sign Language'!

Want to know even more or know someone who would thrill to receive a free monthly circular in which Boots addresses the astrological transits?
Send Boots an email. See e-mail form below.
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