Dear friends,

Did you break through last week? Well the US stock market did by setting new 6 year highs on Friday, just one day after the alignment with Santa Claus Jupiter and rebel Uranus. Perhaps some spiritual types on this list may cringe at the connection of stars to stocks, but in my view it is all related. Besides with Sun and Mercury in Taurus, sign of wealth, it's time to take stock of resources.

You are now thinking more about money and love, yes? Though King Sun has been in Taurus for almost 3 weeks, messenger Mercury just entered the sign of the Bull on Friday. We can't look at the mighty king for more than a few seconds; we depend on Mercury for the message. So it makes sense that only now is the Taurus theme coming through loud and clear.

Speaking of Mercury in Taurus, some of you may read on other sites that our minds are slowing down. While Mercury does have a slight slog while traveling through the fixed earth sign of Taurus - the nimble messenger prefers agility over stability - let's get something straight: Mercury is not now slow. Until the end of May he clips along at over 2 degrees per day - this is as fast as Mercury possibly gets!

Most astrologers would agree that the planet is the energy and the sign colors the energy. Mercury, the energy, is moving very quickly. Taurus, the sign, is giving a level of resistance to movement. This is like an Olympic runner dashing through the streets in an a suit and dress shoes. He can't go nearly as fast as when outfitted in gym wear and sneaks, but he can still leave most others in the dust.

So what does this have to do with you? With Mercury moving quickly, our minds move equally quickly. We are having a parade of thoughts on how to secure resources and enjoy love.

Quick aside to star students: the *speed* of Mercury, both natally and progressed, is just as important in interpretation of birth charts as the sign and aspects. Faster usually better, but like everything else this depends. If Mercury is connected to a malefic planet or house, the person could simply have a lot of negative thoughts!

Back to Taurus. What does our guide Homer have to say about the 2nd sign? Let's look to chapter 2 in the Odyssey. For new readers, once a month I am commenting on the astrology in the classic tale, unbeknownst to most everyone as a journey through the zodiac. First Aries chapter notes here.

After the young Telemachus is inspired to new action in the first chapter, he calls a council of the elder nobles of the island. "These suitors, some your sons, plague my mother and feast day and night, squandering our herds of livestock!" he cries. "Without my father around, there's nothing I can do." The elders are moved by his emotion, and one replies: "Don't blame the suitors, but think of your own mother! She promised a new marriage years ago, saying she would select one when she finished weaving a shroud. She wove by day and untied by night - and for three years deceived everyone! If she would marry, then the other suitors would disperse." Telemachus replies: "I cannot force my mother to marry against her will." After an elder interprets the meaning of two eagles suddenly appearing as a warning, another young man rudely tells the old codger to hush. Telemachus then tells the council of his plan: "I am seeking news of my father. If nothing in 1 year, then we'll conduct a funeral and my mother shall marry." Telemachus then goes about collecting provisions for his journey, while Athena in disguise procures the ship and assembles the crew. In so doing Telemachus warns a nurse to keep silent and say nothing about his journey to his mother Penelope.

* Telemachus wants to protect his family's stocks of wealth - the cattle, sheep and goats - that the suitors are devouring. Simply put,  he is trying to secure resources.

* The suitors all want Penelope, Odysseus' wife, for their own. We get a clearer picture of just how much - they have been hanging out at the palace at least 3 years!

* These two themes, money and love, are the most important drives of Taurus.

* In contrast to the individual nature of Aries, we have several examples of Taurus having experiences in groups. The very first part of the chapter Telemachus calls a council of the elders on the island, the middle tells us about the pack of suitors, and the chapter ends with him assembling a crew for the voyage. I find this point particularly interesting because 'group experience' is not part of modern astrology literature about Taurus. Thoughts anyone?

* Though I only alluded to one example above, we read of several incidences of the blatant rudeness of the young suitors. Could Homer be telling us that Mars (young men) is problematic here? Remember that astrology considers Mars to be in detriment in this sign. Homer might be telling us this is true because of an excess of greed. The suitors are going after love and pleasure so pointedly that that they lose sight of everything else, including morals and even the risk of their lives.

* This chapter gives us two different examples of the importance of loyalty. Penelope loves Odysseus so much that she deceives all the suitors for 3 whole years to avoid marrying one of them in the hope of the return of her true love. Telemachus also insists on the loyalty of the nurse when he tells her not to tell his mother of his plans to leave the island for at least 10 days.

* Beauty is a theme. One of the very first things we read is that Athena lavishes a marvelous splendor on prince Telemachus as he speaks at the council. And from the words of one suitor himself, "the queen drags out our hopes to wed her, waiting, day after day, all of us striving hard to win one matchless beauty."

If you have Taurus Sun, Moon or rising, or ruler of your Ascendant in Taurus, have any of these themes played out strongly in your life?

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I'm a full time astrologer dedicated towards passing on the wisdom of this venerable tradition to help you live your life. Full readings are available on weekday afternoons and some early evenings. For information on a life or update reading, please visit the Services page. Contact me for an appointment.

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Star*Watch
All times Pacific Standard Time. Visit www.alabe.com for the view of the chart for your current location, and www.astro.com also gives planet positions. See below for comments on other visible planets. To follow planetary days and hours for your location, download freeware from ChronosXP.

The Sun and Moon together set the tone of the time. The Sun is our fundamental orientation for the month; Moon signs and aspects are the energetic pulls of the day, and tell us how we approach the truth of the Sun. Planet aspects influence the energies for several days and sometimes weeks before and after the aspect depending on the planets involved.

Sun * in Taurus. Sun in Taurus means our rush to adventure slows as we focus on safety, material riches and pleasure. The Taurus bull isn't much for scrambling over new heights; he'd rather have his hay and cozy up in the green pasture that he knows. May Day is the classic Taurus holiday, a celebration of the earth, fertility, all Venusian arts of love. With ruler Venus now in Aries, we're more pioneering than usual. The trap of Taurus - too set in ways. The Sun also has a special influence on Sundays, Wednesday nights and all Sun hours.

Moon * days 12 - 18 with Full Moon in Scorpio on late Friday (early Saturday on the east coast). Follow Queen Moon as below; she also has a special influence on Mondays, Thursday nights and all Moon hours.  

Monday 5/8 * Moon in Virgo, into Libra 6:10 pm. We harness the energy of the weekend to produce gains in wealth. New pleasures beckon later with Moon in relationship Libra, yet with the Queen swished by the Dragon's tail tonight, many will have to wait until tomorrow for real energy in interaction.

Tuesday 5/9 * Moon in Libra. We want experiences with others with Moon in the partnership sign, yet the lady of Libra is as independent as ever. Some will seek new partners, those in established relationships find new pleasures.

Wednesday 5/10 * Moon in Libra, Sun square Neptune. Sun in Taurus wants tangible experience - money in the bank, Sundays in bed with a hotty. Neptune in Aquarius, on they other hand, is about ideals of the group as well as other intangibles. How to reconcile? One thought: we can take steps to profit (Sun in Taurus) from an environmentally aware (also Taurus) and socially conscious (Neptune in Aquarius) program. Another point: if drinking or other intoxicants (sugar, drugs) are causing you to lose out on productivity, you'll have the sense to cut back.

Thursday 5/11 * Moon in Scorpio, Mercury opposed Jupiter. Funny thing about oppositions - they can harm both planets. The materialist drives of Mercury in Taurus gets in the way of the therapy that Jupiter wants to do, and the emotional agenda of Jupiter limits Mercury's practical skills. As oppositions go this isn't the worst, but watch unkind thoughts towards teachers and excess debt.

Friday 5/12 * Full Moon in Scorpio. Scorpio is the most therapeutic sign of the zodiac. Why? Because we can go unflinchingly into the heart of troublesome emotions. With a bright Moon in Scorpio conjunct Jupiter to boot, there is tremendous healing potential today. In other respects, though, Moon in Scorpio can be challenged - we get fixed on one feeling (Scorpio obsession, it's true) and though we seek deep nourishment and connection with others, our power plays can produce the reverse of what we actually want. Last note: sexually speaking, full in Moon in Scorpio is one of hottest nights of the year. With Mars in more timid Cancer and Venus in let's go Aries, take charge ladies!

Saturday 5/13 * Moon in Scorpio, into Sagittarius 1:55 pm. Usually Moon into party Sag is a welcome uplift, but with ruler Jupiter cruising backwards in Scorpio it doesn't have quite the same burst of joy these days. Not all bad, just different from the typical assumptions of Sag. Essentially we gain and improve by some kind of review.

Sunday 5/14 * Moon in Sagittarius, Mercury square Neptune. The messenger echoes the Sun square we had earlier in the week - material vs fantasy, my pleasures vs group ideals, ground vs clouds.

Have a stellar week!

Peace and love,
Jonathan Pearl

If you don't want to know why you are coming up with new plans to make more money,  unsubscribe here.

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Wandering Stars - the planets

Mercury * in Taurus. Our minds are after money and love, and touch is nice too. Mercury in Taurus wants real results, things we can see and touch. Don't be fooled by other sites: this time we are *not* slowing down because the messenger is at top speed.  The downsides of Mercury in Taurus - greed and lack of flexibility in thinking. Mercury in Taurus through May 19. Mercury influences Wednesdays, Saturday nights and all Mercury hours.

Venus * in Aries. Fresh energy into desire and love. I want what I want and I want it now! We go towards new pleasures and love motion and thrills and maybe muscles too. The downside - love takes two, and we don't think as much of the other with Venus in the sign of moi. Venus in Aries through through May 29. Venus influences Fridays, Monday nights and all Venus hours.

Mars * in Cancer. Men, embrace your inner Martha - cook, garden, light up the BBQ. After 7 weeks of extra thinking and curiosity, we are now driven by our feelings, nurturing, food and family but all in a Mars kind of way. Pass the hot sauce, cathart, move vigorously in or near water. With mutual reception to Jupiter in Scorpio, we have the best side of Mars in Cancer. Mars in Cancer through June 3. Mars influences Tuesdays, Friday nights and all hours of Mars.

Jupiter * in Scorpio. Now retrograde, so some prosperity on hold while we pursue inner wisdom and riches. Jupiter in Scorpio blesses therapies, healing modalities, joint finance arrangements and amplifies our sexuality. Jupiter wants to do good, but in Scorpio functions by responding to others with some kind of attack. The energy: This might hurt, but it is for your own good and my own protection! Great regeneration and power is possible if we find the positive side of our deepest emotions. Jupiter here also benefits Aquarius (by antiscion) and sister water signs of Cancer and Pisces. Jupiter in Scorpio through November 2006. Jupiter influences Thursdays, Sunday nights and all Jupiter hours.

Saturn * in Leo. Now direct, so developments in some long term structures in life get moving again. Essential challenge to self expression. Color feels a bit much; we prefer black. The people revolt against the leaders. Anti-authoritarianism in many guises. A positive vision of this energy: we know the work we need to do and do it. Saturn in Leo September 2007. Saturn influences Saturdays, Tuesday nights and all Saturn hours.

Dragon's Head * in Aries. We gain by new adventures and physical vigor, yet are more prone to hostility. Ruler Mars in Cancer means we advance by ways we take charge of emotions, protect family, improve the house, and learn to cook. 

Dragon's Tail * in Libra. Relationships seem troubled by unseen or past murkiness. Art explores the unseen. Ruler Venus in Pisces means past relationships are quite positive; Venus into Aries means these same past relationships will get a what's in it for me spin.