Astrology Column

with Astrologer
Belinda Dunn

Native Americans refer to trees as "standing people," our brothers and sisters in the plant kingdom. Trees give nourishment, shelter and shade to numerous species. Their roots reach deep into Earth to draw up nutrients, and their branches reach high in sky to inspire our hearts and minds to look up.

To honor the annual Earth Day (April 25), we are encouraged to plant a tree. Ironically, on that day, I pulled up to the front of my office building in west Asheville to discover that the most glorious and ancient maple tree in the front yard was being cut down. This enormous tree was one of the main reasons my friends and I were attracted to this location over three years ago.

This tree has been hugged, loved, praised and adored, so it was quite a shock to learn its roots were giving way, and it was in danger of falling. After a few goodbyes and thankful tears, I turned to contemplate the current planetary forces and how this tree is modeling the wisdom of the zodiac.

Trees have always been symbols of mystical understanding. As "standing people," trees have a life cycle just like all things in this dimension of form. The current eclipse cycle started the week of Earth Day with a Full Moon Lunar Eclipses on the 25th of April.

I have always said that eclipses reveal what is beneath the surface of things, and therefore produce the necessity for change. In this case, it is pretty obvious, the eclipse revealed a very old root structure no longer able to sustain the weight of a very large tree.

The eclipses are stimulating the zodiac teachers of Taurus and Scorpio. May begins with a wake up call as Mars in Taurus opposes Saturn in Scorpio. On May 5, Mercury joins Mars in this opposition, paving the way for a Solar Eclipse on May 9th.
Basically, the first half of May continues to carry the themes of late April. These are the themes of release and breakdown in order to rebuild.

Emotionally this can be challenging as forms that we have come to rely upon have aged and decayed to the point of passing away. Perhaps other forms have lost their usefulness and relevance. Spiritually this is a very important and essential process as death in its many forms is another evolutionary step in the journey of on-going life.

The key phrase for Taurus is "I have," and the key phrase for Scorpio is "I desire." Clinging to and craving particular forms can really throw an emotional monkey wrench into any semblance of order and peace of mind. These eclipses shine a spotlight into the inner psychological depths of personal expectation, the shadows of wanting and whatever it takes to get those wants fulfilled.

But, good old Saturn in Scorpio is like the stern adult saying, "grow up, no more cookies, and by the way, stop jumping on the bed."

Whether heaviness and resistance arises from within or without, May is the month to really examine motivation. What gets you up in the morning? Who and what motivates you? Where is the inspiration, the juice - to stay grounded and productive? What is important and relevant at this juncture?

Based on the answers to these questions, some conditions and life situations may need to be dismantled and put to rest. Whether we are looking at finances, health, relationships or even spiritual growth, obstacles to building a strong foundation are up for review and release.

The week of May 7 is super charged, and the Taurus Solar Eclipse on May 9 sets the stage for a mature, down-to-earth appraisal of basic necessities and long term investments.

This is an excellent time to make financial decisions in regard to possessions, land and real estate. It is also a very productive time for spring cleaning, clearing clutter and cleaning the slate for future expansion. Taurus helps us find comfort and beauty in simplicity while stabilizing the initiatory energies of spring into a harmonious pace.

Mercury and Sun enter Gemini on May 15 and 20th, respectively. The shift from Taurus to Gemini is palatable. The second half of May is less about release, stabilization and completion, and more about the future and where things are going.

Full Moon Illuminates New Horizon
The final eclipse in this series culminates on May 25 with a Gemini/Sagittarius Full Moon. These zodiac signs thrive on diversity and change, helping us break out of ruts, see the sights and expand horizons. While a lunar eclipse is generally unsettling, movement will probably feel like a breath of fresh air.

Gemini has been a very important zodiac teacher since last spring. Jupiter has been transiting Gemini skies for a full year now, so be alert to extraordinary potential for breakthroughs in conditions on many levels of personal and collective experience. The days of May 24 - 28 are especially filled with potent heartfelt, heart opening, creative and important events.

I cannot complete the month without mentioning the on-going Uranus/Pluto planetary configuration as it is a backdrop for just about everything else.

Once again on May 20, Uranus engages Pluto in a tense face off. Senseless and random acts of violence are due to erupt in society when these planets activate certain personality types. If there is ever a time to make sense of any of this, the latter half of May offers some degree of understanding with which to proceed forward.

Take this to bear on your specific life issues as special openings in consciousness are occurring at breakneck speed. Yes, humanity is being shaken to the core, and we can only trust that we are being shaken awake out of a nightmare and into the light of day.

In oriental philosophy, it is said that everything has a front and a back. In other words, everything has two or more sides. To go back to the tree, now that it is removed, the building stands very visible, and in time we will grow to appreciate additional sunshine, and come to plant a new tree. It is a process though, and when life throws a curve ball, we have to roll with the punches.

But, it helps to remember this dimension is temporary. Life is not always about getting what we think we want, it is more about moment by moment acceptance in the beautiful, living, breathing, creative and extraordinary adventure we are blessed to be a part of.

Belinda C. Dunn offers personal consultation, workshops and classes. Her training started in 1972 at the Temple of Kriya Yoga/Chicago where she studied astrology, metaphysics and yoga. Over the years, her approach has evolved to a psychological, spiritual and personal growth orientation. For decades her insightful and down-to-earth consultations have been shared with clients around the world. Seen in a variety of publications, Belinda’s monthly astrological update has been in circulation since 1992. See her website: www.astrodelight.com for articles and a full listing of her consultation services - Phone: 828-215-2101