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Narrated by Pam Younghans.
Astrological Overview: May 3 - 9, 2021
Astrologer Pam Younghans writes this weekly astrological journal based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies. This column is not intended as prediction. Your own experience will be more specifically defined by transits to your personal chart.
Highlighted Aspects for This Week:
All times listed are Pacific Daylight Time. (For Eastern Time, add 3 hours; For Greenwich Mean Time, add 7 hours.)
MON: Mercury square Jupiter, Sun square Saturn, Mercury enters Gemini
TUE: Jupiter quintile Uranus
WED: Venus semisquare Chiron
THU: Venus trine Pluto
SAT: Venus square Jupiter, Venus enters Gemini
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THE "MERRY MONTH OF MAY" provides a wide range of planetary energies for us to work with, from new potentials for spiritual expansion to lessons in discipline and responsibility, to major turning points that can set us moving in entirely new directions. We've already been feeling something of an uplift, building up to this week's inspirational Jupiter-Uranus quintile. We also anticipate new mental stimulation and social interactions throughout the month, as Mercury, Venus, and the Sun all enter expressive Gemini over the next three weeks.
A major contributor to the energy shifts of May, Jupiter makes ingress into Pisces on May 13, throwing open doors to new spiritual growth and creativity, and helping expand the heart's capacity for compassion. But, in sharp contrast, back-to-reality Saturn will also be strong this month, due to stationing retrograde on May 23, just three weeks before squaring unpredictable Uranus for the second time.
And last – but by no means least – we'll be entering eclipse season with the Taurus New Moon on May 11. The Full Moon on May 26 will be both a powerful Total Lunar Eclipse and a Supermoon, activating deep transformation and a possible change in course.
CREATIVE INNOVATION is the theme for the coming week. One of the primary aspects we'll be working with is a Jupiter-Uranus quintile that perfects on Tuesday. While considered to be one of the more subtle aspects, this specific quintile is more significant because it will occur two more times in 2021, on July 3 and on December 23.
Astrologer Bil Tierney writes that a quintile symbolizes "a creative soul alignment with the Will of the Cosmos." This inspired alignment can be used in ingenious ways, as seen in the lives of those who have many quintiles in their birth charts: Albert Einstein (4), Mark Twain (4), Georgio Armani (4), Miles Davis (4), George Bernard Shaw (6), and Jane Austin (6).
But, to again quote Mr. Tierney: "the Will of the awesome, inscrutable Cosmos is not easily channeled through the normally fragmented consciousness of the average individual still bound by the limited confines of personality-centered will." In other words, we must be at a certain level of consciousness to work with this influence in healthy ways, since quintiles are evidently also plentiful in the charts of criminals, subversives, and dictators.
FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE POTENTIALS, this Jupiter-Uranus quintile may bring about major breakthroughs and progress, as we suddenly find solutions to certain problems. We can feel a greater sense of aliveness and optimism, with a better ability to rise above issues and attachments. There is a possible expansion of collective consciousness, with increased access to the higher realms. This aspect should also help us be more accepting of others who are "unlike" us in some way, since Jupiter is in socially-conscious Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus is eager to help us see all beings as equal in value.
I also think of the word "repurposing" when considering the effects of this quintile. Uranus in Taurus has the potential to teach us inventive ways to recycle materials so that nothing is discarded. It also can help us reinvent our relationship with planet Earth, so that we make progress in addressing environmental issues. In this quintile, the great planet Jupiter magnifies these possibilities. This aspect also invigorates the revolution in belief systems that is necessary if we are to create a new future in which humanity has a supportive relationship with Gaia and with all of nature.
OTHER PLANETARY ASPECTS that perfect this week provide some challenges, but also some opportunities, especially in matters of the heart. Here are my brief interpretations of the main aspects we'll be working with.
Monday
Mercury square Jupiter: Watch a tendency to leap before looking, or to ignore the signals of when it's time to stop talking. And, in keeping with Mercury being in food-loving Taurus, be careful not to "bite off more than you can chew," figuratively and literally.
Sun square Saturn: The Sun was conjunct Uranus last Friday (April 30), and with this aspect, is activating the other half of the Saturn-Uranus square. Restrictions are likely, that interfere with our desire for freedom of motion. This is a test of our level of maturity, and our ability to see beyond our own individual needs and make decisions for the greater good.
Mercury enters Gemini: Mercury is moving more slowly now, getting ready to go retrograde on May 29. Because of this backward-motion phase, the Messenger Planet will be in Gemini for an extended period, from May 3 to July 11. During this time, especially while Mercury is moving direct, our curiosity about life is heightened and we are more eager to learn, to communicate, and to interact with others socially. However, our thoughts may be more scattered, and our minds less able to focus on one subject for long. Since Mercury and Gemini both have effect on the nervous system, we'll also need to manage a higher level of nervous energy, especially when Mercury forms hard aspects with other planets. Remember to B-R-E-A-T-H-E.
Tuesday
Jupiter quintile Uranus: See above.
Wednesday
Venus semisquare Chiron: Old relationship wounds may surface, related to a lack of self-worth that manifests as possessiveness and over-attachment. As always with Chiron aspects, this is an opportunity to actively listen to and care for the inner child who fears that it will never be loved.
Thursday
Venus trine Pluto: Based on the work we did yesterday, we are now able to be more forthright and honest with loved ones, no longer giving away our power to fears of lack or loss.
Friday
???????There are no significant aspects exact today.
Saturday
Venus square Jupiter: We may be feeling exceptionally generous with our hearts and pocketbooks today, but be careful not to go overboard. It is possible to promise something that we regret later, or to have "buyer's remorse" in other ways.
Venus enters Gemini: Venus will be in the sign of The Twins from May 8 to June 2. During this transit, the need to interact socially is heightened. We are less likely to want to settle down to one person or one creative outlet, but this can be a great time to meet new people.
Sunday
???????There are no significant aspects exact today.
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IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK: During this very restless year, you will be feeling a strong need for new experiences, but you are also very aware of the limitations of current circumstances. If you're not able to create all the freedom you're longing for, make it a priority to give yourself pieces of that feeling of liberation, even if it must be in much smaller chunks. Simple things, such as driving a different way to work or the store, or just changing a routine, can help your psyche know that you're not completely restricted from doing what you want. These small experiences of breaking away from the norm will also start to give you ideas about what you really do want to do, once you are free to make more substantial life changes. (Solar Return Sun square Saturn, conjunct Uranus)
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TEN DAYS AND COUNTING! I hope you can join us for my upcoming "Riding the Rapids" webinar! It will be presented live (and recorded for replay) on Wednesday, May 12.
During this 75-minute Zoom class, we'll dive deeply into the planetary influences we'll be working with May through August, and talk about the powerful energy waves we'll be riding. To learn more about the class and/or to register, please see https://ridingtherapids.eventbrite.com
Once you register, watch your inbox for follow-up emails from both (
See you there!
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TRANSLATION and AUDIO/VIDEO VERSION: This weekly Journal is now recorded (in English) AND the text is transcribed into 22 non-English languages! You'll see a row of flags under "Available Languages" in the upper right. And, there are options to listen to the audio or watch a video directly beneath the photo (see top of page).
The Journal entry is usually updated by Sunday evening, with the recordings appearing late Sunday or by Monday. Check it out and let me know what you think! And, please share this information with those who might benefit.
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For previous weeks of the Astrological Journal, click here.
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About the Author
Pam Younghans is a professional astrologer, editor, and writer. She lives in a log home northeast of Seattle, Washington with her beloved animal companions. She has been interpreting charts professionally for over 25 years. If you are interested in an astrology reading, e-mail
For more information about NorthPoint Astrology offerings, please visit northpointastrology.com or visit her Facebook page.
