Spring Astrology Café – May, 2014 | Virginia Bell Astrology

“This is the season when one can listen only so long to any recital of the world’s shortcomings. Then we have to get outdoors and see the world itself. Then we know that though a thousand things may be wrong, a million things are right.” —Hal Borland

Spring has come late to our little hamlet here in the far north. The heavy winds and rains have ceased and the sun is shining bringing a frenzy of lush May flowers; fragrant hyacinth and delicate lily of the valley; extravagant peonies and delicious lilacs and a parade of tulips: buttery yellow, brilliant red, creamy white, deep purple and pale pink. The country lanes and boulevards are lined with flowering pear trees with their pillowy white petals and apple blossom tress in full bloom. Nature is at her lavish best, bursting with new life and unlimited potential. “Ever since the first spring that ever was, man stood at this season with awe in his eyes and wonder in his heart, seeing the magnificent of life returning and life renewed.” —Hal Borland

Here at the Astrology Café folks gather around the fountain or sit on the stone benches under the apple trees, sipping wine or tea. The door to the café is open and the sound of piano music drifts out. There’s a gentle breeze fragrant with the scent of lilacs and hyacinth. Above, the Buddha Full Moon hangs large and luminous in a sapphire blue sky. Welcome back dear friend; you have been missed.

“If you are a dreamer, come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer…If you are a pretender, come sit by my fire. For we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in!”
—Shel Silverstein (Where the Sidewalk Ends)

Come inside and make yourself comfortable. The lights are low, the candles are lit and there’s music, magic and friends both new and old. We have generous salads, quiches, a selection of fresh goat cheese and warm, crusty bread from the oven. Help yourself to some homemade tarts (fig-raspberry or blueberry-lemon) served with double cream. There are chocolate éclairs; dense sticky buns drizzled with a caramel glaze, macaroons (coconut, pistachio, hazelnut, or espresso) and triple chocolate cookies. Or perhaps you would prefer a bowl of fresh fruit (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, kiwis, and melon) sprinkled with coconut and rose water. To drink we have rich Viennese coffee, spicy Chai, herbal tea, wine or Prosecco. When you’re ready follow me up the staircase (watch out for the cats) past the library, down a corridor, through a door, then up a narrow, winding stairway to the tower where our old friend, the crone, the wise woman is waiting for us. She has been waiting all along.

Our dear friend is ensconced in her cozy tower sanctuary. The room is lit by candle light and filled with the faint scent of lavender and rose. Around the room are her sacred statues; Kwan Yin, Mary, Buddha, St. Bridget. She is seated at her round oak table; spread out before her are Runes, favorite stones, cards, and crystals. She looks up and greets us warmly and beckons us to join her. Take a seat dear friend for the night is young and there is much to discuss. Our friend takes the Goddess cards, shuffles and chooses one. It is Kwan Yin; the female Bodhisattva, the goddess of mercy. Listen closely; perhaps she holds a message for you.

“Kwan Yin, revered throughout Asia for thousands of years, is the Chinese goddess of infinite mercy and compassion. Her name means “she who listens to the sounds [suffering] of the world.” In the Buddhist tradition, she is an aspect of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva who sprang from one of the Buddha’s tears. Her appeal is particularly widespread because she gives assistance in this world: she provides the earthly blessings of children, health, and long life and rescues people from drowning, lightning and poverty. She is specifically a protector of women. Kwan Yin is the symbol of the unlimited compassion each of us can have for ourselves. No matter what the situation, it is possible to treat ourselves with mercy and love.” —Goddess Knowledge Cards

Invite Kwan Yin into your heart and home; make a place for her on your altar. Get to know this sacred goddess who blesses us with her unconditional love. “Take some time each morning to meditate or sit quietly to compose yourself for your day. When you close your eyes, ask Kwan Yin to be with you. Ask that she fill your heart with compassion for yourself and others.”
—Elaine Belle

May

“Let all thy joy be as the month of May” –Francis Quarles

April celebrates Easter, the resurrection, and the life of Jesus, but May belongs to Mary. During May there are several holidays devoted to the sacred feminine: May Day and Beltane (May 1) is the Celtic festival of fertility; Mother’s Day (May 11); and finally The Feast of Mary on May 31. In fact, May was named for the Mother Goddess, Maia or May; in Northern Europe she was called Maj or Mai, the maiden. Both mother and matter come from the same Sanskrit root —maat.

The Three Most Important Full Moons Take Place during Spring

During spring the creative energy pours forth from the challis of the Moon and a doorway opens bringing fresh awareness. Once again we have the ability to move to a new level of consciousness; once again we have an opportunity to reaffirm our soul’s journey. The Easter Full Moon eclipse (April 15) is called the Resurrection Festival or the Festival of Shamballa. The creative energy reaches its highest potential and it is the beginning of a new cycle of creation.
The Buddha Full Moon or Wesak Moon (May 14) is called the Buddha-Wesak Festival. It is said that Buddha was born, died and received enlightenment on the Full Moon in Scorpio and many consider this the highest spiritual day of the year. Each year this great being returns at this time to help humanity toward enlightenment. It is an opportunity for us to get in touch with our own Buddha nature.

The Sagittarius Full Moon (on June 12-13) is called the Christ-Goodwill Festival or the Festival of Humanity, the World Day of Invocation and provides an opportunity to unite the human family. The divine energy received at the Wesak Festival is released and anchored within the human consciousness.

Scorpio Full Moon – May 14
Called the Buddha Moon or Wesak Moon
Also known as Flower Moon, Frog Moon, Planting Moon

“The greatest event upon our planet, from the standpoint of spiritual verities, is the Wesak Festival. It has been there always, but unknown to the majority. Now its influence is to be recognized and consciously utilized.”
—Alice Bailey (Esoteric Psychology)

The Sun is in sensual Taurus the first earth sign; Taurus seeks peace and pleasure in the physical world. The Moon, in intense Scorpio, is at home in the deep waters of the unconscious, exploring what is hidden, buried and taboo. Full Moons illuminate the shadow qualities of each sign. Taurus attempts to create stability through external means such as money, food, and possessions. Scorpio can become addicted to crises and drama. Both signs are associated with wealth; both financial as well as self-worth. Buddha (who is said to have been born with this alignment) lived a life of privilege but left it to follow his path and find his truth. The Taurus/Scorpio polarity teaches us that in order to have real security in life we must be willing to sacrifice who we are for who we can become.

FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real

This passionate Full Moon brings to the surface our deepest fears around security; physical, financial, and emotional. Saturn in Scorpio is conjunct the Moon making us aware of our limitations, exposing the cracks in our self-worth, and revealing where we feel devalued. But Saturn in Scorpio brings endurance and the willingness to face our wounds and heal our shame. “You wound and you wound again. Because you wound and then you go away. You do not stay with the wound.” —Antonio Porchia

We are still in the wake of the recent dramatic grand cross with Mars, Jupiter, Uranus and Pluto. Now Venus (in Aries) joins the party; she is conjunct Uranus in Aries, clashes with Mars in Libra and confronts Pluto in Capricorn, turning up the volume on relationship and intimacy issues. Mars, retrograde since March 1, has slowed down preparing to turn direct on May 19. The god of war is powerful now stirring up the grand cross and testing partnerships. In a sense, we are all in “recovery” right now; it’s painful, humbling but potentially life changing. Mercury in Gemini makes a helpful aspect to Venus and Uranus in Aries reminding us not to shut down or turn away and most important to keep communicating. Wise Jupiter holds the key. Jupiter is in protective Cancer the sign of the Great Mother and is part of both the grand cross and the grand trine which includes Saturn and Chiron. This expansive planet has much to teach us in generous Cancer.

The Gentle Art of Receiving

“Live life as is everything is rigged in your favor.” —Rumi

Jupiter is associated with good luck and abundance but Jupiter is much deeper. At its highest expression Jupiter is about faith – faith in ourselves, in others and the universe. There is a lot of information about manifesting, creating, and the Law of Attraction but in the end we can only manifest what we can receive.

To some extent we all struggle with certain issues; we effort, we wrestle, we work hard and soldier on. But what if it didn’t have to be difficult? What if we could just lay down our burdens and open our hearts and minds to the compassion and unconditional love of Kwan Yin, Mother Mary, Buddha and the essence of Jupiter? I’m not suggesting you stop working but only to cease pushing and forcing and try allowing and receiving. There is really nothing to do. You don’t have to be perfect, healed or good. You just have to show up, have faith, be open and give thanks.

In her book, When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron writes about loving-kindness: “Loving-kindness – maître – towards ourselves doesn’t mean getting rid of anything. Maitri means that we can still be crazy after all these years. We can still be timid or jealous or full of feelings of unworthiness. The point is not to try and change ourselves. It’s about befriending who we already are.” It is in this process of “befriending” that genuine faith begins and true healing is born. Let’s use the energy of this Buddha Full Moon, the grand cross and grand trine to release and let go any areas where we are struggling or straining and open to a softer, gentler way. A miracle means that at any moment you can change your life. “You are entitled to miracles.” —The Course in Miracles

Beloved Friends, It is late here in our tower room above the Astrology Café. The candles have all burned down and outside the old owl has appeared on the branch of the Alder tree. The Buddha Moon appears from behind the clouds. Your presence has been a gift; thank you for sharing this time with me. Love yourself, feel good, be grateful. All is well, you are loved, Virginia

Be sure to check this website for updates on the New and Full Moon each month. And check out my blog: www.yourarenevertoolate.com