May 18, 2012 could be a loving, luxurious Friday or a stubborn, determined one. When the Moon is in the Venus ruled, Fixed, Earth sign of Taurus, it’s all about sensuality, life’s beauty and pleasures, but it also brings forth the obstinate bull in us. Is there such a thing as inflexible love? Nobody wants to lose, give up/ give in, change direction. “Stickin-to-your-guns” works, until it doesn’t. Pay attention and accept when it stops. Regardless, surround yourself with good food, good people and good times.

On Sunday afternoon, May 20, the mood changes along with arrival of a Gemini New Moon. An initiative focused New Moon pushes us to “start” something. Since it’s in the 3^rd sign of the Zodiac, ruled by Communication planet Mercury, whatever we start will probably be in some form of personal interaction – speaking, writing, etc. Launch an idea, a pitch, a book, an inquiry…

BTW:  A Moon is “New” when it’s in the same sign as the Sun. The Sun moves into Airy Gemini on the same day, May 20, 2012 – 8:20AM Pacific/ 11:19 am Eastern.

(A post celebrating the Gemini Sun will be up on Sunday)

She sings the music of Cape Verde, an island off the west coast of Africa which declared independence from Portugal in 1975. 

Singing both in Portuguese, and in the language of her small country, Lura mixes some of the musical traditions, like “Morna”, with a more contemporary, urban sound.  Different from the better known tragic, emotional Portuguese “Fado” songs, the music from the Cape Verde interior catches you up in its smooth, jazz-like rhythms.

Lura Albums:

“Di Kopu ku Alma” (Of Body & Soul)

“M’Bern di Fora” (I come From the Country)

The unpredictable, rebellious, group focused Aquarius Moon on Friday May 11, 2012 might give us some surprises. If that makes you nervous this weekend, think of all the fun you might have. Just avoid the “off-the-wall” stuff and think thru any extreme plans that might cross your mind. 

Early Sunday, we will experience a more warm and fuzzy feeling with the arrival of the Pisces Moon. This water sign is dreamy, sensitive and imaginative, so be sure to hold on to reality. However, this might be a great time to get creative. (Try to remember and write down any ideas that float to the surface while dreaming.)

Have a great weekend!

I always get excited when Ms Morrison graces us with a new book. Just released this week, her latest is “Home”, which centers on a man’s two most life battering experiences – while a soldier during the Korean War and growing up in the South in the 50’s. 

Ms Morrison, now 81, has such a fantastical, spiritual approach to her characters and plot, but she’s also got “edge”. She can set a tone, paint a picture, capture identifiable feeling/emotion and describe events so clearly and with such poetry that it makes you laugh or, it makes you cry. There are some passages in her much acclaimed book “Beloved” that are so painful that your throat clutches and closes.  Her “truth”, cloaked in make believe, is sometimes difficult to handle – sort of a ground glass in the oatmeal type of thing. You feel it.

I think she is amazing and a real gift. “Home”, by Toni Morrison

FYI – “Beloved” won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988 and Ms Morrison was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993.) 

Beginning Friday evening, we will be under the influence of a powerful, determined Scorpio Moon. Things get even more intense this weekend as the Lunar orb goes into its “Full” phase on Saturday night, May 5, 2012.  The 8^th sign of the Zodiac is a sensual, sensitive Water sign and the force of the Full Moon can distill all of its passion into a cauldron of “feelings”. Tuck in all exposed nerves. Pause before responding to slights or barbs, (real or imaginary). The comment or action that brought you to either anger or tears may not have been as snarky as imagined. Instead, use that Scorpio sizzle and passion to rock someone’s world in a delightful way. 

Scorpio pushes us to focus on money matters that may involve others. Are there any financial issues that need to be cleared or settled– taxes, business ventures? During a Full Moon, gauge what has been accomplished so far and move to finalize, complete tasks in the next few weeks. (Sort of a”what have I done?” and “what’s next”.)

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

The magazine piece is based on Kaplan’s book, “1959: The Year Everything Changed”.  He presents his examples of some of the greatest happenings of this special year and they include:

*Actor turned director John Cassavetes was perhaps the first “Indie” filmmaker with his partly improvised script for his movie “Shadows”.

*Completion of the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, changed the NYC sky line on the upper East Side.

*The first micro chip introduced by Texas Instruments.

*The release of the Miles Davis album (they were albums then) “Kinda Blue” (considered by many to be best jazz recording ever).

*Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro invited to NYC and staying at the St Teresa Hotel in Harlem.

*The emergence of Malcolm X and his conversations on race and politics.

(What were you doing in 1959?)

As you know, the Moon changes Astrology signs every 2 to 2 1/2 days. If you don’t like the Lunar energy one day, wait a few days – it will change. This weekend is no exception.

All day Friday April 27, 2012, the Moon is in its own emotional, homey, nurturing sign of Cancer. It is happy and comfortable in the Water sign it rules – expect “feelings”, sensitivity and vulnerability. 

Saturday and Sunday, the Moon will be lit up in the upbeat, “Me” sign of Leo. This Fire sign loves attention, melodrama and fun. Ruled by the Sun, the need for theatrics can rule – just remember that it’s not all about you. Be generous and entertaining. People might flock around you in droves.

Enjoy the weekend!

Y

Planets are the spark plugs in an Astrology chart. They each have a job to do as they energize the many facets of an individual’s personality and life. In addition, a planet is said to have “rulership” of a particular sign (it will be at its happiest and most potent energy when transiting there – fully expressed).

The Planets are listed below along with their Zodiac sign rulerships and duties:

Sun– Leo: Life force, self expression

Moon- Cancer: Emotions, sub conscious, nurturing

Mercury- Gemini and Virgo: Communication (when Mercury goes retrograde, we need to watch what we say and write), transportation, education

Venus-Taurus and Libra: Love, beauty and how we view/value ourselves and money

Mars- Aries: Action, conflict, sexuality

Jupiter- Sagittarius: Expansion, recreation, philosophy

Saturn- Capricorn:  Discipline, boundaries, authority

Uranus- Aquarius: Change, the unconventional, extremes

Neptune- Pisces: Spirituality, dreams, illusion

Pluto- Scorpio: Unconscious, breaking down and rebuilding, secrets

The location of a planet in a birth chart – its House placement, its Astrology Sign – can influence how we act/respond in particular areas of our lives as they transit and move around our chart today. 

Practical, Earth sign Taurus wants to feel secure and comfortable. Stay grounded and maybe find new ways to manage your cash, find new revenue streams, etc. Re evaluate how you spend and save your money.

Re: Traditional Taurus “bull like” traits – if you’re going to be “a stake in the ground” for an issue – make sure it matters to you (don’t be immovable just because…)

Have a fabulous weekend!

The Second sign of the Zodiac, Taurus, has the Bull as its symbol. Perfect! The Sun moves into stubborn, steady, strong, security focused Taurus on Thursday April 19, 2012. However, since it is ruled by the lovely, romantic planet Venus, this sign has several other dimensions.

For the next 4 weeks, we can tap into all that muscle and determination so that we solidify and complete the projects started during the high energy of the Aries Sun. Earthy Taurus may be practical and dependable, but its also, sensual, a lover of beauty, good food and luxury. Loved ones are treated to poetry, music and gourmet restaurants, while getting a lecture on avoiding financial pot holes. A nice mix.

Under the influence of a Taurus Sun, watch out for a tendency to be overcautious – don’t miss out on opportunities due to fear. However, optimism should abound due to the transit of “Lucky” planet Jupiter in Taurus until June 12, 2012. True, some things are just too good to be true – so pay attention to “bigger is better” or “can’t lose”, over the top scenarios that Jupiter loves so much. But, sometimes we have to give things a second look to see the advantages. Jump on the good stuff, take a chance to win.

*Taurus (April 20-May 21) = Gemstone: Rose Quartz / Power color: Soft rose-pink

** Sun into Taurus, Thursday April 19, 2012, 12:12PM Eastern / 9:12AM Pacific

***As always, those most affected have the Sun and/or Rising sign in Taurus, but the rest of us will still feel the stable influences somewhere in our lives depending upon where the Earth sign appears in the birth chart.