Scorpio Super Full Moon and Annular New Moon Eclipse May 2012: A Resounding Gong

“We are the miracle of force and matter making itself over into imagination and will. Incredible....The Universe has shouted itself alive. We are one of the shouts.”

Ray Bradbury, Science-Fiction Author, (1920- )

"Eclipses can last anywhere from a fraction of a minute to upwards of seven minutes, depending on how deeply the rapier tip of the Moon's shadow reaches the Earth; that is -- maintaining the same grisly metaphor -- whether it barely grazes the Earth's cheek, or slices clean through the planet."
Chet Raymo, Author (1936- )

Note: we posted this update at the last Full Moon. Below you will find specific details about the major Annular Eclipse sweeping over Southeastern China, Japan and the Western United States on May 20/21. This eclipse positions just to the left of the Pleaides: an amazing activation event for amazing times. In 2 weeks we will post more information about the June 5th epic transit of Venus across the Sun.
Aloha from Tokyo...Joseph

Japanese Eclipse - author unknown

Eclipse season May 2012 draws near, soon to arrive with fanfare, mystery and intrigue. We are about to enter an epic period of time, embracing grace, beauty, history, the future and deep introspection. Celestial bodies, poised to dance across the face of the Sun or dip into the ruddy shadow of the Earth, now become heralds of Universal synchronicity, metaphor and creative opportunity. The sounding bell for 2012 and beyond is about to make a resounding "gong".

This is an extended version of the Gemini Astrology Update covering the coming Super Full Moon in Scorpio on May 5/6, Venus Retrograde in Gemini, and the Annular Solar Eclipse on May 20/21. Later this month we'll cover the Partially eclipsed Full Moon in Sagittarius on June 4/5, and the rare Venus Transiting the Sun the very next day on June 5/6.

Here's our latest Gemini Video Update offering an overview with graphics about these coming powerful celestial events.

For anyone looking for more specifics, links and timings about these celestial events, read on....

Scorpio Full Moon by Kathryn Andren Mina & Joseph Mina

Full Moon occurs at 16° Scorpio on May 5th, 5:35 PM Hawaii Standard Time; 8:35 PM PDT, and 3:35 GMT on the 6th.

Here's the chart for the Scorpio Full Moon:



An expansion of the earthly delight arises at the Scorpio Full Moon, continuing through the first two weeks of May. Here, Sun conjoins Jupiter in sensual Taurus adding fuel to Jupiter's expansiveness.

As these two planetary energies create the opposition to the Moon, awareness about how you share and manage resources with others in your life comes to light. "What is mine and what is yours?" can be a strong topic during the next 2 weeks.  Scorpio is a water sign, and a "hot water" sign at that!  Emotions may run high. As always, life-force driven Scorpio energy is best expressed and discharged through physical exercise. Importantly, avoid emotional drama, which only fuels a charged emotional field.

If you have significant planetary energies in mid-degrees of the fixed signs - Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and/or Aquarius, this Full Moon will especially amplify your field.

This Full Moon's geometry is also very similar to April's New Moon as it features a grand Earth trine and a Kite. Here, there is a directed energy from Neptune/Chiron in Pisces (1) toward Mars in Virgo (2), which provides the necessary vision to create specific steps around how to be of service (Virgo), and a deeper connection to life's sacred rituals and seasonal transitions. This is the opposite flow of the Kite energy exhibited at the Aries New Moon. What was learned at that lunation last month, now returns with new information and guidance.

This Full Moon occurs 1 minute before the Moon reaches its perigee, the closest point to the Earth. Hence, this Super Full Moon will appear larger in the sky, especially at Moon rise or set. From an astrological perspective, the "as above so below " awareness of a larger than normal sized Moon brings added emphasis to this lunation and its Earth related themes.

Here's a short video produced by NASA, explaining the dynamics of a Perigee, or Super Full Moon. A small portion of this NASA video attempts to dispel any correlation between Full Moon energy and odd human behavior, however the video is a good primer about the Moon's movement in its orbital journey with Planet Earth.

Venus Retrograde in Gemini by Kathryn Andren Mina

Just a little more than a month since the Mars Retrograde, Venus turns retrograde on May 15. Venus' retrograde pattern occurs approximately every 18 months for a period of about 40 days. Venus retrograde continues through June 27.  When Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, goes retrograde it is symbolic of exploring the inner feminine. This is a powerful time, especially for women, to look within at how you create and manifest. By contrast, this is  not a conducive period for marriage or creating deeper intimacy in relationships.

Astroactivator2001© by Kathryn Andren

Specifically in Gemini, this Venus retrograde cycle also poses an opportunity to reflect on how you communicate or express the creative side of your essence.  How do you extend yourself to others? This may be a time to shed light on any shadows of the heart that diminishes your inner gifts of spontaneity, intuitiveness and playfulness.

The Venus retrograde starts at 23° Gemini and moves in reverse to 7° Gemini.  Take note where this Gemini vibration falls in your specific birth chart. Which astrological house is activated?  Does it aspect any of your personal natal planets in the mutable signs of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius or Pisces? Noting where this Venus retrograde falls in your personal birth chart can provide you clues on the area of life ripe for renewal, as well as a good indicator for how to prepare for the coming Venus Transit of the Sun on June 5/6th (see below).
 
Gemini New Moon: Annular Solar Eclipse by Joseph Mina

Five days after Venus moves retrograde, the Moon completes its Full Moon lunation arriving to meet the Sun at 0° Gemini on May 20/21. And what a New Moon it is!!! This is Saros Eclipse cycle 128, which began in the year 994 and continues approximately every 18 years in various phases through 2282. The last eclipse in this cycle was in May 1994.

Here's the New Moon chart:
 


This particular New Moon occurs just before reaching apogee (farthest from Earth) Also, it positions near the lunar node at 5° Gemini (1). This combination creates an annular (ringed-shaped) solar eclipse. Hence, the Moon's disk size is smaller than the Sun's apparent size. Because of this size discrepancy, a "ring of fire" surrounds the Moon disk at the moment of "annularity" (see images below).  

The 1994 eclipse in this Saros cycle was my first annular eclipse experience. The light play leading up to annularity and beyond was pure magic. Every part of the landscape seemed etched on the atmosphere's canvas. The vibration was both captivating and enchanting.

Eclipse energy brings new information and awareness. And did it ever in 1994. Over the subsequent 6 months, I changed locations, moving to Asheville NC, and met 5 astrologers during my travels, each of whom had a significant impact on my life direction and astrological career.

Later this month I'll be in Tokyo to teach and also lead a spiritual retreat. As fate would have it, I'll be in the Tokyo area at the same time of this annular eclipse. Little did I realize 19 years ago, I would see the next version of this annular cycle, and from Japan no less! This Universe works in magical and mysterious ways.

Astrologically, eclipses are major seeding points for new awareness, resolution, and new direction. Sun/Moon at 0° (2), evokes the Gemini qualities of communication, networking acting, story-telling, spontaneous movement and creative thinking. These Gemini qualities are prominent, especially in the areas of sustainability (Mercury conjoin Jupiter in Taurus (3)) and sacred ritual (Mars in Virgo oppose Chiron in Pisces). This is prime time to be in nature, especially if you are planning to be in the shadow of annularity.

Eclipse Track:
At sunrise on May 21st, the annular eclipse begins over southeastern China. The Moon's shadow crosses the east coast of Japan, passes near Osaka, and then moves directly over Tokyo before heading out over the North Pacific. After crossing the International Date Line and a shift back to May 20th, the Moon's shadow next makes landfall near the Oregon/California border some 2 hours after leaving Asia. Here, it is late afternoon. The shadow completes its path over the course of the next 45 minutes as it sweeps over Southern Nevada and Utah, northern Arizona, central New Mexico and at sunset in western Texas.

On the ground, power points such as Mt. Fuji in Japan, California's Mt. Shasta, the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater in Arizona, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park in Utah, and Chaco Canyon in New Mexico are bathed in the light of annularity for 3 to 5 minutes. If you live anywhere near the eclipse track, I encourage you to actively participate in this amazing celestial event.

And with that encouragement comes a warning - viewing the Sun directly at any point of the annular eclipse requires solar protective filters. Here's NASA's guide for what is considered safe solar eclipse viewing.

Where exactly will this eclipse pass? Follow these links:
Eclipse Maps.com
NASA official site

Conclusion:
The planetary cycles outlined above are poignant reminders we exist in an age of great change on all levels of reality. Life as we have known it will never again be the same. At this Full Moon we pause in anticipation for what has been, what is evolving, and what will be expressed through the essence of life force come the remainder of 2012 and beyond. Eclipses will soon arrive putting an exclamation point on this grand design.

Any celestial eclipse evokes patterns of mystery, intrigue, anticipation, and strong emotional response to the Cosmos. By actively participating in these Universal cycles, especially by honoring the external manifestation of these inner rhythms, you invite galactic awareness into your psyche, affirm your spiritual connection to the "all that is", reflect to the Universe its magnificence, and remind yourself of your place in life's grand celestial movements.

Come early June, the 2nd phase of this eclipse window will unfold. On June 4/5, a partial lunar eclipse will grace the night sky in certain parts of the world. The following day, Venus makes its epic transit across the face of the Sun. This will be just the 4th such Venus transit in the past 243 years. We will share more detailed information in our next update about these two life-changing events.

Aloha from Hawaii Island,
Kathryn Andren Mina and Starman, Joseph Mina
May 4, 2012
©Gemini Awakening 2012 all rights reserved

Astrology Chart Illustrations
- chart generating software - Time Cycles Research Software
- chart annotations - ScreenSteps by Blue Mango Learning Systems

- video creation - Telestream Screenflow, Apple iMovie 11 & Bias Peak Studio