 |
|
|
Complaining of sharp pains, Artyom Sidorkin of Russia was rushed into surgery last week for what doctors believed was a large, malignant lung tumor. Instead, they found and removed a two-inch-tall fir tree growing in his lung. The shocked surgeon theorized that Sidorkin had inhaled a seed, which somehow took root and grew. I contemplated this unlikely tale while lying on the grass under a eucalyptus tree last Sunday. It was Balboa Park's annual Earth Day festival here in San Diego, appropriately held on the day the Sun moved into earthy, sensual Taurus. A recent encounter with Dad had left me in tears. Then I thought: What if my pain was new life growing within? I breathed deeply into this reassuring thought and allowed the earth beneath me to do her healing work. Soon I was ready to join my friends at the World Beat Center, where we are building a circular bench out of cob--a mixture of clay, earth, sand and straw. Hands in the mud, my heart was at peace. Then a young family joined us. While their two-year-old daughter splashed happily in the mud, her parents labored in the hot sun. The father confessed to being on disability leave for anxiety and depression. Yet after several hours' work on the cob bench, he left with a smile on his face. The earth had worked her magic on him, too! The New Moon in Taurus on Friday, April 24 (8:23 p.m. Pacific time) reactivates the umbilical cord that connects us to our Earth Mother, calling out to our most primal instincts. When was the last time you got your hands in the mud, or even lay on the ground or sand? The Mother stabilizes and heals us, yet in our apartment-dwelling, computer-obsessed lives, we forget that we are fashioned from her clay and possess her creative powers. Transformational Pluto makes a supportive trine to the Sun and Moon, strengthening the imperative to remember our identity as a cosmic creator. What are you ready to give birth to now? The stimulating energies bubbling up within us are seeking an outlet--perhaps a creative, money-making venture or an exciting love relationship. Plant the seeds symbolically or physically at this auspicious New Moon. Cosmic lovers Venus (Taurus' ruling planet) and Mars joined on April 21st in late Pisces. This was also the day of Mars' perihelion, or closest point to the Sun, which gave it extra oomph. Mars and Venus will dance with each other all of May in passionate Aries on their way to a final consummation in Taurus on June 21. This unusually long Mars/Venus dance is a sensual delight, yet also calls for patience. Begin pursuing your heart's desire in April or wait until June for best results, as messenger Mercury will be retrograde most of May, which could present logistical difficulties or delays--especially in combination with cautious Saturn stationary all month as it slowly prepares to move forward. The other significant planetary news is the exact conjunction of Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron in Aquarius from May 23-27, which colors the entire month. This powerhouse combination offers an opportunity to heal old wounds of alienation both personally and collectively. As they join in fiercely independent Aquarius, these planets show us where we resist being part of the family of man--and offer an opportunity to rejoin the fold. This healing process culminates as Jupiter, Neptune and Chiron make their final conjunction in December. Have you felt separate from others--or yourself? It's time for unification. Make a list of those from whom you feel disconnected, put it on your altar and send them love and blessings each day. Check out my latest article, Jupiter Neptune Chiron: Shamanic Healer, for more on this unparalleled planetary event. Slow down a bit and enjoy the sensual side of life while the Sun is in Taurus through May 20. Patience and pleasure go hand-in-hand now, so let's make the most of it! If
you'd like to receive an email notification when each month's new
essay is posted join my mailing list. Archive of Past Monthly Essays |
|
|
Home
:: Biography :: This Month :: Articles :: |
MAY
THEME: NEW GROWTH WITHIN