April Wrap Up :: May What’s Up Part 1– Astronomy, Astrology & Top Posts!

What’s up in May? The May Day Prom Ride tomorrow kicks off the month for me. Here you’ll find all the details. In a day or two, I will post about literary, green, and other cool events coming up during May, including Anne Waldman performing May 4 at the LA Central Library. And I’d like to know: what would YOU like to see more of here on Art Predator?

In the meantime, here’s what’s up astronomically, astrologically, and readerwise on this here blog!

Astronomically,  the month starts out with the Eta Aquarid meteor shower in the pre-dawn hours with especially good viewing Weds May 6 after the waxing moon has set but before the sun has risen. Those who wake around 4am will be rewarded with a moonset to the west and “earth grazing” meteors to the east skimming across the horizon. I may have to get up and soak in the hot tub that morning if the skies are clear!

On the west coast of North America, the moon is full at 9pm Friday May 8 to light the sky for a fine Mother’s Day weekend, which means the moon will be new Sunday May 24 and dark skies for campers out over Memorial Day weekend.

Astrologically, Saturn, which has been in retrograde since New Year’s Eve, finally goes direct May 16. But according to Astrology.com, the biggest astrology story for May is that Mercury turns retrograde in Gemini on May 6, and turns direct in Taurus, on the 30th of the month.

Mercury usually turns retrograde three times a year — however, in 2009 Mercury turns retrograde four different times. For this second retrograde of the year, Mercury turns retrograde in its own sign, Gemini, and it’s a time for a thorough review for everyone. The normal Mercury-retro rules all apply: don’t sign contracts; do not buy products that are communication-related, such as phones, mp3 players, and computers. The same goes for anything travel-related, such as cars and plane tickets.

Mercury, the planet of communication, goes retrograde for the second time this year on May 6-7 (depending upon your time zone). Mercury normally turns retrograde three times a year — however, in 2009 Mercury turns retrograde four different times. The effects of each retrograde period differ depending on the sign in which it occurs. This time around, Mercury is turning retrograde in Gemini — its home base. Mercury is the ruler of Gemini!

Both Gemini and Mercury govern communications, the way we pick up information and process thoughts. Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings as well as flawed, disrupted or delayed communications, negotiations and trade glitches, and breakdowns with phones, computers, vehicles.

This retrograde period, step back from decision-making, agreements, contracts and use this review time to your benefit. Write down the pros and cons of everything since your mind will not settle on anything one hundred percent! When Mercury turns direct on May 30, you’ll have greater clarity and are more likely to make good decisions. If possible, avoid buying communication-related products such as computers and phones. Keep receipts if you do. If you are traveling, double-check your reservations and bring a good book to read and plenty of games for the kids in case you are delayed. From late in the evening of May 13 through the end of the retrograde period, Mercury will be transiting the sign of Taurus, the sign ruling money. Decisions about investments and handling of finances should also be put off during this period.

Like any cosmic event, this retrograde affects each of us differently depending on how it’s positioned in our personal birth charts. A Mercury retrograde period may be very prosperous for those who have retrograde Mercury, or a well-aspected Mercury, in their birth charts.

While a retrograde period may be an introspective time for all of us, if Gemini is prominent in your chart, you will have more than your usual share of introspection. Gemini is a mutable sign, so if other mutable signs — Pisces, Virgo, Sagittarius — are prominent in your chart, you will also experience a period of intense self-examination.

There is a full Moon in Scorpio on May 8, urging you to stand back and assess how far you’ve come. Use the power of this Moon to put finishing touches on your plans.

Saturn, the planet of discipline and karma has been retrograde since December 31, 2008. On May 16, Saturn finally turns direct and opens the door to forward movement and fewer barriers. It will be easier now to create a firm foundation for success. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!

On May 20, the Sun enters Gemini. It’s birthday time for all the Geminis out there, and a time for all of us to open our minds to new ways of thinking.

Neptune, the planet of illusion, turns retrograde in Aquarius on May 28, giving you the opportunity to review how you invest in your dreams, and how to establish a solid foundation for your life achievements.

Finally Mercury turns direct on May 30, and communications become easier and less confusing, so you can move forward and put all your plans in motion.

So where do I stand and what have folks been reading this past month?

According to technorati:
Considering how many blogs are out there, that’s not bad: an authority of 40 and a rank of 136,000–and my numbers steadily get better each month.

Blog Stats Total views: April 9,071
since Nov. 2008: 78,954–almost 80,000!

Busiest day: 2,836 Thursday, February 21, 2008
Busiest day in previous 30 days: 589 April 6
Views today, April 30, 2009: 360

Totals Posts: 577
April: 45 (only missed 1 day!)

Top 14 Posts for April:

Overvew–It’s all about Bruce! 5 Posts about Bruce Springsteen made the top 14 as Bruce mania swept the nation when he embarked April 1 on his national “Working on a Dream” Tour and accounted for nearly 1,000 page views–1/9 of my total. What can I say? The man is popular and I had fresh information–including a set list and seeing the Boss backstage after a concert and getting his autograph!

The other 9 posts covered the gamut of typical topics here on Art Predator: some astrology/astronomy, wine, art, and eco-activism. While a few of the posts have been around awhile picking up page views, some of the Top 14 were posted in April. If you missed any of them, now’s your chance!

Which reminds me to ask again: what would you like to see covered in May?

2009-03-31 to Today (sorry about the funky formatting! note to self: must learn html!)