The sign of constant, consistent and abiding love - the love we must learn, no matter how difficult, to give to our mothers

Mercury, planet of communication and making connections, retrogrades (turns back) May 7 for three weeks (till May 30) in Gemini and then in Taurus. During retrogrades we’re internal. It’s not a time to initiate plans, make appointments, sign agreements or purchase important items (houses, cars, appliances, etc.). Wait until after Mercury is direct; everything changes after the retrograde. During Mercury retrograde everyone becomes a Virgo (internal, detailed). We assess and review the past four months of information and actions.

May is a beautiful, fragrant, flower-filled, celebratory month. The words, “You’re simply the best” can be applied to Taurus, the sign ruling the month of May, and all mothers on Mother’s Day. May is the month of the Holy Mother.

Taurus is the sign of constant, consistent and abiding love - the love we must learn, no matter how difficult, to give to our mothers. Last year I sent my mother a card with Tina Turner singing, “You’re simply the best!” She (my mother) is, and they (mothers) are (the very best). As mothers age they look to their children for the love, guidance, and companionship they previously gave to us. Positions change. On this Sagittarius (joy) moon day, let’s have the intention to thank and honor our mothers in all ways.

For those emotionally separated from their mothers, here is the St. Francis of Assisi prayer that will help re-establish Right Relations and Goodwill with mother. St. Francis of Assisi, a Libra, is the saint of Right Human Relations. “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.”

I suggest everyone begin a Retrograde Journal, capturing inner thoughts, ideas, changes, assessments and reviews. After the retrograde the journal information will be valuable and it may be forgotten when Mercury turns direct.

ARIES (Mar. 21-Apr. 20) Assess what you value. Think about what it is you want and need - and why. Include thoughts of whether you value yourself and what you value about yourself. Something hidden, maybe money, but most likely a great resource, appears, along with inner thoughts that will soon lead to innovations.

TAURUS (Apr. 21-May 20) Think about yourself and reconsider who you are or have become. Returning to a previous past or previously known people, places and events, allows you to complete things unable to be completed before. You’ll feel mixed emotions. Others look to you for support. You can weather this.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Speech, your most important gift, may become garbled as it shifts into Taurus. Thoughts, too. It’s best to not say much unless you use words of praise, loving and goodwill. Otherwise you may be misunderstood. Sorrow from the past may reappear, allowing for a reappraisal and then a rapprochement. Your ideas and beliefs may radically change. Expect this.

CANCER (June 21-July 20) Who are your friends? What constitutes your group? What have you learned from them? These realizations allow you to have a greater vision of humanity and service and the building of the new culture and civilization. You realize the reason for the present breakdown is so the new world can be set in order from the chaos. What is your function in this?

LEO (July 21-Aug. 20) Unusual things happen in retrogrades. Sometimes prestige seems to fall away, or we’re recognized for gifts no one recognized before. For those who’ve felt unseen and neglected, this may change. Don’t expect the change to remain. It’s best to simply observe everything and everyone this month, and tend to what needs recycling, renewing or simply thrown away. Make everything temporary and experimental. We see you.

VIRGO (Aug. 21-Sept. 20) It’s an excellent time to ask what is truth and what constitutes your personal truths. Have you updated, reviewed or reformed what you’ve believed to be true from the past? It’s possible a previous truth may arrive clothed in new ideals. Review old school books, class notes - studies important to you at one time. Are you using your learned knowledge? Is there something new you want to learn?

LIBRA (Sept. 21-Oct. 20) A past situation, where there was either loss or rejection, must be reviewed in order to continue with clarity on your trajectory of work, love, relationships and life in general. Draw upon statements of forgiveness so a newer and more life-giving perspective can emerge. This is overdue and your Soul has been in a state of waiting (and patience) for much too long. Begin with what you value most.

SCORPIO (Oct. 21-Nov. 20) New and different insights occur to you in understanding previous partners. You’ve understood dynamics in these relationships often as the “other” being wrong. However, there was nothing wrong about anything in the relationship(s). All relationships are working situations where everyone involved is in a dynamic state of learning - leading to discrimination, detachment and dispassion. Knowing this, you become (intelligent and) free.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 21-Dec. 20) There are three themes to consider: health, service, work. You laugh. How is your health, could it be better, and could you be doing more toward stabilizing it? How is your working situation, are you doing too much or too little, and what is the quality of your working interactions? Lastly, who are you serving? The personality says “me.” The Soul says “I & Thou.”

CAPRICORN (Dec. 21-Jan. 20) Observing children at play, you reflect on your childhood, remembering joys and sorrows, losses and gifts, happiness and sadness. You’ll wonder how to express your enthusiasm, playfulness and fun, because deep inside you’re still a child, although you’ve assumed great adult responsibilities. Be sensitive and aware if there’s a child (big or small) in need. Instead of strictness, have compassion. Instead of discipline, tell them you love them. Your childhood heart will be listening.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 20) Previous family issues appear. You’ll be swept back to the past where perceptions were formed. Now those perceptions (forming the foundation of understanding) can be altered. When we’re children, we think as children. As adults, we have a broader, more inclusive life view. Also, do you need to move or review your living situation? What is it you need concerning home?

PISCES (Feb. 21-Mar. 20) New realities, new information, people, plans and events have appeared in your life. You’re quite calm - absorbing, observing, reviewing and assessing. Everything seems to have a new light; much is indescribable and inexpressible. This continues for several months. Be in the green nature kingdom as much as possible.

Risa D’Angeles is the founder and director of the Esoteric & Astrological Studies & Research Institute in Santa Cruz, California. Read more at www.nightlightnews.com. Questions, comments? Contact Risa at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .