New Moon in Taurus – May 2011 – Baggage

The New Moon occurs at 6.50am UT on the 3rd May 2011 at 12Tau31.

The Sabian symbol for the New Moon is
A Porter Carrying Heavy Baggage

This Sabian evokes in me the image of cattle pulling a plough. It contains weight, generates the concept of hard work that for the most part goes unseen. A porter’s job is to bring your belongings to your room. He doesn’t judge or complain about how much or how little luggage you have. He takes the pressure away from you so you can enjoy your stay. Often we give a tip to a porter as a way of saying thank you. A good porter will not expect a tip but will be appreciative if one is given.

Riddled within this image is the concept of baggage – emotional baggage. This moon asks what baggage we are carrying, or rather what baggage do we expect others to carry for us? It may be time to consider what we put onto others. When someone is weighed down (by guilt or shame for example), it is easy for them to project this load onto others he or she comes into contact with. How much are we expecting others to carry for us? How much are we willing to give in return?

The New Moon is conjunct asteroid Hera, the wife of Zeus in Greek mythology and noticeably referred to as ‘cow-eyed’ due to her sacred association with cattle. Cattle are almost universally associated with fertility, so this Moon has a double whammy of fertile female energy.

It’s funny, as I read the word Hera, I am thinking about the Portuguese language and how it often has an ‘o’ at the end of the word to indicate the masculine and an ‘a’ at the end of a word to indicate the feminine. Perhaps then, Hera is a female Hero…

And her stories would indicate she is. Often it is her jealously that is spoken of but in many ways, Hera stood up for herself and did everything she could to protect her marriage to Zeus. Granted, she didn’t always play nice and could be ‘a bit of a cow’ but the love between Hera and Zeus was as real as it was tempestuous. She is considered the Goddess of marriage.

The New Moon’s conjunction to Hera perhaps reminds us to protect our relationships because they are a creative force. Jealously however is ‘baggage’ whether from previous relationships or childhood issues. Jealously can damage a good relationship and turn sweet to sour in seconds. Taurean jealously can stem from insecurities which give rise to possessiveness.

With a quincunx to Saturn, the New Moon chart shows us that the things that weigh us down (Saturn) cause irritation (quincunx) in relationships (Libra). The flowing trine from the New Moon to Pluto simply says to let go of it. Whilst the Mercury-Venus conjunction is still square to Pluto, this square is waning, its energy dissipating. Issues of domination must be released.

Meanwhile Venus herself is opposed by Saturn. Maybe it’s simply about getting real. Hera was never deluded by love. She knew both the good and bad of her husband but loved him still.

Ceres adds to the feminine feel of this New Moon by a sextile as she travels through Pisces. Signifying nourishment, love and nurture, this aspect reminds us to take the opportunity to care for another. By remembering that we are all connected, we can more easily release our insecurities. There is no need to own another because we are already part of each other.

Suitcases photo by Charlie Phillips on Flickr