Here are two charts for the full Moon on 20 May 2008, 2:11:54 AM (GMT). Note that the time is *not* adjusted for daylight savings.

• Chart based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Full Moon in relation to U.S. natal chart

What the real astrologers have to say...
Taking a look at what other astrologers have to say about this full Moon:

Jeff Jawer at stariq.com in his full Moon report:

The Scorpio Full Moon is filled with emotion that's sometimes violent or extreme. This time, however, its boiling intensity is cooled by an opposition to loving Venus and a square from spiritual Neptune. Romance, compassion and fantasy are more likely than fury, yet there is some danger of delusion or useless self-sacrifice. Fortunately, inventive Uranus makes a favorable trine to the Full Moon, showing a new way to merge that makes it possible to melt into others without losing yourself.

Robert Ayres at Astrological Alchemy says about the full Moon:

The Full Moon falls in Scorpio on May 19. The Scorpion, the opposite sign of Taurus, rules the principles of death and rebirth or change. It represents the periodic need to release and let go that which no longer serves us. It is the image of clearing clutter, both internally and eternally. This is the time to take stock of what needs to be released out of your life. This is the second Scorpio Full Moon in a month, so this intense energy of change is strongly emphasized.

In addition, the Sun/Moon opposition is in 29 degrees of both signs. This provides another layer of intensity to this event. This means that there is an urgency to complete the cosmic intention. The keyword for this Full Moon in Scorpio is Attainment. It is the third or spiritual decanate of this sign and its message relates to the need for us to open up our soul to the light. There is also a need to balance the inner and the outer, the spiritual and the material. Inner work and self-transformation are required now.

The Full Moon forms a grand cross with Saturn and Neptune opposed to each other and squaring the Sun, Moon and Venus. These aspects highlight the likelihood of fear and confusion trying to impede the needed changes. There is also strong support for wise and enlightened action. This is represented by a mystic rectangle formed by the Sun/Venus/Jupiter/Moon/Mars combination providing the energy of mastership and dynamism for alchemical change.

We are at a significant crossroads and it is important to remember that it is always better to do something rather than nothing in these situations. Enjoy!

Robert Wilkinson at Aquarius Papers says about this year's full Moons in Scorpio and the festival of Wesak:

Yes, this is an amazing Cosmic moment in time! Due to the degrees where last month's and this month's Full Moon falls, we have been blessed to have TWO Wesak Festivals this year. Traditionally the Wesak Festival is considered the Full Moon of May since it celebrates the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha, Himself a Sun in Taurus and Moon in Scorpio. However, for the first and last time in many years, we're having two Full Moons, one in April and one in May, triggering the first and last degrees of those signs.

This Wesak falls on May 19, 7:11 pm PDT, 10:11 pm EDT. That means it's May 20 in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. A quick look finds Scorpio rising in Santa Monica and Vancouver, Sagittarius in NYC and Miami, Aries in Amsterdam, London, and Johannesburg, Taurus in Istanbul, Gemini in Tallinn and Baghdad, Cancer in New Delhi and Perth, Leo in Melbourne, and Libra in Maui. ...

My take..
   »On the full Moon

An overview of the aspects shows a number of patterns:

• A grand trine: Moon-Mars-Uranus
• A grand trine kite: Sun-Moon-Venus-Mars-Uranus
• Three grand crosses, the most notable: Sun-Moon-Venus-Saturn(out of sign)-Neptune
• Over 14 working wedges (check out the pictures here, posted by stellium)
• Over 11 T-wedges
• A mystic rectangle: Mercury-Saturn-Neptune-Pluto
• Three T-rectangles
• a Yod: Sun-Mars-Pluto (Pluto is the focus)
• and more

But what interests me is the conversation (i.e., conjunct) between Mercury & Ceres. A description of Ceres is below. I see her as representing corn here, our perceived rescue from the looming oil shortage. The media has been talking about corn a lot lately and the rising gas prices are a hot topic for many of us. Note that Mercury (the talk and the talker) is in the 2nd decan of Gemini, which has a Libran influence, and Ceres is in the 3rd decan of Gemini, which has an Aquarian influence. The talk centers around accepted solutions that probably won't work, but Ceres indicates something new. With Uranus in Pisces, something related to water and chemicals is indicated. Take a look at this ("Algae: 'The ultimate in renewable energy'").

Here's a fine description of the asteroid Ceres as an astrological entity from astrologycom.com:

The great mother, or the principle of unconditional love. Ceres (Demeter) is the goddess of fertility, of the crops (we get the word "cereal" from Ceres). The myth of Ceres and the loss of her daughter Proserpine (Persephone) explains the cyclic rhythms of nature and the deeper mysteries of death and resurrection, the human soul and metempsychosis. Ceres and Pluto thus have a connection, as in mythology Pluto, Lord of the Underworld, abducted her daughter Proserpine, Goddess of Spring [more on the classical myth of Ceres and Proserpine]. Ceres rules the cyclic structure of the natural world and the rhythms of womanhood and fertility, parenting and reproduction. The emergence of her influence in recent times has brought a resurgence of interest in the Divine Feminine, adding a dimension of awareness and nourishment. Notwithstanding, Ceres, the largest of the asteroids, is clearly a serious malefic, especially when afflicted, which anyone can see from examining her position in disaster charts. Even a quick reading of the mythology also reveals that, in her sorrow and grief, she can actually blight the entire world – in order to regain what she has lost. The placement of Ceres in the chart is a harbinger or loss, but always holds out the promise of return. Under new astronomical definitions, Ceres, the first discovered of the asteroids, has now been classed as a "dwarf planet". She has this in common with Pluto also...!
"Astrologically, Ceres describes the ways in which we face the issues of self-worth and self-esteem, relationships to our parents and children, attachment, dependency, loss, separation, rejection, grief, sharing, work and productivity."

   »On the full Moon as it relates to the U.S. natal chart

The Mercury-Ceres conjunct talked about earlier is posited in the U.S.'s 8th house with transiting Pluto in the second. This is a clear reference to supply and demand. Pluto is the ruler of the 8th. Many consider Pluto the indicator of the oil industry. With it posited in the 2nd, the suggestion is that there's a plentiful supply of oil (right now). This in turn suggests that the market is being manipulated. That Mercury-Ceres are in opposition by house verifies that the talk is about corn, as opposed to oil, and is affecting demand.

Journal entry dated 18 May 2008
Category: Whatis Aquarian, Astrology

Here are two charts for the new Moon on 5 May 2008, 01:18:30 PM (GMD).

• New Moon Chart
• U.S. Natal/New Moon
  
• Also being posted is the May calendar with astrological notation.
  

What other astrologers have to say...
Taking a look at what my favorite astrologers have to say about this new Moon:

Jeff Jawer at stariq.com in his New Moon Report:

The conjunction of the Sun and Moon in the fertile mid-spring sign of Taurus (fall in the Falklands) is a time to get back to basics and reconnect with the earth. Answers come through the senses, so feed yourself with smells, sights, sounds, touches and tastes that remind you of how pleasurable life can be on this beautiful planet. Honesty comes through the body to help you clarify your values and start gathering resources to reach your goals.

Robert Ayres at Astrological Alchemy says about the new Moon:

This month the New Moon falls in Taurus on May 5. The conjoining of the Sun and Moon in the sign of The Bull emphasizes planting the seeds of intention for the improvement of finances. Taurus rules the creation of wealth and abundance.

It is a fixed earth sign and is connected with the drive to fulfill our physical needs. The physical body is the vehicle of the soul and spirit but has legitimate physical needs. We all require food, clothing, and shelter. Taurus rules our ability to work with the Earth to provide for these necessities. The Bull is one of the most fertile, creative signs of the zodiac. ...

The New Moon falls in Taurus 15 degrees and the keyword for this decanate is Struggle. The struggle that is highlighted now is this: if our work or career does not reflect our dharma, or spiritual purpose, then we are out of sync in correctly aligning spirit with matter. It is essential that we adjust how we create wealth and abundance with our higher spiritual ideals. Remember, the law of karma rules everything we do and it affects the money that we make and whether or not it brings fulfillment.

My take..
   On the new Moon

This new Moon, being widely conjunct its ruler Venus, looks pretty benign. There is a grand trine in Earth signs between Venus in Taurus, Saturn in Virgo, and Pluto in Capricorn, suggesting that even though activities away from home may be restricted due to high gas prices, you can find real enjoyment in simpler pleasures. Because of the Plutonian influence, enjoyment may be intensified.

   On the new Moon as it relates to the U.S. natal chart

This new Moon is applying to the U.S.'s natal Vesta in the 7th house.

According to Bob Marks at BobMarksAstrologer:

Vesta's placement in the horoscope shows where and how we can be dedicated, where we can focus our energies to the greatest effect. But it also shows where, periodically, we have to withdraw and "recharge our batteries." If we don't, we will become drained, and even sick.

That the new Moon falls in the 7th house emphasizes its associations. In a natal chart the 7th indicates marriage and partnership. In a mundane figure, it represents (Devore, Encyclopedia of Astrology):

• the public as an organized social unit
• the social consciousness of the people
• the relative status of the nation among the nations of the world
• conditions, circumstances and events affecting a nation's social evolution
• those who cooperate with or oppose the people, esp. those assuming the status of public enemy
• anything that contributes to or interferes with public harmony
• public support of the nations's foreign policy and the reactions of foreign nations thereto
• international disputes
• war and peace
• public relations
• public gatherings
• meetings between and dealings with strangers
• the status of women in the nation, particularly the public attitude toward marriage and divorce [this was written in 1947]

Journal entry dated 04 May 2008
Category: Whatis Aquarian, Astrological Calendar, Alchemy