MAY STAR STYLE

Samhain – Gateway to Winter

Samhain, an ancient Celtic fire festival, is celebrated on May Eve. Samhain marks the gateway to winter, and is a magical time of passage between the seasons. The nights are dark and long and the veil between this world and other dimensions is very thin. Divine beings, the spirits of the dead, and mortals are said to be able to move freely between one world and the  next. This of course is our Southern Hemisphere Hallowe’en. The week of Samhain is a good time to go within and meditate and then literally and metaphorically get rid of dead wood. A backyard bonfire with friends followed by a feast with warming seasonal food and mulled wine or spiced cider is a great way of doing this. Consider holding a burning ritual to release old energy, old beliefs and old possessions.

Recipe for Spiced Cider

• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (optional) • 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves                              • 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 teaspoon salt                                           • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 large orange, quartered with peel          • 1 litre dry apple cider

Pour the cider into a slow cooker or large saucepan. Put all the rest of the ingredients in a cheesecloth (thick paper towels would work just as well) and tie with string. (This means you don’t have to strain the liquid when the spiced cider is ready to serve). Slow cook on low for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally. The aroma that fills your home while the mixture is brewing is amazing! When the cider is ready to serve, ladle into mugs (leaving seasonings behind), garnish with orange segments and drink round the bonfire.

Scorpio Full Moon

Scorpio is the most intense and deeply emotional sign of the zodiac so feelings will be running high at the Scorpio full moon on the 6th May. Trust your instincts and gut feelings and if you feel drawn to help others, share secrets or act in a certain way, know that the universe is on your side.

Featured Sign – Taurus

Happy birthday Taurus!  This month the Sun travels through fixed earth sign Taurus, the second sign of the zodiac with keywords “I have” and “I hold”. The zodiac symbol for Taurus is the bull who luxuriates in the lush fields of plenty until aroused!  Taureans love sensual and physical pleasure and are caring and affectionate. They are also patient, steadfast and reliable with excellent taste and enjoy financial security and prosperity. Taureans can be very stubborn and take things literally, so proceed slowly and steadily when dealing with these individuals. The Taurus colours are pink, light blue, russet and the warm earthy tones. Taurus has a strong connection with the arts, particularly music and many Taureans are excellent singers. With their fine taste and patient hard working qualities, Taureans often produce things of beauty that outlive them. With their innate understanding of the physical body and material world, many work in the financial, food, fitness and health industries. Their greatest lesson is to accept and embrace change and to adopt a balanced approach to their money and possessions.

Solar Eclipse at the May New Moon

During a solar eclipse, the life-giving sun that lights our path joins briefly with the dark and mysterious moon as the moon blocks out the light of the sun. In this moment of darkness, yin and yang energies combine afresh, beginning another cycle in the spiral of personal development.  On the 21st May we have a solar eclipse in air sign Gemini at the May new moon. We are being asked to create a vision for a better future and then work out exactly how to make this happen. Although the energies will be most prominent for a week on either side of the eclipse, the influence on events will continue over the next few months, until the next solar eclipse in November.  If this eclipse falls on or around your birthday, you can count on an eventful and often surprising year ahead!