A Stimulating Sunday, May 27

The crack of dawn is like a starter’s pistol, and we are on the run until after dark. The Moon is in lively Leo and the Moon sextiles vibrant Venus this morning -- the pursuit of happiness is high on the list, along with fun, games, and frivolity.

The Sun conjoins animated Mercury, infusing octane into our get-up-and-go -- and many are going boldly. Mercury also sextiles audacious Uranus, arousing the adventurer in us. It is a dandy day for excursions, jaunts, and safaris, as well as exploring new interests.

It’s “steady as she goes” this afternoon, as the Moon sextiles unswerving Saturn, a soft contact that keeps us on an even keel. It may also keep us on the straight-and-narrow though not for very long.

As the evening opens, the Moon squares off with injudicious Jupiter: some will be reckless, others shortsighted but fortune favors those who trim their sails. After contacting Jupiter, the Moon is void-of-course and all bets are off.

In the East, the Moon is void-of-course from 7:54 PM to 2:06 AM. (One hour earlier for Central Time.)

On the West Coast and in Arizona, it’s 4:54 PM to 11:06 PM. (An hour later for Mountain Time.)

For our international readers, the GMT is 23:54 to 6:06, May 28.

It will be a good evening to socialize but don’t count on dancing til dawn. We emerge from the void as the Moon enters virtuous Virgo, and we come down to Earth. The night owls will be introspective.

Today’s planting tip: Leo is a barren Fire sign, which is inauspicious for planting, and though Virgo is an Earth sign, it is not particularly fertile. Hang up the hoe and trowel; hit the beach instead.

A Stirring Saturday, May 26

It is the Memorial Day weekend in the United States and the traditional start of the vacation season -- and the Cosmos is being cooperative.

The Moon is in fun-loving Leo, jazzing up our zest for life, and the Moon trines unfettered Uranus this morning. People are eager to let the good times roll, a few are ready to roll out the barrel, and most are anxious to get rolling.

After that, there are no major lunar contacts until afternoon, which enhances our freedom of action. No contacts, no outside interference -- but we can anticipate lots of traffic.

The Sun conjoins mobile Mercury tomorrow morning but the influence builds throughout the day. The conjunction is in Gemini, Mercury’s home sign: people are loquacious, lively, and in motion.

The only rough spot comes this afternoon, as the Moon squares off with vestal Vesta. Some folks will be stand-offish, others self-absorbed, and a few will be self-centered. We get a tad subjective when the Sun conjoins Mercury, and we identify with our ideas.

After that, however, there is nothing to impede us. And the evening is especially festive -- a great time for parties, outings, and excursions.

In the wee hours, the Moon and intoxicating Neptune face off across the Equator and some will take leave of their senses while others lapse into unconsciousness. The night owls will be inebriated.

Today’s planting tip: Don’t. Leo is a barren Fire sign, inauspicious for planting unless you are sowing wild oats. But it is a dandy time for a garden party or to stop and smell the flowers.

A Confusing Friday, May 25

If you have things to do this morning, better get an early start -- though that’s easier said than done. We start out with the Moon in crusty Cancer, and the Moon squares off with sluggish Saturn around dawn. Either we are in arrears, out of sorts, or under the weather.

A few hours later, we start perking up as the Moon sextiles jaunty Jupiter, introducing a note of optimism and infusing us with extra energy. Make hay while the Sun shines -- after contacting Jupiter, the Moon is void-of-course and all bets are off.

In the East, the Moon is void-of-course from 10:34 AM to 6:11 PM. (One hour earlier for Central Time.)

On the West Coast and in Arizona, it’s 7:34 AM to 3:11 PM. (An hour later for Mountain Time.)

For our international readers, the GMT is 14:34 to 22:11.

These periods are unpredictable and this void Moon is especially screwy because mental Mercury squares off with nebulous Neptune, generating fibs, foul-ups, and flights of fancy.

The fog is thickest around 12:30 this afternoon in most time zones, when Mercury reaches its daily zenith while Neptune sets in the West. Take statements with a grain of salt: Fortune favors skeptics.

We come out of the void as the Moon cruises into lively Leo, just in time for the weekend. People want to have fun when the Moon is in Leo; it is a dandy time for parties, get-togethers and free exchanges. In the wee hours, the Moon sextiles Mercury -- their first contact with Mercury in Gemini.  The night owls will be animated.

Today’s planting tip: Do it while the Moon is in Cancer, preferably before it is void-of-course. We are in the first quarter phase, favorable for annual flowers and crops that yield above ground. Plant nothing while the Moon is in Leo, a barren Fire sign; roll in the clover instead.

A Fallow Thursday, May 24

Mental Mercury enters energizing Gemini this morning for a stay until June 7. Mercury is at home in Gemini, a sign it rules, which speeds up the flow of information (for one thing). It may also put wings on our heels.

But as usual when Mercury changes signs, it takes awhile to acclimatize. Initially, we can expect confusion as well as muddled thinking, and this transition is more scramblebrained than usual.

Mercury squares off with nebulous Neptune tomorrow but the influence leaks in today. This formation is associated with leaks, as well as figments, fuzzy-thinking, and forked tongues, It is also linked to wishful thinking.

On the other hand, this is a good creative influence, especially for works of fiction. But write poems, not checks, and take a couple days to get the facts straight.

Apart from all of the above, this could turn out to be a decent day. The Moon is in competent Cancer, and the Moon sextiles motivating Mars this morning. That will add octane to the morning oatmeal.

After that, there are no major lunar contacts, which leaves us to our own devices. No contacts, no outside interference but no outside assistance, either. Fortune favors self-starters.

This evening, the Moon sextiles sensitive Ceres, which should induce good moods at least (though it won’t do much for mental clarity). People will be warm-hearted, gracious, and hospitable. Quiet times go best, however; the night owls will be unconscious.

Today’s planting tip: Cancer is an exceptionally fertile Water sign and we are in the first quarter of the lunar cycle, which gives us a propitious period for above ground crops and annual flowers. It is also a favorable time to water, fertilize, and replenish the soil.

A Woozy Wednesday, May 23

The day opens with a void-of-course Moon but that ends at 7:51 AM EDT (4:51 PT) when the Moon slides into crustaceous Cancer which, by rights, should strengthen our grip on reality. We are more security-conscious when the Moon is in this sign, but we can also be insecure and today could be somewhat shaky.

The Sun squares off with nebulous Neptune, making folks inattentive, absent-minded, and unrealistic. They could also be subject to fantasies and flimflammery.

Also muddying the waters, mental Mercury is about to change signs. Tomorrow it enters Gemini, a sign it rules, and adds energy to our interactions but it will take time to adjust to the transition. Today, it is very easy to get the wrong idea, especially when it comes to relationships with Mercury opposite conjugal Juno.

The afternoon opens on a mellow note as the Moon trines Neptune. But the surface calm could be an illusion.

Sparks fly this evening, as the Moon squares off with electrifying Uranus. Some folks will fly off the handle while others fly the coop. People will be moody, erratic, and excitable; some will be accident prone.

But wise are they who take it slow and screw the lid down tight. In the wee hours, the Moon opposes primitive Pluto and awakens the reptile in us. The night owls will be aggressive.

Today’s planting tip: The thumb turns green after the Moon enters Cancer, the most fertile sign of the Zodiac. We are in the first quarter phase, an ideal time to plant annual flowers and above ground crops.