The Ascendant, Rays, Nodes, and Aspects Influencing 15 – 21 May 2022

Below are the Ray, Ascendant, and Node influences as well as strong planetary aspects over the coming week. Each daily chart is cast for 8:00 AM.

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Ray Influences

The effect of the seven cosmic Rays essentially impacts the soul/ego balance at any given moment. As the Rays move through the universe and ultimately reach each individual, they color (or influence) our perceptions and behavior. If we perceive our experiences from a soul perspective, then our overall perspective resonates from a higher vibration; whereas, if we react from the standpoint of ego, our resonance becomes lower and more reactive.

The 1st Ray of will and power continues to be reduced this week suggesting that the ability to assert oneself or to express one’s will in a positive manner continues to be challenging.

The 2nd Ray of love and wisdom continues to provide a moderate influence this week suggesting that one’s ability to act with love, empathy, and wisdom may continue its positive impact this week. However, that effect is less on Saturday. And with the 6th Ray of devotion and idealism fluctuating in its influence, it suggests that wisdom and love may have a lesser impact on expressions of ideology and fundamentalist devotion at the beginning of the week, increasing its strength in the middle, and lessening its strength again on Saturday.

Continuing from last week, the 3rd Ray of active intelligence’s significantly lesser impact suggests that instinct and adaptability to change are having a minimal impact throughout the week with the exception of Wednesday and Thursday where that may increase somewhat.                 

The moderate impact of the 4th Ray of harmony through conflict suggests that the willingness to cooperate with others to find solutions will likely be better this week with the exception of Wednesday, where its impact begins to decrease. And with the disciplined or logical approach to seeking truth from the 5th Ray still exerting a reduced effect, achieving a shared agreement with others may continue to be difficult until Friday where finding solutions may increase slightly.

Overall, the increasing 7th Ray influence on ceremonial order throughout the week suggests that a practical attitude may be stronger.

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The Ascendant

Cancer – A feminine/receptive sign, individuals with the Ascendant in Cancer tend to be risk-averse an are less likely to initiate new endeavors. A born nurturer, this compassionate individual takes care of family and friends but may also be given to moodiness.

• Moon sesquisquare The Ascendant – Balance your own needs with those of a partner today (5/15-16)
• Jupiter square The Ascendant – Although your self confidence is high and relationships with others flow well, you may need to take some time for yourself to reflect and regroup (5/15-16)

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Node Influences

N Node: Taurus; S Node: Scorpio – a transformative combination that describes strong emotions that can lead to expressions of victimhood, and the need for a focus on a spiritual perspective that views the behavior of others as a window into one’s own issues. The challenge involves forgiving the self for judging others. With this placement, we also know what we value or desire, however, how difficult that is to achieve depends upon the balance we strike.

Aspects: 

• The Sun conjunct N Node/opposite S Node – Release any hesitance to new experiences by learning to balance responsibilities at home with those in your career. (5/15)
• Mars sextile N Node/trine S Node – Allow Higher awareness to guide your perspective (5/15-16)

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Planetary Aspects with a Strong Impact

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The Sun 12th House/Taurus (5/15-20); 12th House/Gemini (5/20 at 6/22 PM – 5/21) ~  It’s time to reassess any areas that may need more structure or security by reevaluating both your process as well as your objective. It may be that your focus is off in some manner. Rely on your intuition as well as what your body is telling you so that you know you’re on the right path. Beginning Thursday, a conjunct with Mercury in retrograde suggests you may need to reflect on any plans you’re making so that you understand the overall picture before making any decisions, especially if emotions are getting in the way. Sun square Saturn (5/15-18); Sun sextile Neptune (5/15-16); Sun square Vesta (5/16-21); Sun trine Pluto R (5/17-21); Sun conjunct Mercury R (5/19-21); Sun semisquare Chiron (5/20-21)

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The Moon

5th House/Scorpio (5/15) You may feel triggered by either your own reactions or from a situation caused by someone else. Try to balance your emotional response with your intellectual side to find a more realistic perception. Moon opposite Uranus

6th House/Sagittarius (5/16-17) Although you may feel like setting off on a new adventure today, you need to be sure that you’re not avoiding any responsibilities that need addressing. With Mercury in retrograde, your desire to escape may be influenced by difficult interactions with others. But if not, you may simply want a change of scenery to clear your mind. On Tuesday, you enjoy some emotionally healing time with a partner. Moon opposite Mercury R (5/16); Moon trine Jupiter (5/16); Moon trine Venus (5/17); Moon trine Chiron (5/17)

6th House/Capricorn (5/18) It’s time to take stock and get organized, with special attention paid to your health. If interactions become triggering for you, step back and reflect on where that might be coming from so that you respond to others with more empathy for their perspective. Overreaction will only make the situation more challenging. Moon quincunx Mercury R; Moon square Jupiter; Moon opposite Ceres; Moon opposite Lilith

7th House/Capricorn (5/19) Make plans with a partner today especially if interactions have been strained due to Mercury retrograde’s effect. Remain flexible and open to the emotional needs of your partner and let him/her know what you need to feel supported. Moon sesquisquare Mercury R; Moon trine Uranus; Moon square Chiron

8th House/Aquarius (5/20) You may be drawn to the more metaphysical aspects of life right now and seek out a group with whom to collaborate. You feel supported and enjoy the moment where you don’t need to control every single factor of your experience. You express yourself well to others and may take a new spiritual path. Moon trine Mercury R; Moon sextile Jupiter

9th House/Aquarius (5/21) You expand on the new spiritual path from Friday which helps you understand the emotions of others that may have left you feeling perplexed. Realize that a higher message may be there that can bring healing and unity especially if you can express compassion in lieu of frustration.  Moon square Uranus; Moon sextile Chiron

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Mercury ~ 12th House/Gemini (5/15-21) – retrograde began on Tuesday, 10 May and ends on 2 June Although you relate well to others, you may need to step back and engage in some reflection during this period, especially if interactions with others have been difficult. You may also reflect on how you balance career and home. On Tuesday, you may experience frustration with a project. And on Saturday, you may need to reconsider how you come across to others so that you communicate compassion instead of judgment. Mercury R square the Midheaven (5/15-16); Mercury R semisquare Venus (5/17); Mercury R semisquare Chiron (5/21)

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Venus ~ 11th House/Aries (5/15-21) Although you love to engage with others, you need to continue to trust your instincts surrounding a partner during this period. Not everything may be as it seems and you may need to offer additional understanding and compassion, especially if you have misjudged your partner, or if Mercury’s retrograde effect is making interactions difficult. Venus conjunct Chiron (5/15-19)

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Mars ~ 10th House/Pisces (5/15-21) As you search for spiritual meaning in your life, your intuition is strong and you may decide to change careers. It may also be that you’ve been under some stress and you would benefit from some time to regroup. Beginning on Thursday, you should be more willing to pursue new opportunities. Mars conjunct Neptune (5/15-18); Mars conjunct Jupiter (May 19-21)

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Jupiter ~ 10th House/Aries (5/15-21) You may be rather impatient when expressing unique ideas and perspectives because it seems like others don’t necessarily agree or perhaps their expectations of you are unrealistic. And you may also find that your need to nurture others is not well-received during this period. Jupiter semisquare Uranus (5/15-18); Jupiter square Ceres (5/15-21)

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Saturn ~ 9th House/Aquarius (5/15-21) – You need to strike a better balance between work and taking time for yourself so that you don’t lose focus. If boundaries are lacking, be clear about your expectations and in your message to others. Saturn conjunct Vesta (5/15-21); Saturn sextile Eris (5/15-21)

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Uranus ~ 11th House/Taurus (5/15-21) Something unexpected may arise that causes you to reflect on issues of control during this period. And you may discover that dropping resistance allows you to explore new opportunities and perceptions. You may also be attracted to individuals that don’t reinforce your new perspective. Uranus semisquare Ceres (5/15-18)

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Neptune ~ 10th House/Pisces (5/15-21)  Your career choice may need to be re-defined during this period. You may also discover that beginning on Thursday discernment becomes challenging. Neptune semisquare Pallas

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Pluto ~ 8th House/Capricorn R (5/15-21) You may obsess over challenges or problems that arise to the point that you cannot understand the overall picture. And relationships may become more strained during the period if your self-assertion turns aggressive. Pluto R square Eris (5/15-21)

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Retrograde Planets – Pluto; Mercury beginning 10 May. Upcoming retrogrades include Jupiter – 28 July; Saturn – 4 June 2022; Uranus 24 Aug 2022; Neptune 28 June 2022; Chiron 19 July 2022; Vesta – 7 July 2022; Juno – 24 July 2022; Eris – 21 July 2022

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References

• Erickson, Jan. Witch Notes. Kindle. 2019.  
• Erickson, Jan. Shifting Perception. Draft2Digital. 2020.
• Erickson. Jan. Magick and the Aligned Witch. Kindle.