PREVIOUS THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY May 3 2010 to May 9 2010 Monday May 3 Wish Upon A Shooting Star Think of the earth as a train, trundling round a heavenly track. It takes 365.25 days to complete a single circuit. If you look through the window of the night sky, you'll see similar sights showing up with impressive predictability. Most impressive are the meteor showers, caused by clouds of cosmic dust and debris that hang around particular parts of the track. We pass through these on much the same night of each year. As bits burn up in our atmosphere, they create gorgeous shooting stars. Watch for these later this week. And be ready to make a wish. Tuesday May 4 All Aboard Yesterday, I suggested that Earth is like a train, trundling at a steady pace round a circular track, passing the same celestial scenery at a similar time each year. I should add that the track isn't circular. It's elliptical. And not all the scenery repeats annually. There are other trains, on other tracks, going around the Sun at a greater or nearer distance. Their speeds differ too so we pass them (and they pass each other) at different times. Thus, we don't always see Venus at sunset and Jupiter at dawn each May... but we certainly do this year! Wednesday May 5 Dear Jonathan You recently said the Norse god Loki was akin to Mercury. But Loki is a malign figure who represents deceit, inhibits true perception and opposes higher awareness. He's more like Maya in Buddhism - because Maya keeps us from gaining enlightenment. Leandra Dear Leandra, There's a slippery trickster in the mythology of every culture and the idea of a deity being both good and bad is nothing new. Mercury (as the Romans called him) or Hermes (as he was known in Greece) had a definite double edge and was partly based on the Egyptian god of learning, Thoth. Thursday May 6 Retrograde Election Many deities, in many belief systems, have a nice side and a sharp side. Those who believe that their gods live in the sky, as planets, expect that when those planets seem to be moving backwards, their more negative aspects will be unleashed. If, for example, Mercury represents wisdom and clear communication, a 'reverse Mercury' could symbolise foolishness and misunderstanding. No astrologer would advise a leader to consult the public at such a time. Gordon Brown clearly didn't consult an astrologer before choosing today for the British general election. We shall soon see whether this was a smart move. Friday May 7 Objective Detachment Dear Jonathan, I'm a Piscean with two Aquarian brothers-in-law. I've observed them carefully over many years and find they go to great lengths to remain detached from their feelings and maintain, in their heads, a distance from people and events. This helps them believe they are objective. Although objectivity is not the same thing as detachment... Fred Dear Fred, So, what IS the difference between these qualities? I'd love to hear an explanation. One thing I know, though, is that all of us, even Pisceans, have an 'Aquarian streak' in us somewhere. And even Aquarians have passions! Saturday May 8 Your Week Ahead Mercury, which has been retrograde since mid-April, turns 'direct' once more this week. That's a chance to clear up unfinished business. It may, though, take some of us a while to adjust to the consequences of recent changes. We have a lot to discuss and debate before we start to see a real sense of progress. Nor are we yet fully out of tricky territory. New developments, this week, next week and through the next few months, will challenge many people to look afresh at old expectations and assumptions. Sunday May 9 Your Week Ahead - Part Two Mercury, which has been retrograde since mid-April, turns 'direct' once more this week. That's a chance to clear up unfinished business. It may, though, take some of us a while to adjust to the consequences of recent changes. We have a lot to discuss and debate before we start to see a real sense of progress. Nor are we yet fully out of tricky territory. New developments, this week, next week and through the next few months, will challenge many people to look afresh at old expectations and assumptions. Back to Index   Click here for Jonathan Cainer's Daily Zodiac Forecasts