* All times are PDT, unless stated otherwise. Planetary positions are expressed as the degree followed by the sign. If there is a number following the si gn, it refers to the minute position in the degree of that sign. As with an hour, there are 60 minutes in a degree. For example, 10° Virgo 43’, means 10 degrees and 43 minutes Virgo.
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On June 21st at 10:16 am PDT the Sun bids adieu to Gemini and enters protective Cancer, marking the Summer Solstice in the Northern hemisphere and the Winter Solstice in the Southern, and a Happy Royal Birthday to Prince William! During this time we may be more emotionally receptive. Cancer is the ultimate nurturer, giving distinctively feminine nourishment to meet the needs of Other. A cardinal sign, Cancer also has the peculiar dual energies of initiation and cautiousness, ready to start anything as long as the tribe stays safe and secure. This day also marks the end of Mercury’s dance with the outer planets as it squares Saturn (a 90° angle at 10° Cancer/Libra) ending the quick succession of first squaring Uranus in Aries and opposing Pluto in Capricorn. By itself, Mercury square Saturn requires more patience and precision for communications to be effective. But in the bigger picture, the fastest planet touching within a few days these titans of our solar system, called a “translation,” energizes the longer lasting planetary pattern the outer planets have been forming, called a “T-square” – a challenging alignment of two squares and an opposition (a 180° angle) that if approached with fearlessness, flexibility and out-of-the-box thinking can lead to life-changing experiences, on an individual and global scale. It seems likely that no one will be immune to the effects of these aspects as after Mercury sets off a Cardinal Grand Cross (basically a T-square times two) with the three slower moving planets, so too will the Sun and Venus follow suit within a few weeks. Also marking this Solstice is Mars 0° Gemini squaring Neptune 0° Pisces. Mars in Gemini adds a dose of assertiveness to our communications and is great for initiating ideas. With the square (a 90° angle) to Neptune, however, those ideas may have trouble getting off the ground unless backed by a spiritual purpose. Mars’ desire for action can be blocked or difficult to assert due to Neptunian confusion and self-doubt, or the idealistic pacifism. At its most positive form of expression, Mars/Neptune is the spiritual warrior that can imprint this Cancerian Solstice with the imagination to create a future that will benefit the global tribe.
Before the Cancer Sun moves into its own translation period with the Saturn/Uranus/Pluto configuration, it will trine Neptune on June 22nd. While there is bound to be renewed stirrings for change and possibly an increasing sense of impatience for that change to come about with the outer planets being highly activated, adding Neptune to the mix will underscore the need to keep love and compassion in the picture. On June 26th the Sun at 4° Cancer moves on to square Uranus at 4° Aries, which could make radicals of us all, or at least could help us bring originality to the mix, at the risk of bucking the traditionalists or risk averse. Then on June 27th the Sun at 6° Cancer opposes Pluto at 6° Capricorn. This is an opportunity to get in touch with our power core. Purity is essential as we are tested in our ability to harness our deep strength within for the greater good rather than wasting that tremendous energy on superficial power struggles. Oppositions are like Full Moons and represent the midpoint of a cycle – a time to harvest what was begun at the previous conjunction. Think back to December 26, 2010 when the Sun was conjunct Pluto at 5° Capricorn to get a sense of where you might be bringing something to fruition. Now with the Sun, Uranus and Pluto forming the T-square, the tension and need for action will be based more from the core of your being rather than in the way you think as was the emphasis with Mercury. There will also be the search for an outlet, the point for which astrologically is 0°-10° Libra. That point is now occupied by Saturn and completes another Cardinal Grand Cross. When Saturn is involved, real, long-lasting transformation takes time. Be wary of any proposed quick fixes. A Mars/Uranus sextile (a 60° angle between 4° Gemini/Aries) may help with innovative breakthroughs to the tough problems we face.
In the wee hours of the morning of July 1st we have the next solar eclipse, the third eclipse since June 1st. A Solar eclipse is a New Moon with Sun conjunct Moon, this time at 9° Cancer. While waiting for Jim Sher’s article on this eclipse in the next newsletter, go back and review his article on the June 1st eclipse for a sense of what a solar eclipse is about. What seeds are planted here? While the energies of this period we’ve been discussing are still in effect, this Cancer Solar eclipse could be the catalyst for us to give the rallying cry “Carpe diem!” This is truly the “hottest” day of the summer that may, whether you are ready for it or not, melt away outmoded defense mechanisms. Again, openness and flexibility will help prepare the way for the remodeling of our collective psyche. By late evening Mercury shifts its fast thinking energy into fixed fiery Leo. This may interject some much needed creativity and humor, or perhaps bravado, into whatever internal or external shifts are happening.
On July 2nd the Sun at 10° Cancer squares Saturn at 10° Libra – obstacles, details, discipline, details, duty and more details! It helps to remain objective and not take things so seriously when Saturn is in your face. Otherwise over-active defenses could result in isolation and despair. Slow, steady and light-hearted wins the marathon of life. On July 3rd Venus, slowly gaining on the Sun, adds to the desire and appreciation for traditional home life when it enters Cancer. Familiarity with other in a secure environment allows for greater intimacy and tender loving care to flourish. But what is it that we truly need to be safe and secure? How we define security within the context of our current world “order” may need to be recalibrated. Turn off the external noise and tune into your heart to hear the inner voice telling you where your true center of balance is. This is what it really means to love your Self.
On July 4th Venus trines Neptune at 0° Cancer/Pisces and Mercury trine Uranus at 4° Leo/Aries adding much needed relief to this day of celebration. Venus in an easy relationship with Neptune promises the highest ideals of love with all its romance, no matter the type of relationship – lovers or best buds, children, siblings, parents or new acquaintances. Sensitivity and imagination can be the key ingredients that will enhance our ability to relate to all our fellow Earth travelers. The energy of Mercury/Uranus offers the ability to objectively intuit our way through any unforeseen unfolding of events.
On July 5th, Mercury at 5° Leo squares Jupiter at 5° Taurus. What a fantastic time to let your mind travel to distant lands. Explore the galactic landscape of thought and then find practical ways to express them to the rest of us here on earth, Professor. Enrich yourself with the wisdom of the ages to avoid unsubstantiated hyperbole. In other words, gaseous Jupiter could very well blow anything Mercury has to say completely out of proportion!
Happy Transits,
Kimberly & Jim
This was wonderful and very insightful.