The square between Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces is the dominant outer planet alignment of 2019 with the second exact pass of June 16 still strongly resonating (see last AstroCast). Both planets are powerful in the signs they rule and have a strong affinity for being visionary. This alignment asks us to cultivate courage to discover through direct experiences what our unique Truth is that brings meaning to life. It suggests we seek inspiration by exposing ourselves to new ideas, new people from different cultures or anything that is unfamiliar in order to enrich our worldview. This includes developing states of being that open us to all-inclusive galactic wisdom.
Venus is the last of the personal planets (following Mercury and the Sun) amplifying the Jupiter/Neptune archetypes since the end of May by creating a mutable T-square formation from their position in Gemini. During the Venus transit, with exact alignments June 23-24, the focus on what we envision for ourselves shifts to to identifying how it aligns with our values and how those in our life are supporting or hindering our movement towards manifesting it. Venus represents the movement to total relatedness. In Gemini, Venus emphasizes gathering information we find valuable and making connections with others to exchange ideas. Venus dynamically triggering this alignment has the potential to quicken collaborative efforts with a shared purpose. Due to the tense nature of the T-square we may also need to address any imbalances in our interactions with others, including romantic liaisons as well as unions devoted to a common ideal.
Where this alignment lands in one’s natal chart can indicate the areas of life where we feel inspired, or are having a feeling of being led by unseen forces into new territory. This could feel like a huge stretch out of our known abilities and therefore highly daunting. Do we take the gamble and put our whole heart into it? It seems this year many are. Look at the number of Democrats who declared their candidacy for the U.S. Presidency this year. For me personally, this transit has correlated to internal movements to expand my experiences in the world in a way that is more aligned with my spiritual path. I have been making conscious choices that could lead to a fundamental shift in how I make a living and my living arrangements (Venus rules personal finances and is transiting my fourth house of home).
Still in orb of their feisty conjunction of June 18, Mercury and Mars in Cancer are traveling in tandem as they successively move into confident and creative Leo on June 26 and July 1 respectively and remain within a 3∞ orb through July 12 due to Mercury slowing down. Mercury entered its shadow at 23∞57’ Cancer on June 20 and will station retrograde on July 7 at 4∞28’ Leo. Anything transpiring now will likely come up for review and need refinement or adjustment during the retrograde period that ends July 31. Those sticking their neck out to manifest their dreams can pull from Mars in Leo’s heroic nature and Mercury in Leo’s oratory skills to communicate with clarity and forthrightness. Robust debate among the presidential contenders is likely as they attempt to break away from the pack by demonstrating their leadership qualities with pioneering and inspirational ideas and deeds. As long as they stick to their inner truth, any recalibration needed during the retrograde period would be minimal.
Eclipse season arrives as the Sun and Moon come into orb of the lunar North Node and form the New Moon Total Solar Eclipse at 10∞37’ Cancer on July 2. The new lunar cycle thus radiates with potent energetic waves bound to disturb any part of our life that is stagnant. The Sun and Moon united in Cancer suggests we may need to look at our internal programming and automatic behaviors to see how they are affecting our lives. If we are not aware of how much we protect and defend the conditioned behavioral patterns we received from family, society, etc., then situations may arise that require us to become conscious of them, usually in ways that take us far out of our comfort zones. The willingness to be disturbed like this is how we mature and come to a deeper sense of knowing – and being comfortable with – who we truly are underneath our protective shell of automaticity.
The Sabian symbol for the degree of the eclipse is “A clown caricaturing well-known personalities.” Dane Rudhyar’s interpretation of this reveals “the value of humor in developing objectivity and independence of mind.” The ability to laugh including at our own pettiness can be a form of release from the conditioning that locks us in our sense of self-importance. Think of the late night show hosts such as Jon Stewart whose brilliant skewering of the pretentious glamour, hubris and selfish nature of ego. Being able to laugh at ourselves is the first step towards liberating us from the family and societal programming we cling to out of a false sense of security familiarity brings. This requires total honesty and acceptance of where we are in the moment, even when we are being ridiculous. If we can impartially look at the clown’s feedback and learn what we need to continue moving towards our ideals we will gain greater intellectual freedom, and be able to have a grand laugh at ourselves.
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