July 2020: Saturn's last dance in Capricorn

Summer is officially here, and this season will be just as suspenseful as the rest of the year has been, so don’t look for things to go back to normal anytime soon. During July, Saturn leaves Aquarius and re-enters the sign Capricorn for a final 6 month stay. We experience a significant lunar eclipse with a major impact on the United Sates, Mars begins its long trek through Aries, Mercury turns direct, Jupiter and Pluto meet up, and the Leo season begins

Saturn re-enters Capricorn

July 2, Saturn (retrograde) re-enters the sign Capricorn where it has been since December 2017. Saturn dipped its toes into Aquarius March 23-July 1, giving us a hint of what is to come from December 2020-March of 2023 when it enters Aquarius again for the next 2 and a half years.

Saturn is the planet of discipline, structure and responsibility. Saturn in Capricorn is about hard work, business, security issues, responsibilities, government, hierarchies, and materialism. At worse it represents repression, limitation and deprivation, and at best you can build solid structures in your life that will withstand time. 

Saturn will re-enter Capricorn at 29 degrees which is considered a critical degree prone to major events and critical junctures.  There can be a feeling of a last chance to accomplish or finish something. In astrology the Sabian symbols assign a meaning to each degree of each sign. The Sabian symbol for 29 degrees of Capricorn is, “a woman reading tea leaves.” This meaning may be appropriate because when Capricorn was it 29 degrees in March, the global stock markets saw a down turn of 30%.

Saturn will join up with Jupiter and Pluto for 6 more months. Saturn and Pluto will represent the harsh energies we have been dealing with most of the year and since 2017.  Saturn conjunct Pluto brought us a worldwide pandemic when it conjoined in January 2020. It has also produced struggles over power, democracy, racism, Brexit and inequality to name just a few.

Jupiter conjunct Pluto has produced fanatical ideas, propaganda and conspiracy theories, financial and political issues, upheaval and the spread of Covid-19. Saturn rules structure and time, Pluto rules power and regeneration and Jupiter expands whatever it touches for better or worse. 

These powerful planets will be within orb of each other throughout most of the year and the energies of all three planets will come into play. Saturn and Pluto in conjunction is a harsh combination that tends to bring out the worse of everything-death, crime, corruption, but Pluto transforms and regenerates. So if we look at things in this light we have a regeneration and rebuilding period of society in a new and better way. Pluto transits tend to tear down and then rebuild in a different way, so this is actually an opportunity for great change. We will experience even more change when Saturn moves back into Aquarius late this year along with Jupiter.

Use the next 6 months to build and create permanent structures in your own life that will withstand the test of time. If you can succeed in this now, you can do anything in the future!

Saturn in Aquarius

Saturn entered (Aquarius) March 23, the sign of the collective and changed the energies globally. Saturn brings structure if not limitation to whatever sign it enters and since March most of us have been at home as a result of Covid-19 resulting in social isolation, and yet the collective has been making its voice heard in the form of worldwide protests and demand for change and equality. Saturn has squared Uranus over the past months for the first of 5 passes, and while things have not been smooth the over whelming desire for significant change is evident in many places around the world. Aquarius is the sign of brotherhood and equality and Saturn square Uranus is revolutionary energy that will bring societal upheaval, as well as financial. We will also be forced to deal with climate change in a more serious manner.  While Saturn is in Aquarius we will all be finding our own individual voice within the collective. Saturn was last in Aquarius 30 years ago; February 1991-January 1994.

The July lunar eclipse in Capricorn

The final lunar eclipse of the summer occurs just after midnight (EST) on July 5. This (full moon) eclipse falls at 13 degrees of Capricorn and will be most significant for those born under Cardinal signs (Cancer, Capricorn, Aries and Libra) with planets at 11-15 degrees. Capricorn rules the 10^th house of business and priorities, and its planetary ruler is Saturn the ruler of structure and authority. This eclipse can be seen throughout much of North America and this is a ‘birthday’ eclipse for the US as it peaks just after July 4^th. 

This Capricorn eclipse will direct our focus to our personal structures or foundations, the status quo and authority issues. As Mars is approaching its square to Mercury we could experience agitation at this time, and during the days following the eclipse there is a strong chance of volatility or even violence. Use care and caution and be aware of your surroundings and state of mind. You could have an ‘ah ha moment’ as eclipses often bring hidden information to light.

A nearly two year long eclipse series in Cancer-Capricorn began July 13, 2018 that lit up the Cancer-Capricorn axis ruling home, the homeland, priorities, security issues and our basic structures,  shifting our perception of security (Cancer) and authority (Capricorn). This will be the final eclipse in this series which will be significant in the US. The next eclipses will fall in the signs of Gemini, Sagittarius refocusing our priorities once again. Whatever lessons we have learned individually and as a collective will come to a head with this final eclipse in Capricorn.

Solar eclipses are typically connected with opportunities and beginnings and lunar eclipses with release, but at the same time any eclipse can be a bit of a wildcard. As Mercury is retrograde events connected to this eclipse can be delayed by days or weeks. The energy of an eclipse wanes as time goes on but it typically lasts until the next eclipse (or longer depending on the strength of eclipse) which in this case will be November 30.

The Moon opposes the Sun amping up emotions at the time of the eclipse which can make us emotionally reactive if we are not careful. As the Sun is in Cancer and the Moon in Capricorn we may be focused on home, family and matters of priority. Emotions will come into focus for better or worse.

This is a rather serious eclipse as The Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto are all in a stellium (a group of 3 or more planets) and the Moon in Capricorn will aspect each of these planets all in Capricorn. This eclipse can bring endings, but this should not be feared as anything that ends has been on its way out for a while now.

In the United States chart the eclipse opposes the Sun and squares Saturn creating a difficult T-square. This will affect our structure and organizations such as Congress. The Sun in a country’s chart represents the head of government or in this case the US President. An opposition to the Sun represents a crisis point. At the time of this post news reports are stating bounty money was paid by Russia to kill US forces in Afghanistan and as we approach the eclipse more information will likely be revealed. The public tide will turn against US President Donald Trump even to a larger degree than it currently is. As Jupiter and Pluto also oppose the US Mercury we can expect to hear significant news of a rise in Covid-19 deaths, and/or other notable deaths. Financial markets could be affected and the days after the eclipse look volatile in the US.

Mars in Aries during July

Mars is the planet ruling our action and it entered Aries June 27^th. It will remain in this sign until early 2021 due to its retrograde in September.

Mars is considered very powerful in the sign it rules, and we will be trying to accomplish a great deal over the rest of the year. Mars in Aries is action oriented and some people will come across as aggressive.  Aries does not let grass grow under its feet! For those born under the sign Aries it will begin a new two year cycle.

Mars will clash with all of the planets in cardinal signs, the first of which is July 8, as Mars squares Mercury. We will feel this energy in the days before and after and the lunar eclipse which will intensify this harsh energy.  Watch your communication with others, or it could work out the other way where someone is aggressive toward you. This is indicative of tempers, arguments, fights and harsh communication. It is also an accident prone transit so use caution driving. You could accomplish a great deal, mentally if you can harness the energy. Mars rules metals, knives and guns. This transit will repeat itself again July 27, when Mercury is direct.

Mercury turns direct

Mercury turns stationary direct July 12. When the planet ruling communication stations to move forward we can actually experience more confusion, breakdowns and changes in direction at this time than any other, except when it stations to turn retrograde. The stationary direct period lasts through June 15. Things will slowly return to normal and communication will pick up if it has been delayed. The retrograde ‘shadow period,’ ends on July 27th and from here its full steam ahead.  When Mercury turns direct we may pick up where we left off around mid-June. Mercury will transit through Cancer again entering Leo on August 4. With Venus’s direct motion as well we may finally feel things are starting to pick up and become closer to normal or the new normal during Covid-19.

July New Moon in Cancer: All about our emotions

July’s new moon falls at 28 degrees of Cancer July 20. Cancer is the natural ruler of home and family and the most emotional of signs. Both the Sun and Moon oppose Saturn which can make us feel blocked emotionally at the time. Don’t take this seriously as this will soon pass. The energy can be positive for serious thought and work, if you don’t let feelings of depression and loneliness interfere. For many, family responsibilities will come first at this time.

The Sun opposes Saturn on this new moon as well, which can add to the feelings of being weighted down with responsibilities. Conflicts between work and family responsibilities can arise. This will be a significant news day.

The Sun enters Leo

July 22, the Sun enters Leo and we are in the Leo season!  While Cancer rules home and family, Leo rules the 5^th house of love and entertainment (as well as children). If Cancer is about family get together and vacations, Leo is geared toward singles and fun. The Sun will be in this sign until August 22, so dip your toes into the water and enjoy it. This time can be a much welcome break from the stress and seriousness of the world, and unfortunately it will not last long, so grab your fun in the sun while you can.

Other transits of significance in July:

July 14, the Sun opposes Jupiter. While this is typically positive and upbeat, if falls very close to the Sun’s opposition to Pluto July 15. Sun-Pluto oppositions relate to breakdowns in relationships, machinery and can indicate complete changes in direction that we may not have control over. This is not the day to push a contentious issue as it is prone to arguments and power struggles. We will see significant power struggles in the world.

July 22, Mercury sextiles Uranus. This can be a day of sudden, new and inspiring ideas and new ways of approaching things. Make use of this energy as it will disappear as quickly as it comes.

July 27, Mercury sextiles Neptune. This is a creative and pleasant type of energy that often has to do with compassion, creativity and intuition. Also on this day Venus squares Neptune. Romance can be in the air and this can work out one of several ways. While the positive side can bring pleasant times, the other side of the transit relates to misunderstandings, incorrect information or even lies. Watch communication with others and money matters.

Week of June 21st and 4 significant events!

Here we are in the final week and a half of June and this is probably the most significant part of the month. Neptune turns retrograde, Venus turns direct, Mars enters Aries and Jupiter meets up with Pluto.

Neptune retrogrades

Neptune turns retrograde June 23. I have already posted on this and you can catch up here. Neptune is the planet that rules illusion, delusion and confusion. If you do not have a harsh transit you may not be all that affected. We do a great deal of inner work when Neptune retrogrades every year.

Venus turns direct

The planet of love and money turns direct on June 25, at 5 degrees of Gemini. Have you enjoyed your trip down memory lane or experienced significant changes in your love life? If this is the case, remember this time well, as Venus will retrograde again in Gemini May of 2028.

Venus shakes up our love lives and money. It is associated with the past and those from the past and at times it reveals flaws in relationships. People can break up or get back together and there is a fated or karmic affect. Its direct motion can only help money matters overall. It will continue in the ‘shadow’ period of its direct motion until July 28, when it returns to normal. Venus will remain in Gemini until August 7^th.

If it turns direct in a positive angle in your personal chart you could experience something positive, meet someone new or experience some type of good fortune.

Mars enters Aries

Mars leaves Pisces and enters its own sign Aries on June 27. It will be very powerful in this sign and remain here until January of 2021 due to its retrograde in September.

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac ruling the self, and things won’t be boring with Mars in Aries. This is an action oriented Cardinal sign which means things will be happening.

Mars will clash with Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto for the rest of the year causing upheaval in the world that can impact us personally if this hits something significant in your personal chart.

The most important dates to watch are:
July 8th and 27th Mars squares Mercury

Week of August 23

Week of September 27

Week of December 20

Jupiter conjuncts Pluto

Jupiter conjunct Pluto June 30, but the week before and after are significant. On a personal level significant events can occur at this time as Jupiter expands and Pluto reforms, remakes and changes. As a result many major things can happen: deals can come together or end depending on how this affects your personal chart.

This is significant in the world as issues concerning money, agendas, foreign related issues and politics will be revealed during these times. Jupiter-Pluto can also relate to terrorism. In the United States chart Jupiter and Pluto will oppose Mercury from the 2^nd to the 8^th houses of finance and death. I have been predicting for weeks Covid would expand at this time and Sunday saw the largest one day spike since it began. As a result we will hear of more death, and we could hear of some type of national death as well. This will represent the 2^nd of three conjunctions and another one will occur in November.

Neptune retrogrades June 23

Neptune turns stationary retrograde at 20 degrees of Pisces June 23, and will remain retrograde until November 29. With Neptune’s retrograde we now have a total of 6 (out of 10) planets retrograde. Things may seem slow at this time, and especially with Neptune’s retrograde now is the time to do any inner work on yourself that is needed.

Neptune is the planet of dreams, creativity, spirituality, illusion, drugs and alcohol, psychics and dreams to name a few. Neptune’s retrograde will bring about more acute sensitivity on an inner level and we may be able to pick up on those things we don't perceive when Neptune is direct. We are more likely to be listening to our own inner voice during this time and creativity and psychic or intuitive abilities may be increased.

If transiting Neptune aspects a personal planet in your chart, it is during this period we tend to become self deluding, depressed, or overly idealistic. Others may deceive us as well. It is important to be as grounded as possible during these times if you are experiencing a Neptune transit, especially a harsh one. On the other hand, it may be during this time you could discover that you have been deluding yourself and the dream dies. Should this be the case, now is the time to face the reality of the situation, grieve as necessary and make an effort to move on to new and better things. Hard Neptune transits often coincide with relationships that that were not meant to be and it is at this time the rose colored glasses must come off.

We may find that an over idealized relationship, or one with someone who is really not available is just not going where we hope it is.  We may feel we have met our soul mate or the most perfect partner in the world to wake up and find things were not as we had believed, or been led to believe which leads to discouragement, depression and disenchantment. Often when Neptune retrogrades we find out that our dreams are not based on reality. This can not only affect relationships but many other areas of our lives depending on what area of the chart Neptune is transiting. Neptune is generally retrograde six months out of every year.

If Neptune is not making a harsh transit in your personal chart, you may do a lot of inner work during this time, or become more psychic or sensitive. Dreams may be more vivid, and this transit may go by without much fanfare.

Neptune’s retrograde is not as dramatic as the most well known retrogrades involving Mercury and Venus. Neptune works in a subtle manner on the subconscious mind.

June solar eclipse: Emotions

The New moon falls at 0 degrees of Cancer in the early morning hours of June 21, and this is a solar eclipse. Eclipses repeat themselves every 19 years and an eclipse of this same sign and degree occurred on June 21, 2001.

This is an annular eclipse which means the edge of the Sun remains visible as a bright ring around the moon called the ‘ring of fire.’ It can be seen from parts of Africa, Pakistan, Northern India and China.

This is the second of the summer eclipses and the companion lunar eclipse in Capricorn occurs July 5.  This eclipse is in a Cardinal sign which pushes things forward and hits the world point which is associated with situations that affect us collectively. 0 degree of Cancer is considered a critical degree and we can expect to see significant events occurring in the world.

The Sabian symbols in astrology refer to images derived from Spiritualist-medium Elsie Wheeler published in 1925 which give a description of each of the 360 separate degrees of the zodiac.  The Sabian symbol for 0 Cancer   is, “on a ship the sailors lower an old flag and raise a new one.” This can be interpreted as a change brought about by all of the societal unrest concerning racism, police brutality inequality in general.

 As this eclipse falls the day after the summer solstice it is a super potent time to embark on new beginnings. This is a time where you can review your feelings about any number of things that can lead to greater purpose in the future.

Eclipses are like wildcards that frequently reveal previously unknown information and can bring us to turning points and ah ha moments The can produce positive or negative results depending on what is in your particular chart.

Cancer is about home, family and the emotions and rules the 4^th/10^th house axis which deals with our basic foundation, business, the family and home It is in these areas most of us will be focused. Both this solar eclipse and the lunar eclipse July 5^th deal with issues connected to the US, our home or foundation and basic security issues.

An eclipse can be a positive time for change and to let go of things that have outlived their usefulness, or let go of bad habits and make a changes that will take you to a new and better level.

This Moon makes only one aspect and this is a quincunx to Saturn along with the Sun which means our personal freedom will need to be balanced with our responsibility and restrictions.

Mars sextiles Jupiter at this time which is generally a positive aspect which means we can deal with one another easier during this time.

Mercury stations retrograde on June 18, so events connected to this eclipse can be delayed by days or weeks.

Neptune turns retrograde on June 23. As both planets along with the eclipse are in water signs we will be dealing with our emotions for better or worse. For Water signs this can feel quite normal but may be more difficult for those born under Fire signs or with multiple planets in Fire signs in their charts.

Use your ascendant if you know it or your Sun sign to know what area of your life this eclipse will affect.

Aries-4^th house of home, family, beginnings or endings.

Taurus-3^rd house of short trips, communication, immediate family, neighbors, co-workers and siblings.

Gemini-2^nd house of money and earned income.

Cancer-1^st house of self, self interests, relationships.

Leo-10^th 12^th house of the subconscious mind, places of seclusion, hospitals.

Virgo-11^th house of groups and organizations, friends, hopes and wishes.

Libra-10^th house of business and career.

Scorpio-9^th house of legal matters, education, travel and world view.

Sagittarius-8^th house of sex, debt and taxes, partners money, change and transformation.

Capricorn-7^th house of marriage, partnerships, and courts.

Aquarius-6^th house of health, work, pets

Pisces-5^th house of children and friends.

Mars conjuncts Neptune June 13!

Mars conjuncts Neptune in Pisces this week, exact on June 13. The Sun in Gemini also clashes with Mars-Neptune all week creating friction, irritation, conflicts and confusion on the heels of the powerful Sagittarius eclipse of June 5^th. The Moon will conjunct Mars and Neptune in Pisces early Friday evening creating a mishmash of confusion.  That said, if you channel the energy you may be able to accomplish a great deal. 

This isn't the only Neptune clash this week. On Thursday, June 11, the Sun clashes with Neptune first: a prelude to the Mars-Neptune conjunction on the 13th. Expect rampant confusion.

Mars conjunct Neptune will be a turning point in the movement against police brutality, as well as a turning point with Covid. In all likelihood we will see increases of Covid in parts of the US and the world. It was reported on NPR Sunday that Brazil now has the highest rate of infection in the world, second only to the US.

Mars-Neptune is a double edged sword, especially in Pisces. The energy of this transit leans toward compassion, creativity and spirituality. The darker side of it is confusion, mistrust, gas lighting, paranoia and lies.  Clarity may be hard to come by, and on the hand you could experience some type of déjà vu moment or spiritual inspiration. The key is to channel the energy in positive directions. You must either run the energy, so to speak, or it will run you! This will be made even more confusing as Mercury in Cancer has entered the shadow period of its retrograde.

At times this transit can spell romance, but you should be careful about over-idealizing someone or believing everything you hear. Take things with a grain of salt. The sign Pisces is represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions. You could just as easily get emotionally hurt when your interest does not live up to your expectations.

Mars-Neptune transits are also indicative of water related weather issues and gasses such as tear gas or other form of gas.

Mars conjunct Neptune will amp up the Neptune opposition that is currently in play in the United States Chart. A Neptune opposition has not occurred since the start of the Civil War. Neptune is Pisces shows us large groups of disenfranchised people just as it did in 1861. It is ironic that on the 2^nd Neptune opposition (in the US chart) we are still fighting for the rights of minority groups. We can only hope this will ultimately change things for good this time around.

It will be difficult to navigate this energy but it is powerful for engaging in creativity, compassionate ventures, spirituality, or any type of metaphysical activity. There is a creative spark out there if you can catch it. If so, it can be mesmerizing!

June 2020: The eclipse season!

Our minds and thoughts will flow more freely during June as we are in the mutable astrological cycle of spring when the weather changes into summer and new ideas and ways of looking at things can become the norm as we are now in the season of Gemini. During June the Sun transits through Gemini, and Venus remains retrograde in Gemini most of the month. The North and South Nodes have moved from Cancer-Capricorn into Gemini-Sagittarius signaling a shift in the karmic fate of the collective, moving toward the ideals and reason of Gemini. We will experience two of the three summer eclipses in during June, Mercury enters Cancer and retrogrades, Mars enters Aries, the Sun enters Cancer and Neptune will retrograde. Jupiter, the planet of expansion will conjunct Pluto once again, the 2^nd of three conjunctions this year bringing significant changes.

 Lunar eclipse in Sagittarius

June 5, the full moon falls at 15 degrees of Sagittarius and this is a lunar eclipse. This eclipse opposes Venus and squares Mars as well as Neptune creating an angry and impulsive energy, prone to acting on false or incomplete information. Moon opposing Venus (retrograde) is not particularly positive for relationships, but solid relationships will withstand the eclipse and weak ones may end. This is compounded by Venus’s square to Mars June 2, which can create friction between the sexes, jealousy, and in some cases a new interest in terms of relationships.  The key to handling this energy lies in control of the emotions as opposed to random outbursts of anger, frustration and caution and awareness must be observed. As Venus becomes the morning star rising before the Sun, and retrograde it becomes more of a ‘warring’ Venus as opposed to the gentle loving planet most are accustomed to associating with Venus.

The moons square to Mars creates impatience and for some a lack of self control. There may be a great deal of negative energy focused toward women, and family relationships. The moons square to Neptune create confusion, delusion and are prone to deception, self-deception and lies. We could see adverse weather conditions involving water, and this eclipse can bring a danger of war or threats of war, skirmishes at sea, and accidents. Typically the side that starts a potential war with Mars in Pisces ends up the loser. This is not positive overall for women and women’s issues. Conspiracy theories will be rampant at this time, as will propaganda and we could hear news of an increase in Covid-19 cases.

The Sun opposes the Moon as it does on any full moon and brings home, family and emotional relationships into sharper focus. The can lead to conflict and a draining of energy. It can however, lead to a resetting of your emotions and releasing of negative energy that has built up over the past six months.

Moon-Neptune aspects can lead to creative inspiration along with compassion and humanity if you control the energy of its square to Mars which can be channeled into work. It is likely we will also hear of news concerning religious based groups, faith organizations and extreme behavior.

North and South Nodes are in Gemini-Sagittarius for the next 18 months

The North and South nodes are mathematical points used in astrology as opposed to planets but nevertheless play a large part in our karmic destiny. The North node is considered to be what we are moving toward, while the South Node shows us what we must release and do to awaken the higher energies of the North Node.

As the North Node is now in Gemini we will need to focus on new ideas, concepts and patterns of thinking. Gemini-Sagittarius rule the 3^rd-9^th house axis which relates to thinking, education, world view, foreign lands and people as well as travel and we will be globally connected to these issues.  Mercury is Gemini’s ruling planet and concerns information and reason as opposed to overblown distractions and conspiracy theories. Mercury represents learning, information, the written word, and the distribution of information, animals, young people and children as well as education.  A balance must however, be reached between the North node in Gemini and the South node in Sagittarius. We could be held back from our goals by demanding others conform to our ideas, restlessness, over-optimism, over expansion, blowing things out of proportion, lack of ability to commit, impatience, strict dogma, radical ideologies and beliefs and self-righteousness and self-importance. These are the qualities we will have to guard against over the next year and eight months to find a balance within ourselves and as a collective.  We will be learning to embody the positive qualities of Sagittarius: optimism and true wisdom with the positive qualities of Gemini: reason knowledge and communication. 

The Sun moves from Gemini to Cancer

Happy birthday Gemini as the Sun remains in your sign until June 20, when it enters Cancer. The Sun represents our basic drive and ego. While in Gemini, the energy is lighthearted, talkative and social. As the Sun moves into Cancer where it will remain until July 22, we will become more focused on home and family. Cancer is the most sensitive and emotional sign of the zodiac, so energy will shift again. The United States is a Cancer nation born on July 4, 1776.

Mercury turns retrograde

Mercury turns stationary retrograde on June 18, at 14 degrees of Cancer joining Venus, Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter in their respective retrogrades. Mercury is the most well known of the retrogrades because it moves so quickly and its affect is so obvious. It will not turn direct until July 12.

Mercury in Cancer will be very sensitive and emotional energy which will be amplified when it retrogrades. We may be faced with issues regarding home, family members and our general level of personal happiness as Cancer is ruled by the Moon.

The most important periods of the retrograde are the stationary retrograde period June 18-22, and the stationary retrograde direct period when it turns direct and energy and options can change again, July 12-15. It is during this time we can typically see and feel the obvious changes retrograde Mercury brings.

Mercury (retrograde) is the planet that causes delays, glitches, breakdowns in computers and equipment, relationships, slowdowns and brings hidden factors to the surface. Plans can be put on hold, miscommunication can occur, relationships can end or change, and cars, computers and other machinery can break down at the most inopportune moment. None of this will be helped by the fact Venus (another fast moving planet) is also retrograde.

 In the strictest sense of the word, the planet of communication does not actually go backward, it only appears to.  When planets retrograde, their effects on humans are different than when in direct motion. Thinking is deeper, situations often appear to go underground for a time, or change altogether, and sometimes our focus shifts.

 Mercury retrograde is a wild card. Sometimes, relationships can be fixed and problems brought out into the open if things worth saving. Prepare to be flexible.  Mercury retrograde is often a frustrating time to be looking for a job. That does not mean however you should not take a job if you need one, but things could change on down the road.

This is not the time to get married, start a new business, start new projects or begin anything you hope will become permanent during these three weeks. Don’t purchase high ticket items, important gifts, paint, or anything you expect to be there for a long time if you can avoid it. Retrograde Mercury is not the time to start new projects, but rather finishes up the old, and redo, re-organize or re-work. Go against this advice and you may wish you hadn’t as something will not be satisfactory in the long run.

Retrograde Mercury is part of the natural cycle of life and it is not anything out of the ordinary as it happens 3 or 4 times a year. Retrograde Mercury is a time to slow down a bit, reflect, rethink, re-do, re-plan and reorganize and reconsider. It is a period of correction. Sometimes secrets are revealed, and a new truth comes out into the open.   Retrograde Mercury is a time to plan, work on you, and delve into the spiritual side of life. Sometimes important contacts with people from our past can be initiated, and there is generally a focus on the past or past situations that can come back up to be resolved.  All in all, retrograde Mercury is a period where we should reflect on our current state, and plan rather than initiate new ventures.

June’s solar eclipse in Cancer

The second of the summer eclipses falls on June 21, and is a new moon or solar eclipse at 0 degrees of Cancer. Solar eclipses are indicative of new beginnings and lunar eclipses are sometimes about endings. This eclipse is in a Cardinal sign which pushes things forward and hits the world point which is associated with situations that affect us collectively. Solar eclipses re-occur in the same sign and degree every 19 years and the last time an eclipse at this degree occurred was June 21, 2001.

Eclipses are like wildcards that frequently reveal previously unknown information. Almost always something new is revealed and it can be a turning point in many ways. Eclipses can bring positive as well as negative events to the forefront.

Cancer is about home, family and the emotions. Cancer rules the 4^th/10^th house axis which deals with our basic foundation, business, the family and home It is in these areas most of us will be focused.

The upside of the eclipse is it can be a positive time for change and to let go of things that have outlived their usefulness. You can let go of bad habits and make a change in your life at this time or you could transform something completely.

Cancer is a patriotic sign and associated with home, the homeland and is clannish in nature. Some families and groups may be pulled together to accomplish something they consider significant.

This Moon makes only one aspect and this is a quincunx to Saturn along with the Sun. This means our personal freedom will need to be balanced with our responsibility and restrictions.

Mars sextiles Jupiter at this time which is generally a positive and freedom seeking aspect.

Neptune retrogrades

Neptune turns stationary retrograde at 20 degrees of Pisces June 23, and will remain retrograde until November 29. With Neptune’s retrograde we now have a total of 6 (out of 10) planets retrograde. Things may seem slow at this time, and especially with Neptune’s retrograde now is the time to do any inner work on yourself that is needed.

Neptune is the planet of dreams, creativity, spirituality, illusion, drugs and alcohol, psychics and dreams to name a few. Neptune’s retrograde will bring about more acute sensitivity on an inner level and we may be able to pick up on those things we don't perceive when Neptune is direct. We are more likely to be listening to our own inner voice during this time and creativity and psychic or intuitive abilities may be increased.

If transiting Neptune aspects a personal planet in your chart, it is during this period we tend to become self deluding, depressed, or overly idealistic. Others may deceive us as well. It is important to be as grounded as possible during these times if you are experiencing a Neptune transit, especially a harsh one. If this is the case your feet need to be planted on firm soil.

Hard Neptune transits often coincide with over idealized relationships, or relationships with those who are really not available for a variety of reasons. We may feel we have met our soul mate or the most perfect partner in the world to wake up and find things were not as we had believed, or been led to believe which leads to discouragement, depression and disenchantment. Often when Neptune retrogrades we find out that our dreams are not based on reality and this generally occurs during the retrograde of a harsh transit in our charts. This can not only affect relationships but many other areas of our lives depending on what area of the chart Neptune is transiting. Neptune is generally retrograde six months out of every year.

Venus turns direct

June 25, the planet ruling love, beauty and money turns direct after a 6 week retrograde. Have your enjoyed your trip down memory lane? Retrograde Venus is particularly associated with the past and those from the past. If you have been experiencing concerns about your relationship, this retrograde should have been a time of getting to the bottom of issues and making a decision as to where you go from here. Unfortunately, Mercury’s retrograde may confuse issues a little longer, but you should have a great deal of clarity after July 12, when Mercury also turns direct. If Venus turns direct in your personal chart while making a positive aspect you can expect some type of good news or positivity to come to light at this time, or you could meet a significant other.

Jupiter conjuncts Pluto

Jupiter conjuncts Pluto for the second time this year, and the transit is exact June 30, but the affects will be felt as we approach this transit and in the weeks afterward. The first Jupiter-Pluto conjunction was late March into early May and we will experience a third such transit in November. This affects us on a collective level and at this time it is likely we will see an increase in the spread of Covid-19 and death rates increase again. At the time of this post the numbers in 17 states are trending upward based on published reports. Pluto rules death and regeneration and Jupiter expands whatever it touches.  We can also see an increase in conspiracy theories, fanatical thinking (and acting), and issues concerning politics and finances, or exploitive financial practices.

On a personal level this aspect can be used for efforts at moral self improvement, personal rejuvenation and spiritual insights as well as leadership abilities. You may be dealing with corporate or joint finances, tax or legal affairs and have a desire to reform something to fit your needs.

The planet of action enters Aries

The planet of ego and action leaves Pisces and enters Aries June 27, where it will remain for the rest of the year. Mars typically spends about a month and a half in each sign but this year Mars retrogrades September 8, and will remain retrograde until November 14, when it turns direct half way through the sign or at 14 degrees of Aries.

Mars in Aries is very powerful as this is its natural placement. During this time we are prone more toward anger and aggressive behavior, especially after it’s retrograde. Mars rules men, desire, sex, action and ego, guns, police and bad behavior in general. Many will feel little need for patience during these months, even though patience and consideration of others will be a much needed commodity and exactly what we do need.

Our actions will become more straightforward and direct, and many may want to make up for lost time.

Over the next six months, Mars will clash with all of the Cardinal planets especially Saturn and Pluto and we will experience some frustrating times when this happens later in the year.

Use the powerful energy of Mars in Aries to accomplish your goals between late June and the end of July when Mars enters its retrograde shadow period. After Mars retrogrades in September, energy will become more difficult to handle and you could experience some type of slowdown.

Mars in Aries works best for fire signs along with Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius and Aquarius.  If you are an Aries, prepare to become very busy over the next few months. This energy will be more difficult for the other Cardinal signs; Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

Other transits of interest in June:

June 3, the Sun conjuncts Venus. This is typically positive, upbeat and a great time for meetings and social contacts.

June 6, the Sun squares Mars. This is prone to irritation, arguments and accidents. Engage your energy in a positive way and exercise is positive use of the energy.

June 11, the Sun squares Neptune. Things may seem to drag and this is a transit of confusion and low energy. Neptune can represent lies and illusions so check over all important documents carefully or better yet, wait for another day to commit to important matters. Dreams and intuition may be vivid.

June 13, Mars conjuncts Neptune. The energies of Mars and Neptune do not blend well together. This can be a day prone to disappointment, disillusionment, low energy, misunderstandings or lies. Proceed with caution and awareness. You could have an interest in a religious or spiritual matter.