June is a busy month astrologically with much happening to keep us entertained (or to keep us on our toes)! There’s a sense from the planetary alignments that we are in an ‘in-between’ phase – as if old doors are closing while new ones are simultaneously opening. When Mercury travels retrograde in Cancer from 16 June to 10 July (see ’special offer’ above for detailed explanation) we are drawn to ponder our attachments and comfort zones and to let go of connections that are no longer nourishing. We are also encouraged to remember the gifts from the past and to ensure we don’t throw out our whole pasts in an attempt to move forward. Mercury offers the power of discernment so that we can sort out what to keep and what to let go of.
The winter solstice (or summer solstice in the northern hemisphere) on the 22nd also has an ‘in-between’ feel to it. On this day we recognise the mid-way point in the year – it’s the day of least light (i.e. shortest daylight hours) which means we must make our peace with the longest night. Yet after the 22nd each day gets longer and longer, reducing the darkness incrementally, until finally in December at the summer solstice we are greeted with an abundance of light. At the winter solstice, when we are symbolically in the ‘darkest night of the soul’, it’s important to remember that everything is cyclic and that it won’t be long until the brightest light – our joy – returns. Yet while the winter solstice is active, it’s important to embrace the benefits of the dark. The dark is symbolic of the ‘void’ – that strange empty vulnerable space that each of us knows where we can experience fear and loneliness or a rich sense of potential for new mysteries and adventures. Our challenge when sitting in the ‘void’ (i.e. the in-between phase) is to transform fear of the dark into an enjoyment of intuiting its possibilities. Think of surprise parties – all is darkness, yet there’s a sense of anticipation as we sit waiting in the dark, and when the lights go on we get to yell ’surprise!’ (or be the one who is surprised) and have a big celebration with friends and loved ones!
Two days after the winter solstice, on the 24th, we are treated to two astrological events – one being the planet Uranus switching retrograde, and the other being a magnificent alignment known as a Star of David. Uranus retrograde affects us on subtle yet deep levels. Somewhere in the layers of our unconscious we are prodded to become more aware of the effects of our individual lifestyle choices upon all of humanity – our global consciousness is gently nudged so that we become more attuned to bigger issues – e.g. climate change, resource consumption and community awareness.
The Star of David is a hexagram pattern formed by planets aligning on each of the six points of the hexagram, and on 24 June the planets momentarily align in such a way. Astrologically a star pattern such as this offers opportunities for successful manifestations. Take time to harness the potential of this star pattern by envisaging what you would like to achieve in all areas of your life: self, relationships, family, career, home, health, travel, romance, abundance etc. The 24th (or thereabouts) would be a perfect time to create a vision board by cutting out images (e.g. from magazines or newspapers) of what you wish to attract in your life. Alternatively write down or draw your visions. Or do a meditation, play an instrument, create some art, walk in nature, dance wildly or enjoy whatever method helps you lift your emotions to joyful creative levels as you focus on your visions.
There’s yet more to June’s astrological weather patterns… On the 26th, the final alignment of Saturn opposite Neptune takes place. This will be the third exact connection these two make. The first hit was August 2006, the second was February this year and the final hit will be on 26 June. This powerful tug-of-war has seen many of us trying to discern the difference between what’s real and what’s illusion. When these two planets align we are challenged to either get our heads out of the clouds and reality check our fantasies, or to relax defeatist attitudes and allow space for intuitive wisdom and creative solutions. Around the time of the 26th, our personal experiences (relationships, career, family, money or any other area of life) of this tug-of-war will begin to settle. All of us are likely to have developed a better balance between dreams and reality where previously we might’ve swung between hope and doomsday thinking. On a very deep level this planetary alignment has been teaching us to take responsibility for our own dreams and to let go of fantasies of being saved or rescued (or being saviours or rescuers) from difficult circumstances. We become more healed, empowered and alive when we build our own confidence with testing what’s possible and what’s not. Over time we become masters of creative solutions and let go of previous fears and addictions.
Finally, June is a blue moon month here in the southern hemisphere (May was the northern hemisphere’s blue moon month). There tends to be confusion over the correct definition of a blue moon, not least because there are actual (unusual and unpredictable) times when moons have been truly seen to turn blue (due to ice-crystal & other atmospheric formations). Yet the now generally accepted definition is that a blue moon is the second full moon in a calendar month. As it’s not common to have two full moons in one calendar month, a blue moon is a special occasion. In June the first full moon was in Sagittarius on the 1st, and the second full moon will be in Capricorn on the 30th. In between these full moons a new moon falls in Gemini on the 15th. With so much else going on astrologically in June, it seems fitting that the month ends with a blue moon grand finale. Full moons generally help us see clearly by bringing beneath-the-surface ideas, feelings or desires to our attention. Allow June’s blue moon to bring your inner riches to the surface for you to appreciate and claim, even if they seem a bit chaotic at first.