August 23-September 22

Mutable Earth
Feminine (-) Yin
Key: “I Analyse”
Symbol: The Virgin
Ruler: Mercury
Exaltation: Mercury
Detriment: Jupiter
Fall: Venus

Virgo has a reputation for being a perfectionist. Virgo is also the sign of the goddess. She is simultaneously discriminating and elegant. As the goddess, she wants nothing to get in the way of Truth. Perhaps this is why she precedes the sign Libra; she purifies the path to justice.

Virgo wants to be of service to the world. They can always see how the world can be a better place, and they have the patience for all the little details. They are excellent editors, organizers, and purifiers.

Virgo must learn that not everything can be fixed, that not everything has a neat little category to fit into, and that there is time to play. While many people think Virgos can be overly critical, they are even harder on themselves.

The Virgo part of your chart will tell you where you need to simplify and organize your life. Mercury is the Ruling Planet of the third house of Gemini and the sixth house of Virgo. It is named after the Roman god Mercury, the god of commerce, travel, and thievery. The planet probably received this name because it moves so quickly across the sky.

Mercury is associated with travel, intellect, logic, and communication skills. Mercury represents quick trips, short classes, siblings, and transportation.

Mercury, in a natal chart, is very important for understanding how you communicate with others. Mercury in Pisces may speak in visionary, poetic, and even flowing musical terms. In Libra, Mercury may be expressed indecisively or through balanced diplomatic words.

The house placement of Mercury will give you hints as to where you are likely to communicate. A second house Mercury may earn her or his income through speaking. A ninth house Mercury could communicate as a teacher or publisher.

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, is incrediby hot, and its atmosphere is constantly replenished by solar winds (unlike the Earth, which maintains its atmosphere).

And most fascinating is that a day on Mercury is twice as long as its year! Mercury rotates extremely slowly but revolves around the Sun in slightly less than 88 days.

Approximately 3 times a year, Mercury goes into retrograde, a 3-week period when Mercury looks like it’s going backwards across the sky. When this happens, expect your equipment to break, you’ll have misunderstandings, and travel will be exasperating.

The Sixth House, Service, and Health     

The Sixth House, naturally ruled by Virgo, is the home of work, health, humble service in the world, and domestic pets. It also relates to military service, domestic help, health-related professions, and service businesses.

When current planets transit through your sixth house, you need to simplify and organize those areas your life so that you can be highly efficient.

In the workplace, the 6th House is the part of your job that needs to be done, but that you do not get a lot of recognition for doing. The second and tenth houses are also involved with career issues.

The sixth house asks the question, “How can I be of service to the world without becoming a slave to it?” A Virgo sixth house cusp may be a nurse or a veterinarian, whereas a Gemini cusp may provide information or technical services.

The sixth house is a major focus when exploring health and healing (though of course you need to look at a wide variety of factors to understand health in a chart). In general, the sign on the 6th house cusp points toward weaknesses in your health. A person with Aquarius, Gemini, or Virgo in the sixth house may need to avoid overtaxing the nervous system. Scorpio sixth house people may need to pay attention to dental care, reproductive organs, and the elimination system.

In relationships, the sixth house represents the practical elements of day-to-day life. When the honeymoon part of a relationship settles down, look to this house to organize your life, accommodating your partner and your worldly work. 

Mercury, the messenger of the gods, symbolises mentality: our intellect and mental outlook, the way we think and communicate. Mercury, as Hermes, is the emblem for the magus, the wise counsellor, divine messenger—and prince of thieves!

Planetary lord of Gemini and Virgo, this fast-moving planet stands for ideas, methods, and information, especially as expressed through communication and media. Mercury rules writers, travellers, analysts, magicians, salespeople, astrologers and all types of consultants. Through his rulership of our hands, Mercury also reveals our manual dexterity and mechanical skills.

Those with Sun in Virgo are constantly on the move, always trying to fine-tune their lives and relationships. They are filled with nervous energy, and a desire to make improvements, so they’re serene when fulfilling the steps toward a well-thought out goal.

Virgos are often compelled to serve others, and can find respect in fields where attention to detail and a responsible attitude are rewarded. They are natural healers, and are gifted at bringing an unhealthy situation back into balance. But they have to watch out for those that would take advantage of their natures and put them in subservient roles. Finding the courage to place the highest value on what they offer can take a lifetime for some Virgos.

There’s an emphasis on habit, and a Virgo that has established a wholesome daily routine is far easier to live with than one that hasn’t. There’s a physical sensitivity with Virgos that could be called high maintenance, and they need a lot of space to “purify” themselves in mind, body and spirit. They are known as loners, and even if established in coupledom, will need plenty of “me” time to maintain their sense of self.

Great Time to

• Declutter your home or office.
• Stock up on basics (food, first aid, water filter, SEEDS).
• Detox and integrate eating habits that boost well being.
• Review for a test (to take after the Rx cycle).
• Reconnect with someone you helped, or who helped you.
• Lift up others in practical ways (a ride, a meal).
• Give away what you’re not using — things that others could use.

A Critical Eye

A critical eye for detail, combined with your ceaseless pursuit of perfection, endows you with an irresistible urge to improve everything and everyone (whether they need it or not!). Service-oriented Virgo seeks to improve the environment, by pursuing careers in health-related fields, or in other structured areas such as teaching, labour relations, or counselling. Intensely personal situations can be somewhat inhibiting, but other circumstances can produce a very dynamic Virgo indeed. Hmmm.

Although you often have altruistic motives in helping others, you do have a teensy tendency to act the martyr when your offerings are ignored. It is not unheard of for you to use guilt as a weapon. Helping others to improve is one thing, my dears, but pushing them toward goals of perfection they cannot hope to accomplish is quite destructive, as well as impossible.

Health Conscious

Health-conscious Virgo makes an effort to stay physically fit and you don’t mind repetitive exercise routines, if you can see achievable outcomes. You enjoy tennis, racquetball, swimming, sailing, fishing, and biking, even though athletically you are not overly competitive. It’s just that you always seek to perfect whatever skills you may have, primarily for the sake of doing a thing well. Talented in various crafts, dressmaking and designing, you may also take a particular interest in such things as cartography, travel, and philately.

Virgo rules the sinuses, respiratory system, and bowels. Colds, flu, allergies, problems with intestines and constipation are common Virgo complaints. You are also subject to black moods and despondency from time to time, which can adversely affect others in your vicinity.

Your birthstone is the sapphire, a variety of corundum. This gem was considered by ancient societies to be a love charm. Though they come in a variety of colours and can even be transparent, the most valuable sapphires are blue. Blue is also the principal colour associated with Virgo. Flowers and plants for Virgo include the aster, chrysanthemum, ivy, and fern.

Virgo Rising has the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and different people. Your willingness to adapt however is invariably accompanied by a word or two of complaint. Nowhere is the critical facility associated with Virgo more observable than when this sign rules the Ascendant.

Always seeking perfection, you find it difficult to accept situations or people as they are. You must learn to be more sensitive, my dear, and restrict your passion for constantly finding fault, for even well-meaning criticism can be hurtful and badly received. Practicality and conservatism feature strongly in your personality. While you do not favour flamboyant displays of affection and can even present an excessively puritanical facade in public, you can nevertheless be quite sensual and sexually-oriented in private.

                          

 Even more than most Piscean Full Moons, this is a time to feel how well you’re able to connect with Spirit and receive the flow of creative inspiration and intuitive guidance.

This Full Moon is intensified by aspects to all of the Cardinal Climax planets: it conjuncts Neptune, semi-sextiles Jupiter and Uranus, sextiles Pluto and quincunxes Saturn. However, since the most challenging hard angles are not represented, the energetic intensification should only be moderate.

The Sabian Symbol for this Full Moon is, “A squirrel hiding from hunters.”

While this might initially bring up thoughts of fear and imminent doom, isn’t it true that we must all face physical death eventually? Perhaps a message we can take from this is to adopt a squirrel’s naturally playful disposition, no matter what grim possibilities might seem to be hounding us. 

Happiness is fundamentally a state of mind, largely independent of one’s temporal situation. Truly, the physical world is the most illusory realm of all — everything in it is impermanent and will eventually perish even entire galaxies and the Universe itself. Only in the spiritual realms do we experience our fundamental immortality. So, while the secreted squirrel is taking appropriate cautionary measures to preserve its fleeting physical existence a bit longer, it has made sure to have a lot of fun, leaping amongst the trees, while in its little furball body. The Buddhists say that one cannot fully live until one has embraced the reality of one’s own inevitable death — and so, in a roundabout way, this Sabian Symbol — “A squirrel hiding from hunters” — can be a wake-up call to a more rich and fulfilling life.

Discard worn out ideas; be willing to reevaluate and come to new conclusions.  Mercury (lord of reason) has just turned Retrograde in Virgo (sign of discrimination).  We can eliminate bad habits and embrace a new attitude toward relationships; Venus and Mars (masculine and feminine) have just come together in Libra (sign of equality).

Full Moons, this is a time to feel how well you’re able to connect with Spirit and receive the flow of creative inspiration and intuitive guidance.
It’s the time to surrender what we cannot control, get into the flow of the power from within, open to the vision of what we see before and ahead of us, and move toward redemption. It’s quite a quest. The only game in town. And such an amazing gift. The present.

The Full Moon on August 24th is at 1 degree Pisces. The Moon is full when it is opposite the Sun which has just moved into Virgo, requiring us to bring into balance the polarity of two opposing astrological signs. There is a shift of energy from Leo – bright and sunny with an accent on self-expression – into Virgo, bringing our attention to the mundane details of life and the need to create order.

Pisces, as Virgo’s opposite, lives in the realm of dreams and ideals rather than the mundane. Where Virgo is concerned with matters of the body, Pisces opens the door to the Spirit. Where Virgo is practical and teaches us to create order, Pisces longs to transcend everyday reality and ascend into more soulful experiences. Neither is better than the other – with the opposition we must learn to create balance and integration.

The aftermath of the Full Moon is followed by a harmonious trine of the Sun to Pluto which helps to integrate all of the teachings of this power-packed astrological month! For the next few months we have a little breather as the impact of these planetary cycles begin to settle in and offer us an opportunity to see more clearly and live a life that is more fully conscious and empowered.

While the moon in Pisces there is a sense of being hyper sensitive.  The focus on suffering and humanitarian senses are greater now which may cause us to think more on a world view rather than self view. The Moon in Pisces ushers in a time of caution and common sense. You merge easily with others emotionally. You have a great capacity to console and cure. You are able to give all of yourself for the sake of those around you. You may become confused about your own feelings – and need to spend time alone to meditate and heal. You nurture others by making sacrifices to fulfill their needs, or by helping them to find spirituality and transcendence. You look to your mother for spirituality and compassion.  Care needs to be taken to avoid self-pity and excessive concern or desire for material possessions.

The moon in Pisces represents sensitivity, imagination, and psychic abilities. We must use the realistic senses. You may also choose to recite a mantra every morning until the next moon cycle. Remember that with all applications of psalms and mantras achieving the desired result is depended upon the quality of intention, and when it comes to finding a satisfying relationships and success, it is of the greatest importance to begin with a clear understanding of what your goal should be.

                          

August 13, Friday. This is the only Friday the 13th of the year. The Moon conjuncts Venus (6 Libra 20) at 1:58 am, and Mars (9 Libra 01) at 6:21 am. Tonight the Moon is still visible close to the Venus/Mars/Saturn group. Retrograde Uranus returns to Pisces at 8:31 pm retrograding back to (26 Pisces 40) before station direct on December 5.
August 14, Saturday. The Moon moves into Scorpio at 5:26 pm about 20 degrees from the Venus/Mars/Saturn trio.
August 15, Sunday. Retrograde Jupiter is opposite Saturn exact tomorrow.
August 16, Monday. First Quarter Moon (23 Scorpio 47) at 11:14 am. Right at sunset, Mercury may be visible about 14 degrees W of Saturn (2 Libra 24) and the Jupiter (2 Aries 24) Saturn (2 Libra 24) opposition is exact.
August 18, Wednesday. Venus (11 Libra) is visible about 2 degrees SW of Mars (12 Libra). The exact conjunction will occur on the morning of the 20th.
August 19, Thursday. The Moon conjuncts retrograde Pluto (2 Capricorn 57)
August 20, Friday. Mercury (19 Virgo 04) stations retrograde at 12:58 pm. Neptune (27 Aquarius) opposes Sun (27 Leo). Plus Venus and Mars (13 Libra) make their exact conjunction.
August 21, Saturday. Saturn (2 Libra 56) squares Pluto (2 Capricorn 56) at 3:16 am. Sun (28 Leo 30) opposes Chiron (28 Aquarius 30) at 8:53 am.
August 22, Sunday. Sun moves into Virgo at 10:27 pm.
August 23, Monday. Moon passes Neptune (27 Aquarius 11) at 1:29 am tomorrow morning.
August 24, Tuesday. The Pisces Full Moon (01 Pisces 26) is exact at 10:04 am.
August 25, Wednesday. Sun trines Pluto signaling the upcoming station direct of Pluto on September 13 or 14 depending on your time zone.
August 26, Thursday. Moon conjuncts Uranus (29 Pisces) at 7 pm and moves into Aries at 7:49 pm passing Jupiter (1 Aries 35) at 10:51pm.
August 27, Friday. Neptune (27 Aquarius 06) and Chiron (28 Aquarius 11) are moving within one degree by August 31 and will station within about a degree of each other around November 6.
August 28, Saturday. The day begins with Moon at 14 Aries and ends with Moon at 25 Aries still amplifying retrograde Jupiter at 1 Aries 210 and the rest of the t-square with retrograde Pluto at 2 Capricorn 51 and Saturn at 3 Libra 36
August 29, Sunday. The Moon moves into Taurus at 7:35 am.
August 31, Tuesday. Just after sunset the closest planet/star trio is visible with Venus (23 Libra) and Mars (20 Libra) near Spica (24 Libra)

                          

23 Jul – 22 Aug

Fixed Fire
Masculine (+) Yang
Key: “I Will”
Symbol: The Lion
Ruler: Sun
Exaltation: no traditional exaltation
Detriment: Saturn

Once a year the Sun ‘travels’ around the zodiac, so our birthday is our Solar Return, the day that the Sun returns to the same sign and degree as on the day we were born, hence “Many Happy Returns of the Day”. The Sun is traditionally known as ‘The Lord of the Day’ and, along with the Moon, is one of the ‘lights’ – the Sun being the light of the day, the Moon being the light of the night.

As Lord of the Day the Sun is masculine and can represent the father and, in a woman’s horoscope, the partner, and the kind of men to whom she is attracted.

At a universal level both the Sun and Leo are associated with royalty, majesty, stateliness, dignity, and authority. Strong Solar types exude seemingly boundless energy and vitality and share many of the positive Leo characteristics – generosity, courage, confidence, clarity of vision, loyalty, strength of character, and glowing health.

An afflicted Sun has the reverse of the above qualities, such as arrogance, attention-seeking, insecurity, lack of confidence, and a shaky sense of identity. Poor health and a lack of vitality can also be manifestations of an afflicted Sun.

YOUR ESSENTIAL SELF

As the source of being and illumination the Sun represents your day world, consciousness, and psychological purpose. Wherever the other planets may be placed in the horoscope, the Sun symbolizes your essential self and who you are struggling to become. An Aries is always an Aries, a Libran is always a Libran, no matter what the Moon sign, for example, may be. If you were to repress your own Sun sign attributes you would cease to shine, living only in other people’s light – self-conscious, lifeless or depressed. In claiming your own light you can embrace a healthy self-love and experience a sense of feeling integrated and centered. This is reflected in the Sun’s glyph, the dot making the centre of the circle, symbolizing the point of consciousness from which all life will emerge.

With proud Leo as your star sign, the Sun blazed in a masculine sign on your birthday. The Sun in astrology stands for our essential nature, the true stamp of our character. The fifth sign of the Zodiac, Leo is ruled by the life-giving Sun, the lord of our solar system. A fixed (strong and solid) sign, Leo governs will and authority. It is a fire sign, which means Leo people are grand, confident and generous, although you tend to be egocentric and can be somewhat overbearing.

The Sun, the ruler of our inner nature, is enthroned in Leo, the sign of its own house, or rulership. This energy is thoroughly regal, the lion being the king of beasts, for proud Leo regards himself as the natural centre of attention – and confidently expects others to step back and pay homage when his bushy mane is displayed in the limelight…

Glamorous Leo enjoys a thoroughgoing love of life and all its pleasures. As the Sun bestows light and life without favour, the benefactor of every living thing on this earth, so you, genial host and natural entertainer, get inordinate pleasure from helping others enjoy life as much as you do.

Enthusiasm, generosity and your sunny disposition inspires the affection of many friends and admirers, while turning those with less popular personalities green with envy. Though full of ambition and enthusiasm, Leo has to admit to a lazy streak and, given the opportunity, will take the easy way out, especially when a situation offers little fun or glory. This is something lazy, luxurious Leo needs to watch.

Consistency and Determination

Determined Leo, a fixed sign, can be rather stubborn and resistant to imposed changes. In many ways this is a plus, for it gives you the stamina to accomplish things in life, due to your tenacity. You can stick with projects when other more easily distracted souls lose concentration or interest. This stubbornness, which you prefer to think of as consistency and determination, is, however, dictated more often than not by your ego.

It is easy for pleasure-loving Leo to become addicted to rich food, and as the cat gets older you find yourself putting on weight. Your gregarious nature makes it hard to enjoy or stick to boring, solitary physical fitness routines, but you may not mind dressing up in flashy gym outfits and joining an exercise class. Dancing, swimming, and tennis are your favourites, though you are quite keen on sports of all kinds.

Playing to the Grandstand

Playing to the grandstand when starring on the field is an everpresent temptation, but perhaps you ought to remember, in team sports even the king of beasts is still supposed to be part of a team. Arts and crafts, theatre groups, philantropic societies and religious organizations attract your interest and participation.

Leo rules the back and heart, so people with Leo active in their charts are subject to over-exertion, general problems with stress in the back and ailments of the heart. You have a strong constitution and can usually overcome your problems, many of which are of your own making, due to overindulgence.

Best colours are gold, royal purple, and orange. Leo rules metallic gold, and your birthstone is the sardonyx. An appropriate representative of Leo’s versatile, creative personality, the intriguing sardonyx is a variety of agate that exists in many colours and can be cut in many ways. One of the special ways it is used is in making cameos. Flowers for Leo include the showy dahlia, yellow lily, red poppy, marigold, sunflower, and heliotrope.

Leo Rising gives you a strong physique and lots of physical stamina. You can be very stubborn and find it extremely difficult to break undesirable habits and behaviour patterns. However, this same tenacity and stamina can also be a wonderful asset. When you get involved in something, you hang on long after everyone else runs out of steam, and you inspire others with your devotion to ideals and principles.

Leo has loads of energy and enthusiasm, so, once motivated, you seldom hesitate to act. In spite of all this energy and enthusiasm, the Big Cat can be downright lazy at times. A natural enthusiasm inclines to overabundance and the tendency to overestimate everything. When buying various personal items, for example, you usually acquire far more than you need.

Leo is ruled by the sun lord of willpower and egotistical drives. Your conscious or subconscious need to dominate means you want the last word in everything, and may come to believe your opinion is the only one worth considering. The negative potential for Leo Ascendant comes out in those whose ego-driven personalities turn them into manipulative, power-oriented demagogues. Though generally outgoing, you are not necessarily aggressive or loudly gregarious. Your personality will be greatly influenced by the nature and strength of your willpower and ego involvement (that is, the placement of your sun and whether it is strengthened by sign and aspect). If the willpower and ego are not strong, then neither is the personality apt to be assertive.

No matter how the rest of the world may see you, it is meaningless compared to how you see yourself. Intense self-absorption makes it hard to accept guidance from others, and you may feel taking or asking for advice is a sign of weakness. You most enjoy associating with those who allow you to shine. Your flamboyant generosity and warm, friendly approach wins many friends, as well as arousing the envy of those with less popular personalities. Life with you is anything but routine.

Your natural creativity gives special talent or ability in art, music, or the entertainment and communication industries. Overwork, anxiety, heart problems, lower back pains, and ailments connected with overindulgence are the most likely physical complaints.

Personal charm and physical magnetism make you the centre of attention, which of course is very much to yoursatisfaction… An ardent lover, your enthusiasm and passion must be returned in equal measure, or you may become bored and dissatisfied with your wimpy partner. A weak partner invites you to completely dominate the scene, a situation which is less than ideal for both parties. In every case you need to keep your ego under control, even when surrounded by admirers.

Leo, a masculine sign, is self-sufficient, confident and tends to bravado. Most of you fabulous cats have a positive attitude to love and sex, but there are those among you who suffer excruciating pangs of anxiety in relationship.

Simply put, it is fear that the reality may not live up to the unduly grandiose image that you seek to present to the world. Sexual anxiety may become so intense in some cases as to generate frigidity or impotence. So in a relationship, Leo loves to be the central, pivotal point around which all things revolve. A romantic and a dreamer, you make your dreams come true because you have strength, determination and a blithe faith in yourself – a faith which can overcome obstacles with that characteristic ease which seems so remarkable to more introverted souls.

Some Leos can find themselves clinging to bad relationships or mistaken beliefs, because their egos simply will not allow them to admit to being wrong. However, such typical tenacity becomes an asset when shown as loyalty to friends, or as patience and determination to succeed.

The Sun, the life-giving heart of our solar system, has been the supreme object of veneration and worship in every culture since long before the beginning of civilisation.

Astrologically, the Sun rules will and individuality. It lies at the core of our potential and uniqueness as an individual: who we are and what we are about. It represents the main direction and focus you want your life to take and your determination to accomplish what you set out to do. The Sun’s position in your horoscope demonstrates the depth of your personal honesty and integrity, the ability to command respect and authority, to impress and influence others. It indicates the stamp of your character, the deepest flavour of your individuality.

Your Sign (Sun Sign) is the zodiac Sign that the Sun was in at the time and place of your birth. There are twelve Signs of the Zodiac, each one symbolising a stage on the cosmic journey of life, presenting a personality type and a pattern of typical life-styles, relationships, and karmic experiences. Each Sign is made up of thirty degrees, the twelve signs together comprising the 360 degrees of the entire zodiac. The Sun travels about a degree a day and so gets right through the zodiac in a twelve month period.

Central to our Existence

The Sun in partnership with the Moon creates and nurtures all life on our small planet. From the eclipses to the tides, from feeding the plants through photosynthesis to creating electricity through solar panels, the power of the Sun is central to our existence. Even oil and coal are concentrated solar energy! This mighty force is also central to our psychological and spiritual wellbeing, as the rays from the Sun also awaken and vitalize the planetary forces that affect us at a subliminal level. The Sun is considered generally benefic in Western Astrology, except when badly aspected or in conjunction with another planet, which is then considered combust (burnt up). Indian astrology, however, considers the Sun to be malefic, perhaps because it’s so much hotter there…

Your Sun Sign stands for the complexion of your innermost soul-motivation in your journey through this life. How you express your Sun Sign through the levels of personality shown by the symbols of the Moon, Rising Sign, Planetary Ruler and other astrological factors determines your course in life and how you will deal with it. It is the mark of the innermost structure of your character and reveals the primary karmic shaping that you need to experience in this lifetime

It is the Sun that holds the solar system together, energising and vitalising the planets, moons, comets, asteroids and beings that dwell within the range of the Sun’s power.

The Sun is the traditional ruler of Leo (dramatic; generous; egotistical), and is exalted in Aries (leadership; drive). People with these signs prominent in their charts are said to be ruled by the Sun. The colours of the Sun are amber, orange and red (some say purple too); his metal is gold, and his gem is the ruby.

                          

This Full Moon is ideal for detaching from the old bogged down ways of thinking, to a more expansive outlook. Part of that is realizing — with realizations a Full Moon phenomenon — your direct exchange with the cosmic forces.

Your instincts now are key to navigating the storms of our times. Your friendliness can open doors when necessarily, and put new friends at ease. These are your strengths in uncertain times.

This month has both acceleration and brakes. You’re restless to make progress, and cover a lot of ground, but circumstances could keep you in a smaller sphere. Your patience is tested, and you’ll benefit from lots of physical outlets to release frustration. When Saturn opposes Uranus on the 26th, this intensifies, but there may not be an immediate answer. Keep the faith — that’s your specialty too.

Even though each person experiences the Lunar phases differently depending on their natal chart and other factors, everyone will be experiencing something whether it is subtle or creating large bursts of awareness. This Full Moon in Aquarius happens at 3 degrees. The sensitive points would be 0-6 degrees for the signs of Aquarius, Leo, Scorpio and Taurus.

Full Moon in Aquarius Ceremony

Work with the element of Air.
You may want to both sit outdoors in Nature and ask your inner guidance/wisdom for an objective view of any situation or issue you feel emotionally tangled in. See it through a larger view, the eyes of your Soul. Also you can work with the wind, open up windows, and let the air circulate. Or you could use some sage, lavender or lemongrass (or a mixture) and do some smudging around your environment and for yourself. Make it a beautiful ritual incorporating the element of Air as part of the ritual for cleansing and letting go. Remember feel it, take a step back and get objective about whatever is going on now so you can feel light once again.

The Sabian Symbol** for the Moon at 2°59′ Aquarius is a deserter from the navy, with the keyword DEFIANCE.

This is a symbol of human independence carried to a point of extreme rebellion against things as they are, here emphasized in a disregard of all consequence for the sake of immediate liberation of the spirit. This image might apply equally well to the Saturn-Uranus opposition. Once we awaken to the truth, living under the old rules becomes suffocating, and we’ll take radical steps to extricate ourselves.

 For the Sun at 2°59′ Leo, the Sabian Symbol is a woman having her hair bobbed, with the keyword DECISION.

When a woman drastically changes her hairstyle, it’s usually because she has gone through a personal transformation. The haircut is a conscious decision, a means of showing the world that she is a different person. What could be more Leo than that?

We’re becoming different people as new doors open in our hearts and minds. I have a feeling we’ll be changing a lot more than just our hair.

During this Full Moon, issues involving individuals and their relationship to the collective become the center of attention. If you are involved in any groups or associations, you may perceive a heightened sense of tension as the organization strives to accommodate the needs of its members along with its own overarching identity and goals. Yet, if outstanding issues are worked upon, there can be great breakthroughs in group dynamics and team building.

This may prove to be an intense Full Moon period since this lunar event is enveloped by significant astrological alignments occurring just days before and after. In the days leading up to this Full Moon, Saturn moves back into Libra, and Jupiter goes retrograde and then squares Pluto. The day after the Full Moon, we experience the last of the five-series Saturn/Uranus oppositions as well as Mercury opposing Neptune.

This portends to be an active time. The structures we have built and the assumptions we have stood behind may be called into question. If we can honor past wisdom while being open to the influx of change while at the same time surrending and letting go of that which truly doesn’t serve our higher good and ideals, we may find this time to be provocative, liberating, and fruitful.

This month’s Full Moon falls at 3 degrees of Leo (Sun) and Aquarius (Moon). While everyone experiences the energies of a Full Moon, if you have planets or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven) around this degree in Leo, Aquarius, or the other fixed signs—Taurus and Scorpio—it may impact you more intensely.

Suggestions

Leo is associated with the heart, spine, and hair while Aquarius is associated with the calves, ankles, peripheral circulatory system, and the body’s bionergetics. Pay extra attention to these areas of the body around the time of this Full Moon.

Listen to world music: As Leo is the sign of the creative arts, and Aquarius the sign of humanity’s collective vision, listening to music from other countries is a relaxation practice that aligns with the energy of this Full Moon. Whether it be Jamaican, Portuguese, or any international genre, music can bring great joy and help us open up our heart.

                          

The NEW MOON TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE follows on the heels of the potent Full Moon Eclipse on June 26. That Full Moon brought the dynamic planetary pattern of our changing times into full bloom. On a New Moon, the Sun is eclipsed, rearranging the flow of the summer and shifting us into yet another gear. This is a major exclamation point of the year!

This New Moon in Cancer is a giving, nurturing Moon. Its symbol is the Crab, Lobster, Crayfish, or whatever your favorite shellfish is. Let us remember to appreciate these creatures of the sea that feed us and help protect the health of our waters. Their continuing well-being reflects our own. Like an oyster that shelters the growing pearl from damage, Cancer holds things close and safe in its heart.

The Sabian Symbol of the New Moon at 20 degrees Cancer gives us this image:

A GROUP OF SERENDADERS MAKE MERRY IN A VENETIAN GONDOLA

This is a celebratory Moon that promotes good times with those we love. I think it also suggests that we get out on the water! You’ll have to be down in the South Seas to see the eclipse in its narrow path of totality. Some living on the southern edge of South America, in Chile and Argentina, will be able to see an eclipsing sun set.

New Moons are a beginning of a new monthly cycle.  They give us a code to understand the circumstances of the world in general and our world in particular; we can see the challenges and solutions as applied particularly to the next four weeks.  Eclipses multiply the meaning of this code exponentially, the significance lasting for several years.  Eclipses in Cancer have to do with creativity, giving birth, and nurturing. 

The continuing cross of energy in cardinal (initiating) signs gives tremendous muscle, increasing the effect of this Eclipse.  The Eclipse is bracketed by Mercury (god of reasoning) and Jupiter (god of our higher wisdom).  They are in Trine to each other, showing that they work together.  Although the problems are real and dangerous, shown by Saturn, Pluto, Uranus and Jupiter on the cardinal points; Mercury, Venus, and Mars (the personal planets) are all showing easy, relieving aspects in the chart.  This indicates that each of us can make a real difference in our personal lives and thus affect the big picture.  Mars (god of desire) is in Virgo (sign of discrimination and detail) Sextiling the Cancer Eclipse.  This indicates that our personal efforts to do the right thing are required now.

This solar eclipse, (occurring at the south node), suggests a new chapter for something that is already in play. At 19 Cancer, it can be especially influential for those born on July 11, Oct 12, Jan 9, or April 9; (it can also produce significant impact if it makes a dynamic aspect to your personal chart.)  Watch for something or someone of influence from your past (from this life or another lifetime) to resurface. Igniting the Cancer/Capricorn axis, family members and family dynamics are likely to take the main spotlight.  (Transitions can occur.)

The Cancer/Capricorn axis also puts the spotlight on security needs and measures, (private and personal; public, professional; social/political.) It is an important time of inner world and outer world restructuring. The eclipse can prompt an experiential review of old, outworn and limiting behaviours, and in so doing, brings an opportunity to release them.

Take note of this string of planetary occurrences: Saturn advances into Libra, July 21: the sun enters Leo on July 22, Jupiter turns retrograde on July 23 and forms a dynamic (square) aspect with Pluto on July 24 and again on Aug 3; a full moon in Aquarius occurs on July 25, and on July 26, Uranus (ruler of Aquarius) forms the last of 5 oppositions with Saturn, (but it is the first and only opposition to occur across the Aries/Libra axis.) Mars advances into Libra on July 29 and conjoins with Saturn on July 31.

That is a lot of stellar activity over a short period!  What does it all mean? It certainly suggests circumstances are about to come to a head. In the meantime, be good to yourself and to each other.

                          

June 21st -July 21^st

Cardinal Water
Feminine (-) Yin
Key: “I Feel”
Symbol: The Crab
Ruler: Moon
Exaltation: Jupiter
Detriment: Saturn
Fall: Mars

To a Cancerian emotions are more real than any other aspect of life.They are highly sensitive individuals who are easily crushed by this sensitivity and consequently need the protection of a hard ‘shell’ just like the real life crab who needs a hard defensive outer shell to protect their soft underbelly.

When a Cancerian feels hurt they will retreat into this shell, as this shell represents their emotional security. Likewise, a Cancerian needs a secure home base to which they can always return to. It is because of this need for a safe haven that a Cancerian is usually so attached to family and in particular, the Mother. The ‘personality’ of a Cancerian very much depends upon the emotional nurturing in their early home life.

When emotionally secure a Cancerian is able to love freely and can be extraordinarily supportive and nurturing themselves. However, if a Cancerian feels that they have received little emotional sustenance, they can become truly ‘crabby’, cranky, touchy and exceedingly needy. Sometimes you can never give a Cancerian enough nurturing and on particularly moody days they can exhibit devouring behaviour that is insatiable in its need to be nourished. Cancer rules the stomach and a particularly sensitive ‘gut feeling’ is their primary physical receptor of worry and nervous tension of any kind. They can be compelled by their ‘stomach wrenching reactions’ to situations and therefore this need for nourishment physically and emotionally is also reflected in how food very often represents emotional security to them as well

A Cancerian is everyone’s surrogate mother and everyone’s surrogate child. For Cancerians all their relationships are coloured by the mother / child dynamic of unconditional love. As you can imagine, Cancerians are deeply hurt when they discover later in life that most people in the world at large, cannot offer this unconditional love and devotion. Subsequently, this is why Cancerians are so sentimental about the past and tend to hold on to people and things, for they represent security. Security is also sought through the accumulation of money and you may find many Cancerians drawn to solid
investments like real estate.
Cancerians have incredible memories and will never forget an emotional injury, though they’ll also never forget your kindness and if you really need them and love them they’ll most likely be devoted to you forever.

Traditional Rulership

Anatomy:   Breast and chest

Illnesses:   Cancer is susceptible to illnesses concerning the breast, stomach and chest. In decumbiture charts this sign can indicate bad coughs, weak stomachs and digestion problems. Overall, Cancer is considered a sign of poor constitution

Places:   The sea, rivers and places near ponds or waters – brooks, springs, wells, wash-houses, sea shores, marshy land, etc. In houses it represents cellars, cisterns, bathrooms and places near water.

Countries & cities:    Include Scotland, Holland, Tunisia, Algeria, Istanbul, Venice, Milan, Amsterdam, York, Wittenburg in Germany, Cadiz in Spain. 

Colours:   Pale, discreet and subtle colours; greys, beiges, silver, white

Stones & Metals:   Stones and metals fall under the rulership of planets, not signs, but through its association with the Moon, Cancer has affinity with pearls, silver and crystals 

Famous Cancerians:

 Princess Diana-Born: 01/07/1961   

Prince William-Born: 21/06/1982   

Duke of Windsor-Born: 23/06/1894   

Nelson Mandela-Born: 18/07/1918   

George Bush-Born: 06/07/1946   

The Sun

 Awakened Cancer the Crab, a femenine sign in the zodiac on your birthday. The Sun in astrology stands for your inner nature, your essential character. The fourth sign of the Zodiac, Cancer is ruled by the restless Moon

A cardinal (creative and original) sign, Cancer governs home life, matters to do with women (especially the mother), as well as sensitivity and emotional intensity. It is a water sign so Cancerian people are emotionally intense and deeper than they appear on the surface, while quite sensitive and understanding once you get through that tough exterior.

The Sun, ruler of our inner nature, is somewhat dimmed in Cancer, the home of the Moon. Creative and romantic, with a strong love of home, family and tradition, you are a good communicator and a strong provider. Your deep sensitivity presents you with valuable and illuminating intuitions, especially regarding those you care for.

Powerful Intuition

Paradoxically combining a love of travel with a deep need for security you surround yourself with sentimental objects from the past, including souvenirs, hand-me-downs and keepsakes. Cancerians are remarkably good at accumulating things; indeed, you can be unwilling to throw anything out, even relationships that have passed their use-by date.

Cancer is also good with money and generally takes a long-term view. The main thing to remember is not to let the powerful, turbulent emotions of the moment crowd out your normally rational judgement. Your intuitions are reliable and should be trusted; you may even have natural psychic powers, which may be developed, given the right circumstances.

Cancer Rising

Cancer Rising makes you ambitious and dedicated, but deceptively vulnerable. You are cautious and not inclined to make the first move until you are sure of your ground. Unfortunately, you seem to attract unsuitable partners and may even be subject to a somewhat traumatic marriage. Your tendency is to marry late in life, and to seek older or more mature partners, or those who represent an authority figure.

You view everything through an emotional glaze, my dears and though you try to hide your vulnerability behind a tough front, this does not fool anyone for long. Be that as it may, you do not usually allow emotional vulnerability to interfere with your ambitions and you have considerable personal magnetism. That emotional commitment makes you work twice as hard as anyone else and generally leads to success. You love to spend time at home and could be successful in any home-based enterprise.

Ruled by the silvery moon, you have a changeable personality, although you can be quite caring and sympathetic when your nurturing instincts are stimulated. You like to be “mothered” and may be guided in life by a strong person (usually female). Consciously or subconsciously you respond to the influence of others, even adopting the latest fashions or modes of behaviour whether or not they really suit you or express your deeper character. A tendency to undertake those activities, or studies which appear to improve social standing should be carefully watched, especially when these activities are not actually enjoyable in themselves, nor in keeping with your real inclinations. You are instinctively good with the public and have an affinity with children.

You are a natural cook, and possess strong design or architectural ability, or at least take great interest in them. Roundness of face, pale, sensitive skin, and baldness or finely textured hair are characteristics of Cancer Rising. The old bod has a strong tendency to retain water, and your emotional orientation (water=emotion) reveals an addictive nature. You seem to attract excess weight – and addictive substances. You can even be addicted to people. Breasts, stomach, and digestive system are vulnerable areas.

                          

1^st – Thursday – Mercury Sextile Mars, Mercury Semi-square Neptune –

2^nd – Friday – It’s a magical day; problematic situations change rapidly and difficulties can be resolved.   

3^rd – Saturday – We are released from our past after being stuck for a while and being afraid to act.   

4^th – Sunday – It is easy for our passions to run away with us.   

5^th – Monday – Sun Semi-square Neptune, Uranus turns Retrograde – Our confusion today is not over our beliefs, but over how to practically apply our values in the current situation.   

6^th – Tuesday – Going forward requires discipline and calmness; our reward for our efforts is later.   

7^th – Wednesday – The logic of the moment will be for us to sharpen our skills, stay close to home, and focus on the ordinary routines.   

8^th – Thursday – Mercury Semi-sextile Venus, Mercury Quincunx Neptune, Venus Opposite Neptune–We can get in our own way as we attempt to create harmony 

9^th – Friday –Mercury enters Leo, Venus Semi-sextile Saturn, Mercury Trine Uranus – Today is perfect for completions in our personal lives and then changing directions.

10^th – Saturday – Venus enters Virgo, Sun Sextile Mars – Returning to the past is not an option.  Our desire for perfection is fulfilled by being willing to make incremental progress.

 11^th – Sunday – Mercury Trine Jupiter, the New Moon is an Eclipse occurring at 3:41PM EDT-We burst forth with enthusiasm.  We find the beauty of today is in being able to relate our highest vision of truth to our everyday experiences. 

12^th – Monday – Our world can be filled with sunny, joyful thoughts if we are able to be in the moment 

13^th – Tuesday – Venus Quincunx Jupiter, Venus Trine Pluto –

Take the time to express your positive emotions and let the people who matter most know that you care.

14^th – Wednesday – Romantic feelings should be expressed in practical ways; acts of service mean more now than they usually do.

15^th – Thursday – It is as if someone is pressing the on/off switch repeatedly.  It is hard to get our rhythm.   

16^th – Friday – Mercury Contra-parallel Pluto – If something is hurting you, release it.  The big difficulty now is knowing what to hang on to and what to get rid of.   

17^th – Saturday – Mercury Semi-square Saturn – Progress is made by taking care of our real responsibilities and then relaxing.  Conversation will uncover some new options.

18^th – Sunday – Mercury Sesquiquadrate Uranus – We may be looking for a form of emotional release; express yourself to the right person and everything changes for the better.

19^th – Monday – Mercury Sesquiquadrate Jupiter, Mercury Sesquiquadrate Pluto – Reaching a decision and sticking to it isn’t so hard; selling your ideas to everyone else may take some work.   

20^th – Tuesday – Sun Quincunx Neptune – It may take another day or two before we can see clearly how to separate the good from the bad in our own past.

21^st – Wednesday – Saturn enters Libra – We may not feel up to the challenge as much is required of us, but luckily, not everything has to be done at once. 

22^nd – Thursday – Sun enters Leo, Sun Sextile Saturn –We can enjoy some artistic creation today if we avoid letting other people’s aggression upset our mood.

23^rd – Friday – Sun Trine Uranus, Jupiter turns Retrograde – We can move on to higher goals as soon as we take the challenge to try a totally unique idea.   

24^th – Saturday – Jupiter Square Pluto – Everything seems big today.  Get simple and make your dreams fit into the obvious scenarios. 

25^th – Sunday – The Full Moon is at 9:38 PM EDT – We experience much tension as there is lots of energy that has no place to go.  We can adjust to the pace of the day if we are able to keep the world circumstances in context.  Meditation brings a sense of peace and helps ease the tension in the world.

26^th – Monday – Mercury Opposite Neptune, Sun Quincunx Pluto, Sun Trine Jupiter, Sun Quincunx Neptune, Saturn Opposite Uranus – Certain key ingredients from our past will be with us to stay…this will be somewhat of a surprise.   

27^th – Tuesday – Mercury enters Virgo, Mercury Quincunx Uranus – New information creates instability.  We try to make order and to have a routine in our lives.   

28^th – Wednesday – Mercury Semi-sextile Saturn – Make lists of tasks to be completed.  Structure your day

29^th – Thursday – Mars enters Libra – Abrupt alterations in our course of action can leave others wondering what in the world we are doing.   

30^th – Friday – Mercury Trine Pluto, Mars Opposite Uranus, Sun Contra-parallel Pluto – The world looks different as everything intensifies.  We make many adjustments for changes in circumstances and new ideas flourish.

31^st – Saturday – Mars Conjunct Saturn – It is difficult to achieve your goals if you don’t know what you want.  Place your trust in your vision of the truth and be willing to work toward this end.

                          

This is one of the major astrological aligments of 2010,  the Capricorn Lunar Eclipse on June 26^th (7:30 AM EDT), it opens the channel challenging us to balance our aims and ambitions against our needs for comfort and security. Two weeks later, the Cancer Solar Eclipse (July 11^th at 3:40 PM EDT) marks the turning point that we may look back upon and consider a “point of no return” in this process. Economically, we are certainly experiencing the shake-up suggested by what we astrologers are calling the “Cardinal Climax.” This climactic shift continues to resonate through August from different points of the spectrum of influence.

The Sabian Symbols for the zodiac degrees involved in opposition of the Sun and Moon at the time of the Lunar Eclipse tell a cautionary tale.

The degree of the Sun is: “An automobile wrecked by a train.”  This particular degree is a red-flag, astrologically-speaking. Think about it: The damage is to the automobile. There’s no mention of a driver or passengers. Just a wrecked car.  Something is likely to be damaged. So, use caution (we’re already reminded of that from other cycles!).

The degree of the Moon tells another interesting story:

 “Indians — some rowing a canoe, while others dance a war dance.”  Yes, there are certainly battles and plans for battles in progress in the world … on the military fronts and on other fronts as well. Yet I find this to be an inspiring symbol, because it suggests the joining of energy within a core group, all focused on a singular purpose.

What in your life requires such a focus? Are there things you’ve been waiting to accomplish that seem impossible? This is the time to clarify such hopes and goals. More importantly, it’s the time to identify the others who are part of your closer circle of life. Each individual brings a particular quality of energy and power to the circle, and together, everyone becomes more dynamic in his or her capacity to move forward.

We definitely have a bumpy ride ahead for the summer months, and there’s smooth highway to travel, too. There is such rich potential for the kind of creative inspiration that ignites amazing and positive change. Adapting to a different way of life is not easy, because some of the familiar comforts are no longer there. Its end is not yet clear, although I hold space for an uplifting and joyful experience. The journey, does, indeed, begin with a single step.

Much like a dance. Let the music play!