Solstice and New Moon in Cancer

Happy Solstice! The Sun has just moved into Cancer, resulting in the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. A classic song from Hair keeps repeating its emphatic chorus in my mind: “Let the Sunshine in!” Of course, Hair is an unapologetic romp through some of the ideals of the coming Aquarian Age. And it plays on my mind in resonance with the cluster of divine energy from Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune (each retrograde) in Aquarius. This heavenly trio trines the Sun and Moon, bringing a sense of renewal. Venus and Mars, the cosmic lovers, are paired in Venus’ luxurious home sign of Taurus. The pair trines Saturn in Virgo, resulting in the appreciation of sensuality, getting in touch with your body, with your health, and with the Earth. How appropriate at this Solstice portal.

The Solstice is emphasized by a New Moon in Cancer on its heels. At this point, Sun and Moon are conjoined in an opposition to Pluto retrograde. Integrating powerful feelings – even those beneath the surface – brings feedback, leading to greater awareness of what makes you feel secure and nurtured. The mixture of Cancer’s energy – which takes comfort in looking backwards – with Pluto retrograde – which also refers to the past or turning inwards – may coincide with you reflecting on how you have usually processed your emotions (Cancer) in days gone by. Do those methods increase or diminish your sense of power (Pluto)?

The healing from this New Moon comes in the form of a trine from the Lights to the retrograde cluster of Aquarian planets: Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune. Expect an increase in your ability to see past the Self, and to see yourself in a broader context; to realize that all emotions and feelings are human, and that we have all shared similar feelings at various points. Your intuition increases, and the body is prepared to “re-set” to good health. You may experience a surprisingly cathartic release, thanks to Uranus’ involvement in this lunation. Uranus is at the apex of a t-square from the opposition of both Lights to Pluto retrograde. Uranus needs to be appeased in some way, or the result is crankiness, insecurity, jealousy, trying to control or hide feelings, or conversely unleashing them in an explosive torrent. Try doing something different to feed Uranus’ need for innovation and excitement. It may feel tentative or awkward (the Lights quincunx the North Node) but, at this New Moon, the same-old same-old won’t cut it if you expect to navigate the week’s cosmic currents. Uranus in Pisces represents that part of you that feels like the renegade on a quest to save the world. But you cannot save anyone without saving yourself first. That is the message from the Aquarius stellium - physician, heal thyself! Now we turn within for healing, guidance from a higher power, and mystic revelations.

In keeping with the current square from Mercury in Gemini to Saturn in Virgo, I am compelled to take some time out from writing, and to just experience the flow of the cosmic tides. When time moves as fleetingly as it does (at least in my little corner of the Universe) it’s a challenge to integrate the powerful energy at work. But that is what I am called to do now, and so I will honour that. I will likely be back in August when, no doubt, the sands will have shifted again, resulting in new awareness. I wish you a Summer of blessings and peace. In the meantime, please continue to read my weekly lovescopes at Sasstrology. Namaste.

Graphic provided courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Journeying Between Worlds: Week Of June 15

Just as the planets are clearly bodies in motion, so are we all. And the journey is about to get more exciting (or weird, depending on your viewpoint). If you’re a mystic who hopes to travel to other realms, the Cosmic travel agency has your ticket prepared.

Since all journeys begin with planet Mercury, let’s begin there. In Greek mythology, Mercury was the only god permitted to travel to the Underworld - Hades’ realm. (Hades’ name – like all of the Olympian gods’ names - was appropriated by the Romans and he was re-named Pluto. Don’t get me started.) Currently Mercury is in a tense angle with Pluto. This uncomfortable aspect (called a quincunx) between Mercury, guide of souls and Pluto, speaks of an uneasy albeit necessary journey to the river Styx. My mind automatically links this Mercury-Pluto relationship with Chris De Burgh’s song, Don’t Pay The Ferryman. If I can extend the metaphor, though, of course we must pay the ferryman. It’s not merely a simple matter of commerce for services rendered; if you consider the deeper implications, it is in your best interest to relinquish (Pluto) whatever it is that you’ve been holding onto - at considerable cost to your well-being - in order to get to the other side (whatever the other side represents to you). Moreover, the awkward nature of the quincunx angle suggests that it is not through the mind alone (Mercury) that one can release the deadweight. Only total acceptance of the greater forces of change can help us relinquish the deadwood in our lives, if ever we are to bring new life or energy in.

Cue Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune. This stellium reveals that enlightenment comes through spiritual efforts. The mind (Mercury) must be aligned with the heart (Sun). Let’s review this planetary trio: each is in the universal sign of Aquarius. Whereas Chiron and Neptune recently began their retrograde phases, Jupiter just went retrograde on Monday. Now the search for a guru leads us within. The message is that you cannot find it out there if you haven’t yet found it inside. This energy is about locating the divine spark that glows eternally within you. To that end, along comes Sun, representing your solar (or soular) journey. Sun in curious Gemini makes a favourable trine to retrograde Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune. This has the effect of pointing a flashlight (Sun) at your interior landscape. Now, with clearer eyes, you can see what kind of shape your spiritual centre is in. Because Jupiter is conjunct Chiron and Neptune, their energies are very much mixed in with this planetary cocktail. Include healing techniques (Chiron), insight, intuition, compassion, creativity, imagination and union with Source (Neptune) in your expanding (Jupiter) toolbox.

Lynn Koiner has said that Neptune retrograde specifically opens our inner sight in a way that is more obvious than when Neptune travels direct. Based on my own personal experiences with this energy I agree with her. What I’ve noticed specifically is that when I’m experiencing a cosmic download (please tell me some of you understand what I mean by this) in which information just comes to me – unlike the period when Neptune is moving direct – I retain and synthesize the info that comes through when Neptune is retrograde. Just my own observation, and I’d be interested in hearing from you about your own Neptunian downloads.

And, while we’re at the far end of the flake spectrum, let me make mention of Venus and Mars. They are currently paired in earthy Taurus, grounding some of our idealistic visions from the Aquarius stellium into reality. The aspect I want to note is their brilliant quintile to Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune retrograde. There’s a subtle ability to tune into the music of the spheres, to dance with the Cosmos, and to see how the Universe has imprinted itself upon your internal search engine. Google could only dream of such an ability! If you consider such information to be of value, then structural Saturn in analytical Virgo will help you to build and fortify your information system. Blessed be!

*Artwork provided courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Full Moon in Sagittarius: Week Of June 7-14

What a mighty week we have in store, kicked off by a potent Full Moon in Sagittarius. At this lunation, Sun and Moon are diametrically opposed each other, offering us a chance to reflect (Moon) on where we insist on creating polarities in our own lives. Each of us can afford to broaden our perspectives right now. See the bigger picture of your life; witness the tapestry that’s being woven daily, and notice how the multiple threads (Sun in Gemini) gradually create an ever-growing picture (Sagittarius). Sometimes that tapestry is gorgeous, even though some painful episodes have, no doubt, been woven into it. There’s something ironic about that, don’t you think?

Perhaps this week you can delight in the ironies that life offers up. Kind of like dental floss stuck in your teeth. Or Jim Morrison’s long-ago claim that he’s a Sagittarian, the most philosophical sign (his words), but that he doesn’t believe in astrology. You’ve just gotta love it. Because, as we move rapidly away from the dualistic black/white, good/evil responses we’ve been taught to honour, maybe a little irony shows us how to hold two seemingly opposite concepts in dynamic tension. Such false oppositions merely play into our cultural addictions and glamours - which Uranus in Pisces has been awakening us to for years now. Let the large scope of the Sagittarius Full Moon bring you into that sacred space that Uranus in Pisces has opened for us. It’s the energy of the spiritual nomad seeking union with The All, in which dualities cease to exist.

But you don’t have to find that divine union all by your lonesome. Sagittarius Moon medicine reminds us of the power of faith in a larger order, while the heavenly union of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune (each of them retrograde now) in group-oriented Aquarius helps us find our spiritual tribe. Together, we get there with greater strength. Mercury is squaring this Aquarius stellium, spurring us to act in community for a greater purpose than personal ambition. Brilliant ideas (Mercury sextile Uranus) that promote your biggest dreams (Jupiter retrograde conjunct Chiron retrograde and Neptune retrograde) can only come to life through disciplined effort, (Saturn at apex of t-square from Sun-Moon opposition), so that you “do” your mission with ease (Mercury trine North Node). It’s time to get moving on your dreams – your action and mobility are required. Visualization (or being in your head) is only one part of the process toward manifestation; action is also essential. And the corollary is that if you’re only focused on what you’re doing, without actually considering its merits or larger purpose (hello Moon in Sag), you’re cutting yourself off or merely going through the motions, like an automaton.

There’s healing potential available to us all, and it’s emphasized by Venus and Mars trine Pluto retrograde. Here is the desire and courage to face your demons, to go after what you want, and to see the power dynamics at work in your life. Bear in mind the warning from Pluto retrograde quincunx the South Node: it’s necessary to make certain adjustments, because the old way just doesn’t fit the present any longer – at least, not without considerable cost or pain. To a large extent, Pluto in Capricorn plays a part in re-shaping our lives. It points to the dismemberment of some of our cultural institutions, re-fashioning global infrastructures, and the slaying of sacred cows. All things considered, should you need to move to greener pastures, you’ve been imbued with the acute sight to recognize where those greener pastures are located. The subtle influence of Mercury biquintile Pluto retrograde reveals a gift for utilizing your resources, and for passing that info onto others.

Mercury biquintile Pluto, simultaneously square the retrograde Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune stellium in humanitarian Aquarius also encourages us to share the love. Big love. Pass it on. Even to the ones you cannot yet feel love for. Ironic, yes?

Week Of June 1-7

I've got a dance, I ain't got no steps;
I'm gonna let the music move me around.
Will it go round in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?

(lyrics to WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES by Paul Weller)

Welcome to another week on this glorious planet. There are numerous planetary events, so let’s note the highlights before going into detail: First of all, Mercury is no longer retrograde. Do your little happy dance. If you’ve noticed a preponderance of technological snafus or delays, these should soon fade away. Next, Mars has left its home sign of fiery Aries for earthy Taurus. Mars naturally revels in spontaneous action, which is somewhat hampered by Taurus’ slower and deliberate energy. It’s time to literally stop and smell the roses, folks. And it’s often in those unrushed moments when we notice something we’d otherwise have missed. (Like, oops – I’m heading in the wrong direction.)

This sense of pausing for reflection is underlined by the newly retrograde motion of both Chiron and Neptune. Chiron is the bridge that links humanity to healing self-enlightenment, while Neptune represents god consciousness. Each of them is linked with cosmic tutor Jupiter. Over the next few months, seekers will turn within for spiritual answers. Get with your inner guru, and avoid the pitfall of placing someone else on a spiritual pedestal. You already contain the seeds of your redemption and unity with The All. Your own search for mystic awareness may be quite different from someone else’s, and yet we each bear a piece of the truth. Sharing our views can help provide missing pieces of information.

With that in mind, the Sun continues its journey through communicative Gemini. The desire to share ideas is amplified now, as is relating with others for the sheer joy of relating. Mind you, this is tempered by the natural reserve associated with Sun in square aspect with cautious Saturn. This corresponds with Mercury’s travels through Taurus: communication slows down somewhat in an underlying attempt to be more thoughtful and discriminating. And yet Mercury is squaring Jupiter, Chiron retrograde and Neptune retrograde. There’s a “broken telephone” in effect. Similarly, big promises are made, but can they be kept? Huge dreams colour our landscape, but how realistic they are may not be revealed until Chiron and Neptune resume direct motion in November. Using your intuition (courtesy of Mercury sextile Uranus) should help guide your way through the hyperbole – which you can practically step in. Mercury sextile Uranus also coincides with brilliant ideas that can be put to practical use with a little Saturnine effort. I say this because Saturn in Virgo is the handle in the ongoing Bucket pattern in the skies. Self-authority and service to others is the key to getting a handle on your daily affairs. This will help counter the effects of the linear chart pattern that often points to movement for movement’s sake. Sometimes that movement takes us in veritable circles. But, hey – perhaps going around in circles is the point. Perhaps if we go around enough times we clue into cycles and patterns more easily. Such is the meditative power of a labyrinth, for example. It all depends on your point of view and what you’re hoping to accomplish. However, if leisure and reflection are not on your menu this week, Mars trine Pluto retrograde aids concentration and focus, allowing you to get to the bottom of something through effort and tenacity.

Meanwhile, Venus in Aries continues to offer us lessons in self-love until the end of the week. It’s a cosmic reminder to fill your own creative well before attending to others. Still, working in community is a large piece of the current celestial tapestry. Venus’ sextile to Jupiter, Chiron retrograde and Neptune retrograde can ignite big dreams, fueled by the power of imagination and inspiration. This is your opportunity to connect with others who share your values, in the aims of fulfilling a mutually relevant mission.

May you find meaning in whatever you aim for this week, be it going round in circles or steadfastly working toward to your dreams. Blessed be.

May 24-30: A Little Less Action, A Little More Conversation, Please!

The Sun has left Taurus for another year and has moved into Gemini’s territory for the month. And now a New Moon in Gemini (during which the Sun and Moon unite in the skies) prods us to plant seeds that will eventually flower into greater self-awareness and unity with others. Gemini rules all activities that involve communications. It’s time to get down with your gabby self! Having said that, there’s a point to conversation – and it’s not about gossip, so much as it is about learning from each other. Someone has crucial information for you, and how easily you recognize its truth when you hear it will depend on how adept you are at sifting through the sometimes aimless chatter that Gemini energy can inspire. Exchange information that gives you whatever edge you need, or that offers you a new perspective. Gossip is a no-no and will only undermine your efforts (New Moon quincunx Pluto). Clean out your files; read a new book. All this while Mercury (which rules this lunation) is still retrograde.


Meanwhile, Venus is still cozying up to Mars in Aries. Aries energy has little patience for Mercury’s retrograde antics. You can almost hear this cosmic pair singing “A little less conversation, a little more action please!” (Thank you, Elvis.) Venus biquintile Saturn promotes the brilliant use of personal resources, including information. In fact, Saturn in Virgo is helping each of us to build our personal libraries of information – and now the current of Gemini energy promotes the free sharing of such information, in order to benefit ourselves and the collective. Mars sextile Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune provides the necessary courage to be a leader, or to get others fired up about humanitarian and spiritual endeavours. Take your rightful place within the group and observe its dynamics when you interact. There’s feedback in others’ responses to your energy.


Mercury retrograde in earthy Taurus is sextile Uranus in spiritual Pisces. There seems to be a type of alchemy at work here – how does your understanding of your body as a temple (or this planet as a temple) increase your awareness of the spiritual dimensions of existence? Must we cling to the old schism between body and spirit, or can the two be united? The square aspect between Mercury retrograde and the Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune stellium compel us into some type of physical activity or meditation – but physical activity is a type of meditation, is it not? The physical and spiritual realms are much more connected than those of us who’ve been fed Judao-Christian values understand. Body and spirit are inter-connected in a timeless and sacred dance. Chiron adds its healing balm and restores the divide.


Jupiter conjunct Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius points to spiritual awakenings, to an understanding of pain within a larger context, to healing, and to finding your place within a supportive community. The flipside of this vision of heaven is lethargy and amnesia. On Friday Neptune will begin a five–month retrograde transit through universal Aquarius. Dreams, imagery, symbols, film, television, photography, fantasy, dance, spiritual searching: these become part of your internal landscapes now, as you draw on your own unique worldview to explain the outer world. And Uranus in Pisces emphasizes this. While Uranus and Neptune are in mutual reception they highlight the journey to enlightenment. Each in our own time is on the way to becoming a mystic (Neptune) revolutionary (Uranus). Blessed be!

Praise the Lord And Pass The Ephemeris

Okay, Venus and Mars are still in me me me Aries, and this post is suitably about me. If you’re bored already, read my lovescopes, and come back next week. Or book me for a consultation and I promise it will all be about you.

We’re now at the mid-point of the Mercury retrograde phase and, so far, the only casualty of this oft-maligned transit that I’ve experienced is my tote bag. One of the loops on the zipper keeps falling off. Not exactly the legendary stuff that Mercury retrogrades are made of. What happened to fried computers and broken telephones? Well - in my case - technology snafus haven’t been an issue because Mercury is doing as little damage as possible whilst transiting my 12th House. The 12th House is the Dreamscape - that quiet place where the imagination roams freely and seeds new possibilities for a future barely in the making. It’s the realm of symbols and transcendence – the hermitage.

Not surprisingly, I have been re-thinking (now there’s a Mercury retrograde word) my place in the world of organized religion. Organized religion and Christianity in particular - a 12th house concept. The 12th House is associated with mystic Pisces, the Fish – the symbol of Christianity. In fact, we are moving from the Age of Pisces (Christianity) into the Age of Aquarius. For many months now, I’ve been pondering the various ways to link astrology and Christianity. It’s been more of a background noise or an inner conversation that sort of nestled comfortably on the backburner, where I didn’t necessarily have to deal with it strenuously or come to any conclusions.

However, a couple of weeks ago, as I sat in Church where I sing in the choir, I listened to a sermon that denounced astrology. And there it was, in my face: the Universe had provided me with the perfect opportunity to look at the tortured association between Christianity and astrology. Mercury retrograde (in the guise of the preacher) was exerting its influence on my spiritual 12th house. I wasn’t at all as composed during that sermon as I am while I write this article, however. Picture me squirming in the front pew, with a big lump in my throat. If ever there was a time and a place where it occurred to me, “Oh-oh, I don’t belong here” that was the moment. I felt conspicuous. I felt guilty. I wondered if I had been led down the road to evil by taking up astrology years ago.

But what’s a church choir-gal who attended an Anglican school for thirteen years doing in the world of astrology in the first place? Is it a mistake to have my Piscean feet in both worlds? Though there are numerous references to astrology in the Torah and the Bible, the jury seems to be out on whether or not it’s the Creator’s intention for us to use astrology. It depends on whom you ask. It depends on what branch of Christianity you align with. Obviously, Christianity is not a monolith. But neither is astrology. Me, I never saw a conflict of interest. After all, I believe that God created the Heavens. I mean, that seems a given, so I feel almost silly stating it. But it has to be said, given the nature of the minister’s negative comments. And I think that astrology has a role to play in deepening one’s relationship with the Divine. It has certainly had such an effect on me.

So, back to the minister’s sermon: I had just been symbolically branded with a scarlet letter for Astrologer, and smacked up the side of the head. Now at the time, transiting Venus (personal values) was squaring transiting Pluto (power and transformation), so this was just the kind of incendiary sermon one might expect to hear. Indeed, there is always a co-relation between the minister’s sermons and the transits of the time – not a surprise. The problem for me was that this attack against astrology felt so personal. I was born with Venus at the apex of a t-square from both Jupiter and Neptune. So I’m always confronted by the need to assess my philosophical (Jupiter) and spiritual (Neptune) values (Venus). And my Venus lives in the 8th house of transformation, which intensifies this complex. The sermon wasn’t personal, most certainly wasn’t aimed at me directly, but I felt the full force (Pluto) with a directness and urgency that had me sobbing (as discreetly as possible, if you can imagine.) Though I did try to save my tears for the ladies’ room, some of them wouldn’t be contained in the sanctuary, and came spilling out during the Lord’s Prayer, no less. Now that was humbling.

Did I exit stage left in a glorious trail of righteous indignation? It would make for a great scene, but no. I am a Pisces, for starters. Preferring a mysterious exit, we tend to swim away while no one is watching (that’s Neptune for you). I also have a Libra Moon. We can’t bear to make anyone else feel uncomfortable, even if we’ve just been on the receiving end of someone’s insulting remarks. Besides, I come back to the fact that I’m a choir singer at the church. Leaving would mean leaving my choir family, and losing the income that the job provides. I also enjoy the time of worship, the chance to pray, and the opportunity to make a joyful noise unto the Creator. And I generally learn a great deal from the sermons.

I gave myself a week to cool down and asked friends and colleagues for a reality check. Seeing as retrograde Saturn (reality) was getting ready to resume direct motion in analytical Virgo, this seemed a timely idea anyway. One of my friends - also an astrologer - suggested I keep the choir job, take the money, and suffer in silence. A few agreed with him that it would do no good to speak to the minister. He’s my boss, in a sense, and you don’t argue with your boss. Other astrologers suggested I open my mouth and clear the air. I received a great deal of help from a community of astrologers, actually. Lucky for me that I was born with Jupiter in the 11th House of groups and associations. I do feel blessed by the richness of wisdom that I received from many of them.

I decided that I couldn’t cope with the hypocrisy of staying in a place where I might be viewed as spiritually suspect. Neither did I wish to trespass on hallowed ground. So I decided to meet with the pastor. I wasn’t going in with a tirade; I went in peace. I had no clue how our conversation would progress, but I needed to see if there was any hope of common ground between my views and the minister’s or church’s. When we met, I “came out” as an astrologer and expressed my views on astrology’s place in the development of one’s spiritual life. (That’s one illustration of how transiting Sun and Uranus work together in a sextile aspect, as they were at the time.) Out of respect for the pastor’s privacy, I won’t share the details of our conversation. But in a nutshell, it went exceedingly well. Just as the current conjunction of Chiron with Jupiter and Neptune promises, a bridge has been built. Am I naïve to imagine that there’s room for all of us on this bridge, regardless of spiritual or religious background? Furthermore, do you think there’s a place for astrology in religion? Please share your views with me.

As for me, let me assert here and now with the full confidence that transiting Venus and Mars in Aries (I AM!) bestows: I believe in a righteous and benevolent divine force that governs this realm and every realm under the heavens. Sometimes I call this energy God, or the Creator, or Source or Spirit or the Universe or Mystery, or the Divine. Whatever one chooses to call it, I have experienced the flow of this unconditional love. I hope that you have too. And I believe that each of us has our own very personal relationship with the Divine. I don’t believe that “getting to Heaven” is incumbent upon anything other than meeting each moment with your greatest self. I don’t actually believe that heaven is a place “up there” but rather a state of being, right here. And we have the chance to be re-born each minute. Astrology speaks to me of some of the Divine possibilities. I was called to it, just as the minister was called to his vocation. We’re both children of the same God. There’s precious little else that I know so far. I have a healthy respect for mystery, after all. Like nature, it cannot be completely fathomed.

In the meantime, I’ll keep singing on Sundays and the pastor can preach to the choir. Praise the Lord, and pass the ephemeris.

Oops, I'm Late

Please excuse me. I normally have a weekly update posted on Mondays. However, this week it will be considerably delayed. Is that not a lovely illustration of some of the effects of Mercury retrograde? I am working on a piece that will be posted on Thursday, and I hope you'll come back then. In the meantime, are there any readers who want to weigh in with some astrological wisdom for Jennifer? She has posted a comment. Hers is the last one before my brief response to her. I've also got your lovescopes for the week. Be well.