Hi Everyone

Hope you had a wonderful May.  Things will be quieter in June – no eclipses this month!   However, we do have two planets that will change direction.

The first one is Neptune that goes retrograde on Friday, June 7 at 4:26 a.m.  Neptune is in the water sign that she rules (Pisces).  Neptune rules illusion, the film industry, deception, redemption and compassion.  She can provide a different perspective on things in the way that we see things differently in fog, which she also rules.  When a planet is in retrograde motion, we experience its energies more inwardly than when it is in direct motion.  This will impact those with planets or other sensitive points in their charts from 0-10 degrees Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio (the three water signs) and Gemini, Virgo or Sagittarius.  It’s an opportunity to use Neptune’s energy inwardly (retrograde) to discern parts of ourselves that need redeeming; parts that needed a different perspective; and parts of us that need to be viewed with compassion.  Neptune will be retrograde until November.

The second one is everyone’s favorite.  Yep, you guessed it!  Mercury goes retrograde on Wednesday, June 26 at 9:08 a.m. at 23 degrees Cancer.  He’ll be retrograde for three weeks (until July 20).  Anyone with planets or other points on their charts from 13-30 degrees Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Aries, Libra or Capricorn will feel this change of direction more easily.  A Mercury retrograde, as I’ve said before, is a wonderful time to re-group, re-pair, re-treat, re-think, re-structure – anything with “re” in front of it.  Our thinking will be more inwardly-focused, so communication with the outside world could be a little fuzzy and computers tend to be a little cranky when Mercury is retrograde.

I also want to mention a very special relationship between Saturn and Pluto.  It began when Saturn entered Scorpio last October and will continue through December 2014.  It’s called “mutual reception” and occurs when Planet A is in the sign ruled by Planet B and vice versa.  Currently Saturn is in Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, and Pluto is in Capricorn, ruled by Saturn.  In a natal chart this is considered a talent – a karmic gift, if you will.   Pluto, like all the planets, has two sides to his energy, both destructive and regenerative, death and rebirth, Kali and Shiva energies.  On a personal level, as I’ve said elsewhere, this is a time to deeply examine inner structures, attitudes, and belief systems (Capricorn) that no longer work and make room for a rebirth of new structures that do (Pluto).  Of course, we’re all witnessing global structures that are in the process of dying so new one(s) can emerge.  Saturn’s principle is one of contraction, restriction, delay, turning points of deep transformation and forging the foundation of a new order (internal and external).  In the deepest, very powerful and “take no prisoners” sign of the zodiac, Scorpio, any changes made during this time have the potential to be long-lasting, deep and healing.  Scorpio is never fooled. This opportunity will affect us all at some point during the next years.  While it may seem daunting, this is a very powerful time of deep-seeded transformation.  While this may seem a little intimidating, remember that Scorpio is a sign of power, Pluto is a planet of power and Saturn gives strength and endurance — and we all have them somewhere in our charts.

On a lighter – pun intended – note the Summer Solstice occurs on Friday, June 21 when the sun enters Cancer.  It will make a grand trine in the water signs with Neptune in Pisces and Saturn in Scorpio.  This is an easy flow of energy, which means we’re apt to not pay attention to the energies around us.  On a physical level there may be a lot of water – or not enough.

The new moon occurs on Saturday, June 8 at 18 degrees Gemini.  Gemini is a sign of relating to others. This is a time when we can become aware of thought patterns (Gemini is ruled by Mercury the planet of the mind) and how they impact our ability to relate — or not — with others.  Since at the time of the new moon, Mercury is in a water sign, this new moon speaks to our use of emotional intelligence in addition to mental intelligence.

The full moon occurs on Sunday, June 23 at 7:32 a.m. at 2 degrees Capricorn.  Full moons are a time to explore and balance the signs that the sun and moon are in — and they are always on the opposite sides of the zodiac when the moon is full.  In June the sun is in Cancer and the full moon is in the opposite sign, Capricorn.  She is also close to Pluto (see above).  The moon illuminates the shadow side of both signs. Capricorn can be unwilling to change the status quo and Cancer can smother any initiative by not giving it space to grow.  “Helicopter” parents can be an example of smothering Cancerian energy.  However, the water of Cancer softens the earth of Capricorn and makes it more fertile.  The earth Capricorn gives boundaries to watery Cancer.  By the way, this is the second of three “SuperMoons” in a row, where the moon is closest to the earth and in special alignment to the sun.

Have a wonderful June!

Peace and abundant blessings,

Margaret