A Full Solstice Moon
June 20.2016
Full Moon in Sagittarius
7:02am (EDT)
Summer Solstice
6:34pm (EDT)
Solar Transit into Cancer
6:34pm (EDT)
Mutable Grand Cross
Phase 2
Just when you thought the astrological energy couldn’t get any more complex, we arrive at the Summer Solstice. June 20.2016, numerologically and aptly a number 8 ( 6+2+2+1+6=17/8) is bursting with auspicious moments. In numerology, the number eight represents the image of the lemniscate; or time eternal and cyclical. If you position the number eight on its side, this is the symbol of the lemniscate and the openings on either end are both points of entry and release. Past, present and future occurring simultaneously and continually as what was moves through the central crossover space of the present and immediately enters into the future. Given the dynamics on this day of the number eight, we are experiencing some events that occur rarely (decades) and are strategically placed in juxtaposition to what we are familiar and comfortable with in the “norm” of astrological events.
Today marks the second Full Moon in Sagittarius; the first occurring last month. The archer has practiced aim and sharpened those arrows in one more effort at bringing to fruition and full realization of what desires have been smoldering in the fiery bow. This first also occurred when Father Sun had just changed his garb to reflect Gemini’s duality and flexibility in communication and creative thought. Today, another costume change is readied as the Sun(transits) flows into the watery garb of Cancer’s healing lunar filled waters. Home and family being the primary focus as communicative outreach takes a backseat and heart heats up the ebb and flow.
There is plenty of time for this changing of the garb, as this day of The Summer Solstice is the longest of daylight in the year and every last ray is held tightly in the space of memory marking the solar wisdom of the waning of the year and increasingly shorter minutes of daylight until the Winter Solstice. And, the planetary energies have been re-positioning themselves from the First noted mutable Grand Cross configuration at the Dark Moon on June 4th. Now, in the place of Venus, her partner Mercury; quite at home in his ruling sign of Gemini has stepped in to offer the necessary resistance to Saturn’s Sagittarian structuring. Where Venus sought refinement that at times was more akin to idealization, Mercury just wants to get the information out there; order and structure not a prerequisite when the need for discourse moves swiftly.
Venus has joined the Sun in the soothing waters of Cancer basking in the beauty of a well-illumined space that reveals all the treasures that she seeks in her quest for harmony and balanced grace.
Change your Partners!
Mutable Grand Cross:Phase Two
(Retrograde) Neptune in Pisces & Jupiter in Virgo
(Retrograde) Saturn in Sagittarius & Mercury in Gemini
The suggestion for navigating these Grand Crosses was to sit as the observer. This hold true for this iteration as well and should not be considered passivity; rather an opportunity to allow time (Saturn’s gift) to shake out what MUST remain before we impetuously run in to “fix” things. A reminder regarding the Mutable action of this Cross. Flexibility implies endings and new beginnings; however creating an untimely demise has lasting repercussions from which the process of regeneration can be much more challenging!
Venus in the line-up on June 4th provided the potential for amicable endings before Mercury moved into position, in this phase, to begin the process of communicating and directing the impetus of next steps (new growth). Additionally, Neptune stationed Retrograde on June 13th providing more murkiness to the matters of heart and emotion as greater depths are reached pulling on the naturally expansive nature of Jupiter in the opposing sign of Virgo. The weight of the world’s tears and emotional outpourings (Neptune in Pisces) have pushed deeper into the the womb of earth’s fertility (Virgo) and it responds by accommodating and flexing (Jupiter) appropriately.
Retrograde Saturn is still intent on redirecting the fiery catalysts of Sagittarius as the master of versatility (Mercury) steps up to prod and loosen the tension allowing those arrows to fly and begin new dialogues (Gemini) and brain storming that moves what remains inert.
Waiting in the Darkened Wings
Why wait? Why Observe? Because waiting in the wings are two additional players whose influences are part of the bigger picture. Mars and Pluto have been retrograde since mid-April in the astrological signs of Scorpio and Capricorn, respectively. These are the both planets that offer an intensity that slowly builds, and can remain largely transparent in its real effects until precisely the right cue is given and the stage is theirs.
Mars urges action and change that is assertive in its manner and in the astrological sign of Scorpio, the most complex of the signs, Fire (Mars) and Water (Scorpio) have the potential to reach a boiling point that pulls to the surface what lay as discarded remains at the bottom. The caution is that much of what has been discarded has been so for a reason; past hurts,harmful actions, unkind thoughts and words, etc.. This is where the need for discernment and clarity in put some of these into action to effect productive change requires a slow and steady command infused with supreme self-control.
Pluto carries the seeding of what has been composted as past endeavors to allow for the vision of what future products may be. In the astrological sign of Capricorn, the effects of this are primarily in the earthy (or manifest) realms and are directed by slow and steady progress that can maneuver through the extremes of the highest and lowest intentions. The goal is one of securing just enough information that will inspire and reveal confidence in the knowledge that when you are ready to take action in your life, the way will be sure-footed and purposeful.
Anchor Into The Beauty of Your World
Just breathe. Be the observer and take in the beauty and energy of this planet as the events of the cosmos unfold. As you celebrate the Light of the Solstice day and the Full Moon, anchor deeper into the gentleness of the Mother. This is the space of quiet and refuge as the cosmic energy reaches critical mass. Look out and up towards a sky patterned with the leaves of a Tree and re-member the strength and resiliency that is held within.
In our current class, I offered up a drumming respite to connect with a tree, moving into its roots and drawing up the intention of strengthening. I offer this again to use if you wish as the heavens move in their cycles and great change is still to come. I invite you to use the space of this longest day to find sometime to sit under your favorite Tree and simply be…
Journey Into the Tree: Recorded Drumming Meditation
Temple of the Cosmic Spheres 