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SKYWATCH FOR JUNE 6/3
Jupiter sextile Chiron
June begins on the heels of a powerful Full Moon with a strong Jupiter influence that is helping to counteract the potential for bitterness of the opposition between Saturn's need for a structured reality versus Neptune's need for mystery and flexibility. The Saturn/Neptune opposition has been one of the strongest planetary influences since last summer, destabilizing, rebalancing and integrating the line between our dreams and illusions (Neptune) and the pressure to live a practical life with rules and boundaries (Saturn). Three major planets plus Chiron are now in retrograde motion, and as they appear to move backwards from our perspective, our attention is drawn back to the past as we find issues that we thought were resolved erupt once again so that we can find a resolution that more perfectly fits us. The retrograde planets are Saturn, Pluto, Jupiter and Neptune. Neptune will still be retrograde as it faces off with Saturn for one final time later in June, suggesting that there will be no clear resolution at that time as often occurs once the planetary cycle has completed. With Neptune transits, particularly the more difficult ones, the facts are often obscured and we must travel a more instinctive path. Objectivity is difficult when Neptune is retrograde; instead we must rely on our intuition and our sense of a deeper reality. For the first few days in June, Mars, Jupiter and Chiron are in harmonious aspect to each other as Jupiter makes a sextile to Chiron on the 3rd followed by the introduction of Mars which also sextiles Chiron and forms a trine to Jupiter. This is an energetic combination with a fire trine (Mars/Jupiter) and fire/air sextiles that offer a tremendous amount of intellectual power and raw physical vitality. This is a great time for sports, for dance, for any activity that requires physical energy and fun. These aspects culminate on the 3rd and 4th of June but their effect will be felt for a few days afterwards. The sextile between Jupiter and Chiron formed exactly on May 31, but its influence will remain in effect as both planets retrograde throughout the month. Jupiter is expansive and optimistic; it gives us confidence and urges us to find meaning in our lives. Chiron seeks redemption and healing, and the harmonious combination of these two offers an opportunity to move easily through wounds of the past. Jupiter's influence is extraverted, and it may not feel adequate to simply focus on our own healing process despite all it has to teach us. Instead there will be a pull to interact with others as we share our newly found wisdom. Venus enters gregarious Leo on June 5 and we begin looking for more fun and personal gratification (Leo) in our interpersonal relationships (Venus). While Venus was in Cancer there was more of a focus on nurturing and care for others, but in Leo Venus is more self-oriented and independent. Discipline and assertiveness find a balance when Mars forms a trine to Saturn on June 11. When we are able to link the raw energy of Mars with the restraint and practicality of Saturn we can be tremendously productive as Mars offers the inspiration to achieve the goals of Saturn. Mars is a fast mover, so take advantage of this time to accomplish your objectives! Over the next few days Mars will form a sextile to Neptune which will facilitate the creative impulse (Neptune) and add another dimension to our accomplishments. Neptune opens the doors for divine inspiration and sensitivity to others that facilitates our personal interactions. You can trust your intuition under this influence, it has a great deal to teach us. What a great lead-up to the New Moon in Gemini on June 14 at 11:15 pm EDT. Gemini is about trying on new skins and learning new skills; there is a thirst for experience with Gemini that requires a great deal of stimulation. This New Moon is not a time to stay at home and watch TV, especially with all of this wonderful Mars energy at our disposal now. Mars is part of a Grand Trine in fire that includes Saturn and Pluto, and the magic of manifestation is readily available. Start a book club, take a workshop. Get together with friends and pledge to take a trip. Begin a business venture, but try to sign all of the documents before Mercury turns retrograde on the 15th! When Mercury turns retrograde on June 15 we may find we are not listening as attentively and neither is anyone else. Mercury retrograde periods are famous for equipment and communication breakdowns, but in my experience that is mostly due to user error caused by a turn inward that hinders our ability to understand. For this reason, it is sometimes difficult to enter into contracts or agreements under Mercury retrograde and it is particularly important to ensure that understandings are clear and preferably in writing. Mercury retrograde periods do have value: they are good times to re-connect with old friends, re-visit places from our past, re-novate the living room. Anything that begins with the prefix "re-" will be well served by the reverse turn of Mercury. The trine of Venus to Jupiter on June 20 is a time for celebration since Jupiter loves a good party. Affections are expanded although we may have a tendency to overindulge under this happy pair. The next day Mars trines Pluto, linking the will of the individual self (Mars) with the will of the higher self (Pluto) and offering an opportunity to continue the power for manifestation from the New Moon. Shortly thereafter Venus forms an opposition (stressful aspect) to Chiron which is likely to bring up issues that have resulted in emotional pain that has not yet been resolved. The presence of Jupiter's positive influence enhances and expands the opportunities for emotional healing that can happen during this time. June 21 brings the Summer Solstice as the Sun enters Cancer and the days begin their downward decline. When Uranus turns retrograde on June 23 there will be five major planets retrograde plus Chiron. This is a very heavy retrograde period and can be very much like the movie Groundhog Day, where every day we wake up and find ourselves doing the same thing over again. Progress doesn't come easily in a heavy retrograde period and a certain degree of surrender is quite useful. Mars leaves Aries for Taurus on June 24 where it is more stable, more placid and a bit more stubborn. Mars in Taurus is focused on sensuality and pleasure but not extremely lively. We may find our energy level more subdued after the high intensity of Mars in Aries. The final pass of the opposition between Saturn and Neptune comes on the 25th, followed shortly by the Capricorn Full Moon on June 30 and the conjunction of Venus with Saturn on July 1. Because Saturn rules Capricorn and they share the fine qualities of discipline, restriction, limitation and the resulting sense of disappointment and loss, this last week of June has a strong Saturnian focus. The Capricorn Full Moon opposes the Sun in Cancer and duty to family is of utmost importance now. Our sense of responsibility and disillusionment from the Saturn/Neptune opposition may tempt us to adopt a defeatist perspective but that would be a mistake. Under the influence of Saturn, slogging determinedly through the obstacles we face will result in certain success as Saturn, more than any other planet, rewards us for our hard work. Keep
your eye on the prize, and have a wonderful month! |
Major
aspects still in effect: