June & July 2019: Wielding Fortitude

Screen Shot 2019-06-01 at 1.27.53 pm
Rossy de Palma By Jose Luis Beneyto

 

 

Solar Eclipse: 3 July in Cancer 05:15 AEST @ 10°

Lunar Eclipse: 17 July in Capricorn 07:38 AEST @ 24°

Mars in Cancer: 17 May – 2nd July (Challenging aspects from 11 June onwards)

Mercury Retrograde: 8th of July (S RX) – 1st of August (Station Direct) 16 August (out of the retrograde degree.)

 

 

 

The Solstice annually marks the beginnings of the Sun’s movements through The Cancer & Capricorn Axis points. Cancer and Capricorn are signs that mark the greatest imbalance of Light and Dark, no matter what sphere you live in. Reflecting the extremes of the light and dark in the physical world as we know it.

Since the ingress of the Moon’s Nodes, the Eclipse points, or Rahu & Ketu into the signs of Cancer and Capricorn (Nov 2018 – July 2020) this axis point has become a more sensitive and accelerated area for growth, and modification.  These are points of change and create a deep push pull effect, working through deep and sensitive plot points of one’s life.  The Eclipses of 2019 take place in Capricorn and Cancer. Meaning if you have any planets in Cardinal Signs of Aries, Cancer, Libra or Capricorn – you will be more directly affected. Planets in Capricorn or Cancer are directly being moulded, modified or purified. Planets in Libra and Aries are being affected by reverbs of these Cancer and Capricorn symphonic clashes.

Capricorn currently has a longer, slower, deeper and at times invisible story unfolding, with the 15-year transit of Pluto through it sign, creating situations and experience of deep modification to the areas of life, that Capricorn planets or points the sign rules over, in one’s birth chart. Pluto transit’s in duration are the longest and slowest of the Zodiac, as well as being the deepest and at times confronting and arduous. Any planets or points that Pluto hit, are hijacked for plutonic redress.

Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn is halfway through its transit of its home sign, making Saturn especially dignified and strong in its current restructuring and Strength testing, of   all that sits in the Capricorn realm.  Since December 2017 this has been working in direct connection with Pluto in Capricorn, by first sign and then aspect. It is creeping closer to conjunction in January 2020. Saturn is challenging the strength of ideas and concepts that are being build or trying to come to fruition, through day by day labouring.  Pluto and Saturn are industrial purging and structural change agents. Since November 2018, Pluto and Saturn have had Ketu or the South Node join the industrial party.  Pluto and Saturn are currently working towards a conjunction in 2020, in Capricorn. The last time this occurred was 1982, at the height of the Cold War, and the rise of Neo Liberalism in Western Government Policy. Saturn Pluto is seen as drastic times of economic change and conflict. More on this cycle in another post.

Ketu or the dragon’s tail is a purging and detoxifying energy. Ketu is pushing for release of things that are not essential or spiritually aligned to the planets or areas of life, its transiting. Ketu is directly affecting the Capricorn, area and placements.  Ketu is joining and working with Pluto / Saturn and is creating an intensified experience. The Pluto Saturn and Ketu transits are catalyst of change pushing you to purify the grounds and environments your seeking to master or conquer.

Capricorn experiences are anything that is slow, and an area of life which reaches maturation over a long period of time. Capricorn energy is about things that you believe are solid, and sure footed.  This solidity allows for feeding of, and creation of gains and overall reward after sacrifice and hard work. But what Pluto and Ketu are doing is adding 2 almost invisible layers of disruption, testing, to see if these structures are truly aligned with you and your forward momentum to the top of the proverbial mountain. Why climb to the top of a dormant or landslide prone mountain? The current planetary transits are testing this sure footedness. This energy will begin to separate by late October, once Ketu clears from its separation from Saturn.

In the Cancer corner, Cancer the only Cardinal Sign in Water.  It is emotional source energy, protected and hidden way by a Crab shell, a tough front, water is hidden away behind strong barriers.  Cancer is the opposite sign of Capricorn. Cancer energy is strong, intuitive, protective, nurturing and sweetness fortified by a protective armour. Once it allows you into the sphere, this is when Cancer energy can really be worked with and enjoyed. Cancer like Capricorn is hard yin.  Where you have Cancer in your chart, is where, what you most treasure is tucked away, protected from the storms, protecting the source of emotion and intuition.  Cancer energy is like a precious spring well, an individual keep hidden away, until trust has been gained, to share the source.

Cancer, has been experiencing Saturn and Pluto from its opposite sign, challenging this protective method. Meaning any planets or areas of life that are in the sign of Cancer have had this constant stress, purification, change, strength testing around its Source energy, for a few years now. The 2020 conjunction will directly affect Cancer planets and points. Putting real pressure on keeping its Water Wells, clean and protected, in the face of constant challenge from its opposing sign Capricorn.

Rahu or The North Node has been transiting Cancer since November 2018. Rahu, like Ketu, they are direct opposites, they operate together, by moving together as constant opposites. Rahu brings a new dynamic to the Cancer Sphere. Where Ketu detox’s or purges, Rahu devours and is hungry, and constantly consumes, like hungry ghost energy.  Eclipses were thought to be an animal devouring the Sun, Rahu energy, is the devourer of the Sun and Moon. Rahu has an endless hunger and consumption, without proper ability to digest, or nurture being the bi-product of this endless consumption. Rahu can push you into areas or can provide opportunities to change and evolve, however, Ketu must also be brought into the equation. As they balance each other. Like a good food diet – the Nodes are constantly balancing consumption and processing. Managing their push pull is complex is part of the astrological process of June and July. Rahu and Ketu don’t necessary do this on their own naturally. It is through awareness, that mastery of the Rahu and Ketu can begin.

This June and July, we see Mars and Mercury transit Cancer, acting as triggers and accelerating by applying fast acting pressure to these longer-term transits highlighted above. This is creating the volatile environment of June and July. Mars & Mercury will be putting lots of pressure on to the deeper and darkest corners. June and July have great potential to create tension, explosions or confrontation. There will be challenges and questions about the roads we are currently on, especially around, Status, Family, Ancestry, Rooting, Home and Building for the Future.

Mars is in its Fall in Cancer, Mars and Cancer are not comfortable bed fellows. Mars is fast, aggressive, reactionary, Yang Fire. Cancer is slower, more cautious, protective, Yin Water. Mars entered Cancer on May 17thbut by June 11th we see Mars begin to activate Saturn, Pluto and The Nodes, by opposition and conjunction. Mars is setting the frame work for a very active Solstice period.  Mars is very much the aggressor of this situation. Being in its sign of its fall, it doesn’t operate as it should. Mars in Cancer can see explosions of pent up and emotional anger or aggression. Rahu and Ketu can add, a deeper level of repressed emotional trauma or ancestral trauma. Saturn and Pluto – also speak to this concept of clearing out deep emotional trauma leading the way to better foundations or reconciliation.

Mars transiting Cancer,sees a match stick being raised and set. Not allowing Mars to burn off the deadwood, in a wet environment, is where trouble could be caused. This contrary situation (Water and Fire) means Mars WILL find other outlets to do its job, if the steam isn’t let off. The outcome might become more explosive than needed or required. So, if things do heat up, don’t smother them, the aim is to control the fire (like a planned burn off) rather than avoiding the fire, because you wanted to hold on to the dead wood. Mars is tricky this month, work with it.

Mercury will come to play as it enters Cancer on June 5th, Mercury is naturally fast and is a problem solver whose speed and rational brings intellectual smarts to the table. However, Mercury begins to slow down in June and turns Retrograde July 8th, beginning its retrograde cycle in Leo/Cancer.  This Mercury retrograde, timed perfectly after Mars’ transit of Cancer, activating all the sticky points of the chart, really speaks to the 3-fold effect which is building around this time frame and the purging and re-visioning of our Capricorn / Cancer axis of our lives. Mercury Retrograde is here to focus down on and deeply integrate the fireworks or steam lead off during the Mars transit in Cancer.

Mercury’s Retrograde adds to this entanglement by slowing down, and stalling where smart ideas or quick intellect would usually over ride to alter a situation. Where Mercury would deliver inspired thought or problem solving, this retrograde will add extra pressure to an already pressurize astrological frame work.  Events as they unfold will have the longer-term benefit of the Mercurial trickster, moving over these points for a 3-fold breakdown or chapter developments. But the overall feel of this will be of slow and arduous, for limited immediate resolve, in June & July.

Finally, the 3rd and final act in this triple whammy of faster transitory triggers is the actual Eclipses of the Cancer / Capricorn axis.  Eclipses are formed when the Nodal access points (Rahu and Ketu), intercept the orbits of the Sun, Moon and Earth. Creating Eclipses. Eclipses are times of quickening and are turbo charged Full and New Moon Lunations. Eclipse energy is tricky and it’s not a great time for any form of divination, let alone clarity.  The Sun and Moon are blocked, unseen forces are at play, Eclipse times are times for rest and letting things play out.

July 2019 has 2 Eclipses, a Solar & Lunar Eclipse. These will be occurring at the New Moon in Cancer & Full Moon in Capricorn. The effects of these eclipses can last until the next non eclipsed lunation or until the next eclipse in this axis series. IF you have any planets in Capricorn or Cancer, aspecting these Eclipses, these Planets will feel the effect more strongly in your chart than if you don’t, have any planets in aspect. Generally, Eclipses are just strange times, and general caution should be applied.

Overall, there is ALOT going on over the next 2 months, with much of it feeding into the larger 2020 astrological story. Eclipse wise June and July will hark back to December 2018 / January 2019. The next 2 months will have a more notable strength to it with the Mars transit of Cancer and the Mercury Retrograde that begins to unfold in July.

The overwhelming story of these transits is to be gentle and commit to processing or going with whatever pops up. Repressing it, fighting it, ignoring it or not confronting it will be hugely problematic under the above astrology, and inflammation likely, due to   the Mars in Cancer element. Being active rather than reactive or defensive is a good way of dealing with such conflicting energy. It may feel like it is dragging on, or not developing, but the good news is come August / September, things will be in a much better shape and there will be a much stronger platform to launch from. Just don’t let Mars in Cancer make you, come up a cropper! and be careful of the webs you weave during June & July.

xx

 

 

Monthly Horoscopes : March 2019

Screen Shot 2018-03-17 at 9.04.02 am

New Moon Pisces: 7 March @ 03:04am AEST

Full Moon Libra: 21 March @ 12:43pm AEST

Uranus into Taurus: 7 March until 2026

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces: 5 March – 28 March

screen-shot-2019-03-01-at-2.58.54-pm Pisces : March 7th sees a New Moon in Pisces as the Sun conjoins Neptune, creating the opportunity to set new goals and visions for the next 6 and 12 months. Mercury’s Retrograde could trigger some genius, creative or artistic endeavours. Mercury meeting Neptune, is a three-act play dominating the month. Be guided by the increased strength of your Intuition, and let things play out before deciding on any outcome. Chiron, leaving Pisces after 8 years, adds to the feeling of catharsis this month.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 3.12.48 pmAries : Uranus has been a disruptive, yet liberating influence in your life since 2011. Its shift into Taurus on 7th of March, releases that unpredictable under- current.  Its immediate replacement Chiron looks deeper into the cracks created by Uranus. Presenting an opportunity to tend and nourish the areas of life that Uranus’ volatility disrupted. Uranus was the shaker and liberator, Chiron is the healing ointment.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.57.17 pmTaurus: Uranus is moving into Taurus, after 84 years. Taurus and Uranus aren’t the most comfortable bedfellows. Uranus creates opportunities; to modify, update & liberate. Giving freedom to outdated modes and systems around things you truly value. March is the introduction. The Mercury Retrograde is highlighting either a deeper connection to friendships or social groups OR dishonesty. Its either or, no in-between.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.57.29 pmGemini : Mercury Retrograde this month, will be quite the weirding, stirring up possible questions or miss-understandings around your Ambitions or Career. Understand this is a phase, where a lack of clarity around the big picture is emphasised. Play to your strengths of mercurial problem solving as situations arise. Gemini is one of the few signs who can work well in this framework. Mercury connecting with Neptune possible side effect: Inspiration and Creativity runs thick and fast this month.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.57.37 pmCancer: It’s time to regroup and re-evaluate. The new eclipse cycle in Cancer offers you evolution at warp speed in July. March is prep and rest time for then.  Nothing is out of reach, those born 15 – 19thof July, the opportunity or realisation will be upon you in March. Intuition is also strong, thanks to the Mercury Retrograde. Traveling? Surprises or changes along the way are part of the March tapestry. Work WITH it, no matter how frustrating.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.57.49 pmLeo: March allows you to step forward with new found wisdom, strength and assuredness, after 18 months of eclipses. Mercury Retrograde indicates, now is not the time to start any debt or investments involving others and or their resources. Caution is to be advised. If something pops up and seems too good to be true, it might well be. Wait for the dust to settle from Uranus’s shift and Mercury direct. If you can’t avoid delaying acts already in progress, the remedy is to fine toothcomb everything, more than once. 

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.58.07 pmVirgo : Working with Mercury Retrograde can be frustrating. Use your natural skills of analysis and discernment as Partnership, Public and Private are in flux this month, thanks to the retrograde. Triple check details, written and verbal. If Slippery people arise, involve extreme caution, more is revealed as the month progresses.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.58.13 pmLibra : March presents the opportunity to bring back creative expression to your daily routines. Explore activities that communicate joy and good aesthetics, it helps distract from the lost emails or lack of clarity at Work this month. Full Moon in Libra on March 21st is your personal Six Month Audit. Celebrate the achievements, weed what has become outdated. 

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.58.23 pmScorpio: Scorpio’s don’t have an aversion to change, they just prefer it to be on their terms. The introduction of Uranus into the landscape alters methods & timings. Like Taurus; your entering a new 8-year cycle. The gains far out-weigh the perceived losses. Be ready. Any Love interests who spring up in March are not straight-forward. Thanks to Mercury Retrograde your intuition is strong, use it.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.58.29 pmSagittarius: Mercury Retrograde, connects with your Ruler Jupiter and Neptune. The Conversation is about the expansion or optimism of Self and how it works along-side the setting of Home, Housing, Ancestors, or Family.  Mercury retrograde is the bridge between the two. Processing now, action later.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.58.38 pmCapricorn: In March, Mars slows down bringing things to a more manageable pace. This helps make Capricorn’s active, productive, agile and on game. Wait till April for any kind of emotional investment, in new people. Illusions will be strong, which is good for creative fields, not so much for rushing into alliance or long lasting relationships, outside of this. Let people reveal themselves first.

Screen Shot 2019-03-01 at 2.58.47 pmAquarius : 2ndMarch, Venus enters Aquarius for a month. After 18 months of non- stop Eclipse action, Venus reminds you to connect with things that encourage nourishment and relaxation. March is the perfect opportunity to for a retreat. The only catch. Mercury retrograde in your Money sector means don’t be delusional on financial cost of these luxuries. Simple is just as effective. 

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces: Tales from The Omniverse

Screen Shot 2019-02-25 at 2.28.36 pm
Image : Steven Klein for Vogue Italia

“All you need is faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust” Peter Pan

Mercury entered Pisces on February 11th, for its annual tour through the 12 sign of the zodiac.  Usually its a 14 day jaunt through a sign, but for 2019  Mercury will be settling into Pisces for just over 2 months,  thanks to its upcoming retrograde.

2019 will see the Mercury retrograde’s occurring predominantly in Water signs, with Pisces being the first expression of these transits. The Water element gives the Mercury retrogrades of 2019 a more emotive and internal quality, which differs from recent years.

Mercury being in its fall in Pisces means clarity and logic are 2 things which fall to the wayside, when Mercury transit’s the last sign of the zodiac.  Mercury desires clarity, it loves operating from a space of understanding and rational to help negotiate day-to-day life. Instead Mercury will be navigating a blurred and muddy territory, for a more creative or lucid atmosphere. This is not Mercury’s natural inclination, or something it enjoys doing, but when in Pisces, its made to work within the Piscean realm.

Pisces is a sign of expansive knowing and unknowing.  Of which the space for change, mutation and contradiction is strong, and at times overwhelming. Pisces is intuitive and unstructured, in the way Mercury likes structure, rational and pace.  Pisces is all about communicating in non-traditional ways; dream interpretation, poetry, music or visceral awareness. These two have an Oil and Water effect when they meet. Our job is to allow them to express, rather than try to repress, their attempts for refining the process by throwing away the normal protocols.

Neptune being involved adds to the destabilizing effects on Mercury.  Neptune blurs the edges more, operating from the subconscious, or unseen realms.   Mercury will cross and station direct on Neptune (19 Feb,  25th March – 3 April). Meaning mercury will be subject to strange bendings as he chases Alice down the Rabbit hole creating an almost parallel universe of messages, inspirations and whispers due to this Neptunian influence. Helping to create a dynamic and memorable Mercury Retrograde.

Jupiter squares Mercury during this retrograde phase. (23 Feb, 16 March, 12 April as Jupiter stations retrograde). Neptune helps create the vision, Jupiter then steps in to expand it. Jupiter is giving the big picture view to an idea or vision that was seeded, via the Neptune conjunctions. One planet is inspiring the mercurial, then the other planet is expanding the mercurial with faith, optimism and a big picture approach. This is very dynamic and mysterious transit, but what can be procured from it, is limitless, especially considering that Jupiter also rules Pisces.

Understand that messages don’t have to come through in a clear and logical way. Messages that are hidden, half developed or fractals of ideas  ARE ready to be formed and developed, ARE more powerful and liberating. This is what this transit is really speaking too. It’s a great time for exploration and (un)conscious raising. Why ? Because Pisces energy is not afraid to blur boundaries and try untested ideas with faith and optimism, whist trying its best to reconcile the oppositions for cohesion.

This March retrograde occurs within 2 days of Uranus’ ingress into Taurus and Chiron having just shifting in Aries. Mercury Retro in Pisces adds another important layer to the shifting sands and allows an opportunity to dig deeper into feeling into what these larger   Astrological shifts may mean for you.

Through the Houses

Pisces / Pisces Rising – Finally people might begin to understand some of the wonderful traits you weave through out being, and into life, which you don’t always reveal. Be yourself and use your intuition to remove those who are not aligned for your highest and best. Intuition its super strong right now. Don’t placate those whose don’t jive with this energy, they would never respect or understand your multifaceted talents, so why go there ? Be connected and enjoy those who do ! You might find you yourself more  articulate during this retrograde.

Aries / Aries Rising – Your dreams and subconscious will be activated, clearing out all the debris post Uranus in Aries. This will allow you to see where you stand after 8 years of fighting for your  freedom and innovative new goals within your life. What lies beneath will be fighting for attention to come to the surface this retro. recognised it, Clear it ! This is your first month with out Uranus in your sign in 8 years. It IS a new dawn.  Your subconscious will be purging.

Taurus / Taurus Rising – Friends and your wider community will be harder to pin down or there may be issues with commitment around locking in agendas, or perhaps that’s just the general vibe your feeling. Any signs of people being dis-ingenious could be worth noting.  Monitor it, by April it will be clear to you, if they should remain on the invite list.  Groups or activities around the piscean themes would be good to explore. Water based activities, flotation tanks, meditation, beach walks or any activity that allows you to bring your shadow / unconscious in closer contact to your consciousness.

Gemini / Gemini Rising – If anyone was born to ride this wave of contradiction and change in your career and around public image, its you Gemini. Don’t get caught up in the logic or the reasoning, just know things will change and evolve and go with it. Any career or work related to Art, Creativity and Writing is strong right now ! Delve into it. Social Climbing can come later when Mercury is direct, because there might be promises they can’t  be live up too.

Cancer / Cancer Rising – A great time to do any study or learning around any of the higher arts or any teachings that activates your desire to learn ! Courses, teachers, resources might come to your aid, that really take the education side of this subject next level. Travel plans during this retrograde, might get a bit sticky. Just go with it, and make sure you check all the admin every step of the way. Don’t assume its all in order with regards to travel plans. It will make an ass out of you and me.

Leo / Leo Rising – Do not go into any debt, shared money or investments at this time, you don’t have the full facts or picture. The devil is in the details and this month, all details are skewed and changeable. Reading about UFO’s or any other unexplained paranormal or esoteric (i.e.: Hidden) facts or situations are far more fruitful than business at this time. Just enjoy the carpet ride and do big business invests once we are into April.

Virgo / Virgo Rising – Relations both Personal and Professional are unclear and all over the shop as your ruler is operating completely out of its bounds.  It is frustrating, but its great for any creative hobbies or connections. Let people reveal themselves before you commit to anything one or anything. By April it will be clear.

Libra / Libra Rising – Day to Day routines and Work Situations might not go as smoothly as one would like, but distract from the chaos by appreciating the originality of the chaos and absurdity , I’m sure there would be plenty of tales to come from a Mercury Retrograde as whack as this. Just let it play out. Bringing reading, music or something creative into your routine for pleasure might help balance the scales and create some good (positive) escapism.

Scorpio / Scorpio Rising – Scorpio is perhaps in the best position this retrograde, occurring in your house of creativity, it is a great opportunity for any creative hobby or venture. Conceptual and doing phase, not ideal for a launching phase. The only catch for you, don’t get swept away with any knight in shinning armour activity. Chances are, they aren’t what they first appear, and looks are very deceiving this retrograde.

Sagittarius / Sagittarius Rising – Your home, family and ancestry is where you will have the opportunity to see and let go of any skeletons in the closet. This retrograde might see some surface, ready to be released. Any “Great” real estate deals or offers might be too good to be true. Wait and follow-up in April, when its easier to analyse the details rather than getting caught up in the big picture dreams.

Capricorn / Capricorn Rising – Communications might be a bit to scattered for your liking, take it all with a grain of salt and put any precious communication or thought into writing with creative flare and vision. Others might drive you mad with the chopping and changing of their word, but you have the power to channel into a creative writing or using internet based publishing for great results. Expect tech issues.

Aquarius / Aquarius Rising – Be careful around money and any promises for get rich quick schemes. It’s much better served, investing in yourself, to get rid of any clutter or doubt about your self and self-worth. Subconscious de-clutter being the first stop. Untangling the knots between earned money and self-worth, another possible area of entanglement to clear during this retrograde.

xx