June & July 2019: Wielding Fortitude

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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

 

 

June Astrological Highlights

Screen Shot 2017-05-31 at 6.03.51 PM“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” — John Steinbeck

The Astrological Highlights of June start off beautifully with Venus and Mercury going into their ruling sign’s. Finally giving them the chance to reinstate their full power and drive, after being stuck in the Retrograde cycle for most of the year.

Venus on June 7th makes her ingress into Taurus a sign of her rulership, after being Retrograde since late February. In her retrograde cycle she was challenged at a number of points by both Saturn (karma and reality checks) as well as being in the sign of Aries. A fire sign which gets quite heated for an earth and air loving Venus.  Venus’s ingress into Taurus allows Venus to breath and make good on all her plans and lessons that have been fighting to get air time since late February.  Venus, being stuck in this loop has seen lots of things being thrown around but not much traction for getting Venus things done !  Venusian pleasure will finally take centre stage and the pleasure of being able to do it will be twofold ! June 7th would be a lovely time to take a moment and celebrate it.

On the same day – Mercury who has also been stuck in the retrograde pattern this time in Taurus/Aries, makes its way into Gemini, the sign of its rulership. It to, like Venus has been stuck in a strange time warp, in a sign that it doesn’t really get along with. Mercury the trickster when Retrograde tends to play its tricks in the style of the sign its retrograde in. The Retrograde it has just come out of had the double doozy of being conjunct Uranus. The planet of the unexpected, change and revolutionary ideas. It can be Genius but it can also be chaotic. With Mercury’s ingress into Gemini – like Venus it gets to finally get some traction in a sign that shows off its, strengths, ideas, communication and technology;  finally moving forward, in a progressive way. Strong  foundations have been made after the Retrograde strengthening.

So with 2 of the most important personal and internal planets finally at their best positions all year,  3 days later Jupiter, the great giver of gifts and expansion also moves direct from its Retrograde in Libra. (Yes that’s how may planets have been retrograde over the past 2 months !). Jupiter finally goes direct conjunct or next to the Full Moon in Sagittarius, its ruler (party emoji).  Emotional cleansing of the Full Moon &  expansion, rebalancing and artistic growth with Jupiter Direct, The lessons learnt from the last 5 months, this is a nice reward. Jupiter likes to expand and make things bigger. Libra is all about justice, balancing the individual and the collective on artistic and egalitarian realms. It strives for a balance to all things both politically and artistically.  There might be a feeling of new equilibrium as Jupiter enters its last third of its transit of Libra. Make the most of this before the balance of expansion and ideas moves into a heavier and more underworld or internal sphere, with its entry into Scorpio in October this year.

Mars enters Cancer on June 5th. Yes that is 4 planets changing signs within a week. Brings down the tone a little bit. With all the energy shifts happening across a week, Mars’s entry into Cancer sees a bit of a slow down around all the other energies who are working in their optimal spaces. Mars – your power source as well as your ability to assert yourself isn’t so comfortable in Cancer. Cancer is Cardinal Water or the General of the Water signs, Mars a Fire energy, it ain’t so happy in Water. What Mars in Cancer does do is bring down the Mars fire and energy to bring it inward. There will be more focus on emotions and emotional wellbeing. A positive use of this energy is to work through any emotional blocks for feelings that you might have. Therapy would be really good to do right now if you feel it would help advance you. The negative side to this energy would be to be malicious or emotional manipulative to other around you. Being to needy or even having a few drinks before the emo beast arises and is unleashed. Mars in Cancer needs to be contained and to be aware of, as an energy before you decide to unleash any emo stuff onto other people. Always ask – where is this coming from. Is this the best way and time to express it. Mars in Cancer is intuition and emotions turbo charges – Especially around the solstice ! when things may feel other worldly. But it might not always come out as articulately as you think, as Mars and Cancer aren’t comfortable in each others spheres naturally.

Full Moon on 9th June in Sagittarius will be a stonker of a Full Moon. Conjunct or next to Jupiter its ruler going direct. Full Moons LOVE something to Bounce off and when its next to its ruler going direct, June 9th will be one hell of a night. The breath of fresh air from Venus and Mercury’s entry into Taurus and Gemini will really bounce off this Full Moon and it will be the break in the energy we have been waiting for, for months ! IF there is a Full Moon to celebrate this year, this would be it.

The Sun entering Cancer on June 21st signifies the Winters Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere and the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. With the New Moon occurring 24th / 25th of June trine Venus in Taurus, The Solstice will have a nice Venus influence emotionally connecting us to Venus / Solstice type things. Nurture,Food, Land, Nature, Relations with others and Health. The Solstices are naturally turbo charged with a thinning of the veils between the worlds. It’s also great natural re-set button. With June’s positive and strong beginning the Solstices will be a nice time to reset and look back on all the hard work done in the first 6 months of the year.

Post Solstice – Mars our inner warrior must get bored with all this wonderful resetting and re-evaluation and applies some action towards the end of the month.

As the month closes Mars’s gets up to its old tricks and starts to want to break out of the relaxed jovial setting. In the last week of June, It opposes Pluto and Squares Jupiter. Mars is an aggressor and accelerant, a get up and doer. When it opposes Pluto in Capricorn its emotional and intuitive slant in Cancer begins to awaken a beast in Capricorn the sign of Governance, Status and Power. There could be some internal or external power issues between power and your emotions. Or it could be a reassessment of what you think of as a status tool,  is it really emotionally serving you.

Mars squaring off to Jupiter might add some heat to this balancing act that Jupiter has just been able to stretch its legs on. The aggressive emotional assessment of what Jupiter has in play to keep everyone at bay, may come into question or is challenge. Perhaps from a personal perspective once again an emotional/intuitive assessment of what is Jupiter proposes internally or externally may come under the microscope, Head vs Intuition kinds of testings.

Overall June sees a releasing of lots of withheld energy and pressure, with things beginning to come around again.  The pleasure and ease we think things should be, begins to return.  The Solstice and Moons this month are particularly healthy and positive, feeding some great energy into this resetting time. As the month closes Mars may come in and throw a little tanty at the party. But hey where would be with out some Martial interference. Its nothing compared to what we have just been through for the past 6 months, right !

xx