Eclipse Season

Eclipse Season

Twice a year, the lunar cycles take a detour from the usual new and full moons during each zodiacal season and we experience eclipses. A solar eclipse is a new moon- and in certain parts of the world, if you witness a solar eclipse, the light of the sun is eclipsed and there is darkness. Eclipses were thought to be ominous in ancient times, as they disrupted the natural cycle of life. Lunar eclipses occur at full moons- when the moon passes behind the Earth and into its shadow. The sun, earth, and moon all align, and if you watched the lunar eclipse in January- the moon appeared to turn orange.

While the sun moves through Cancer we will experience two eclipses: first, a solar eclipse on Tuesday, July 2 and second, a total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, July 16. Eclipses are thought to be karmic events. While the wheel of the zodiac moves clockwise, the nodal axis- the axis where eclipses occur, moves counterclockwise. In order to move forward, we must also look to the past.

Beginning last year, the eclipse axis shifted from Leo and Aquarius into Cancer and Capricorn. Eclipses stay in a set of signs for about 1.5 years, and therefore it takes about 18 years to move through the entire zodiac.

Eclipses heighten energy and stimulate the areas of life symbolized by the astrological signs they occur in. In the Cancer-Capricorn axis, our focus on our home, family, roots, as well as our career, ambitions, and public life increases. The path of the sun and moon intersect, they eclipse one another. They give us a glimpse of something that was in the shadow- something we may not have been fully aware of before.

On the nodal axis, there is a north node- the direction the moon is ascending towards, and a south node- the place the moon is moving away from. The north node is symbolic of the energy we are needing more of, while the south node is a release of energy. With the north node in Cancer, our need for inclusivity, emotional sensitivity and compassion is highlighted.

The sun and moon will align on Tuesday, July 2- a new moon solar eclipse. New moons bring an inward focus, and in the sign of Cancer, that focus is on our emotional bonds, our family, and where we came from. The ideas or projects that begin at the solar eclipse may take 6 months to come to fruition, but the effects are powerful. This solar eclipse is a time to ask yourself where you feel a sense of belonging. What relationships in your life put you at ease, make you feel comfortable, and give you permission to be yourself? If the place you call home and the people you consider family are not in alignment with a sense of belonging and love, this is an opportunity to shift into a new way of being.

Eclipses can stir up energy and bring unexpected, but sometimes necessary, changes. During the days leading up to the solar eclipse, and through the end of the month, it is important to stay open-minded, flexible, and aware of your emotional reactivity. Cancer can be incredibly defensive and will shut down if it feels threatened. It is not a time to overreact, but instead to clarify and pause before speaking or acting impulsively

In the meantime, Mercury has been in its shadow for a week, and moved into the sign of Leo yesterday. Mercury will continue to slow down for the next week until it stations retrograde and begins to move backwards. Mercury retrograde is an apparent movement backward from our vantage point on Earth, and from July 7-31, it will appear to move from the early degrees of Leo back into the sign of Cancer.

June has been an intense month and has brought up a lot of challenge, frustration and difficulty. July will be a time to review and reprocess what has surfaced the last few weeks.

As we move into the weekend and the moon continues to wane, slow down, practice patience, and avoid engaging in any drama.

More on Mercury retrograde and the rest of eclipse season soon.

xx

Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice

On the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, we celebrate the solstice. The sun moves into the sign of Cancer tomorrow morning on the west coast, marking the beginning of summer. Cancer is the sign of the home, of family and our sense of belonging. Cancer is intuitive, emphatic and protective. But its energy can also be overly cautious, moody and defensive. Just as a crab’s shell protects what is of most importance, Cancer can have a hard exterior.

Ruled by the moon, Cancer’s energy changes, shifts, and moves in a circuitous way. With Mercury and Mars already moving through the sign of the crab, our minds and our desires have already been infused with this energy.

The north node of the ecliptic is also in the sign of Cancer, so while the sun moves through Cancer, we will have two eclipses. Eclipses occur when the path of the Earth orbiting around the sun intersects with the moon’s orbit around the Earth. Symbolically, the north node is thought to be the direction that we are moving towards and striving for. On a collective level, this means we are in need of more connection, vulnerability and empathy.

The south node is in Cancer’s opposite sign: Capricorn. Capricorn is the sign of worldly ambitions, of rules, and of traditions. If Cancer is the energy we need when we are feeling hurt or broke, Capricorn is the energy that keeps us grounded and level. We need both: unconditional love as well as structure. Love cannot thrive and grow without healthy boundaries. Cancer and Capricorn both have the ability to build walls. Cancer brings emotional inclusivity, but also has the potential to shut down and have its guard up. Capricorn holds traditions and boundaries in place, but can be stoic and detached.

For the next four weeks, the Cancer-Capricorn axis will be highly activated. Mars moved into Cancer on May 15, and Mercury moved into Cancer on June 4. Saturn has been in Capricorn since December 2017, and Pluto has been there since 2008. Cancer season will bring unexpected shifts, encouraging us to move through layers of fear and uncertainty. Cancer season also holds the second of three Mercury retrogrades of 2019. On the surface June has appeared to have forward momentum, but July will bring a time of reflection and reprocessing.

This is not a time to fear or to isolate. It is important to remember that everything is energy: every thought, every emotion, everything we can see, and everything we cannot see. Summer is a time of abundance and manifestation. The sunlight allows us to access our inner radiance and shine from our hearts.

Celebrate the solstice by connecting to nature, and allowing your inner light to shine.

xx

Red Light, Green Light

Red Light, Green Light

For the last several hours, Mars in Cancer has been in opposition to Saturn in Capricorn. Mars is the planet of assertion, severing and decisiveness. In the sign of Cancer, it is taking action based on emotion, and motivated strongly by feelings. Saturn has been in Capricorn since December 2017. Saturn is the planet of time, age, and karma. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn is the sign of achievement, ambition, and the initiation of structures.

As these two planets oppose each other, their energies conflict- Mars wants to act, and Saturn creates a boundary. Mars is ready to speed through the green light, and Saturn turns the light red. This can bring up feelings of frustration, resistance, and emotional charge. As this aspect separates later today, you may feel the weight of repressed emotion, or you may feel relieved. The energy of Mars in Cancer has been building since May 15, and now is a time to not let your emotions get the best of you. If frustration arises, find an outlet to productively use your energy- exercise, journal, meditate, engage in creative projects.

Early tomorrow morning the moon will move into Sagittarius, bringing an energy of hope and optimism. Sagittarius is idealistic, and chooses to see the best in situations. At the 25th degree of Sagittarius, the moon will come into opposition with the sun in Gemini on Monday at 1:30am PDT. This full moon sheds led on our ideals, our beliefs, and how we seek meaning in our lives. The sun in Gemini brings our conscious awareness to our language, our expression, and how we connect with others. The moon in Sagittarius brings our emotional awareness to how we seek personal meaning.

Jupiter, the planet of expansion, generosity and abundance, also joins this full moon. Jupiter has been moving through Sagittarius, since December 2018. This full moon highlights the energy of Sagittarius in its planetary ruler: idealism, optimism and truth.

At this full moon, become curious about what you believe to be true about yourself. Gemini and Sagittarius both seek truth: Gemini seeks truth in intellect— through relationships and learning, while Sagittarius seeks truth in making meaning— through travel, adventure, and teaching.

What do you believe in? Our beliefs shape our perception, and our perception creates our reality. This full moon calls us to question our beliefs, especially those that are self-limiting. Choose to believe that you are capable of achieving all of your greatest ambitions. And release the thoughts, ideas, and relationships that are keeping you from believing otherwise.

Create the space for yourself this weekend to meditate, find stillness, and spend time in nature. Open your mind to the possibility that you are enough, that you are worthy, and that you are capable. Let optimism fuel your trajectory, rather than your fluctuating emotions.

On June 18, Mercury and Mars come into alignment at the 21st degree of Cancer. The energy of this conjunction sharpens our mind and makes our communication direct. In the sign of Cancer, however, this can lead to conflict, especially if we communicate impulsively and from a place of emotional reactivity.

On June 19, Mercury and Mars at the 22nd degree of Cancer will oppose Pluto in Capricorn. Pluto is the death force: it is destruction, transformation and regeneration. This aspect brings an intensity—as we are challenged to move through the layers of fear. We may be confronted with our self-destructive patterns, especially the patterns of emotional attachment.

As the weekend begins, find the reprieve in the Sagittarius full moon. Next week requires patience, self-discipline, and honesty. Give yourself the space to feel without letting your emotions overtake you. Pause before reacting to others. And finally, remember that we are all human, and we are all going through our own personal struggles. You are not alone. The darkness will pass.

xx

Calling to the Moon

Calling to the Moon

The moon is in constant flux- from new to full and then back to new. The moon is mysterious, receptive and feminine. 

The sun moves into Cancer on June 21, beginning a new season. Before summer starts, we are already feeling the energy of the moon influencing us on a daily basis. Mars, the planet of action and assertion, moved into Cancer on May 15- where it will remain until the end of June. Mercury, the planet of the mind, moved into Cancer this past Tuesday. Cancer is the sign of home, family, and emotional bonds. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer is sensitive, nurturing, and intuitive.

When planets move into Cancer, they are responding to the sign that the moon is in. The moon changes signs every 2.5 days- creating a frequent shift in our minds, our communication, and the action we take. 

If you feel unsteady and ungrounded, pay attention to what sign the moon is in. The moon is in Leo today, where it will remain until tomorrow afternoon. Leo is the sign of creative expression, optimism, and generosity. As the moon moves through Leo notice if your mind is energized, and if your actions are taken from a heart-centered space.

Tomorrow afternoon through Monday, the moon will make its first quarter square to the sun in Gemini. First quarter moons mark the halfway point from new to full. The seeds planted on Monday’s new moon in Gemini are now beginning to externalize. It can feel restless and unsettling. With the sun and the moon both in Mercury ruled signs, we may feel especially anxious, stressed, and obsessed with the details. While the moon is in Virgo it’s a good time to be of service, to organize, and be practical. Watching your words is especially important- as Gemini and Virgo both tend to be critical. 

Monday evening through Wednesday the moon will be in Libra, the sign of harmony and balance. However, with Mercury and Mars in Cancer, and Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, the Libra moon will be making hard aspects to these planets- raising emotional sensitivity and potentially bringing conflict.

Finally, Wednesday evening through the middle of the night on Friday, the moon will enter Scorpio, the sign of transformation, emotional attachments and power. Scorpio moons already have an intense quality to them, as the moon is in its fall in this sign. 

This next week will culminate at the Sagittarius Full Moon, on Monday, June 17. Stay tuned for the astrology of the second and final lunation of June.