JUNE 2006 FEATURE ARTICLE

Summer Solstice occurs on June 21 at 8:26 a.m. EDT. Solstice is one of the major powergates of the year, and power itself is emphasized now, with the fixed grand cross, and much energy in Leo. The job of the four fixed signs—Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, and Taurus—is to gather power, and to hang onto it. Those four signs dominate the skies now, and they are each stubborn and determined.

SUMMER IS A TIME FOR COMMUNICATION AND A SEARCH FOR COMMON VALUES

Summer Solstice is the Full Sun of the sun‘s annual cycle, like the full moon is the peak of the moon’s monthly cycle. We move into the third quarter of the sun’s year, a time when we connect with one another, spread the news, and share those ideas which have been percolating since the year began. We travel, we visit with family, we socialize with neighbors, and we get new perspectives.

As we move around, and connect with the wider world, our values become more refined, as does our sense of common humanity, the Family of Humankind.

During summer 2006, we will come to understand better where our personal power lies.

SUMMER SOLSTICE ALWAYS INDICATES A MAJOR NEW CYCLE FOR THE U.S.

The U.S. birthday comes soon after Solstice, as does that of Canada. Mexican elections occur in early July. Thus institutions which unite the North American continent are up for re-evaluation, such as The School of the Americas (recently renamed the "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security"), NORAD, NAFTA, and many others.

Rights of immigrants, of labor, and of war resisters will be in focus. People will step up organizing across borders to add strength to common demands.

PERSONAL CREATIVITY IS HIGH NOW

Summer is a creative season, as we let go of many of our winter routines, and we feel more freedom. Leo, the strongest sign now, is a very creative sign.

For instance, with the dollar’s value depreciating, and energy becoming more scarce, the huge field of sustainability could blossom. For example, plant a garden if you can, wherever you can, or start a community garden. Convert your car to use biodegradable fuel. Shop at farmers’ markets. Work with your community to shift into a healthier lifestyle. There’s a myriad of possibilities to help us diminish our footprint on the earth. Taurus really likes working with nature, and moon is now in Taurus.

All of the intense aspects of the last week remain, plus it’s countdown to the long-awaited Jupiter-Saturn square tomorrow—with Chiron tossed in the ring to keep us on our toes.

The Leo gathering continues to take center stage, particularly the degrees from 6 to 12. Saturn dominates this group, and indicates a practical application of this huge energy.

WASHINGTON DC AND GW BUSH ARE FEATURED

In the Solstice chart set for Washington DC, 4 degrees of Leo is rising, with the formidable Leo quartet peeking over the horizon. The Admiinistration is in the spotlight. The wheel now is like Bush’s wheel, emphasizing his important role in current dramas.

The Ascendant, at 4 Leo, sits on Bush’s Transpluto, his energy of resurrection. The victim, Juno, sits on his Ascendant. Saturn sits on Bush’s Mercury, defining his thought processes.

The Vesta-Mars conjunction, which indicates much energy around investments (and Mars can show attack), sits on Bush’s Pluto, his power. The Vesta-Mars conjunction also opposes Cheney’s Sun.

Chiron in Aquarius opposes this proud Leo group, indicating opposition, probably between the people and the government.

Moon in Taurus opposes Jupiter in Scorpio, showing conflict revolving around resources. Energy shortages and human rights demands will likely increase in scope, and divide people.

The Administration will be seen (correctly, says Saturn) as responsible for problems. With Saturn on the job there is no escaping fate.

This is the last hurrah of the Libra-Aries Nodes, which pertain to relationship balancing, and issues of fairness. There is now a desperation to see justice fulfilled. And yet, Sun squares those nodes, showing that ego can get in the way of fairness.

We still have two yods, or “Fingers of God.” All of their component planets closely aspect the charts of Bush, Cheney, and the U.S. Many adjustments will be necessary.

A yod notable is Venus in Taurus, sitting right on Cheney’s midheaven. Here it enhances his goals of power over money and resources. Venus is very well supported by making a grand earth trine with U.S. Pluto in Capricorn and U.S. Neptune in Virgo. This represents U.S. business power abroad, which Cheney now has a special opportunity to spearhead.

TODAY WE HAVE THE LAST OF THREE CHIRON-SATURN OPPOSITIONS

Chiron opposing Saturn shows structural re-alignment, like in chiropracty. Events occurring around these oppositions, which began last July 20, focus on oppressed people speaking up in a variety of ways. The labor movement formed a large new activist union in the U.S. People’s governments took root in Palestine and Haiti. Immigrants began to meet regularly. In France, young immigrants rioted against new labor laws which they considered further shut out their limited work opportunities.

Chiron is in Aquarius, Saturn in Leo. Such an opposition pits the principle of royalty against the principle of the social good. Saturn in Leo adds further authority to Leo’s kingship. Chiron in rebellious Aquarius can be particularly disruptive.

MERCURY TODAY CONJOINS THE U.S. MERCURY

Today’s U.S. Mercury return is an annual event which begins a new cycle in the nation’s style of thinking, perceiving, and communicating. This year’s return, however, is a rare one, and very strongly emphasized. It lasts for six weeks, and it is obvious that the U.S. people need that time to rethink their nation’s policies. Because of Mercury’s July retrograde period, this “hit” will occur three times. The final time, when the return is complete, is in early August.

This Mercury, the U.S. Mercury, conjoins Bush’s 12th house Saturn. The 12th house is the “closet,” and Saturn shows our sense of responsibility. Awareness of the consequences of Bush’s actions will leak through, and he may be forced out of the closet.

MOON IS NEARING BALSAMIC PHASE, THE END OF A CYCLE

The Moon phase shows our psychological manner of approaching life. As we enter this new season, we are finishing a cycle. At this point, we can see both past and future. We can look at the past to see what of value we want to preserve and save, in terms of its usefulness in the future.

Remember that the scenarios showing during this intense month of June will expand and play out during the next season. And they will set in motion the outlines of the future.

Moon now in Taurus repeats the degree of the Taurus New Moon of April 27, which stimulated pro-immigrant mobilizations throughout the nation with the slogan, “We are Americans!”

The future is calling.

SAMPLES OF LOCATIONS OF SOLSTICE ENERGIES AS SHOWN BY ASTRO-CARTOGRAPHY INCLUDE

The severe Saturn-Mars goes right through Tokyo, Moscow, and New York. It appears that major markets may be having a hard time.

The Pluto-Sun opposition goes through western United States, punctuated by revolutionary Uranus crossing them along the U.S.-Mexican border. This indicates rebellion at the border, as well as crackdown by the powers that be.

Mercury, now returning to the U.S. birthplace, as well as conjoining GW’s Saturn, crosses right through central United States—the heartland. Perceptions in the U.S. are changing.

Moon-Jupiter runs through Latin America, Africa, and China, all areas struggling for economic independence.