Summer Solstice and Cancer 2009

This is the point when days are longest in the northern hemisphere of earth and will now begin to become gradually shorter. Ancient temples have been found designed to have the shadow of the rising sun marked a point in a cave or temple wall. Celebrations were often planned around each of the four major turning points of the earth and sun relationship: Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, and Fall Equinox. One of these were usually chosen to marked the new year of their calendars.

A more recent discovery is the oval, rather than circular obit of the earth around the sun. Since Spring Equinox the earth has been pulled further away from the sun by the gravity of the center of our universe. The apogee, or furthest point, of the Earth from the Sun is now around July 4th. Currently there is only a six degree difference, but a scientific theory known as the Milankovitch Cycles states that this difference can vary up to 30 degrees. This variance of magnetic pull could be the cause of the emotional differences seen in the astrological signs and the meanings of their four major marking points, regardless of which hemisphere and which actual season of the year is being experience.

Each of the astrology signs are part of a continual spiral process and have specific behaviors related to an equivalent stage of human development. Summer Solstice in ancient traditions was a celebration of freedom and Gemini is the developmental stage of learning independence. The child is learning to get personal needs met through the power of independent movement and speech. This is a parallel to the freedom and independence felt by the earth moving away from the pull of the sun.

At the apogee point of this cycle in Cancer, the will of the sun, the will of the family of our solar system, once again begins to demand attention and the earth once again begins to move toward the sun. This is also the closest point to the center of the Universe, the greater family, the root of our existence. In astrology, this point in the wheel is considered the place of family and ancestors, our genetic and spiritual roots.

Cancer is a water sign, ruled by the moon, and associated with the development of emotional connections with parents and family. It is also the development of the feelings about self in relationship to others. This is the foundation of ego, of self esteem and individuality, as achieved within the family. It is the values within the family and your ability to receive recognition and power that will affect this ability in every relationship throughout life. Cancer is also a cardinal sign meaning that it seeks action. It is like the waves and tides within the ocean responding to outside influences of greater cycles. The opposite and balancing sign of Cancer is Capricorn, ruled by Saturn. Both these celestial bodies are significant in their relationship to time and cycles on earth. The cycle of the moon around the earth is approximately 29 days and the journey of Saturn around the sun approximately 29 years. The progression of the moon and transits of Saturn to points in the natal chart are significant timers for potential events.

This is a time for transformation of emotion based behaviors. It is a time to become aware of the destructive potential actions that are solely based on the limitations and values of a family ego. As this developmental stage progresses into Leo, the child is placed into a larger world with others from similar but potentially different values.

Sun and Ascendant challenges: (Most people know their sun sign based on the day and month of their birth. The ascendant represents the role the soul is playing for lessons in this lifetime. Its sign can be calculated if the time of birth is known. An approximation can be made by dividing the day into twelve two hour segments. The same sign as the sun is rising at sunrise, approximately 6AM to 8AM and the natural zodiac order follows, changing every two hours.)

Every sun sign expresses Cancer energy in some area of their life. The following explains how the energy of this time of year is most likely to affect you:

Taurus: Communication with family may increase during this time with requests for your participation and work in social events and work projects. This is a time to observe yourself and others while you are also participating. How much expectation is there of each other? Are you putting forth effort to please others in situations that are actually contrary to your personal values? This is an opportunity to speak now before tension builds to anger during the sign of Leo.

Gemini: On their birthday, Gemini completes the solar 12th house introspective energy of the previous month and has a few days to exhale and enjoy a sense of freedom up until the Solstice. Cancer energy dampens the energy and enthusiasm of Gemini like trying to walk quickly while wading through water. There is a need to learn to listen to the values and needs of others before acting. Slowing down a bit can also help to build a stronger foundation and stamina for the projects that will flow better for you during Leo energy.

Cancer: Once the Solstice occurs, there can be a reduction of tension, even before your birthday. It can be a good time for you to be introspective and let go of ideas and physical objects that you really do not need cluttering your mind and environment. Beginning with your birthday you will feel more like surfacing into social, family activities.

Leo: Leo finds its identity within peer groups and through their own creativity. Cancer / family energy during this month can feel limiting. This is a good time to explore the depths of your unconscious, even when it might feel frightening to you. Your creativity and self esteem depend on releasing the hidden attitudes obtained during your early childhood.

Virgo: You may find that you have many Cancer type friends and may spend more time with them during this month. This is an opportunity to listen carefully to the values they express and decide if you still agree. Your life goal is to learn to express your own discrimination and identity. Break free of unconscious power struggles with siblings.

Libra: You seek balance and harmony in all relationship and feel a sense of tension this month when relationships tend to take on a more parental energy. Old family dynamics surface as you experience dependence upon you and possibly an awareness of your own emotional expectations of others.

Scorpio: This month brings opportunity to create an expanded family of those who share your goals and personal desires. You may learn to see situations from the emotional viewpoint of others which will improve you communication skills to allow you to also ask to have your needs met.

Sagittarius: Although you may be observing an increase of emotional, even childish behavior in others during this month, you should still be able to communicate. Keep focused on shared goals and provide recognition for the creativity of others. Teams for future earth work are now forming and each role is equally important.

Capricorn: Projects will take cooperation and teamwork and not necessarily be exactly as you might try to control. You may encounter some ego clashes and unrealistic expectations. Good communication and mutual respect will help to keep shared goals in balance.

Aquarius: Emotions and family values may not be comfortable to you at this time, especially when you observe that others are not seeing the larger picture. You will have opportunity to observe attitudes and behaviors in others that may be still unconsciously present in you. You can only change yourself.

Pisces: this can be a creative month for you as you have more energy and focus toward accomplishment. Trust your intuition and dont be discouraged by lack of recognition and cooperation from peers. Your unique individual gift and viewpoint is needed at this time.

Gemini 2009

On the cusp between Taurus and Gemini are the earliest words used to name people and things and the word No. Separation from the caregiver starts and the child begins to demand independent action and decisions. Acceptance of others has moved from caregiver to include and even prefer the company of siblings. As the child progresses into Gemini the most common word heard is Why. These traits are dominant in Gemini people and for all people at this time of year.

The Gemini goal is to become more aware of your communication style and that of others. Check yourself for congruency. Are you able to express yourself in a way that will assist you to achieve the things you want in your life at this time?

In Feng Shui, the Money / Power area of the home is the SE, back left corner of the home or room. This part of the circle contains Taurus and Gemini. The feeling of success and power are subjective and related to the values learned through the family and the ability to have your needs met though effective communication.

Everyone expresses Gemini energy in some area of their life. The following explains how the energy of this time of year is most likely to affect you:

Taurus:The sun at this time is bringing up the issue of your own personal values and your ability to earn money through your own efforts. Your ability to communicate effectively is important to your success.

Gemini: This can be either a challenging or empowering month for you. Listen carefully and avoid giving up your needs to serve another. Find what gives you the most joy and claim your time for what is most important in your own value system.

Cancer: Listen with your ears and avoid overacting emotionally. This is a month for personal introspection, especially for your own self sabotage behaviors and attitudes. Literally clean out your physical closets while reviewing and discarding all which does not serve you at this time in your life.

Leo: Remember the line from the Beetle song, I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends. With Saturn saying Get Real and trying to remove the Neptune blinders you have chosen regarding personal relationships, your friendships will be important. Take time this month to contact the individuals and reconnect with groups of shared interests. This might also be a good month for short trips, especially to places that provide you with new educational opportunities.

Virgo:This month challenges you to look at careers that might best fit into that purpose and your own enjoyment and personal values. The power struggle influences come from the expectations of your parental family that may be just the beliefs you still hold rather than true demands.

Libra: This is a month to seek new information through reading, writing, trips, or classes. It is important to be able to see, hear, and understand the point of view of others before you judge.

Scorpio: Communication is important with your partner this month regarding shared values and finances. This is a time to be logical, not emotional, and really listen to each other.

Sagittarius:Observer your communication style with others and make needed adjustments. Your mind is quick so often impatient with those who speak slowly, even a moderate rate. Miscommunication can occur when not hearing the full statement and allowing you mind to be formulating a response before gathering all needed information.

Capricorn: Pace your activities this month and try not to overdo. Some adjustments to your goals and schedule might need to be made to maintain realistic expectations of yourself and others.

Aquarius: This can be a creative month for you. Place yourself into situations where you can hear new information and integrate new concepts into your current interests and projects.

Pisces: This month challenges you to distinguish between what is actually being said and intended by others and what you feel and believe they mean. This is a time that your intuition is more likely off and you need to physically hear and process the information.

Taurus 2009

The young infant perceives everything and everyone about them as an extension of themselves or there to serve them. With limited movement the baby is dependent upon others to provide for them and learn quickly how to use their voice to get attention and sometimes what they want. The lack of independence at this stage is one of the attitudes that must be overcome as the young person progresses through each level of developmental tasks. A frequent cause of relationship problems in adults can be trace back to trauma through abuse or sometimes excessive catering at this stage in life. These issues can also be seen among Taurus people and become the life lessons that repeat themselves until learned. Issues of trust and dependability are important, and often an attitude of too much expectation of themselves, others, or both.

Taurus is considered to be fixed earth, so can be the most earthy and practical of all signs and one of the most stubborn. Persistence can be their greatest gift, but sometimes the most annoying to others. It is difficult for Taurus to let go once they have begun a project or get a specific idea in their head. This is an age where conscious reasoning has not yet developed. Behavior traits are genetic and learned responses mostly governed by the unconscious parts of the brain.

Taurus means bull, but the behavior can be seen more often as that of oxen. They prefer the company of others and can work well to slowly methodically accomplish any task they are asked to do. This is a time of year that many people will do their Spring Cleaning, the harder time consuming tasks that are usually done once or a few times a year. In the growing cycle this is the time that fields are plowed and seed for the annual plants are sown. The perennials are in bud stage and still fragile, often damaged by late cold weather or rain storms. In the same way Taurus people have the strange mixture of often appearing tougher and more capable than they actually are inside.

The opposite bell curve nature of Taurus is the more dangerous nature of a bull, especially when the unconscious fight flight nature has been triggered. These people can rage and kick out hurting anyone in their path, without any conscious intent. This sign is said to be ruled by Venus the goddess of love, but sweet Venus has the potential for a hidden and extreme dark side when angered or fearful.

We all express Taurus energy in some area of our life this is the area where you may be stuck in a rut of following the direction of others. This may also be where you have too great an expectation of yourself or others. And this area of life may also be where you are acting on the most primal unconscious level, unaware of destructive behaviors, or frequently acting out with rage.

In Feng Shui, the first part of Money / Power back left corner of the home or room is actually the same part of the ba qua/ medicine wheel that corresponds to Taurus. The feeling of success and power are subjective and related to the values learned through the family and the ability to have your needs met.

Everyone expresses Taurus energy in some area of their life. The following explains how the energy of this time of year is most likely to affect you:

Taurus: This is your birthday month. As the sun moves closer to your specific day, think about the image that you desire to project to the world. What are the things that you think you should do and be, based on what others have told you? But what do you most really value and what image would you like to create. This is now the opportunity to a conscious step and calmly begin your preferred path. Gemini: Stubbornness and slowness of others become an irritant to you, but at the same time you must look for these are hidden traits in yourself. The slowness is just usually disguised as procrastination or incomplete projects while you try to juggle too many things at once. Use the Taurus energy to methodically complete each project step by step.

Cancer: Activities calm down for you this month while you find enjoyment with the select projects you prefer, usually in the company of friends or others working toward a common goal.

Leo: Probably the best word to describe this month for you is stalemate even though it might even feel more like checkmate in your chess game of life. Bide your time, be patient and kind, until you can attempt conscious reasoning using the Gemini energy of next month. Remember Taurus energy in all people at this time of the year is developmentally in the unconscious brain.

Virgo: The Taurus energy should have a calming effect this month while you get tasks accomplished. However is you have not learned the required tasks of this developmental stage, you may be getting wake up reminders from your personal partner. Is the problem in your expectations of self and others, need for direction, or unconscious behaviors?

Libra: This may feel like a month of adjustment with your personal partner. Money and sex may both be issues. Check your expectations and values to find the points of agreement. Also be willing to own any issues related to your own unconscious behavior patterns.

Scorpio: This month can either bring balance and harmony or antagonism in your relationships with others. Look at the issues of stubbornness, fight/flight unconscious reactions, and expectations of yourself and others. Exhale slowly and think before saying anything and try to imagine yourself in the other persons shoes.

Sagittarius: Health and daily work routines may both make you feel like you are moving in slow motion. Watch your expectations of yourself and others and just keep putting one foot in front of the other as you complete needed tasks. New opportunities are presenting themselves but you must flow and allow the needed adjustments in yourself.

Capricorn: May can be a creative month as you work diligently to complete tasks, usually with the cooperation of others. This is a good time to try to look beyond your old sources and routines to discover ways to bring more pleasure into your life. Make time to play!

Aquarius : You may feel that you are trying to swim upstream against a strong current during this month. Your patience and compassion are being tested. You may also have to look at your own expectations of others and yourself, especially concerning how much is actually possible to accomplish. Try to make a difference with just one person one little thing at a time and allow yourself that sense of accomplishment instead of being overwhelmed by the larger picture.

Pisces : You will be learning how to organize your thoughts to express your ideas in a more concise manner. Pay closer attention to what is being specifically asked of you and funnel your concentration to the simplest answer or only the specific task. You can dissipate your energy too easily by attempting to do or explain more than others want or can handle.

Aries2009/ Spring Equinox

On March 20, 2009 the earth moved again to the area of its orbit around the sun that is referred to as Aries. The beginning point of Aries is also called the Spring Equinox, one of the two points of equal day and night.

In the Northern Hemispheres this is the seasonal time when plants begin to bud. This is a time of physical birth. At this point in any cycle of creation the beginning sprouts of an idea will appear, just as the buds of flowers from within the earth or dormant branches of a plant. Everywhere about you are these physical symbols to remind you of change and growth.

Aries is also symbolic of sunrise, a time of vision. The light can now reveal that which has previously been concealed in darkness or the unconscious. These are symbols to move out of any darkness of the mind or soul. When the inside is a person is murky with fear, there is a tendency to see and criticize in others what you need to heal within yourself. This awakening energy provides an opportunity to see what is about you in a new way. Individual and groups can begin to make the changes to prepare for a more enlightened and conscious social order.

Sun and Ascendant challenges: (Most people know their sun sign based on the day and month of their birth. The ascendant represents the role the soul is playing for lessons in this lifetime. Its sign can be calculated if the time of birth is known. An approximation can be made by dividing the day into twelve two hour segments. The same sign as the sun is rising at sunrise, approximately 6AM to 8AM and the natural zodiac order follows, changing every two hours.)

The goal for Aries is to rise like the sun to your highest place within.

Sun and Ascendant challenges: (Most people know their sun sign based on the day and month of their birth. The ascendant represents the role the soul is playing for lessons in this lifetime. Its sign can be calculated if the time of birth is known. An approximation can be made by dividing the day into twelve two hour segments. The same sign as the sun is rising at sunrise, approximately 6AM to 8AM and the natural zodiac order follows, changing every two hours.)

Aries: Begin the adventure of a new pathway for yourself. See if past attitudes and behaviors are preventing you from having what you want in your life. Be willing to change internally and put forth the effort to create the external changes desired.

Taurus: Until your birthday, you will tend to still be in your own shadow; so use this time for self examination. Others may be the mirror to show you what you cannot see. Look carefully for traits you would prefer to diminish as well as the positive skills you may be under-rating.

Gemini: The active twin will be busy this month observing new ideas and opportunities. But be prepared to allow time for these plans to gestate until after your birthday.

Cancer: Time to use the light to clearly look at your current occupation and life path. What would you prefer; what is realistic? Are you willing to put forth the effort?

Leo: This is a time for gathering more information to see you life from a broader perspective. It is also a time for adventure, move out of a possible rut and think of other possibilities.

Virgo: Looking at new possibilities can also bring a potential fear or resistance to change. Adjustment is easier if you can identify and weigh the pros and cons of potential choices.

Libra: This is a good time to look at your relationship skills. Your choices in others often reflect skills or traits that you would either like to develop or avoid seeing in yourself.

Scorpio: Day to day life may feel very busy this month often causing you to have to make decisions, and adjustments to your schedule. This challenges you to look at your priorities and long range goals.

Sagittarius: This can be a very creative time and you may find yourself trying to juggle more than one project. Try to pace yourself, choose priorities, and make the necessary steps to complete what is most important.

Capricorn: This month has a mix of challenges for you. Your may see your ideas start to take some form, but perhaps not quite as you expected. Your family and living space might also require more of your attention. will require attention in addition to what you would prefer to do. Pace yourself, organize your time to do what is important and perhaps eliminate that which is just clutter in your mind and environment.

Aquarius: Listening is important this month. Information will be available for new opportunities in all areas of your life. Keep you mind open for a long range project that could tie together your need for creativity and community service.

Pisces: Focus on the sunrise and the sunshine in your life during this month. Allow yourself to rest a bit, dream and think about the future. Prepare for the opportunities and hard work that will come for you during the next month of Taurus energy.