Celestial Notebook Overview June 2008

‘It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless walking is our teaching.’ St Francis of Assisi

Until the Summer Solstice on 20 June, the Sun () is in Gemini (). The Sun sign at birth is the basis of the inner hero’s journey; where the Sun is in the heavens at present indicates where our energy will be best spent to realise our solar goals.

Gemini (), sign of The Twins, marks the point on the evolutionary journey where the soul becomes aware of its dual nature – mortal and immortal, spiritual and material. Where Gemini is in our chart or when the Sun is in Gemini, our main task is to become aware of the illusion of duality and in some way to transcend it. We will create situations which could help us come to an even better understanding of our inner polarities and to somehow find a synthesis.

We’re moving towards an age during which interdependence will be at the heart of survival. While the Sun is in Gemini we are developing our mental and communicative abilities so that we can glow rather than glitter: our fleeting interests and superficial socialising can be replaced by a genuine love of learning, education and mutually beneficial networking. We are practising our skills to sincerely interact with a variety of people in diverse situations – not because we vacillate to match the polarities, but because our increased awareness allows us to see the unity at the heart of all duality.

As we go into June, Mercury (), the exoteric ruler of Gemini is retrograde. When a planet turns retrograde (seemingly reverses) it withdraws from further forward motion (symbolising the gaining of new experience) and crosses over previously transited degrees (symbolising past experiences): we are persuaded to go on an inner journey to ensure that we deepen our awareness about matters represented by the planet and its house position. Where is Gemini in your chart? How could you improve your communication skills? Are you truly hearing others or are your old filters preventing you from connecting?

Mercury turns direct on 19 June. Till then we will be more inwardly attuned and need to remind ourselves to pay careful attention to external details, so reducing vexing delays and mix-ups distinctive of the Mercury retrograde period.

The New Moon on 3 June at 13° 34’ Gemini is another SuperMoon. This is the second of five SuperMoons this year and we have been all too aware of the havoc created at the SuperMoon last month with the Burmese Cyclone and the Chinese earthquake that struck on the first quarter moon. (A SuperMoon occurs when there is new or a full moon at the time when the moon is closest to the Earth.)

A SuperMoon increases the electromagnetic force of both the Sun and the Moon, generating stronger gravitational pulls on coastal (and emotional!) tides, weather patterns and tectonic plates. At this New Moon the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus and the asteroid Ceres, The Great Mother, are all in Gemini.

Venus (), representing the relating principle, is the esoteric ruler of Gemini and will support us to uncover, accept and synthesise our ultimate inner polarity: our inner male and female, our structure and our vision, our human doing and our human being. Do not be surprised if outer relationships follow suit. With Ceres () in the mix, mother issues will be part of the resolution (yes, again!). At some level, whatever is a problem in our present relationships is some form of blame on our mother for what we thought she should have given us. Our willingness to forgive our mother is a willingness to live life to the full.

The three outer planets are Uranus (), Neptune () and Pluto (). Both Neptune in Aquarius () and Pluto in Capricorn () – are retrograde. Neptune retrograde stirs up buried, often neglected feelings and it is an opportune time for re-viewing all hidden under currents of feeling with more depth and understanding. Pluto retrograde forces us to focus on tensional matters from the past (that were even then disturbing enough) brought once again into our direct path for re-examination.

Uranus joins the retrograde fray on 27 June at 22° 39’ Pisces. Uranus retrograde invariably creates a disruption of the accustomed flow of affairs – sudden alteration of personal plans due to unforeseen conditions in the environment throwing our intentions off course is commonplace. After dealing with our initial frustration, rage or grief, we will be able to get in touch with our hitherto hidden needs for personal freedom of self-expression.

With a new age dawning we may be blown off course, knocked off our pedestals, derailed from our well-worn and rutted tracks – these are the moments when we are initiated into living. Divine life supports us to be fully human, engaging in and cherishing the things of the world.

The ultimate contradiction may be that detachment does not mean a withdrawal but rather a recognition that it all goes away and an ability to radically accept this. Then we can love the world fiercely in all its ephemeral radiance. (Brad Kochunas)