Today is June 21, 2011. It’s the summer solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere, and the winter solstice south of the equator. But it’s not winter like you might think of it in Boston or Chicago. The Sun enters Cancer at 1:16 pm EDT. Here is the chart, set for Kingston, NY. Note to subscribers, the long July monthly horoscope will be distributed in one week.
We’ve all been writing about the solstice nonstop, though I have not mentioned one aspect — Mars square Neptune, which is exact now and in the solstice chart. As of yesterday evening, Mars ingressed Gemini. Because Neptune is occupying the first degree of Pisces, the two planets make an aspect: Mars square Neptune. Mars is in talkative Gemini and Neptune is in watery, emotional Pisces. The square is often a caution not to overreact, not to drink any more than you can handle and not to let your paranoia run away with you. Personally I urge caution with any mind-altering substances under Mars-Neptune aspects such as this one, and to be cautious of the dosages of any drug, remedy or medication.
This first meeting with Neptune in Pisces is also a good opportunity to remind you to keep this moment creative rather than self-destructive. Mars-Neptune can have a weird effect on one’s thought process, and thus on one’s judgment — and none of us have ever experienced this aspect from Gemini to Pisces. This is indeed something new under the Sun, for us, anyway. The practical advice here would be to keep your dealings honest, knowing that deceptive tactics are sure to backfire. You might notice a tendency to say too much; walk away before you do. Mars in Gemini loves a good argument, even over nothing — the square to Neptune suggests this is a losing proposition. It’s better to seem wimpy or rude than to betray yourself or anyone else.
Air to water can be a dangerous mix because you might think it feels good to say a lot, when in reality that’s like a kind of high that is followed by a crash. Said another way, persist in truth, but gently, and as silently as you can — not aggressively. Mars square Neptune is perfectly poorly suited for aggression. So with both subterfuge and rampage out of the question, the solution is to gently lean into integrity — and there’s no rush. This aspect involves two mutable signs, which are the slowest moving of the lot. As Jerry used to sing, watch each card you play and play it slow.
The next aspect Mars makes is a square to Chiron. This is an interesting one, in my experience — in people who have this as a natal aspect (and plenty of people do) there is often a struggle against their own resistance. Resistance feels like integrity except for the little problem about how it blocks experience and learning. Well, it may not feel like integrity but the resistance is presented to the world as such; as a kind of purity. The thing to remember under Mars square Chiron is that we humans have a lot of desires in common. One of them is to speak the truth to the people we care about, but with Mars to Chiron (again air to water) you may have the urge to burst.
Chiron is about process. Focus on the healing aspect of that process and you will make excellent use of this aspect. Focus on inner integrity rather than trying to enforce outer integrity and you will get to explore being an inner seeker. Mars square Chiron says, you cannot prove how spiritually advanced you are any way other than by being that. There’s also a reminder not to pit the body’s natural instincts (such as desire) into competition with the impulse to heal and grow (Chiron). The two need to work together, and they can, if we allow them to.
As the Sun enters Cancer, it will make a trine to Neptune in Pisces; that aspect offers a way to ease the pressure created by the Mars squares. It’s a reminder to emphasize experiencing what you feel inwardly rather than pushing it on anyone. If you’re seeking compassion, feel for it first, and you will find it all around you.
Mystes,
Thanks. Check your e-mail when you can for my reply.
Listen, Carrie, Avis generally has a $200 deposit policy for people using debit cards. I have had to use it twice. They put a $200 hold on the card, and that’s that. They release the hold when you return the car safe and sound. They don’t even *charge* the card. Just place a hold.
Try it kiddo. I think it’s a nationwide policy.
(i tried to do this through an email, but the server where I am won’t recognize my email client)
Thanks, Mary.
For what it is worth, we may have to cancel our whole trip because of a small but very prohibitive snag: we don’t have a credit card and the car rental companies won’t take a Visa-debit card for prepayment unless our credit meets some standard they will not divulge. So unless I can get my Aunt (she lives in East Liverpool, 40 minutes from Pittsburgh) to let me use her card and then drive there to meet us when we pick it up (she has to be there to sign for her card) we cannot do this trip. That means I lose $2400 in canceled flight fees. My husband and I have rented cars before without this restriction but it seems to be a new thing (well, it HAS been some years since we rented a car so maybe it isn’t new but we never saw it coming because we had no idea they had changed the rules).
::::sigh:::: Welcome to America.
Happens all the time, I come to the blog and find the words to what it is I’m experiencing — though here there is an emphasis on spirit and perspective. I’ve got myself a wicked (so to speak) mars / neptune aspect and doesn’t that just make perfect sense. Sorry, I’m always so vague and here everyone is so clear and upfront. I shall be inspired.
With a 5th house Cancer (hey, Fe!) I decided to focus on defining family very creatively and that helps move me with this wonderful flow. What was so painfully defensive and wounded is not just grist for the mill but is a great connection to this energy that longs for expression within.
It is a new day, indeed.
mm.
ps: best wishes to Carrie, Fe and families.
Hey Gang:
Family beckons (my 5th House is in Cancer), and my sister undergoes major surgery on her lower vertebrae tomorrow, to repair nerve damage preventing her from walking without pain. She is, and has always been a dancer.
My connective energy is going to her to move through the procedure and the healing process, so I am on the perimeter and off the PW boards for the next two days. Hopefully back soon. Could use some good Reiki and collective intention in the ‘tween time.
Much love to everyone, and I’m totally awestruck by how deeply the comments have gone on the last Fe-911: “What if it was you?”.
Con mi corazon, besos…
And remember, despite being a relatively quick Mars transit, this excellent advice which Eric gives us has a shelf life of 3 months…because it’s keyed into the Midsummer or Cancer ingress chart, this energy is with us to some extent until September 23 at Mabon
Yes, a quick “rule of thumb” is this: exterior or outer planets (from Jupiter out) are Rx “between the trines” so when they are trine the sun they are near a station…
Thus, when all the outer planets were stacked in the last 3 signs of the Zodiac (winter quarter) we were getting them all retro at the same time (summer -when sun is opposite) for many years -go back and look at your ephemeris for summer months of any year back to at least 2000 -the last 3 columns are grey (retro)
Amanda
Outer planets are retrograde when the Earth gets between them and the Sun. So that would make all the (outer) planets in one part of the sky retrograde at the same time. The Earth is going past them.
Mystes,
“no one (and I mean *NO* one — not your Mataji, not your Rumi, not Jesus or Buddha) is ever ‘spiritually advanced.’ The process itself is oxymoronic. The greater the awareness of love, the greater the abyss.”
Hear-hear! I second that! Though I don’t think he meant it in a “you are finished now” kind of definition.
Thanks, Eric for lighting the way as always.
General comment: Next week, we will be traveling and seeing family; the same family I have issues with. One is my grandmother (my father’s mother) the others are my mother and younger brother. I have issues with all of them, painful ones. So this will be a working vacation. Though I have felt that Mars-Neptune angry outburst boiling in me since the day before yesterday (why oh why does this stuff hit me earlier than most?) I have reined it in and kept my cool. My husband heard my feelings but he volunteered to hear me out because he knew I needed to vent without the real object of my anger hearing it.
I will be in Pittsburgh area first to see my grandmother. We only plan to see her a few times in three days and then it is off to see my maternal aunt for a few hours (I don’t have any issues with her, thankfully) and then down to see my Mom. The best part of the trip will be the educational things my kids will see and my meeting in real life at last with my friend Nariade. Then the stay with my other friend, Rachell in Florida for a few days and then back home.
We return July 14th. This trip is paid for by a loan from my father. So no wonder I have guilt issues and resentment issues and all that.
It is good to know that I need to lay low and keep my feelings inside for a while. That will be a lifesaver so again, thanks.
In the Sun
is for everyone
http://youtu.be/vm4-bx3ba7U
Happy Solstice All!
wow — i just noticed that in the lower-right quadrant of the chart *all* of the planets from chiron through to pholus are retrograde.
fascinating.
Sometimes, when I’m playing with a bug, I tap into a more omnipresent being playing with me..
(..Hope I didn’t say too much! 😉 )
Enjoy the Solstice all!!
Much Love,
Jere
Some excellent words of wisdom for us here in NY on a hot, politically charged, emotionally draining day. It’s times like this that your astrological gifts, and gift of words, are most invaluable. Thank you, Eric, and PlanetWaves!
Good Morning!
Absolutely beautiful day here on the east coast! I have made a conscious choice today to focus on inner calm rather than outward projection. It is easy to get lost in negative currents…..seems to want to take hold of people’s perspectives and use it for deceptive purposes. Thank the Great Spirit for the ability to rise above trivialities and use what gifts I have been given to try to somehow reflect my divinity…..It’s not easy when the world seems focused on the opposite…..I will keep the t.v. off….stay away from negative nellies….listen to some up beat POSITIVE music…and remember that our true nature is to LOVE and be LOVED….:}
Peace and Love,
Patricia
Speaking of Mars-in-Air goosing Neptune/Chiron-in-Water, it looks like we may get *rain* tomorrow! First time since May 12, and something to cut the 100-107 degree temps.
Mixed feelings about the rain, but it comes, withal. Soothing the parched land, but also raining fire. The morning of March 13 I woke up thinking –for the first time ever– “Oh no, it’s raining.”
***
And Eric, no one (and I mean *NO* one — not your Mataji, not your Rumi, not Jesus or Buddha) is ever ‘spiritually advanced.’ The process itself is oxymoronic. The greater the awareness of love, the greater the abyss.
***
**
*
Thanks dearest Eric, for your timely and precious advice. “Focus on inner integrity rather than trying to enforce outer integrity” – woke up this morning once again in a fury with my boss (sound like a blues?), about her lack of integrity, having discovered yesterday, by pure chance, another piece of her twisted puzzle – but will keep my lips firmly sealed – and invest my energies in more rewarding places. Beautiful piece, and stunning photo.Thank you dear. xxx
Words of wisdom from a man with skills. Thank you, Eric.