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.