You're gonna need brain food-and lots of it-to match the quicksilver planetary pace of June 2008. Mercury, symbol of all intellectual processes, as well as transportation and treks, rules the month, which means all month long, we're thinking, talking and traveling. It won't be easy keeping up-the days and nights unfold in changeable patterns and the uncertainty factor is sure to challenge routines and aggravate nervous systems. Of course, some of us will thrive in this busy, brainy climate, while others will be taxed to keep up. And those who manage to sustain the pace, but aren't enjoying it, are at risk for exhaustion, and that could turn moods cranky and crabby. The best way through is to find a comfortable personal pace that allows for sensitivity, flexibility and mental agility.
The mind games begin with the Venus, the Sun, and Mercury conjunct in Gemini, one of two signs ruled by Mercury (on June 2, the Moon also enters Gemini, where it stays until late afternoon on the 4th). Both Mercury and its home sign, Gemini, thrive on gathering and disseminating information. From the mundane to the profound and the ordinary to the extraordinary, we can expect to be inundated with material from a variety of sources. Mostly everyone will have more to say. If you have children, anticipate a thousand more "whys" than normal. If you are in a group therapy setting, expect everyone to take an inventory. Classes, business meetings, and conferences are sure to run late. And you can also count on relationship discussions, personal and professional, to be packed with disclosures. Even those strong silent types-male or female-are inclined to talk about every detail.
But while Mercury is happy in Gemini, it is also retrograde in Gemini until June 19, and its backward motion could translate into a lot of repetition, so try to be patient when someone gives you information about a certain situation for the umpteenth time. For those of you new to Mercury retrograde, here's the skinny: Three times a year, Mercury appears to be moving behind instead of ahead (relative to Earth's position), and when Mercury appears to move backward, all things related to its vast domain tend to move backward as well. Phones just won't work. Voice mail and email get lost in a void-the same place socks go when they disappear in the dryer. Schedules liquefy. And travel delays and detours become the norm. Put simply, Mercury retrograde is a mess. Which is why Mercury retrograde is not agood time to initiate new plans.
But biding time won't happen easily during this retrograde for two reasons. (1) From the 1st-7th, Uranus squares Mercury; from the 6th-21st, Uranus squares the Sun, and from the 8th-17th, Uranus squares Venus. Uranus signifies revolution and agitation; squares symbolize friction. But because Mercury, Venus, and the Sun are all benign and creative presences, these Uranian squares promise positive plot twists. Yes, there are sure to be sudden reversals of fortune, yours or others. And yes, there will be strong emotional reactions. But again, these are not necessarily negative interactions. The strongest probability is call to action because (2) Mars sextiles Venus, the Sun and Mercury, and because Mars must move when its energy collides with those Uranian bolts from the blue, so action-packed adventures are probable. Mars is in Leo, a fire sign, and a position that feeds the innate Martian need to lead, as well as the determination to push forward against all odds. So, Mercury schmercury-the combined effort of Mars and Uranus definitely pushes ahead.
Neptune also plays a strong role this month First, it trines Mercury from the 1st-4th, Venus from the 9th-18th, and the Sun, from the 7th-23rd, all three positive configurations that promote empathy, sympathy, and extraordinary intuitive insight. Be prepared to be more than a little psychic, especially when it comes to knowing who's on the phone, who will be late, and who will be a persistent pain in the ass. Second, a Mars/Neptune opposition from the 15th-28th has the potential to make many of us porous with co-dependence. Just be aware, when you're not busy trying to hold a boundary in place, you or someone you love could be irritable with hypersensitivity. Transform the stress of this opposition by using it to intensify spiritual aspirations and practices.
Several non-Mercury related combinations also weave their influence through the month: (1) The ongoing Saturn/Pluto trine continues to stabilize the unstable. This positive, supportive interaction has provided the tolerance and stamina to withstand the plethora of changes over the last several months. (2) That overload of shift is directly attributable to the Jupiter/Uranus sextile, which also persists throughout the entire month and is the source of those sudden twists of fate.
On June 14, Pluto retrogrades back into Sagittarius, where it will stay until November 26. And from June 14-28, a Sun/Pluto opposition has the potential to turn the air tense with power struggles. As Pluto retraces its path, we get one last chance to reexamine the meaning of its 13-year cycle through Sagittarius, the Sign that symbolizes religion, philosophy and belief systems, as well as higher education, global communication, and the Higher Self. The shadow of Sagittarius is ignorance, fundamentalism, and an inability to embrace diversity. As this Pluto retrograde unfolds, try to become aware of how your perspective has shifted, particularly when it comes to a spiritual perspective that includes rather than excludes. Also try to notice where you have held on to ignorance or refused to let go of certain patterns even when you had the necessary information or knowledge to facilitate a change. From the 22nd-30th, a Mars/Pluto trine stimulates great ambitions and the desire to succeed at almost any cost. As you pursue your goals, think about the consequences of your actions and remember, the ends don't justify the means-the means are the ends.
For the longest time when listening to "Mind Games," I thought John Lennon was singing about "mind gorillas,"and while I know now he was singing about "mind guerillas," I still can't let go of the image of enlightened apes in search of love, pushing the envelope of evolution. So this month, as minds and souls are challenged to think about every detail of life, get in your gorilla suit and put your soul power to the karmic wheel.
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If you know your Ascendant and/or your Moon sign, read that too.
Aries March 21-April l9
The challenge is creating the perfect blend of hindsight, foresight, and insight, and the key to success is learning how to feel with your mind without denying the facts or exaggerating the outcome. Be determined, and you will combine thought, word, and deed with dazzling skill.
Taurus April 20-May 20
There are opportunities to improve your financial situation, but before you can make future gains, you have to be realistic about your current reality. Review your choices, organize your data, be honest about what you can accomplish, and then get to work actualizing those goals.
Gemini May 21-June 21
You are the "go to" person all month long, and you are dispensing advice day and night. And while I'm not advising you to withhold information, it's very important to prioritize your time and energy. You won't serve anyone if you're exhausted, so plan a program of self-care, and above all, pace yourself.
Cancer June 22-July 22
You are right, there is a lot to think about, especially as you contemplate your next step. Use this time to review certain circumstances from the past, and as you do, try not to brood over your mistakes. Instead, notice what you need to learn and then let go and move on.
Leo July 23-August 22
The roaring continues, but this month, family, friends, and even strangers are interested in your unique perspective. So don't be shy about sharing your gifts and expressing your opinion. Not every word will be golden, but much of what you say will stimulate and provoke a process in others.
Virgo August 23-September 22
It will be easy getting lost in work, especially because there is so much to do and so many opportunities for you to display your talents. Just be careful not to neglect other areas of your life, especially relationships, where it may not be as easy to handle the demands.
Libra September 23-October 22
You're confronted and confounded by choice: On one hand, you can accept that status quo and enjoy the ride, but on the other, you feel the need for reformation and revolution. Unfortunately, there is no"right" logical choice, but if you listen to your heart, you'll know what will make you happy.
Scorpio Oct 23-Nov 21
Make your mantra "I like change; change is good" and you'll be in the perfect mindset for navigating a maze of unsettling situations. You don't have to surrender your principles. You simply have to be willing to be flexible and able to make adjustments as each situation unfolds.
Sagittarius Nov 22-Dec 21
Discussions with partners, personal and professional, could land you in deep water. And while going beneath the surface of certain situations might produce beneficial consequences, it wouldn't necessarily be wise to plunge into every detail. There's no need to hurry this discovery process.
Capricorn Dec 22-Jan 19
Try to avoid get-rich-quick schemes that offer fabulous returns but sound too good to be true because they are. Instead, review your financial situation with an eye toward tweaking it toward a slightly more stable direction, and then trust your decisions.
Aquarius Jan 20-Feb 18
You're sorting through a hodge-podge of creative ideas looking for little nuggets that could deliver tangible opportunity. As you make your choices, keep in mind all that glitters is not gold. Notice the obvious, but also probe for substance.
Pisces February 19-March 20
You are inspired, that's true, but not everyone agrees with your choices. Rather than let dissent turn into drama, pay attention to the criticism. You may not agree, but your willingness to listen will open a closed system and that will have lasting transformational value.
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