New Moon, New Beginnings, New Opportunities
Today the new Moon and the Sun are conjunct, and in the wee hours of the morning they formed a ring of fire eclipse. Joining them in Gemini - the sign of community and communication – is its ruling planet, Mercury, who is currently retrograde. The North Node of the Moon, an indicator of karmic opportunities, is there as well. Together, they remind us to choose carefully: the way we speak to our community members will either clean up old karmic messes or make more. Pluto is now retrograde in Capricorn, reminding us of right use of power. Saturn is retrograde in Aquarius, reminding us of our interdependence, and showing us how to better integrate our individual selves with our communities and the collective as a whole. As spring wanes and summer waxes, as Jupiter and Neptune retrograde in Pisces, as Covid and our responses to it continue to evolve, the possibilities and opportunities to start over, to begin again with the different members of your community are practically limitless.
Can you see them?
I can.
It starts with your hopes and dreams, vision and intentions.
Then you consult the stars, your ancestors and other guides, and go from there.
The Spirit of Gemini
Welcome to magical, mysterious, mind-bending world of Gemini. Ordinarily this time of year is famous for its emphasis on the alchemical nature of communication, and how, when used properly, it builds and enhances connection and community. Because there is so much planetary pressure in that sign right now, you are being asked to take advantage of this extraordinary moment to be a change agent and a facilitator: to step into more of a leadership role in your circles of family and friends. The Gemini archetype will show you how.
Gemini’s constellation is Castor and Pollux, the twins and warrior Argonauts whose inability to bear to being separated by death led to a deal with the Gods so they wouldn’t have to be. Deep down in the beating heart of Gemini is a fundamental drive to be connected, to not be alone. With so much energy here now, it is easier than normal to see and honor that need as it exists in yourself and others, and to address it in a more meaningful and sustainable way.
The third sign of the zodiac, Gemini is a male, mutable air sign. Ruled by Mercury, the messenger of the Gods, Gemini is smart for smart’s sake and fast, well, just because it’s fun. Your Gemini pals just cannot stop learning, talking to the Gods for guidance, and applying what they learn in real time to real world topics and issues in order to solve problems. Because of that, the realm of Gemini is that of the wizard, the magician, the healer. Gemini is the master of alchemy and he is particularly enamored of learning new and better ways to convert our tragedies, shortcomings and outright failures into grace, glory and gold.
Because of that, this time of year we often find ourselves drawn to some sort of training or educational program, research project, intellectual pursuit or spiritual quest. Often it is some sort of combination. This year, we need them more than ever, and they are significantly more sophisticated. We are all being called upon to address the most difficult topics facing our communities in ways that work better than the ones we have been using heretofore. We are all having big, scary conversations with those we love: some are mere housekeeping issues that have gotten out of hand, some are about normal instincts gone astray, and others are feeling like downright interventions. Most are long overdue and of great consequence. So let’s get it right.
And as you do, keep this in mind. Each astrological sign has its brackets, its bookends, its higher octaves, and its lower octaves. Gemini rules the developmental age range of four to six years old, the age when little humans are realizing what little they know about the world and about social interaction. Driven by the insatiable need for actionable data and social connection, seek both. On a good day, Gemini rules that same sort of courageous and unlimited intellectual curiosity that drives learning. Gemini rules the endless barrage of questions that come from a soul who is sincerely trying to understand how and why things work, and is utterly and completely unafraid of the answers. They just need to know. And knowledge is power, after all. But knowledge also confers responsibility, especially for right use of that power. On a bad day, Gemini is like a kindergartener with no impulse control, is impervious to social cues and clues, who needs constant attention, and who cannot seem to listen, sit still or shut up.
Let’s make it a good day.
Not a Gemini? No worries. Everyone has Gemini somewhere in their natal chart. If you don't already know where yours is, now is a good time to find out. And here's why. Gemini rules bridges – things that mitigate, span and eliminate gaps and divides. Where Gemini lives in your natal chart is where you can be exactly that bridge. It is where you are ready, willing and able to communicate effectively across great distances and differences to move your personal and community karma forward. It’s where you are the most capable of alchemy and magic – where you are the headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
So give yourself a lot of time and space this month to rediscover that aspect of your psyche and your soul, and then find a way to give that part more freedom of expression in your daily life: in your relationships, and the ways you participate in and contribute to your various communities. Not in a megalomaniacal, narcissistic way; but in a way that demonstrates a healthy grasp of the delicate interplay between self and other, and the power that comes with listening and asking appropriate questions. The only way to take advantage of these transformational conversations as they present themselves is to recommit to the arts of magic and alchemy: turning the baser, more boring and more banal elements of our lives into something more beautiful and valuable.
The overarching theme of the new moon in Aries was exploring and expanding your understanding of yourself as a soul. The overarching theme of the Taurus new moon was exploring and understanding yourself in relationship to other. And others. Now that you have expanded your consciousness in those areas, and now that so much is happening in Gemini and with Mercury, it’s time to turn your understanding into action.
Not sure where to start? Here’s an idea. Ordinarily at this time of year, I tend to emphasize communication, especially to and with your communities and their members. But all the retrogrades and eclipses are definitely changing the optics – and the opportunities - this year. As of right now, Mercury, Saturn, Pluto, and the Moon’s North Node are all retrograde. This means your focus is slightly different. In the past, the emphasis has been much more about sharing – especially for those of us who are prone to keeping things bottled up inside. This year, it’s much more about asking pertinent questions of and then listening deeply to your various communities and community members, because there is probably something important you are missing.
As you do, remember one last thing. Gemini rules that pesky connection between your intention for communicating and your actual acts of communicating. The reasons why you are communicating and the ways you communicate make all the difference between creating community and destroying it. Style and method are everything. If you are not absolutely clear, don’t say anything until you are. Until you receive clear guidance about anything else, just listen. Remember, strength comes from your faith, your relationship to spirit, not in your intellect or your physical strength. Right now, don’t skimp on your prayers and meditations, gratitude exercises and spiritual best practices. Double down. After all, that is the highest and best use of these transits. Listen, lean in, and rise to the occasion—or at least find some way to start listing in that general direction. And if you get stuck, call me. We’ll figure it out.
Calendar
Following are some of the dates where your opportunities for wizardry, magic and alchemy will be the greatest, and some generic wisdom about them:
June 2: Venus moves into Cancer
June 10: Annular Solar Eclipse, the New Moon is conjunct the Sun at 19° Gemini
June 11: Mars moves into Leo
June 14: Flag Day
June 20: Jupiter retrogrades in Pisces; Father’s Day; the Summer Solstice, the Sun moves into Cancer
June 22: Mercury goes direct at 16° Gemini and the 24-day shadow period begins
June 24: Full Moon in Capricorn, also known as the Honey Moon, the Mead Moon, the Rose Moon, and the Strawberry Moon
June 25: Neptune retrogrades in Pisces
June 26: Venus moves into Libra
July 4: Fourth of July holiday
July 9: New Moon in Cancer
July 11: Mercury moves into Cancer
Everybody’s natal (birth) chart is different. These differences reflect our individual souls—their journeys and evolution, their triumphs, and their tragic flaws. As such, the specific impact of each of the following dates will hit each person differently. But there are some general themes.
Holy days, holidays, and astrological transits are opportunities for us to experience grace. But remember how grace happens: sometimes it comes through discomfort. The gifts aren’t always immediately apparent. All the days on this list ask you to be more compassionate with yourself and others, to try and be more awake, and to be more open to synchronicity and messages from Spirit. On days when more than one astrological event, holiday or holy day occurs, know that the power of that day will be even more profound. The more events in a day, the more powerful that day is, and the more intentional you should be.
Again, in general, full moons are a good time for ending things, wrapping things up, conclusions, and closure. New moons are opportune times for new beginnings: starting a new chapter of some aspect of your life, tackling a new project, or launching something new. Retrogrades are always about slowing down and paying more attention to aspects of your creative, spiritual, and social lives. The eclipses always reveal; sometimes it is something others have hidden from you, sometimes it is things you have hidden from yourself. Usually, it is a little bit of both. To go deeper, look to the planetary signs and the houses they fall in, and, of course, to your natal chart. Or give me a call. I can help you with that.
Retreats, Rituals, Services, Ceremonies and Journeys
Choosing the best day or days is a very personal thing. You have to feel your way into it. But there are some generic rules that can help you in your decision-making process. Full moons and new moons are considered the best. Holidays and holy days are powerful, as well. Full moons and new moons that occur during or over a period of holidays and holy days are extraordinarily powerful.
Factor in a retrograde or two and you pretty much cannot avoid leveling up and becoming a much more masterful magician. Especially around anything that has to do with your faith, your trust in it, your ability to serve your faith and serve with it. Seriously.
With that in mind, in the next month, the best days for deep, transformational experiences are: June 10-11, 20, 22, 24-26, July 4, 9 and 11.
“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”
The Mystery School Guidebooks
For as long as humans have traveled the earth, we have turned to the cycles and movements of the natural world and celestial bodies to guide us. Over time and across cultures, the art and science of navigation has provided powerful tools to ensure safe passage through the mysterious currents of life's more difficult moments. Now, by combining ancient practices with modern modalities, you can chart smooth and successful routes through the most important journeys of all: the integration of your internal landscapes, your relationships, your spiritual and professional paths.
The Mystery School Guidebooks are the culmination of my 30 years of dedicated research and practice as a business consultant, astrologer, and intuitive. I am currently offering six guidebooks: Mars Retrograde, Level 1 and Level 2; Mercury Retrograde, Level 1 and Level 2; and Venus Retrograde, Level 1 and Level 2, with more in the works. Each one is a magical combination of information and experiential exercises, designed to provide you with the tools that mean the difference between falling prey to your innermost demons—fears, outdated behaviors and belief systems, and long-buried traumas—and discovering, perhaps for the first time, greater joy in relationships, success in career, and increased self-confidence, access, and flow in your personal and spiritual lives.