Mars Joins the Cancer Love Fest

Mars entered the sign of Cancer on June 24^th, where it will reside until August 8^th.  The summer love fest is official now that it is accompanying the Sun. We are done with the hyper, frenetic multi-tasking days of Mars in Gemini.  Mars in Cancer can be a slower burn. On June 24^th, I tweeted:

“Mars enters Cancer today for 6 weeks where it is not comfortable.  We could take things too personally and become defensive.”

Mars in Cancer will definitely enhance the protective urge towards home and family during its transit, but Mars is extremely uncomfortable in the sign of Cancer.  It is literally considered to be in detriment in Cancer because Mars is exalted in Capricorn.  Cancer is an emotional water sign that can be prone to defensiveness and over-protectiveness.  Think of the image of the Cancer crab and I think you will get my drift.  When Mars is in Cancer, we have the capacity to tune into the emotional scene and back off when someone is about to lose it.  Sometimes this is a good thing, other times not so much.

How else does Mars in Cancer manifest?  There may be a tendency to swallow our anger and engage in passive-aggressive behavior.  Watch out for those guilt trips to crop up in relationships.  But because Cancer is such a moody, at times unpredictable water sign, tidal waves of emotion could flow and anger could suddenly surface in family gatherings.  And with the 4^th of July coming, three days after a full moon in Capricorn, that is a distinct possibility.

Eating can be another hotspot with Mars in Cancer.  Digestive disorders can arise if we are not careful with what we eat.  Cancer does rule the stomach. The most common sense approach to dealing with Mars in Cancer is to attempt to be more objective and not take things too personally.  This may be easier said than done for many folks. 

Personally, I am facing transiting Mars in Cancer conjuncting my south node on that full moon on July 1^st.  It squares my Libra ascendant on July 19^th and then it enters my 10^th house on July 24^th and conjuncts my Jupiter and Uranus, while simultaneously squaring my Neptune in Libra.  I’m sure it won’t be dull, but I hope I can keep my cool. Impatience, irritability and restlessness are bound to be major themes for me during this Mars transit.

The Sun in Cancer will be squaring the north node of the moon in Libra and the south node in Aries on June 27^th. This transit should help free us to move beyond karmic patterns that make us fearful and over-sensitive. 

On June 28^th, we have some really nice astrological summer energy with Venus in Leo trining Uranus in Aries.  Venus trining Uranus in fire signs will lighten the mood so that we can enjoy ourselves by being more spontaneous, social and more creative. This is a great vibe for summer festivities.

Chiron went retrograde in 21 degrees of Pisces on June 24^th a couple of hours before Mars entered Cancer.  With Chiron in the uber-sensitive watery sign of Pisces, we may find ourselves more attuned than usual to our frightened inner child who experiences difficulty in trusting that everything will turn out all right.  Chiron will be retrograde until November 28^th, affording us ample opportunity to work on healing our deepest wounds.  You might want to consider purchasing my Chiron Report during this transit. It’s a fabulous way of obtaining insight to heal your deepest wound and it’s only $15!  Check out a sample report at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/sample-chiron-report-key-to-healing.html

You can order this report or any of my others at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

I am also offering a Summer Solstice Special for only $25 at this link:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/summer-solstice-special.html

This special is literally being offered through the entire summer season and features a two question tarot telephone reading with a look at your astrological chart to see how the summer planetary action is affecting you.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

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New Moon in Gemini and Sun Enters Cancer - Summer is Coming

We had a major astrological event this week with the annual New Moon in Gemini.  It occurred on June 16^th at 10:00 a.m. in 25 degrees of Gemini.  This was a very special new moon because it occurred on the heels of Mercury, Gemini’s ruler, going direct and because Gemini symbolizes the magician and messenger who can send communications at warped speeds into other dimensions.  It was a fabulous new moon to trust your intuition to make new beginnings, which after all, is a major theme of new moons.  In the sign of Gemini, it was also a time to reboot mentally, appreciate the humor in life and accept the exciting challenges coming upon us.

This new moon also made some very powerful alignments with Mars and Chiron.  It conjuncted Mars in Gemini, inconjuncted Saturn in Scorpio and squared Chiron in Pisces.  On that day I posted these two tweets:

“Gemini New Moon today conjunct Mars can make us antsy to take action & be on the move but quincunx to Saturn puts the brakes on.”

“Gemini New Moon squares Chiron in Pisces today. Emotional healing is possible through compassionate communication & forgiveness.”

Other themes which pertained to this new moon in Gemini included reconciling duality and assimilating information.  This was especially pertinent this year because Mercury is direct now, freeing us up to process all of that information before we embrace the new and implement the changes that we desire.  A new moon in Gemini is also an ideal time to forge connections with others in our neighborhoods and perhaps engage in social media to connect with others.  Conversely, if we have become too addicted to technology, it might be nice to take a brief break from social media. And if we are saddled with ancient technology, we can feel a green light to invest in upgrading our technology now that Mercury is direct.  So if you feel like you need a new cell phone or computer, go for it!  Purchase that upgrade.

I understand the moon’s inconjunct or quincunx to Saturn all too well, as I have it natally in exactly the same signs.  I have a natal moon in Gemini and Saturn in Scorpio.  True to form, Saturn being back in Scorpio for the next three months is causing old fears regarding security issues and finances to resurface through memories and dreams.  Indeed, this aspect had a profound impact on me as it caused me to reflect on where I have come and how I need to make adjustments to get where I am destined to be.  I have always been inspired by the work of Carl Jung, and this week has truly reminded me of the title of his biography Memories, Dreams, Reflections.  Carl Jung was one of the first psychiatrists to believe in and use astrology in his practice.  He actually looked at a client’s chart before their appointment and I am convinced that the insight he obtained was invaluable in their treatment.

On June 21^st. we have another big astrological event.  The Sun enters the sign of Cancer, heralding the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. It is also known as the Summer Solstice. This year it also falls on Father’s Day.  The moon changes signs and enters Virgo about twenty minutes after the sun enters Cancer.  So both the sun and moon align in a harmonious sextile around 1:00 p.m. that day.  This is very nice energy indeed.  

Many people like to engage in rituals to commemorate the Summer Solstice.  If you want to keep it simple, try seizing the day by being kind to yourself.  Look at the trines and sextiles in your chart instead of focusing on the oppositions, squares and inconjuncts.  Express a little gratitude for these easygoing aspects.  We are entering the season of summer, when we can kick back a little and enjoy life more. Summertime fun, easy living and time for vacations are officially here.  It’s time to engage with others and be more social.  No one can dispute the fact that the first half of 2015 has been challenging with the last Uranus/Pluto square and the spring eclipses, but we should have smoother sailing ahead for the next couple of months.

If you don’t know what your trines and sextiles are in your chart, consider getting an astrological reading with me.  You can learn more about my menu of astrological services at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

And don’t forget to inquire about my Venus Retrograde Special, which will be $25 through the month of September 2015.  Venus hasn’t gone retrograde yet (that happens on July 25^th), but Venus is in Leo for an extended period of time this year and it will undoubtedly have a profound impact on your relationships and finances.  Contact me directly at lindasim54@gmail.com.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

Happy Father’s Day!

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Neptune Retrograde and Saturn Returns to Scorpio

We are all breathing a collective sigh of relief now that Mercury has stationed direct in its home sign of Gemini.  The forward movement for Mercury began on June 11^{th in} 4 degrees of Gemini.  This has been a particularly intense, grueling Mercury retrograde for many people.  At least that has been my experience with retrograde Mercury in my 8^th house and I have certainly been hearing it from my clients.

On June 12^th, Neptune will station retrograde in 9 degrees of Pisces for five months and resume direct motion at 7 degrees of Pisces on November 18^th.  Obviously, Neptune is a much slower moving planet than Mercury, but what can we expect from this transit?  Neptune works behind the scenes, so this may be a boon for healers, counselors, artists and writers because it favors spiritual and creative pursuits.  I strongly endorse utilizing this powerful energy for meditation and journaling as well.  But Neptune is also about confusion, self-deception, escapism,   nebulousness, lack of direction and dissolving old boundaries, limitations and attachments that no longer serve us.  Neptune pertains to boundaries—either dissolving or creating them if necessary.  It is not uncommon during Neptune retrograde to feel adrift and sense that things are floating away from us.  Neptune is associated with the sea, and with Neptune retrograde in the watery sign of Pisces, the quality of feeling adrift is amplified. 

The highest vibrations of Neptune can manifest as enlightenment, spirituality, idealism, and inspiration.  The lower vibrations of Neptune can play out in addiction, deceiving others and the self, delusion and engaging in a martyr complex.  Neptune is very much about dreams as well.  Don’t be surprised if your dreams become very vivid and meaningful during the next five months.  When Neptune is retrograde, logic appears to go on vacation, but we may become more attuned to the flow of life and our intuition.  Retrograde planets slow things down and force us to reexamine the meanings of that planet.  In Neptune’s case, that may not be such a bad thing because Neptune at its best is about spirituality and enlightenment.  So if you are forced to go within and confront some issues, it can ultimately serve your highest good. In addition to our nocturnal dreams, we have the opportunity to become more in touch with our personal and collective dreams. 

We are also on the receiving end of a planetary assist in attaining our dreams from the Jupiter in Leo trine to Uranus in Aries that will be in effect through the month of June.  This is the time to follow our hearts and instincts to engage in the transformations that are essential for us. Jupiter, the Greater Benefic, is making nice with Uranus, the planet of surprises and sudden changes, so take advantage of this energy and run with it.  This kind of lightning doesn’t strike twice.

How is this going to play out for me?  I am already feeling the effects of Neptune retrograde, and in a good way.  While Venus is technically the ruler of my chart, I consider myself to be a full-blown Neptunian because it is conjunct my Libra ascendant.  I am relishing this opportunity to drift along in the passage to change.  And Neptune is considered to be the higher octave of Venus because it involves more compassion and love on a collective level.  One example of this is that I am learning to incorporate astrology into my tarot readings, which have been increasing lately.  One client called me this week to book a tarot reading and I had the strongest urge to look at his chart, which I did prior to the reading.  It really helped to clarify the issues he was facing.  I am also more mindful of the fact that I have a tendency to attract clients with similar issues to mine so that I can follow the advice that I give them.  I am enormously grateful for that benefit because otherwise I would probably not figure out the solutions on my own!

And speaking of the watery depths, on June 14^th retrograde Saturn slips back into Scorpio.  Saturn will be in 29-28 degrees of Scorpio from June 14^th through September 17^th before it goes back into Sagittarius through December 2017.  The 29^th degree of any sign is frequently referred to as the “anaretic” or “karmic” degree.  The karmic 29^th degree of Scorpio has to do with forgiveness. The next few months will provide us with the opportunity to review lessons learned from October 2012 through December 23, 2014.  We will have one last chance to address internal changes that need to be made and get in touch with our motivations and desires.  I experienced my second Saturn Return during this period, and believe me, it was no cake walk.  But I can honestly say that it was well worth the pain to be able to come out on the other side as a much stronger, happier person. I hope that I addressed all of the issues that I needed to by December 2014, but if there is unfinished business, I won’t flinch or run from them.  There is no doubt that Scorpio is a tough sign, not for lightweights, but it has stamina, perseverance and can go the distance.  Michael Lutin has said that if one sign could survive a nuclear holocaust, it would be Scorpio.  So let Saturn dig up whatever needs to be released  so that we can move forward.  I know that Saturn has a bad rep for punishing and limiting us, but we also need to remember that it can reward us for doing the hard work.  That is the silver lining of Saturn.

If you are confused during these challenging times and need some guidance in empowering you to move forward, that is yet another reason to obtain an astrological reading.  You can learn more about my menu of astrological services at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix

I'd like to leave you with an image of a painting called Through the Eye of Safe Passage which encapsulates the whole Neptune retrograde experience for me.   Many thanks to the artist, Harvey Low Simons, for his permission in letting me use it.

You can see this and more of his paintings at:

http://home.comcast.net/~harvey.simons/painting01.html

This painting is on page 4 of his site.

I wish you all an enlightened and safe passage during this season of Neptune retrograde!

Venus Moves into Leo for an Extended Stay

Venus is changing signs on June 5^th, which is not unusual, but it will be spending the next four months in the sign of Leo, which is pretty unusual.  How can this be?  Venus will be in Leo through July 18^th, briefly enter Virgo on July 19^th, station retrograde at 0 degrees of Virgo on July 25^th, and re-enter the sign of Leo on August 1^s..  On September 6^th, Venus will station direct in 14 degrees of Leo, where it will stay until October 9^th.

Why is Venus retrograde such a big deal?  Trust me, as someone who was born with it (albeit in the detrimental sign of Scorpio), it is a very big deal.  If someone has Venus retrograde natally in their chart, they will face delays and frustrations in their love life.  And the native with Venus retrograde takes a long time to bond with someone because there will probably be karmic trust issues.

When Venus is retrograde, we can expect relationship stress and may need to develop new approaches to existing relationships or risk losing them.  Emotions will run high and it is more prudent to reflect than to act.  This may be easier said than done! Venus retrograde will also affect financial affairs; it is an optimal time to review one’s budget and spending habits.  Creative projects can also veer off in different directions.  But one perk to having Venus retrograde is that it bodes well for slowing down and pampering ourselves.  The fact that Venus is in the sign of Leo, a sign associated with summer, makes this pill a little easier to swallow.

Venus will be spending its retrograde period in the sign of Leo.  Leo rules love, romance, and money. It symbolizes summer fun.  Venus in Leo heightens creativity, pleasure and prosperity.  Leo craves attention, drama and is prone to too much of a good thing.  But let’s not forget that Leo is also generous and warm-hearted, so this Venus retrograde may not be that difficult to take this summer.  It is fire energy and should add some inspiration to the mix.  I know that we are all waiting with baited breath for Mercury retrograde to end.  Officially it ends on June 11^th, but I always caution my clients to be mindful of the shadow period.  Mercury’s shadow retrograde period began on May 4^th and it leaves the shadow on June 27^th.  So we are dealing with two retrograde planets that pertain to communication, finances and relationships.   Remember the “re” in retrograde—time to review and research before making important decisions.

This particular transit of Venus retrograde starts out in my 10^th house, enters my 11^th house on June 28^th, returns to my 10^th house on August 22^nd for a month and then re-enters my 11^th house in late September.  When Venus enters Leo on June 5^th, it will be trining Saturn in 0 degrees of Sagittarius.  Saturn is currently transiting my 2^nd house (fun times, LOL), so I am hoping that Venus in Leo will provide some support for my finances and professional reputation.    Another thing to remember about retrograde planets is that they provide second and some time third chances for us to get it right.  I frequently tell my clients that many of us just don’t get it on the first hit from a transiting planet, so the retrograde gives us another chance to learn the lesson and get enlightened when it hits our chart for the second or third time.  I have Pluto in Leo in my 11^th house, so I will be feeling that hit in July and then again in October before it leaves Leo.  I am hoping for some beneficial group associations and support for my goals to manifest during the Venus in Leo transit to my 11^th house.  But I know that I have to take responsibility for that to happen.  Venus and Jupiter are known as the great benefics in astrology because they bring good things into our lives, but you have to be proactive.  A nice Jupiter transit can indicate winning the lottery, but it won’t happen if you don’t buy that ticket.  And an easy flowing Venus transit won’t bring the love of your life to you if you if you don’t engage socially.

If you are curious as to how this extended Venus retrograde in Leo period will affect you, please consider getting an astrological reading with me.  A little insight is always a powerful tool.  Just ask for the Venus Retrograde Special, which will be $25 through the month of September 2015. Contact me directly at lindasim54@gmail.com.

If you are confused about other matters during these challenging times and need some guidance in empowering you to move forward, that is yet another reason to obtain an astrological reading.  You can learn more about my menu of astrological services at:

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/services-offered.html

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter for my daily astrological insights at:

https://twitter.com/danceofphoenix