Weekly Forecast July 6: Full Moon Eclipse in Capricorn, Jupiter Conjunct Neptune

Helios and Phaeton with Saturn and the Four Seasons, by Nicolas Poussin, 1635.

Healing at a deep level remains the dominant theme this week as Jupiter makes his second of three conjunctions with Neptune in 2009. Add to the mix a lunar eclipse, and we’re on information overload and stressed to the breaking point.

Neith has posted a complete report on the Full Moon, so I won’t go into much detail, except to remind everyone that this is the first of a new series of eclipses in Capricorn and Cancer, and it’s one of six eclipses this year, which is rare. Although it’s a penumbral eclipse and fairly well-aspected, some of us are going to get a jolt. Whether you feel it or not depends on where in your chart it falls. I have a friend with mid-degree Cancer Rising and a seventh house packed with Capricorn Sun, Moon, and other planets. You can bet that he’s going face a major life decision in the next couple of weeks.

Even though this isn’t the Big One, we are still sensitive to the gravitational pull of the Earth and Moon lining up with the Sun. And after this Full Moon, we’ll be in a prolonged inter-eclipse period. Normally, eclipses come in pairs, one solar and one lunar, with two weeks in between. This year we get a third one, a lunar eclipse in Aquarius on August 6. That means we’ll have an entire month of the turbulence and disorientation that typically happen between eclipses.

At the same time, we’re deeply submerged in the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction, which peaks on Friday. The first phase of this three-part aspect took place on May 27, the day before Neptune turned retrograde for several months. The second phase is this Friday (July 10), and then the last one won’t be until December 21.

During the first pass, our awareness was focused on a deep-seated wound that may have been embedded in early childhood or perhaps that was carried over from another lifetime. In the second phase, the wound is being re-opened so that the toxic energy can be released. This is arguably the most painful phase. Mars squares Jupiter and Neptune on Monday, July 6, acting as the surgeon’s knife. On Tuesday, Mars sextiles Uranus, and our heads should be a lot clearer. Some of us (operative word some) even may have an idea of where we’re headed next.

The Full Moon eclipse on Tuesday is in wide aspect to Uranus, which may help with the release of emotional blockages. If you feel like you have to cry or rant, find a safe place to let it all out. You may feel like a used dishrag on Wednesday, but you’ll recover much faster if you stay in the flow of the astrological current and don’t try to fight it.

The Sun sextiles Saturn on Thursday. If you need a backup plan, one may show up on your doorstep. Don’t look the allegorical gift horse in the mouth.

On Friday, Jupiter and Neptune meet, with the Moon in Aquarius amplifying the effect. If you’re out with friends, I strongly suggest foregoing happy hour or at least taking it easy on mind-altering substances. You’re going to want to have your wits about you to deal with whatever comes up.

Mars leaves Taurus on Saturday and joins Venus in speedy, chatty Gemini. Get together with friends and go for a bike ride, a hike, or a weekend getaway. Dance, party, and be happy while you can. There’s a lot more heavy lifting ahead.

Wishing you all much love and courage,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Helios and Phaeton with Saturn and the Four Seasons, by Nicolas Poussin, c. 1635. I have no idea what’s going on in this painting or who’s who — which is why it seemed like an appropriate image for this week’s astrological imprint. Helios represents the Sun, and we have an eclipse this week, aspecting Saturn. So far, so good. Phaeton, the son of Helios, is best known for insisting that he get to drive dad’s chariot, only to lose control and crash it into the earth, causing the planet to burn up. Obviously, that hasn’t yet happened in this image. But many of us can’t shake the feeling that the other shoe is about to drop …

Full Moon in Capricorn, Lunar Eclipse, July 7, 2009

Lunar Eclipse over NorwayThe essence of any Full Moon is the opposition – two signs in compatible elements and on opposite sides of the zodiac. On this Full Moon, the Sun is in watery Cancer opposing the Moon in the feminine earth sign of Capricorn, drawing attention to the need to balance what nurtures us with our public life.

For some reason Capricorn has become associated with the need for dominance and competition, especially in the professional arena. But there is another side to this pragmatic sign, much deeper and wilder and intensely creative. There is an earthy, passionate sensuality with the ability to throw aside constraints and abandon oneself to the pursuit of pleasure beneath the conventional, pin-striped suits. If you are familiar with the many faces of David Bowie, he is a great example of this complex sign.

Just as Capricorn is more than a stuffed shirt, so is Cancer more than a moody homebody. Cancer hides many treasures behind its protective shell, often including a sharp sense of humor as well as a sensitive soul. Capricorn is clearly a cardinal sign but so is Cancer. If you have friends and family with a strong Cancer signature, pay attention to how persistent they can be in getting their way.

For those of us like myself who have planets or angles at 14-17° in Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn, the extra punch of the lunar eclipse will zap us awake! Check to see where the Cancer-Capricorn axis falls in your chart and take note of events both leading up to this lunation as well as the weeks following it. Eclipses have a broader impact than most lunations.

Saturn in Virgo plays a supporting role to the Sun and Moon, because it is trine to the Moon and sextile the Sun. We could miss the importance of this support because of the flowing nature of those aspects, so pay attention to any opportunities offering advancement. Saturn is playing nice right now and suggesting rather than demanding. The next Saturn-Uranus opposition on September 15 will be far less kind.

Venus has moved into Gemini and is pulling away from Mars, who is still in Taurus. However, she is not a happy camper, because Pluto in Capricorn is holding her accountable via an inconjunct. This is another lesson in learning what we truly value. Pluto is not about to let up on teaching everyone about living a frugal lifestyle. Think Bernie Madoff settling into his new accommodations for the rest of his life.

But it is Mars in practical, well-grounded Taurus squaring Neptune & Co. that could bring people sharply down to earth once more. There are many folktales teaching the importance of making sure a good, solid foundation is in place before building. If there is a weak point (Chiron) we ignored in the pursuit of our dreams (Jupiter-Neptune), it has either already brought the house of cards down or will soon. Now is a good time to take advantage of the clarity offered by this square and the supportive sextile between Mars and Uranus in Pisces, to repair and rebuild. If the new foundation is done right, there is a much greater chance of achieving your hopes and dreams.

There is no fire in this chart. The preponderance is strongly in earth and water, with just a small leavening of air. Using confrontational tactics and throwing out demands will not be as effective as spending time listening closely to what others are saying. The Sabian symbol for the Sun at 16 Cancer, A man studying a mandala in front of him, with the help of a very ancient book, with the keyword CONCENTRATION, supports this notion.

For the Moon at 16 Capricorn, the Sabian symbol reminds us to take time to play well with others: School grounds filled with boys and girls in gymnasium suits. The keyword is EXERCISE. Take a walk with friends in the park to regroup before heading back to the drawing board.

If there ever was a time for identifying and clearing out emotional baggage, this lunar eclipse is it. Shine a light into all the hidden corners of your psyche and haul out the garbage to throw away. If you have a favorite cleansing ritual, use it extensively. We are halfway through the period between the first New Moon in Cancer and the second one, a solar eclipse, on July 21-22. Saturn is in a great position now to help with this project, too.

Please remember to be kind to yourself and especially to your nearest and dearest, as those are the folks we most often take out our angst on. These are tough times for many people, and it is by paying kindness ahead that we can all benefit.

Many blessings and good wishes to all.

Libra seeks balanceposted by Neith . . .

**Please read Pat’s weekly forecast for this week, July 6, for her thoughts this week’s eclipse.

Image: This beautiful photo was taken by Andreas D. Skjervold, Bodø, Norway on Aug. 16, 2008. It is one of several wonderful photos of eclipses at The Eclipse Photo Gallery website.

Ask Real Astrologers: Why Am I So Lazy?

This week’s question comes from Bree in Denver:

I’m confused about my Saturn aspects. According to my natal chart, I have Saturn in Sag in the 6th house, trine my Sun and Mercury. All the cookie cutter descriptions of this say that I’m a hard worker and disciplined (especially with Moon and Mars in Cap). But I’m super lazy most of the time! Where would I see “laziness” in my birth chart, and why do these positive Saturn aspects seem so elusive?

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Bree, many of those cookie cutter descriptions fail to take into account the flowing nature of the trine. A trine (a 120° aspect between planets) means the planets are in the same element and are extremely comfortable with one another. By and large, we humans are motivated by discomfort and without the irritation factor to keep us awake, we stay put.

Your Moon in Capricorn is traditionally considered an indicator of an ambitious person and indeed, I’ve known many people with Capricorn Moon who are very driven to succeed. But they often do so out of a need to prove something to themselves or others. In your case, a sextile from Jupiter in Pisces mellows out your Moon considerably. You didn’t say anything about your lifestyle and general living conditions but I’m guessing those, too, are pleasant and accommodating.

Perhaps you just need to find the right motivation to inspire you. Saturn will enter Libra at the end of this October and will square your planets in Cancer and Capricorn during 2010-2012. There is nothing like an irritating square aspect to get us to move! And don’t forget that Pluto in Capricorn will be slowly conjoining all your planets in Capricorn over the course of the next 15 years.

Most of the time the cookie-cutter approach to astrology gives us just enough information to tantalize and confuse us, without providing the threads that pull it all together. My suggestion would be to find an astrologer you resonate with and work with them.

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

I had to laugh at your question, Bree. Most people would complain that the books said they were lazy when they weren’t (or didn’t think they were). That’s a tipoff right there that you’re probably not as lazy as you think.

But let’s assume for a moment that you are the laziest person on the planet, a veritable sloth. Where might we find that in your chart? My first stop would be the sixth house. This is where we look for clues about how you approach your day-to-day chores. As you note, you have hardworking Saturn in this area of your chart. You also have Pluto in the sixth house, which is definitely not a signature for laziness, and I’ll bet you delegate tasks very well!

The sign on the cusp of the sixth house can tell us something, along with the placement of the sixth-house ruler. You have Libra on the cusp of the sixth house, and Libra is ruled by Venus. I might be tempted to chalk it up to this, as Libra’s job is primarily to look beautiful and make sure everyone feels good. But Libra’s ruler, Venus, is in Virgo, a service-oriented, down-to-earth sign that doesn’t shy away from hard work.

Your Cancer Sun could perhaps be the culprit, as Cancer does love creature comforts. Still, this wouldn’t make you lazy. Mars, the planet that rules physical energy, is very well-placed in your chart, so we can count that out, too.

Since nothing jumps out at me, I’m going to go with my instinct and say you’re setting the bar too high for yourself, possibly as a result of that sixth-house Saturn. This could be a case of being your own worst critic. I also wonder whether you are challenged enough in your work and daily life. Could it be that your problem is not laziness but boredom?

Got a quick question? Click here to contact Ask Real Astrologers. You must use this form to contact us, or we don’t get your question. Be sure to fill out all the fields, and please spell out the month of your birthday. If you don’t know your time of birth, indicate “time unknown.” Thanks!

Real Astrologer’s Poll: How is it going with Neptune & Co?

We had Mercury square Neptune & Co in April, May, and June; and today Venus is squaring the Aquarius stellium. Mars takes his turn next Monday.

Online Surveys & Market Research

I know I have felt like my mind has been in a fog bank with occasional moments of clarity and inspiration because the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction is sitting in my third house. What about the rest of you?

Libra loves balancetposted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast June 29: Uranus Turns Retrograde

Young King of the Black Isles, by Maxfield ParrishThis is going to be a chaotic week, and all the crying we didn’t do last week or that got blocked for whatever reason may come pouring out now. And this is just the beginning.

Big boys can and do cry. So do big girls, men and women, kings and queens, and everyone in between. There’s too much pressure behind the dam, and sluicing off some of it surely is in order.

I’ve been writing for months about the core wound. Most of us have one, something that permeates our being and keeps playing out in our lives in some variation, even after we’ve identified it and worked to release it. We also have a collective wound, and this, too, manifests in infinite ways. Both will get a workout this week on many levels, and that’s why I’m telling you to go ahead and cry if it hurts. This is one way to find release. There are many others, and we’re well into the process. In the coming weeks and months, there will be more re-opening, cleaning out, closing up, and returning to wholeness.

Uranus turns retrograde on Wednesday. Aquarius and Pisces (Sun and Rising) will feel this the most. It’s slow going for me and at least one other Rising Aquarius I know. We’ve just got no wind in our sails. Just as Uranus is turning retrograde, he is touched by a square from Mercury in Gemini and a sextile from Venus in Taurus. You would have to be very astute to discern the effects of either of these individual aspects, because they are part of a broader configuration that also includes the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction, which will get a favorable trine from Mercury and a difficult square from Venus. This will take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Mars will square Neptune & Co. starting late this week. I have an image of the surgeon’s knife.

There are so many ingredients in the cosmic soup pot this week that detecting any particular one is difficult. But we sure do taste the combined effect. Once again, I believe that those of us who are working through our core issues will feel this strongly. The image that comes to mind is biting the bullet. There’s no anesthetic. We’re going to have to just feel the pain. And when the operation is over, we can cry as much as we need to.

I will be the first to admit that I fear pain. But it is a necessary part of the growth process. It has a tempering effect. It is a sacrifice, and when we sacrifice willingly, something is always gained. The danger is getting addicted to pain. We don’t want that to happen, of course. I’ve written about this before, and many of you have responded with stories that reaffirm this notion.

On Friday, Mercury enters Cancer, and he opposes Pluto on Saturday. Our emotions are our barometer. They are our first clue that something is wrong. But identifying the source of the problem isn’t always easy, and a majority of the time, we attempt to treat symptoms and not the underlying source. With Mercury and Pluto facing off, we may have a confrontation, internal or external, and it won’t be comfortable. But if you hang in there, you will get some extremely valuable information that ultimately will empower you.

Venus enters Gemini on Saturday, making for a very social weekend. It’s Independence Day in the United States, a big weekend for barbecues and family get-togethers. With all the heavy astrological energies in play, having Venus in the light-hearted sign of the Twins will help boost the fun factor.

Speaking of heavy energies, we’re beginning to feel the gravitational pull of the Moon lining up with the Earth and Sun. Cancer and Capricorn will be most vulnerable to the new series of eclipses, which starts next week. Neith will have more on this as we get closer to next Tuesday’s lunar eclipse.

Wishing you all strong and loving hearts,
Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: The Young King of the Black Isles, by Maxfield Parrish, 1906. Originally appeared as a frontispiece for Collier’s “Arabian Nights VIII,” May 18, 1907.

Saturday Extra: Healing Time

healing handsEver since the New Moon in Cancer on Monday, life has been eventful for many of us.

From what I’ve been hearing it’s either been very good or downright awful with little in between. This is consistent with the opposition between the New Moon and Pluto and stationing Uranus in Pisces forming an out of sign t-square with those two.

Three celebrities died recently, two this week and one last: one unexpectedly, Michael Jackson; one sad but anticipated, Farrah Fawcett; and the last peacefully, Ed McMahon. If we consider these high profile people to be the bell weathers of the collective, then I’m sure these deaths were representative of many others. Pluto is the master of clearing out the old to allow for something new to manifest. In the USA in particular, we seem to have the idea we can live forever and spend billions attempting to do that. Why is it so difficult to see death as part of life?

As I’ve commented elsewhere, this turned out to be a very productive period for me as in being able to take care of business in a matter of fact manner. For example, when the dentist’s office called to remind me about an appointment for getting my teeth cleaned on Monday, I brought up costs and when the dentist wouldn’t budge, I canceled the appointment. Those who are not willing to compromise are going to find others telling them, “thank you but no thank you.” Pluto in Capricorn is just getting started – just wait a couple of years and look around you!

Those whose charts are most affected by the Jupiter-Neptune-Chiron conjunction are getting stepped on too, especially if they bet the farm on a certain outcome. The Capricorn lunar eclipse on July 7 finds Mars in Taurus squaring Neptune & Co and that is going to bite, big time. That particular Full Moon squares my natal Moon in Libra, so I’m wincing in anticipation because one way or another, my emotions are going to be all over the place. :::groan:::

Thankfully the tricksy t-square with Uranus has faded but keep in mind Uranus will be stationing retrograde on July 1. It may be just me but I keep getting the feeling we would be much further ahead to take advantage of the hints Uranus is throwing out now to clean up our act because next year Uranus will not be nearly as polite. It will be in Aries – a sign noted for directness.

So throw away the rose colored glasses and start thinking in terms of having several alternative plans in place, always. With all the earth and water dominating the sky right now, it would be wise to forgo the drama, pick up the pieces and move on. Yeah, ouch!

Libra, relationship specialistposted by Neith . . .

Ask Real Astrologers: Wrapping Up an Eclipse Cycle?

This week’s question comes from Rossa in the U.K.:

The third of the summer eclipses, the Full Moon lunar eclipse on August 5, is directly on my natal Sun at 13 Aquarius. What impact will this have on me? The series of three eclipses are close to a number of personal points in my chart, mainly in my first house, so it looks like it may be an intensive summer. Any insights into how these eclipses may resonate with my first house?

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Rossa, as you noted in your e-mail to us, you and I have some similarities in our charts, including our Sun at 13 degrees Aquarius, in the first house. And so yes, you bet I’ve been watching this eclipse and anticipating it with a little bit of anxiety. But just a little.

Somehow it got ingrained in the human psyche that eclipses are ill omens — perhaps because people didn’t understand the celestial mechanics, or maybe because they sensed the disturbance in the Earth’s energy field. Who knows? In any case, modern astrologers don’t have quite as sinister a take on this phenomenon. It’s essentially just a supercharged lunation, which can be challenging because of the intensity, but not necessarily bad.

For you and me, I see an end of one phase of our lives, leading to an open door into the next one. Since this is the last in a series in Aquarius and Leo, there almost certainly will be a wrapping up of some kind. But this could happen before August, as eclipses can be felt 30 days or even more in advance.

The new phase of our lives might include changes in a major relationship, since this series has also focused our attention on seventh-house issues. In my case, I’ve clearly been in a learning and testing period over the past couple of years. While many of the events during this period were extremely painful, I am definitely the wiser for it. Awareness of the choices we make is empowering, and it feels like I’m on more solid ground in terms of choosing who to open myself up to.

Now, I sure am interested to hear what Neith has to say about this!

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Rossa, not only is this the final eclipse on the Leo-Aquarius axis but this August finds the North Node moving from Aquarius into Capricorn in your first house. These changes will be reflected in the collective as well as the personal and you will have the advantage of being able to access these energies very directly. Practical, pragmatic Capricorn replaces visionary Aquarius underscoring the need to take care of the business at hand.

This also fits with Pat’s sense of one phase ending so another can begin. What loose ends do you need to tidy up before you can move forward? It is particularly important to take care of those at this time because when the North Node hits 29° Capricorn it will be exactly sextile your natal Jupiter, triggering your Jupiter-Midheaven conjunction. A sextile does not have the attention getting “zing” of a conjunction or square but it will provide positive opportunities for you to further your career goals.

Don’t forget the Uranus in Pisces sextile to your natal Mars either – as if you could with Uranus sitting at 26° forever! Here again the aspect is a sextile and encourages change without demanding it. The key to working with these delightful sextiles is paying close attention to what’s going on around you.

I tend to believe you will be experiencing the impact of the eclipse between now and when it occurs. The eclipse its self may be the exclamation point on “The End!” Now is a great time to keep your focus on the path immediately in front of you rather than looking at the long view.

Good luck on your journey!

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Weekly Forecast June 22: New Moon in Cancer

Midsummer Eve by Edward Robert HugesNo whining this week. If you’re upset and crying, just stop it now!

OK, that’s not me talking. That’s my evil twin, who has been taken over by Pluto in Capricorn. The Lord of the Underworld in the sign of stern Capricorn has zero tolerance for any show of emotion whatsoever. Under severe strain? Too bad. Pluto in Cap doesn’t care.

I’m telling you this because you are likely to be met by this seemingly heartless attitude as we head into a new week. The New Moon on Monday falls in Cancer, sign of mother, nurturing, and strong emotions, with Pluto in very tight opposition. On one hand, we may feel teary and overwhelmed, while on the other hand, we may butt up against someone who has no sympathy for this kind of behavior. Perhaps it will be a faceless bureaucrat who gave your appointment to someone else because you were 30 seconds late, and you can’t get another appointment for two weeks. Or the cop who doesn’t care that you were driving 5 miles per hour over the speed limit because your mother is having a medical emergency on the other side of town.

Or you may just not find an ounce of sympathy among friends and others you normally rely on when you are feeling dejected and need a shoulder to cry on. At least make sure that you are not the one denying yourself sympathy and forgiveness. That happens, too, and way more often than it should.

On the positive side, you may find out that you are a lot tougher than you think. While we would rather have a soft helping hand, it’s nice to know that when there’s absolutely no one available and we’re on our own, we can manage. We don’t want to become the Marlboro man, happiest when alone on the range, but neither is it desirable to be too reliant on others, too much of the time. Balance is key.

If you haven’t already read Neith’s excellent analysis of this New Moon, check it out. As she points out, we’re heading into a new eclipse cycle, and so the time between this New Moon and solar eclipse on July 21 is a critical period for healing in order to move forward.

Fortunately, we also start out the week with Venus and Mars still in close conjunction, with both at a favorable trine to Saturn. Venus-Mars conjunctions are felt in romantic relationships, so while you may have power struggles and be denied the sympathetic ear you’re looking for, messages of love may come through other behaviors that indicate solid commitment and support. Don’t discount these things, just because they aren’t what you had in mind. As the old Rolling Stones song goes, you can’t always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you get what you need.

We’ll spend most of the rest of the week adjusting to new circumstances or people in our lives, but at least we’ll have a little breathing space.

On Sunday, Saturn conjoins Ceres. Our good friend Tseka is watching this alignment very closely, as are many of us. Ceres is still largely an unknown presence, but I believe we will learn some important information about her meaning in the next couple of weeks. Conjoined with Saturn, we might expect to see older women in the news, especially those with a lot of experience and wisdom.

Much love and courage to all,

Aquarius, the sign of astrologyPat

Image: Midsummer Eve, by Edward Robert Hughes, c.1908. Solstice was on June 21, but we’re still under its magical influence this week.

New Moon in Cancer, June 22, 2009

Summer solstice at Stonehenge, 2007The New Moon at 1° 30′ Cancer arrives the day after the solstice (summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the southern) and is the first of two New Moons in Cancer this year, placing special emphasis on all things related to the fourth house and the Moon – our mothers, our roots, where we feel “at home,” and how we view nurturing of both ourselves and others.

Not only are both the Sun and Moon in Cancer, but they are joined by Vesta, deepening the healing, nurturing side of the watery sign. Vesta’s idea of nurturance is far more impersonal and broader in application than is usually associated with Cancer and the fourth house. She is the fire on the hearth, warming us from a distance rather than the healing touch of a mother’s hand on our forehead. Healing the collective is more in Vesta’s provenance, and there is no doubt in my mind that much needs healing, no matter where you live.

Speaking of healing the collective, Pluto in Capricorn exactly opposes this Cancer New Moon and will be happy to introduce us to all of our shortcomings, especially in how we are managing our lives and resources. Many families are dealing with one or both parents being out of work, and discussions are going on about the painful reality of no funds available for extras. This is an enormous change from just a year or so ago, when many felt “entitled” to expensive perks. Capricorn can come across as very authoritarian — the stern parent — and Pluto has demonstrated time and again that he will have the final say. We are still in the early days of Pluto’s stay in Capricorn and are just beginning to realize how deep the changes will be in both the external and internal landscapes of our lives.

Earth signs can rejoice at the New Moon! The Venus-Mars conjunction in Taurus trine to Saturn in Virgo is perfect for enjoying the types of pleasures you like the most. If you are attending a solstice celebration, it is pretty much a sure thing that the food will be lavish and delicious and the company agreeable. Most of us will be more in the mood than usual for fine food, fine wine, and a laid-back atmosphere, due to the influence of this trine. So light your favorite incense and candles, put on some soothing background music, and relax.

Mercury is back up to speed in his home sign of Gemini and sextile Pallas in Leo. After the stagnation of Mercury in Taurus square Neptune in Aquarius, this is a huge improvement. Those of us who were frustrated out of our minds will love the clarity of this sextile. Networking, organizing, and reading the fine print without your eyes crossing are all favored.

Neptune is currently retrograde, along with Jupiter and Chiron. While the triple conjunction is still in effect, the influence is gradually lessening and will continue to do so for awhile. I don’t know about anyone else, but this is just fine with me. We can only live in the stratosphere so long before coming back to the reality of our day-to-day lives. Those tender places in our hearts and psyches that Neptune & Co. introduced us to now need time to heal. Once a wound has been lanced and drained, it is better to leave it be rather than poking and prodding it some more.

Uranus is currently stationing at 26° Pisces, preparing to go retrograde on July 1. If you have planets at 25-26° in the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces), you no doubt are feeling the electricity in the atmosphere. Although the orb is wide, Uranus also forms an out-of-sign T-square with the New Moon-Pluto opposition. This hints at unexpected events disrupting the status quo, both in the collective and closer to home.

I love the Sabian symbol for 2 Cancer: A man on a magic carpet hovers over a large area of land, with the keyword ELEVATION. One of my favorite concepts is that of raising one’s point of view to the highest possible level to gain perspective. That huge mountain seen from above becomes the proverbial mole hole, enabling us to see our next move much more clearly.

The second New Moon in Cancer this year is the solar eclipse on July 21-22 at 29° 26′. Between now and then is an excellent time to discover more about where we came from in preparation for moving ahead. Healing breaches with our families, both birth and chosen, is worth pursuing now. Applying large doses of generosity and kindness never comes amiss either. A gift of good food, chocolate, or fine wine works, too!

Libra, relationship specialistposted by Neith . . .

Of course, today is the day to write your New Moon abundance checks! Here’s how.

**Please read Pat’s weekly forecast for this week, June 22, for her thoughts on this New Moon and the Solstice sky.

Image: Stonehenge at Solstice 2007 by Scott Barbour / Getty Images Stonehenge has a long, long association with the solstices, both summer and winter. Here is a link for more information as well as photos: Solstice at Stonehenge

Ask Real Astrologers: Did I Miss the Career On-Ramp?

This week’s question comes from Stan in California:

My finances are shot, I’m collecting unemployment, and I have no interest in getting my license to start my own private practice in clinical psychology, as I have “burned out” on being a clinician. I want to make a shift to academia for the intellectual stimulation and challenge and be in a place where I can teach. I know I have the ability and experience and that I need to refresh my knowledge base. Yet, in the last six months, I don’t feel like I’ve done enough, read enough, or retained enough to feel to feel as knowledgeable and as confident in an interview as I felt when in grad school. All I know is that I don’t feel like I’m making progress. Have I missed a sign post and thus headed in the wrong direction? I feel that there are some positive energies in play, yet I don’t feel that I have been able work with them. What am I missing?

Aquarius expounds . . .

Pat’s response:

Stan, first let me say hello to a fellow Aquarius/Rising Aquarius! Second, I can tell you that your natal chart indicates an innate talent for psychology, and you can have a powerfully transformational effect on your clients. In fact, you might even be a little scary for some people, as you can see deeply into their psyche.

This also means, however, that you can burn out easily, as you may have difficulty keeping your own psychic boundaries intact. I would say, off the top of my head, that your best solution is daily physical exercise. This will help you blow off the psychic clutter than you pick up from confused and wounded people.

If you’ve seen your chart, you may know that the rare conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune is taking place right on your Ascendant. This alignment is opening doors on deep healing. As you probably know from your work, this can be a painful process, and in your case, it is going to continue for the rest of the year. I don’t think you will be able to see your way clearly until this process is over. By next January, you will have a much better idea of your direction, and you’ll also have Jupiter in your first house to help you find great opportunities for advancement.

Aquarius is the sign of the future, and many of us are ahead of our time. I believe that your unique role will be in finding new perspectives on human psychology that will help heal humanity, starting with yourself. One of the topics I’ve written about extensively is the wound between male and female energies on the planet. You have a close conjunction of Venus and Mars in your first house, and Uranus (your ruler) currently is transiting these planets. Uranus is the Awakener, so I believe that you will be awakened to the dual nature of this energy in everyone, and this new information somehow will be of great use to you in your practice.

The very best of luck to you, and thanks for writing!

Libra ponders . . .

Neith’s response:

Stan, as Pat noted Jupiter-Chiron and Neptune have just crossed your Ascendant and are now in your first house. The other transiting planet in your first house is Uranus in Pisces, currently stationing at 26? Pisces preparing to come back over your natal Mars-Venus conjunction. This is a great deal of activity in your first house stressing the possibility of doing a major overhaul of your image among other things.

Your natal Mars-Venus conjunction is also the tip of a Yod, or Finger of God, with Pluto in Leo in your sixth house sextile the Saturn-Neptune conjunction in Libra in your eighth. This pattern pulls together the elements that make you an excellent psychologist from compassionate Pisces to transformative Pluto and to have Uranus about to make its second pass over the tip, it makes complete sense to me you feel the need for change. The third and final pass will come during the first three months of 2010.

It is likely Neptune crossing your Ascendant has obscured matters because Neptune is extremely good at that. My recommendation would be to see if you can sort through the mish mash of expectations, both yours and those of others, over the next few months and see if you can work with those that put you, the nurturer, first. This is all part of an ongoing theme in your chart where Neptune and Uranus are pulling you in different directions. I’m sure you are familiar with the concept of nurturing the nurturer but this is my sense of what’s needed now.

Perhaps when Jupiter moves back into your twelfth house at the end of July and reduces the cacophony in your first house, it will be easier to find your sign post. Jupiter is pretty darn loud at times.

Best of luck in finding your way into academia!

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