It might be too much to say that harmony reigns in June, but it should be possible for many of us to make the most of the late springtime energy. Let’s spend some time understanding the lunar cycle, as it lines up nicely with the calendar month this June. Of all the cosmic events that take place in the skies, the Moon’s cycle is the one most directly related to what manifests here on earth. The Moon is the "Cosmic Mother," and she’s said to "bring down" the energies of the other planets, to make them real for us here on the ground.
The "New Moon" on June 3rd coincides with the beginning of the month. The week before a New Moon is usually a winding-down of energy, a time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished and to begin to make plans for the future. These plans are like planting seeds, or perhaps just deciding what type of seeds we want to plant. The day of the New Moon itself, as well as the day before and usually the day after, is a very quiet time, best given to meditation and reflection, or at most to taking care of routine tasks.
As the Moon begins to grow, we can begin to move out in the world and put our plans into action. The time to initiate action can come just a day or two after the New Moon, but we often find that the real decisions have to be made around the First Quarter Moon, which this month falls on the 10th. The First Quarter Moon is the point where we commit to a course of action, or, if we’ve embarked on a "false start," it can also be the time when we decide not to go ahead with a project.
When the Moon reaches its full stage, a week later, we begin to see the results of our actions. This month, the Full Moon falls on the 18th. Full Moons are indeed very active times, known for bringing out a certain madness in some folks (the origin of the phrase "lunatic" as well, I’m sure, of the idea that werewolves transform during the full Moon). On a less ominous level, Full Moons are great times for partying and social engagements, and can be very productive times in business and at work. The energy might sometimes be a little "wild," but the Full Moon can brew us a cosmic cup of coffee, often what we need to really say "yes!" to something.
A week later, the Moon is at the Last Quarter. It rises late in the evening, and we often fail to see it unless we look to the morning sky. This is the time of "harvesting," of really understanding what we have, and haven’t, accomplished. We begin to let go of projects, which often have taken on a life of their own by this time. This month, the Last Quarter Moon is on the 26th.
Of course, there are variations in the lunar cycle each month. For example, the sign that the new, quarter, and Full Moons will be in changes each month. In June, the New Moon is in the sign of Gemini, suggesting that the seeds we plant will be of a sociable, outgoing nature - maybe doing something for neighborhood schools or planning a block party. The Full Moon is then in the opposite sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius. A Sag Moon has the potential for some serious partying, but also can challenge us in terms of our beliefs and our faith.
As important as the lunar cycle is, we also have to consider the other planets, as they will influence the type of energy the Moon is helping to manifest. This month, the planets are in a very harmonious mood from the new Moon on the third all the way up until the First Quarter Moon on the 10th. It’s a great time to work on relationships, as the planet Venus is very busy during this time, but it should also benefit students who are finishing up the school year and reviewing for tests.
Things get a little spicier after the first quarter. On the 12th and 13th Venus and the Sun take turns squaring off against Uranus, an unpredictable energy. Relationships which aren’t working are likely to break off, but we’ll also be open to trying something new. The need for personal space and freedom will be running high, and a "don’t fence me in" mindset prevails.
On the 18th, Venus opposes Pluto, an opportunity (of sorts) for us to confront the question of what we really want and need in our relationships. As this is happening on the Full Moon, things are likely to be made very explicit.
Then on the day of the Last Quarter Moon, June 26th, Uranus stations to go retrograde. Uranus stations tend to make us all a little edgy, as we seek to express our individuality and free ourselves from constraints. Although this is a good day to innovate and try something new and funky, try to maintain a little perspective. Uranus stations can make us feel like we’ve had a chocolate bar with an "energy drink" chaser, so maybe it’s the sort of day where you can trade in your grande latte for a nice mint tea.
One more thing gets our attention this month. On the 14th, Pluto backtracks into Sagittarius after four months of testing the waters of Capricorn. Pluto’s years in Sag were a time when we focused on our beliefs, when we argued about things like evolution, immigration, and religion, and also when we explored new dimensions of spirituality. We’ll have a chance to revisit these things now that we’ve had a taste of much more concrete issues like inflation, high oil prices and food shortages. We might find that the air has been let out of our enthusiasm for the somewhat more abstract concerns of Sag, but we can also learn what remains to be taken into the future with us.
Armand M. Diaz, M.A., C.A., is certified as a Consulting Astrologer by the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR). His approach to astrology readings is to create a supportive context for self-exploration, to help clients make decisions which are in harmony with their greatest potential. Armand has studied divination and oracles for more than twenty years, working primarily with the I Ching in addition to astrology. He has published articles on the astrology of politics and social phenomena in Geocosmic Journal , The Astrological Journal, and The Mountain Astrologer. He can be reached at 917-216-1541 or armand@bluemoonastrology.info