Exact at 12pm BST, exact at 7am EDT.
 
This New Moon has the power to transform our inner lives and relationships, which could rattle our sense of emotional security somewhat. The Sun and Moon are flanked by Mercury and Venus in Cancer, the sign of the home, family, our childhood and ancestral roots, all of which are very personal indeed. Cancer also represents our homeland, and I for one can definitely say that my country is experiencing quite a wobble right now! People’s sense of security has been severely threatened by recent events and it seems that a time of upheaval and transformation is inevitable. Cancer symbolises our inner world and the emotional patterns we have formed in childhood in order to feel a sense of safety and emotional security. As we move into adulthood these patterns can wreak havoc in our relationships as they unconsciously play out over and over again until we become conscious and aware of them.  This Moon could make us all too aware of these patterns, which on the one hand could be rather uncomfortable while on the other hand gives us a chance to transmute them so that they lose their power over us. It certainly feels like our foundations are being rocked at the moment, as many feel like they are standing on shaky ground.
 
The Saturn Neptune square is being activated by this Moon, making the energy of the square quite prominent both personally and collectively. Saturn could make us feel quite fearful and somewhat apprehensive and pessimistic while Neptune, who is forming a positive aspect to the Sun, Moon and Mercury, asks us to have faith and trust that somehow we are being guided in the right direction. Saturn’s nagging, challenging aspect could make us feel divided, separate, gloomy, judgemental, despondent, and force us to confront some potential realities we would rather not face. Saturn aspecting the Moon can easily make us feel quite cut off from one another, highlighting our differences and making us feel quite alone. In challenging aspect to Mercury, the planet of the mind and communication, he can cause us to see the darker side of reality and feel quite depressed.  In Sagittarius he can make us far too rigid in our beliefs, so that we find it hard to back down. We may also find that what we thought was true is in fact not true at all. Walls of illusion come crumbling down.
 
Neptune reminds us that, despite any apparent differences, we are all from the same melting pot and so we must be kind and gentle with one another, especially in times of adversity. Neptune helps us to connect with one another on a deeper level and to see the true spirit within each of us rather than the masks we can so hide behind. Neptune helps us to trust enough show our vulnerability and also have compassion and empathy for one another.  On the other hand, Neptune can also cause us to fall into the role of being the victim, while Saturn in Sagittarius asks us to pull our socks up and take responsibility for the part we have played in our own story.  He also reminds us to keep an eye on the big picture. The Saturn Neptune square is an ongoing battle between fear and unconditional love, between judgment and acceptance, between hard control and surrender/going with the flow, between separation/division and One Love. These are not easy times, but we can only hope that something good will come out of it all. It is very important not to succumb to fear. Sometimes things have to swing really far in one direction in order for us to find balance.
 
Pluto in Capricorn is also forming an opposition to the Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus. The planet of the soul and transformation is a very big player in this New Moon. Not only is he aspecting Venus, the planet of relating, but oppositions tend to play out in our relationships. The transforming energy of Pluto in Capricorn exposes the flaws and rot in the structure of our lives, then destroys whatever isn’t working so that we can then rise like the Phoenix out of the ashes, reborn and renewed. Pluto is the planet of the soul, so he tends to push us out of stagnation and gives us a bit of a cosmic kick up the bum so that we remain true to ourselves and our journeys. As the planets under fire are all in Cancer, it is quite likely that we will experience quite a wobble as our emotional security is threatened and we have to face up to any emotional patterns that may be undermining us. Cancer represents our tender underbelly, so Pluto’s transforming energy could cause us to feel quite vulnerable and force us to face some rather uncomfortable emotional truths!
 
Pluto is also the planet of power, so issues of power and powerlessness could well come to the surface during this time. We may become very aware of where we give our power away and also where we are holding too much power, which can be equally uncomfortable. This could be a good time to redress the balance somehow, through conscious intention. On a collective level we are dealing with the exposure of what simply isn’t working any more within the power structures that rule us, and are facing the destruction of these failing structures and systems so that something more appropriate can take their place. What that is exactly is uncertain as yet, which is highly unsettling as our sense of security on every level is being shaken and rattled. Again, instead of falling into fear it is important to have faith and trust that somehow we are heading in the right direction and to remember that Pluto doesn’t destroy anything that is still needed, only that which is rotten or obsolete. Pluto entered Capricorn, the sign of structure, government and authority, in January 2008 and will remain there until 2024, so we are experiencing a very long, gradual, profound breakdown and transformation of our power structures. It will be interesting to see what kind of world we will be living in when it is all over.
 
On Wednesday of this week Mars in Scorpio has finally gone direct after having been retrograde since April and on Tuesday Chiron the Wounded Healer has gone retrograde. Mars retrograde may have made us feel like we were unable to push forward somehow in some areas of our lives and this could have caused us to reassess what it is we really truly want. Mars is direct, straightforward, assertive and when it is retrograde is causes us to internalise that energy. This can cause anger to turn inward and a feeling of beating our head against a brick wall! It can also lower our motivation and energy levels. It must have been important for Mars to travel back into Scorpio, so that we have another opportunity to bravely face our shadows and intimacy issues, but it has also brought to the surface quite a lot of repressed rage, cruelty and people spouting their version of the truth in no uncertain terms! Now Mars is going direct and the Saturn Neptune square is waning we could experience a lessening in our anxiety levels and a bit more energy and courage to make whatever changes are necessary in our lives.
 
Chiron’s orbit lies between Saturn and Uranus, so he represents the bridge between the old and the new world.  As his energy has been very strong this week it does seem very appropriate that we are seeing a chasm between the old systems crumbling and the need for something new to take their place. On a personal level, while Chiron is retrograde we may be forced to go within and revisit old wounds and recognise where we feel pain and shame, both personally and collectively. It is quite likely that we will feel more sensitive and easily triggered than usual, but it is a perfect opportunity for healing because as the wounds are opened we have a chance to become more consciously aware of them and to heal them with forgiveness and compassion for ourselves and others. The key is not to deny the pain but to move through it, acknowledging that it has made you who you are. Everyone is wounded in one way or another and it is important to remember this. It is our times of pain and suffering that humbles us and opens our hearts so that we have compassion and empathy for our fellow man. As our hearts break open we soften and show who we really are. We breathe a sigh of relief.
 
The Sabian Symbol for Chiron at 26° Pisces is “Watching the very thin moon crescent appearing at sunset, different people realise that the time has come to go ahead with their different projects”.  The original symbol was written as “A New Moon that divides its differences”. This feels very relevant right now and it is a poignant reminder that we don’t all have to think or react the same way. Sometime a break or a split is necessary, while sometimes simply allowing one another to get on with our own thing for a while is what’s needed. Dane Rudyar says of this symbol that there should be “a realisation of the FALLACY OF TOTALITARIANISM; at times we can all act like despots, demanding that others react to any situation exactly as we do.”, while Lynda Hill speaks of “People splitting up and splitting off. New opportunities and potentials. The beginning of a new age. Letting go of the old and outworn. Separations. Embracing one’s future without the need for others. Coming to a fork in the road. The dawning of a new era”. It all feels very appropriate indeed right now.
 
This does seem like an important New Moon for setting some heartfelt intentions, but we must be careful to be very clear about what exactly it is that we want for ourselves. We really do get what we ask for and the universe can be quite literal in its delivery, as I have discovered the hard way! This definitely does seem like a time when our sense of emotional security is experiencing a major wobble, but it is very much necessary for our growth and evolution, both personally and collectively. Sometimes we have to let go of something completely in order for it to be found again in a purer, healthier form. This may mean having to lose whatever gives us our sense of emotional security, including hope, so that we realise that we won’t completely fall apart without it. Then, when and if it is returned to us, we are less dependent on it. It is no longer a crutch. When it comes down to it we are all responsible for our own emotional security. We will not find it from anything or any person outside of ourselves. This is the lesson of Cancer.
 
Much love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture – Phoenix Egg – Hannah Böving

Full Moon exact at 12.22pm BST, 7.22am, EDT
Solstice exact at 11.34pm BST, 6.34pm EDT
 
This is a very energetic Full Moon, as it occurs eleven hours before the Summer Solstice and also coincides with the peaking of the Saturn Neptune Square and the Jupiter North Node conjunction. June has been a very intense month, what with the Saturn Neptune square building in strength and retrograde Mars in Scorpio causing blood to boil and emotions to run high as people’s version of the truth is revealed in no uncertain terms! Mars will be stationing direct during this Moon, which means his passionate, transforming, cauterising energy will be at its strongest. We shouldn’t be surprised if we experience intense, seething rage or power games during this time, as this energy can be quite destructive. We will have to be brave spiritual soldiers and be willing to face some truths that might be difficult to face and to confront some aspects of ourselves that we might usually prefer to deny and hide away from ourselves and others. The scorpion’s sting comes out in very direct, forthright ways with Mars in Scorpio, and the truth could well cut like a knife. Better out than in, however, and at least we will know where we stand!
 
The Moon is full, for the second time this month, in jovial, optimistic and enthusiastic Sagittarius, sitting directly opposite the Sun in versatile, curious, sociable Gemini. This is the axis of the lower and higher mind, the left and right brain, the rational and the intuitive, the city and the country. It’s all about finding the balance between the two. Gemini is known for his sophistication and street smarts and likes to have his finger on the pulse and be up on the latest trends. Sagittarius, however, is happy to gain his information and wisdom from a dragonfly, or a giant oak tree in the middle of the forest, and isn’t exactly known for having a silver tongue! Quite the opposite, in fact, as Sagittarius is well known for being so frank and honest that they can easily suffer from foot in mouth syndrome! Again, this shows more potential for the truth to be revealed in the build up to this Moon. Both the Sun and Moon are in the very last degree of Gemini and Sagittarius, which is a very critical and potent degree and means that we are tying up loose ends pertaining to the signs and could feel a sense of urgency about dealing with whatever issues we are facing.
 
The Saturn Neptune square is exact on the June 18th, so its energy will still be very strong indeed at the time of the Full Moon. There are three of these squares – the first was in November of last year and the last one will be in September of this year. It’s not over yet!  Saturn and Neptune are such different energies, as Saturn likes to stay in control, while Neptune loves to go with the flow. Faith and trust are a big part of the picture at the moment, as we are being asked to let go of the need to direct the flow of our lives and to trust that we are being guided in the right direction and that whatever is happening is for our greatest good. In the same token, and to continue with the truth theme, Saturn is shining his rather harsh light of reality into areas of our life that we may be deluded about, so we may experience disillusionment and sadness and we are forced to face up to some uncomfortable truths. This square certainly forces us to take our heads out of the proverbial sand and face whatever we might have been hiding from.
 
The energy of the square is very heavy in nature and can make things seem quite bleak. Saturn has a tendency to look at things from a rather dark, pessimistic perspective, and with Neptune thrown into the mix there is the potential for experiencing irrational fear and anxiety, and we could find it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel or understand why things are happening the way they are. Again, faith and trust are what’s needed here, as it is all happening according so some kind of higher plan. Saturn represents government, authority, structure and boundaries, while Neptune represents unconditional love, transcendence and unity, reminding us that we are all connected and what happens to one happens to all. Separation is an illusion. The square has definitely made the divide between the two very apparent, as we deal with the refugee crisis and also the EU referendum.  Do we close our boundaries or keep them open and free flowing? Do we close our hearts through fear or allow love, empathy and compassion for our fellow man to guide us?
 
Neptune and Chiron the Wounded Healer will both be slowing down this week, getting ready to go retrograde in Pisces, so their energy will be very strong indeed during this Moon. Our intuition and imaginations could be greatly heightened, as could our compassion and empathy. We could be a bit more sensitive than usual and more easily triggered than at other times. Hearts could break open. This is a great time to become aware of our blind spots and any wounds that might be wreaking havoc in our personal lives and relationships. We could experience beautiful, open-hearted connection with one another as we dissolve any boundaries and have some very sweet, poignant interactions with our loved ones and strangers alike.  It is also possible that we may have a greater need to escape or deny reality, especially if it is too painful to face. It is very important that we treat ourselves with the same compassion and forgiveness that we would have for our loved ones, because so often we are much harder on ourselves than we would be on others!
 
Jupiter will form an exact conjunction with the North Node in Virgo on the June 25th, for the second time this year. The North Node represents where we want to get to on a soul level in order to move forward and evolve. Sometimes we can resist what we know is good for us, but with Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion and ruler of the Sagittarius Moon, sitting on top of it we are being given the opportunity to take a giant leap forward on our journey. Often when things are at their most challenging and seemingly so bleak there is also a chance to move forward and grow on a deeper level. As such, this conjunction is like a shining light of hope in the midst of the quite difficult energy that surrounds us at the moment. It reminds us that whatever we are going through, both personally and collectively, is not in vain! We may have certain beliefs shattered during this time, but only if they are holding us back. Jupiter is also part of a Grand Mutable Square involving Saturn, Neptune and the ruler of the Gemini Sun, Mercury, so there is a lot of pressure building during this Moon and we could struggle to keep the faith and not get drawn into feelings of fear and anxiety. Watch the chattering monkeys!
 
The Sabian symbol for the degree of Virgo that Jupiter and the North Node are conjoining in is: “A volcanic eruption”, which Dane Rudyar describes as “the explosive energy of long-repressed contents of the subconscious. It may be a spectacular catharsis, but it often takes paths of destruction. Yet unless some form of purification by fire is experienced, the inner pressure of the karmic past or of more recent frustrations would shake up perhaps even more destructively the very foundations of the personality.” This Sabian symbol speaks for itself really, and reinforces the sense that things are coming to a head towards the end of this month! Whatever has been building within us will demand release. A volcano brings to mind the energy of Mars in Scorpio. Anything that erupts out of us during this time we should just let go and let it flow, because resistance won’t do us any good whatsoever. As we let it out and clear space we have a chance for that giant leap forward in growth. Exciting!
 
Interesting times indeed! I think that we just have to ride the waves and have the faith and trust that whatever comes out now is for our highest good. Sagittarius certainly has that faith, as he sees life as a big adventure wherein even the hard times and challenging situations have so much to teach us! It’s just all part of the twist and turns of life! The Summer Solstice is also occurring on the 20th, the same day as the Full Moon, which definitely heightens the energy of the day! It is a time when the Sun (spirit) seems to stand still and we celebrate the light in the Northern Hemisphere on the longest day of the year. The Solstice represents the start of a new cycle, which is very appropriate indeed, so we must honour this energy by setting some positive intentions for ourselves and this planet we live on. It might be good to imagine ourselves, our loved ones and the entire planet surrounded by a healing white light, filling everything and everyone with love and peace.
 
“You have to keep breaking your heart until it opens” Rumi
 
Happy Solstice!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Picture: Unknown

​GEMINI NEW MOON – Sunday 5 June – 3.59am BST, Saturday 4 June – 10.59pm EDT!
 
This New Moon is very potent indeed, as it also completes the square between Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter that has been so prevalent in recent times, making a Grand Mutable Cross.  This is a very good time to set some positive intentions for ourselves and contemplate what we need to leave behind in the dark of the Moon so that we can walk into the light. Gemini is the sign of the mind and communication, so we may become more aware than usual how our thoughts and words have an impact on our lives and the lives of others. Indeed, we may also be more conscious about how other people influence the way we think and act. A throwaway comment can have such a huge impact, more so that we think, so it is important to be mindful of what we say to others and also of how much power we give to what other people say to us. It is important to remember that while people may have good intentions, when they speak or advise they are also projecting themselves and their opinions onto our situation. Gemini season could make us all too aware of how powerful the spoken word is, as it really does have the ability to inspire, encourage, hurt or harm.
 
The Sun and Moon are joined by Venus in Gemini, and these three will be forming an exact conjunction at the time of the New Moon. Venus is the planet of love, values and relationships, and in Gemini this could make for a very light and playful time for our relationships, when we want to be out and about sharing ideas and thoughts with like-minded people. We may also find ourselves talking about our relationships with our loved ones, as communication should flow quite easily and it will be easy to maintain a sense of humour. There is something very youthful about Gemini, who is very sociable and likes to have his finger in many pies. This could be quite a restless, nervous time too, when we find it hard to keep still and our minds could be very alert and active. Gemini rules the left side of the brain, so we might find it a bit hard to switch off the monkey minds! It might be good practice to observe where they take us, however, and to become more conscious of our train of thought and whether it is positive or negative, fearful or hopeful. How we think has such a huge impact on our reality, so it is very important to be mindful of it.
 
As I said, we also have Grand Cross involving the Sun, Moon and Venus with Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter. Saturn’s influence could help us scrutinise our thought processes and our relationships, as he tends to shine the harsh light of reality onto whatever planet he is aspecting. He makes us aware of our limitations and in aspect to Venus he can make it quite obvious where our relationships need a bit of work. Solid relationships will only be strengthened and deepened by Saturn’s influence, while those that are on shaky ground could find themselves faltering under his unforgiving gaze. With Neptune involved we could become very aware of how we bury our heads in the sand and refuse to see things how they really are. It’s so easy to put the rose-tinted spectacles on and only see what we want to see, but this Moon could force us to face reality head on. It is also important to remember that combination of Saturn and Neptune could be causing irrational fears to surface in us and our anxiety level s could be higher than usual. This can make reality seem rather overwhelming and make us want to bury our heads in the sand all over again!
 
On the other hand, Neptune could also help us to let go of any rigid beliefs that are keeping us stuck and sabotaging our lives and relationships. We all have a set of beliefs that are so ingrained that it is hard to see just how much they influence everything we do and every relationship we enter into. They generally stem from childhood and were formed through watching our parents relate, and indeed though how they related to and reacted to us. During this time we have a chance to recognise and release these beliefs. Conscious awareness is an amazing thing, because once we are able to recognise a particular belief or way of thinking that we are holding onto then we can start to work on dissolving and releasing it. This is where our close relationships can be very helpful, because the other person is able to see us more clearly than we see ourselves and can point out how we might be holding ourselves back. As long as they do so with compassion and unconditional love, rather than with judgement or blame! We have an opportunity to see where we are stuck or being too rigid and to allow ourselves to surrender to the flow of life with faith the we are being steered in the right direction.
 
Retrograde Mars went back into Scorpio on Saturday 28 May and will be there until 3 August, so this is another opportunity to be brave soldiers and dive into the murky depths and confront our shadows. Mars is the warrior planet who knows no fear, and in the deeply intense and emotional sign of Scorpio we could feel prompted to face the not so pretty parts of ourselves head on. There is something quite primal about Mars in Scorpio and we may find ourselves driven by some deep, unconscious urges coming from the depths of our soul. This could be a good time to go somewhere and let out a good scream! Anything that is toxic in our lives can be brought up to the surface and released, whether it be old trauma, beliefs, attitudes or relationships. It’s an amazing opportunity for some purging, so we must make the most of it!
 
Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, is forming a nagging aspect to this New Moon/Venus combination, so we may be forced to be very honest with ourselves and our loved ones, which on the one hand could make us feel quite vulnerable while on the other hand can greatly increase our intimacy. It takes a lot of bravery to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, even though it may feel like we are revealing our weaknesses. Truths could also be revealed that are initially quite painful, but ultimately very healing. Pluto will be asking us to look within and ask whether our lives and relationships are aligned with our true purpose. Mars in Scorpio definitely has the potential to bring up some very deep, dark, hidden stuff to the surface, and we must be careful not to turn it back on ourselves, as Mars is retrograde after all.
 
The Sabian symbol for this Moon is 15° “Two Dutch children talking to each other, exchanging their knowledge.”  This stresses the importance of finding like-minded people to share our thoughts and ideas with. This is not a time for deep introspection, but rather is a time for us to flit around like butterflies and have open hearted conversations with people who really understand us. The Saturn/Neptune square may cause things to feel a bit heavy, but this Gemini Moon reminds us to have a sense of humour and keep things light and airy. The Saturn/Neptune square will be exact on the 18th of June, and until then we must be aware of the potential for seeing things from the darker, more fearful perspective. It is very important that we recognise when our thoughts are heading in a more fearful direction and work on fostering feelings of faith and hope. Gemini gives us the opportunity to see how our thought processes help or hinder us, so keep a close watch on those chattering monkeys because they could be very revealing!
 
Much Love
 
Amy
xoxo
 
Painting by Ginette Callaway