The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - June 2019
Astrologers define four days of the annual solar cycle as "cardinal points". These are the days when the Sun makes an important transition and a new season begins. These days are the Summer and Winter Solstice, and the Spring and Autumnal Equinox. The equinoxes pertain to the Sun crossing the equator. This is the time the Sun is at zero degrees Aries, when spring begins, and zero degrees Libra, when Autumn begins. The solstices pertain to the time when the Sun reaches its northern peak at zero degrees of Cancer (Summer Solstice) and begins its journey south. The southern peak occurs when the Sun reaches zero degrees Capricorn (Winter Solstice) marks the annual journey of Sun moving north. In terms of latitude, the Sun reaches 23 degrees, 26 minutes north at the Summer Solstice. It reaches 23 degrees 26 minutes south latitude at the Winter Solstice. Although the Sun never goes north or south of 23/26, the other planets can and do. When these planets go beyond that latitude they are called "out of bounds."
The tropics of Cancer and Capricorn mark the limits of the Sun. It's as if they provide the proper parameters within which daily life takes place. When another planet goes beyond those confines, however, they are freer to act as they choose. There aren't always out of bounds planets and when there are, they don't often remain there very long. Sometimes they could be more intense, insisting that we pay more attention to them than we normally do. Other times the out of bounds planet simply is beyond our ability to use and integrate them into our daily lives.
At this time there are two out of bounds planets: Mercury and Mars. Mercury has been out of bounds since May 27 and will come back in bounds on June 17. Since Mercury pertains to communication, we can use this period to assess the way we share ides with others when Mercury is north of 23/26. When it first went outside the lines, it was in Gemini, the sign of communication. It remained in Gemini until June 4 when it transited into Cancer, where it will remain until it comes back inside the line. In Gemini, we could assume a tendency to be excessive in our mental activity. Whether it promotes learning, reading, writing or sharing our ideas with others in a variety of ways, Mercury out of bounds in Gemini can take our curiosity and our minds into new, unusual and exciting places. In Cancer, however, there could a reverse tendency. We may become overly and emotionally attached to our ideas to the point that we don't share them much at all. Again, with a planet out of bounds its expression may tend to be more extreme. This is not a deliberate or conscious choice, it's simply the way the energy tends to flow and manifest.
Mars may be more problematical then Mercury. Mars pertains to assertiveness, physicality and new beginnings. It, too, began this phase in Gemini, but transiting into Cancer in mid-May. It will remain there until after it returns to 23/36. Mars in Cancer tends to heighten our emotions, both in expression as well as in response. When out of bounds, this tendency may become more extreme. We could either be more expressive of what we are feeling or be less inclined to open up and more likely to hide or bury what we feel. For example, we could surprise outselves about how spontaneous and courageous we are about sharing our feelings, beginning new forms of exercise or simply being more adventurous in our lives in general. Of course, the opposite extreme could also be taking place. We could feel so overwhelmed with our feelings and so self-conscious and vulnerable that we get stuck and stifle any kind of drive to share ourselves or engage in external activity.
The Solstices and the Equinoxes begin new seasons and provide the opportunity for new beginnings during that season. The Summer Solstice this year brings significant opportunities to address new ways to deal with our mind (Mercury) and our bodies (Mars). Being thoughtful about how to integrate the extreme potentials of out of bounds planets offers new ways to apply those energies in our practical daily lives.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: You may feel quite challenged by the out of bounds Mars in Cancer. You tend to be direct. Mars in Cancer is indirect. This is a good time to practice being more receptive to other's plans or ideas. This will also enable you to be more aware of your feelings about what you are doing or how you are responding to the desires of others.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Early month provides the energy to be consistent and persevering in achieving practical goals. Later month shifts the focus. Although you may prioritize the physical, especially financially or a general quest for security, you could also be swayed by idealized perceptions or goals. Real security comes from remaining grounded.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Your ruling planet Mercury will be conjunct Mars when they are both out of bounds this month. This can provide a lot of social and mental energy. This is a good time to begin a new project that focuses on self-awareness and personal growth. Pay attention to the connection between your mind and your feelings.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The New Moon in Gemini on the 3rd and the Full Moon in Sagittarius on the 17th emphasize learning and travel for you this month. The New Moon offers the potential to become psychologically aware. This could include downloading some significant intuitive or spiritual insights. The Full Moon provides energy for exciting, even unexpected, journeys.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: The challenge for you this month is to stay grounded. Big plans and ideas could cause you to be carried away and not aware of potential limits. If something you want to do seems too good to be true, it may very well be a fantasy. Don't become overly joyful or expectant about something until you contemplate the potential downsides.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: Power struggles at work, with colleagues or bosses, could impel new beginnings for you this month. This could pertain to finding and starting a new job or simply being more authentic and self-affirming in your current one. This is a good time to stand up to a bully, but make sure you are not acting as one yourself.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: This month is a good time to focus on long term financial planning. Early month is a good time to review and define your goals. Later month could bring a tendency to change them from being more practical to being more speculative. Growth and security come from maintaining the conservative approach.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This is a time to avoid extremes. This could in anything from emotional expression to physical activity. Your sense of courage could be very strong. Growth can come from tempering that drive with practical considerations and thoughtfulness of others.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: This year may have brought feelings of unbridled joy and optimism. These could have been countered by practical constraints that ultimately have limited the outcome of your enthusiasm. This is a time to pull back, focus on feedback from others, and research new ways of being practical in pursuing your goals.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Power struggles and control issues in personal relationships that may have been underground, come to the surface this month. Growth and harmony can come from each person expressing their needs and feelings in an environment of patience, receptivity and love.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: Two themes emerge for you this month. One is the potential to being creative, especially in the home or garden. The second is focusing on your health. Whether new challenges come up or you are simply striving to be more proactive in maintaining good health, dialoguing with others or reading and researching can bring clarity about new methodologies to practice.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: This is a good time to look inward for guidance. This is useful to discern the difference between ideas or visions that are potentially achievable and those that feel good but may essentially be fantasies. Growth can come from being confident in your new insights and acting accordingly.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and Astrology and Consciousness and The Astroreader. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. Call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.