Your Original Lunar Living Connection since 2001

2023 June Solstice
June 21 — September 23, 2023

This year's June Solstice (Summer in the Northern Hemisphere/Winter in the Southern) carries a bit of a punch with it as the Sun was moving from Gemini into Cancer, it was forming an inconjunct (quincunx) aspect to Pluto retrograde in Capricorn on the anaretic degree. The anaretic degree carries intensity to the next level. We feel unsettled by the influence of the last degree of any sign, and when there is an aspect between planets in the last degree of signs, we feel even more jittery with anticipation (or dread) of what is to come. When the Sun is moving from Gemini or Sagittarius into Cancer or Capricorn, it is a solstice event of either being the longest day of the year, or the shortest day of the year, which also adds its own level of intensity. Regardless, there is always a fresh change about to occur as we push into a new season.

We are moving from our "personal/inner influence" signs into our connections with others signs. Cancer's influence tends to focus upon our familial connections. Our personal reputation can be put to the test as family members will expect more from us this month. There are emotional ties and memories connected to this shift that force us to come to terms with our past as we move into our future.

The Sun on the cusp of Cancer is moving out of the square to Neptune in Pisces. Great time to journal for the next few months, so that we can reflect on current events with more clarity.

The Moon in Leo could have us hankering for love and respect. The question might be, have we earned it? This is a great time to learn new skills or play some new games with family and friends. Moon is square to Jupiter in Taurus. Be careful not to exploit the knowledge about others to justify inappropriate behaviors. Working on improvements is always a great use of the Moon square Jupiter aspect.

Mercury in Gemini is sextile to Mars in Leo. Impulsivity and spontaneity could work to our advantage. However, be careful not to jump into situations that are best left alone. Be ready to utilize an escape if necessary, as we may realize that our first inclination may not have been the right decision.

Venus and Mars are in Leo in a conjunction, which truly fuels excitement and passion. While romance may not be the only form of passion we feel, there tends to be a sense of love, love, and more love, when Mars and Venus transit through Leo together. Watch the heart, as there may be an overload of excitement. Leo rules over the heart, physically and metaphorically. Other body parts associated with Leo are the back, spine, and major arteries leading into and out of the heart. Mars has a habit of putting strain on our bodies, relative to the sign it is transiting. Add in the fact that Mars is square to Uranus in Taurus, the planet of sudden occurrences, and, well.... We all get the gist of this, right?

Jupiter in Taurus is in a tight sextile to Saturn retrograde in Pisces. We may be encouraged to let go of some preconceived notions. Whether we do let go, is up to us. But it can't hurt to, at the very least, explore the whys of our beliefs. Do we believe them because of what we have been told by others, i.e. what our parents told us based on their beliefs? Or do we believe them because of societal norms? Or did our life experience form the belief, but now there's a question about that experience? Regardless of the reason, we are likely to learn more now that Jupiter and Saturn are working together to open up some fresh and new perspectives.

Neptune in Pisces is forming a strong sextile to Pluto retrograde in Capricorn. Intuition may be guiding us, but the nature of Pluto is to undermine all things that are out of date. Pluto's retrograde can also unearth discoveries. We may learn some new information from our past.

All in all, this Solstice chart is mostly balanced. Where we are likely to get stuck is the low number of Air Sign placements, and the high number of Fixed Sign placements. We may get stuck on an idea that is not useful for our growth, and we lack the ability to logically think it through to a better conclusion. The objective is to tap into other resources to get the most out of this new season before September rolls up on us.