Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
Explanation: What’s happened to our Sun? Nothing very unusual — it just threw a filament. Toward the middle of 2012, a long standing solar filament suddenly erupted into space producing an energetic Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). The filament had been held up for days by the Sun’s ever changing magnetic field and the timing of the eruption was unexpected. Watched closely by the Sun-orbiting Solar Dynamics Observatory, the resulting explosion shot electrons and ions into the Solar System, some of which arrived at Earth three days later and impacted Earth’s magnetosphere, causing visible aurorae. Loops of plasma surrounding an active region can be seen above the erupting filament in the ultraviolet image. Over the past week the number of sunspots visible on the Sun unexpectedly dropped to zero, causing speculation that the Sun has now passed a very unusual solar maximum, the time in the Sun’s 11-year cycle when it is most active.
Due to last night’s New Moon, home and family matters are in high focus, and new energy is with you to make improvements to these areas of your life, dear Aries. You might immerse yourself in family projects or home improvement activities. Family is more inclusive or you are more interested in setting things right. Later today, you could have a vague feeling that something is not right. Your perceptions may not be as reliable as they usually are, and reading too much into a situation may even get you into trouble. Avoid, as much as possible, spiraling thoughts and wrestling with regrets or recent decisions. You can feel out of touch. Even so, the Moon begins supporting your sign later morning, and this helps you to feel more alert, capable, and confident.
Taurus
Taurus
There are likely to be busy days ahead of you with a New Moon in your solar third house, dear Taurus. New energy is with you for connecting, communicating, and learning. Ideas can fill your head, but so can too much information. Some of your ideas will take and others may not, but don’t worry about the difference between the two just yet. There’s no rush. Plan to make warm and interesting new connections with people, be open to the idea that you need more intellectual stimulation in your life, and look for ways you can improve your approachability. However, watch for taking on so many things that you feel overwhelmed. Later today, a mildly difficult aspect between the Sun and Neptune can point to a feeling that others are draining you of energy or confidence, which can be the result of their negativity or simply your expectations of them.
Gemini
Gemini
A New Moon in your second house occurred last night, dear Gemini, and you are receiving wonderful energy for improving your finances and tending to your personal possessions. The impulse to buy something can be sudden and should probably be tamed just for now, until you get a plan in place. Ideas, and especially money-making ones, come to you with force and passion. Receive and enjoy them, and sort them out patiently as you go along. This can be the start of something special. Even so, later today, you may need to get over a temporary hump in the form of lack of confidence, a mental disconnect, or illusions related to money and work. Enjoy your imagination, but go slowly.
Cancer
Cancer
The yearly New Moon in your sign has just occurred, dear Cancer, pointing to a time for personal new beginnings. What you’d like to change, improve, or initiate is in your hands. You’re suddenly more noticeable and “out there”, and it’s a good time to ride this energy. It’s also a time for personal re-invention. You are always in charge of your destiny, but times like now, you really feel it. Confidence comes across well; excessive preoccupation with yourself doesn’t! People believe in you, and this only serves to motivate you further to present the best version of yourself. However, later today, watch for some self-deception, as you may not be seeing yourself and others very clearly. You mean different things to different people and this can confuse true understanding of yourself, or you may be giving off mixed signals. Treat any hesitance you might feel now as a chance to slow down and make adjustments.
Leo
Leo
Last night’s New Moon occurred in your soul sector, dear Leo, launching a cycle in which you are strongly inclined to take charge of personal and private matters that need your attention, or give more time to a person in need or an important cause. Buried or neglected issues can demand your attention, but for some of you, you may need to take on a supportive role in which you sacrifice some of your personal plans and goals, at least temporarily, in order to take care of or help out other people. You might take the lead on such a matter, or if you are the one who needs extra rest, then you’ll push for that. If you’ve been neglecting your psychic, spiritual, and emotional needs, then this is a time that forces you to acknowledge and tend to them. Later today, a minor difficult aspect involving the Sun (your ruler) in this same sector can leave you yearning for more and especially sensitive psychically. Try not to over-think things. Stick to the simple now.
Virgo
Virgo
Pay special attention to who you meet and ideas that come to you around now, dear Virgo. The New Moon that occurred last night energized your sector of friendships, networking, community involvement, new ideas, technology, and aspirations. What’s happening around the time of this lunation helps pave the way for personal changes and new beginnings. There can be new friends or associations with groups and people who share some similar interests or a common goal, or new beginnings with existing connections. A New Moon is about taking the lead and taking charge. Open yourself to the need for people in your life who offer you new perspectives, a change of pace, and some exciting variety to your daily life. Tonight, however, there can be some tendency to nurse an idealized image of someone or a plan. There can be a strong desire to believe in someone, but at the same time, fear that you’ll discover reasons not to. Try to avoid over-thinking.
Libra
Libra
Last night, a New Moon occurred in your profession and reputation sector, dear Libra. Even if you’re happy in your position as it stands, there are always some tweaks that can be made to improve your professional and public life. New projects and goals, and possibly even a new area of focus on the job, may emerge in the coming days and weeks. Enter these with healthy confidence, not over-confidence. Take the time to plan, and act rather than react. You have more impact on others than usual, so use this time in the spotlight well. Later today, however, when it comes to practical matters, you just aren’t seeing things realistically. In fact, you can swing from pie in the sky to negative thinking, making it a less than ideal time for making big purchases and business decisions. Daydream rather than make solid plans just for now.
Scorpio
Scorpio
Your spirit to explore beyond the ordinary experiences in your life is powerful now and in the coming weeks, dear Scorpio. A New Moon occurred in your expansion sector last night, and this gives you extra energy and resolve to seek out new experiences on mental, physical, and spiritual planes. This can be a period for beginning new activities or projects that feed your thirst for mind-expanding experiences. This is a time of increased bravery and spontaneity. Later today, you may be dealing with mixed messages and minor irritations or delays. The tendency to act in conditioned rather than mindful ways is strong right now, and you would do well to identify these patterns so that you can step around them. Otherwise, it’s a decent day for daydreaming and fantasizing. Take things easy, and slowly right now.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
Last night’s New Moon energized your sector of intimacy and sharing – a sector of your chart that’s making a lot of headlines these days! Now and in the coming weeks, dear Sagittarius, there can be a feeling of revitalization on a deep, inner level. This can be experienced in your relationship with yourself and/or in a partnership. Inhibitions can drop and there is more acceptance of the deeper side of your personality. Alternatively, you might have had enough of a bad habit, addiction, or superstition, and you are suddenly motivated to end it. It’s a time for getting rid of burdens, or sharing their weight with trusted others. You might decide to rid yourself of clutter or debt. You may be saying goodbye to a bad attitude or habit, or getting closer to someone who makes you feel better about yourself. Later today, there is a tendency for people to be indirect, which can be especially annoying to Sagittarians! It’s not the best time for healthy relating patterns, but consider that you might need some personal space.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Last night’s New Moon brings you good energy for starting a new partnership or committing to a new way of enhancing a current relationship, dear Capricorn. Someone in your life could need more support or attention and you may need to put your own plans on hold. It’s time to strengthen your relationships, negotiate, compromise, and strike up deals. It can be a strong period for communications in one-on-one setups. Take in now, and take action when it feels right. If you need to take charge of a relationship issue, you’ll feel the energy to do so. Later today, situations and people may leave you feeling drained or confused. There is a vacillating energy tonight that is best handled by imagining or enjoying entertainment and art than for serious thinking.
Aquarius
Aquarius
You can be tempted and motivated to totally rework your daily routines now with the New Moon having just occurred in your solar sixth house last night, dear Aquarius. A new health program or fitness routine could be implemented now, or you could be doing a top to bottom reorganization of your workspace or home. Whatever gets you more organized and feeling in charge of your daily life is favored. A new project, work task, or even line of work can be on the table. This is an important time for clearing clutter, both physical and mental. Take advantage, but take it easy. Tonight, dreamy or creative activities can be nice detours from pressures.
Pisces
Pisces
You’re receiving a nice boost of energy that jumpstarts a cycle in which taking charge of your life is appropriate, dear Pisces, particularly when it comes to romance, children, creativity, and entertainment. This is a time for making improvements to your life that help restore balance. You are in need of quality leisure time and channels for expressing yourself creatively. Ideas for enjoying life’s more playful moments can come to you in a rush, or opportunities can suddenly appear, ready to grab. Even if your life seems crammed with things to do, you need to learn to make the most of the time you do have for enjoying yourself. Later today, you may be giving off mixed signals, but who can really blame you? It’s hard to project confidence and clarity if you’re not feeling these things inside. If you feel out of the loop, which is quite possible tonight and early tomorrow, hold off. Be easy on yourself.
Sunday corresponds to the sun, our closest star. This day is full of wonder and all sorts of magical potential for success, wealth, and fame. Sundays are for personal achievements of any kind such as working towards a promotion at your job, seeking fame and wealth, or being acknowledged for a job well done. All of these goals fall under the golden influence of the sun. Some suggestions for Sunday enchantments would include:
Sitting outside at sunrise and calling on the goddess Brigid for illumination and inspiration
Wearing gold jewelry or clothing that is gold or sunshine yellow to pull some color magic into your life
Arranging a few sunflowers in a vase and empowering these “flowers of the sun” for fame and ambition
Gathering up the common marigold flower and scattering it’s petals about to encourage prosperity
Baking up a batch of cinnamon rolls for the family and enchanting them for health and success
Snacking on a solar fruit, the orange, and enjoying the magical boost it brings to your life
Pre-existing problems in your relationships or with work can build to a head today, dear Aries. While this may not be the last time you deal with a struggle between personal and professional responsibilities this month, this one can really get you going. You may be feeling bitter and resentful if people have been overstepping their bounds, but many of you could be frustrated with a situation instead of a specific person, as there can be a difficult problem emerging or coming to a head now that’s nobody’s fault per se, but that is overwhelming nonetheless. This is due to the Sun’s yearly opposition to Pluto coming exact midday. Entertain the idea that blocks to plans encountered now can lead you to make important, more realistic and reasonable refinements. There can be a one step forward, two steps back feel to the day, but keep in mind that you’re likely gaining more than it seems. There are heavy expectations and demands on you, and you need a break. The first half of the day, you could be feeling some of these pressures, but as the day advances, you’re more inclined to let things go and give yourself a much-needed break.
Taurus
Taurus
With the Sun in opposition to Pluto today, dear Taurus, an annual event, there can be a feeling of being pushed to the wall emotionally and it can be difficult to know how to resolve problems straight away. Negotiations may not be fruitful with both parties clinging too strongly to their position. You can feel defensive, but this won’t help. In fact, it might only serve to add needless drama to an already difficult situation. A secret may be revealed, or a buried issue can emerge, and it’s important to be discreet. Tension may revolve around opinions or how someone is communicating with you, particularly if you feel that someone is trying to overrule you. While things may be stormy in the first half of the day, if handled well, you stand to learn a lot about your own inner resentments, as well as those things that have been frustrating people in your life. This is a time when building emotions tend to find release through epiphanies and confrontations, but as buried frustrations find their resolution, there can be a nice feeling of personal power. Today may begin on a tense or raw note, but builds to be a rather friendly day.
Gemini
Gemini
Money matters and questions of ownership may be tricky right now, dear Gemini, and will need careful handling as the Sun and Pluto form an opposition across an axis of your solar chart that rules these matters. Somebody could be playing the heavy, and it may be a partner or a financial supporter. You may feel undervalued, and frustrations can come to a head now. Avoid power plays as much as possible. Somebody else could offer excellent advice – don’t let the manner in which it’s given prevent you from learning from it. There could be a tough decision to make today, but making it under pressure will not serve you well, so aim to find a place of calm before you jump into anything. Diplomacy will get you places, however, and is favored over fighting things out. The trick will be to let something go long enough to use your considerable powers of negotiation. As the day advances, you’re likely to feel lighter and possibly quite relieved, particularly if you’ve faced or dealt with a matter that has been weighing you down.
Cancer
Cancer
Avoid a tug of war today, dear Cancer. The Sun is in your sign and forms its annual opposition to Pluto today, and this can set off relationship problems that have been brewing under the surface of things. You could be dealing with a difficult person or situation, but any conflict emerging today can give you real insight into the hidden forces at work in your life that may be undermining your progress and keeping you from moving on and forward. Pluto transits reveal your fears and excessive attachments so that you can learn from them. They also show you where you may have been giving away your power. You can’t reclaim personal power until you know where you’re projecting it, so Pluto’s work is important. While the day can begin in a tense, even confrontational way, pressures tend to ease later on, and this is particularly the case if you are learning from and facing issues that the morning’s energy has brought to your attention. Your mood lightens as the day advances.
Leo
Leo
With the annual Sun-Pluto opposition occurring today, dear Leo, you might encounter obstacles that send you back to the drawing board, not necessarily to start over, but to make important refinements. You could be contradictory today, or could be perceived as such, and possibly difficult to please. Power plays can occur with those you work with, or you could feel a lot of pressure to get things done, even if your heart isn’t in it or you are not feeling up to par emotionally and physically. Your desire to unwind and relax may be challenged. A lot is going on under the hood today, whether others realize it or not, and if you feel taken advantage of, you may be stewing in your frustration. Find healthy outlets for your frustration and make plans to improve your current dilemma. The latter part of the day is likely to feel freer and lighter.
Virgo
Virgo
Somebody could be playing games with you or vying for your attention today, dear Virgo, with the annual opposition of the Sun and Pluto occurring midday. Behaviors of a lover, child, or friend can be driven by insecurities, or there could be an event that triggers memories of a disappointment or letdown. This influences pits light and dark forces against one another in your social sectors, and can play out in a variety of ways. There could be a frustrating dilemma with a friend or lover that comes to a head, for example. Releasing some of your frustrations can come as a real relief and put you in a lighter and freer mood for the remainder of the day. This is not the last time this kind of dilemma will surface this month, but you can do some important “work” on the feelings that seem to emerge from deep inside. Self-honesty is especially helpful now.
Libra
Libra
Desires can be strong today but complex when it comes to fulfilling them, dear Libra. Emotions are complicated, particularly regarding family matters or self-limitations. Interactions with others can stimulate intense feelings, and something – or someone – could remind you of matters you’d prefer to forget. People may be trying to pull your strings. You could be a little withholding right now as you attempt to figure out where you stand. Tensions can surface today if you are resisting, fearing, or avoiding change. You need to get to a point where you feel that whatever leaves your life now is unlikely to be necessary any longer. This open-minded approach to life can be very rewarding, and can bring a feeling of growth and support. However, getting to that point can be a challenge now. Watch for power struggles today. Once past the first half of the day’s rather confrontational energies, there can be a real transformation occurring. You are more able to see what situations have been tripping you up. With the Sun and Pluto in opposition, you might be able to more clearly see where you’ve been overattached and what needs to go in order to move forward.
Scorpio
Scorpio
Your ruler, Pluto, forms an opposition with the Sun today, as it does every year, dear Scorpio. This can bring something that’s been brewing to a head, likely on the lines of communications, learning, or transportation as it falls along the axis of your solar chart that rules these things. If there is unhappiness in a close relationship, then today this may be very difficult to ignore. A relationship may need to change form in some way in order to move forward. Old grudges may emerge, or there could be a sense that someone is trying to dominate the other. There is a strong need for intimacy, but also a desire to control things, and these two things don’t mesh well, so a change becomes necessary. Health issues may come into play now if unhappiness is a constant. You may feel at a loss when it comes to solving problems early today, but then later feel far better equipped to do so. Be careful to avoid attempting to push an idea or way of thinking onto someone. Today’s energies don’t make us very receptive.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
With the Sun and Pluto in stark opposition today, dear Sagittarius, a yearly event, there can be some challenges in relationships or sudden awareness of something that you’ve laid to rest and now need to face. For you, this is likely to do with money matters or power dynamics in a relationship. Feelings can be hot and cold, and when hot, too overwhelming. Even though you are inclined to second-guess people, it’s probably a good idea to keep this to yourself for now. Others can be giving off confusing, mixed signals today, but before you jump to any conclusions, consider that emotional stances may simply be a cover for a desire to win your approval. Keep your mind open and rise above suspicious thoughts. A tricky problem could come to a head, and if handled well, you could get to a better place of understanding as a result. Questions of ownership and value can be a big issue now. Defend yourself if the need arises, but don’t be defensive and on edge until you know for certain that you have reason. The latter half of the day is far easier, and you are drawn to both familiar and comfortable environments.
Capricorn
Capricorn
Every year, the Sun opposes Pluto as it does today, dear Capricorn, and with Pluto in your sign for many years, this influence can affect you more than many signs. An incident or event today can remind you of something unpleasant or something that you have been avoiding. Buried emotions and possibly old regrets or hurts can emerge now. Try to treat this is a time for coming to a better understanding of yourself. Unhappiness can affect your physical health today. Try not to count on someone to do exactly as you want or expect, or what they said they would do. More importantly, try your best not to “mastermind” a situation with a relationship. If you aim to stay very open and flexible, which can be difficult to do right now but not impossible, then you leave yourself in an empowering position. The second half of the day is far less complicated and smooth for the most part.
Aquarius
Aquarius
The Sun forms its annual opposition with Pluto today, dear Aquarius, so that it’s not the best time for forcing issues. Resistance from others is very likely. Pushing results in friction, in either direction, as it can be exceptionally easy for others to push your buttons as it is to push theirs! Keep your cool, and work instead on other areas of your life that don’t involve as many complications. Something that has been hidden or buried can emerge now. You could be wrestling with something from the past or insecurities that undermine your performance, and this results in coming across choppily. Examine your fears, but don’t dwell on them. The second half of the day, emotions are settled and you’re less inclined to feel distracted.
Pisces
Pisces
Matters of ownership can be an especially heavy issue for you in the first half of the day, dear Pisces. It’s not an ideal time to lend out money or possessions, or even to collect on loans. Power plays with friends are possible. It will be difficult to truly know others’ agendas unless you look very closely or dig deeply, as people are not very direct or forthcoming right now. Aim to let go of excessive attachments. As the day advances, you’re more likely to enjoy the Moon’s presence in your sign, which puts you into pleasant touch with your emotions – even those you have tucked away for safekeeping!
Sunrise: 5:46 morn. Sunset: 8:37 eve.
Length of Day: 14h. 50m.
Dawn: 5:14 morn. Dusk: 9:09 eve.
Length of Twilight: 0h. 32m.
Sun in 10th degree of the Sign Crabba, the Crab fish;
also in 11th degree of the Constellation Gemini, the Twins;
Solar Lore
The sun pale and (as we call it) watery at its rising
denotes rain; if it set pale, wind.
~ Francis Bacon, “Historia Ventorum”.
Sunrise: 5:45 morn. Sunset: 8:37 eve.
Length of Day: 14h. 52m.
Dawn: 5:13 morn. Dusk: 9:09 eve.
Length of Twilight: 0h. 32m.
Sun in 8th degree of the Sign Crabba, the Crab fish;
also in 9th degree of the Constellation Gemini, the Twins;
Solar Lore
If the rays of the sun on rising are not yellow,
but ruddy, it denotes rain rather than wind.
The same likewise holds good of the setting.
~ Francis Bacon, “Historia Ventorum”.
To read more of Kelly’s insight, please visit her website, www.KarmicTools.com
The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity. Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto). And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning in to the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path. It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction.
*NOTE* There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.
This energy is likely to bring a little excitement into your life, one way or another. This is a good time to do something different; shake up your routine. Seek out diversions; try something new! Relationships will have an unusual energy to them; an established relationship may sparkle with some extra “spice” or a new relationship begun under this energy will be stimulating, unusual and probably short-lived. Use this energy to soak up some good energy from those who live on the fringes!
7/1 ~ Venus (values) ~conjunct~ Jupiter (truth):
This is an extremely powerful energy that makes you very mentally “present” to the fact that both your values and your truth are shifting. You can connect to material abundance. This is usually a pleasant shift because it is about expanding your sense of authentic beauty, as in nature, and the interrelatedness of all living things. There is an energy of enthusiasm around new or growing relationships which attracts more positive energy. This is the best time to create and “expect miracles”!
7/1 ~ Sun (authenticity) ~trine~ Neptune (intuition):
This energy triggers your idealistic side and provokes a desire to understand things on a deeper, more spiritual level. Try to use this energy to reflect on where you are and where you want to be, mentally, spiritually and physically. Take time to meditate and be still, quiet and alone. You may feel compelled to do things today that have no direct benefit for you; finding satisfaction in giving. Just be sure to ‘help those who help themselves’. Your intuition is heightened also, so pay attention to any ‘messages’ that come thru to you.
7/2 ~ Mercury (acumen) ~sextile~ Uranus (the Awakener):
This energy says, it’s time to go with the flow – “new and different” being the flow. It wants to shake it up a bit – in a good way. However, if you feel like new and different is more like chaos and disruption, then you need to reflect and see if you aren’t being too rigid. Unwillingness to go with the (new) flow will make this energy harder to handle. This is also a good time to try to resolve any old issues or challenges – they are not going away without resolution and conscious release. Perhaps you’ve been trying the same thing over and over and it’s time to try something NEW – now is the time new ideas will come to you. Pay attention! Try to be open and receptive to unusual things, events or ideas; allow spontaneity. You may think you are doing one thing and look up and being doing something completely different – be open to exploring the new path!
This energy can make you focus on the larger issues in your life. Your dreams are tapping you on the shoulder, demanding some attention. Mundane issues do not concern you, you want to figure out how to create the life you’ve been imagining. This energy also provokes within you the understanding that being generous naturally attracts generosity to you (and your cause). You’re focused on the big picture and overall patterns which have lead you to this point. Feeling clear, sharp, alert and optimistic, your realize that anything you can imagine, you can achieve.
Sunrise: 5:43 morn. Sunset: 8:37 eve.
Length of Day: 14h. 54m.
Dawn: 5:11 morn. Dusk: 9:09 eve.
Length of Twilight: 0h. 32m.
Sun in 2nd degree of the Sign Crabba, the Crab fish;
also in 3rd degree of the Constellation Gemini, the Twins;
Solar Lore
If the rising sun be encompassed with an iris or
circle of white clouds, and they equally fly away,
this is a sign of fair weather.
~Pliny, “Natural History”.
Sun in 1st degree of the Sign Crabba, the Crab fish; also in 2nd degree of the Constellation Gemini, the Twins;
Solar Lore
If the sun in red should set, Then next day surely will be wet ; If the sun should set in grey, The next will be a rainy day. ~ Collected in R. Inwards, “Weather Lore”.
Sunrise: 5:43 morn. Sunset: 8:36 eve.
Length of Day: 14h. 52m.
Dawn: 5:10 morn. Dusk: 9:09 eve.
Length of Twilight: 0h. 32m.
Sun in 0th degree of the Sign Crabba, the Crab fish;
also in 1st degree of the Constellation Gemini, the Twins;
Solar Lore
In summer time, when the sun at rising is obscured by a
mist which disperses about three hours afterwards, expect
hot and calm weather for two or three days.
~ C.L. Prince.
Recent weeks have been busier than usual for you, dear Aries. Today, the Sun enters your family and home sector, stimulating a stronger need to get back in touch with family and activities revolving around the home. This month-long cycle is good for reconnecting with a deep need for inner peace and comfort, enjoying quieter and perhaps emotionally safer activities, and for collecting your thoughts and centering yourself. Today’s energies are a little up and down. There can be good and even nurturing conversations with friends, but romantic or creative matters can have you sitting on a fence not knowing your next move. A certain self-consciousness may be with you on these lines. Pay attention to the fears and emotions that surface today, as you can learn a lot about what might be holding you back. Tonight, you can be feeling considerably freer. Tonight and tomorrow can bring breakthrough thinking.
Taurus
Taurus
Today you enter a month-long cycle that puts a spotlight on movement, ideas, communications, and learning, dear Taurus. This cycle can put you into more frequent contact with others, bring extra activities into your world, and keep you on your toes. You can be doing quite a bit of multi-tasking, and focus is not your strong suit at this time. On the other hand, this can be a great period for introducing more variety into your life and for learning new things. It can also get you out and about more often, and this can help satisfy your curiosity. Today, even if you feel that you’re in an uncomfortable position or confronted with difficult choices, try to stay centered and avoid falling back into tired and old behaviors of relating. Tonight and tomorrow are about freeing yourself from attitudes that limit you or that keep you from following your heart. Think in terms of letting go of the negative and embracing the positive.
Gemini
Gemini
The Sun moves out of your sign today, dear Gemini, and begins a month-long cycle influencing your sector of values, finances, comfort matters, personal possessions, and self-worth. You take more pride in your personal resources and ability to build and manage your life. It’s a good cycle in which to discover what it is you truly value. As well, you can get in touch with how you feel about your own worth and talents and how this affects your life in general and your earning power. Focus more on what you have than what you want, and you’ll be in great shape this month. Decisions can be a little tough today, particularly if you are reminded of difficult situations in your past, but consider that you may be missing opportunities to make better memories if you are holding on to resentment. Later today and tomorrow, there is strong energy for feeling freer, more liberated, and positive about the future. Keep your eyes open for social, learning, and sharing opportunities.
Cancer
Cancer
The month ahead is a personally powerful time, dear Cancer, with the Sun moving into your sign. It’s time to let your personality shine. There is a stronger desire to start fresh, and you’re afforded the opportunities to do so in the weeks ahead. Others are noticing you more than usual, as your personal presence increased. You’re making a strong statement whether you intend to or not, so make it a good one! This can be a time when an update to your appearance or a new and improved manner/attitude can help you to feel more confident. Today, there can be some tendency to stay on the fence about a matter, perhaps because you sense that it may not be as wonderful as promised, or because you are uncertain of whether your perceptions are objective enough to really hold weight. Love is complicated, but feelings that emerge can illuminate insecurities so that you can learn how to better manage them. Tonight and tomorrow, look for opportunities to grow, improve, and expand. Think in progressive ways, and put your fear of change behind you as you do.
Leo
Leo
A month-long cycle begins today as the Sun enters your solar twelfth house, dear Leo. During this period, you can experience a greater need for a break from competitive energies or demanding situations. You are drawn to restful, relaxing, and healing activities. While you are coming across as approachable these days with Venus in your sign, part of you requires periods devoted to reflection on, or processing of, the activities of the last year. You are certainly more noticeable now with Venus in your sign and the Moon there for the first half of the day, emphasizing your more yielding and attractive qualities. While there can be unusual or uncomfortable feelings today, possibly due to a reminder of a past disappointment or loss, as the day advances, there is powerful energy for a strong sense of moving forward.
Virgo
Virgo
With the Sun’s move into your sector of friendships, dreams, and wishes today, the month ahead brings more sociable, experimental, and hopeful energy into your life, dear Virgo. You take more pride than usual in your friendships, connections, community involvement, or aspirations, and associates or friends may look to you for direction. Sharing ideals or visions with others gives you a boost, and you get more satisfaction than usual when your actions impact others in a positive way. Today, you may be doing some looking back and processing of recent events, and while this is appropriate now, it’s important not to overthink things. Emotions can bubble to the surface at unusual moments, but if you pay attention to the cues, you can learn a tremendous amount about what is truly behind your fears and insecurities, particularly about a relationship. Remember that anger is a defense mechanism that divorces you temporarily from feeling hurt, but allowing yourself to feel the hurt can lead to a wonderful feeling of release and freedom. Tonight and tomorrow, look for ways to free yourself from unnecessary worry or attachments to the past that are holding you back.
Libra
Libra
Professional and public matters can be in stronger focus in the coming month, dear Libra, with the Sun entering your reputation and career sector today. You are taking more pride in your performance, the work you do, or the responsibilities you fulfill. As a result, your motivation to succeed can strengthen. Others are definitely noticing your work or your accomplishments, so it’s wise to draw upon your more responsible, competent side. If you’ve done your homework, a promotion or some kind of pat on the back can be incoming during this cycle. Today, there can be some pressure, possibly by family or with domestic matters, and involving friends or groups. Choices today can be challenging, and you may feel that you’d rather not make any! You can get closer to someone today by backing off and allowing them space, even if it doesn’t feel entirely comfortable doing so. Later today and tomorrow, fight self-doubt and put yourself out there, pushing past your fears.
Scorpio
Scorpio
Today’s movement of the Sun into your adventure and expansion sector begins a month-long cycle in which you seek out wonderful ways to feel and be free, dear Scorpio. This cycle can bring wonderful energy into your life, especially if you are open to acting upon your bigger need for adventure. The usual routines don’t seem to cut it for you now, although you do of course recognize their value. You may be looking at daily problems in new, more inspired ways, and solving them quickly. Seeing the big picture helps to free you from taking petty annoyances too seriously. Today, there can be some awkwardness, particularly in conversations that end up revealing too much. Try not to come across in a sarcastic or negative manner, which can hurt your case. Tonight and tomorrow, good energy is with you for freeing yourself from burdens. Look for ways to improve your daily life, your work, and your reputation.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
With the Sun moving into your solar eighth house today for a month-long visit, dear Sagittarius, the coming weeks can put the spotlight on your ability to share and blend with a partner, or to better understand yourself as you face the need to improve, change, and transform. There can be a focus on financial matters and resources that are shared with a partner or that come from other sources than your personal income. A deeper, more passionate attitude towards life emerges. Your attitude swings towards “all or nothing” when it comes to relating, as more intimacy is desired. You can be especially attracted to challenges that take you out of your comfort zone. Today, there may be a lot of blanks to fill in, and no clear way of doing so, particularly related to money and relationships. Pleasant surprises are likely to be in store for you later today and into tomorrow, however, especially if you’re willing to let a bad attitude or circumstance go. Your ruler, Jupiter, is moving towards a happy aspect with Uranus, and you’re encouraged to reach out, connect, and release some of your inhibitions.
Capricorn
Capricorn
The day brings a new solar cycle, dear Capricorn, that puts the spotlight on your one-to-one relationships, whether personal or business or both. This month-long cycle stimulates the need for others, enhances your approachability, and helps bring back a healthy sense of balance in your life. Energetically speaking, you may not be at your personal best. On a social level, however, your increased ability to compromise and negotiate brings rewards. You stand to learn a lot through your relationships now and this month. Even so, relationships are not especially straightforward today. While you need to make some changes, avoid obsessive thinking that only serves to take you in a mental and emotional circle. Decisions are hard to make right now, but once made, a sense of relief can arrive. Focus on moving forward, and the best possible way to do so. An approaching Jupiter-Uranus aspect is helping you tremendously on this level, so look for ways to detach yourself from attitudes or situations that drag you down.
Aquarius
Aquarius
The Sun moves into your work and health sector today, dear Aquarius, where it will stay until July 22nd. This is an important time for improving or beginning new routines that focus on getting yourself into better form. New information or circumstances can arise that motivate you to lead a healthier, more organized, and more productive life. It’s an excellent month for lifestyle changes. You might also be taking more pride in your work, and this can stimulate you to update your skills, reorganize your workspace, and become more efficient all around. Today, some adjustments may need to be made in a relationship, or there can be a reminder of a past difficulty or hurt that prompts you to make a change. Tonight and tomorrow, your ruler, Uranus, forms a wonderful aspect with expansive, jovial Jupiter, making it a great time to look for ways to free your mind, connect with people who inspire you, and share your ideas and visions more freely.
Pisces
Pisces
A month-long cycle beginning today puts the spotlight on creative self-expression, pleasure, entertainment, and romance, dear Pisces. The month ahead is strong for pursuing a pet hobby or starting a new one, enjoying creative interests and finding new avenues for expressing yourself, and letting your inner child out to play. A more spontaneous, playful, and affectionate approach to your life is natural now, and can attract others. Today is good for ideas revolving around family, emotional attachments, and home matters. However, there can be some frustrating elements on the job. There can be too many demands from friends or employers on your time. You could be feeling used or underappreciated at the moment, so it’s important to look for and then focus on ways that you can empower yourself instead of dwelling on the negative feelings. Tonight and tomorrow, there is brilliant energy for releasing frustrations and focusing on improvements.
Sunrise: 5:42 morn. Sunset: 8:35 eve.
Length of Day: 14h. 52m.
Dawn: 5:10 morn. Dusk: 9:07 eve.
Length of Twilight: 0h. 32m.
Sun in 25th degree of the Sign Gemini, the Twins;
also in 33rd degree of the Constellation Taurus, the Bull;
Solar Lore
If the body of the sun appear blood-red at setting,
it forebodes high winds for many days.
~ Francis Bacon, “Historia Ventorum”.
The Sun’s beams are at their brightest, for the longest day (here in the Northern latitudes). Summer Solstice is on June 21st, and it’s one of the four grand turning points of the solar year.
What’s begun at the Spring Equinox, with Sun into Aries, is coming to life from the vitality and intention brought to it. Tomatoes are ripening on the vine.
Long Summer Day
Summer is here, with the Sun into Cancer and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
When the Sun is at its most northerly point, hovering over the astrological Tropic of Cancer, that’s known as the summer solstice. The Earth is tilted on its axis, so like a sunflower, the Northern Hemisphere has its face toward the life-giving Sun.
The Sun is at its most powerful, and appears to stand still in the sky, and that’s what solstice means in Latin. After the summer solstice, the Sun’s rays will begin to light up more of the Southern Hemisphere, and days will start to shorten in the North.
The bright glowing orb we call The Sun is celebrated in many traditions at the summer solstice. There are fire dances, bonfires, and in the olden days, the ancients rolled fire wheels down the hills. There’s also a long tradition of ritual bathing, dipping in the cleansing waters. Fire and water are celebrated at the summer solstice, along with the Earth as Mother Goddess, at her most abundant.
It’s a celebration of the Earth, the feminine and the living natural world. It’s one of the four cardinal turning points of the solar calendar, along with the Winter Solstice and the Spring and Fall Equinoxes.
For those living in harmony with nature’s cycles, it’s the season to harvest herbs and honey. Many couples still marry in June, at the peak of nature’s abundance. Some traditions would feed the newlyweds honey-laced foods for the entire first month, which is where “honeymoon” comes from. The full Moon in June is the Honey Moon.
The summer solstice coincides with the Sun’s ingress into Cancer, and the official start of the season. Cancer is the water cardinal sign of the mother, nurturing, and family. It’s a high spirited time, when solar light is radiant and the feminine energies are in abundance, too. There are parades, picnics, festivals and celebrations of all kinds in the Northern Hemisphere at this time, often outdoors.
Becoming aware of these solar turning points tunes you into the natural rhythm of the seasons. The summer solstice is the peak of sunlight, and the Sun as radiant manna of all that grows, has been celebrated with feasts, dancing and just being together. After the solstice, the days begin to shorten slowly toward the Fall Equinox, when days and nights are equal again.
Witches Of The Craft® 
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