June 2016 Forecasts

New Moon in Taurus June 5
The new Moon is at 03.59 BST on Sunday morning June 5. The Sun and Moon are almost exactly opposite Saturn, with the Sun in exact opposition to Saturn during the days leading up to this new Moon. When the Sun is opposite Saturn we feel less energized and need to contain our energy, not allow it to leak out all over the place. This is especially true in 2016 for those born during the latter half of May and the beginning half of June - while Saturn is transiting opposite your Sun sign.

Venus is at the exact degree of this exalted Moon (20 degrees) which creates a mix of pleasure and pain. Pain is felt in relation to having to forgo overindulgence, and pleasure, in relation to the higher states of peace accompanying the ability to conserve vital juices, leading to creativity. 
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Venus and the Moon represent pleasure and comfort. Venus rules the sign Taurus and the Moon rules the lunar sign in which this new Moon is placed, Rohini, representing sensuality. The Moon is placed in exaltation in Taurus and is a good indication for this new Moon phase. When the Sun highlights these comforts, we can connect with a what will truly rejuvenate us, if we conserve our energy and vital juices to fuel what we would like to see take off. Saturn's opposition can dry our emotions, but grant us the objectivity to see where we are going, with Mars adding discipline into the mix. However, If you cannot separate yourself from your indulgences, you may fall prey to feeling burned out, leaving you high and dry.

Emotionally, this can feel like an arid terrain, with less than the usual comfort the sign Taurus affords us. Be mindful of this tendency around this new Moon phase and conserve your energy to build stronger emotional bonds and support for your relationships and creative endeavors. 
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Mercury in Taurus June 8 - 27
Mercury enters Taurus on June 8, after a longer-than-usual period spent in Aries. Thoughts turn to comforts and supports available which seem to be in complete contrast to busy lives and work regimes. Mercury in Taurus is better suited to pleasant interactions than the previous impatient Aries. However, be aware that Saturn and Mars are in opposition, creating stressful combinations, as well as Venus' transit in close proximity to the Sun. This can lead to less tact and more severity as certain stuck situations test our patience and our ability to remain civil. 

All of the planets, as well as the Sun and Moon, are in fixed signs during the middle of June, leading to a sense of things being stuck. If we add to this the conjunction of Jupiter and Rahu (see below), then it feels very uncertain in how to move forward during the early part of the month. 

Fortunately, Venus moves into Gemini by June 13, and exchanges signs with Mercury. This is good for both planets and grants us better interactive styles. In the meantime, communicate more objectively and constructively until a smoother path opens up ahead. 
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Venus enters Gemini June 13
Venus moves into Mercury's sign, Gemini by mid-June. Mercury is placed in Venus' sign, Taurus until June 27, which means they exchange each other's signs from June 13 to 27. This strengthens each planet and the summer festivals and outings are imbued with a sense of fun and excitement. However, without wishing to be a killjoy, I would still caution against overindulgence as Venus is very close to the Sun and Mercury is in opposition to Saturn and Mars. 

There is no getting away from the fact that Saturn and Mars in Scorpio are demanding more from us this year - whether this is our duties and responsibilities or some inner work - and this is taking energy away from the party atmosphere. ​As with all oppositions, balance must be achieved.

Enjoy the party atmosphere in Gemini, as this offers a great sense of relief from some entrenched situations. 
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Sun enters Gemini June 14
The Sun moves into Gemini, with Venus in close proximity. The Sun in Gemini is when we highlight our need for interaction and for outings, taking trips to enjoy the summer season. The weather alone allows us to connect more with each other, which is otherwise curtailed in countries that do not have the climate to engage socially outdoors. 

Gemini is a very busy sign, offering lots of choice and stimulation for the mind. What to do, what to see, who to see it with, are all questions asked during the Sun's trip to Gemini each year. Gemini doesn't care which one you choose, of course. And the more choice, the better!

Observe your tendency to get busy and try to balance this with some alone time, especially as the Moon reaches the opposite end of the zodiac after the Solstice, and the subsequent signs by the last week of June. The options which begin to open up to us may feel a little overwhelming after a long period of stagnancy. So take your time with all that is on offer and remember that Jupiter is under par in June and not granting us much clarity about which ones to choose.
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Mars re-enters Libra June 17
Mars returns to Libra by the end of June until July 11, with some unfinished business to attend to since it left the sign back in April. Whatever plans you began to act upon in April have met with many delays, as you get back to the drawing board in many respects. The initial stages of Mars' return to Libra feels raw and vulnerable, as the Moon meets with a backwards Mars, crossing over into Scorpio into its sign of debilitation. 

This vulnerability leads to greater efforts, of course. However, we must be aware of the fact that the planet of action continues to appear to move backwards until June 29. A better use of your efforts would be to do some internal work, or behind the scenes preparation and planning. Whatever your plans, make sure to plan some rest during the intense summer months. The recuperation you give yourself now will pay off later when Mars begins to move forward in July and meets with Saturn in August, testing the limits of your capabilities.  

To use an analogy of a long journey in summer, one should be reminded to carry enough water for hydration, leave plenty of time for rests, and avoid the intensity of the mid-day Sun. 
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Full Moon in Sagittarius June 20
The Moon reaches the opposite degree of the Sun in Gemini on June 20 at 12.02 BST.  ​This full Moon in Sagittarius is on the Solstice; an extreme juncture in the year. For those on the Northern Hemisphere this leads to great hope, as we move into the longest day of the year. Be careful not be spend all your energy. Instead, see yourself as a battery which needs charging at this time. 

Charging stations are available through social interactions but these must be balanced with finding something more meaningful apart from the party. Meaning must be gleamed from what you are doing for it to be of any real comfort for this full Moon phase.
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Solstice June 20
The Solstice occurs at 23.34 BST on June 20. This is the Summer Solstice on the Northern Hemisphere and the Winter Solstice on the Southern Hemisphere. The Solstice is the longest day of the year for most of the population and a turning point in the year and the Sun's direction for everyone.  The Sun has reached its highest place in the sky for those on the Northern Hemisphere, and can look around its peak and its kingdom with wonderment. 

Take the time to rest and enjoy the peak experience of the Summer Solstice, as there has been a difficult trek to get here. However, as anyone who hikes is well aware, there is but a short rest period on the peak before the need to get down from the mountain becomes the stronger impulse.  Be mindful of the next phase of the journey, as with have to go on without a good guide for now because of Jupiter's position.

Once the Sun moves towards its southerly route, the journey can take on a more difficult dimension for some - that of the descent. Remind yourself that the descent is a return home - away from your lofty heights, granted - but a return nonetheless. 
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Jupiter and Rahu Conjunction
Jupiter and the north node, Rahu come to exact conjunction by the last week of June, riding alongside each other from the Solstice until the end of the month. Big changes are upon us while we are offered new avenues, but the excitement in what is new can distract us from what we know to be right.

Interestingly, the United Kingdom's vote whether to remain in the European Union is on June 23, when Jupiter and Rahu are exactly conjunct. This can lead to a lot of confusion in how to vote, and Rahu's influence creates much uncertainty moving forward. Having such an important vote on this day does not bode well for a result which will benefit everyone - not just the United Kingdom.

​Rahu's influence shakes things up for a while, promoting exclusion and diversions, by obscuring our inner voice and connection to each other, represented by Jupiter. Be mindful of not getting lost in the noise of what is new and exciting, as much on offer at this time is but a shadow - all smoke and mirrors.  

Not all you see is what you get with the ego, represented by Rahu. You may be deceived, whether intentionally or not, or you may deceive yourself. Until this conjunction has ended in July, we will need to be aware of these tendencies, as well as Venus' position (placed in close proximity to the Sun at this time), before returning to a knowing and a feeling for what is right.

July brings more clarity, as Jupiter clears the eclipse point and Venus re-appears as the 'bright evening star'. The clouds part and the guiding light shows us the way. For some, this may be a thunderbolt of clarity through the clouds of confusion. For others, a slow dawning. Mars begins to move forward in July as well, which leaves us with nothing but to put a more calculated effort in. 
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Mercury enters Gemini June 27
Mercury moves out of harms way (Mars and Saturn) as it leaves behind Taurus and moves into its own sign, Gemini by the end of the month. The stresses the mind has been subjected to by Mars and Saturn are lessened as Mercury moves to Gemini, and our minds are let loose to think about what peaks our interest. Mercury does very well in this curious and playful sign. However, without restraint or guidance, the mind can be too loose and end up overstimulating us. 

Gemini is the most stimulating of signs, creating a need to interact and debate, without the need to reach any definite conclusions. Choice and stimulation are favored over making things stick. Mercury stimulates a part of us which is useful to a point, but only if other, more intuitive approaches, are given room to breathe. As Jupiter is currently overshadowed by the eclipse of Rahu, and our inner guidance confused, we must rely solely on our intellect to sort it all out by the end of the month. Thankfully, Mercury is happy to play host in Gemini. 

Be mindful that you may be full of what is going on in your mind during this transit. Use it, of course, but remember that there is a deeper knowing awaiting you beneath all of the noise. 

Uranus enters Aries June 27
Because the outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are not visible to the naked eye, they do not operate like the visible planets, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. They do, however, exert their influence in more subtle ways, and are more powerful because of their subtlety. We are more conscious of their affects when they manifest something tangible and this occurs when interacting with a visible planet; in a natal chart, or with transiting visible planets. 

Uranus is about to move into the first sign of the zodiac, Aries on June 27. A new beginning is always initiated with Aries, and Mars, the planet which rules the sign, is currently on the opposite side of the zodiac, moving into opposition to Uranus as it moves back into Libra on June 17. As Mars is also closest to Earth than it has been in 11 years, we can see Mars strength through various events around the world. Of course, this is not always a good thing, as Mars represents destruction. This is only a good thing in the case of something which needs to be removed from our lives.

Uranus in Aries represents many new starts, in a way, as it will retrograde back into Pisces on September 1, not leaving Pisces again until April 7 next year. And even then, it will hang around the very beginning of Aries next year as well, not moving further into the sign until 2018. This back and forth over the last degrees of the zodiac between Pisces and Aries is a sensitive time for new beginnings, as a result. Add to that, Mars is currently retrograde alongside a retrograde Saturn, as well as the Jupiter/Rahu conjunction, and you have a set up for many false starts this year. These false starts will ultimately bring us to where we need to be, of course.

With all of the visible planets in fixed signs in June 2016, the transit of Uranus into Aries will be a breath of fresh air, or a jolt to wake us up. It may express itself in shock waves which have many repercussions, especially if you have any planets at the beginning of Aries or Libra in the sidereal zodiac. If you are able to let go of old ways of being in favor of something new and exciting, you may find this back and forth a period to feel excited at life throwing up new possibilities, before withdrawing them in favour of some other unexpected thing. If not, you may feel burned out trying to hold on to what needs to make way for the new. 

Although I do not believe the outer planets are necessary for Vedic astrology interpretation - Vedic astrologers got by just fine over thousands of years interpreting life on Earth without them - I do feel the outer planets add to the rich tapestry of modern life, while offering us insights into the three underlying impulses of Vedic thought, albeit from a modern perspective.​ They represent the three impulses at the basis of Vedic philosophy, i.e., creation, preservation and destruction, which we now name; Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. They were there from the beginning and, even if they were not observed physically, they were certainly within Vedic seers' awareness.

​Uranus represents the creative impulse (Rajas) which may, or may not, find expression through the observable planets. As the outer planets do not represent anything concrete, they must interact with one of the visible planets in order to have any real impact. 

The reason I point this out is that there is another transit in June which can easily take the credit for the upheaval Uranus' transit into Aries can initially create. That is the aforementioned Jupiter conjunction with Rahu, the north node, occurring at the same time Uranus moves into Aries. Rahu, like Uranus, shakes things up. It's time to move with the changes. 

And as change is the only thing we can guarantee in life, I think it wise to change with the times.

OM TAT SAT