Happy Summer Friends! Today feels like the perfect first day of summer with the sun shining brightly, undertones for upcoming adventure in the air, and finally, a warm breeze. As a child, I lived for summertime. At the age of eight, my parents introduced me to an eight week, overnight summer camp which slowly became part of my journey around the sun, each year, for the next twelve years. Summer to me represented a time of freedom, playfulness, friendship, mischief, competition, and romance. While fall, winter and spring left me with fond memories, summer lingered. Even as an adult, being an expatriate for 20 years, summer stood out from my yearly journey around “the sun.” It was a dedicated time for coming “home.” And while this coming home was no longer filled with mischief, or sporting competition, those feelings of freedom, romance, playfulness and friendship still bubbled up inside.

Fast forward to the present moment, I now look at summer with fresh eyes. Eyes that consider the placement of the planets in the sky and how their position may enhance or in some cases detract from our sense of adventure, love life, relationships, lazy afternoons at the beach………

And coined from the 1972 film, “What’s Up Doc,” below are some of my takes on what you can glean from the sky above in the coming weeks and months.

Sun:  The Sun was in Taurus May 14 -June 15, it transited to Gemini on June 15 and will take up residence until July 16th. Up until June 15, you may have noticed deep connections to the earth element, a sense of settling into Spring, Kapha time of year.  June 15, the Sun moved into Gemini who is ruled by Mercury and resembles the air element. Moving into Gemini, there will be a shift in focus toward movement, growth and playfulness. Mercury being the only Tri-Doshic Planet, takes on the qualities of Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  You may find this upcoming period to invoke creativity, stability, learning and playfulness and when needed strong attention to business relations.  

Moon: The Moon is the fastest moving planet in the sky, it changes constellations every 2.5 days. On June 17th, the Moon met the Sun in Gemini for the New Moon. A nice prelude to summer being in the playful yet astute constellation of Gemini. Being the rapid player in the sky, the Moon is making its way through Cancer today. The Moon rules Cancer, While today was an exceptional start to summer, the moon being in Cancer may have invoked emotions. Perhaps you were compelled toward spiritual practices, wanted to stay close to home, nourish yourself and your family with delicious meals?

Mars: Mars sits in Cancer for the whole month of June and will enter Leo on June 30th taking up residence until August 18th. Fiery Mars residing in a water sign does not present the best side of Mars.  When influenced by the Moon, Mars may appear vulnerable, emotional and fickle. The trick during this period is to stay strong and steady in both mind and body.  To add more drama, Venus is also holding space in Cancer from May 30-July 7.  Together, Mars and Venus make a strong passion combination in the watery sign of Cancer. Take out your tissues!!

Venus: As mentioned previously, Venus is also in the sign of Cancer from May 30-July 7. Unlike Mars, Venus feels right at home in the sign of Cancer. Venus having many feminine, nurturing  traits allows for a creative, beautiful and entertaining period in Cancer.

Mercury: Mercury will be in Taurus June 7-June 24. Mercury being the only Tri-doshic planet can usually make itself feel at home anywhere. Taurus is ruled by Venus, Mercury is considered a friend of Venus and will pull his weight while residing in Taurus. While Venus loves beautiful homes, nice cars and gourmet foods, Mercury will do its best to keep everything under control and accessible.  Don’t be surprised when either you or your partner takes care of the garden and household chores with a newfound fondness this month!! On June 24th when Mercury moves into Gemini, it will be moving into a constellation that Mercury owns. If you are not already aware, Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo. Being in its own air sign will only enhance Mercury’s childlike nature taking you back to the days of skinny dipping in the lake, playing jokes on your friends and enjoying more laughter during the extended light of summer.

Jupiter:  Jupiter moved into Aries April 21, 2023 and will remain in Aries until April 30, 2024. When Jupiter moved into Aries, the planets of Mercury, Moon, Sun and Rahu were living there too! This presented a lot of commotion in Aries, perhaps an unsettling feeling in your life too?  Now, Jupiter is only with Rahu in the house of Aries taming the fire of Aries.  For the next year, Jupiter will either aspect or be associated with all the fire signs including Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, along with Libra(air sign) across the way.  Saturn will also have an affect on Jupiter as it one sidedly aspects Jupiter. Saturns influence may ruffle the mostly calm waters of Jupiter. A person who has a strong influence of Jupiter in their birth chart could feel the small bumps in the road presented by Saturn. And, with their skills for learning, teaching, and advising, navigate any rough waters making this next year a time of growth and prosperity.

Saturn: Saturn currently resides in his own air sign of Aquarius.  Being the slowest moving planet, it takes Saturn 2.5 years to move through a constellation.  Before moving into Aquarius, Saturn spent 2.5 years in Capricorn, also ruled by Saturn.  Taking up living quarters in one’s own sign becomes advantageous for the planet and those people who have a strong influence of that particular planet in their chart.  In the case of Saturn, He governs time, ageing, illness, Karma, and the Vata Dosha.  Saturn often teaches us lessons by its slow moving nature, and propensity to reveal our Karma. On June 17, Saturn completely stopped and turned directions going retrograde through early November 2023. This retracing of steps backward is a good opportunity for you to pause, rethink your actions and have a “second chance” to move forward in November when Saturn stops once again and returns on its path forward.
Rahu and Ketu: Rahu and Ketu are known as the shadow planets.  You can’t see them in the sky and be assured you will feel their effects.  They form an axis in the sky, Rahu in the North, Ketu in the South, always moving in retrograde motion. Rahu is in the sign of Aries along with Jupiter and will be there through October 2023.  Ketu is in the sign of Libra, also until October 2023.  When Rahu and Ketu are poorly placed in the sky, you can expect obstruction, instability, addiction and mistakes.  Rahu being associated with Jupiter will temper this behavior. Hence, when favorably placed, you may find opportunities, engage in spiritual practice, and take time to travel to foreign places.  

With play and light,

Lisa