New Moon in Gemini + Summer Solstice, 2023
We will welcome the New Moon at 26 degrees of Gemini on June 18, 2023, at 12:37 a.m. ET. This Gemini New Moon energy is a curious energy that enjoys learning and sharing ideas. It’s creative and expressive, enjoying a good joke or witty conversation.
If you write New Moon intentions, perhaps you might want to set intentions around Gemini-influenced themes, like connecting with others, learning something new, or starting a new project.
Mercury in Gemini
Mercury moved into its home sign of Gemini on June 11. Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo. Mercury in Gemini wants to learn and chat and come up with lots of new ideas.
You may feel like you’re communicating a lot more. Maybe your network is expanding or is more active. Maybe you have a lot of new ideas or you find yourself working on more projects than usual.
Enjoy this chatty, curious energy through June 27 when it moves into Cancer. Wherever Mercury is transiting your chart can tell you more.
Saturn Retrograde
Saturn, Lord of Karma, and master of discipline, retrogrades on June 17, just in time for the New Moon. It will be retrograde until November 4th.
When Saturn is moving forward, he’s all about focus, hard work, and self-mastery. He likes to see us do the work. And if you do the work, he will reward you.
Saturn is generally not considered a fun-loving energy. He will turn the thumbscrews until you learn the lesson. He will sit in the corner and count his pennies. He can bring on the heavy weight of depression or the slog of self-doubt.
But, it’s tough love. Saturn wants you to rise up and face yourself and do what you need to do. No whining in the corner or self-pity. He wants you to get up, be disciplined, have good boundaries, and work hard. Where Saturn appears in your chart can tell you more, of course.
So, what does it mean when Saturn goes retrograde? Does it mean we get a break? A vacation from discipline and work? Nope! It means that energy turns inward. It’s a time of contemplation. Regrouping and planning. Perhaps reviewing what has been working and what hasn’t. And meanwhile, continuing to put in the work.
Sometimes Saturn seems to throw up roadblocks. We can feel stuck. That doesn’t go away during a retrograde, and you may feel even more stuck. But, the lesson here is to persevere. Have faith in yourself and your path and keep showing up.
Summer Solstice: Cancer Season Begins
Don’t worry; the energy isn’t all heavy! On June 21st the Sun enters the family and home-focused Water sign of Cancer, heralding the Summer Solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere) and the official beginning of summer.
The Sun will swim through Cancer through July 22. After this peak of sunlight, the days slowly become shorter until we reach the Winter Solstice in December and start over again.
The Summer Solstice is the longest period of daylight all year; the Sun reaches its zenith, staying high in the sky all day. It’s a terrific time to celebrate the life-giving sun. You might spend a day picnicking at the lake, or build a bonfire in the evening, as many of our ancestors did.
Meanwhile, Venus and Mars are both traveling through Leo, the sign ruled by the Sun. Love and passion could be playful, romantic, and fun for the next few weeks. Enjoy!
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