Number 39                                                     christiner@netspace.net.au

 June is a mixed bag, energy wise. Mercury retrograde will create the usual problems in the area of communications but it is very useful energy for reviewing our thinking and attending to the details we often overlook. Saturn and Neptune are lining up for their final exact opposition, challenging us all to hold on to our dreams and bring them into manifestation.

 Blessings

Christine

 Christine Rothwell

É 03 9584 6532

Email: christiner@netspace.net.au

Website: www.christinerothwell.com

 Contents

1. June Overview
2. Mercury retrograde
3. Saturn opposition Neptune
4. Winter Solstice:
5. Courses and Workshop Information

      Winter Solstice Celebration: Monday June 25

      Heart Awareness Workshop on August 4

      Astrology Classes  held 7pm Thursday  & 10am Friday

6. Consultations and Gift Certificates

 1.    June Overview

 

The intensity continues to build during June as Pluto moves closer to its next conjunction with the Galactic Centre in July and Saturn and Neptune position themselves for their final opposition which becomes exact by the end of this month.

 1:14pm June 15 marks the New Moon in Gemini – at 23° of Gemini.  The New Moon marks the beginning of a lunation or lunar cycle.  The energy is strong, focused and extroverted.  This is a powerful time to set intentions, start new projects, initiate change, focus energy on a specific goal, trust your intuition AND access the warrior spirit of the Amazon.

 Gemini is the first air sign in the zodiac and is also what astrology calls a mutable sign; adaptable, versatile and changeable but also potentially scattered and indecisive.  Gemini is a very sociable and curious sign that is often quite gifted in the area of communication. Most Gemini’s need lots of stimulation and are happy doing several things at once. If there is something interesting happening [or just something happening] Gemini wants to know about it and be a part of it.

 The New Moon in Gemini is a time to set intentions around what we wish to manifest in the social and mental realms. It is a good time to become more social and curious, begin new social or intellectual projects, learn new skills or perhaps develop your communication skills. [Join toastmasters? A book club? A discussion group?]

 Beware the dysfunctional Gemini energy which can be become scattered and unable to complete things. Gemini can accumulate enormous amounts of information [and trivia] that never get channelled into any useful endeavour.

Throughout the latter half of June Venus will travel close to Saturn, forming a conjunction on June 30. This conjunction will be worth seeing when the Moon joins in between June 17 to 19. Look to the west as soon after sunset as you can and locate the crescent moon. Saturn and Venus will be close by.This stellium suggests the need to pay serious attention to our relationships, loved ones and need for closeness and intimacy.  Saturn always invites us to take responsibility for what is not working, so if you feel a little unloved and unappreciated why not take the initiative and create some special time with your loved ones. If there are issues that need to be addressed, this is the time to do it, but make sure it is done gently with the intention for healing as everyone may be a little more prickly and sensitive than usual.

June 18 marks the seventh Venus conjunction of the Moon since Venus reappeared as the Evening Star in December. Currently she can be observed for about three hours after sunset just above the north-west horizon. [She is setting at 8:20pm Melbourne time] She will continue to grow in brightness over the next few months as She approaches Mother Earth to start a new cycle on August 18.   

In Sumerian myth these conjunctions were said to be portals that opened to allow the Goddess Inanna to reclaim the seven symbols of Her power that She relinquished when She made Her descent during Her time as Morning Star. These symbols correlate with the seven chakras and Her descent and ascent is a metaphor for a process of initiation.

Moon-Venus conjunctions are powerful times for ritual and inner work. The evening of June 18 is potent times to focus on the seventh chakra [crown chakra] issues related to spirituality and faith.

This would be a perfect time to work with the fear/s that may hold you back from surrendering to the divine and trusting in the larger processes at work. At this gateway the Goddess invites us to connect with the greater whole and surrender our illusions about isolation and separateness. Ultimately the crown chakra truth tells us that ‘We are all One”.  To work with this truth you can:

·        Set some time aside for spiritual reflection, meditation and prayer

·        Indulge in some more of devotional practice and /or selfless service

·        Observe the larger patterns at work in life [and your life]

2. Mercury Retrograde

 All the Mercury retrograde dates for 2007 are now listed on my website. Go to www.christinerothwell.com/page5.htm

 Mercury entered the retrograde loop on May 31 and will retrograde on June 15 in preparation for a new Mercury cycle that will begin on June 29 when Mercury conjuncts the Sun.

 The most intense time of this process will be between June 22 and July 14 when Mercury is lost in the blaze of the Sun.  In ancient times this was said to be when Mercury assumes his alter ego as Psychopomp and Guide to the Underworld. In this role Mercury is associated with the Egyptian scribe Thoth, who has access to the Halls of Record. Esoteric writers suggest that the retrograde phase of Mercury creates an opening that allows access to the wisdom of our soul.

 Currently Mercury is still visible in the evening sky but he will disappear for   about a week and by the middle of July he will re-appear in the sky just before sunrise.  

 

The whole retrograde phase is a potent time for reflection and review – a time when we can become aware of habitual beliefs and thought patterns and make the adjustments necessary to align our thinking with the person we are now. This is a great time to meditate, reflect, research, seek answers, sort out your paperwork, return calls and generally attend to all the things you have been too busy to do earlier.

 This s also a time when normal communications can go haywire and things often don’t run to plan.

[For more information go to www.christinerothwell.com/page5.htm ]

 Remember to be patient, maintain your sense of humour, CHECK ALL PLANS, BACK UP YOUR DATA AND DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY IF THINGS GO WRONG!

 

Ø      Exact dates: June 16 to July 10

Ø      11 Cancer to 2 cancer

Ø      Full time of influence: May 31 to July 24

Ø      Time for insight: June 29 when Mercury conjuncts the Sun and begins a new cycle.

  As the retrograde cycle moves mainly through the sign of Cancer it is inviting us to attend to all things ruled by this sign, so it may well be worth reflecting on and paying attention to

• Family relationships
• Belonging – what constitutes ‘family’ for you?
• Nurturing – how you give and receive nurturing.
• Issues about dependency and co-dependency
• Creativity – relationship with the imaginal realm of the Great Mother

 Any or all of these areas may become issues over the next month or two. Remember Mercury retrograde always provides us with the opportunity to free our thinking from habitual ruts and develop a more conscious set of mental attitudes and beliefs.

 Concerns may arise over the first few weeks and the answers and insight can appear when the new cycle begins on June 29.  Sit with your insights until July 10 when Mercury goes direct. The next few weeks are the time to express your insights and put new plans into action.

 3.    Saturn Opposition Neptune

 The key for many of you is to know that your dreams and ideals may be tested, but those who stand firm can see the realization or MANIFESTATION of these dreams. So hold tight to your dreams and accept the challenges that come your way – the end result will be richer for the experience.

 This is the third and final exact opposition.  Here are all the exact dates:

a.      August 31 2006

b.      February 28 2007     

c.      June 26 2007

 The Saturn/ Neptune cycle is all about giving form and structure to our dreams and ideals. On a collective level this can be the cycle that charts the birth and death of ideologies and the institutions that give them form.

 This transit is a major turning point that suggests the need to honour the Saturnian principle and and take responsibility for all our personal and collective dreams and ideals[Neptune]  and the structures we have created to give them form [Saturn].

 Saturn will test your dreams, so beware and be willing to get real. Whatever is pure fantasy and delusion needs to be discarded but whatever contains real substance may  need to be grounded in some way to allow its manifestation. Ask yourself honestly what you really want and what you can do to make it happen. Saturn demands ACTION and willingness to put  energy behind your dreams.

 HOLD ONTO YOUR DREAMS – THIS IS A TIME OF POTENTIAL CRISIS WHEN THOSE WHO HOLD FIRM, TAKE THE INITIATINE AND MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS COULD SEE THE FLOWERING AND MANIFESTATION OF CHERISHED DREAMS AND PROJECTS.

Visit the August 2006 newsletter for a full description of this transit. 

  4.  The Winter Solstice:  4:08am on June 22 AEST

 The Winter Solstice or Cancer Ingress of the Sun marks the time of the longest nights and shortest days when the Sun is reborn from the darkness. The times of sunrise and sunset appear to stand still for a few days before the time of light begins to lengthen. The Winter Solstice therefore symbolizes the rebirth of the light and the divine spark within us all. It marks the beginning of a solar new cycle and is time for those of us who live in the Southern Hemisphere to create our New Year resolutions and reflect on what we want to achieve in the coming year.

 If you would like to discover more about this event and share a ritual with like minded souls I am offering a Winter Solstice Ritual on Monday June 25.

 A Simple Solstice Ritual

 The most traditional way to celebrate the Solstice is to arise early on the day of June 25 to observe and honour the sunrise. Ideally you will find a place where you can observe the horizon free of buildings and welcome the Sun as he appears. Allow yourself to be filled with wonder and gratitude for the rebirth of the Sun. As the Sun gains strength and power, feel your self being blessed with his light and vitality. Ask for the blessing of the divine masculine for the year ahead.

 A special Solstice meal is another wonderful way to honour this energy. This is the time for roast dinners and a roaring fire where a special Yule log was burned to honour the Sun and bring his warmth and radiance into the home. If you don’t have a fire then light gold candle to honour the Sun.

 If you want to create a more intimate ritual, create a sacred space with candles, incense, meditation and intention. Tune into your inner guidance to find the seeds of new potentials that are stirring within your inner darkness. When you are ready, record the seeds in red or gold ink [as long as they do not seek to influence or harm and individual] and then burn them in your fire or from your candle. As the paper burns, see your seeds flowering and your potentials manifesting. Give thanks and light your candle whenever you need to refresh your visions and intentions.

Blessed Be!

 5.  Courses, Workshops and Classes

Contact Christine on 9584 6532 or christiner@netspace.net.au for more information or to reserve your place.

 Winter Solstice Celebration: Monday June 25

 2007 Astrology Classes have begun but are still enrolling – catch up tapes are available for late enrolments.

·        7pmThursday in Beaumaris

·        10am Friday in Mentone

This in-depth introduction to astrology from a psychological and mythological perspective is running over three 10 week terms with the option to continue and under go professional training. This course is suitable for beginners wanting to know more about their personal chart as well as those wanting to deepen their knowledge of astrology and gain professional qualifications.

 Each 10 week term costs $300-00 but there is a 10% early bird discount for early payments. Payment can also be made in instalments and concession rates are available for those on low incomes.   For a brochure containing an enrolment form or more information about payment options ring, email or go to www.christinerothwell.com/page3.htm

 Heart Awareness: Saturday August 4

This workshop will introduce you to simple yet powerful meditative techniques and processes to allow you to access the intuitive wisdom and healing power of your heart. Heart Awareness is more than a meditative technique – it gives you the tools to use throughout the day to manage stress and access the intuitive knowing of your heart. The optional follow up day is scheduled for September 1.

Blessings

Christine Rothwell