Number 63                                                                   christiner@netspace.net.au  

The July newsletter will be a little later than usual as I am having a mid-winter break and travelling to Darwin and Kakadu. The July newsletter will contain updated information about the Jupiter / Chiron / Neptune conjunction and the July eclipse in Cancer.

 This newsletter focuses on the July lunations, the Winter Solstice and the retrograde motion of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune.

 An email is currently circulating cyber space about the planet Mars. It says that Mars is making a very close encounter with Earth this August. THIS IS NOT TRUE, but it did happen in 2003. Obviously there is still information about the 2003 phenomenon floating around on the web that does not specify the actual year of this event, and this is causing confusion.

 Mars comes close to Earth every 2 years when it moves retrograde; in 2003 a number of other factors made this a much closer encounter than usual. This year Mars moves retrograde on December 21 and will make its normal every 2 year closest encounter with Earth when it opposes the Sun around the end of January 2010… significant yes, but nothing out of the ordinary.

 Term 3 Astrology classes begin the week beginning July 20. Year One will be exploring the houses in term 3 and Year Two are continuing their exploration of transits.

 Solstice Blessings

Christine

 Christine Rothwell

Email: christiner@netspace.net.au

Website: www.christinerothwell.com

 Contents 

1. June Overview
2. Jupiter Joins Neptune and Chiron Retrograde
3. The Winter Solstice
4. 2009 Astrology Classes.

·    1.    June Overview

All dates and times are for Australian Eastern  Time 

June begins with Mercury having just turned direct [on May 31] and the Jupiter, Chiron Neptune triple conjunction still within orb as they move retrograde together in preparation for second Jupiter/ Neptune conjunction takes place [ on July 10 at 26 Aquarius with Chiron still hovering close by]. 

The first two weeks of June sees Mercury recovering the degrees of the zodiac that it moved over during its recent retrograde phase. After Mercury turns direct we are called on to action the insights that the retrograde phase has brought to light. Mercury will be back to full speed by mid June, but until then we may still all be a little vague and preoccupied as Mercury. Don’t expect ‘business as usual’ until mid June when Mercury is back to full speed and has recovered the retrograde loop. 

The triple conjunction of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune is still operating and offering the gifts of insight, healing and love [Neptune rules Divine Love] to those who are willing to face their wounds [Chiron] and grow through this process. By the middle of the month all three will have moved retrograde together, inviting us to dive deeply beneath the surface of the rational mind and undertake a deeper level of reflection and exploration of our wounds. This is one of the most potent healing configurations possible, especially for those consciously working to raise their vibrations and release their fear. The challenge will be to stay focused on positive outcomes when we fall back into old fear based patterns. Remember, Chiron always works homeopathically and presents us with a little bit of the old toxin, so we can integrate it and move beyond the old pattern. [See last month’s newsletter for more information about the general principles of this alignment and section 2 in this newsletter for a fuller discussion of the retrograde phenomenon.] 

June 6 see the Sun square Saturn and Mars trine Pluto, suggesting two quite different energies. Sun square Saturn can activate the inner and outer critic so try to be gentle with yourself and others. The positive manifestation is enhanced by the trine from Mars to Pluto and calls for a more serious and disciplined approach to whatever we are doing. Great energy for getting things done! 

The Full Moon in Sagittarius on June 8 has a strong Saturnian flavour as Saturn squares both the Sun and the Moon. This may activate the inner critic archetype along with our insecurities in order to give us the opportunity to take responsibility for anything that is not working as it should be. Beware that we may all be quite hyper-sensitive under this lunation; try to be constructive in your feedback with others as well as with your inner dialogue.

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The New Moon in Cancer on June 23 is highly energized by several aspects including an auspicious trine from the Jupiter, Chiron, Neptune conjunction, a square from Uranus and an opposition from Pluto. This means all the three transpersonal planets plus Chiron are active players in this New Moon and there is potential for it to play out in many forms.

The main aspects in the New Moon chart are also active in the Solstice Chart for June 21, making them more potent. The charts for the Solstices and Equinoxes are each said to be active for the next three months – until the Sun enters the next cardinal sign. The healing trine from Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius suggests the gifts of faith; healing and insight are available if we can address the demands of Uranus and Pluto. Uranus speaks of the need for being our authentic self and breaking free of limiting beliefs and patterns while Pluto challenges us to face our fears and embrace our demons rather than pushing them away or denying their presence.

We are getting a double dose of Cancer New Moon energy this year as the New Moon in July is also in Cancer and is a Solar Eclipse. Cancer New Moons always evoke strong emotional currents and invite us to reflect on family, the past and our emotional connections and bonds. This is the time to review our emotional foundations, set intentions to heal and strengthen these foundations and look at our patterns around family and belonging.

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2.    Jupiter Joins Neptune and Chiron Retrograde

Jupiter, the Principle of Expansion and Lord of Olympus, moves retrograde on June 15 at 27 Aquarius, joining Chiron and Neptune, who both turned retrograde at the end of May.  Jupiter spends about 4 months retrograde each year while Chiron spends about 4 ½ months and Neptune about 5 months retrograde each year. The retrograde motion of these planets occurs in tandem as they continue to align [conjunct] with each other in the sky.

At various times during their orbit the planets [with the exception of the Sun and Moon] appear to move backwards. This happens when the planets are at their closest to Earth and is due to one planet moving faster than the other. The best analogy is two trains travelling along parallel tracks: the slower moving train appears to move backwards if you are in the faster moving train.

The traditional interpretation of retrograde planets suggests that they become weak, inhibited or repressed. Psychologically we can see this quite differently: the planet is no longer functioning in its usual mode and can offer us a new angle or perspective as it moves over one area of the zodiac three times. Retrograde motion always suggests a time for introspection, review and revision.

The retrograde motion of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune is inviting us to reflect on how their energies operate in our lives and gain a greater clarity on the potential for healing that this triple conjunction offers. Stay with whatever is happening for you - whether it is joyful or painful – and be prepared to reflect, meditate, journal or do whatever feels right to explore the healing potential available through this alignment.

As the largest planet in our solar system Jupiter symbolizes our search for meaning as well as expansive states that come from faith such as confidence and optimism. The retrograde motion of Jupiter invites us to review our growth, examine our moral codes [personally and collectively] and develop a deeper sense of what is right and true for us. Our plans for expansion may undergo a reality check and require re-visioning. Sometimes we lose track of what is right for us and get carried along with collective beliefs that are not congruent with who we are. Jupiter retrograde can expose any incongruence and offer us a new perspective on our visions, beliefs and plans for growth.

Sometimes we can feel deflated [particularly if we have been inflated] and there is a major conflict between what we had hoped for and the reality of the situation. The challenge is always to review and revise our plans and to hold onto a positive attitude. Jupiter rewards positive [not naïve] thinking and invites us to walk our talk and move out of our comfort zones.

The retrograde motion of Chiron, the Wounded Healer, invites us to develop a more objective viewpoint regarding our personal and collective wounds. Old wounds may open for healing insight and unfinished business may resurface, especially wounds around the Aquarian archetype: expressing our individuality, being authentic and accepted for being who we are, challenging the status quo, humanitarian and egalitarian ideals and feeling a part of the group /community.

The retrograde motion of Neptune, the God of the Sea and ruler of the collective unconscious intensifies Neptune’s inner focus on the realm of images, symbols, imagination and spirituality. It creates a more introspective mood that can heighten our awareness and senses and invites us to surrender our ego and access the transpersonal realm and open our hearts to all that is different and alien to our known awareness. The retrograde phase can also bring up all our negative Neptunian tendencies so we can gain a new perspective on theme them, PERSONALLY AND COLLECTIVELY. It provides the opportunity to see our blind spots, illusions, delusions, fantasies, self deception, co-dependent and escapist patterns as Neptune slowly dissolves out dated structures.

3. The Winter Solstice: 3:47pm on June 21 [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 two weeks before and after the peak time of June 21, before the time of light begins to lengthen markedly.  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. 

The Solstices are currently aligned with the Galactic Plane and for us here in the Southern hemisphere the Winter Solstice is near the Galactic Anti-Centre. This alignment peaked in 1998.The December Solstices are now moving into alignment with the dark band at the centre of the Milky Way and this will become exact at the December 2012 solstice. 

The Winter Solstice 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 celebrate this rebirth and reflect on what we want to achieve in the coming year. This is the logical time to create our New Year resolutions and intentions. The timing is perfect, coming just after Mercury turns direct and in the middle of the spiritually powerful healing energy of the Jupiter, Chiron, and Neptune conjunction. 

See the discussion [above] of the New Moon in Cancer for the main themes in the Solstice chart. 

 A Simple Solstice Ritual

The most traditional way to celebrate the Solstice is to arise early on the day of June 21 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! 

Ring Lucy on 0418 382 924 if you would like to attend a Winter Solstice Ritual in North Balwyn at 7pm on Sunday June 14.

 

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Courses, Workshops and Classes

 Contact Christine on 9584 6532 or christiner@netspace.net.au for a brochure.

 2009 Astrology Classes