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Venus and Mars Align for Sizzling Summer Solstice
Utterly Charming:
Victoria Moran on ‘Living a Charmed Life’
SHELLEY ACKERMAN
Photo: Rich Press
The chart for Summer Solstice cast for 1:46 am on June 21, the moment that the Sun enters watery Cancer, sets the tone for the next three months. And despite the daunting opposition from Pluto to the Solstice Sun, all things considered, there are good reasons to be encouraged:
In New York, the Summer Solstice horoscope with Aries rising has the Moon and Mercury conjoined in chatty Gemini, and Venus and Mars conjoined in sensual and money-centric Taurus. Both love planets are in a trine to Saturn, emphasizing that passion and practicality can and should coexist peacefully in the months ahead. These two sets of planetary pairs of the personal planets say that what is deeply personal to each of us on an individual basis is also inextricably linked to the world at large.
Molly Hall, eloquent, versatile, and very well-informed astrologer of About.com is also upbeat about the Sun’s foray into Cancer this year: In her enthralling June 16th posting, she speaks of the “love frequency” and the many concerts this weekend taking place near water, including performances by the Moody Blues, Sting, and Yoko Ono. All performers for Live H2O will be working with a frequency that is believed to resonate with the heart charka, 528Hz. The Live H20 site explains how you can vibe in at home. YouTube has many videos on 528Hz, a/ka/ the “love frequency”, click here to see and hear one.
I visited several YouTube videos on the 528Hz “love frequency”, my heart chakra did not respond to any of them. So I am left questioning either the frequency itself or the fidelity of the production of the audio within the videos. For me, the ultimate healing frequency was the deepest quiet I ever experienced in my life, sitting the park yesterday in Saratoga Springs, NY just outside of the Roosevelt Bath House.
The “Dark Moon” Summer Solstice is quickly followed by the New Moon in Cancer. The Sabian Symbol for the degree of the New Moon at 2 degrees Cancer is:
“A Man on a Magic Carpet Observes Vast Vistas Below” and it is such a lyrical, airy, other-worldly image, one that evokes the feeling of being ‘carried’ by mystical forces and whimsical winds. After all, anything can happen on a magic carpet ride. In her blog, Sabian Symbol Diva, astrologer Lynda Hill, says that this New Moon offers a choice between “Flying High or Trying to Escape Reality” .
Whether we’re on a roll, in the dumps, or inadvertently trying to escape from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, we all long to lead a charmed life, one in which what we wish for manifests in an instant.
But how can we dare to even think about living a charmed life in this frightening economic climate?
According to the Charmed-Life Lady herself, my friend Victoria Moran, who’s best selling book, “Creating a Charmed Life” was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show a few years back, now when things appear to be very tough is exactly when to access your inner Genie. Lucky for us, Moran shows us the way.
Refreshingly real and unpretentious, Victoria is atypical of her Aries Sun sign: Yes, she’s energetic, highly creative and always in motion, but unlike many of her Mars-ruled comrades, she’s sensitive, an attentive listener, and thoughtful. Her writing is engaging, gentle and motivating. Her new book, “Living a Charmed Life” has fifty chapters and I found myself feeling better just going through the list! Some of my faves include: ‘Consider Yourself Lucky’, ‘Claim a Café’, “Not Guilty, Your Honor”, “Grow Green Gracefully”, and “Wash the Dishes with All Your Heart”.
I asked Victoria Moran for a few pointers, and here’s what she had to say .
SA: C'mon, tell the truth, how easy is it really to live a charmed life?
VM: Once you decide that you want a charmed life and deserve one, you set about creating that. It's largely a matter of framing how you see what transpire: little things can be magical. It's not winning lotteries and Academy Awards; it's having things fall into place in serendipitous ways.
SA: You site the ages of 10 to 14 as a pivotal time when we are thrown off course and away from our spirit. Why? What happens then?
VM: There's no one with more hope or confidence or expectation than a ten-year-old girl. Puberty tends to sidetrack us. So many women say they really come into their own after menopause, rediscovering, in a sense, their inner-ten-year-old. But you don't have to wait. As long you remember that you are an expression of the divine and therefore magnificent, you can go after whatever you want at any age. There may be detours, but those are half the charm.
SA: What is the Cosmic Two-Step?
VM: It's a simple, spiritual precept: Ask for what you want; then let it go. Ask as if it's the only thing that matters on earth, and let it go as if you couldn't care less. This tells the universe you're serious, and gives it a chance to work for your benefit.
SA: You encourage your readers to keep a ‘Serendipity Log': What is that and how does it work?
VM: It's a little notebook in which you jot down delicious coincidences, tiny graces, unexpected gifts, and the other delights that show up, apparently unbidden. Keeping the log, even for a short time, trains you to notice these, appreciate them, and subsequently attract more of them.
SA: How does one ‘grow green gracefully' and why is that key to living a charmed life?
VM: We're eternal beings having a time/space experience. Because we're now living in a time when the environmental situation is probably the most grave of the many untoward situations we're looking at, we need to part of the solution, part of the green revolution. I say to do this "gracefully"---in your own way, with some style and panache---so that it's a pleasure and an adventure, something you'll keep up. This is too critical to look at as a fad or something to drop if you get tired of it.
SA: What are some suggestions for ‘Mapping the Route from Bummed to Better'?
VM: You deserve some time to feel rotten: give yourself 15 minutes or two hours or whatever it takes. Then do something.Call somebody positive. Meditate. Exercise. Go volunteer at a soup kitchen or animal shelter. Just get out of yourself. Obviously, in cases of clinical depression or fresh grief, these kinds of tips are silly, but when you're just having a bad day, they really help.
Chart: Summer Solstice June 21
Click for larger view
June 18: Moon in Aries V/C @ 5:35 am, enters Taurus @ 10:20 am
June 20: Moon V/C @ 8:02 am, in Gemini @ 1:00 pm
June 21: Sun in Cancer @ 1:46 am, Venus conj Mars @ 9:10 am
June 22: Moon V/C @ 8:20 am, Moon in Cancer @ 1:12 pm,
Venus trine Saturn @ 2:31 am,
Mars trine Saturn @ 10:45 am,
New Moon @ 3:35 pm
June 23: Sun opp Pluto @ 3:39 am
June 24: Moon V/C @ 7:24 am, enters Leo @ 12:50 pm
*Moon v/c = ‘void of course’, Best for spiritual not earthly pursuits
Bonus: 2009 Astro Crib Sheet
Mercury begins 09 @ 0˚Aquarius07’ & ends 2009 @ 19˚Capricorn29’ Rx
Mercury Retrogrades 2009:
Jan 11-Feb 1, May 6-30, Sept 6-29, & Dec 26-Jan 15, 2010
Venus begins 2009 @ 27˚Aquarius48’ and ends 2009 @ 7˚Capricorn13’
Venus Retrograde: March 6-April 17, 2009
Mars begins 2009 @ 3˚Capricorn57’ and ends 2009 @ 18˚Leo54’ (Retro)
Mars turns retrograde on December 20th (thru March 10, 2010)
Jupiter begins 2009 @ 29˚Capricorn02’ and ends 2009 @ 26˚Aquarius15’
Jupiter enters Aquarius on January 5, 2009
Jupiter Retrograde: June 15-Oct 13, 2009
Saturn begins 2009 @ 21˚Virgo46’ Retrograde and ends 2009 @ 4˚Libra30’
Saturn Retrograde: Dec 31, 2008-May 16, 2009
Saturn enters Libra on Oct 29, 2009 (will retrograde back into Virgo in 2010)
Uranus begins 2009 @ 19˚Pisces15’ and ends @ 23˚Pisces05’
Uranus Retrograde: July 1-December 1, 2009
Neptune begins 2009 @ 22˚Aquarius27’ and ends 2009 @ 24˚Aquarius34’
Neptune Retrograde: May 28-November 4, 2009
Pluto begins 2009 @ 1˚Capricorn16’ and ends 2009 @ 3˚Capricorn17’
Pluto Retrograde: April 4-September 11, 2009
Charmed Life Horoscope for Summer 2009
ARIES: The Challenge: To see how the other half lives and manage to have fun while things are unfolding at a slower pace than you’d like it to or that feels natural to you. The Charm: All is working in your favor and if you cooperate with the forces money woes will iron out. You and a significant other (or close partner) are in sync and working as a team in a way that furthers you both. Don’t fight it ϑ The Challenge
TAURUS: The Challenge: To remember that too much of a good thing (be it food, sex, or money) can turn into a harmful overdose and throw you off balance. Remain ‘sober’, adult-like, and above all, responsible with all indulgences. The Charm: You’re the charm darling, so much so that few will be able to keep their hands off of you. Enjoy the heightened magnetism and being the irresistible center of attention –it’s your turn.
GEMINI: The Challenge: To decide which master to serve, as you’re being pulled in twice as many directions as usual. The question is: What is most important? not what makes you feel better in the moment? The Charm: You really can’t lose: whether you go with feeding your inner life and disappear to the woods, waters or mountains for some R & R, or launch that email blitz to get you in a better work environment, something juicy is about to roll your way. Know that the financials will pick up as Summer progresses.
CANCER: The Challenge: Is for you to listen effectively and speak in a language that everyone understands or forever hold your peace (at least for a few days). Your inner world and dream life are in overdrive and there’s legitimacy to your need for alone-time to process it all. But on the other hand, Venus and Mars in your 11th house does wonders for your popularity- be discriminating and discreet. The Charm: Help is on the way- with many loving hands on deck willing to pitch in wherever needed.
LEO: The Charm: The magnetic love planets, Venus and Mars at the top of your chart adding more glamour and charisma to your already irresistible aura than the law allows. The Challenge: To use this gift of added allure in useful, practical and utilitarian ways and to bank some of it for a rainy day. Extravagance is out-survival is in.
VIRGO: The Challenge: To embrace a new philosophical approach and/or religious doctrine that is more loving, compassionate, and helpful to your life force and one that supports and nourishes your commitment to service. The Charm: Your thoughts, feelings and words are completely in sync, and you enjoy an eloquence beyond that which you thought possible. Be courageous in your willingness to share what you know in front of a crowd.
LIBRA: The Challenge: To make joint financial decisions that are fair and equitable to everyone, including yourself. It’s often all too easy for you to paint yourself into a corner under the notion of being considerate. The Charm: Your influence and ability to get your point across are at an all time high and you have access to people, places and institutions that were heretofore off limits. Welcome to the Emerald City.
SCORPIO: The Challenge: To resist the temptation to get one over on a sitting duck. That duck is not as dumb (or as sitting) as he or she looks. Stay on the up and up even if it kills you. The Charm: Love and Money merge in your seventh house of partnership. If you’re paired up, everything about it is working just fine (in and out of the bedroom). If you’re not, the cooperative spirit can turn romantic in a heartbeat. But this ‘love’ would go public so make sure it’s one you want.
SAGITTARIUS: The Challenge: If love has made its way into the workplace, or you’ve met someone at the gym, make sure that it isn’t just hormonal and that the two of you are willing to risk everything to be together. The Charm: Suddenly, all taboo subjects involving money, sex, and family history that nobody ever talked about are on the table and out in the open, freeing you up to be who you really are with those you care about.
CAPRICORN: The Challenge: To find the balance between your inner judge and your inner rascal. The lusty Venus-Mars combo in your frolicking 5th house of love and excursions has to get the better of you now and then. Maybe it’s time to cut a deal and agree to ‘pay off the pipe’- with interest, down the line. The Charm: Though a few admirers and fans acknowledge their secret crushes, you still can’t act on most of it. A coworker or underling steps up to the plate, and gives you some down-time without worry.
AQUARIUS: The Charm: Ah the Great indoors! Venus and Mars cozy up in your 4th house reminding you that there is in fact, no place like home. Kids and romantic partners are more understanding and cooperative than usual. The Challenge: With the focus on finer things, the bedroom, and sensuality all throughout the home, the air-conditioning bills for this month may go through the roof, but you’ll be the last to complain about it.
PISCES: The Challenge: The Good-Neighbor Policy is one thing, but if you act on all of those lustful impulses, the need for mending fences (and building new ones) and repairing reputations will exhaust you later on. The Charm: Children, step children your current partner and Ex’s are all getting along. Savor the experience and use the cooperative spirit of all concerned to make some decisions and get some projects done once and for all.