This Summer of 2012 seems a season of clustered energy, offering up the sentiments expressed in the title of the 1966 spaghetti western movie ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’. We live in volatile times, with mini-miracles of wondrous opportunities and unexpected surprises. We live in brutal times, with people acting out as if caught in a vortex akin to William Golding’s 1954 classic novel Lord of the Flies. And we live during a time of cultural and sexual debasement when people push the envelope of tastelessness to the nth degree.
This Summer can provide us glimpses of the various facets, and flaws, associated with the good, the bad and the ugly. Figuring out which is which and what is what during this summertime can be confusing, perplexing and definitely challenging. No snap judgments, please, for this season can reinforce the concept that what is true today could be proven false tomorrow.
These are exciting times, and in the lack of total security and stability we can experience the dynamics of these times, the opportunities for things to change in a nano-second with variations on the good, the bad and the ugly theme. Yes, things nowadays can change on a dime.
We begin this Summer on the 20th – 21st of June at the time of the Summer Solstice when the Sun exits Gemini and enters the Cardinal Water Sign of Cancer. In the northern hemisphere, this is the day of the greatest daylight. And Summer is a time when we often choose to bask in the light of summertime activities with a focus on fun and to enjoy times spent getting off the track of our normal, everyday existence as we recharge, relax and re-create.
In times past, and for a select few today, Summer was a season when we got away, took time off, and just enjoyed ourselves.
In our fast-paced worlds of today, getting away for an extended period of time can leave us far behind, lost in the dust, with great difficulty to catch up when we try to get back on track. Unlike previous times, we can fast forward today, compress time, and accomplish more in shorter periods of time than ever before. Our travel can be done so much faster now compared to those days when distant travel was done in boats or on trains or, in times even further back, by horse. Today we can circumvent the globe in a matter of hours, a journey that would have taken days, months, years not so long ago in human history.
This acceleration of time – space today asks, and more often demands, that we juggle. Juggle various activities, juggle our many involvements, juggle the different aspects of our lives. While we might assume Summer to be a season to let down our guard, relax and just enjoy ourselves; the compression of time creates a speed-up and a continuing process of juggling. We may step off the track now and then, and each of us may have summer plans to do just that, but our lives do not grind to a halt or allow us to suspend animation. Life goes on and so too do our lives hurtling down the pathway on our journey.
So it should not be too surprising that the beginning of this Summer can be quite frenetic and highly active. We may have a lot on our plate in terms of our plans, our commitments and our intentions.
To begin the Summer, we may be fast out of the gate but hitting some bumps along the way, especially as we come to the end of Summer’s first weekend and the first full week of Summer.
Uranus squares Pluto on the 24th of June, followed on the 25th by Jupiter square Neptune, Saturn turning direct and Mercury exiting Cancer to enter Leo. Unexpected situations can explode in our faces, and we might experience some disruptions with people acting out and calls for greater democratic action veiling an autocratic stance. Illusions can be plentiful, assumptions made that have little basis in reality. There can be greater forward movement but we have to ask ourselves: in what direction and for what purpose?
We may be raring to go, but it would be wise to give serious thought regarding our plans and even draw upon someone who is detached from our enthusiasm to evaluate whether our intentions seem on target or whether we are heading off on a wild goose chase.
Venus turns direct on the 27th of June. If we have had relationship issues over the past several weeks, those areas where the significant people have seemed squirrely or we squirrely to them, and as a consequence we have sought greener fields; then we could make amends and look to see the essence of our deep-rooted connections with other people.
The 29th has the Sun triggering the Cardinal Climax, as the Sun opposes Pluto and the Sun squares Uranus. Mercury sextiles Jupiter also on this day. That itch of discontent that we may have been feeling, and feeling for some time, could find expression in our desire to change, to shift our focus and to explore new possibilities. We do have to be careful that such an impetus does not take us on a quixotic journey whereby we wind up only tilting at windmills.
With Jupiter now in Gemini all things may seem possible, but we are also prone to be somewhat forgetful. We may have so much going on with our commitments, with our desires to do something new and with our having to deal with curveballs that are thrown at us from out of the blue that we could easily skip over details, neglect particulars and do a shoddy job just to get things done.
Can we say overwhelm?
This latter part of June can be intense and overwhelming. Let’s just watch our reactions to situations, for the tendency could be towards knee-jerk reactions whereby we feel that we have to respond to situations immediately rather than taking our time to reflect upon the situation, consider our options in response and even allowing the dust to settle before addressing whatever needs to be dealt with. Knee-jerk reactions might only dig deeper holes from which we shall have to extricate ourselves.
Early July, around the 3rd and 4th can be quite lovely. Perhaps we have decided to take some time off during this first week of July. The 3rd has the Capricorn Full Moon and Mars exiting Virgo to enter Libra. Although Mars is uncomfortable in Libra, since it thwarts our self-assertiveness by being more considerate of other people’s needs rather than the singular focus on ourselves, this transit also ends the Mars transit of Virgo which has gone on since last November and was one of the three transits that made up the Earth Grand Trine that ended in June when Jupiter exited Taurus to enter Gemini.
The 4th, which is Independence Day in the US, has Mercury sextile Venus, Mercury trine Uranus and Venus sextile Uranus. Magic can be in the air, as we find ourselves in the right place at the right time. Serendipity and synchronicity are at play, and we could experience in this early part of July various magic and mini-miracles afoot. This can be an exciting time, and a relief from the intensity during the latter part of June. Our insights can be strong, and we could find ourselves getting all the right clues in the scavenger hunt of new directions, new interests and new connections. Let’s use this time not only to catch our breath, but to affirm the idea that things work out for the best.
And the beauty of this timeframe is that we do not have to do it all, but rather that the universe works. If we are open to receive, we may find that wonderful gifts are given to us. We may not know why or where from, but wonderful surprises during this early July can put a smile on our face and warm good feelings in our heart.
It is best to remember that like the tides there are times when the tide is in and the tide goes out. So too for us during this Summer period.
Just as the latter part of June could have proven quite intense, and the early part of July a rare and delicious delight; mid-July could have us flummoxed with intensity ratcheting up to liabilities of accidents, aggressive behavior and people acting out.
The 13th to the 19th could prove vexing at best, downright overtaxing at its worst. The 13th has Uranus turning retrograde, followed on the 14th by Mercury turning retrograde. With Mercury turning retrograde, Murphy’s Law is back in effect where ‘whatever can go wrong could’.
With Mercury retrograding through Leo and with Jupiter transiting Gemini, we have to be wary of people grandstanding and overreaching. From a sense of fallibility, people could start promising the world without much to back it up. There may be some dramatic displays of narcissism over the next three weeks, with the Mercury retrograde Leo in effect from the 14th of July into the 8th of August.
Whenever Mercury turns direction, whether from direct to retrograde or from retrograde to direct, things can get awfully screwy with miscommunications, misunderstandings, misconceptions, missed travel arrangements and the like. And with Uranus turning retrograde on the 13th, the day before Mercury turns retrograde on the 14th, things could really go haywire.
We might fell exhausted, wiped out by all the antics going on around us and involving us. On the 15th, the Sun squares Saturn, and our vitality and energy may be flagging. We also have to realize that various past issues, former connections and old matters could pop up, and all without too much clarity.
Although this week-long period can be the most extreme of the Summer, things could be ratcheted up severalfold around the 17th – 18th of July when Mars, going through Libra, triggers a Cardinal Sign T-Square [the Cardinal Climax] with Mars square Pluto on the 17th and Mars opposed Uranus on the 18th. There can be sabre-rattling, or worse, during this time. The liability towards bomb blasts, explosions, war-like maneuvers, accidents and people acting-up violently cannot be discounted during this period. This is a time when we need to take some deep breaths, not engage in any arguments or heated discussions but step away from confrontations, get off the track and seek solace in the sanctuary of nature or our own homes.
One of the beauties of astrology is the energetic weather forecasting, being aware of times when the energy is ramped up, other times when the energy is blocked, and other times when there is a free flow like greased wheels. We live in times of ‘the good, the bad, and the ugly’ and it would be wise for us to keep note of the energies unfolding by utilizing two of the keywords of these times: awareness and mindfulness.
Although the mid-July period could be rough and tumble, the latter part of July into early August gives us a pleasant respite and can be far more enjoyable.
The latter part of July has some highly pleasant Jupiter and Uranus energies. On the 22nd with the Sun moving from Cancer into Leo, Jupiter sextiles Uranus and Mercury sextiles Mars. On the 24th, Mercury sextiles Jupiter, followed by Mercury trine Uranus on the 25th.
We may be looking for new adventures, getting some wonderful insights and connecting with people who understand and appreciate our unique attributes. We might be feeling very upbeat, not only happy to leave the mid-part of the month but more importantly finding creative outlets for ourselves and presenting ourselves in a most dynamic, confident and exuberant manner.
The end of July, early August continues with some wonderful surprises and good times. We may feel like we are on a carousel of fun get-togethers with old friends and new friends alike. We are certainly up for social interactions and exciting fun events. The Sun conjuncts Mercury on the 28th, followed by the Sun trine Uranus and Venus trine Saturn on the 31st. The 1st of August has the Aquarius Full Moon followed on the 2nd with the Sun sextile Jupiter.
Things may look a lot rosier and more hopeful the latter part of July into August.
On the 7th of August, Venus exits Gemini to enter Cancer and we have Mercury ending its retrograde cycle on the 8th, as Mercury turns direct. If we haven’t addressed any miscommunications or heated exchanges and unintended slights that might have occurred during Mercury’s recent retrograde cycle, and especially right after Mercury turned retrograde; then the first few days of Mercury direct could provide us the energy to do so.
On the 9th, Venus trines Neptune. We may feel as though our life is idyllic, spend time around our home, creating a sanctuary and just enjoying the comforts of our living space.
The mid-August period could prove dicey as Venus transiting through Cancer trips off the Cardinal Sign T-Square with Venus opposed Pluto on the 15th, the same day that Mars conjuncts Saturn, and Venus square Uranus on the 16th. These days are days when we might choose to walk softly, not ruffle any feathers, yet still with a recognition that even our best efforts of diplomacy could go for naught.
The Leo New Moon on the 17th of August could prove the last gasp of summertime, as we straddle recreational activities with the getting back to work impulse. With the New Moon configuration of Sun Moon conjunction sextile both Saturn and Mars, we can be energized for late Summer parties and get-togethers. Romance may be in the air and we are looking to put our best foot forward to all those with whom we come into contact. Fun may be on our mind and especially with our loved ones and special person, or special people, in our lives. This New Moon also feels the Mercury trine Uranus exact on the 18th, and we may be open for exciting adventures and extolling our virtues to any receptive audience.
The Sun moves into Virgo on the 22nd, and we might become more focused on our responsibilities and our usual obligations. We may feel Summer drawing to a close as we prepare to return to our usual daily routine.
The 23rd of August has Mars entering its own Sign of Scorpio. Intensity can be ratcheted up again. There can be a sense of ‘take no prisoners’ with people doing whatever they can, and feel they need to, in order to achieve their desires. More things may be operating behind the scenes, in a secretive manner, than total transparency and things operating out in front. Actions taken can be swift and brutal, but our focus may not be clear-headed due to the Sun Neptune opposition on the 24th. No matter whether we are clear-headed or confused, we may thrust ahead in whatever meets our fancy with the Mars Scorpio, Mars trine Neptune on the 26th and Sun trine Pluto on the 29th.
Waves of action – reaction can be strong at the end of August into early September. We may be convinced of right action, whether right or not, and then launch forward with little regard to the conditions or circumstances but solely with regard to our intentions. It would be wise for us to be wary, take braking action, for otherwise we could be so singularly focused that we engage the sentiment ‘fools rush in where angels fear to tread’.
At the time of the Blue Moon, the Pisces Full Moon on the 31st of August, Mercury exits Leo to enter its own Sign of Virgo. Although our analytical and reasoning abilities would be strong with Mercury in Virgo, they are dulled by the Mercury opposed Neptune on the 1st of September.
The end of August, early September may ratchet up the energy, engage our passion, stirrup our determination, but the energy could easily get ahead of us and then away from us. We might proceed forward with great intent but with no direction and a modest itinerary. We may be so wrapped up in movement that we forget where we are going. Excessive confidence and exuberant optimism can create a folly’s journey where we expend a great deal of energy but with few positive results.
The 3rd of September has Venus square Saturn and Mars sextile Pluto. People may be hypercritical of other people’s statements or actions. Relationships could be dicey with people acting with an all or nothing characteristic, and no quarter given or half measures accepted.
The ability to strategize, focus on the fundamentals and devise a best practices approach by which to achieve our goals in the most resourceful and expeditious manner could be offered us by the Mercury trine Pluto on the 4th. If we have a chip on our shoulder, and many people are likely to have such chips or even shoulder boulders, then this great laser-like quality can become acerbic, cutting and bitter in statements and in discussions.
Venus exits Cancer to enter Leo on the 6th of September. We are looking to putting on the Ritz and can easily justify a shopping spree for a wardrobe that will present us in our Autumn best. Our relationships can become all about ‘me’, as we choose to stand on center stage with everyone else revolving around us.
A sense of narcissism can be in the air, as we reflect upon our image and how good we are looking. This self-absorption may be enhanced with the Sun square Jupiter on the 7th, followed by Mercury square Jupiter on the 8th. The liability to overconfidence cannot be discounted. We could easily make errors in judgment and mistakes in our actions due to a sense of self-importance, self-confidence and irrational exuberance.
On the 13th, Venus trines Uranus, and we might have some lovely surprises and serendipitous contacts with some interesting new people. We do have to be wary that we do not get carried away, either by the intrigue of something new and different or by our own self-focus.
The Virgo New Moon on the 15th could allow for a reasoned approach with an opportunity to evaluate what we might have involved ourselves with earlier in the month. Now would also be a good time for us to prepare for the Autumn ahead with the recognition that the coming season may continue the volatility of these times and a significant Sign change with Saturn exiting Libra after two and a half years and about to enter Scorpio for two and a half years as we come into October. [Surprise!].
Mercury exits its own Sign of Virgo on the 16th to enter Libra. Pluto turns direct on the 18th. Uranus squares Pluto on the 19th. And the last day of Summer, September 20th, has Mercury triggering a Cardinal Sign Climax as Mercury opposes Uranus and Mercury squares Pluto. This end of Summer is unlikely to go out with a whimper but rather with a boom, a blast and a bust. To borrow from the father of Rap, Gil Scott-Heron: ‘The revolution will not be televised’.
Summer 2012… the good, the bad, and the ugly…
