Forecast for June 22-28, 2006

by Ellen Zucker

We have reached a special demarcation in the astrological year. The Sun's entrance into Cancer, otherwise known as the Summer Solstice, is the point where the earth is most tilted towards the Sun. As a result it appears at its highest point in the northern hemisphere's sky, and the northern hemisphere experiences its longest hours of daylight.

In the meantime, the artist's palette has shifted from the sparkly translucent tones of Gemini to the deeper quiet greens of fertile Cancer.

Early in the month, Mercury dipped into Cancer's hues; yesterday it was the Sun's turn.

But just to demonstrate that astrology, like life, is forever paradoxical, on Friday, laggard Venus tiptoes into Gemini for a three week stay.

Nonetheless, this Sunday, we experience the full brunt of Cancer's energy as the new moon cycle begins again, this time at 4 degrees of the sign.

Thus far, since the astrological year began with the Sun's passage through Aries, we have experienced its journey through Fire (Aries), Earth (Taurus), and Air (Gemini). With the Sun's entrance into Cancer we now experience the last element, Water.

Water signs provide the space for us to experienceand nurture our emotions and our intuition. Water and the power of water signs are often underestimated. But as the experience of the Asian tsunami and Hurricane Katrina have shown us, water can be a most powerful force.

Our emotional receptors are highly sensitized now. The ever-present barrage of stimuli that we handled so easily last month, grates on us - much like being in a room where the volume of a TV set is set too high. So, like the crab, Cancer's symbol, we want to draw ourselves inward.

Our increased sensitivity sharpens our instincts and allows us to pick up information below the radar screen. We are highly attuned to feelings and moods - ours and theirs. This can be an asset for entrepreneurs and business people who need to intuit which way the wind is blowing (and which way their customers are trending).

Cancer is a 'cardinal' sign. It marks the beginning of a new season and, like the other three cardinal signs (Aries, Capricorn, and Libra) it likes to initiate action.

Cancer needs a place where it can call home, where it can relax and recharge its emotional batteries. It seeks out the warmth of family and close friends. As a result, Cancer's energy is concerned about security - both personal and financial.

On a political level, it tends to be a conservative force; issues of patriotism, national defense, securing the homeland come to the fore.

The equinoxes and the solstice points are 90 degreemarkers in the Sun's apparent annual journey around the Earth. The Sun has traveled 180 degrees, or halfway from the beginning of the calendar year and 90 degrees, or one quarter of its journey, where it began at the vernal equinox in March (0 degrees of Aries).

Coupled with the new moon on Sunday, this week begins a time well spent in reviewing and reexamining progress we have made towards various goals we set for the year.

Excellent ways to utilize the predominantCancer energy include nurturing and building business and personal relationships. Reviewing our retirement planning is also fruitful.

For those in the northern hemisphere, spending a day, or more, at the beach, the crab's natural habitat, is most certainly in order.

June 22
We have reached the top of the bell curve represented by the energy of Jupiter's square to Saturn discussed last week. The energy will now slowly diffuse.

The mellow Taurus moon shifts to quick moving Gemini energy later in the day as Moon moves to Gemini at 10:49 pm EDT. Communication is easy as Moon shakes hands with Mercury in the late afternoon.

June 23
With Moon in Gemini, we have more energy than we've felt in awhile. We want to flit like humming birds, socializing and catching up with our friends and acquaintances. Venus enters Gemini for a three-and-a-half week stay adding fuel to our social activities.

June 24
The moon stays in Gemini today. As we arrive at the end of the lunar cycle, it is time to clean up loose ends. Cleaning out items and habit patterns that have outlived their usefulness is a good activity particularly as Moon stands down Pluto this evening.

June 25
Today the lunar cycle begins anew - this time in Cancer, the sign of the crab. Our energy turns inward as we tend to our emotions. It is an excellent day to spend time with family or close friends because we really appreciate our connections with them.

June 26
Back to work (unless you are lucky enough to have the day off). New ideas expand your horizons as Moon makes a lovely trine to Uranus. Your intuition is strong now. Keep in mind that information taken in through the gut is no less valid than that withour eyes and ears.

June 27
Our energy perks up after a slow start as Moon goes into dramatic Leo at 1:10 pm (EDT). Tonight, enjoy a pleasant evening out.

June 28
Mercury joins the Moon in Leo. We want to be heard. Our creative energy is high. To the theatre, or just create your own.