Reading the signs of the times – what’s afoot in June?
Astrological Forecast for June 2020
Are you feeling the heat yet? Guess what, it’s going to get more intense as we go along. The current intensity comes to a peak at around the New Moon, which coincides with the Summer Solstice on June 21st. The New Moon is eclipsed and follows on the heels of Mercury going retrograde. It sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s recoup and see where we are at right now, at the beginning of the month.
Retrogradation – Cosmic Molasses
We have entered the annual period of retrogradation – this is a time when earlier decisions and actions are under review. As the mud is being kicked up and the consequences of earlier actions are becoming clearer, some decisions will be backtracked or revised. Inquiries into wrongful actions become more likely. Things will not be moving forward smoothly, to say the least. Delays, complications, miscommunications, and the like are becoming increasingly likely from about a week before Mercury starts to go retro.
Venus is now also retrograde, which is likely to add strain to personal relationships that are affected by this transit. Usually, people who were born with significant placements in the same sign or quality as the one in which the retrogradation takes place, feel such transits the hardest. In this case, it will be felt by those who have significant planetary placements or sensitive points such as the Ascendant or the Midheaven in the mutable signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.
With Venus going retrograde through Gemini, the issues that are coming up involve communication – or lack of it. Rumors, gossip, or unintended verbal offenses can hit the soft-spot rather too accurately and thereby cause irreparable damage. Watch your words.
Venus square Mars/Neptune
Even if the Venus in Gemini person may not attach a great deal of significance to their thoughtless utterances – other signs do. Another way this retrograde Venus may become noticeable is by a sense of annoyance. Little things that normally go unnoticed suddenly turn into major vexations.
If you are reaching the end of your tether, be particularly careful on June 3. when Venus squares Mars in Pisces. Mars is a rather touchy fellow in this super sensitive sign and can overreact to the slightest trigger. On the same day, the Sun conjuncts Venus, which gives a sense of righteousness to the Venus in Gemini-side of the argument. But feelings will be running deep as the Moon is in Scorpio and opposes Uranus in Taurus. The energy mix is highly explosive and unpredictable. One can almost hear the sizzle. It could culminate in ‘a big moping’, or an abrupt walkout.
Full Moon
The Full Moon on June 5. amplifies the situation rather than diffuse it. The Moon in Sagittarius becomes one pole of a tension-laden T-square as it opposes Venus and squares Mars right at its Full Moon position. The Mars/Venus conflict is now fully out in the open.
Unfortunately, the following days don’t offer many balms. Mercury squares Chiron, while the Sun squares Mars, and both make difficult aspects to Saturn. This all points to mounting tensions, accusations, and general saber-rattling.
Don’t get me wrong – this does not affect everybody equally in their personal lives. Only those who experience these planetary patterns as transits to their own horoscopes are likely to feel it on a personal level. However, you may notice it in your social circles and it is likely to make a mark in the sphere of politics.
The series of difficult aspects continues through the second week of June and is punctuated on the 11-13 of June when Mars conjuncts Neptune and the Sun squares both in turn. Uncertainty, insecurity, ambiguity, and fear are the dominant feelings. There is a sense of foreboding, a looming but ungraspable danger permeates the atmosphere and may provoke impetuous knee-jerk reactions.
Summer Solstice & New Moon
As the Sun moves closer to its annual climax on the Summer Solstice (June 21), the tensions are still mounting. The sun quincunxes Pluto and Jupiter (just before the two planets come together for their second conjunction. It’s awkward. Responsible, forward-thinking action is necessary, but opinions differ as to how that should look and what to prioritize. None of the available options will satisfy all and personal agendas (social role, status, prestige) may overshadow the decision-making process. ‘Doing the right thing’ vs ‘doing what’s right for ME’ is the issue over which the cookie will crumble – probably weighing in heavily on the side of the ego-motivation.
Mercury retrograde
Adding another layer of challenge to this complex planetary mix, Mercury turns retrograde on June 18th. The sensible thing to do would be to take a break and allow some time to cool off. A decision is necessary, but it is not necessary to be hasty. Impulsive reactions will lead to regret or more problems down the line. The Sun will conjunct the North Node on the 19th, just before it enters Cancer on the Summer Solstice, which also happens to be the New Moon. This is the climax of this cosmic drama, which will last to the end of the month while its repercussions are likely to be felt far into the future.
Neptune retrograde, Venus direct
In the final week of June, Neptune turns retrograde just as Venus turns direct on June 25. Slowly, the planetary entanglements begin to dissolve – but it is a process, rather than a ‘bingo moment’.
Mars enters Aries (June 28, 2020 – January 6, 2021
On June 28th, Mars enters Aries, which promises more decisiveness. Mars is ready for action and much happier in his own sign than in hyper-sensitive Pisces. However, under the current circumstances and the unfolding events that we are witnessing at this time, this Mars-in-Aries period, (which will last to January 6, 2021 !), could come with a rather belligerent flavor.
Jupiter conjunct Pluto (2nd passing)
June ends at a critical juncture: the second Pluto/Jupiter conjunction which takes place on June 30. These two planets make an odd pair. Although the image inspires some hope of transformation, we know that Pluto demands a price. Whatever momentum is bringing about change right now, it will not be served on a platter. Pluto is the Lord of the Underworld. We must deal with the demons and shadows before we may salvage what is left and rebuild a new vision. Transformation is hard work and can be rather painful while we are going through it.
These are challenging times. We are asked to do some soul-searching. This is a good time to identify what gives meaning to your life and, on a broader level – what it means to be human in the 21st century? What kind of world do we want to live in? How can we bring it about? We can all be game-changers if we choose to be.
