posted June 09, 2010 07:55 PM         

Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance. John Petit-Senn

Plant a kernel of wheat and you reap a pint; plant a pint and you reap a bushel. Always the law works to give you back more than you give. Anthony Norvell

Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest. Douglas Jerrold

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Romanian proverb

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. Ovid

Life is a festival only to the wise. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wives are people who feel they don't dance enough.Groucho Marx

June's new Moon falls on June 12 on the Sabian Symbol of Gemini 22: Dancing Couples Crowd The Barn In A Harvest Festival. This is a wonderful degree of celebration, gratitude and fullness of body, mind and spirit, which augers well for the Equinox on June 21 which is traditionally a time of celebration and acknowledgment of the earth's bounty. This looks set to be a great new Moon but there could be some big adjustments, or even upheavals, in the days leading up to June 12 - these will be described below in the Karmic Condition of the planets.

Here's my interpretation of Gemini 22 from my book 360 Degrees of Wisdom: Charting Your Destiny With The Sabian Oracle: Successful achievements have been accomplished, such as the ‘Harvest’, and efforts have come to a fruitful conclusion and now it is time to gather together with others to celebrate. Everyone should share the pleasure that comes from a successful ‘Harvest’. The hard work is put behind them and they reap the rewards of the benefits available to them in their leisure time. As ‘The Barn’ is ‘Crowded’, many people from the community come together to enjoy each other, the music and to dance. By gathering together and celebrating, a sense of community spirit can develop where there is always something worthwhile to be celebrated.

This Symbol shows the need to be in tune with seasonal rhythms and the natural flow of life. The ‘Harvest’ may mean many things. It can be the actual bringing in of a ‘Harvest’, the birth of a baby, the first performance at school, a religious ceremony, such as a communion or bar mitzvah, or a job well done. It is wonderful when people come together and warmly and sincerely. There is a need to get back to a simpler, conservative level of enjoyment where every person’s achievement is everybody’s pleasure. This can lead to an increased understanding and concern for the individuals within our community. It is also possible for one person’s pain to become everyone’s care. Whatever, the feeling of a healthy heart and a healthy mind, while taking a break from the struggles of providing, is what gives us the strength for the battles of life. Perhaps it’s time to kick up your heels and dance.

Keywords include: The reality of rhythmical or seasonal adjustments, good old-time values, issues of pride in one's place, going out, having fun, listening and dancing to music, square dancing, barns and dance halls.

This new Moon is, therefore, about celebrating, dancing, gathering together and enjoying life's bounty. Mercury, the ruler of Gemini, is on another Symbol which speaks of gathering together and enjoying each other. It's on Gemini 4: Holly And Mistletoe Bring Christmas Spirit To A Home. This is a lovely degree that reminds us to be caring and giving to each other and share the spirit of togetherness. Mercury on this degree is like a double whammy of celebration when combined with the degree of the new Moon.

Just as the 'Christmas Spirit' can bring people together, the degree of Venus adds to the theme. It's on Cancer 28: An Indian Girl Introduces Her College Boyfriend To Her Assembled Tribe. This degree sparks off themes reminiscent of the movie Avatar; the mixing together of people from different social stratas, clans or tribes. People may be quite different on many levels but what binds them is love, caring and a sense of community. This degree can show different streams of thought coming together in a common bond - such as the business person who enjoys esoteric teachings or people from different age groups being attracted to each other or people from different sides of the tracks forgetting their differences and finding a common cause or camaraderie.

Mars is on a wonderful degree, but we have to remember that this is Mars which could have some being upset about outcomes or demands or problems that crop up. Still, the Sabian Symbol is a magic one of help, guidance and inspiration. The Symbol is Virgo 3: Two Guardian Angels Bringing Protection. This speaks of connection with a sense of inner guidance, visible or invisible protection, being saved in the nick of time, counseling and guidance, angels, security systems, salvation, social workers. Put out for the guardian angels to work their magic and see what happens. As Mercury and Mars are in a square aspect (which is considered to be a stressful configuration), it may pay to think twice before speaking or acting. Words could come from wounds and not from the current situation or may be overblown and not truly relating to current conditions.

As in the Harvest Festival degree, nature is further emphasized by the degree of the Moon's north node on Capricorn 12: A Student of Nature Lecturing, Revealing Little Known Aspects of Life. This speaks of green politics, observing and translating so that others may learn, nature and natural remedies, issues the conservatives don't want revealed, issues such as global warming, whistle blowers, documentaries, conspiracy theories.

As stated in previous newsletters, Jupiter and Uranus are together on the first degree of the zodiac - Aries 1: A Woman Has Arisen From The Ocean, A Seal Embraces Her. As previously stated, this is a time for finding your feet and your unique voice (mermaids have to do this in order to come on shore and take human form). This is a dynamic combination in a dynamic sign and on a dynamic Sabian Symbol and it could be a case of full steam ahead for many people with their new plans firmly in place. However, without wanting to be a wet blanket, it is prudent to point out that very soon both planets will go retrograde and dip back into the oceanic realm of Pisces. No worries, this is a time of going back over what you really want to be doing or where you want to be or with whom and why.

The 'Karmic Condition' of Venus is Cancer 27: A Violent Storm In A Residential Canyon Filled With Valuable Homes. Of course, everyone's home is 'valuable' and the day before the new Moon could see some shifts, challenges, dramas or changes of some kind that need careful management so that things do not get out of hand. No matter what the intention, some may find the lead-up to this new Moon rather challenging emotionally, physically or mentally. The trick is to have things fall into their rightful place after the initial stirring up of energies. Being thankful will work wonders to restore a sense of calm and peace. For many, right before the new Moon, there is likely to be a big shakeup where things are thrown into the air in some way and come back down in a different shape, order or combination of factors. Staying calm in the eye of the hurricane is the trick here while knowing that all will be OK.

Also, the day before this new Moon, the Sun is on Gemini 21: A Tumultuous Labor Demonstration. This speaks of pushing for change, feeling hard done by or taken advantage of, protest about having too much to do, going on strike, people in the street, peace rallies, violent protests or sit-ins. People can throw up their hands and declare that they're quitting, giving in, letting go, not trying anymore. This, combined with the Violent Storm of Venus the day before can see us going through some tests as to the veracity of our commitment to be thankful, live in gratitude and love and stay on track. This is also magnified by the Karmic Condition of Mars: Virgo 2: A Large White Cross, Dominating The Landscape, Stands Alone On Top Of A High Hill. This can show monuments to suffering and loss, alienation, sacrifice, images of redemption (or the need for them), martyrdom, the Inquisition (Mars on this degree brings to mind - nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition! - Monty Python for those who appreciate this kind of sillyness.....)

To sum up, it seems that this new Moon shows us the need to relax and celebrate with loved ones and to take a break from the usual chores. Before we do that though, we may have to sort through some difficulties that life has thrown at us. The important thing here is gratitude - that above all else will bring the rewards of bounty that are inherent in this new Moon.

posted June 11, 2010 08:33 PM         

With Moon: Quarrels with questionable associates, business success, environment detrimental owing to wife, partner or relative. [Robson*, p.164.]