Solstice Offers Reflection on Our Next Creation

THE SUMMER SOLSTICE on June 21 set the stage for the next three months of human experience. In the Western Hemisphere, this is the longest day of the year, and the opposite is true in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning that we have different backgrounds to the same event, yet, for all of humanity, the solstice is a significant turning point. The Latin term "solstice" roughly translates to "sun standing still". Symbolically, it is a pause in time; a moment to reflect on what we have experienced and learned since last January's Winter Equinox, and a time to look ahead to what we may wish to create in the coming three months. Take a moment to reflect on what you intend to create this summer, ask, what would be the most fruitful and fulfilling use of your time, then hold that vision with delight in your heart.

Sun in Cancer Brings Time to Nurture Your Beloveds

At the Summer Solstice, the sun entered the sensitive, nurturing, and often psychic, sign of Cancer. Early July is a great time to focus our energies on nurturing home and family. For those of us who do not live in traditional family units, please remember that family can also include your close circle of friends, animals, and beloveds; the key for July is nurturing. On a deeper level, the sign Cancer represents the foundation of our life and being. When a foundation is strong, the structure gives consistent and valuable support for a long time. Taking the time this month to strengthen your foundation on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level is energy well spent to ensure the quality of your future.

Mercury Retrograde has us Cleaning Up Our Act

On July 4, Mercury turns retrograde (apparent backwards motion) in Leo, and backs into Cancer until July 28. Because Mercury is the planet symbolizing all forms of communication and ways of connecting to our environment, while it is retrograde we have the opportunity to complete projects, or deliver communications, that have been on hold. Mercury retrograde helps us to get current, which frees our energy for upcoming new activities. Unfortunately, many of us try to push through the Mercury retrograde to get new ideas or projects launched, often experiencing frustration, because past incompletion has an energetic hold on our productivity. To use this time wisely, clear your desk, clean your closets, tell your friend that thing you have been holding back from them, quit your job, clean out your garage, order that new electronic equipment you have been meaning to buy, review your investments, organize your files, re-write proposals, renew your health routines, etc. Everything in nature goes through a periodic cleaning-out cycle; humans were meant to clean out also.

Jupiter Brings an Energetic Release of Creativity

Jupiter, the planet of expansion, after having been retrograde in Scorpio since March 4, returns to direct motion on July 6. Known in traditional astrological texts as the "planet of good fortune", Jupiter bestows expansion, but it does so by bringing into form the benefits that have resulted from our past intentions. During July, Jupiter's return to direct motion can be felt as the energetic release of creativity, new ideas, and great opportunities. As Jupiter begins to pick up speed in early August, we find that many of our creative ideas and intentions for expansion can then manifest in our lives.

Full Moon Illuminates Balance between Career and Family

On July 10, we have a full moon in Capricorn, opposite the sun in Cancer. While Cancer represents the foundation of our lives, our homes, families, and deepest roots, Capricorn is the larger societal context in which we interact. Capricorn represents our work, or profession, and the contribution we make to our world. The full moon sheds light on the necessary balance that must be reached between the energy we give to home and family and the energy we give to our world in fulfilling of our life purpose. With the complexities of the 21 Century, the current political climate of our nations, and the increasing threat to our environment, many of us are stretched to the limits, yet we must seek a way to restore balance to our daily affairs and to create inner harmony. The full moon suggests that time spent now in philosophical inquiry and spiritual attunement will bring about the inspiration of new innovative ideas and intuitive understanding to help us restore greater balance to our lives.

Sun and New Moon in Leo Initiates Cycle of Creative Self-Expression

On July 22, the sun enters the fire sign, Leo. While Cancer's symbol is the moon, which makes it sensitive, moody, and nurturing, Leo is symbolized by the sun, and its energy is bright, fiery, and expressive. While the sun is in Cancer, we build and strengthen our foundation, and if we are successful in creating a strong foundation, Leo then becomes our platform for creativity. On July 24, we have a new moon in Leo initiating a cycle of creative self-expression in the following four weeks. Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and relationships, forms a favorable triangle with Jupiter and Uranus, bringing a depth of artistic insight, inspiration and innovation. Mercury resumes direct motion on July 28, and we are now ready to move ahead with new, and hopefully inspiring, creative projects.

S U N   S I G N S
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	After many months of waiting, new career goals begin to take shape, but may not fully manifest until August or September. The universe has been teaching you patience. Have you been learning? Inspiration and intuitive creativity abounds this month, and support comes from unexpected sources. Remember, dear Aries, that no person is an island; this is a great month to get out and network with those of like minds and hearts.
	Significant shifts in your life philosophy and spiritual awareness take place this month as you let old ways of doing things in the world dissolve. Not an easy task for steadfast and responsible Taurus, but the universe is asking you to let go, trust, allow and flow. Your dreams and visions will become manifested when you absolutely know that they will. There is tremendous support from friends and loved ones for you to go for your highest desire.
	July is an exciting month with a multiplicity of opportunities, including career changes that lead to a greater financial flow. Friends, partners and lovers bring new experiences, resources, connections, insights, and breakthroughs that challenge you to transform your way of doing business so that everyone benefits. Use the retrograde mercury this month to re-organize your financial books and plans. Being organized and current will be helpful when money and opportunities start to flow in at greater speed.
	The full moon impacts relationships, shining light on coming changes you can make in your way of communicating that will enhance the flow and creativity in your most valuable relationships. Letting go of fear in your relationships will open your heart to a greater influx of love, passion and money. Come out of your shell, dear Cancer, and share your gifts with us. Planetary energy has been nudging you in the direction of a profound spiritual awakening that changes and reorganizes your entire approach to living.
	In July, you begin to receive the rewards of many months of focused, productive work. Allow yourself to revel in the pleasure of a job really well done, and give yourself some time for inner spiritual renewal this month. You will delight in the company of good friends and exciting group activities. Creative breakthroughs are also possible now, especially if you gift yourself with some pleasure and renewal time.
	July is your month to get the big picture view of where your life is headed given your current mental-emotional-spiritual state of being. You can shift your future reality by allowing much more pleasure and fun in your life. Many wonderful opportunities are available now; remember to only choose the ones that will truly enhance the quality of your life. Partners bring exciting new possibilities that expand your view of what is possible; go for it, and remember to allow the love and allow the pleasure.
	Increased energy available for productivity in your work sparks new creativity and innovation, opening the channels for greater financial flow. Early to mid-July is a great time for travel that opens the gateway to new experiences. Legal and educational issues regarding children or your creative products have been resolved, freeing energy that can be focused on improving your home and building your career. You can now refine and re-create long-term goals.
	Long distance travel and/or new educational pursuits raise the level of fun and excitement this month. Financial opportunities empower your ability to make productive investments and free up more of your time to be spent in spiritual renewal and creative activities. The work you have been doing to build a new foundation in your career that better supports your life purpose has produced a multiplicity of new options. Early in July, you may be flooded with new artistic insights and expansive ideas that can begin to take root toward the end of the month.
	The full moon highlights finances, bringing your attention not only to your net worth, but also, your essential worth as a human being. The more you love and value yourself, the greater your financial flow will be. Innovative change in the foundation of your life frees energy to move in more creative channels, resulting in greater abundance on all levels, including emotional and spiritual. Relationship challenges can be assuaged with good communication, and by doing fun, creative things together.
	The sun in Cancer highlights important relationships in your life and brings the possibility for you to choose to make innovative changes to the way you communicate with others. The planetary energy reflecting many months of stuck energy with mutual assets is now freeing up, allowing you to dream again of ways to apply the money you have available. Waiting until the end of the month to start new ventures will serve you by giving you time to separate fantasy from reality in making your new choices. Friends and associates are very helpful in facilitating your growth and well being this month.
	You have been working hard over the past few months to facilitate important changes in your primary relationships, and, although you have achieved a good degree of success, the process has taken a lot out of you. Although the planetary energies are not very conducive to rest with new, and too good to pass up, career opportunities on the horizon, it will truly serve you to find time to renew yourself. That said, you have some very exciting options to consider that will shift your financial situation and open the doorway to more fulfilling work.
	If ever there was a month for a fabulous vacation, this is it. Early to mid July offers many rich and deeply rewarding experiences that come as a result of the work you have done in shifting your consciousness. Changes in your philosophy and spiritual understanding have taught you the importance of play and recreation; this month you can practice what you have learned. While it is important to wait for the right timing to act, the long-standing process of transforming your career life meets with very favorable opportunities for creative expansion that can be acted upon at the end of the month. Right now, go play!

© Carolina Eastwood-Parkyn, 2006

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carolina Eastwood-Parkyn is a professional astrological consultant, counselor, and teacher with over 22 years experience providing insight and guidance for clients throughout the world. Carolina has appeared on national TV, hosted radio shows, spoken at national conventions, and presented classes and workshops to numerous audiences.

Your astrological chart is your "blueprint" for this lifetime. A personal session with Carolina is a journey deep into the heart of your being, a look at your entire lifetime, and a remembrance of your spiritual purpose. For more information, or to schedule a session with Carolina, call Earth Star Consulting Services 1 858 - 259-1590, or email to estar@greencafe.com.

You can also visit Carolina's website at www.earthstarconsulting.