JUNO, THE GODDESS OF MARRIAGE, for whom this month is named, presides over the June 21st solstice, whose energy is akin to a Full Moon, and marks summer's arrival. In addition, June opens and May closes with a Full Moon. For the Americas and most of Greenland, this is a Blue Moon (the second Full Moon in a calendar month; it is considered to be twice as potent as a normal Full Moon); whereas for Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, June finishes with a Blue Moon, a rather rare occurrence typically appearing every thirty months and usually during a month that has 31 days.

A Blue Moon signifies a special time, a doubling of the Moon's powers during the month in which it appears. The second Full Moon in a calendar month is the Blue Moon. This is a magical time, when long-term objectives can be set and seeds sown for our future, giving them time to germinate and grow until the next Blue Moon rises. Lunar lore also says that a Blue Moon increases the lunar influence on the weather, with a high probability that rainfall, storms and exceptional tides will be more prevalent than usual during that month. So depending on our locale, early or late June contains the celestial gift of potent Blue Moon energy that pops beliefs and judgments that still weigh us down and hold us back and super charges the cosmic energy pattern.

June's five major Moon phases integrate acting out impulses; celebrations; overcoming challenging situations; the price of perfection; and, happiness into our consciousness. The first three transmit variable mutable energy through fire, water and air to release our spring projects as we transition into summer. And, the last two help utilize cardinal energies to push toward our intended outcomes for summer's projects.

FULL MOON
The Full Moon on May 31st/June 1st at 7:05pm MDT/1:05am GMT in Sagittarius illuminates rewards, awards, acclaim, and beauty, which may come through offers that seem full of promise and could lead to bigger and better things. We must look carefully at opportunities that seem too good to resist and determine if they are idle chatter, with no basis in reality, or actually the answer to our dreams - a grand adventure with a big reward. We ought to exercise caution when we feel the world is our stage as we can be susceptible to shallow adoration; propaganda; chasing 'things' that come to nothing; and judging people by their appearances only.

Mind, Body & Health – The Full Moon brings fulfillment, illumination or revelation if we have released blockages and maintained a predominantly positive attitude during the waxing period; however, if we haven't nurtured our vision or have harboured a negative attitude we are more likely to experience physical, mental, emotional or spiritual conflict. A party that includes dancing can be a splendid way to release through physical activity excessive tension build up.

Business & Finance – The Full Moon is a moment of ripening, when our work bears fruit. We can plan to eliminate unproductive procedures and go on study courses during this phase.

MOON IN SAGITTARIUS
Sagittarius's key idea of freedom and thematic principle of seeking, combine to bring us the enlivening process of the quest, and faith in the adventure of life. Its nature is one of broad inquiry and cultural diversity along with a love of personal liberty where commitment comes hard. Inherently the Teacher, at whatever level it chooses to enact this function, ideally Sagittarius expresses a consciousness that asks questions of and is willing to learn from anything or anyone as it seeks the fundamental principles, and ways to turn acquired information into wisdom and guidance.

The Sagittarius Moon's affirmation, My journey through life teaches me to be more philosophical and broadens my view of the world. invites optimism and consciously connects us to the knowledge that we are all part of a great unity.

Home & Garden – The Sagittarius Moon is a good time to channel our energy into creative sewing projects. The Sagittarius Moon's dry barren nature will support planting onion sets, fruit trees and soil cultivation.

Mind, Body & Health – The Jupiter influenced Sagittarius Moon can be a wonderful ally to draw luck and play back to us, if we have been feeling stuck, depressed or too intense. To loosen up, relax our body and strengthen our health, we can incorporate raucous laughter and spontaneity as we make merry; embrace adventure; and, seek greater expansiveness and expression in our life. We may drum, sing, and chant to stimulate fire energy, which helps warm the body and circulate the blood and chi, and draw power from our roots that we can extend outwards into creative endeavours like painting, writing, and acting. Both over-consumption and emotional constriction can strain our liver's function leaving it stagnant and we may find we are experiencing frustration, anger, and irritability. Our health can be strengthened if we read a travel book, take the dog for a walk, go to church, and write up a list of our future aspirations. However, boredom, over-indulgence, and taking unnecessary risks ought to be avoided under this Moon's influence. In addition to weight gain, we are more susceptible to sciatic nerve problems related to a lack of mineral silica during a Sagittarius Moon.

Business & Finance – Sagittarius Moon energy benefits trade, travel, business meetings, and legal matters. We can channel our ease in spending money into travel and outdoor purchases including a holiday flight, casual clothes, hiking boots, travel books, maps and atlases, and camping equipment. In addition, buying presents for our in-laws and anything secondhand is favoured. However, restlessness, financial irresponsibility and shopping locally can all undermine our fiscal goals under this Moon's influence.

THIRD (LAST) QUARTER MOON
The Third Quarter Moon on June 8th at 5:44am MDT in Pisces emphasizes rising from fear and loss to find renewed faith in one's life's circumstances. And, even structured and organized public holidays and celebrations of our community's religious or spiritual aspirations and ideals, when done with joy and warmth of feeling, will inspire and infuse us with a sense of emotional unity. Although, superficial shows of unity and doing things just because everyone else is can leave us feeling lost, alone, and forsaken in the crowd.

Home & Garden – Painting projects align nicely with the low moisture of this phase and are best undertaken June 9th, 10th, & 13th. In the garden, the Third Quarter is considered a resting period during which we can harvest, transplant, and prune.

Mind, Body & Health – This phase typically evokes a crisis in consciousness that informs us that it's time to adjust our attitude and follow new inspirations. We can respond to this inner recognition and effect outer change as we step forward from old façades and consciously live our truth.

Business & Finance – The Third Quarter offers the opportunity to break through old limitations and for exciting dreams to take root. And, it is a good time to dissolve partnerships and take out a loan.

MOON IN PISCES
Pisces's key idea of spiritual harmony and its thematic principle of merging reflect a vision of pure love that encourages us to let go of who we think we are, so we can remember who we are. Its gift of an astonishing emotional range and heightened sensitivity, drawn from spirit, sound, touch, smell, and sight; allows us to embrace its task of bringing back to surface awareness what the culture has denied. At its best, Pisces inspires us to yearn not to possess, but to be possessed by the force of the unknown. And, it brings imagination in the day to day ordinary moment, thus opening us to the flow that connects all life, so the power of universe can be channeled through us and we become custodians of the possible; open to a sense of wonder, and mystery.

The Pisces Moon's affirmation, Listening to my inner voice will show me the way. can assist us to filter the modern barrage of our information age and make evolved choices.

Home & Garden – We can focus our energy on kitchen and laundry chores during the Pisces Moon. And, we may entertain in our home with a pot luck meal that includes swapping recipes with our friends. The Pisces Moon's moist fertile nature is very productive and at odds with this phase's waning energy.

Mind, Body & Health – The Pisces Moon's gentle and watery influence is especially helpful for releasing our need for control and learning to go with the cosmic energy flow. Meditation can assist us to surrender and merge with a greater underlying spiritual process, through which our life can become unblocked and freed up as we release any attachment (conscious or unconscious) to struggle and pain in our life. We can strengthen our immune system and use water to hydrate, bathe, sweat, and purify our body of toxins. It is also a marvelous time to avoid pollutants and be quiet and gentle with ourselves. Reflexology is an ideal way to pamper our feet, and assist us to free our emotions, which is vital to avoid a congested lymphatic system that can give rise to swollen lymph glands and nodes. In addition, our health is supported when we write down our dreams, snuggle up with our lover, and listen to our favourite music. And, our health can be compromised when we fall in love with the first person we meet, change our mind, and feel inadequate. In addition to immune and lymphatic system troubles, we are more vulnerable to physical and mental sensitivity and problems with our feet under a Pisces Moon.

Business & Finance – The Pisces Moon promotes signing documents, drawing up financial agreements, and repairing equipment. And, although we are too easily swayed under its influence to make major purchases, artist's materials, crystal glasses, decanters or bowls, romantic fiction, shoes and hosiery, swimwear, and bedding are all suitable buys. Moreover, unrealistic expectations, illogical reasoning, and looking through rose-coloured spectacles ought to be avoided.

NEW MOON
The New Moon on June 14th at 9:14pm MDT in Gemini contains the solar impulse of getting around difficult situations whereby we may make the most of them; evade them; or find creative and seemingly childlike solutions. And, if we feel we are on 'thin ice', we can avoid putting ourselves at a disadvantage when we tread carefully and plan each step. In such situations, it is vital that we remain alert to signs of danger to assist us to acknowledge changes and adjust ourselves accordingly. In addition, we must be wary of rushing into anything as we may get to a point where we can't safely return to where we began. However, if we set out to have fun, while being mindful of our environment, this could be a fun filled time shared with friends. And, rushing out to enjoy pleasures and activities before checking that it is safe; living only for momentary pleasures without thought of the ramifications; believing that we can get away with things by acting naively and childishly could result in falling through the cracks.

New Moon Visualizations:

Home & Garden – If moving house is on our agenda, June 16th to June 29th is the optimal period to do so this lunar cycle; June 17th &18th are the best days in this phase. And, interior design fares especially well from June 15th to 19th. The New Moon, with its rising ground moisture and increasing moonlight, creates balanced root and leaf growth. We can plant annuals at this time to assist rapid and shallow root development, which makes them easier to pull out in the autumn once they have finished flowering and cropping.

Mind, Body & Health – This phase is when a new theme emerges in the process of our personal unfoldment. In order to tap the impulse expressing from a field of possibilities deep within the unconscious mind, we must be able to listen, honour and trust the inner. We can nourish ourselves with a beauty treatment or attend to our health with a medical treatment.

Business & Finance – The New Moon is a time of emergence and propels us to take action. It supports initiating deals, suing for damages, and catch up on correspondence.

MOON IN GEMINI
Gemini's key idea of dualism and thematic principle of 'I Think' brings very versatile and adaptable energy, intelligence in motion, and an agile mind to our lives. Its biggest challenge is to find focus and express its profound creativity. Its evolved expression focuses and combines the energies of Heaven and Earth, clarity and perception, as the cosmic networker connecting people and ideas all over the world.

The Gemini Moon's affirmation, Conducting all my dealings with truth and honesty brings me satisfaction and peace of mind. can assist us to seek our essential and divine message in life and cultivate that message to its utmost.

Home & Garden – Gemini Moon energy is best channeled into organizing our home office, catching up on correspondence, and paying bills. Its dry barren nature generally is incompatible with this fertile phase, although melon seeds respond well if planted now.

Mind, Body & Health – The Gemini Moon is a brilliant time gain clarity about our speech, thoughts, and how we use our language; and, to re-centre ourselves and be more mindful of what we say, especially if we have been overly critical and negative with our words. This mental and unemotional Moon can influence our lungs, which can store heavier emotions such as grief. Exploring the deeper emotions of grief, breath work in the form of meditation, tai chi and yoga can foster wellbeing in our lungs. And, as we draw in good oxygen, we may vitalize our entire system and strengthen our nerves. In addition, we can write in our journal, write and recite poetry, tell stories, and chant to release accumulated tension in our system and develop our verbal skills. We also promote wellness when we go to the soothing quiet of the library; put up our feet; and, go for a drive to unwind. However, being too easily distracted and beginning one job before finishing another can leave us more vulnerable to nervous tension, agitation, and restlessness. Finally, the Gemini Moon is terrific for us to focus our attention on balancing our energies and spending less time in the mental realm to reduce our susceptibility to breathing problems, respiratory disease, and nervous exhaustion.

Business & Finance – Gemini Moon energy is optimally directed into giving presentations, crisis management, reorganizing/refurbishing, and business trips. And, communication tools such as computers, telephones, and writing materials are good purchase choices; as are a car, books, dictionaries, toys, and gadgets. Although, we are less effective when we become distracted from the issue, are underhanded, and make long or far flung shopping expeditions.

FIRST QUARTER MOON
The First Quarter Moon on June 22nd at 7:16am MDT in Libra reveals perfection and external beauty made immortal and lacking animation. Beauty in shape or form and moments frozen in time can deny the natural process of decay. Perfection through sacrifice, which can be an inspiring process, can bring difficulties in moving on or changing the situation. We must also remain cautious of stopping others from growth and change for personal satisfaction or needs; and, surrender that immobilizes.

Home & Garden – June 25th & 26th are the best day to move house this quarter and, June 23rd & 24th are very favourable for interior design projects. During the First Quarter phase, strong moonlight encourages sturdy leaf growth and makes this an excellent time to mow lawns to increase growth.

Mind, Body & Health – This period of dynamic balance pushes us to take decisive action as the lunar energy begins to quicken. It is very effective for breathing accord into relationships, both with ourselves and with others, and for integrating different sides of the self, such as body and spirit or mind and emotions.

Business & Finance - First Quarter energy combines very well with high profile activities such as announcing mergers.

MOON IN LIBRA
Libra's key idea of relationship and its thematic principle of unity embody the desire to be maximally related. As intelligence in motion attuned to true balance, Libra creates art and relationships that rebalance all involved and recognizes the beauty of justice and fair play.

The Libra Moon's affirmation, I feel safe in giving the gift of my love with another who shares his/her gift with me. consciously connects us with the value of intimacy between equals - true partnership and the larger life we can lead when well partnered.

Home & Garden – The Venus influenced Libra Moon is a wonderful time to beautify our homes. Interior decorating projects can incorporate Feng Shui to create harmonious surroundings where energy is balanced, peaceful, and free flowing. The Libra Moon's moist semi-fruitful nature is the best for planting beautiful and fragrant flowers (annuals or perennials), vines, climbers, and herbs.

Mind, Body & Health – The Libra Moon is a brilliant ally for working on relationship issues and balance, whether we are centering too much attention on ourselves; giving too much of our energy away to our partner; engaging in power struggles; and/or nursing anger or wounds with our partner. We can allow our intent and prayers to guide us toward prioritizing our different activities and creating time for creativity, play, work, and family. The effects of excessive stress and lives out of balance often manifest in feeling tired, depressed, and anxious as our kidneys, the source of our energy and vitality, become overtaxed and remind us that knowledge not acted upon turns toxic. Consuming sufficient water to flush toxins and nourishing our kidneys with high mineral foods like nori will strengthen them at a core level. We can also dissipate stress through artistic pursuits that can include making paintings, drawing pictures, and writing poetry, all of which encourage beauty and harmony in our lives. As well, we encourage wellness when we: see friends, go to a concert, send our partner roses, buy a CD, or buy something for our home. When we are not clear in relationships, don't eliminate emotional patterns and indulge feelings of being unloved, loneliness, and stress, we invite kidney and/or bladder ailments and biochemical imbalances to manifest under this Moon's influence.

Business & Finance – We can partner with Libra Moon energy to forge new business alliances, settle disputes, refurbish business premises and sign contracts. And a friend can assist us to decide whether we will purchase haute couture, accessories, home embellishments or decorations, concert tickets, perfume, and/or flower arrangements. However, we ought to avoid shopping in down market or run-down areas and becoming paralyzed by indecision.

FULL MOON
June's second Full Moon, on the 30th at 7:50am MDT in Capricorn highlights being at one with everything and feeling a sense of uncomplicated contentment. In spite of the number of social rules to obey, we ought not to be bothered. This is a time for sharing good feelings and happiness with all who enter our sphere of operations. Although, we must remain cautious of smug superiority and feeling that we have it all or not seeing the happiness inherent in our everyday life.

Mind, Body & Health – The Full Moon brings heightened emotions and we can feel pulled apart by the solar/lunar opposition, unsteady and unwise. However, it is also a moment of ripening, when our work bears fruit and, if we have been consciously engaged with the lunar process, it can be a period of personal fulfillment. This is an effective phase for undergoing dental work, although it is best to avoid surgery.

Business & Finance – This phase is more productive if we temper logic with instinct, and practicality with creativity. It is an auspicious time to prepare budgets and concentrate on doing useful research.

MOON IN CAPRICORN
Capricorn's key idea of building and thematic principle of usefulness makes efficiency its watchword. More concerned with social values than freedom an innovation, it displays an orientation to reality and being down to earth. Although responsibility is a natural expression of Capricorn energy, it must also be allowed to channel its drive for importance and achievement into projects that bring pride and can be claimed as its own. It reminds us that to achieve our goals, we must learn to acknowledge something higher than ourselves.

The Capricorn Moon's affirmation, With confidence, discipline and dedication I can achieve my ambitions and fulfill my destiny. can guide us to be a teacher of wisdom; incorporating discipline and responsibility in manifesting ultimate faith.

Home & Garden – The practical Capricorn Moon energy is effective for implementing efficient work patterns; for DIY projects; to make improvements; and, to go on an economy drive. The Capricorn Moon's dry semi-fertile nature is productive and especially desirable for sowing plants that crop underground, such as potatoes. It also encourages strong hardy growth, which makes this a good Moon for grafting and pruning to promote health as well as applying organic fertilizer.

Mind, Body & Health – The Capricorn Moon is a time of consolidation and foundational work, when our prayers and intentions can be made to set our will; to develop clear and direct paths; to overcome obstacles; to move through difficulties; to use discipline to accomplish goals; and, to build and strengthen the core of our body and spirit. As we release our ego's attachment to needing power and approval, we gain true power by aligning ourselves with the strength of Spirit. And, we can envision our entire body strengthening and developing under this Moon's influence, and utilize yoga or martial arts to increase potency in the foundational structures of our body, skin, bones, knees, spine, joints, ligaments, teeth, and nails. Our health can be further augmented if we talk about our ambitions and tell our lover how we feel. However, when we become too set in our thinking, we are more susceptible to developing crystallization that can manifest symptoms such as arthritis and rheumatism. In addition, we must endeavor to avoid worrying about money, position or status and being all work and no play. Finally, we are typically more vulnerable to toothache, skin abrasions, and joint problems - particularly the knees during a Capricorn Moon.

Business & Finance – The Capricorn Moon is conducive to high finances, administration, working overtime, and asking for a promotion. And, on shopping outings, we can limit our purchases to practical household items, good quality clothes, professional tools, office equipment, DIY materials, hardware, a burglar alarm, and items for elderly relatives. And, we are well advised to avoid inflexibility, a lack of compassion for our colleagues, and frivolous purchases under this Moon's influence.

The summer (June) solstice marks the most northerly point in the Sun's annual journey; the day with the most daylight hours; the Sun's entrance into Moon ruled Cancer; and, the beginning of summer. It is also symbolically the wedding of the Sun and the Moon. The Sun part of us and our culture knows what we want, but without an alliance with the Moon, solar culture is too much in a rush, too abrasive, too lit, and too paranoid.

Juno, the presiding Moon goddess, takes centre stage as the Sun's power begins to wane and we are invited to rededicate ourselves to life by choosing what we will protect and cultivate in the garden of our personal and community lives. And, many people choose June for their wedding and thus align their marriage with the divine union of the Sun and the Moon.

© Yvonne Hanson, 2007

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yvonne Hanson is a freelance writer from Edmonton, Alberta Canada. In creating this column, Yvonne draws on fifteen years of astrological study and a desire to empower people. If you would like to sign up for Yvonne's free newsletter, which details the movement of the moon more closely, please contact her by email at starfire777_7@hotmail.com.