Summer 2015 Activity

As I write this blog, summer is winding it's way toward the end of it's days. Children are returning to school, students are again filling the collages, and in the desert we have high hopes for eventual cool weather. Each summer seems to have it's own theme unique to the person or group of people experiencing it. For me, it was a summer of new beginnings, a few needed endings, connections with nurturing friends, and conscious rest. I say 'conscious' because my normal tendency is to keep the to-do list full, my schedule hopping, and then at the end of the summer feel resentful that I didn't really 'do' anything (besides work!). This summer I made sure I had time for pleasure, spaces in my calendar, time for activities that are refreshing and fun. I even made a trip to Michigan to do spiritual service and connect with old friends.

Astrologically, my attention goes toward this as the summer of retrograde planets; normally, the outer planets are retrograde during our summers, but for some reason, this summer I actually saw and felt that as support to slow down, re-evaluate, re-think my plans, and rest. Uranus, the planet of revolution and change, retrograded on July 26 in the powerful, action-oriented sign of Aries. Did you feel any cues to slow down? Neptune, which brings us mystical cycles that augment our daily realities concurrent with choices to stay clear headed or move into addictions or ways that we fool ourselves, went retrograde June 12th in it's home sign of Pisces. Pluto, planet of transformation, change, and restructuring, has been slowly moving retrograde since April 16, offering a second chance with our plans to revisit existing foundations. And finally, Saturn, planet of discipline, motivation, and rewards from hard work, has been backtracking in Scorpio since March 14.

We live in a world where technology allows our psyche to be tethered, tamed, timed, and teased 24/7. Entire self-help books and workshops are being formed around teaching people how to slow down and how to un-plug. I feel that with these retrogrades, the Universe offers the support that can only be located through slowing down, reflecting on our words before they are chosen, revisiting ideas that are not working as they should. As my Teacher as coached, without slowness, we cannot really feel who we are and we miss out on the present moment.

This fall, planetary momentum will again build as planetary cycles move toward forward motion. The combination of full moons and solar flares and eclipse activity will serve as triggers to move us forward. The Pisces Full Moon of August 29th will send ripple effects into our psyches through the dream time and other realms; pay attention to your intuition! The eclipses of September 12 and September 27 will bring changes of their own.

The direct motion of Uranus will not occur until December 25th, so Uranian energy may not be as full as it has been; this will impact especially those born under Aquarius, as this is your ruler. The direct motion of Pisces will occur on November 18th, allowing for more clarity and insight; this will especially impact Pisces, as this is your ruler. Pluto moves forward on September 25th, allowing the transformation to move with better alignment; Scorpio will feel this movement the most as it is your ruling planet. Saturn's recent movement forward on August 2nd will impact everyone, but especially Capricorn, as this is your ruling planet. We may be visiting a few issues or ideas left over from the last Saturn cycle until Saturn moves back into Sagittarius on September 17, where it will remain until September 2017.

Planning and doing are important aspects of keeping the world afloat and progressing in evolution. I encourage you to consider adding spaces into your lives for rest, reflection, time in nature, doing things that bring you happiness and allow you to unplug. May you all have a beautiful remainder of summer and a brilliant and creative fall.

Namaste,
Jane