Yesterday, I went to the Emeryville Public Market to pick up some dinner. This international food hall boasts almost every cuisine you can think of, from bubble drinks to biryani, fried chicken to bean thread noodles. Before the pandemic, it was packed at dinnertime, but since then, it has often been quiet and subdued, with empty tables and people by themselves or in pairs, scanning their smartphones.
But not last night. I stumbled into a classic Gemini scenario with groups of people bent over scorecards, playing a team trivia game. Apparently, there were extra points if you came in costume, so yes, people in full-on Halloween costumes were scattered throughout the hall.
These people were taking Trivia Tuesday seriously.
I felt like an observer in a never-before-seen civilization. Gemini-land. I recalled the June 6th New Moon in Gemini with Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter, and how team trivia games perfectly define that energy. The Sun still carried the Gemini vibe another day more, yet Jupiter will stay in the sign of the mind for almost a year, and could certainly support a continued trivia surge.
In the game, participants were asked to put their phones away to avoid cheating. As I looked around, the sense of connection, fun, and playfulness was contagious. I had forgotten how we used to talk and laugh in public. The contrast amplified my concern that the pandemic has affected us socially a lot more than we realize.
The Solstice — Sun moving into the sign of Cancer — occurs at 1:50 pm Pacific on the 20th, heralding a time of slowing down, connection, and traditionally the time of work to create an abundant harvest in the fall.
Then the next day, the June Full Moon is at 1 degree of Capricorn (June 21st at 6:08 pm Pacific). We are now ambling into Cancer season. Cosmic energies move from the scintillating mind of Gemini to the deep committed heart of Cancer. The Sun is joined by Venus and Mercury—relationship and the mind. Our thoughts turn away from data details to processing what soothes and nurtures us. In July we can look forward to a Cancerian new Moon and another Capricorn Full Moon that will ensure the month of July embodies these themes. Time to appreciate the love wherever we find it.
With the Full Moon in Capricorn, perhaps we will heed the call to put down the heavy workload, soften the urge to duty and responsibility, and let go of rigidity. Meanwhile, the Sun in Cancer reminds us to reach out to those we call family, slowing down to take a meal together, watch a sunset, or go for a picnic.
Together Capricorn and Cancer come together as loving boundaries, a committed heart, and structured nourishment.
We will need this energy especially mid July, when Mars, Uranus and the fixed star Algol join forces. This is potentially an angry, accident-prone, “losing your head” kind of few days, that can best be managed by slowing down, resisting angry, resentful thoughts, and continuing a heart-opening practice.
This is where Pisces surrender and compassion may be an ally too. Throughout the next few weeks, the planetary energy in Cancer flows seamlessly into solid Saturn and dreamy Neptune, both hanging out in mystical Pisces. Self-care and nurturing are infused with a deeper degree of spiritual and intuitive insights. The Cancerian flow will light up the crossroads of the Lunar Nodes, bringing heart-centered balance to the question of the year:
How can I let go of indecision or accommodating others at my own expense, while I engage my life force to serve my soul’s highest path?
What is your answer? The transiting Lunar Nodes have been posing this question for almost a year now. Answers and action may be just around the corner.
I hope you enjoy this transition from sparkly Gemini to heart centered Cancer. See you on the path!