A GLOOMY MONDAY, JUNE 25
This is our first full day with Mars in Taurus but after last night, we've had enough already. In Taurus,
Mars is like a bull in a china shop but it's stubborn as a mule. This is when we are most likely to go down with the
ship.
Mars will march through Taurus until August 7, leaving destruction in its wake. But the Red Planet's
sign is not the only culprit -- its aspects are the real mischief-makers.
"Aspects" are the relationships between planets. Aspects come in two flavors: "hard" and "soft" -- or "challenging"
and "easy" if you prefer euphemisms. Either way, the Red Planet has a hard road to travel.
Except for an easy sextile to Uranus and the usual fleeting lunar contacts, Mars makes only "hard" aspects as
it fights its way through Taurus. This includes a clash with Saturn, the heavyweight champion of astrology's heavy-hitters.
(Click "Scope" -- it's short for "Stellarscope" -- on the navigation bar for July's extended forecast.
The forecast for June is still up, as well.)
The first aspect involving Mars in Taurus was an opposition to the Moon last night, getting the trek off on the
wrong foot. Today, the Moon is in simmering Scorpio and we're contending with recriminations. Some of us are licking
our wounds; others insist on picking at them.
But we can't blame it all on the Moon and Mars. At the heart of our discontent is the opposition of repressive
Saturn and visionary Neptune, symbolizing shattered hopes and the last gasp of lovely illusions. These two have been
facing off for almost a year so this is nothing new. But now it's coming to a head.
Mars squares off with both planets as it tramps through Taurus, with Neptune setting the snare
and Saturn springing the trap. A stand-off could reach a climax. For most of us it means one of those periodic
"breaking points," which we will have long since reached, anyway. This could be the last straw.
With the Moon in Scorpio, we are seething within. But things left unsaid could dog our heels later and
we might wish we had spoken up sooner. Now is the time for some enlightened venting.
The Moon trines mental Mercury this afternoon, making it easy to strike up a conversation or to raise a sensitive
issue. Mercury is retrograde so results are running late but this is a favorable time to plant seeds in fertile minds.
Tension mounts tonight, and a lot of it is sexual -- another by-product of Mars in earthy Taurus. It's
all well and good for those who have an outlet. Otherwise, we'll feel disgruntled, grumpy, and thwarted.
You might feel like a cat on a hot tin roof but it's a risky night to go out on the prowl. Foolhardy
felines will find that they are the prey -- and the discovery may come a minute too late. The night owls should play
it safe; and that means passing on a chance to pick up a stray, even if the purr is appealing.
AN UNSETTLED SUNDAY, JUNE 24
In astrology, the Moon governs our moods and emotions, as well as our instinctive responses. The Moon,
in turn, is influenced by its environment -- the neighborhood it travels through: its Zodiacal sign.
The Moon enters in a new neighborhood every 2.5 days and this is one of them. Come nightfall, the
Moon is on the wrong side of the tracks so make hay while the Sun shines.
We start the day with the Moon in lovable Libra (my favorite lunar neighborhood), which usually brings out the
best in us. People are easy-going, cooperative, and considerate; but energy is lagging.
Ambitious Mars is changing signs and until it does, it is void-of-course, out of touch. It's time to send
your armor to the cleaner and to check for nicks in your sabre. The energy shift can be disorienting, especially with
Mars leaving home (Aries) for territory that brings out the worst in the Red Planet.
Mars enters tenacious Taurus at 5:28 PM EDT (2:28 PM PDT) for a stay until August 7. This visit is more
like a forced march -- and it leads to a showdown with relentless Saturn in July. (Click "Scope" on the navigator
bar for July's long-range forecast.)
Generally, we'll become more stubborn and fiercely determined. On the plus side, we'll have abundant
staying power. But some will hold out to the bitter end, and we're due for a preview this evening.
Except for problem channeling energy (or finding any to begin with), the daylight hours are easiest. We
might even accomplish something this afternoon, as the Moon sextiles proactive Pluto.
Last ditch efforts will make a difference. The locust you squash could abort a plague -- a good time to
run a virus scan and to take preventive action.
After that, the Moon is void-of-course and it's too little, too late. Call a time out, pull in your horns,
and don't make a move until the other shoe drops.
In the East, the Moon is void-of-course from 3:23 PM to 8:26 PM. (One hour earlier for Central Time.)
On the West Coast and in Arizona, it runs from 12:23 PM to 5:26 PM. (An hour later for Mountain Time.)
The interval ends as the Moon enters Scorpio, bringing a change is mood that is not a change for the better.
This is when the daggers come out.
Minutes after it enters Scorpio, the Moon opposes Mars -- their first encounter with Mars in Taurus. Let's
hope it doesn't set a precedent.
People will be hostile and hot to trot, though they are just as likely to dig in their heels. Some will
go for the jugular. It's a good time to sit on it and to turn the other cheek. And it won't hurt to weigh your
words. We get touchy and suspicious with the Moon in Scorpio, and an innocent remark might seem
like a slap in the face.
We're ready to rumble tonight but the ill will lingers for hours afterwards, and an outburst will ruin the evening.
Wise are they who contain themselves. In the wee hours, the Moon trines the Sun and good-doobies get their due.
