Summer Solstice 2008
By Carol Barbeau

June 20,2008 at 4:59pm PDT; 7:59pm EDT the sun will enter the 4th signs of the zodiac the Cardinal Water sign of Cancer. This is the moment when we enter the Season of summer and for the next 3 days is the “Sun Stand Still” OR Solstice time when the sun rises the top of its Annual Arc and for these 3 days the sun will rise at the same point on the horizon.

CANCER (6/20 - 7/22)

• Animal Guide: flicker
• Clan: frog
• Plant: Wild Rose
• Power Direction: South
• Stone: ruby
• Color: silver
• Motto: "I Feel"

Solstices occur twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is oriented directly towards or away from the Sun, causing the Sun to appear to reach its northernmost and southernmost extremes.

When the sun is at its Northernmost extreme we have the Winter Solstice and when it has reached the Southernmost extreme we call this Summer Solstice. The word Solstice is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, its apparent movement north or south comes to a standstill.

The first day of summer  June 20th this year is a time most favored for weeding the garden (the sap has risen to its highest point, and there is very little sap in the roots of plants). Since Sap is the life force we can also use this time to Weed out old emotional patterns within ourselves as well as weed our gardens. Intentions made with a pure heart and passions are very powerful on this next few days.

On the summer solstice, for many centuries people have done ritual traditions like Leaping over bonfires symbolizing leaving behind outmoded emotional patterns, stuck ways of thinking, addictions, sorrow, and the fire symbolizes the flames of passion which we are entering the new season. Lighting a candle tonight, looking into the flame with purity of thought and intentions that you are moving more into joy, and happy passions works wonderfully.

Take some time this year between June 20th and June 24th, (midsummer’s day) to do some type of intentions or ritual to pledge yourself to a year of growth, and passion, and joy.  Aligning with higher power and the power of the sun is a wonderfully energizing practice at this time of year for us all to do.  Stand outside, and in the light, do your prayer, meditation, mantra, whatever feels in alignment with higher power for you and OPEN TO this time of GROWTH.

Summer 2008 brings us an astrological energy which is about Shifting perceptions and doing the work required to create the needed changes in our minds. With a grouping of planets in Transpersonal signs, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces we are asked to change ourselves not only for Us, but we are told than inner changes now will manifest out into the world and help create changes for all of mankind.

The South Node in the sign of LEO asks that we find our passions again and bring joy and creativity into our lives as a part of our work on this planet. Sewing joy and love is a part of the sacred work we are all being tasked with at this time.  

With Ceres (unconditional love) Venus (physical love) and the Sun (The Light)  all in Cancer we are asked to realize that Cancer is not only about nurturing others but healthy self care in order that we can move forward and do our allotted life’s tasks. Mercury,  The planet of Communication in Gemini in this Summer solstice chart for Seattle says that we can think in more than one way and find new answers.

The Seattle Washington Chart Has Scorpio Rising and Pluto the planet of transformation moving backwards (now back in the sign of Sagittarius until November)  This retrograde Pluto in Sagittarius , Says, that going back within our own soul and our own truth will bring forth the answers which are needed for our next step. 

Jupiter which is a SUPER SIZE it planet is sitting next to the moon (our emotional needs) in the sign of Capricorn in the mind area in this chart.  Looking at what we can do to make our lives better, be the best we can be and perhaps even share and teach others this is a major theme in this chart.

A chart ruler is the planet which RULES the chart and this is Pluto. So, finding our own truth, finding our passion, revisiting our joys and bringing them into Our future and transforming our lives is our task this summer 2008.

How do you do this? Less bad news, less grumpy people around us, less thinking of what Should or could have been. More laughter, more service with a smile, more connections with those who make you Feel better inside and out.  And of course the most important work of all with this time in our lives is the personal transformation we must make within ourselves. Thinking negative thoughts is normal, and the second that thought comes into our minds instead of Feeding it, lets weed it out.  Lets see this time of year as LESS sap in the roots and that our lives will be much easier to weed out right now and the weeds leave our lives forever.  Remember these weeds strangle out the harvest of fall, so lets weed now

I wish you happy SOLSTICE, As we all welcome Summer which is the time of growth for us all and open your life to laughter, the sun, joy, and all good things so that you can help those things to flower not only in your life but in the world. 

Namaste
Carol Barbeau
carolastro@carolbarbeau.com 

"Learning to live in the present moment is  part of the path of joy." -- Sarah Ban Breathnac