Monday, June 20, 2016 brings a powerful combination of celestial events. With both the Summer Solstice and Sagittarius Full Moon occurring on the same day, the potency of energy will be even more potent than usual for this radiant time of year!

​The Summer Solstice, traditionally known as Midsummer or Litha, marks the longest day of the year as the Sun slips into Cancer - a time to celebrate the great abundance and aliveness of Mother Earth as she provides for all our physical needs. Though Cancer is the sign of home and clan, memories, and profound emotional communion, the vibration at the Summer Solstice itself is solar and expansive, with a palpable magnetic sensual and creative charge in the air.

Midsummer is naturally associated with the energies of the full moon - alive, awake, fully aware. All is full and clear and blossoming into our conscious awareness, and the potency of our collective vitality has reached a peak for the cycle of the year. The full moon's coinciding with this Summer Solstice - an event that hasn't happened in 70 years - will bring an exponentially more powerful vibe as the peak of this month's lunar cycle is reached simultaneously.

​Midsummer at the Sagittarius Full Moon: Great Adventures and a Final Call to Freedom

The Gemini Sun and Sagittarius Moon meet up for the Full Moon at 7:02 AM EDT, prior to the Sun moving into Cancer at the official Solstice time of 6:34 PM EDT.   This is an especially intense full moon not only because of the solstice timing, but because it reactivates the Mutable Grand Cross that was in action at the Gemini New Moon on June 4. In short, this means more potential confusion and changing circumstances; we'll do well to stay as alert and flexible as possible.

​Even though there are sure to be challenges with this full moon with the mutable energy shifting beneath our feet, this is the perfect full moon for a Midsummer adventure! Sagittarius is the sign of setting off on quests to be enlivened and enriched by way of new and edifying experiences. Outdoor explorations, camping adventures, and communing with nature and the Fairy realms in any way is even more supported at this Summer Solstice than most! Saggies love to get their hands dirty and explore the natural world, and lunation will have many of us feeling pulled toward soaking up the goodness of the natural world.

​The Sagittarius Full Moon also speaks of pivotal turning points in the story of our freedoms and expressing our truths, since it occurs at the very last degree of Sagittarius, and is the second Sagittarius Full Moon in a row (a "Blue Moon" in terms of folklore). It could be the birthing point for a final culmination in relation to the points of life described below, if not *the* point of culmination itself. 

Key Points and Themes for Consideration

Sun (Gemini) conjunct Venus (Cancer) opposite Sagittarius Moon

• This full moon is very much relationship-centered, with the need for all forms of interaction to bond, sort, or otherwise engage in meaningful experiences with "other". An intimate yet social combination, this is a great time for getting out of your comfort zone to have new experiences or explore new activities/points of view with your tribe.
• The last moments of the Sun in busy Gemini paired up with heart-centered Venus in Cancer speaks of the need to indulge in what sparks your curiosity, perhaps in ways that act to strengthen bonds between you and those closest to your heart. This could also bring about situations in which we find ourselves letting new people into our innermost circle - perhaps even connecting with new soul family members - and will most likely entail some kind of experiences that move us into new terrain.
• Be willing to approach partners with a heart wide open - not necessarily leaving yourself laid bare for pain or manipulation, but to allow for a flow of love and sincerity that can only steer you in the right direction. This could be a great weekend for you and a lover to explore a new place together, indulging in the bits of culture or activities that pique your interest. And if you can't leave town, anything outdoorsy or foreign will do (romantic foreign film night in, anyone?). We may find ourselves seeking freedom from another, or contemplating how we can be free from restricting aspects of a relationship (to family, lover, or others). How can you balance security with freedom in your life?
• Any planet in Cancer is strongly connected to the energies of what we might call Goddess or Mother God; hence, this is a fantastic time to honor the Divine Feminine, connect with the Divine Feminine within yourself, or gather in your Goddess circles to celebrate!

Mercury (Gemini) opposite Saturn Rx (Sagittarius); square Neptune (Pisces)

• Possible delays or setbacks in plans, communication mix-ups and misunderstandings; a "make or break" time in agreements or social ties perhaps due to differing points of view, with culminating moments in romantic relationships also on the docket. Be mindful of whether what you're being told adds up as truth with your instincts.
• We might find ourselves rehashing past themes related to our beliefs, covering old ground for the sake of reconnection, or reaching moments in any relationship where we're called to face facts rather than cling to illusions. Be open to seeing things for what they are, for finding fresh ways of looking at any situation that calls to your attention.
  
• Be honest and speak what's on your mind - Sagittarius is a sign associated with truth, and that means we'll do well to be authentic with ourselves and others.

Mars Rx (Scorpio) inconjunct Uranus (Aries)

• ​​The need to take a new course of action, most likely based on information we've received re: intimate relationships, financial or other entanglements, the facing of fears/paranoia/trauma for healing. This intensifies the relationship focus, calling us to boldly and honestly address issues with our ultimate desires for liberation in mind. Be mindful of giving out or receiving unpredictable, cold, or questionable behaviors. What is keeping you from being *~free~* in mind, body, or spirit? A good time to strongly consider cutting toxic ties - this Sagittarius "Freedom Moon" has your back!

**Jupiter/North Node (Virgo) trine Pluto (Capricorn)**

• A hugely beneficial aspect! With Jupiter ruling this Full Moon conjunct the North Node (destiny!), we can expect anything that transpires now - regardless of how it appears on the surface level - to carry us forward into much greater abundance and bliss.
• Pluto's trine promises that if we're willing to dig deeply and root into our Divine Empowerment while making the most of opportunities that come along, the smaller details of life really will take care of themselves. Get into your Root Chakra; feel the earth beneath you; know your own strength and follow through.

​What will you be celebrating at this most incredible time of year? Are you ready to release everything that stands between you and the freedom that is your birthright? *~Listen to the call of your Wild Heart and you can't go wrong!~*

©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.
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Hello, friends! One of the points I made in my YouTube video on tonight's Gemini New Moon was to expect the unexpected (you can check out links to my channel on the Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts Facebook page!). True to form, I ended up leaving the Infrasound Music Festival much earlier than expected due to a whole handful of extenuating circumstances. Truth: just because astrologers get the gist of what coming doesn't mean we're immune, or that we can pinpoint an exact outcome! How has your weekend shaped up so far? It's been one curve ball after the other for me personally, with each one bringing me closer to defining exactly what I want for my next steps in life. The details of *how*, though, are something that will probable elude us all for a while yet. The Mutable Grand Cross that's being formed is bringing all kinds of weird and unpredictable circumstances, with us probably feeling pulled in all different directions and struggling to find our center. Restless, listless, indulgent, busy-minded, lost and confused - if you're feeling it, you are indeed vibing with the Universe.
Some key questions for contemplation at this new moon might be:

• Are you willing to re-attune your mind to a new and upgraded lens through which you experience reality? Have you had any eye-opening experiences recently that are helping you orient to a new perspective, a new way of looking at old situations? How about interesting interactions with new people that have assisted you in expanding your horizons or "downloading" important information? Clear-seeing (as much as we can with the ever-changing energies at the moment) and diligent sorting of all the parts of life that are confusing will go a long way toward helping us figure out our next move.
• How are your previous desires re: love and relationships stacking up to the current reality, with any new information that may have come to light since late this week? Are you at a crossroads and needing to absorb a reality check to get on with what's really right for you? Reconsideration is okay, and in fact, is entirely necessary at present as Saturn Rx opposes Venus. Don't be afraid to change your mind!
• Are you trying to force an outcome, or wearing rose-colored glasses about something, only to find again and again that the ground beneath you continues to shift in unpredictable ways? This is the current astrology: topsy-turvy, all bets are off, and the only way to make it through the muck is to let go of the need to control the "how" and allow things to flow as they will. Know that the undercurrents are swirling and that this will prepare us all for more stability and clarity down the road.
• Are you experiencing heightened emotions, perhaps a feeling of loss or longing after the above-named realizations? This is to be expected too, since The Sun/Moon/Venus stellium is squaring Neptune and Jupiter. The Universe really is trying to lead us down new paths that will be far better suited to our needs and desires, but we have to be willing to take part in the "trust fall" for a while to get there. Be willing to let go and embrace uncertainty; there really is no other way at present.

Because of all the activity in Gemini, this is the perfect time to do some mental sorting of how you feel, to detach and analyze things from as many angles as you can. Gather facts, but don't be too keen on rushing an outcome or taking action. The 24-hours after any new moon are ideal for gaining clarity and getting started on new goals. Allow events to unfold as they will, being present with the void feeling of the new moon.

Meditate; contemplate; feel; breathe. Honor your feelings and indulge at least a little, allowing yourself to recuperate from what might have been an upside-down week to say the least!

**What are you dreaming into being at this New Moon? Many New Moon blessings to you all!**
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©  Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2016. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.