The Art and Astrology of Maria Kay Simms

		Gemini New Moon Cycle begins June 3, 2008
New Moon, 13 Gemini 34, June 3 at 3:23 pm EDT Gemini, first sign of the element Air, is considered to be masculine, as are all Air and Fire signs. I prefer to depict Sun sign art of the Twins as both male and female, though, since there are plenty of both genders in every Sun sign. The Twins of the zodiac constellation are traditionally male, and usually quite easy to spot in the sky by the two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux. Air and Fire signs are considered to be "positive," as contrasted with the "negative" earth and water signs...but always think of this as "active" or "receptive," or yang and yin, rather than as "good" or "bad." Gemini, as ruler of the Third House, is strongly associated with communication, the intellect, logic, versatility, adaptablity and spontaneity.
	The planetary ruler is Mercury, of the winged feet, messenger of the Gods. This New Moon starts off with some good aspects of opportunity for action (Moon sextile Mars, then conjunct Mercury, followed by Sun sextile Mars and then the energy charge of Moon square Uranus, and ending with Moon trine Neptune. So, if there's something you'd like to initiate, someone you need to communicate with, then don't delay. Getting going with it! Aspect flow continues to work well through Moon's transit of Cancer the remainder of this week. Ritual for New Moon in Gemini Gemini tends to be a little scattered—so much to do, so many directions to go, so little time...But, if you want to use this New Moon energy to begin something new that's important, you also need to be sure you follow through, and that means focus! Yes, Mercury is still retrograde, but don't make that a silly excuse to put off what you know you want to—and ought to do. Lots of successful people and successful businesses have Mercury retrograde. Let's use a little knot magick to to help assure attention and focus intent.Try this little spell: On New Moon day, within sacred space, prepare a thick cord about one yard long. Thick cord or heavy yarn in yellow, the color of Gemini, would be good to use. Also have at hand a paper and pen. Meditate for a few moments on your goal, and then make a list of what you must accomplish in order to fulfill it. Be very explicit about what you can realistically accompish within the two weeks ahead, so you'll have some fulfillment to celebrate at Full Moon. When you've completed your list, read each item aloud, and as you do, tie a firm knot in the cord—with very focused intent—saying: Knot I bind, tight and true, bound am I that I will do As I have listed, so I see, 'til this be done, I am not free. Repeat knot and spoken charm for each item on your list. After your ritual, hang your knotted cord and your list where you can easily see it. As you complete each task on your list, cross it off and untie one knot, thus freeing the binding. Celebrate adn cheer yourself onward to the next step by happily saying: Knot untied, I am set free! Success is mine! Hooray for me! Crescent Moon, 1 Leo 40, June 6 at 8:47 pm EDT This phase starts off with a great string of aspects in the fiery sign of Leo: Sun conjunct Mercury, Mercury conjunct Venus, Moon conjunct Mars...Don't waste them! Keep moving forward with your New Moon intent. Saturday can be an especially productive day. It can also be fun—a good party night! First Quarter Moon, 20 Virgo 06, June 10 at 11:04 am EDT "Crisis of action" time and squares are aspects of action. First Quarter square of Moon to Sun is quickly followed by Moon square Venus, then a nice trine to Jupiter and the final aspect in Virgo an opposition to Uranus. So, events today may take an unexpected turn. Energy picks up again early Wednesday, with Moon into Libra square Pluto, followed by Venus square Uranus early on June 12th. Then Sun squares Uranus early on the 13th. Could mean that unexpected events occur that interrupt your New Moon focus. It's up to you to deal with it, and then, if need be, get back on track. Pluto retrogrades back into Sagittarius at 11:46 pm EST on Friday night, June 13...Friday the 13th. Superstititous about that? Don't be. (Since I have a great daughter born on Friday the 13th, I consider it personally quite lucky!) But, Pluto is returning to Sagittariius after just a brief entrance into the beginning of Capricorn. This planet of transformative power was in Sagittarius for a long time, the beginning of 1996 until the beginning of this year. During that time, anyone can see the upheavals and changes that have occurred in all things associated with Sagittarius: religion, ideals, higher education, legal affairs, our country's foreign relationships, the publishing industry... Consider what, within any of these general categories may relate to changes within your personal life, because this retrograde period from now until late November may well mean a reprise. Gibbous Moon, 08 Scorpio 54, June 14 at 10:44 pm EDT Beginning late evening just prior to Father's Day, this phase includes mixed signals from the aspects that could go several ways, with some potentially confused tensions as a potential. But anything can be experienced in a positive way if you're aware and choose that. Let's call it nostalgia, whether or not Dad is physically present in your life. One way or another, we all learn a lot from Dad. I know and appreciate how much I learned from mine, even though he passed away many years ago. A Ritual for Gibbous Moon At this phase we are reaching for some kind of fulfillment, but are not quite there. Most likely we can visualize pretty well what we are striving for, and the object now is to deal effectively with any challenges that are between where we are now and the goal we seek. Since it is Father's Day, perhaps focusing on what we may have learned from Dad would be useful. Get out some old photos, if you have them, light a candle for him, play some favorite music and spend some time in meditative memory and reflection, remembering that any example, even difficult ones, has the capacity to teach us things we need to know. So, let's open ourselves to the God spirit within fatherly guidance. Full Moon, 27 Sagittarius 50, June 18 at 1:30 pm EDT It's the magical time of the month, with Moon at full light, and Venus, planet of love, has just moved into emotional Cancer. Soon after Moon reaches Full, her opposition aspect to Sun, she moves on to conjunct Pluto, another aspect of strong emotional power. So, will it be romance, charged up artistic creativity, emotions out of control...? Possibilties are many, and as always, mostly up to you. We always have choice, even in the face of the unexpected, as to how we will respond. Mercury is stationary direct tomorrow morning, 10:31 am EDT. Might be well to remember that, if tempted to say something you might regret later. Think it through first. Carefully. Summer Solstice, Sun at 0°Cancer, June 20 aat 7:59 pm EDT Full Moon and Summer Solstice are so close together, rituals might well be combined. Here is the link to access my article on the lore of Midsummer (also called Litha), including a personal ritual that could also be your Full Moon rite for this month, and some other Circle activity ideas. Litha, Midsummer or Summer Solstice Midsummer Lore Personal Ritual Disseminating Moon, 16 Aquarius 40, June 22 at 2:03 pm EDT This looks like a good day to get out and circulate, not just by lunar phase, but by general aspects, as well. Moon in gregarious Aquarius trines Mercury, conjuncts her North Node (contacts), conjuncts a (let's call it) inspirational Neptune, opposes energetic Mars, and then sextiles Pluto before void of course on the 23rd. Could be a new and interesting opportunity--up to you to find & use it. Get out there! Last Quarter Moon, 5 Aries 15, June 26 at 8:10 am EDT An interesting thing about this Last Quarter phase day, the "crisis of consciousness" as described by Dane Rudhyar, with Moon in "get there first" Aries, is that Uranus is stationary retrograde...Uranus, an symbol of the unusual, of surprise, innovation or upset. We might expect the unexpected, or precipate it. The phase calls for reorientation, as we reflect on what is feeling complete or finished (different potential connotations there), and might best be shelved as done, or eliminated, if that's what we wnat, so we can move on. The final aspect of Moon in Aries is trine to Pluto, suggesting a harmonious outcome to our quest for change. Here's a simple ritual you could use: Ritual for Last Quarter Moon in Aries Draw a glyph for Uranus on paper as you meditate on the restlessness of Uranus and what you'd like to change in your life, perhaps eliminate, or at least, change. Write it down. Focus. Make a small fire in a safe place (such as a fireplace or metal bowl) and burn the paper as you chant: By Uranus change and Spirit Fire By will, intent, through my desire Of what I burn here, I am free This is my will, so mote it be! Take the ashes of the burned paper and return them to Earth by wind, water or burial, whichever works best for where you are. Now, on a fresh paper, draw the Pluto glyph and visualize your power to rise as a phoenix from the ashes of change and soar toward a new beginning. Write what you'd like to create, and keep it to read again when the Moon is new.

	Balsamic Moon, 23 Taurus 29, June 29 at 5:33 pm EDT Dark Moon, Crone's Moon, and quiet, down-to-earth Taurus, as this lunar phase cycle winds down to its last days before the Moon is new again. Take it easy. If you haven't planted all the flowers you'd like yet, Taurus is a good sign for planting, in any phase, even this final one. Take it easy, if you can. Feel Earth and her natural rhythm. Take some time for you.