The Aesthete

Summer Solstice

The Gemini new moon precedes the sun's entrance into watery, sensitive, and soulful cancer

by Shelley L. Ackerman

This astrologically eventful week (June 18th to the 24th) begins with a late-degree Gemini new moon on two very prominent fixed stars: Polaris (noted for its spiritual powers and skill at finding one’s way) and Betelgeuse (often found in the charts of those who have made it to the highest levels of success). In addition to the potency, promise and pizzazz that proximity to these fixed stars add to this particular new moon, there’s added significance in that it occurs a mere 32 hours before the Sun’s entrance into Cancer and the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

The transition from airy Gemini into watery Cancer shifts collective focus from the realm of the intellect to the world of feelings. Whereas Gemini is all about quick and lighthearted connections, thoughts, words and endless options, the Cancerian agenda is centered on deep feelings, emotions, wounding, security needs and family ties. Associated with motherhood and ancestry, Cancer is an extremely psychic and sensitive sign. When allowing fear to rule, or operating from weakness, the need for security at all costs may prompt natives of the sign to be manipulative, emotionally needy, and diabolical (Leona Helmsley). But when evolved and coming from strength and awareness, Cancerians brilliantly run the gamut of human experience, resourcefulness, expression and meaning, as is illustrated by Meryl Streep, Princess Diana, Tom Hanks, Pearl S. Buck, Carly Simon, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Nikola Tesla, Helen Keller, Elisabeth Kubler Ross, Matthew Weiner and Johannes Gutenberg.

Also worth mentioning is the sizeable impact on the world of comedy that Cancerians have had: Notable comedians, comic actors and playwrights born under the sign of the crab include: Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Bill Cosby, Phyllis Diller, Robin Williams, Milton Berle, Red Skelton, Gilda Radner, Jon Lovitz, Larry David, Jimmie Walker, Freddie Prinze, Fred Gwynne, Lisa Lampanelli, Will Ferrell, Rick Gervais, Richard Lewis and John Leguizamo.

Solstice in New York City arrives on the heels of a new moon. The chart features Uranus square Pluto prominently, highlighting the 2012-2015 themes of revolution and accelerated change, as well as a certain amount of “lawlessness” and doing one’s own thing. Sadly, in recent weeks, I have noticed an unbelievable increase in hit-and-run incidents, in and around the city. Uranus need not manifest so carelessly and destructively. Lets put out there that during the next three months we see the more brilliant and innovative side of that planetary combo, and that a more conscious and caring New Yorker emerges.

 

HOROSCOPES FOR JUNE 18TH TO JUNE 24TH

ARIES: You’re wired for sound these days and may be a literal and figurative conductor for all aberrant electrical energy in your field. And while this is a boon to your creativity and for getting a buzz on, be aware of the fact that you may appear to be on steroids to innocent bystanders. On the positive end of the spectrum, a co-worker may have some incredible insight as to how to proceed with a family member, and vice versa.

ARIES Dos and Don’ts: Get your Uranus in Aries rocks off (Aries Alec Baldwin sure did) and take in Rock of Ages, which may be the best way to offset the annoying ongoing aspect from Pluto — especially intense on the 24th. Don’t even think about complaining to your boss or asking for anything for at least another week. If you ARE the boss, take a break from fighting with yourself.

TAURUS: After a frustrating glitch earlier in the day, when solstice arrives (June 20 at 7:09 pm EDT) and the sun enters your communicative 3rd house, you’ll want to “share” in a more soulful and emotionally authentic manner. Success lies in choosing with whom it’s best to establish a deeper level of intimacy, and in selecting the best time. Remember that through the 27th, Venus in reverse will continue lining up players from your past who may play a future role in income-generating projects. Before granting admission make sure that you see clearly who each individual is in the here and now.

TAURUS Dos and Don’ts: When all is said and done, the way to a Taurean’s heart is through up-scale satiation: be it food, sex, or the finest stuff that life has to offer. But focusing on first rate chow, lobster lovers will delight in devouring the Lobster for One or Two Special at the Palm or Palm Too on 2nd Ave now through August 31. (This astrologer is going back for seconds). Don’t engage with a narrow-minded cleric, professor, or politically-obsessed know-it-all for the next few days. Nodding “yes” works wonders.

GEMINI: Tuesday’s new moon moves you into confronting security needs with the goal of coming up with better options. Ponder whether it's in everyone’s best interests to get said needs met, without considering how your choices impact your nearest and dearest. The challenge on June 23rd and 24th is to avoid succumbing to peer pressure — real or imagined. Jumping on the bandwagon of an unruly initiative could inadvertently put you in the crossfire. Stay out of it.

GEMINI Dos and Don’ts: City-Slicker twins might really have some solstice fun in Times Square on June 20th at Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Matter. It’s an all-day affair with yoga-centric events/classes planned from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm. Don’t stress over a temporary creative or romantic block. In a matter of days, he/she/it will be singing a different tune.

CANCER: As the Sun moves into your sign encouraging you to celebrate the beauty and goodness of your nurturing self, the tug of war between independent career initiatives and demands of a partner are up front and exposed, allowing you to be specific about the issues involved. Building a bridge between those seemingly disparate sensibilities could take as much as two-to-three years, so look for the hidden treasures in the process.

CANCER Dos and Don’ts: Rejoice in the solstice energy without spending a dime and get into some serious salsa groove at Eddie Palmieri’s June 21st, 7 pm show in Rockefeller Park in Battery Park City. Don’t over do it with more chatter than necessary with family members. For the next week, less is more.

LEO: The entire collective is aching to break free of the confining energy that has restricted choices for many concerned. The specific area of stress for you centers around narrow minded co-workers and underlings who appear to have more power than they actually do. In the months ahead, you will begin to see this shift. In the meantime, be hyper-vigilant and extremely selective about who you hire to help you and/or which doctors you entrust with your health and well being. Do your research thoroughly and take nothing for granted.

LEO Dos and Don’ts: Their website is so exclusive, it only has their East 69th Street address and hours, but the word on the street is that Fivestory, at 18 E 69th Street, is the place to go for the most luxurious and elegant finds our glorious city has to offer. Whether you’re hungering for books, art, shoes, or something divine to wear, regal Leos should check it out. Stay out of cars and avoid transport in general on the 24th and 25th — you’ll get more done at home.

VIRGO: Tuesday’s new moon in your career house should set the tone very nicely for summer 2012, and the Sun’s entrance into your 11th house of friends and community projects speaks of teamwork that nourishes on a soul-level. A special bonus is the mojo between mind and heart on the 21st, and one or more of those above-referenced associates could provide just the right insight at just the right time.

VIRGO Dos and Don’ts: What health-conscious Virgo wouldn’t love to spend a glorious hour or two in one of the last remaining old-fashioned New York apothecaries? J. Leon Lascoff & Sons on Lexington Ave and 82nd Street is so charmingly old-world, they don’t even have a website, but don’t let that stop you. High ceilings, two levels and beautiful lighting and displays provide the prefect backdrop for a vast array of lotions and potions. Don’t force a premature resolution of a financial issue, the stew isn’t fully cooked yet.

LIBRA: Topsy-turvy Libras are all too familiar with the special serendipitous counter-intuitive timing that seems to permeate their lives, and so it is now. Just as most of the world is ready to settle in and kick back a little to enjoy the summer sunshine, YOUR life is revving up and is about to get busier and busier. The Sun’s entrance into your career house starts off a month of opportunity and demands on your time. Worry not if on the weekend of June 23rd and 24th if you’re feeling somewhat inhibited. Saturn standing still in your sign can be a little debilitating. Take a breather and know that it won’t last long.

LIBRA Dos and Don’ts: Art aficionados may want to check out Venus Over Manhattan, a new Madison Avenue art space (no doubt conceived of by curators/artists with just enough astrological knowledge to be dangerous). Their inaugural offering is a group show entitled “A rebours”, presented through June 30th. Into marking Saturn in Libra’s pending forward motion? Then check out “Picasso and Francois Gilot: Paris-Valiauris 1943-53” at the Gagosian Gallery at the same Madison Ave spot. Avoid arguments or negotiations with partners and/or a significant other until the following week when it may be easier to get your point across.

SCORPIO: Play your cards right, and Tuesday’s new moon should bring a welcome change in the weather and an opening to a number of financing possibilities for projects that you’ve wanted to move on for a while. These could range from housing, to business ventures, to investments. And even if there’s nothing specific that applies, the energy does speak of greater support for that which you truly desire. The challenge is always about being clear and having the courage to forget yesterday’s rejections and losses, and ask the universe for what you want TODAY.

SCORPIO Dos and Don’ts: Pluto-ruled city-dwelling Scorpions (all connoisseurs of purging pleasures) will appreciate the intricacies of how cities get rid of waste. On June 19th at 7:30 pm “Finding History in Sewers: the Lost Streams and 19th Century Sewer Tunnels Beneath Brooklyn” at the Observatory in Gowanus at 543 Union Street. Don't push friends, a group, or a particular community of yours into taking that giant leap forward right now. Whatever “it” is, needs more time to process.

SAGITTARIUS: Tuesday’s new moon in your house of partnerships bodes well for negotiating all that you must, to ensure smooth sailing and above-board dealings in the months ahead. Don’t fail to read the fine print or gloss over those terms and conditions, as it could mess up a good thing later on. And on a completely different front, as the sun transits the most feeling sign of the zodiac (and your sexy 8th house of merging), vibe into how you really feel about those you are deeply bonded to. Might there be a deeper level of truth that you can infuse into the relationship?

SAGITTARIUS Dos and Don’ts: Outdoor lovers will appreciate this June 20th free concert (with a little of everything- music, comedy, cabaret) at Tudor City between 41st and 42nd Street (rain date June 21) benefiting Tudor City Greens. Don’t get impatient with an organization that doesn’t seem to get it. They are just not moving fast enough to your liking, but move they will.

CAPRICORN: Tuesday’s new moon in your 6th house of day-to-day routines prompts a new and improved approach to time-management and presents the likelihood of more efficient helpers and co-workers to assist on the projects that await your expertise this summer. Professional snarls and delays coming from superiors are about to dissolve (give it a week to 10 days). But until they do, watch where you’re going, especially around the home as unexpected electrical sparks could fly. Keep all appliances away from water... please! Remain alert and flexible.

CAPRICORN Dos and Don’ts: Disciplined Saturn-types will appreciate all that it took for Marina Abramovic to pull off what is being touted as an amazing artistic achievement in The Artist is Present, playing through June 26 at the Film Forum. More than 750,000 waited to sit face to face with her (March to May 2010 at MoMa) as she sat in a chair daily for more than seven hours without eating, drinking, or moving. You’ll feel similarly as your ruling planet stands still June 24th and 25th. Learn from Marina and make no false moves.

AQUARIUS: With Tuesday’s new moon in your romantic, joyful, and fun-centric 5th house potentially sending you into LaLa land, you’re encouraged to enjoy the buzz but please keep your feet on the ground: Be especially mindful of an unattended electrical mess (Con Ed is famous for them) and/or an unconscious pedestrian who could get the better of you on the 23rd or 24th. Watch where you’re going at all times, as the city is fraught with lawless and distracted loonies who don’t.  

AQUARIUS Dos and Don’ts: The Humanist/Anthropologist in you could really get into “War, Politics, and Revolution: What Humans Do and Why They Do It” on Tuesday, June 19th at 8:15 pm at the 92nd Street Y with writer Chris Hedges and Professor Jonathan Haidt. Don’t let stalled travel plans or stuck legal issues dissuade you, any delays in that department are temporary.

PISCES: What may seem like a wild and far-fetched use of your money and resources may actually be just that. But there’s no reason to permit a super-conservative faction of your team to limit your dreams and vision all together. After all, where would any of them be without that wonderful aspect of YOU? And on the home-front, Tuesday’s new moon should help to make a dream or two of yours come true in your environment. What fixes and upgrades have been delayed for too long? You can proceed as long as the price is right. Saturday is creatively inspired and/or primo for a satisfying chat (or matinee) with a romantic partner.

PISCES Dos and Don’ts: In addition to the feet, the soul, spirituality and many aspects of music, Pisces also rules large animals! Made to order is The Secret Science Club’s presentation of “A Whale of a Night: Inside Nature’s Giants” on June 20th at 8 pm at The Bell House at 149 Seventh Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn and it’s free.