Summer Solstice 2009

Though we might all associate 21 June with Midsummer’s day, when the Sun makes into way into Cancer, we are likely to have different perceptions of what the Summer Solstice actually means. We know it gives us the longest day and the shortest night of the year. But perhaps not everybody realises that the Summer Solstice is in simple terms the point at which the Sun, when it’s farthest away from the equator, appears to pause and then turn in its course.  It could be a good turning point for some of us too if we’ve been a little uninspired or diffident about what we’re doing.  Here Peter Watson gives a sign-by-sign guide to the astrological significance of the Summer Solstice 2009.

ARIES   Mar 21 - Apr 20
That wonderful midsummer feeling is all around you.  And this is marked by the Sun moving into Cancer on 21 June followed immediately afterwards by a New Moon.  So there will be all sorts of things being churned up for you.  It's important to allow yourself to focus on what's good about your life and what you have to look forward to instead of dwelling on what you haven't got, you haven't achieved or whatever has made things difficult for you recently.   Remember that whatever you do in terms of home and family life says a great deal about you.  And you may have to choose between professional or financial responsibilities craving your attention and loved ones who let you know that they really do need your undivided attention. 

TAURUS  Apr 21 - May 21
This is the most wonderful time of the year in that on 21 June the Sun moves into Cancer.  This marks the Summer Solstice and you’ll probably fall under the spell of some midsummer magic.  With a New Moon occurring immediately afterwards, you could get carried away with some friendly, romantic, flattering banter going on between yourself and someone for whom you have more than a soft spot.  It’s the perfect time to give yourself some time off from all the practical problems you will have been wrestling with.   And think more about your successes than any doubts and uncertainties.  You may get one or two hitches or glitches out of perspective and think they’re more serious than they are.  Take things slowly.  You’re surrounded by the right people, rather than the wrong ones.  

GEMINI  May 22 - Jun 21
With the Sun moving into Cancer on 21 June you’ll suddenly feel the impact of the Summer Solstice.  It has the potential to help you see that you have skills and talents and you know how to use them to their best advantage.  You also know you're not going to allow your sense of duty to others to ruin some wonderful facets of your intensely private or romantic life.   You must therefore accept that the New Moon that occurs on 22 June might throw into the mix some extra work that could bring out the very best in you.  It might also pay you quite substantially.  It is up to you to decide whether or not you're willing to make certain sacrifices to get the job done.  Only you can make such decisions. 

CANCER   Jun 22 - Jul 23
We celebrate the Summer Solstice when the Sun moves into your sign on 21 June. As midsummer madness takes over, you’ll realise that you want more out of the fun side of life - and there's no reason why you shouldn't say this to those who have been getting in your way.   Remember how important it is to speak the truth.  And be glad that with the Sun in Cancer for four weeks or so, you can look forward to feeling more independent than usual and more sure of what you want out of life.  The real benefits will show once you pluck up the courage to tackle even the most tricky topic and let people see what you will and will not agree to when it comes to sorting things out. 

LEO   Jul 24 - Aug 23  
Don't let the Sun’s move into Cancer on 21 June mean allow you built-in worries and concerns about what people think of you to bubble to the surface.  Tell yourself that it's what you think of yourself that matters.  And if anyone's opinion of you really counts for something, you can trust the positive things they have to say.  But you can also discuss anything negative that they bring up, which is really important for somebody like you.   Of course with the Sun in Cancer we are talking about the Summer Solstice and some hazy, crazy feelings that seem to envelop you in the last week or so of June.   Don't feel guilty if, while things in general improve, you allow yourself to be more self-indulgent than you ever thought possible.

VIRGO  Aug 24 - Sep 23
There will be something special about you and the way you use your talents in June.  But to do it you've got to free yourself up and encourage those who lean on you to stand on their own feet, to think for themselves and to enjoy making decisions that are usually left to you.  We are feeling the benefit of the Summer Solstice which occurs on 21 June as the Sun changes signs.  For you Midsummer is often a time to reflect on a few occasions on which you have been too self-sacrificing. and you’ve missed out by having put work and your sense of duty before everything else.   This year promise yourself that you’re going to be much more conscious of what is needed to make your life more complete. And pursue it relentlessly. 

LIBRA  Sep 24 - Oct 23
Recognise the fact that with the Sun moving into Cancer on 21 June, it will make you very visible in terms of people in a position to influence your long-term future.   Around this time you'll be enjoying the impact of the Summer Solstice and you'll wonder why you can't just go steaming ahead and show yourself off as being creative, colourful but also professional and hard-working. Let’s face it, you are all of these things, aren't you?  However, it is useful to remind yourself that when the Sun is opposed by Pluto on 23 June, you will be at the beginning of a phase during which there will be time for you to show how confident, worldly and wise you can be.   One or two people will be especially interested. 

SCORPIO  Oct 24 - Nov 22
You're going to be doing a lot of growing up.  And by the time the Sun moves into Cancer on 21 June one particular adventure or travel idea is likely to shape up much more quickly and perhaps more cheaply than you ever thought possible.   Don't be afraid to move off in the direction of an adventure when you feel the time is right.  However, with the Sun opposed by your ruling planet Pluto  there will be times when you and somebody else disagree over the way in which one or the other of you is handling situations in the great big world outside.   Promise yourself that you will speak the truth, no matter how difficult it might be to express what you really feel. Half-truths and cover-ups will get you nowhere. 

SAGITTARIUS  Nov 23 - Dec 21
Make sure you’re working closely with somebody who has similar ambitions to yourself and who is happy for the two of you to pool your resources and pursue a business, financial or property deal that promises to stand you in good stead. This is really important around the time of the Summer Solstice on 21 June when the Sun makes its way into Cancer. Enjoy the magic of midsummer while at the same time being entirely pragmatic with regard to a deal or proposition which is really too good to miss.  Just before this happens the Sun squares up to Uranus which means you might suddenly incur some unexpected bills with regard to the home or family set-up. Just be aware of the dangers of being a total spend-thrift or parting with money unnecessarily.

CAPRICORN  Dec 22 - Jan 20
As the Sun makes its way into your opposite sign of Cancer on 21 June you‘ll feel the impact of the Summer Solstice bringing to light certain facets of a romance or some other kind of close relationship. Let the magic of midsummer bring out your talent for handling relational issues quite brilliantly. You might even reflect on how unfortunate it is that some people fail to see this side of your character and personality. The New Moon on 22 June will finally convince you that it is time to make absolutely sure that you are getting the most out of your intensely personal life.  Promise yourself you won’t  put up with second best rather than risk any kind of shake-up which could, in fact,  do you a power of good.

AQUARIUS  Jan 21 - Feb 19
On 21 June when the Sun makes its way into Cancer, the impact of the Summer Solstice will make you more aware than usual of some of your everyday work and ongoing commitments.  But there’s a good chance that you’ll see all of this in a positive and optimistic light instead of feeling burdened by any of it.  The really important thing for you to remember is that the way in which you relate to the special person in your life is far more important than worrying about completing mundane, day-to-day, nitty-gritty duties in a way that shows up everybody else’s efforts in a rather poor life.  You need to bear in mind the philosophy of doing things in a way that’s good enough as opposed to near-obsessive.  Be nicer to yourself.

PISCES  Feb 20 - Mar 20
This time of year tends to remind you that your life is meant to include its fair quota of romance and entertainment.   And the Summer Solstice on 21 June will introduce a bit of excitement and possibly a touch of madness, of the nicest possible kind.  You’ll begin to acknowledge the fact that you should be approaching certain situations in a creative and sometimes unconventional way instead of always having to adhere to the rules and regulations imposed by people who are too dictatorial for their own good - and they certainly don’t do you many favours either. So do enjoy all that midsummer has to offer, even if it means swimming against the tide every now and again.  After all, Pisces, that’s what your sign is all about, isn’t it?

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