Summer Solstice By Maria Shaw

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

June 21st is our summer solstice when the sun moves into the sign of Cancer. I remember every year, my dad who was a farmer, also told me, "This is the longest day of the year and after today, the days will be growing shorter."

At the beginning of each season, we astrologically find out what that season holds in store by doing a chart at the moment the sun moves into the new sign.

The chart for the summer 2010 produces some challenges, partly due to the crazy eclipses we have June 26th and also July 11. The Cancer sun stands for home and family as well as our feeling of security and the past. However this summer will be anything but secure because of the crazy energies we will experience. Two of my banks have already closed or merged. More and more of my clients around the country are in major transitions. I hear from folks everyday about the rug being pulled out from under them.

This Solstice chart shows the Sun oppose Pluto, with Saturn, Jupiter and Uranus all square to the Sun. In astrology, we call this configuration a Grand Square. Challenges and power struggles are all around. You can no longer sit back and wait for things to happen. You can no longer fence sit on an issue. It's all or nothing. You have to make choices this summer; like it or not.

For many months and for some of you, many years, you played it safe and waited for the universe or fate to make decisions for you. You avoided doing things to avoid disapproval or arguments. Time's up!

The only choice this summer is change. Things will not be the same. There is no past to go back to. You can't go back to a job that is no longer or an industry that is dying. You can't go back to a relationship that has run its course.

The good news is that somewhere deep inside you; you are ready for the changes that are occurring. You just have to say yes and forge ahead! Don't be scared. Yes, there may be some confrontations and challenges from others. Yes, the road may seem rocky or even foreign. But it's supposed to.

The summer of 2010 is the start of a seven year cycle of huge change on a a national and personal level.

These changes and intense energies increase with the Lunar Eclipse on June 26th and then in late July, they get almost unbearable. I know many of you are feeling this already. They could be personal internal changes or external changes but most will involve a power struggle between the past and the present; an old way of life and a new one. You could meet with resistance from others who want to stop you from living your truth. But you have to keep moving forward!

The end result is living your truth and finding happiness you have been seeking. There can't be rainbows without rain. It's okay to cry as you let the past go, but be sure to dry those tears and eradicate those fears so you can be open to what's at the end of the rainbow!