Robin Ivy Payton
On June 21, the Sun moves into Cancer, marking the astrological shift from spring to summer. The Moon will be in Aries, waning after the Sagittarius Full Moon on June 14. Both Sagittarius and Aries are signs of fire, intensifying action, activity, movement, and heat during this celebration of the Sun. Waning Moon in Aries is a time of weeding out and cleansing by fire to prepare for expansion and beginnings ahead. This particular solstice is therefore well suited to using fire as a means for letting go, and to flames that are carefully and thoughtfully controlled. The abundance of heat energy in this part of the lunar cycle should be considered when engaging in all rituals involving fire, from the tiniest candle to largest bonfire.
Jupiter and Mars will also be traveling the degrees of Aries on solstice 2022. Jupiter indicates the big picture, a broadening of perspective, changes, and initiations related to education, travel, business, and growing in wisdom. Mars, the warrior planet, is at home in Aries, encouraging action and pushing the limits. Astrologically, there’s a sense of confronting problems or issues and taking bold steps into new territory during this time of year. Themes include breaking down barriers or destroying paradigms in order to recreate ones that are stronger, fiercer, and more suited to present times. With the Moon close to Jupiter on the solstice, personal growth, preparing for beginnings, sense of self, and independence are naturally highlighted. As part of your celebration this year, acknowledge what you’re burning away. Both planets are direct in motion, aligning with progress, momentum, and sense of forward direction.
Loving Venus
A few heavenly bodies will be retrograde on this year’s solstice. Saturn, Neptune, Pluto, and the North Node travel many months in retrograde. Venus influences us with a shorter, and often more personally impactful, retrograde, while happily situated in sensual Taurus, one of her zodiac homes. Representing love, sex, beauty, and abundance during this cycle, Venus aligns with Pluto in Capricorn, each at 28 degrees of these earthy, physical signs. Notice stirring emotions and realizations in the relationship realm. Often Venus and Pluto combine forces to bring transformation and rebirth. Awakening desire, opening to intimacy, and blending physical, emotional, and soulful aspects of love are some results of our Venus-Pluto trine. Venus is soft and receptive, the voice or soundtrack playing continuously as our life experiences unfold. Pluto resides, often subtle in the depths, waiting to be roused by something such as touch, sight, or sound, triggered like a memory or recollection of a dream.
In harmony during this solstice, this duo speaks to and through our heartfelt relationships and innermost feelings. Venus aligned with romantic Neptune two days prior and shares sparks with Jupiter during the June 28 New Moon. The planet of love appears to be connecting soulmates and fulfilling dreams as the Sun burns high in the sky.
Astrological Activities
Depending where you live and what your community is like, there are many ways to honor the solstice. Beginning in the morning, travel or face east to see the sun rise. Invoke the direction of the east and all its creatures and plants, and any other associations you have with the east. Recognize solar animals, like Eagle, Hawk, Swan, and Horse. You may also visualize creatures of the water, such as seals, and any other animal life special and unique to you.
Sun salutations are a physical way to open to the Sun, feel your strength, and increase your life force. Remember to breathe well as you move, first raising arms and open hands to the sky as you breathe in, and folding forward gently toward the earth with head and hands as you exhale. Salutations can be as simple as this, repeating the upward and downward flow, or other postures like planks, backbends, and downward dogs can be added for a yoga -style Sun A salute. Greet the season and yourself with gratitude and joy.
Use fire and smoke as a way of cleansing and releasing during this waning Moon. At sunrise or sunset, light a bundle of sage or mugwort and burn until there are glowing embers. Gently blow on the flame to diminish it, then sage around your body, shaking the bundle safely around you or someone else. (Be very careful around hair and clothing. You needn’t get too close to skin or hair to receive the clearing.) Working with mugwort is said to stimulate dreams.
Meditate on your tarot cards during solstice. Ace and Page of Wands align with both the fire energy of peak Sun and with this year’s Moon in Aries, the first fire sign. The Chariot, long associated with the Sun’s journey into Cancer, and the Sun card, representing youth, are also cards of Litha. On your altar or windowsill, set up your solstice spell to invite the energy and vitality of this season. Crystals such as citrine, yellow calcite, or perhaps some rose quartz for the heart enhance your spell. Understand your own intentions at Midsummer and clarify any release you are approaching as you cross this threshold.