June wastes no time getting to important events in the first days of the month. The Gemini New Moon arrives accompanied by a partial Solar Eclipse at 2:02 PM PDT on June 1. This "darkening" of the Sun is only visible on certain parts of the earth (according to NASA, this eclipse is visible in e Asia, n N. America, and Iceland), but its importance is for everyone. The term "Solar Eclipse" defines an alignment of the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth, such that the Moon is located between the Sun and the Earth, causing the Sun to be hidden from view on the Earth. Because it always occurs on a New Moon a solar eclipse marks a time of new beginnings.

This particular eclipse, with both the Sun and Moon in Gemini, may indicate the gathering of new information, news of a major life event, or change of direction. I like to look at eclipses as gateways, openings or opportunities to movement forward in our life and evolution. Openings allow energy flow, energy flowing in, energy flowing out. It happens that on this eclipse, Saturn is making a lovely trine to the the Sun and Moon, encouraging us to use whatever information comes to us in a disciplined, responsible way. As during a regular New Moon, think about what you would like to see happen. This is a time for visioning, imagining what you need to move ahead, what needs to be released, what needs to be created.

Don't necessarily be too quick to take action on the new information you receive. Keep an open mind, be patient, especially if at first you feel uncomfortable. You may not have all of the information yet, or you my need time for your consciousness to make adjustments to the changes ahead.

Mercury darts into its own sign of Gemini on June 2. This is quite a change, from slow moving, deliberate Taurus, to lively, chatty Gemini. This move can be great for multi-tasking, but not so hot for focused concentration. But not to worry, whatever comes, it will be easier to cope with, adding a dash of Gemini humor!

On June 3, Neptune stations retrograde, from within its own sign of Pisces, for a 5-month stint. Let this slow backward moving phase open you to internally-initiated spiritual insights. Take time to listen to your "inner voice." Expect, then honor, an increase in your intuitive abilities. If there are issues, particularly spiritual ones, that have confused you or solutions that have eluded you in the last period of Neptune's direct motion, take special note of insights that may come your way. Talk things out with someone you trust, for illusion, delusion, and overwhelm can be common snags in coming to resolution.

June 4 finds giant Jupiter easing its way out of Aries and into earthy Taurus. From Aries to Taurus is a major slowdown for the planet of spirit and philosophy. Jupiter will give us a year to improve our connection with materiality, the substance of life. That can mean a healthier, more refined relationship with your own material substance—your body and monetary assets. Perhaps begin a plan for better eating (see that it is healthier, not just more), an exercise regimen, strategies for reducing stress, and creating more pleasure in your daily life. And then work at improving your monetary situation.

Because multiple planets in Gemini and Taurus give us somewhat of a reprieve from the intensity we've experienced earlier in the spring, it might be easy to just feel that there is little of importance happening in the planetary sphere. You can indeed enjoy the longer days, the easier social interaction with the Sun and Mercury in Gemini, and then on June 9, adding Venus to the mix. But don't take the "ease" for granted.

There are some configurations brewing that will likely shock our world yet again. Uranus and Pluto are moving closer and closer, preparing for a record-setting seven exact squares with each other in the next few years, and if history is any indication, we're in for a wild ride. The cry for freedom that we have been hearing in many countries with stagnant dictatorships, the unrest in our own country when basic rights are threatened, plus the natural disasters creating intense suffering on various continents, gives you a bit of a preview. It is important to remember, however, that those same archetypes work at the individual level. Pay attention to where you are experiencing stagnation, what is crying out in you for freedom and change. Ask yourself for clues as to how you can step up your own evolution.

Saturn, the planet of discipline, responsibility, and often stagnation as it clings to the status quo, is once again stationing direct on June 12. As it continues its way through the sign of Libra, take note of an accent on partnerships and balancing both sides of an issue. Look for a way to bring fairness and/or compromise to negotiations. Stand by your convictions, but try not letting your positions harden to the point of rigidity.

We have our second eclipse of the month, a lunar eclipse, on the Full Moon in Sagittarius, June 15 at 1:15 PM PDT. This opposition conjuncts the lunar nodes, with the Moon on the North Node in Sagittarius. With this conjunction, the Full Moon and eclipse could bring out more fundamentalism in politics and religion. As light is shed on old prejudices and beliefs, not based on current realities, look for discordant acts by those unwilling to respond to the profound need for change. Meanwhile, individuals can take a look at their own outmoded beliefs, see what is holding you back from a more all-encompassing philosophical position.

The days get increasingly longer in our Northern Hemisphere until the Summer Solstice arrives at 10:20 AM PDT on June 21. As the Sun joins Mercury in Cancer, a Cardinal Grand Cross is formed with Saturn in Libra, Uranus in Aries and of course, Pluto in Capricorn. It is a stunning, intense standoff, despite only one of the squares (Saturn and Mercury) being exact. It is softened, however, by the Sun and Neptune in trine, both of them also in sextile to Jupiter. Our awareness of the need for radical change should be refined by a spiritual quality in the atmosphere, heightening our sensitivity to positive solutions rather than intractable problems.

The Grand Cross holds through the end of the month, and the pressure builds toward the first Uranus/Pluto exact square. We may long for cooler days and cooler heads as we hit July and yet another Solar Eclipse on the New Moon July 1.