Astro4Business Intersections

Hello, everyone.

Let’s look at June 2010 to see what the planetary influences are and how we can work with them. 

• We’ll start with the most long-range and overarching influences, the planets Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus, which you will notice do not change from month to month but stay in the same sector of the sky for many years. 
• Then we will look at the mid-range influences, Jupiter and Saturn, which stay in the same sign for 1 – 2.5 years. 
• We’ll look at the personal planets, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun which stay in their respective signs for much shorter periods and primarily influence our day-to-day lives. 
• And last we’ll look at the sign and dates for the New and Full Moons, as these mark the waxing and waning cycles in our daily lives.

This month the Sun transitions from Gemini to Cancer at the Solstice, Mercury ends its long trek through Taurus and zooms through Gemini into Cancer, Venus enters Leo, Mars ends its very long stay in Leo and enters Virgo, and Jupiter transitions into Aries.  Add to this the Jupiter/Uranus conjunction in Aries, the Full Moon conjunction to Pluto and partial Lunar eclipse and we’ve got a very full month indeed.

 Pluto in Capricorn

We’ve spoken at length about Pluto in Capricorn (see category at right), where it will remain until 2024.  In a nutshell, this long transit will bring fundamental change to many of the structures we have come to rely upon:  government, religion, the economy, industry, and transport systems, to name a few.  The transit carries the energy of revolution and evolution and can be dramatic and at times overwhelming.  Pluto exposes what is hidden, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse.

Pluto hastens and intensifies the processes of endings and new beginnings, and in Capricorn will bring about the ending of our business pursuits that are no longer suited to our growth and personal evolution.  Whatever has been slowly leaking vitality will go ahead and die, including old business models, practices, and products. 

This is formidable energy, and your best strategy is to tune in and work with it.  Find an area in your business life in need of renewal and begin the process before Pluto reaches planets in your chart and forces the issue.  Everyone with planets in the first seven degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn is already dealing with this energy. 

Pluto turned retrograde on April 6.  This retrograde motion combined with the extremely long orbit of the planet causes it to traverse only 3 degrees of Capricorn during the entire year.  Last December it was at 2 degrees of Capricorn, by April 6 it had reached 5 degrees, it will retrograde back to 2 degrees by mid-September, and it doesn’t reach 5 degrees again until next January.  If you have planets between 2 and 5 degrees of any sign you will experience a deeper and deeper probing and cleansing all year long, probably related to the issues mentioned above.  Pluto transits can be difficult, but when the work is through, they are the most rewarding because we are irrevocably freed from a long-standing, but hidden, issue.  You may have noticed a reversal since April, leading you back to a problem you thought you had resolved.  Not yet!  There’s still more freedom to be gained.

Neptune in Aquarius

With Neptune in Aquarius (see category at right) from 1998 to 2011, we’ve seen a global consensus regarding the equality of the common man, shared responsibility to the group, ascendancy of people and nations based on the power of knowledge, the right of all nations to progress technologically, and the right of each person to contribute to and further the base of common knowledge.  

The best way to work with this energy is to allow your rational mind to open to waves of inspiration from the collective whole, from your community to the global community.  Expect to be inspired by your neighbors and friends, both near and far. 

Neptune turned retrograde on May 31.  Neptune, like Pluto, has an extremely long orbit which combined with its annual retrograde motion causes it to traverse only 3 degrees of Aquarius this year.  In February it had reached 25 degrees of Aquarius, by May 31 it reached 28 degrees, on November 8 it turns around after travelling back to 25 degrees and it doesn’t reach 28 degrees again until next February.  If you have planets between 25 and 28 degrees of any sign you will experience a subtle but powerful dissatisfaction with certain areas of your life and a yearning for a more meaningful connection to others.  This disconcerting influence can dissolve the forms in our life that have no real content for us anymore.  This can be disorienting and confusing while it is happening but once these deeper connections are made, the benefits are rewarding and long-lasting.

Uranus in Aries

On May 27, Uranus entered the sign Aries. This was the beginning point of an 84-year cycle.  Aries is a very different energy from Pisces.  Where Pisces is concerned with the collective and with dissolving boundaries, Aries is the spark of entrepreneurial spirit, the initiating impetus toward independence and individuality.  For the next seven years we can expect the Aries energy to influence innovation, creativity, and breakthroughs in a spirit of renewal.  Get ready for a whole new cycle of invention and scientific discovery.

While Uranus in Pisces engendered business innovation and invention through increasing global connection, Uranus in Aries ushers in an era of the lone wolf, the individual entrepreneur working independently.  The global connection won’t go away but the emphasis will be on individual research, experimentation, and breakthroughs.  The rules and mores of business management will change; we’ve already seen more business articles using phrases like “maverick CEO” and “entrepreneurial revolution.”  Where we used to see business buzzwords like “collaboration” and “vision,” we’re starting to see “personal crusade” and “kindling people’s passions.”

Uranus will leave Aries and return to Pisces in July due to retrograde motion before it is finally posited in Aries next March.  This puts us in a limbo time, a time of transition between one era and another.  What is coming is not yet clear but we should definitely expect and plan for change.  Our best, newest, and freshest ideas will come from a new direction.  If you tune in this month you will glimpse the future of your business.

Saturn in Virgo

On May 30 Saturn resumed direct motion in Virgo.  Have you been focusing on managing and organizing your personal workspace?  Are your back office systems in order?  June is the last full month that Saturn will be in Virgo.  Use this time to detail a plan for the next few months and set up the systems to accomplish it.  We can use the energy of Saturn in Virgo to address the stress coming from Uranus in Aries and Pluto in Capricorn.  There’s nothing like a detailed plan to follow when things are in flux or seem out of our control. 

Jupiter in Pisces/Aries

Jupiter entered Pisces, a water sign, in January.  Pisces is concerned with the emotional connections that bind people together.  This can express itself as devotion to an ideal, often mystical or artistic, and the desire to lose oneself in the shared feeling of the group.

On June 6, Jupiter, the planet of opportunity and expansion, will enter Aries. This is a very different energy from Jupiter in Pisces.  Aries is an initiatory sign and Jupiter thinks big.  Your former goals may feel too limiting now.  A passion for growth, expansion, competition, and claiming new territories will emerge in you and your staff.  Risk-taking fervor may sweep through you.

This is good, as long as your systems and structures are in place to handle growth.  A business that grows too fast or too soon is just as much at-risk as a business with no growth prospects at all.  So think big as long as your structure is stable.  If it’s not, spend the massive Aries energy to expand your underlying systems.  Jupiter will retrograde back into Pisces later this year and reenter Aries next January.  That may be a better time to initiate new plans for growth.

Mars in Leo/Virgo

Mars leaves its long journey in Leo on June 7. With Mars is in Leo it has been easy to lead with honesty and dependability.  The sign Leo is also creative and artistic, so hopefully we have taken opportunities for performance and display.  Take advantage of these last few days of heightened creativity and expect high performance from your employees too. 

Mars will be in Virgo until July 29.  When Mars is in Virgo we focus our action on dissemination and distribution.  Gone is the showy creativity of Leo.  In its place comes a penchant for order and concrete productivity and much more interest in service to others.  How are your employees and coworkers faring?  If they are doing well, feeling useful and productive, then you’re using Mars in Virgo well.  And this energy will provide the perfect balance for that risk-taking Jupiter and Uranus energy in Aries. 

Venus in Cancer/Leo

Venus in Cancer is empathetic, nurturing, and understanding.   Your finances may ebb and flow at this time like the waxing and waning of the Moon.  Your relationships with customers, partners, and employees feel more maternal than professional yet fortune lies in your ability to treat people like your own family at this time.  This is a great time for company barbeques and celebrations.

On June 14 Venus moves into Leo.  This should spell fun.  Venus indicates what makes people happy, creative, and productive and Leo loves showmanship, competition, games, and sports.  To build camaraderie try a company softball game or online video tournament.  Company culture is a key component of success.  Venus in Leo is a great time to build that culture.

Mercury in Taurus/Gemini/Cancer 

Mercury is really moving quickly this month.  On June10th it moves into Gemini and on the 25^th moves into Cancer.  Mercury rules Gemini and is at his most persuasive, talkative, and diverse when in Gemini.  This is a perfect time for training and bringing in consultants.  Communications of all kinds are favored, so take those meetings, initiate negotiations, and get out and about to meet and greet customers.

When Mercury moves into Cancer, your employees may prefer a heart-to-heart conversation rather than a lot of activity.  Meet with everyone who needs your attention and make sure they are on board with your company goals.  This is a good time to spell out your vision and gain people’s loyalty.

Sun in Gemini/Cancer

The Sun in Gemini is the perfect time for sales and communication, press releases, and for disseminating your company news as widely as possible.  It may be time to add to our sales force or start a company blog to broadcast your product as widely as possible.  Communicate, communicate, communicate.  Just be sure you only promise what you can deliver.

When the Sun moves into Cancer, across the line of the Solstice, it is a time of adjustment, correction, or fine-tuning.  Take all of the feedback you gained when the Sun was in Gemini and use the action-oriented Solstice energy to respond to the needs of your customers.  Make whatever changes will add value to your business.   

Phases of the Moon

The new Moon is in Gemini on June 12, waxing to full in Capricorn on June 26.  Each of these Moons is significant this month, which we’ll examine in the weekly and daily forecasts.

Monthly Recap

Wow, what a month!  Even the backdrop has changed as Uranus is newly posited in Aries and Neptune has turned retrograde.  Of all the planets, only Pluto has maintained its relative position and motion.  Saturn direct in Virgo and Mars transiting into Virgo will help us find our footing through practical planning and action.  And we’ll need it with Uranus and Jupiter in risk-taking, excitable Aries.  The inner planets, the Sun, Mercury, and Venus are in the personal growth signs of the zodiac, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, and Leo.  That puts the focal point on you and your local environment.  If you stay steady and focus on what you can accomplish, your business will thrive.

A recap of the days to watch for:

Jupiter enters Aries               June 6

Mars enters Virgo                  June 7

Jupiter conjuncts Uranus    June 8

Mercury enters Gemini       June 10

New Moon                           June 12

Venus enters Leo                  June 14

Sun enters Cancer                June 21

Mercury enters Cancer     June 25

Full Moon                            June 26

Let me know how it all plays out!

To look at the business traits for each planet check these links:

The Sun

The Moon

Mercury

Venus

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

Uranus

Neptune

Pluto