The Sun enters the sign of Cancer at 1:16 pm EDT, an event that we call the Summer Solstice.  The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and the day at which the Sun reaches the highest point in the sky, but it is also a phase in the turning of the wheel of the seasons that is marked by the entry of the Sun into one of the cardinal signs (Cancer, Capricorn, Libra and Aries).  The cardinal signs are signs of initiation and action and when the Sun moves into one of these signs something is typically activated that has been dormant before.

Because of the astrological “Cardinal Drama” of the past few years, with Pluto entering the sign of Capricorn (it is now at about 6 degrees Cap) and Uranus moving into Aries (now at 4 degrees), and Saturn still in Libra at 10 degrees, every Solstice and Equinox, with the Sun at 0 degrees, has engaged the other planets in the early degrees of cardinal signs.  Since the charts for the solstices and equinoxes are tools for weather prediction and symbolize the overall energy of the following three months, it’s no wonder the past three years or so have been so dramatic.

The chart for the Summer Solstice 2011 is no less intense than the others and that is especially true for those of us in the US.  In the Solstice chart for Washington D.C.  we have the T-square of planets in cardinal signs (Sun, Uranus and Pluto) sitting right on the angles (within two degrees) when the chart is located to Washington D.C.   This suggests that the overall strife in the country, particularly the governmental factions which are located in D.C., will continue throughout the summer.

The square of the Sun to Uranus (electricity and shocking events) is wider than in the Spring Equinox chart which coincided with a record number of tornadoes across the country which suggests that the weather patterns will not be so extreme.  But the elemental balance of this chart is extremely polarized, with most of the planets in water and air.

Water represents the element of feeling and emotion, and air is the element of reason and objectivity.   These two are not naturally compatible and usually require one of the other elements to intermediate and fortunately we have that in the presence of a harmonious earth trine from Jupiter in stable Taurus to Pluto in Capricorn.  The earthy influence helps to provide a solid foundation from which the emotional sensitivity of water may interact with the sensibility of air to bring about a positive change that is both sensitive and rational.

The movement of the Sun through the seasons is an important part of connecting with the natural world.  The Sun is the most important element in the solar system to human life, just as it is the single most important element in the birthchart.  It nourishes and inspires us – it activates our life force.  If we can become more attuned to these natural cycles and live our lives in greater harmony with the turning of the wheel of life, we gain in both peace and inner wisdom.

Happy solstice!

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