June 20, 2017 (Julian 171) Summer Solstice at 11:25 PM CDT

A solstice or equinox point is enough to make a day interesting.  Technically, that happens on the 21st if you live in EDT or points east (EU / UK) but today if CDT or points west (including California, Alaska, and Hawaii).  Many have discussed solstice points, and we will not elaborate except to say Cancer begins here.  Cancer is usually a benevolent sign, but it CAN produce monsters (and an excellent example is Ariel Castro).  I have seen others, both in the news (Jodi Arias, O J Simpson) and personally.  I have also seen Cancerians who are benevolent people.  But, let’s be clear for anyone who thinks Cancer is always inherently benevolent: Cancer can (and does) produce monsters.

But for most of us, the Summer Solstice is usually benevolent (unless we overdo alcohol or other mood altering drugs or engage in other dangerous behavior).  The Sun is VOID today (something we do not discuss much, usually it is the moon v/c that we discuss most), and “things” taken on today may not last.

The Moon is in DOTM (Dark of the Moon), and that makes this a VERY good time to tap into the intuitive side of ourselves, sometimes receiving messages from those who are no longer incarnate on earth, a time we usually associate with Halloween.  (But, it can, and does, happen at other times of the year.  This is one of them.)  One more thing: at almost the exact moment of the solstice, ever so slightly past, the Moon perfects a trine to Pluto in Capricorn and turns void, remaining void on Wednesday until 5:44 PM CDT.  Effectively, we move from a long solar void directly into a long lunar void.

Venus (Taurus) sextiles Neptune (Pisces), and that is associated with romantic adventures (which might not last, given other considerations, yet still be worthwhile due to fond memories).  What is not commonly know is that the Taurus / Pisces aspect can be real moneymakers sometimes, and this particular combination (Venus in its home and Neptune in its home) is one that can lead to “genius level” in moneymaking or development of art.

If you are at all inclined to be a creative, take today to manifest your perhaps latent talents.  Even if today does not directly pay off in an obvious way, you will find you WILL reap benefits of some kind at some point later.  Do not give up too soon on your gift. (A lesson I need to hear myself from time to time.  I make no money from writing these forecasts, at least not yet.)

As we mentioned yesterday, Venus (as Inanna) is at the Third Gate.  This year, and this iteration of the cycle, the First Gate was associated with the election in France.  The Second Gate was associated with a terrorist bombing at a concert in Manchester, UK.  Mars is active with Outer planets / outer objects (mostly asteroids) all week, so we think that it could be dangerous for some people.  We urge you to be careful today (and tomorrow).

A number of disturbing and dangerous events have been reported in the news, but the one that concerns us most involves a Navy “Superhornet” fighter jet shooting down a Syrian plane, a response that came after “the [Syrian] SU-22 jet dropped bombs on Sunday near American-backed fighters combating the Islamic State.”  Our response was provoked, I have no doubt about that, but I am also worried that we may be teetering on the brink of a very “hot” war.

If you have read my predictions for at least a few months, then you know I wrote about this the day of the election, last November (2016).  Some have said they think that the market is a bit too high (what has been called “irrational exuberance” in the past), and I hope they are wrong but worry that they might be right.  A number of other astrologers have claimed that a war will be tied to the eclipse of August 21st.  In any case, I am a bit worried about this “Third Gate.”  So, again, be careful.  (And don’t steal any North Korea propaganda posters off the hotel wall.  They take that kind of thing rather seriously.)

But, let’s make the main point again: if you have any artistic (or moneymaking) inclinations at all, you should take the plunge despite the other indications.  This may not take you where you expect, but chances are good that you will like results anyway, despite the fact that they may be unexpected or in a different direction.  Write character sketches of people you know for that novel you keep meaning to write, draw a diagram of the way the parts of your life fit together, (or not) write a poem about the most important person, or people, in your life or whatever else might capture your fancy.  Do an internet search for ideas if you must.  <We have other comments on this day at Weekly Forecasts>

As long as it is not dangerous, be willing to take a risk and do something a bit different (and artistic).