New Moon Solar Eclipse in Gemini

Sunday, May 20, 4:47 pm PDT, 7:47 pm EDT

The New Moon in clever Gemini sets off a million and one ideas and opens lines of communication with all kinds of people. However, this lunation is a Solar Eclipse that reminds us to turn inward, tap into our emotions and reconnect with the past. There's unfinished personal business that needs completion before new projects can be pushed ahead with full confidence. Dreamy Neptune's squishy square to this Sun-Moon conjunction softens Gemini's intellectual acuity, triggering misstatements and allowing imagination to transcend the limits of logic. Feelings count more than facts now, which is uncharacteristic of this cerebral sign. Yet emotion and gut instinct bring sensitivity and awareness that inspire faith which cannot be found in mere words alone.

Mercury in Gemini

Thursday, May 24, 4:12 am PDT, 7:12 am EDT

Chatty Mercury is more talkative than ever in its airy home sign. Minds open and words flow with ease, perhaps too much at times as thoughts may be spoken carelessly and data accepted uncritically. Getting the most out of the intellectual richness and verbal skills of this transit requires some discernment. All ideas are not equal and all information is not useful. Keeping one's purpose and priorities in the foreground helps to avoid these tempting distractions.

Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius

Monday, June 4, 4:11 am PDT, 7:11 am EDT

The enthusiasm of this Sagittarius Full Moon is shadowed by a Lunar Eclipse that reminds us to let go of old dreams before we pursue new ones. Beliefs may need to be re-examined when they fail to provide the answers and inspiration that they did in the past. Education and travel could be interrupted and it might be wise to cancel a class or a trip if the going gets too tough. Fussy Mars in Virgo's square to the Full Moon sparks battles over systems and details, yet worrying about methods is wasteful until long-term goals are clearly defined.

Neptune Retrograde

Monday, June 4, 2:03 pm PDT, 5:03 pm EDT

The planet of dreams' retrograde turn is a subtle influence that generates inspiration from within. It can also revive previous sources of enlightenment and spiritual practice that have been ignored for a while. Communion with nature and connection with spirituality are gifts that we can give ourselves. Compassion and forgiveness will heal our wounds and restore inner faith.

Mercury in Cancer

Thursday, June 7, 4:16 am PDT, 7:16 am EDT

Thoughts are soaked with emotion with mental Mercury's entry into this water sign. Articulating feelings and needs may come easily, yet a loss of objectivity is the price to pay for more intimate communication. Careful speech is meant to increase the sense of safety we seek in protective Cancer. Withholding information is another way to avoid conflict, yet Mercury's hard aspects with Uranus and Pluto on June 11 reduce the likelihood of friction-free conversations next week.

Jupiter in Gemini

Monday, June 11, 10:20 am PDT, 1:20 pm EDT

The planet of expansion's 12-month stay in curious Gemini opens minds and increases options for the future. Ambitions may be split as multiple paths of interest divide attention. Jupiter is not at ease in this dualistic sign because it prefers one overarching answer to a diverse collection of possible meanings. There's also a tendency to give small bits of information more value than they merit as we allow facts to overcome the philosophical perspective Jupiter represents. Cutting out intellectual clutter and eliminating excess data are necessary to find the wisdom that we seek.

Mercury square Uranus opposite Pluto

Monday, June 11

Tender Mercury in Cancer is rocked by hard aspects to volatile Uranus and provocative Pluto that can set off fears and spur intense conversations. What we're seeing, though, is not necessarily what we're going to get so it's smart to avoid overreacting to unexpected news. On the plus side, these transits give voice to powerful changes that should be managed with care and kindness. Taking time to assimilate the odd ideas and perceptions that are aroused now can make them more useful.

Chiron Retrograde

Monday, June 11

The wounded healer's backward shift, much like Neptune's turnabout a week earlier, indicates that the solace we seek comes from within. Memories of past trauma provide additional chances to learn and finally transform pain into peace. False starts are possible as the jittery Gemini New Moon eclipses the Sun. This is a good time to be a window shopper who patiently examines a wide variety of items without committing to buy any of them. The real cleverness of this lunation is to catch egos in the act of self-inflation so that we can counter misplaced pride with humor and detachment. Stepping back to take a second look will ultimately be more productive than impetuously pushing ahead with plans and projects that aren't ready for prime time.

About the Author

Jeff Jawer is the cofounder of StarIQ.com.