As the Solstice brings us to the brink of major cosmic balance, the Temperance card invites us to recalibrate, alchemize, and make ourselves available for subtle shifts, says Melinda Lee Holm …
Solstice
5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE SUMMER SOLSTICE 2017
The longest day of the cosmic year, Summer Solstice 2017 is your time to strip it down and skinny dip straight back to your roots, say our resident Numi astro babes Danielle Paige, Jennifer Racioppi, and Bess Matassa …
5 Ways to Activate the Summer Solstice 2017 Energy Right Now!
*And make sure to read on for our resident astro babes’ full breakdown of this cosmic event …
1/Go Skinny Dipping: This Solstice asks us to get deliciously stripped down and dip into our private lives. Whether you choose to risk taking the plunge at midday with friends or go solo at midnight, celebrate slipping back into your own skin and connecting with your internal world.
2/Throw a Slumber Party: Celebrate the longest day of the year by pulling an old-school all nighter. Break out the hot rollers and face masks, and channel those nostalgic Cancer Season vibes with Old Hollywood classics, high school yearbooks, and prom pop.
3/Spend a Spa Day with Your Patron Saints: Ruled by the Moon, the Solstice asks us to connect to our feminine progenitors, whomever this means to you. Who has held you close? Who has tenderized your heart? Who have you bowed down at the altar of as a f-ing serious force of nature? Honor those people, whether it’s with an elaborate spa day or a simple, home-cooked brunch.
4/Become Your Own Summer Lover: Light the candles, let the R&B jams play, and deck yourself out in a luscious romper and sky-high wedges. Get nocturnal with yourself- figure out exactly what turns you on in your most private moments and romance yourself with that.
5/Refuel Your Fantasy Life with a Blockbuster: The Solstice marks the Sun’s entry into the sign of Cancer and this little mermaid’s energy is all about the creative force of our fantasies. Whether it’s Wonder Woman or a juicy, romantic beach read, celebrate the unbridled potential of your inner visions by getting whisked away by fantastically real tales of heroism.
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Danielle Paige
More light means more consciousness
The Solstice helps us to define time and get in touch with the sacred rhythm of the Universe. It marks a point of transition from one energetic phase to another and as this is the longest day of the year, more light means more consciousness.
You’ve spent the last 6 months (since the Winter Solstice) in a yin state … lots of rejuvenation, inward processing, and clearing. Now, it’s time to open up and shine your light!
Visualize a seed being planted at the Winter Solstice. After the fertilization process, it grows into a beautiful flower and opens its petals …. THIS is the energy in the air …. Ahhh yes, well hello there!
Moving forward, honor the fullness and richness of life that is tangible to you right now. The more you can honor this, the more you move into your heart space, which is how you attract your desires to you.
To find out more about attracting your desires and working with your karmic energy to find your purpose, you can connect with Danielle here.
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Jennifer Racioppi
Get grounded, connected, and clear
With Eclipse Season just around the corner in August, use the Solstice and Cancer season to get grounded, connected, and clear. The New Moon in Cancer will follow this the Solstice by just two days, and it’s time to initiate new intentions, have fun, and enjoy those summertime vibes!
At the exact moment when the Sun enters Cancer, the Waning Crescent Balsamic Moon in Taurus connects with Venus in Taurus. This fortuitous and auspicious alignment in the Solstice chart indicates that the seasonal shift bestows gifts of bounty. The Moon rules Cancer, is exalted in Taurus, and Venus, Taurus’ ruler, is dignified in this position! To compliment this even more, the Moon forms an exact trine, a supportive angle of manifestation, to powerhouse Pluto.
We can expect this piercing and luxurious alignment to ground us as the Sun reaches his zenith, and we prepare to enter the season of Cancer. Cancer, a sign that loves to connect deeply with those it loves, opens the doorway to nourishing our connection to close friends and family as we reach into our roots for more safety, security, and abundance.
For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com
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Bess Matassa
Skinny dip straight into your own heart
What does midnight feel like in your soul? This Summer Solstice, it’s time to dim all the lights, strip it down to bare, beautifully bio-luminescent skin, and take a naked plunge into your heart’s most private spaces …
With Neptune Rx and the Sun and Mercury entering little mermy Cancer on the same day, this Solstice is a water queen’s dream. But this isn’t the treacherous undertow of Scorpionic and Plutonian storm surges. This salt-kissed Solstice is a homecoming invitation to wash gently, yet fiercely, back onto our own shores, to remember where we’ve been, and to let everything that’s lived in our heart-shaped lockets and treasure chests give us the strength to jet-ski into the future.
So burn out the bulbs and turn on the sea sparkles. Click your heels three times and bring it all the way back home. And trust that you carry your home on your back, nomadic hermit-crab style, because you belong absolutely everywhere and always, to yourself …
Summer Solstice Mantra: I bow at the altar of my most tender night moves.
Theme Song: The Commodores’ Nightshift
Style: Bond Girl Ursula Andress meets Dorothy on her way back to Kansas. Sweetheart necklined one-pieces, gingham print hot shorts, tan halters, stacked raffia wedges, coral and emeralds.
Flavors: Nocturnal snacks and homecoming helpings. Think nightshade fruits and veggies, cardamom-infused milks, and hearty, family-style pasta dishes.
Want more juicy cosmic insights and sensory explorations? Arrange an astrology reading or private event with Bess here or follow her on Instagram.
HOW THESE TAROT CARDS EXPLAIN JUNE 2017
Welcome to sweet, sun-kissed summertime! Pack up your beach bag and don’t forget to bring the perfect tarot cards for June 2017, says Melinda Lee Holm.
As we leave the blossoming of Spring behind and head into the cultivation of Summer, June brings the promise of a new era of personal growth and development. We will be challenged to see clearly, to get in touch with our deepest desires, to integrate the lessons of the past so we can expand into the future, and to honor both the yin and yang as indispensible parts of our whole beings.
Let June’s tarot guides lead the way … (to be used in conjunction with the monthly Tarotscopes for your sign by Lindsay Mack!)
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:: 6/09 Jupiter Stations Direct in Libra – The World ::
This planet of expansion has been retrograde since February 5 of this year, giving us the chance carefully consider the steps we are taking to develop personally and professionally. When she stations direct on the 9th, we are in a great position to use all of that gathered wisdom to grow purposefully and consciously, and Libra’s influence will bring a touch of beauty and partnership to the mix.
The Major Arcana’s final card, The World, represents the birth of a new era built upon the work and completion of a previous cycle. In the card, we see a figure with her legs positioned in the shape of Jupiter’s symbol floating in a womb-like container, surrounded by watchful celestial allies. She pauses now, taking in the greatness of the cycle she has completed so she can fully integrate the wisdom of this phase before she steps into the next, knowing that the Universe will be here to support her continued growth.
Calling in The World:
- Spend a day alone at the spa (or the beach, or in the tub)—emerge feeling reborn
- Eat figs—they are associated with Jupiter’s fecundity
- Give yourself a clean slate by clearing out your desk, your closet, or your whole house
- Add a drop or 2 of food-grade Frankincense oil to your juice or tea—the strong anti-inflammatory properties of the resin will help calm your body from the inside out
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:: 6/12 School’s Out! – 7 of Cups ::
Whether you’re in school or not, now is a great time to get into the ‘school’s out’ mentality and focus on following your bliss. Forget about what you think you should be doing or should be desiring, ignore the chatter telling you what success looks like, and explore your heart’s true desires on these long gorgeous days of sun and leisure.
With the 7 of Cups as our guide, we can take a minute to turn on, tune in, and drop out of the rat race and into our own personal paradise. The Rider-Waite illustration shows us that the outer trappings of glory we grasp for —beauty, riches, a big house, a dragon!—are incomparable to the emotional fulfillment that comes from finding that magical something that sets our heart on fire. Symbolized by the draped, glowing figure in the central cup, this intangible light of joy is the source of true bliss.
Calling in the 7 of Cups:
- Wear or carry raw or cut Ruby—the stone helps ignite the heart’s true passion
- Volunteer for a cause you are passionate about
- Go on vacation, even for a day—without your phone and computer
- Wear loose fitting clothing, allowing your body to move completely without restriction, following its own bliss!
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:: 6/18 Father’s Day – King of Pentacles ::
Tradition in the US has pulled the holiday away from its Catholic roots and toward a more personal celebration of the bond between Dads and their kids. It’s an important holiday in a culture that does not tend to reward men for the nurturing, understanding, and caring qualities they need to be great fathers.
The King of Pentacles, the Tarot’s nurturing patriarch, provides us with a wonderful example of the power of gentle masculinity. He leads with a velvet touch, encouraging everything and everyone around him to grow and thrive as best fits their individuality. This laid back, supportive nature combined with his readiness to fight for those around him (note the armor peeking out from beneath his robe) make the King of Pentacles my pick for best Dad of the deck.
Calling in the King of Pentacles:
- Dress decadently—patterns, colors, fabrics—wear what feels regal!
- Meditate with Clear Calcite—it promotes unconditional love and helps clear any blockages to giving or receiving it
- Plant wildflowers or other plants native to your area
- Commit to only giving advice when it is asked for
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:: 6/20 Summer Solstice – The Sun ::
Summer Solstice festivals in agrarian societies honored the fire of life and the drive to plant and produce in hopes of a bountiful harvest. Metaphorically, it’s a time to invigorate our personal goals and plans with this renewed fire.
The message of The Sun card is ‘what you see is what you get.’ This can be a challenging energy if what you see is not what you want to believe. But once we push past the loss of the created narrative, we can feel the relief of simply being able to trust what is present rather than obsessing over the past or fantasizing about the future. The Sun calls us to see and believe in the here and now.
Calling in The Sun:
- Go outside and bask in the rays! (don’t forget your sunblock)
- Decorate your space with fresh sunflowers
- Wear or carry Fluorite—the mental clarity it provides help tap into the psychic illumination The Sun card offers
- Eat citrus fruits—the cleansing properties of citrus will help you to stay clear and present
Want more tarot magic? Book a session with Melinda here, and make sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
YOUR AGE OF AQUARIUS HOROSCOPE (THAT’S THE NEXT 2,160 YEARS)
As children of the Age of Aquarius, we have an important role to play in the evolution of humanity. Aurora Tower explains what this means for your sign…Artwork: Kathya Tornero
Besides maybe Mercury retrograde and the Saturn Return, there are few astrological phenomena that have imprinted in the collective consciousness as much as “The Age of Aquarius.”
But what really is the Age of Aquarius? Are we already in it? And what role do each of us have in it’s unfolding?
The tribe of light workers and rainbow children now populating the earth, and sharing messages of consciousness and sacred wisdom, is one of the harbingers that we are indeed at the cusp of the Age of Aquarius—the “new age” that began to dawn with the Uranus Pluto conjunction of the late 1960s (just as the famous song was released in 1969). And by most accounts, the cusp period is roughly 150 to 200 hundred years. So by the early 2100s we will be fully enmeshed in the Age of Aquarius.
Why a new “age,” or era, for the whole world? Since the earth wobbles on its orbit, it is actually rotating v-e-r-y slowly around it’s own core. A full circle of the earth around it’s core axis takes approximately 26,000 years—the length of each World Age, as described in ancient astrological text, The Procession of Equinoxes.
During each 26,000-year age, each of the twelve constellations will be visible in the sky behind the spring Equinox (usually March 21st) for about 2,160 years. When Babylonian astrologers codified the Zodiac around 1,000 BC, the sign of Aries was present behind the sun during the spring Equinox. And so this was the Age of Aries—a time of warrior clans, representative of the the Aries fighter spirit.
Near the time of the birth of Christ, as the Earth moved around it’s own axis, Pisces became visible behind the sun during the spring Equinox—marking the dawning of The Age of Pisces. This astrological era, which we are now transitioning out of, has been marked by religious crusades and spiritual dogma, reflecting Pisces connection to the divine.
And now we are transitioning from the Age of Pisces into the Age of Aquarius—a sign of Aquarius related to technology, innovation, humanitarianism and collective ideals.
During the Age of Aquarius, we can expect to see a radically group-oriented culture that values humanitarianism and individual rights extremely highly. The recent emergence of the “sharing economy” (AirBnB, Uber) is reflective of the movement towards collectivism that will impact every realm of life. And the exponential rate of technological advancement will make all of our science fiction dreams come true.
And having been born during this cusp phase, each of us has an important role to play in the unfolding of the Age of Aquarius. Read on to see how embodying the traits of your sign will help lead us into the next phase of human evolution…
:: ARIES ::
You have an important role to play in the collection and dissemination of information. Your bright and curious mind is always three steps ahead and the ideas and brainstorms that move through you are very valuable in spreading messages that are having a positive and awakening affect on humanity. Explore and learn as much as you can, so that you can build bridges and connections between different ideas. Meeting people and having a vast network of acquaintances will also help you on this task, as will keeping everyone up-to-date via whatever methods of communication become available through technology.
:: TAURUS ::
Your role now is as a protector of sacred Earth energy. You have an important role to play in nurturing our planet and humanity through an ecological and humanitarian crisis. By staying grounded and focused in our bodies, conscious of the food we eat, and our own level of kindness and self-care, we can heal together. And since your wisdom is deeply rooted in the Earth and connection to our bodies, you have a vital role to play as the strong backbone of this transition away from blind consumption and consumerism, and toward engagement with our resources in a way that truly nurtures us—and the planet.
:: GEMINI ::
Your creativity and leadership play a central role in this coming age. As another mental Air sign (like Aquarius) you resonate strongly with the incoming energy of the Aquarian Age. So your task is to step out of the shadows and embrace a leadership role in inspiring others to be their best selves during this time, and to follow their own unique paths as well. You are especially adept at working with children and younger generations, and infusing a spirit of fun and playfulness into your work. The more you come from the heart and lift those around you, the higher you can rise.
:: CANCER ::
Your consistency, thoughtfulness and attention to detail are some of the most important qualities you can present to the world during this transition. As old systems break down and new systems replace them, you will have an important role to play in making sure the details of these transitions are handled smoothly and effectively. Your tremendous patience and dedication will help you play this vital role, as will your genuine care for the well-being of others. Learning to artfully navigate change and make the most of complicated situations will also greatly benefit you in your personal life.
:: LEO ::
You have a very important role during this time. As the opposite sign of Aquarius, your energy is also being strongly activated now. What is most crucial is that you use your tremendous gifts of magnetism, charisma and creativity in service of the greater collective good, rather than falling pray to temptation for self-aggrandizing. The more you focus on how your actions impact your partnerships, the groups you are a part of, and the world at large, the more opportunities you will see to be of assistance. Then you can claim your place as a central force for positive change through your inspiring leadership and strong network of connections.
:: VIRGO ::
Your role in the Age of Aquarius is subtle but powerful. As a careful, observant and hard-working soul you can accrue much power and influence during this time, as others appear to blindly stumble through the chaos. By watching and seizing opportunities that present themselves, you could find yourself with access to political and financial elites. Influencing important people and situations with your prudent and rational perspective, can help steer the course of history in very meaningful ways. Take care to only invest, personally and financially, in situations that are a true match for your priorities.
:: LIBRA ::
As the peacemakers and negotiators of the zodiac, you have a central role to play in uniting people across different countries, cultures and boundaries. By engaging with others to come up with solutions together, you play a pivotal role in calming the deep fragmentation and negative cultural projections that have done so much damage during the Age of Pisces. Using your articulate language skills and natural sense of justice, you can build bridges where there has previously only been mistrust. This work is crucial since mutual trust and strong alliances are necessary underpinnings of a functional collaborative era.
:: SCORPIO ::
Your presence and your power is seen and felt strongly during this time, and others are looking up to you. You are a natural leader and now is the time for you to step into your destiny and make meaningful changes and transformations within the world’s largest corporate and governmental agencies. Your ability to cut through bureaucratic deadlock and find better solutions to the world’s problems, and implement them in a practical way, is essential to transforming our major institutions. Using your innate confidence and networking skills to help you achieve your aims, your work provides a real and lasting impact on the world.
:: SAGITTARIUS ::
You are a visionary who is not tied to old-fashioned concepts about how things should be done. Because of this, you have an important role to play in envisioning future technologies and social institutions. Being open-minded to different people, perspectives and opinions helps you to find the most innovative and promising solutions to the many problems at hand—and working with lots of different types of people allows you to learn and grow in exciting personal ways as well. If you can dream it, you can make it happening in the Age of Aquarius, and you are at the forefront of these bold and courageous ideals.
:: CAPRICORN ::
Naturally a very business-minded person, your role now is to truly align with your spiritual purpose so that you can use all of your pragmatic skills and talents for their highest service. This may require moving farther away from the familial or social culture in which you are enmeshed and spend more time nurturing your own unique bond with your higher wisdom and guides. This is challenging work, and it may take a long time for you to feel truly connected at the heart level to what you feel you must do, but this is a far greater service to the world than maintaining the status quo.
:: AQUARIUS ::
It’s your party, Aquarius. You are completely in synch with the coming Age and your natural sense of self-motivation, unique personal vision and strong humanitarian values means that you will be one of the beacons of light who truly inspires others. Simply by staying on your course, and encouraging others to do their part and follow their course, they will see how many wonderful things are possible when you commit wholeheartedly to living your value system and delivering what you promise. Creating groups and organizations may nourish you, but leave yourself flexible to keep exploring your own path.
:: PISCES ::
You are very sensitive and receptive, and the chaotic changes that happen during this shift may affect your energy in complex ways. So a crucial part of your role, is to focus on self-love and self-care as a path to health and healing. Your compassion and selflessness are extraordinary, but you cannot be of service to others if you are not first whole and healthy within yourself. Your role is to cultivate this for yourself, and to be an example to others of living in your own truth in ways that support your priorities but are also respectful of others. These healthy boundaries keep a collective culture strong.
Aurora Tower has been studying astrology since she was 10 years old, and has been at the helm of the iconic Cosmopolitan Bedside Astrologer brand since 2012—which reaches more than 30 million people per month in the magazine, online and on Snapchat. Her first book, Cosmopolitan Bedside Astrologer: The Ultimate Guide to Your Star Power
, is out now.
