Summer 2024 Astrological Forecast

Artwork©MarinaNefedova/123rf

“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.” — Mary Oliver

While every season has unique gifts, summer has always been the most magical for me. As far back as I can remember, the long hours of daylight, sultry warmth, fireflies dancing at dusk and a million stars twinkling overhead have been mesmerizing. Slipping into a cooling mountain stream or the sheltering shade of a forest, walking green fields and orchards have been lifelong pleasures. As a young man I connected with Isabel Hickey, my astrological and metaphysical mentor, on a fateful early summer day. It was the beginning of an enduring passion. I hope your summer is equally inspiring, enchanting and comforting.

The Sun in Cancer

The summer solstice chart shows abundant spirit and loving feelings. As the Sun enters Cancer during the afternoon of Thursday, June 20th, a solar conjunction with Venus and Mercury intensifies. Nurturing and protective, Cancer is the Moon-ruled sign of mother, clan loyalties and whatever place we call home. Emerging from shadowy squares with Neptune, the Sun, Venus and Mercury are a radiant testament to caring and serving other beings. The waxing, nearly full Moon is in outspoken, freedom-loving, philosophical Sagittarius. People are hungry for the truth. Perceptive Scorpio is rising.

For individuals as well as societies, transformational forces are in play. We are tasked with digging deeper and increasing our self-awareness and knowledge. In the coming months cultivate self-respect. Share the learning gained from your psychological, intellectual and spiritual efforts. Use critical reasoning and follow your heart this summer and you cannot go wrong.

Raising the emotional tides, the full Strawberry Moon in Capricorn is exact the night of Friday, June 21st. Music, movies, Mother Nature and understanding companions are safe harbors for those feeling adrift. The last week of June is relatively quiet. Wednesday the 26th is an excellent time to make commitments. A celebration could be irresistible that evening. Friday, June 28th features the last quarter Moon. The evening commute can be stressful but the later hours of the day are excellent for a date or friendly gathering.

Fun times spill over into Saturday, June 29th. Saturday is Saturn’s day and right on cue, the ultra-serious planet turns retrograde. The Lord of Karma, Saturn is favorably aligned with Mercury, Venus and Mars. Honor the ties that bind, especially those relationships and principles that have been tested yet endured. A Saturday night get together can be interesting, enlightening and entertaining as Mercury favors eccentric Uranus. Welcome the strange and new!

As we turn the calendar page and July begins, harmonious trends dominate the heavens. Passions are high and spirits are excellent on Monday, July 1st. Holiday travel is on many minds. Tuesday the 2^nd, is busy. During the morning Neptune turns retrograde and Mercury arrives in playful Leo. The two planets are in a trine relationship, fostering otherworldly awareness. Dreams and reveries can be delicious. Venus trines Saturn Tuesday night, reaffirming both personal and professional partnerships. Mercury’s opposition with Pluto is a reminder to choose your words carefully. Be ready to meet partners half way.

July 4th celebrations may seem doubtful until late afternoon. Unsettled weather could cancel some events. This is the last day of the Moon’s monthly cycle, a time best suited for rest, relaxation and reflection. Things shift during the late afternoon as the Moon arrives in Cancer, the USA’s Sun sign. Patriotic feelings are stirred. Heroic figures from the past inspire. Many folks opt to stay close to home.

The Cancer new Moon is Friday evening of the 5th. Close to loving Venus and buoyed by Mars and Saturn, the Sun/Moon conjunction kindles a strong sense of duty. Kindness is easily shared with extended family, a trend that persists through the weekend of the 6th and 7th. Monday the 8th sees the working week launch with positive attitudes. This is a wonderful morning to set out on a journey. Use caution Monday afternoon and evening while more challenging are in play.

A solar trine to pragmatic Saturn makes Wednesday, July 10th an appropriate time for decision making. Fun factors increase on Thursday the 11th as Venus makes nice with Neptune and then enters regal Leo. This can be an exceptional day for artists, dreamers and lovers. The dynamics soon change. Handle partners with care Friday morning when Venus is at odds with Pluto. Jealousy and other control issues require deliberate thought, understanding of others’ positions, and compromise.

During Saturday evening of the 13th the first quarter Moon could precipitate a course correction. With the Moon in Libra, it is unlikely that everyone will be happy, at least for the time being. Take your time making plans. Rushing to get all parties on board is challenging on Sunday. A volatile conjunction of Mars and Uranus is exact on Monday morning, the 15th. It’s best to slow down, remain patient and be extra careful driving or operating machinery. Watch your balance. Risks remain high until midweek when more congenial energies arrive.

The waxing Moon increases the pace of life as the weekend of July 19th nears. Saturday the 20th can be a great beach day. Ocean tides as well as moods are brimming. The full Buck Moon in Capricorn is exact at 6:17AM on Sunday the 21st, an astrologically packed day. The Cancer Sun and Moon are at twenty-nine degrees of their respective signs. These are karmic degrees. It may feel as though certain situations have reached an end but we are in transition. New beginnings are around the corner. Reframe the way you look at your challenges. Three auspicious aspects, Venus’ sextile to Jupiter, the Sun’s trine to Neptune and Mars’ trine to Pluto suggest that there are many enjoyable, fruitful and magical routes to take.

The Sun in Leo

During the wee hours of Monday morning, July 22nd, the Sun enters Leo. Within twenty-four hours the Sun is exactly opposite Pluto. As Leo season gets under way partnership dynamics are emphasized. Abusers of power and position are subjects of critical attention. There is a call to be accountable. Be aware and supportive of deserving pals. Uneven trends persist until the afternoon of Thursday, July 25th when productive, all systems go energies arrive. The last six days of July are comparatively low key affairs. A notable bright spot is Tuesday, July 30th, when the Leo Sun is in harmony with the Gemini stellium of the Moon, Mars and Jupiter. Moods are excellent, passions are strong and learning is encouraged.

Energy levels are subdued as August begins. The Moon is waning and under the Leo Sun, summer heat is at maximum intensity. Take it easy as the weekend nears. Concentrate on works in progress. The Leo new Moon is on Sunday morning, August 4th. With assists from Mars and Jupiter, this time of new beginnings is exceptionally promising. Vacations could include a rendezvous with long-time friends. Venus enters Virgo Sunday night, emphasizing her potential as caregiver and problem solver. Mercury begins a three week long retrograde minutes after midnight on Monday, August 5th. Catching up with pals, returns to former haunts, reflecting on the past as well as recent events can all be recurring themes this August.

Wednesday, the 7th is notably upbeat. The Sun is sextile Jupiter and retrograde Mercury is conjunct Venus. Even retrograde, the Winged Messenger generates good thoughts and kind words. There could be an excellent opportunity to mend fences. Travel and social events are also fabulous. Friday afternoon, gateway to the weekend of August 10th and 11th, is filled with great anticipation. Late Saturday night and Sunday morning are the weekend high points.

Under the stressful first quarter Scorpio Moon, Monday, August 12th can bring surprising changes. Don’t resist, adapt and follow your instincts. Momentum grows during the following days. Wednesday, August 14th is notably busy and productive. Mars is conjunct Jupiter. Confidence and energy are boundless. All the same, proceed thoughtfully. Mars tests Saturn during the wee hours of Friday morning. A delay or obstacle is likely.

The weekend of the 17th and 18th brings more new wrinkles. On Sunday Mercury is conjunct the Sun as both are at odds with unpredictable Uranus. Unstable energies require flexibility and inventiveness. A little less ego can be helpful, too.

Volatility peaks with Monday, August 19th’s full Sturgeon Moon in Aquarius. The full Moon chart is a doozy. Exact at 2:26PM, the opposing celestial lights both square Uranus. Uranus was first discovered during the American Revolution and is considered the planet of democracy. Many people feel their liberties are at risk. Retrograde Mercury is closely conjunct the Sun. Regardless of political persuasion, folks are inclined to dig in their heels. Venus is also opposite Saturn, testing relationships, some to the breaking point. Jupiter and Mars are square pragmatic Saturn and Venus. There are those who question the status quo, the rule of law and compacts by which we live. Fortunately, Venus sits atop the chart wheel, a symbol of hope and justice. By nightfall on Monday the Moon is in Pisces and tensions begin to ease.

The Sun in Virgo

The Sun enters Virgo on Thursday morning, August 22nd, a sure sign that summer is nearing its end. Venus tests Mars that night. Sparring with partners can be in the spirit of fun, friendly competition or petty hostility. Handle temperamental types with care. The celestial patterns over the weekend of the 24th and 25th support enjoying seasonal pleasures. Under a Taurus Moon bare feet, warm breezes, sports, swimming or sky watching bring much contentment. Sunday afternoon soirees are fabulous. Auspicious social indicators continue into Tuesday.

Wednesday, August 28th features nuanced atmospherics. Venus is opposite Neptune, heartbreak hotel for some souls and divine inspiration or unconditional love for others. Tap into your imagination. Expand the scope of your creativity and capacity to give. Don’t underestimate the miraculous impact of simply caring. Mental Mercury resumes forward motion late Wednesday afternoon. This is an opportune time for travel, learning or a change of mind. With a playful Leo Moon sextile Venus Friday afternoon, moods are exuberant as the Labor Day weekend begins.

September arrives humming with astrological activity. On Saturday, September 1st the Leo Moon helps make festivities enjoyable. That morning Uranus turns retrograde in Taurus. Later in the evening backtracking Pluto returns to Capricorn for a final two and half month stay, not to return to the sign of big business and government for two and half centuries. The day’s surprises could include important financial news.

Monday, September 2nd is Labor Day and features the Virgo new Moon. The new Moon chart holds both challenges and opportunities. Truth can be elusive. This close to the November elections, disinformation campaigns are in full swing. Do not rush judgments this first week of September. Mars is at odds with confusing Neptune and Mercury tests Uranus late in the week. Faced with waves of rumors and revelations, opinions may change repeatedly.

The Virgo Sun makes its annual opposition to Saturn minutes after midnight on Sunday, September 8th. The alignment is a sobering reminder, face facts with an open mind. Use critical reasoning and if nothing makes sense, follow the money trail. More hopeful moods gather strength on Tuesday, the 10th through Wednesday the 11th. The waxing Moon brightens hearts and outlooks, as well as the night sky. Venus’ stellar trine to Jupiter dominates the weekend of the 14th and 15th. The social gatherings of Saturday night and Sunday afternoon are big successes.

The full Harvest Moon in Pisces is exact the night of Tuesday, September 17th. This is also a lunar eclipse. Events rarely go as planned around the time of an eclipse. That likelihood is increased by the Moon’s proximity to mysterious Neptune. Detours can lead to magical experiences or costly mistakes. Mercury is also testing Saturn so it is wise to proceed cautiously.

Thursday the 19th is an emotionally bright and sunny day. The Sun is trine Uranus, encouraging open-mindedness and a willingness to try new things. A lunar sextile to Jupiter adds to the optimistic mood. By Friday, September 20th trickier trends are in place. The Sun is opposed to Neptune. Use caution on the highways. Pay close attention to valuables. Respect the powers of Mother Nature and spiritual belief, as well as the destructive impact of addictions. Summer’s last major alignment is the Sun’s trine to Pluto during the wee hours of Sunday morning, September 22nd. Healing and empowering energies prevail as the season ends.

Eric Linter offers a complete range of astrological services including readings and classes. Contact him at stars@ericlinter.com or by telephone at 508-541-4115. Read his Daily Forecast on the Spirit of Change homepage at spiritofchange.org or sign up to receive Eric’s daily forecast right in your inbox each morning.

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