posted June 15, 2007 01:41 PM         

LAST NIGHT my friend asked me to help her deal with a black widow spider. One of the most poisonous species in North America, the critter had made her web below the step leading into the front door, and no matter how many times the web was removed, she would return.

Last night she was sitting amidst the chaotic, sticky and extremely strong tangles of her home, looking large and pregnant. Any day, thousands of baby black widows could be born, and slip through tiny spaces into the house. The idea of a black widow infestation made the prospect of dealing with this critter right at that moment seem rather appealing, even though neither of us were particularly looking forward to it. We could see her bright red hourglass and two yellow eyes staring back at us, reflected in the flashlight.

First I took some photos, which came out surprisingly well given that I had all the wrong equipment, no experience doing bug portraits, and was focusing in the dark. Then came the decision: what to do, and how to do it. We both decided that killing her was out of the question. We didn't want to hurt her, and we didn't want to mess with what is called Spider medicine -- the energetic patterns and properties that are carried by Spider in the cosmic sense. When you encounter an animal, particularly outside of captivity, you will often encounter its medicine.

"Spider medicine is the medicine of the master weaver," writes one website, summarizing the work of Ted Andrews, my favorite writer on the subject of animal guides. "Spider wove the alphabet, and brought the ability for man to communicate, and record their history through language. It is through Spider's weaving that the creative forces bring forth the beautiful intricate patterns of our lives. Spider medicine reminds us that it is not ourselves, but the Universe which has the design for the fabric of our lives."

Many myths pick up on this imagery of weaving, webs, stories and the story of our lives, such as Arachne (the namesake of Arachnids), Sulis Minerva and others. As a writer, I have the utmost respect for spiders. That the one for whom I was now sharing responsibility was potentially deadly only heightened that respect. In any event, it took us about an hour, including plenty of time contemplating strategy, but we were able to capture her in a large jar on the first try; and we did so without harming her, or getting bit. Then we carried her about a block away from the house, and let her go a little further away from people than she had been.

Then I had an unusual experience. After this project, safe inside the house, I noticed the cat, Sammie, a beautiful, black, fluffy thing. You know, I really noticed her and felt her presence. For a moment, she seemed even more human than usual, but the warm, cozy psychic connection I had with her suddenly contrasted with how deeply we had gone into the consciousness of this big, black spider after being absolutely, intently focused on her and her survival for an hour.

Weaving the Story of Our Lives

Photo by Tia.
The cosmic weaver is picking up the pace of creation over the next month. As we all know, she can seem quite alien to us, as we work our way through the tangles and webs of the stories that seem to emerge in our lives. Do we get caught in these webs, or do we move deftly along them? Do they feed us, or entangle us? Do we have relationships, or entanglements?

The planets and stars for the lunar month from June 15 (Gemini New Moon) through July 14 (Cancer New Moon) portend an intricate dance between fate and free will. While we may not be the ultimate designer, intention counts in moments when circumstances are changing rapidly. We will during this time very likely experience numerous points of decision, or crises of decision. Those not used to making decisions may go into temporary meltdowns, unsure of what to do or how to do it. What we will learn is that we are not really in control of our lives, but we're not really out of control, either. Rather, we are co-creators with ourselves and with the cosmic patterns.

Then there are opportunities, which will be revealed as true or false; in or out of accord with our values; in greater or lesser harmony with what we want. Most of this occurs during Mercury retrograde in Cancer, which is going to take us on a trip backwards into our feelings, including early childhood memories and emotions that are usually inaccessible.

What I am calling the Solstice Cluster includes the last hurrah of the Saturn-Neptune conjunction, a long-term aspect that has been influencing us since at least the time of the presidential "election" in late 2004, into the Asian tsunami and the time of the big hurricanes, Katrina and Rita in the summer of 2005. The clash of fantasy with reality, skepticism and cynicism, truth and lies, and the difficulty of holding our plans together, are all part of this. So, too, is the way certain things seem to be caught in an ever-deepening mire. Because this is a world transit, it affects us all, though in different ways. That will be covered in much greater detail in next week's edition.

Many of these aspects are also covered in great detail in the Planet Waves Northern Solstice Report written by the Planet Waves astrologers. This is a separate report, which you can order here. This report, written by the Planet Waves astrologers, covers asteroids and minor planets not discussed in this article, and includes several astrological charts.

Gemini New Moon, overnight Thursday to Friday in most time zones, June 14 at 11:13 pm Eastern Standard Time, at 24+ Gemini. This is conjunct the centaur planet Cyllarus, which (as the presence of any centaur does) accelerates the processes indicated by the lunation, and reminds us to be conscious of the choices we are making in our lives -- particularly the choice to fight, or walk away from a fight. Cyllarus reminds us that the decisions we make in life directly affect our relationships profoundly, and we need to be conscious of them in this context. We are connected by the threads of our lives to every person in our lives.

Mercury stations retrograde on Friday, June 15 at 7:40 pm Eastern Daylight Time, at 11+ Cancer. Depending on what house it occurs in, the retrograde will affect every person differently, and attitude counts for a lot. Processing the emotions with the mind is not always possible; this situation says feel first, think second. Logic is not what it used to be under this influence. Water sign Mercury retrogrades seem to be more challenging for those with fewer water planets, because they center us so deeply on our emotions, which are in motion. This retrograde backs up right into a square with the Aries Point, so we can expect an acceleration of the news during this phase.

The world events acceleration will be pushed by a series of planetary occultations by the Moon, as well as by a Full Moon in Capricorn on June 29 that comes within 10 degrees of squaring the Aries Point. Remember that all of these events (as in personal events, and news events) are occurring with Mercury retrograde. They are likely to be a little strange (but we're used to it). We will need to wait awhile before we know the truth, but instincts count for a lot right now.

Move gently, and don't push decisions -- remember that your decisions are opportunities. This is not the time to come to "final conclusions," but rather to gather the information that will lead you to them. The overarching message of this Mercury retrograde seems to be about understanding the influences from the past that are still shaping your life today.

Here is a do-it-yourself interpretation guide. Look up your Sun sign and/or ascendant, then match it to the house themes in this guide to the astrological houses. The house that comes up is a theme that you will be working on, and remember, this is styled by the sign Cancer, feelings, the past, nourishment of yourself and of others, and all themes related to personal emotional security. Cancer is about our emotional boundaries, and the boundary between the past and the present, which we will be exploring during this phase. Here is where the retrograde occurs, for each of the astrological Sun signs. Look up the meaning of the house in the link in blue right above. (And remember, astrology is 'all about the houses'.)

Aries - 4th solar house, security
Taurus - 3rd solar house, ideas
Gemini - 2nd solar house, money
Cancer - 1st solar house, identity
Leo - 12th solar house, dreams
Virgo - 11th solar house, friends Libra - 10th solar house, career
Scorpio - 9th solar house, beliefs
Sagittarius - 8th solar house, agreements
Capricorn - 7th solar house, relationships
Aquarius - 6th solar house, work
Pisces - 5th solar house, sexuality

Remember -- Mercury is telling a story, and guiding us to investigate our past story and how it's influencing us now. It always is, though awareness helps us shift that relationship. Remember, often the past is not dead; it is not usually even past. What is the story we are telling ourselves about the past? Is it really true? Are we depending too heavily on interpretations? Do we really have the facts?

Mini-cluster: Moon occults Venus, Monday June 18, Sun opposes the Galactic Core and Pluto and then the Moon occults Saturn overnight Monday to Tuesday June 18 to 19. An occultation is when the Moon exactly covers over a planet. There are a number of them this month, and they always come with accelerated events. Occultations work like eclipses. With Venus involved, the past could overshadow the present.

Sun enters Cancer (Northern Solstice), Thursday, June 21 at 2:07 pm Eastern Daylight Time. This activates the Aries Point, sending the message that the personal is political. The seasonal turning point often tips the balance of important events for both individuals and society, and where the two connect.

Chiron opposite Venus, June 22, 2:21 am Eastern Standard Time. Barbara Hand Clow astutely associated this aspect with what she calls "catastrophobia." This can be associated with cultural level fear, such as of terrorism, economic collapse or the death of our species; or our personal fears more associated with what we normally think of as relating to Venus. In any event, we can see our fears in contrast, and stop covering them over with our various coping mechanisms (Starbucks, shopping, trivial nonsense) that basically just stuff them deeper.

Uranus stations retrograde in Pisces, Saturday, June 23 at 10:43 am Eastern Daylight Time. Outer planet retrogrades are always more interesting than we may think. Personally I would take this as revising ideas and innovations, to the extent that you have any. This is enriching for the imagination, if you go for that kind of thing. Associated so closely with the Solstice, it counts for triple, and add extra points if you're a Pisces.

Mars ingresses Taurus, Sunday, June 24 at 5:26 pm Eastern Daylight Time. Can you say hot? However, beware that those born under the sign Taurus may be feeling a little extra spicy and/or feisty, and may start to exert their will, desire and passion outwardly in ways you're not exactly accustomed to. This happens every two years. For everyone, this is about finding your own values and not doing what you are told by television commercials and store displays.

Saturn opposite Neptune, third exact pass, Monday, June 25, 11:57 am, Eastern Daylight Time. This will be covered extensively in next week's edition -- stay tuned. For now, suffice it to say this. Saturn in Leo has not exactly been a party for many people. It has its definite advantages, but it can create a serious struggle with our organic vitality. Expressing anything, be it creativity or feeling, is a challenge under this two-year placement, which ends this summer. The opposition to Neptune has added a complicated twist, often making it difficult to see what is true and what is not. At times, it feels like less than usual is sure or secure, and on our planet, most of the time we tend to live with very little certainty. However, the uphill push of Saturn in Leo will create a foundation that we will be able to build on for many years.

Sun conjunct Mercury, interior conjunction (associated with Mercury retrograde, marking the exact halfway point), Thursday, June 28, at 2:40 pm Eastern Daylight Time.

Capricorn Full Moon at 8+ degrees Capricorn, Saturday, June 30 at 9:49 am Eastern Daylight Time. This is a trigger aspect and it's likely to be intense for many people -- Full Moons tend to be emotional and feel out of control; many people can barely keep a grip on themselves. However the association of the sign Cancer and other activity that particular weekend say be aware, ride the waves, and don't push people or yourself -- this astrology has a lot of momentum. Feel it! Don't play games with fate; dance with her. The association with the Aries Point suggests strongly that we are in a time of small causes and big effects (a theme of the centaur Pholus, and of astrology itself).

Venus in Leo sweeps through the Saturn-Neptune opposition Saturday morning through Sunday morning, first opposing Neptune in Aquarius on Saturday, June 30, then conjoining Saturn in Leo on Sunday July 1. This is a transition point; it may feel like a test, and if it is one, it's a test of values. Saturn-Neptune has been a long discussion over "what is real and what is not." The Earth is positioned between them, and Venus, the planet of love, is joining the Earth, reminding us that without love in the dream, it will never come true. My advice to you this weekend is just love. Love as much as you can. Love yourself, love the people around you, love the good that is in your life. There is a lot of support in doing this. Venus is the cosmic twin of Earth and she is here to help.

Moon in Aquarius occults Neptune, Tuesday, July 3. This looks to me like a moment of freedom from the chaos and delusion of our "culture."

Earth is furthest from Sun (aphelion), Saturday, July 7. I have never studied the astrological signification of this, but it's interesting, anyway.

Mercury stations direct, Monday, July 9 at 2+ Cancer, just shy of squaring the Aries Point (but well within range).

Cancer New Moon, Saturday, July 14 at 21+ Cancer. Venus ingresses Virgo, getting ready to go retrograde. Mars is applying in a square to Chiron. This draws an end to the lunar month we are now entering. The Mars-Chiron aspect is about getting over our hang-ups about desire and sex. It's about being real about what you want, and remembering that honoring desire is as much an issue of integrity as is "being good." By now we may have a clear understanding about how the past is influencing us. The New Moon will be a clear chance to take a giant step beyond.

Speaking of the past, here is a note about this week's horoscope. I am not back to writing horoscopes yet,

By Judith Gayle

OUR CURIOUS-AS-A-CAT Gemini New Moon cruised in opposed by Pluto this week, and when you combine Gemini and Sagittarius, you'd better prepare for some first-class chat, the kind that bubbles best hunched over a little table at a café. If Luna and her friend were a couple, Gemini would want the latest pop culture scoop, know where to get the best latte and constantly scan neighboring tables for people of interest. Sagittarius would ponder the profound, plumb the sociological depths of the moment and discuss the virtues of the foamy brew, perhaps mention the dilemma of the growers versus pickers and the trade agreements that complicate civil rights in coffee production.

In short, the meeting of these two energies will produce the full spectrum of our current reality in the next weeks and bury us under an avalanche of information; finding the common thread in all this incoming communication will be our challenge. Will we be more interested in Paris Hilton than congressional oversight? Will we find our balance in the midst of so much chatter?

posted June 15, 2007 08:30 PM         

Good forecasts -- and a neat story about Spider Medicine!!

posted June 16, 2007 08:27 AM         

He has professional journalism in his background. So, he has his finger on the pulse of many things going on in the world that we ostrich Americans tend to ignore.