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JUNE THEME: MONKEY MIND
AT PLAY
by Simone Butler
Just
before Mercury went backward on May 26, I was having an intense
discussion with my partner when something suddenly flew out of my mouth
that shocked us both. I'm usually able to put things diplomatically,
but it spewed forth from my unconscious mind before I could catch it.
The good news is that after the hurt was soothed, greater understanding
was born.
Welcome
to Mercury retrograde in Gemini, sign of communication. This cycle (May
26-June 19) exposes what we really think and dredges up patterns from
the past. It helps us examine our thoughts and become aware of the
stories and tapes that run in our heads, so we can release them and
open our minds to higher awareness. This process is intensified by the
Sun and Venus also in mental Gemini through June 20 and 25,
respectively.
June
is, therefore, a good month to observe the antics of the Monkey Mind.
Monkey Mind is a Buddhist term that describes the way our manic minds
keep us from inner peace and happiness by distracting us with idle
chatter, jumping to conclusions and swinging from one extreme to
another.
Retrograde
Mercury in Gemini is the ideal time in which to rewind and hit "delete"
on these old tapes. On May 26 both Mercury and Neptune dove into
the underworld of the subconscious mind, each making a facilitating
trine to the other. This combination supercharges our intuition,
intensifies healing powers and triggers normally inaccessible insights.
Be especially attentive to blurted-out revelations and the repetition
of old patterns, which come forth for cleansing and healing.
Adding
to the intensity, the Gemini New Moon on June 3 is near perigee, its
closest approach to the Earth. This makes it a "SuperMoon," increasing
the electromagnetic force of both the Sun and Moon and thereby helping
us release old patterns. And, the New Moon is conjunct Venus, now at
apogee, her greatest distance from Earth, as she passes behind the Sun.
This "Full Venus" phase provides deeper awareness of our values,
priorities and relationship needs.
Venus
disappeared from sight earlier in May, and will continue to be
invisible in the night sky until she emerges as the evening star on
July 16. I asked our favorite Venus scholar Dana Gerhardt for her
thoughts on Venus visiting the underworld at this time. "Since the
evening star is generally considered a more "mature," refined and
level-headed Venus," she notes, "I tend to think of this underworld
visit as a coronation or fulfillment. Perhaps we're meant (or
encouraged) to feel more confident in our course…enjoying who and what
we are without doubt and questioning."
The
image of Venus being crowned as queen of the underworld is evocative,
as she makes a supportive sextile to Mars (her king), at the June 3 New
Moon. This provides a nice opportunity to harmonize our internal
masculine and feminine energies and relax into our deeper selves.
Combining this self-confident Venus imagery with retrograde Mercury's
"taking a holiday" approach reminds us to surrender to and enjoy what
is. It may be best to hold off making major decisions or starting new
projects, however, until the last week of June at the earliest. Give
yourself time to absorb all the insights flowing in during the
retrograde phase. Clarity will come in time.
In
June, 2004, the Sun, Mercury and Venus also traveled through
Gemini--only that time Venus was retrograde and at perigee, her closest
point to the Earth, as she crossed in front of the Sun. This was the
"New Venus" phase. Think back to what was going on for you at that
time. Are there any parallels to now? You might discover that seeds you
planted four years ago are now coming to fruition or completion, even
bringing you rewards.
Most
importantly, don't stress over what happened in the past. As
Abraham/Hicks so eloquently put it, "There is nothing for you to go
back and live over, or fix, or feel regret about now. Every part of
your life has unfolded just right. And so, knowing all that you know
from where you now stand, what do you want? Go forth in joy."
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