June 21 - Jun 27 Astrology Landscape

 

First Quarter Moon 

June 21, 2026

2:55pm PDT

 

 First Quarter — Taking Action

Now we act on the information we received. We pursue the idea again. What hurdles have appeared involving the seeds you planted at the New Moon? We make another call, reach out to someone, mail something, or stir the pot again. Sometimes this phase reveals that the goals we planted require more effort from us. Independence may need to be asserted. Others may resist our growth, even if they believe they have our best interests at heart.

Hero’s Journey: Crossing the threshold and committing to the journey.
Creative/Science Process: Commitment — the work begins.

 

Focus on:   How are the seeds you planted on the new moon impacting your relationships?  What communication are doing differently with partners?  What are you hearing from your relationships about communication?  Is there an action you are taking?  

 

Planetary Notes:

 

6/23: Sun trine N.Node (1 PI 53) Healing childhood memories may surface in ways that seem perhaps divine. 

6/25: Venus trine Saturn (13 AR 55) Big love, big creativity is put through big work for solid results that feel independent. 

 

Gibbous Moon

June 25, 2026

2:11pm PDT  

 

 

Gibbous — Refining the Process

We refine our information. We pick and choose, discriminate, and organize. This is the phase where we become a bit “Virgo-like.” We sort through details and ask whether something has been overlooked. Adjustments are made. Plans are refined. The goal is not to abandon the seed but to improve how it is unfolding.

Hero’s Journey: Training and preparation before the major test.
Creative/Science Process: Editing and refinement.

 

Focus on:

On the new moon we kicked off a new adventure in fact finding, finding novelty, finding new ways to communicate, since that time how are we refining the information, we have received?  What are we learning about data or practices that is dead?  No longer relevant?  Can we release it?   

 

Planetary Notes:  

 

6/25: Sun square Neptune (4 AR 22)  So, how is family and childhood seem at odds with intuition which is seeking new ways of  independence.    

6/27: Mars sextile Jupiter (29 CA 33) Opportunities that are practical nurturing can be pursued or may be attracted.  

Sun Enters Cancer: Solstice June 21.

 

June 21, 2026

1:24am  PDT 

Just before the First Quarter lunar phase, the Sun enters Cancer, marking the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of winter below the equator.

The Sun's square to Neptune suggests a season with confusion, faith, creativity and sensitivity woven together that may hit us when we least expect it. Pack tissues no matter where you go.

The Sun's trine to the North Node in Pisces may be the net that catches us when we think we're on the verge of falling. Intuition can run high.

However, the Moon in Virgo reminds us that inspiration still needs practical follow-through. Cross the t's and dot the i's all season.

Mars in Gemini: June 28 - Aug 11.

 

Mars

We do not always bring out the red pen and circle Mars when it changes signs, but this move into Gemini deserves our attention.

The last day Uranus was in Gemini was June 10, 1949. Then it went around the zodiac until April 25, 2026, when it returned to Gemini. A whole lotta stuff happened between 1949 and 2026, but more to the point, most people walking around right now looking at their cell phones, having food delivered, getting in driverless cars, and trying to find a job while AI changes the landscape have never experienced Uranus in Gemini before.

Everyone under 80 years old is doing Uranus in Gemini for the first time.

What this means is that when planets interact with Uranus, it gets our attention. Every spring the Sun and inner planets will move through Gemini. Mars, however, has a different rhythm and will only meet Uranus four times before Uranus leaves Gemini in 2032.

July 4, 2026 (3° Gemini)
June 23, 2028 (11° Gemini)
June 15, 2030 (19° Gemini)
June 6, 2032 (26° Gemini)

The United States has a lively relationship with Uranus in Gemini because Uranus occupies Gemini in the Sibley chart. Additionally, Mars conjuncts Uranus in the U.S. chart. Historically things get loud for America when Mars enters Gemini and prepares to join up with Uranus. These two carry a lot of punch and in Gemini they love technology, communication, transportation, and new ideas.

I will not go long here because Nick Dagan Best and Chris Brennan covered it all in Episode 515 of The Astrology Podcast. This spring, my husband and I were driving across the American Southwest when I asked, "Do you mind if I play this podcast?" He said sure. Four hours later, as we were driving into Palm Springs, my husband, who is not particularly versed in astrology, said, "Wow. Mars and Uranus is really a thing. When did they say that first date was?"

I replied, "You mean back near Phoenix when we got gas?"  “July 4th.”

He then switched over to R.E.M. because that's what you must do after listening to four hours of Mars-Uranus history.

I do recommend the episode if you are itching for in-depth analysis from two gifted astrologers who at this point, I would also call historians. In the meantime, Mars enters Gemini on June 28 and remains there until August 11. Things will be flying around.

Expect some rebellions in the news. Verbal fights can escalate. We may find ourselves swimming in rapid-fire arguments. Technology will move fast. AI will continue to reshape the landscape. Media upheaval could spike. (I still can't believe CBS is on the air.)

On a personal level our thinking processes may speed up considerably. We can become mentally restless, but amazing insights may also arrive like a lightning bolt in a thunderstorm. We could be driving on a mindless errand when our brain suddenly goes hunting. We think about a person, a situation, a problem, and out of nowhere put two and two together.

"Shit. Why didn't I think of that earlier?"

We all benefit if we take a breath. Our words can become sharper than necessary. Let's use the good news of Gemini and stay flexible. Let's pivot.This is also an incredibly creative and sparky transit. Use it to freshen up projects that have been sitting on the shelf waiting for a final push.

As for July 4th?

We're heading toward it and will know more after June 28. In the meantime, breathe.

June 29: Jupiter Enters Leo - Showtime!

 

Jupiter enters Leo
June 29, 2026
10:52 PM (PDT)

Since 2000, Jupiter has been in Leo during these periods:

July 13, 2002 – August 1, 2003
July 16, 2014 – August 11, 2015

Do you remember where you were and what was going on in your life? Boilerplate Jupiter in Leo is: "Let's get loud."

Everything gets filtered through the question: "Is it big enough?" Remember the launch of American Idol? How about the Iraq War? Very 2002 Jupiter in Leo.   People can seek and be a hero during Jupiter in Leo.  

Then in 2014 social media influencers infiltrated our phones, Hamilton debuted, and branding was everywhere. Streaming was ramping up and by 2014 binge-watching had become a thing. So, the bigness that Jupiter craves and Leo provides was largely unfettered in both cycles.

What will it look like this time?

This Jupiter in Leo is not working in a vacuum. During its one-year cycle Jupiter will interact with all the outer planets. It will trine Neptune in Aries, sextile Uranus in Gemini, oppose Pluto in Aquarius, and later trine Saturn in Aries.

Jupiter likes big and Leo is big, but this may be even too much big for all of us.

This is the first Jupiter-Pluto opposition since Pluto entered Aquarius, so we should all watch this space. By all measures, this can be a difficult aspect for anyone who lives to be the center of attention.

Galileo posed a simple question: What if the Earth revolves around the Sun rather than the Sun revolving around the Earth? For challenging the accepted view of his time, he was condemned and placed under house arrest.

This time the opposite may be in play.

If anyone insists on being the center of attention, they may be called out. Egos not left at the door could get their asses kicked.

Let's put a red square around these dates and see how Jupiter in Leo plays with others:

July 20 — Jupiter trine Neptune (4 AR)
July 20 — Jupiter opposite Pluto (4 AQ)
July 21 — Jupiter sextile Uranus (4 GE)

In the meantime, think back to 2002–2003 and 2014–2015. What was happening in your life? What themes emerged? And is there anything from those periods that might be returning for another look during this Jupiter-in-Leo cycle?

Mercury Retrograde Arrives on June 29

 

Mercury

6/12: Mercury enters shadow (16 CA 19)
6/29: Mercury stations retrograde (26 CA 15)
7/23: Mercury stations direct (16 CA 19)
8/6: Mercury exits shadow (26 CA 15)

I dunno what to say. At this point you guys all understand how Mercury retrogrades work.

Technically the planets do not go backwards. Mercury never actually reverses direction around the Sun. What changes is our perspective from Earth.

Just like when you're driving on the freeway and a slower car seems to move backward relative to the landscape as you pass it, Mercury appears to reverse because Earth and Mercury are moving at different speeds in different parts of their orbits. The observer's position changed.

In some ways it is kind of perfect that in this tweaked-up Gemini lunar cycle, where we are experiencing so much incoming information, Mercury itself is changing our point of view.

This Mercury retrograde in Cancer is all about the cozy. That's the nice word. The cloying? That's the not-so-nice word.

Family, home, childhood, memories, and even cooking can all be highlighted during this retrograde. Cancer is one of our most emotional signs. It speaks to tidal surges in the oceans and tidal surges in our feelings. Mercury, however, is all about the mental.

The last time we had a Mercury retrograde entirely in Cancer was the summer of 2020, when much of the world was focused on home, family, security, and emotional safety. As Mercury prepares to repeat that pattern in 2026, it may be worth paying attention to the Cancer themes in our own lives. What needs protection? What needs nurturing? What story about home, family, or belonging requires a second look?

We may also find ourselves capable of talking about emotions in a analytical way. The irony is that emotions and logic are often treated as opposites, yet during a Mercury retrograde in Cancer we are asked to juggle both.

Fair warning: During this retrograde, words can be said that hurt others. Stating the obvious.

Once Mercury crossed its shadow degree on June 12, themes, people, situations, and conversations entered the landscape. Many of those may return for a second review during the retrograde between June 29 and July 23.

Then on August 6, Mercury finally exits the shadow and we are free to move on from the experience.

One reminder, when things get chaotic just do what Mercury needs to do and that is SLOW down.   That will help.  

LA Astro Fest Next Week.

 

Have you secured your spot for LA Astrology Festival? My gawd what are you waiting for? It is by far the most original, fun, inspiring, creative astrology festival that I have attended. Fresh folks with fresh thoughts. Seasoned pros with wisdom and an audience of new friends to see and meet! Get your discount, use this code VIVIAOTZ and get your butt to Highland Park next weekend 26-28 and an appetizer in Los Feliz on Tuesday the 23d.

go to website to get your seat! 

https://laastrofest.com/

Astrology Landscape: June 15 – June 21 New & Crescent Lunar Phase

 

 

 

The new moon launched on the 14^th and we continue to plant seeds that are Gemini-ish.   Our focus is in getting data, improving our communication, exploring ALL our options, every damn one of them.    On the 16^th is a beautiful aspect for money and love, appreciation of values.  Quickly followed on the 17^th with a tough discussion about values and perhaps power and who covets it.  

The Crescent moon unfolds on the 18^th bringing with it Chiron’s new journey into Taurus.   The 8 year process will be a lot to unpack, and it has a lot to do with M O N E Y.  

 

Gemini New Moon 

 

This focus:   Actions taken now should land in a spot that improves communication.  Benefits new points of view.  Suggests fresh avenues and strengthens the superpower of pivoting.   Anything else is noise.  Let’s want more fresh approaches and plant seeds to get them. 

 

 

Planetary notes:

 

6/15: Venus sextile Uranus (2 GE 54)  Love and values get a boost in a novel way.  Out of the blue opportunities.  Sparks of curiosity have potency.  

6/16:Venus trine Neptune (4 AR 18) High day for intuition, faith and spirituality.  Opportunities around money and love may be pondered.  Oh,  what the hell buy a powerball ticket. 

6/17: Venus oppose Pluto (5 AQ 7)  Power of love.  Love of power.   Power corrupts.  Absolute power corrupts absolutely.  What is going on with our communities?  Anything off-kilter?  

 

 

Crescent Moon Phase

June 18, 2026

1:05am (PDT)

 

 Crescent — Gathering Information

We begin to receive information. We research a bit more and perhaps get feedback on the seeds we planted at the New Moon. Sometimes we receive clues about something we planted. Even if you think nothing is happening, stop and look again. Who called you? What conversation happened? Even the smallest or most mundane events during this phase can contain a message. A parking ticket. An argument with a spouse. A refund check from the phone company. Pay attention. What information is arriving and how can it help?

Hero’s Journey: The hero begins exploring the unknown and gathering allies.
Creative/Science Process: Research — gathering information and materials.

 

Focus on:  What are you learning about strength?  What are you learning about your creativity?  What are you learning about being bold?  What information are you receiving that is activating pride and or/ego? 

 

 

Planetary notes: 

 

6/19: Chiron enters Taurus (see separate post) 

6/21: Sun sextile Chiron (00 TA 03)  Inspiration and awarenesss around money and practicality get a boost of energy.   Family may be highlighted.