The Summer Solstice

Have you ever wondered why we were taught that summer starts on the 21st of June? Or why the zodiac sign of Cancer begins around that date? Or indeed, the others seasons were assigned the dates they were assigned?  It is all very simple - it all has to do with the movement of the Earth around the Sun. 

The summer solstice (as opposed to the winter solstice) occurs when the North Pole has maximum tilt towards the Sun. It is at this point that the sun reaches its highest position in the sky (outside of the tropics) and is also the longest day. Depending on the calendar, the summer solstice occurs between the 20th and the 22nd of June for the Northern Hemisphere (and between the 20th and the 23rd December in the Southern Hemisphere). 

This year, the Summer Solstice occurs on the 21st June at 11:13am. This is when the Sun is at 0 degrees Cancer. This zodiac sign is associated with the crab, but in actual fact, it is the scarab which is a more precise representative of this sign. Why? Scarabs were highly venerated in Ancient Egypt, and represented the sun god Ra. Scarab beetles (or dung beetles) would roll their dung balls backwards. If you think of how the Sun reaches its highest declination in the sky at the summer solstice and would begin its journey back towards the ecliptic (the equator projected out into space), then you might being to understand how the scarab is associated with Ra (who was seen as a god who was born in the morning and journeyed across the sky throughout the day to die at sunset). 

This year, the Summer Solstice chart has Venus in the sign it rules (Taurus), Mercury in the sign it rules (Gemini) and Mars in the sign it rules (Aries). The Moon is also in fiery Aries and very close to Jupiter. When you cast a chart for the solstices or the equinoxes for a particular place, it can be used by astrologers to indicate the overarching vibe or energy of that place for the coming three months. Looking at the chart, you could almost say that three of the personal planets are in the signs they rules, so that makes them comfortable but also confident (they are in their homes). The Moon is all fired up and Jupiter is in the warrior sign of Aries. Things are looking positive, but this over enthusiasm could get out of hand. 

One chart that has to be looked at is Prince William's, the Duke of Cambridge, who was born in the 21st June 1982, making him forty years old tomorrow. He was born during a New Moon (Sun and Moon are close together in the chart) and also a solar eclipse. If you followed the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, you would surely have noticed how prominent his participation and presence (and that of his wife and family) was, almost as important of that of his father, the Prince of Wales. Looking at his chart, you cannot miss the planet Neptune on his Ascendant, which tells us that he is an idealist, a creative person at best. Jupiter is his ruling planet (he has a Sagittarius Ascendant) and Jupiter is conjunct the MC (which tells us something about his career); Jupiter is a king, and if you think about this, he will actually become king one day. What kind of king would he make? Look at Pluto close to Jupiter; Pluto demands transformation. It has long been established by knowledgeable astrologers that he will change the face and shape of the English monarchy. 

An interesting story surrounds Prince William's baptism. He was baptised in St.George's Chapel. As his mother Princess Diana held him at his baptism ceremony, Prince Charles observed that a breeze had blown out a candle inside the chapel. Intrigued with what the symbolism might be surrounding this seemingly insignificant occurrence, Prince Charles turned to the baby's godfather, Sir Laurens Van der Post, a personal friend, to ask what he thought that could mean. His answer was, time will tell. Years later, at Princess Diana's funeral, Elton John played 'Candle in the Wind'.  I remember reading this story  somewhere online but cannot verify it. Whatever.... happy birthday Prince William. 

Happy Solstice y'all! 

Cindy