On 18 May 2011 South Africa went to the polls in the 4th municipal elections since 1994 - one day after Full Moon; the ANC’s leading role in ending white rule helped it secure more than 60percent support across the country in every election held since the first all-race vote in 1994 - this remains unchanged. The national results saw the ANC's share of the vote decrease from 65.9 to 62percent with the DA increasing their share of the vote from 16.6 to 23.9percent. The gain in voter confidence for the DA bodes well for a democracy where a strong opposition party is crucial, but the minimal loss by the ANC in comparison depicts that the DA gained the majority of its increase from the loss in votes by smaller opposition parties and not from the ANC.

The Full Moon at the time of the elections displays this beautifully: the Moon as the voters in opposition to the Sun (the second worst place of affliction) is only able to reflect the light of the Sun as she has none of her own. The Sun in this instance symbolises the king - the ANC. Despite broken promises pertaining to housing and basic municipal services, gross neglect of those who still have so little, and corruption at municipal and senior governmental levels, the masses are still unable to sever their allegiance to a king who does not serve them well. The wheels grind slowly in the history of a country and we hope that in time to come, votes will be cast not for a struggle that was fought in the past, but for a present that will determine the future.

Individual Planetary Movement in June 2011

June contains two eclipses, a Solar Eclipse and a Lunar Eclipse. The important thing about an eclipse - the reason an eclipse is seen as special - is because in order for there to be an eclipse the Sun and the Moon (i.e. God and Matter) have to come into alignment. An eclipse can happen only when the Moon is on the ecliptic, i.e. has 0 degrees of latitude. If there is a new or full Moon when the Moon is on the ecliptic, it will be an eclipse.

With an eclipse, what we are interested in is the visible phenomenon, and depending on which luminary (Sun or Moon) is being eclipsed, this will determine what is hidden from earth: the Sun as the symbol of God or the Moon as the symbol of matter, specifically the desire and emotional natures of man; the alignment of God and matter does not necessarily offer the potential for harmony if matter does not concede to the will of God.

 Saturn

"As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport.” - William Shakespeare

 On 14 June Saturn turns direct while remaining exalted in the sign of Libra and throughout the month, is posited on the fixed star Vindemiatrix. While Saturnian matters should resume their normal course of action in the second half of the month, after many months of swimming upstream, the influence of Vindemiatrix adds an air of wanton folly and of over stretching of the Saturnine boundaries; Cronus (Saturn) has always been associated with the letter of the law rather than the spirit and is concerned with doing things right. Apply caution to all matters where discipline and structure are required, not allowing the sluice gates, which are finally opening with Saturn turning direct, to take with them the ground from under your feet. It will be a welcome relief to finally feel movement in areas that have been stagnant for so long, but do not allow the relief this brings to cloud your judgement. 

Jupiter

"Football is a fertility festival. Eleven sperm trying to get into the egg. I feel sorry for the goalkeeper.” - Bjork

 Moving into Taurus from Aries on 5 June heralds a period of financial stability, albeit a stagnant one. The king of the gods will be able to manifest his spirit of bringing order into chaos in Taurus, but the consequences may not be to everyone’s liking. The ‘giver of gifts’ may withhold them during his stay in fixed earth so this may not be the best time to expect favourable responses pertaining to credit applications; it may be a positive period for investments however, provided they are allowed to remain dormant during this time. With Jupiter posited in the sign of Venus it is also a fortuitous month to plant seeds, especially for women – Zeus was a prolific fertilizer of women and goddesses and begat many children; this should be viewed in a holistic light.  

Mars

“It is hard, I submit, to loathe bloodshed, including war, more than I do, but it is still harder to exceed my loathing of the very nature of totalitarian states in which massacre is only an administrative detail.” - Vladimir Nabokov

The legitimate son of Zeus and Hera and the god of war moves from his detriment in Taurus into Gemini on the 22nd, thus Mars’ matters still have the potential to manifest badly for most of June. Always accompanied by his twin sister Eris (discord) into battle, the most hateful god on Olympus can still portend bloodshed, war and strife for much of June. On a personal level it is best to turn the other cheek and to stifle the anger, unless proclaiming the battle cry would yield a positive result – it is far harder to mend broken fences and battered hearts and bodies after the war than it is to apply wisdom and justice in advance – both of which we can draw from the exalted Saturn this month. Anger can and should be channelled constructively and random lashing out is neither beneficial for the perpetrator nor the recipient – a kick boxing or gym session would yield better results.

The Sun

“Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry...I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you.” - Charlie Brown to Snoopy

The Solar Eclipse on the 1st is in a trine (120°) aspect to Saturn, with the Sun posited on the fixed star Alderbaran. The symbolism of a Solar Eclipse is that the Sun cannot be seen from earth hence the symbol of God is invisible, earth is estranged from God. The Sun is also the symbol of the collective and personal directed will and if earth’s inhabitants are unable to see what this will desires this may be problematic. Saturn in Libra hates the Sun and this powerful exalted Saturn may well wish to act on these feelings; Alderbaran, while being a royal star, offers the propensity for danger, violence, calamities and disease – an unfortunate combination all round. The Sun is also the natural ruler of kings and in so far as can be seen, any activity pertaining to the Sun’s rulerships early June will not bode well. On a personal ego level, adhere to your moral and ethical code and don’t believe that anything untoward won’t eventually come to light.     

Venus

“There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

Venus loses her dignified status on the 10th when she moves from Taurus into Gemini. Aphrodite, the goddess of love and of all things pleasurable to the senses, will become more discriminating and discerning. This bodes well for the early winter period in the southern hemisphere – if we can curb our cravings for rich, sweet foods now, we may be successful in not popping out at the other end of winter in a heavier frame. The raw sensuality of Venus in Taurus is best harnessed prior to her ingress out of that sign; if feminine wiles are required to clinch any matters of the heart, it would be prudent to use them prior to the logic of Gemini manifesting – the object of your desire may not appear as appealing when this happens and interest may wane hereafter in the cold light of day.

Mercury

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Mercury loses dignity on 17 June when he ingresses from Gemini into Cancer; he also moves into a square aspect with Saturn towards the 21st. Saturn will inhibit Mercury’s processes of cerebral articulation, dissemination and assimilation and combined with the loss of essential dignity, it is best to attend to any studies, projects and matters requiring enhanced thought processes prior to this time. Fortunately for most people writing exams at this time of the year, these should be nearing completion; if not, endeavour to attend to as much studying as possible in advance.

The Moon

“I much prefer the sharpest criticism of a single intelligent man to the thoughtless approval of the masses.” - Johann Kepler

New Moon, also a Solar Eclipse, is on 1 June and Full Moon, incorporating a Total Lunar Eclipse, is on 15 June. At Full Moon the Moon is in opposition to the Sun, the second worst place of affliction for any planet, and pertaining to the Moon, the image of the fertile fecund celestial body cannot function as a receptacle, she cannot absorb anything more from the Sun and is resplendent in all of her glory – only to commence waning, losing her glorious circularity. During a Lunar Eclipse the Moon cannot be seen from earth so symbolically the emotional nature and the desires of man are hidden as are the common people which are also ruled by the Moon. The feminine life force will be obscured at this time and coupled with the strong masculine energy abounding in the heavens during this month, this could make for interesting activity symbolically. On a personal level avoid emotional decisions around this time as you may not connect with your intuition as best you should; you may feel estranged from your emotional nature and somewhat teary and vulnerable as a result.