June’s big astronomical-astrological event has been and gone. On June 6 Venus moved between the Sun and our line of vision so that Venus passed directly across the face of the sun. Venus occulations always occur around the end of May or start of June, and they occur every 121 years approx. The last one was on December 1882. Venus occulations occur in pairs, about 8 years apart. The first of this pair was on June 8 2004. And so it’s all over until 2117, yet, its effect will continue in the collective consciousness for some time.  The Sun is the principle life force of our solar system and Venus in the planet of love and relationships in astrology. When I finally sat with what was happening, it was the 9th of June and I had been to a play the night before on marriage equality rights. This has been brewing for a few years and is now reaching a head; watch that space as the New Moon approaches.

Also now passed, there was a very rainy full moon and partial eclipse on June 4. On June 20 at 1:02 we will have a New Moon and then on June 21 the Sun enters Cancer, it’s the shortest day of the year, and the Winter Solstice.

On June 17 Jupiter will be close to the waning moon in the morning, and the next day, Venus will be close to the moon and Aldebaran.

In the evening of the 21st, a very thin New Moon will be close to Mercury. On June 26 a waxing moon will be close to Mars, and on June 28, close to Spica and Saturn.

Saturn is in the east close to the bright star Spica. On May 4 the waxing gibbous moon is above and to the left (or north) of the planet and on May 5 right (or south) of Saturn.

Full Moon: Sunday May 6

New Moon: Monday May 21

Venus is low in the north-west. On May 23 a thin crescent moon will be directly above the planet.

Mars is in the northern sky. On May 29 the first quarter moon is directly above it.

Jupiter appears in the dawn sky very low in the east at the end of May.

Happy sky gazing! Elkie