Gemini

Hello Goodbye. Duality is at the heart of your sign’s identity; the ability to hold contradictory opinions, be in two places at once, and generally keep the rest of the world on its toes. For most of June you can dazzle everyone with your party tricks, swift repartee and charm. This is, of course, your birthday season but you also have Mars in your skies to help burn the candle at both ends, and, crucially, the final few weeks of Jupiter’s presence.

Jupiter’s role in the astrological scheme is bewilderingly multifaceted, but central is the simple idea of more! More experience, more space, more excitement, and more money, and definitely less restriction. Only you can decide which particular ‘more’ is for you, and when desire turns to greed (all planets have their downside), but ambition and outreach are much favoured. If you want more freedom, perhaps in a personal relationship (or dumping you know who), that too is on offer. If you are single, it isn’t the time to play wallflower.

The new Moon of the 8^th is in all instances a new start, a seed moment, and for many Geminis, the culmination of a twelve month battle to find release and a new identity. Good Saturday night for a party, as is the following weekend. Whatever your plans, get them in place quickly and get as much done before the midsummer solstice, when Jupiter moves on, your coach and horses start morphing back into pumpkin and mice, and your Mercury ruler turns awkward for three weeks.

June is also notable for the prominence of Neptune; a mysterious bundle of energies, but which at its best represents idealism and the glittering prizes of fame and success. Elusive, for sure, but like Gatsby’s green light, always luring us onwards. Goodbye, hello.

Cancer

Your are, as if you need to be told, on countdown until your birthday month, which begins at dawn on June 21^st, followed shortly afterwards by the arrival of mighty Jupiter in your skies for a 12 month residency, a happy omen that rolls around only every dozen years, more of which later.

You do not have to wait before putting plans into motion, however. Au contraire, you should be frantically talking, circulating and launching all manner of verbal and charm offensives. Mercury, the cognition and talk planet, is with you all month, though said planet’s turn to retrograde motion on the 26^th means you are better in re-think, re-vision and re-re-consider mode for the following three weeks. Clear your desk meanwhile.

Venus visiting from the 4^th-27^th emphasises the advantages of personal contact, easy-going bonhomie and scraping together a few pounds for a new bonnet/frock/pair of skinny jeans (delete as appropriate). If you are trying to lure someone into your orbit, here’s a likely moment for success.

June’s first three weeks are a somewhat contradictory time nonetheless, as the Sun and New Moon in the most secretive sector of your ‘scope ask for downtime (not least for physical recovery) and selfless duty. The full Moon of the 23^rd switches attention to significant others, specifically people who hold you in thrall, perhaps against your will. With Pluto strong then, avoid getting into any bare-knuckle, bare-emotion confrontations. Your position is stronger than you perhaps imagine, and allows you to postpone such challenges until late July and August. Simply play awkward.

Jupiter is by reputation a ‘lucky’ planet, but a slow-moving one, meaning that the final few days of the month principally promise a happy turn of events for birthdays around midsummer. Give long-term ambitions time to gestate and bloom. Nonetheless, June birthdays have a succession of promising alignments this month, allowing the creative types among you to make your mark and look well beyond your usual sphere of activity for success – an ongoing theme into July, a month that propels you into a fruitful new phase.

Leo

Having an obstinate streak (oh yes) Leos like to do things at their own pace. You can afford no such luxury this side of the summer solstice. You are required to speed up, ready for the enforced go-slow that kicks in during the last week of the month.

With your celestial ruler, The Sun, in the zone of your scope concerned with social activity and team -effort, along with Mars, Jupiter and a new Moon, the collective is the place to pour your energies in the first three weeks of June, be it your professional network, an informal committee or the sporting crew of which you are the likely captain (should be obviously). Network and be a team player.

Though there were doubtless a few bumps in the road during May, this is a more obliging few weeks in which your initiatives bring a ready response. As much applies to all overseas contacts and to all unorthodox offers that pop up. Early August birthdays, in particular, are promised left field professional offers that should be acted upon pronto.

Talking of propositions, alluring liaisons and financial fixes may also be in the air. Here, an element of caution is advised, since that pyramid selling scheme being touted is unlikely to be quite what it seems. Double that caution if it involves being prised/bought out of your Leo lair. There would seem to be no quick fixes where home and family are concerned.  Here, your birthday month and onwards are the time to truly concentrate on a long-term solution. Mercury’s retrograde, from the 26^th for three weeks, doubles the wait-and-see message.

On the 27^th Venus arrives in your skies for a three-week stay, perfect for the kind of showing off that comes easily to your sign. Blaze on.

Virgo

Virgos appreciate the importance of timetables and sticking to them, so the current ticking of the clock on your professional life shouldn’t upset you. Be aware that your celestial ruler, quicksilver Mercury, turns to retrograde motion on June 26^th, and that as many items as feasible on your ‘must do’ list should be despatched before then. The subsequent three weeks is re-vision and re-evaluate mode, not the time for signing agreements if you can avoid it.

Your professional life remains in high-octane mode (if not, you can do something about it). Granted there are individuals who may behave unreasonably (Mars in involved) but nothing that a little administration and a refusal to be wound up cannot solve. The new Moon of the 8^th pushes things on promisingly here, helped by Jupiter’s onward roll through your career sector.

Jupiter’s change of sign on the 26^th doesn’t spell the end of your career hot streak, merely accentuates the advantages of working as a team rather than as a high-flying loner. With Venus spending most of June in the same zone, your social life, especially the part of it attached to work, is bubbling.

One-on-one relationships remain the most slippery issue in your ‘scope, especially for August birthdays. The beguiling pull of glamorous others is certainly in play, but then so is the awareness that any honest association, whether friendship, business or romance is involved, carries with it the possibility of being hurt. It’s the nature of the game. Draw your boundaries with care.

The weekend of the 15.16^th finds the waxing Moon in your skies; perfect for raising your profile socially, and for intuiting what others have in mind.

Libra

“Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow’- an aphorism from your fellow Libran Oscar Wilde – has merits as a course of action, especially for Librans who revel in their indecision. Early June, however, is the time for the kind of dynamic action of which you are also capable. The alignment of planets in your fellow air sign of Gemini eases your path, smiles on travel and learning, and pulls simpatico types into your orbit, especially the male variety. You merely have to find the energy and willpower to put yourself into social and artistic orbit.

There will be time a plenty to ponder and prevaricate after the 26^th, when Mercury begins one of its thrice annual retrograde phases, but until then detailed planning and a major charm offensive are the order for your professional life. Jupiter’s arrival at the pinnacle of your ‘scope late in June signals a way more demanding yet fruitful phase of your career, one that you either embrace or waste. A whole twelve months lies ahead, but June and July are absolutely the time to set things in motion. Persistence, not always Libra’s strong point, helps. That money is involved, increasingly so, should help your resolve.

Romance, for now, is where you find it – possibly somewhere unhelpfully distant, or in the corridors of power that some of you stalk. Early October birthdays are those in the most confusing, challenging situation, but many other Librans may have to accept that turbulence is better than loneliness, and that even going steady now comes with a distinctly unorthodox streak

Scorpio

The alignments of the last month, along with its eclipses, were of the none too easy variety, especially where partnerships were concerned, their upside being that you may have been shown a way out of a Groundhog Day situation that was apparently doomed to endless repetition. June offers more obliging prospects, thanks to a triangle of planets in water signs, of which you are one.

Make progress while you can, since the annoying retrograde of Mercury obliges all signs, not just yours, to slow down from the 26^th. Finances should be a first port of call, and with a new Moon and your ruler Mars active there, you should be able to find a few extra bucks, not necessarily from more work but from a more astute use of your resources (and other people’s). International contacts, either via you travelling or from visitors from far-flung shores, are also in constant emphasis, especially around the full Moon of the 26^th.

The month is, nonetheless, a prelude to the eight months that begin in early July, when Saturn returns to forward motion in your skies. Thereafter the pressure to alter work and lifestyle grows steadily more intense. Use June to ensure that a long-term plan is in place, even if actual progress seems slow.

Matters of the heart are among those most responsive to your initiatives. Neptune, the planet active in your romance zone, is both beguiling and confusing, but June’s picture enables you to cut through all the mixed signals and put your own interests first. Events around the 21^st may prove pivotal here.

Sagittarius

As Sagittarius is the sign of the independent free spirit – no one fences you in unless you concur – partnerships are always likely to involve something of a compromise. June turns up the heat on all one-on-ones, making existing and fledgling relationships spicier and more prone to air-clearing discussions (not least with the ex), and offering compelling prospects for those of you in the dating game.

The first question is whether you have the stamina to handle them. This being six months through your personal year, with the Sun in opposition, your energy output should be gauged with some care. As your planet, Jupiter, remains opposite – until the 26^th – other people have a claim on your time just now, and deserve your best shot. Fair play is the least you owe them, even your sworn rivals and enemies. As for newcomers, explore their availability/suitability/intentions with all the urgency you can muster. Unlikely candidates who are ‘not your type’ are flavour of the month, along with people whose ideas are as madcap (sorry, daring) as your own.

Jupiter’s shift into the waters of Cancer shortly after the solstice brings money matters into the frame, and with Mercury shuttling back and forth in the same zone, grant yourself time and space to fully explore all fiscal arrangements, every last contract and standing order. You have until late July to do your research and re-evaluation, but the full Moon of the 23^rd may make it clear just how much there is to be done.

Capricorn

The first piece of good news is that with Mars, Jupiter and a new Moon all in your solar sixth house, that thing you cherish so much – work! – presents a pleasingly demanding-but-rewarding prospect. It may be hard to escape the

practical demands of your chosen profession or charity contribution in the first three weeks of June, but go to it with a willing heart (as always) and you get your pay off in brownie points if not in immediate cash money.

The other zone of your horoscope under emphasis concerns partners, ex’s and people with whom you would like to closeasthis. Here mixed messages apply. Venus allows you to bury the hatchet with foes and those with whom you are on the outs, but with Mercury flipping to retrograde come the 26^th, there is a provisional, prevaricating side to negotiations, whether in business or in personal terms. There are limits to how hard you can force the pace.

The Sun’s arrival in opposition at the solstice also puts you somewhat on the back foot while the full Moon of the 23^rd/24^th is in your skies, raising the emotional temperature and pushing you, however reluctantly, into the limelight. Assess your power and its limitations coolly. The arrival of Jupiter in opposition for twelve months from the 26^th is auspicious enough, especially if you are casting round for a well-heeled, well-educated significant other, or seeking to extricate yourself from a less than fulfilling liaison, yet these are early days in its year long transit, and significant chiefly for birthdays around the 21^st. Still, the triangle of water planets in operation as June turns into July works in your favour over high summer, not least in your career. No need to fret if you feel you are treading water here, as your planet, Saturn, remains resolutely on your side for the rest of 2013.

Aquarius

Any chance of ducking out of your professional commitments to pursue your private life and grab a few rounds of croquet on the lawn? The Sun, Mars, Jupiter and the new Moon of the 8^th are keen that what speaks loudest to your heart must be honoured. Heaven knows – or rather Saturn insists – that you will be trudging up the career ladder later this year. June offers the chance of something lighter, more soulful.

Still, if you must keep nose to grindstone, these stars will help make light of your work too, especially if you are the creative type. Adjustments to what the magazines call the work/life balance can be made easily before the 26^th, when Mercury turns backwards, after which you’ll be fine-tuning details for three weeks.

The main action, though, remains with the action in the zone of adventure, romantic and otherwise, with the new Moon of the 8^th helping you reliance your personal quest for joy. The annual encounter between the sun and Jupiter, on the 19^th promises both unexpected pleasures and a touch of excess, uncharacteristic though the latter doubtless is. Live it up while the going’s good. On the 28^th, Venus reaches your partnership zone, further sweetening your social and romantic life.

Finances continue to be under the ‘influence’ of Neptune, a planet not known for hazy optimism (and sometimes deceit) rather than clarity, but in June the mists clear and you can scrutinise your spreadsheets with the cool objectivity for which your sign is celebrated; the earlier in the moth, the better.

Pisces

Many astrologers are keen on making the planet Neptune the ruler of your noble sign, and while said planet has its virtues – glamour, artistic inspiration, idealism – it is also associated with woolly headed wishful thinking. That phase of your life is surely long gone (by several years at least), and with more rigorous planets in play just now, hard-nosed realism is June’s first demand.

As much applies especially to your domestic situation and living arrangements. Jupiter – the rightful ruler of Pisces – has been highlighting this zone of your ‘scope the last twelve months, easing your passage to better things. This month the giant planet makes its final hurrah in this sector, meaning that if you haven’t sorted out where you live and with whom, you get a helpful but forceful push in the right direction.

Jupiter’s shift into a fellow water sign, Cancer, come June 26^th heralds an even more positive phase, when love affairs can unfold, past-times become paid work and your geographical and creative horizons broaden. It’s about what calls loudest to your heart. Jupiter will be spending an entire year in this happy zone, but with Venus already there, and Mercury spending a lengthy nine weeks there, June promises some sweet times anyway. Birthdays around the 19-23^rd are especially in line for positive news by the end of the month.

International contacts remain strong in the mix, not least for work. People and offers from last autumn return with a more definite agenda, one that may well occupy the second half of 2013. Try to read the signals as they arise. It’s time for big hearts and hard heads.

Aries

Like every other sign of the zodiac, Aries will be obliged to slow down come the 26^th, when Mercury goes into its awkward, three week retrograde, but until the, keep the pedal to the metal (metaphorically speaking only). Ruler Mars is now through its sluggish phase, and keen for you leave the house, meet, greet, engage in mutually enriching trade and generally live it up. Those who have dared to cross you may find themselves on the wrong end of your temper (have a care around 16^th/17^th) but with little opposition in play, you can write your own script for most of the month.

Jupiter is a key player, helping your voice to be heard – social media may help here – and introducing you to some swell folks between the new Moon of the 8^th and the giant planet’s culmination at the root of your horoscope around the midsummer solstice. Not that the free air miles and parties stop then, but there’s a fresh emphasis on your family, clan, origin and home. Jupiter spends an entire year in this zone of your ‘scope, but developments look likely in the last week of the month, with money, inevitably, part of any new formulation.

Simultaneously, the full Moon of the 23/24^th, shines brightly on your career zone, perhaps illuminating a deal that seemed imminent around your birthday, and which now resurfaces for examination. No rush here – not with the retrograde Mercury, but in-between the pleasure jaunts, keep your nose o the wind.

Taurus

What went down in May should have left you with plenty to think about and plenty to act upon. Even if things didn’t pan out quite as you hoped, you have come through an empowering few weeks this spring, meaning you can once again feel master or mistress of your destiny.

For much of June you can maintain momentum. Saturn, the planet that may have had you feeling pushed around over the long winter months, remains in opposition, but in comparatively benign mood. Push on boldly while you still have the chance. The new Moon of the 8^th and the Sun’s encounter with ‘lucky’ Jupiter on the 19^th promise to swell your depleted coffers, via your own hard work and through the influence of well-heeled individuals.

Jupiter’s shift into the skies of cancer just after midsummer is a handy omen too. With the giant planet in your ‘scope’s zone of travel and communications, the chance to make your voice heard and put your creations before an eager (we hope) world are all boosted over the following 12 months, though late June may bring early signs of what is to come. The three-week retrograde of mercury is annoying, requiring some revision of your plans, but in the longer term, no biggie. You just have to remain your usual dogged, patient self.

Romance? Your birthday season should have provided some clues for those in the dating game. With your planet, fair Venus, in the see-and-be-seen sector until the 28^th, there is everything to play for.