New Moon 6/3/08

New moon - time for new beginnings. Great time to start new habits, like a new diet...

This is a great article:

Gemini New Moon:
Monkey Mind at Play
by Simone Butler

Just before Mercury went backward on May 26, I was having an intense discussion with my partner when something suddenly flew out of my mouth that shocked us both. I'm usually able to put things diplomatically, but it spewed forth from my unconscious mind before I could catch it. The good news is that after the hurt was soothed, greater understanding was born.

Welcome to Mercury retrograde in Gemini, sign of communication. This cycle (May 26-June 19) exposes what we really think and dredges up patterns from the past. It helps us examine our thoughts and become aware of the stories and tapes that run in our heads, so we can release them and open our minds to higher awareness. This process is intensified by the Sun and Venus also in mental Gemini through June 20 and 25, respectively.

June is, therefore, a good month to observe the antics of the Monkey Mind. Monkey Mind is a Buddhist term that describes the way our manic minds keep us from inner peace and happiness by distracting us with idle chatter, jumping to conclusions and swinging from one extreme to another.

Retrograde Mercury in Gemini is the ideal time in which to rewind and hit "delete" on these old tapes. On May 26 both Mercury and Neptune dove into the underworld of the subconscious mind, each making a facilitating trine to the other. This combination supercharges our intuition, intensifies healing powers and triggers normally inaccessible insights. Be especially attentive to blurted-out revelations and the repetition of old patterns, which come forth for cleansing and healing.

Adding to the intensity, the Gemini New Moon on June 3 is near perigee, its closest approach to the Earth. This makes it a "SuperMoon," increasing the electromagnetic force of both the Sun and Moon and thereby helping us release old patterns. And, the New Moon is conjunct Venus, now at apogee, her greatest distance from Earth, as she passes behind the Sun. This "Full Venus" phase provides deeper awareness of our values, priorities and relationship needs.

Venus disappeared from sight earlier in May, and will continue to be invisible in the night sky until she emerges as the evening star on July 16. I asked our favorite Venus scholar Dana Gerhardt for her thoughts on Venus visiting the underworld at this time. "Since the evening star is generally considered a more "mature," refined and level-headed Venus," she notes, "I tend to think of this underworld visit as a coronation or fulfillment. Perhaps we're meant (or encouraged) to feel more confident in our course…enjoying who and what we are without doubt and questioning."

The image of Venus being crowned as queen of the underworld is evocative, as she makes a supportive sextile to Mars (her king), at the June 3 New Moon. This provides a nice opportunity to harmonize our internal masculine and feminine energies and relax into our deeper selves. Combining this self-confident Venus imagery with retrograde Mercury's "taking a holiday" approach reminds us to surrender to and enjoy what is. It may be best to hold off making major decisions or starting new projects, however, until the last week of June at the earliest. Give yourself time to absorb all the insights flowing in during the retrograde phase. Clarity will come in time.

In June, 2004, the Sun, Mercury and Venus also traveled through Gemini--only that time Venus was retrograde and at perigee, her closest point to the Earth, as she crossed in front of the Sun. This was the "New Venus" phase. Think back to what was going on for you at that time. Are there any parallels to now? You might discover that seeds you planted four years ago are now coming to fruition or completion, even bringing you rewards.

Most importantly, don't stress over what happened in the past. As Abraham/Hicks so eloquently put it, "There is nothing for you to go back and live over, or fix, or feel regret about now. Every part of your life has unfolded just right. And so, knowing all that you know from where you now stand, what do you want? Go forth in joy."