Hey there, it’s Jonni from The Time Traveller’s Life, now rebranded as ‘The Universally Attuned Person.’ Things are definitely changing. Not just the weather.

And to find out what’s changing above, I’ve teamed up with the ever-amazing astrologer Marielle Croft to bring you an exclusive peek into the celestial vibes of Summer 2024. We have more than planetary mischief and lunar magic in store.

Jonni: Marielle, it’s always such a pleasure to talk about the cosmic rhythms with you. Can we start with the basics? When exactly does the Summer Solstice land this year?

Marielle: Bonjour Jonni! The Summer Solstice this year lands on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at 1:50 pm PDT. This is when the Sun leaves Gemini and enters Cancer. It marks the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, while in Australia, it’s the opposite—the longest night and shortest day.

Jonni: That sounds like a colourful season ahead, especially with a Full Moon in Capricorn right after the Solstice. What can we expect from this celestial event?

Marielle: Yes, indeed! The Full Moon in Capricorn will occur on June 21st at 6:08 pm PDT without an eclipse. Cancer, the sign where the Sun will be, specializes in home, family, community, and tradition, offering a sense of attachment and belonging. The Moon rules Cancer, and climbing full in Capricorn seals many human values even more.

Jonni: It’s fascinating how astrology connects us to such rich traditions. From a psychological perspective, these themes of home and belonging resonate deeply with our sense of self and community. Can you explain a bit about the astronomical significance of the tropics and the “Out of Bound” (OOB) planets?

Marielle: Of course. Astronomically, the tropics are marked by the Sun moving north and south of the celestial equator during the year. The turning points are approximately 23:04 north of that equator for the Tropic of Cancer and 23:04 south of the celestial equator for the Tropic of Capricorn. All the planets navigate between these boundaries, but sometimes, a planet goes beyond 23:04 in declination. When this happens, we call it “Out of Bound” or OOB. These planets, being “out of bounds,” become less predictable, more creative, or even destructive, depending on the person driving this potential.

Jonni: Very intriguing! It’s like those OOB planets are rebels breaking the rules. So, what’s the “blast” of OOB energy we’re looking at this Summer Solstice?

Marielle: This Summer Solstice arrives with quite a “blast” of OOB energy, although gentle. The Moon, Cancer’s ruler, is very OOB at 27:04 south, accompanied by Mercury at 24:53 north and Venus at 23:55 north of the celestial equator. Basically, all three being OOB, as you can see. With Cancer’s focus on family and community, sweet Venus and fun Mercury, this trio could make people a bit wilder in their celebrations, opting for fun over duty. So, this summer, follow the buzz and enjoy yourself in ways that nourish you.

Jonni: It sounds like a season for some unexpected fun and letting loose, which is vital for our mental health. What about Mars and Uranus? I hear they’re having a brief conjunction. 

Marielle: Yes, Mars, the planet of action and sometimes conflict, will meet Uranus, the awakener, at 26 degrees in Taurus on July 15-17. This might bring some tension related to practical chores, machinery, or agricultural projects. Since this transit is brief and not amplified by a Full Moon or other triggers, it will pass quickly.

Jonni: And I always ask about the eclipses. Are there any significant ones this summer?

Marielle: The summer season will conclude with an eclipse cycle starting with a Full Moon in Pisces and a partial lunar eclipse on September 17th. This will be followed by a New Moon in the fall season on October 2nd with an annular solar eclipse and an almost-eclipse at the Full Moon on October 17th. But we’ll get into that during our fall conversation.

Jonni: I’m looking forward to it. And how about Mercury? I hear it’s going retrograde again.

Marielle: Yes, Mercury will be retrograde from August 5th to 28th, between 4 degrees Virgo and 22 degrees Leo. Mercury owns Virgo, which emphasizes paying more attention to details (or the lack of attention leading to mistakes or delays). Mercury also owns Gemini and joyful Jupiter has moved into Gemini for a year on May 26th, 2024, adding a positive and collaborative atmosphere to this retrogradation. We can enjoy our activities, commitments, and hobbies more if we declutter and value more fun and ease. This retrograde cycle invites us to communicate, mend tensions, repair relationships, and conclude fair agreements. It’s not a good time to launch anything new, but it’s perfect for improving or completing ongoing projects.

Jonni: Speaking of retrogrades, what’s going on with Saturn?

Marielle: Saturn, the teacher and maker of structures, continues its journey in mystical Pisces and will turn retrograde from June 29th to November 15th, 2024. This period might bring serious talks about peace among warring nations. There’s less pressure to persist in conflict, and military enthusiasm may wane. However, issues with water could become more prominent, reminding us to cherish and protect our precious resources.

Jonni: And what about Uranus? I know it’s the wild card of the zodiac.

Marielle: Uranus will turn retrograde at 27 degrees Taurus on September 1st, 2024, until January 30th, 2025. This period is ideal for reforming and refreshing our relationship with nature and ensuring our stability. It’s a good time for community activities and support groups for causes we care about.

Jonni: What can we expect from Neptune during its retrograde?

Marielle: Neptune in Pisces continues to deepen our spiritual lives and will be retrograde from July 1st to December 7th, 2024. This retrograde cycle supports retreats, vision quests, and deepened meditation experiences. Concerns about water may also rise during this period, again emphasizing the importance of our natural resources.

Jonni: And, lastly, Pluto’s been dancing between Capricorn and Aquarius. What’s the story there?

Marielle: Pluto, representing power and transformation, has been moving back and forth between Capricorn and Aquarius. It will complete its retrograde from May 2nd to October 11th, 2024, ending at 29 degrees Capricorn. By winter 2025, Pluto will enter Aquarius until spring 2043, significantly changing our societal structures and technological advancements. During its retrograde, we should evaluate our flexibility and openness to change, embracing the oneness and potential within each person.

Jonni: That’s a beautiful and hopeful note to end on, Marielle. Thank you so much for sharing your insights. I can’t wait to see how these cosmic energies unfold this summer!

Marielle: Merci, Jonni! It’s always a pleasure. Let’s embrace the season with joy and openness.