We are in the second phase of a very special summer cycle ~ the dance of the Moon and the Sun. From June 21st, as the Sun moves into watery Cancer ruled by the Moon, until August 23, when Fiery Leo ruled by the Sun ends it yearly post of leadership in the zodiac wheel, we have the seasonal opportunity to refine our alignment with the yin and yang of life.

It is said that where ever Cancer can be found in your astrology chart gives insight into how you seek nurturance and security. Similarly, it is Leo that shows us where we need to shine and feel special. In Jamie Sams' classic book, "The Thirteen Original Clan Mothers", the sixth moon clan mother in June teaches us the lessons of the Storyteller to strengthen faith, humility, honest communication and the gifts of sharing wisdom-filled stories of the ancient ones and ancestors (including ourselves as we will be ancestors one day). The seventh moon cycle of July called Loves All Things teaches us to love with strong unconditional compassion. Like the sign Leo, which is associated with the heart, this cycle teaches the path of the peaceful humble warrior who understands that to lead means being in service rather then domination or control.

For me, this early to mid-summer time has always been very sacred with a powerful theme of Mother. My mother was born and died within several days in late June. Both my daughters were also born under the Sun sign of Cancer. Ammachi, one of my greatest examples of divine mother love and kindness, graces Chicago with an annual early July visit. This year, Ammachi's 25th year visiting the US in Chicago fell on my daughter's 25th birthday. It was true magic to receive darshan on that day.

This year, the focus on the latter part of this cycle offers a great deal of support for insights and deeper understanding of how to bring the joy back into our lives. Mercury is going retrograde from August 2 - 26, 2011. As it is a fast moving planet, it begins the retrograde in the sign Virgo and then goes into Leo. Mercury rules information; so this retrograde cycle may begin with information about how we can attune our daily health and work habits to better meet our needs. August 2nd is also the cross quarter holy day Lammas, which opens a powerful cosmic gateway to commune with divine potential. Meditating or creating a collage or mandala that reflects the color and contents of your heart center is a wonderful way to merge with this energy while feeding the soul.

The big download during this time is going to be centered in the Leo domain of heart, creativity, joy and leadership. Most of us really feel drained from the last few years of personal and planetary heart-ships. It has been exhausting trying to reinvent aspects of our selves with all the changes that have come from loss and reduction of resources. Yet true passion and vitality comes when our hearts are activated and engaged in life. The triggers that are causing us to worry, stress and doubt are not going away anytime soon, so learning what we can still believe in, what moves us so that we must get involved, what calls us to give more than we get, is likely to be revealed during these next several weeks. There is a great Sufi saying: "pray to Allah and tie your camel". In this case read the fine print before signing any documents during the next few weeks as well~