According to tradition, June is THE MONTH to get married, although how
that tradition originated is anyone's guess. Some sources say it was the
first month that water temperatures were warm enough for would-be brides
to take their first after-winter bath! Others say it was because June was
named after Juno, the goddess of love and marriage.
That's all well and good, but if you look more closely at Juno's marriage
to Jupiter, you might want to think again -- Jupiter fooled around a lot
while Juno stoically stood by her man, remaining faithful but taking her
revenge on the "other women" rather than on him. Not the standard you want
to model your marriage after, is it? But then again, mythology was a
lo-o-o-ong time ago, or was it?
But whatever its origins, June has become firmly entrenched in our culture
as "the ideal time" to plan a wedding. But what does astrology have to say
about that month, and why is the timing of a marriage even a
consideration? Let's look at that first ...
You were born on a certain day and, assuming that astrology has some
influence over most people, you possess your own set of characteristics,
many of which you may share in common with others born under your sign.
This, of course, is true of your would-be spouse as well.
What we don't often consider is that anything "born" on a given day --
whether a pet, a business, a marriage, anything that has a definite
beginning in time -- also has its own characteristics. The astrological
influences bestow a set of qualities or energies to any new arrival in the
world, which, from then on, has a life of its own. So when you get
married, you are not only having to adjust and accommodate to your spouse,
but you both are having to make adjustments to the requirements or
influences of the marriage itself -- that third thing that binds you
together and has its own life energy.
You can see how it becomes important to understand that the wedding --
actually the phrase "I now pronounce you husband and wife"-- marks the
birth or the beginning of the marriage. From then on, it's not just "he
and I" or "she and I" but both of you together within a larger context
that will either be supportive of you or a trial to live with.
We've all heard of a great couple who fell apart after they got married.
Looking at the wedding time can often reveal how incompatible their
marriage energy was with both their energies, even though the two of them
together worked well astrologically before they got married.
What does this mean for June weddings, or for marriages begun in any
month? Let's start with June and go through the signs, exploring the
energies and feelings of each one so that you might be able to identify
what time period is more likely to give you the kind of marriage you dream
about. (Oh, it would be good if you considered a date that your
spouse-to-be also agrees with!)
Most of June falls into the sign of Gemini, which actually begins around
the 21st of May and goes through the 21st of June. Dates that the signs
change to the next sign are called "cusps" and can vary from the 20th to
the 23rd of any given month. In general, these are not the best days to
plan to have your wedding, as the energy is in transition from one sign to
the next sign and therefore carries a certain amount of tension because of
that changeover. I'd recommend that you not choose any dates from the 19th
through the 24th, just to be safe.
As you read through the paragraphs about the nature of each sign, trust
your feelings and how you are responding to the information rather than
trying to do a mental analysis. The qualities you feel most comfortable
with are the ones that will best suit you and your partner, and will make
for a more harmonious marriage.
MAY 21 - JUNE 21. GEMINI, the Twins. The challenge of Gemini is for two to
become one, for the polarities or dualities of life to reconcile and find
unity, at least on a mental level. In and of itself, this task aptly
describes the path of marriage and, for this reason, is a fitting sign
under which to exchange vows, even though it is not an emotionally rich
sign. On the down side, that reconciling of opposites often ends up in
partners feeling more like brother and sister. This kind of compatibility
may be welcome in later life, but not so much early on in the union. The
resiliency which Gemini is known for, however, may help a couple remain
successfully married as long as the channels of communication are kept
open, which this Mercury-ruled sign requires.
JUNE 21 - JULY 23. CANCER, the Crab. Now we enter the archetypal "home and
family" sign. Cancer makes up in emotion for what Gemini lacks. A marriage
under this sign will bind family members together on a deep, subconscious
level. Sometimes this could extend to possessive attachment, to the
exclusion of non-family individuals and non-family
values/religion/politics -- not the most tolerant sign when it comes to
differences. A good sign for those whose ancestry and tradition are the
most important things in life. Ruled by the moody Moon, the mother is
often the dominant or central figure in the family unit, along with
ancestral heritage.
JULY 23 - AUGUST 23. LEO, the Lion. In Leo the spotlight shifts to the
children, the pride and joy of the family. Along with the creation of
children comes the idea of creation on other levels -- from games and play
to creative self-expression in art, writing, dance, music, all outpourings
of the self. Where Cancer may be introverted by nature, Leo can be
extroverted. Entertaining may be a strong aspect of Leo marriages, as may
the need for romance. This high-maintenance aspect of Leo is not tolerant
of the taking-each-other-for-granted that spouses often fall into. When
operating on its high side, Leo is generous and open-hearted, playful and
sunny, like the Sun which rules it. The father in Leo marriages takes
center stage.
AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 23. VIRGO, the Virgin. The complexities of Virgo may
not be the easiest energy to live with, as marriage under this sign
requires partners to live to high standards with little reward except that
things are "done right." Under Virgo's rulership we find health, service,
obedience and cooperation, along with precision and attention to detail.
Surely a marriage doesn't get far without cooperation, but few couples may
feel called to devote themselves and their marriage to service - whether
to the community, country, religion or a cause. Teacher couples may do
well here, as may health care professionals, engineers and clergy. But the
critical-eyed aspect of Mercury through this sign might leave less
selfless individuals feeling overly pressured, perhaps frustrated by this
task-master energy.
SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 23. LIBRA, the Scales. Ah, Libra, the archetypal
marriage sign. "We" not "I" is how this energy operates, and relationship
evolves to an art form. This is not the sign for strong-willed or
self-centered individuals, as Libra seeks tranquillity, harmony and peace.
The smoothly flowing back-and-forth exchange of thoughts, feelings and
ideas keep the Libra marriage coals stoked. When bumps in the road come
up, Libra is forgiving - but only up to a point. Too many transgressions
and the gloves come off. Appreciation of art and beauty through its Venus
rulership -- beauty both in nature and man-made -- make this an excellent
marriage sign for those for whom "the other" is of primary importance and
relationship in and of itself is vital for life. Seeing and bringing out
the best in each other is part of the mutual appreciation that makes Libra
unions last.
OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 22. SCORPIO, the Scorpion, the Eagle and the
Phoenix. As private as Cancer may be, the energy of Scorpio can take
introversion to an extreme. While this may not be a good sign for social
and outgoing people to marry under, the emphasis on a strong sex life and
money may be appealing to some. Nor is Scorpio for the faint-hearted, as
all issues and qualities come under intense scrutiny to rival Virgo. When
operating positively, marriage under this sign makes the partners feel
exalted; when negative, it feels like the end of the world. The triple
rulership describes the spectrum of Scorpio energy -- from scorpions who
will sting themselves to death if no one else is around to inflict their
venom on, to the eagle who can fly high and surmount earthly concerns, to
the phoenix who rises from the ashes of its own death to soar to the sun.
Tremendous power for transformation is potential in this sign, yet few
outlets exist for releasing the pressures of life under this Mars-Pluto
rulership. Intense individuals may be the only ones who can withstand this
energy.
NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 22. SAGITTARIUS, the Archer. Pack your bags,
because if you marry under Sagittarius, the wanderer, you may find
yourself changing addresses or taking trips more than the average. If not
traveling externally, the expansive influence of Jupiter-ruled Sagittarius
will invite partners to broaden their mental and spiritual horizons with
explorations into the new, the distant, and the mystical. Very outgoing
and social, this sign feels like the opposite of Scorpio and enjoys
nature, perhaps even sports, and values higher education and learning. An
idealistic energy, Sagittarius, like Gemini, can bounce back quickly from
troubles -- that is, if it hasn't taken off to some distant place already.
This is a great energy for couples who want to live free before taking on
the responsibilities of family, or for marriages of independent, outgoing
couples, perhaps later in life who want to stretch their wings.
DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 20. CAPRICORN, the Goat. This serious, Saturn-ruled
energy is all about ambition, recognition, climbing the ladder of success,
and pinnacles of accomplishment. Energetic workaholics do well under this
approval-seeking influence. Saturn also rules "time," so couples marrying
under this sign may be in for the long haul, despite the personal
hardships such an energy exacts. While most marriage vows do promise
lifelong commitment, these days that's not often the case. In the words of
a friend, it's "for better or for worse, but not for long." Perhaps
marriages under Capricorn fare better than the statistics, I don't know.
Often overlooked qualities which Saturn rules may help with stabilizing a
marriage, and they are humor and the wisdom that comes with experience.
This is a good sign for couples with worldly ambitions, whether they are
just starting out or are second marriages with strong status values.
JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18. AQUARIUS, the Water-Bearer. Under this sign of
friendship and long-term goals, partners with a compatible vision for life
may find support for joint ventures and feeling as though they'd married
their "best friend." Opposite to the personal expression of will in
creative Leo, Aquarian marriages may be called to a higher purpose under
God's will in selecting which goals they will work toward. Not emotionally
rich like Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, the temperature under Aquarius can
be on the cool side, more like the mental Gemini and Libra. To others,
Aquarian couples may appear aloof -- that is, until you get to know them
and appreciate their dedication and drive. Couples with strong social,
environmental, or other causes are well supported by this sign, as are
those who are truly the best of friends.
FEBRUARY 18 - MARCH 20. PISCES, the Fish. Dreamy Pisces is as idealistic
as Sagittarius, but in an even more mystical sense; as romantic as Libra,
but in a more spiritual sense; and as service-oriented as Virgo, but in
almost a religious, rather than duty-oriented sense. Pisces marriages find
harmony being close to water or in the feeling of the partners flowing
into and out of each other. Boundaries are nebulous here and individuality
runs a far second to at-one-ment with the cosmos. If this all sounds like
too far a reach for most humans, consider the down-side of this energy --
confusion, denial, deception and addiction. While successful Pisces unions
require a clear commitment to the highest ideals (which marriage is
designed to elicit from us anyway), daily renewal of these visions --
whether through prayer, meditation, uplifting reading or music -- are
necessary to keep this gentle and loving energy operating on its high
side.
MARCH 20 - APRIL 20. ARIES, the Ram. Sign of spring and renewal, Aries can
be a wonderful marriage sign, where it finds an influence of daily newness
and highly charged, Mars-ruled, pure life energy, as physical as it gets.
Being born and daily re-born closely describes the feelings of
"honeymooning," when each sees the other freshly and sex is enthusiastic.
For couples with high sexual needs without the intensity of Scorpio, it is
a good sign. For those more moderate in need for physical expression, it
may become a burden which can rapidly turn to frustration and anger when
not permitted the outlet. A master of new beginnings, one of Aries'
challenges is seeing things through to the end. This works well for busy
couples with few domestic and family goals, but is difficult when
partially mowed lawns or incomplete projects littering the household get
in the way of daily living.
APRIL 20 - MAY 21. TAURUS, the Bull. Our circle around the zodiac is
completed in Taurus, an earthy and materialistic energy ruled by Venus in
her more physical expressions. Like Aries, Taurus enjoys physical intimacy
but is more suited to couples staying together for the long haul than
Aries, as Taurus is a fixed and possessive sign. It has the kind of energy
that, even if a marriage doesn't last on paper, it will be held onto in
the heart (which sometimes isn't welcome in a new post-divorce
relationship!). Taurus enjoys material comforts and thrives when partners
express appreciation for each other with frequent complements and displays
of affection. Sometimes high-maintenance financially, this sign is always
high maintenance emotionally, for its need for continual affection and
approval.
How to Use This Information
In choosing a perfect wedding date for both of you, you want to step back
and view the big picture of your lives together. Project yourself through
all the stages of life and what the future may have in store for you --
from the honeymoon through working at jobs or finishing school, to build a
certain level of security and success, raising a family (if this is part
of your agreement) and seeing them grow and move on, to retiring together
when it's just the two of you again.
Finding one sign that supports or reflects all of life's stages seems
improbable. But being realistic about yourself and your partner's
qualities and values will help guide you to select the most appropriate
marriage energy to start with.
There's another option, however, one which is increasing in popularity and
for good reason ... the renewal of marriage vows. Mostly we hear of
couples re-vowing out of love or because of a recent reconciliation after
a time of trial. But you might think of renewing your vows as a way to
'adjust' your marriage energy to better match the changes that you both
are moving through in various life stages.
Consider this: Renewal of vows essentially "re-starts" the marriage. Given
what you have read about the influence of various signs, you can see how
valuable this re-starting could prove to be.
For example, say you choose Capricorn as your wedding sign. You are both
up-and-coming professionals who want to dedicate yourselves to building
position and security for some years. Once you are ready to have children,
you can renew your vows under Cancer or Leo. When the children are grown,
a Gemini or Aquarian, Libran or Sagittarian renewal may then better suit
your lifestyle.
The option to renew vows frees you from feeling locked in to just one
marriage energy to live with and work with for a lifetime. It also feels
like it better suits our changing lifestyles and the pace of living in
today's world.
So, how does a couple renew vows? This can be as formal as asking your
clergy-person to preside over a ceremony in your house of worship with
invited family and guests, or as personal and informal as the two of you
on a beach or in a park with some special person as a witness. The pivotal
aspect of vow renewal is your mutual intention. Ideally, you will each
write your vows from your hearts and exchange them openly,
whole-heartedly, and with as much intention as your original wedding vows.
Harnessing the universal energies for your marriage, and later for a
renewal of your vows, aligns you with the cycles of life and brings you
into harmony with the cosmic whole, so that Life itself might support you
in having the kind of marriage you've always dreamed of. I hope this
information helps all your marriage dreams come true.
Author Cheryl Salerno has been a holistic consultant, minister and
therapist for over 23 years, and a student of astrology and tarot since
1976. She lives and works in central New Jersey. An edited version of this
article appeared in the July 2007 issue of VOW, Bride magazine, under the
title "Astral Influence."
To have Cheryl select an exact wedding or vow renewal date for you and
your intended, go to
http://QuantumPlus.us/PlanningbytheStars.html
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cheryl_Salerno
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