I suppose the ancient folks held an anxiety as well during the summer. They knew that the sun after its highest point in the sky at Summer Solstice would start to lose it's momentum and from that point on its brilliance would wane each day until the Winter Solstice. Summer was a major time for work and to continue to pray and hope for a good harvest.

Ancient folks were in constant contact with the planet. Light was the force that was utilized to guide work and efforts. Without it they would only do less. Light and the sun were precious and what was produced was considered just as significant.

Most of us today don't have a clue as to the effort and process it takes to make a product to its completion. We have no relationship with the wisdom and the process of growth and creation, unless we are artists and craftspeople or more appropriate 'engineers/carpenters' in today's society. Of course most significant are these folks that depend on their true talents to survive. Purposefulness demands a commitment, hobbies can be taken up or put to rest very easily with out much thought or effort.

Summer time is a time to examine for maturity. Most folks would not agree with me. Most folks would say summer time is fun time. Escape and adventure time. Well for me escape and adventure, work and play have all been bundled up into one ball. There has been no separation so I can't categorize my life that way. Perhaps I've been blessed, but I don't think so.

I suppose its the reality that I am a practicing astrologer and much of my experience in life is reflective. Summer time is a time to think about growing up in more ways than just being an adolescent.

In the ancient and indigenous cultures (pre-colonization) children were able to witness their parent's endeavors and the products of their labors. They didn't see their parents leave for work every morning and find them at home before dinner (or after). Their material world did not just happen. They actually experienced the world in its process, i.e. procuring the materials to build a house, make a meal and produce everything needed in their lives. Nothing was taken for granted and everything had its use and place.

How do we come to return to such values and simplicity? For I do believe such simplicity is very needed in our lives today. I feel that we as a capitalist society have become polluted with what will satisfy our desires that we have forgotten what we truly need. I see so many of us that have not one car, but even more that 2. We can open our drawers and find not one cooking spoon but 5 or more and we really don't need more than 1.

Before I left for South Dakota I sold my car to do my small part for the planet. I was first taking the bus to town because I refused to pay the gas prices. It reached over $4.50 a gallon here in Hawaii. I found when I took the bus I got in touch with humanity. I was so used to being isolated in my own car that I became

so engrossed into my own world (and that is not hard for me to do).On the bus I met folks I would never have encountered in my life...Children, teenagers, old folks, bums, etc. It's been a very good thing, it brought me back to a segment of reality in this dimension, one in which most of us don't like to look at.

Not only did I enjoy walking to work each day in South Dakota but I realized I wouldn't want to do life with a car again. Maybe a motorcycle once I get to Montana as I venture in the mountains etc., (my husband is raising his eye brows...). I remember a wonderful woman Maire, who I befriended in Northern CA, I've yet to know where she is these days.. a great astrologer and artist. She was an indigenous woman (Laplander) who truly lived her talk, never owned a car, took the bus and lived quite simply, thought quite advernturous being a Sagittarian.

Speaking of Astrology I find it fitting to honor the three astrological influences of the summer, Cancer, Leo and Virgo. In doing so I feel they will be of great benefit for us all as to how to work through and consciously be alive to our journey during this season. Each has an innate talent and we all contain elements of these within ourselves whether we are Cancers, Leos or Virgos.

When the sun shines on the summer season we all know it's blatant face. Yet simultaneously we also know something is changing but it is not so new anymore like it was in the spring season. Summer Solstice heralds in the season with Cancerian emotions that pull up the past, where we came from, our roots, family, and ancestors. We can trust what we are familiar with and our own ways and traditions, but what about the things we don't know? Well with these questions Cancerian with her feelings and sentiments can show us what we really care about and what we want to hold on to. Most of the time there are many things that need be released during changes, but what is truly important to hold dear can become clear with the moon and Cancer's connection.

Taking time to be in touch with our true feelings (not emotional insecurities or gonads) by mediating and connecting to the earth and to life and all its diversity will allow us to open our heart with understanding. Basically Cancer talent is intuitive. Leo and his gift of fire and awakenings takes the risks to venture into unfamiliar territory. If we don't experience life we will never grow up into a responsible human being who can benefit and be a contributor to our planet. Virgo takes the time to think things through to sort things out so things will have a practical outcome and is the technician of the bunch. Leo back in the center, is one who (once mature enough through the heart) is the physician who works with intuition and tech- know- how. Hopefully this newsletter will amplify these important topics for the benefit of a good conscious harvest for us all.