The Summer Solstice 2018

Summer Solstice came on June 21, at 11:08 GMD.

There are 5 planets in cardinal signs including the Sun and Moon, 4 planets in fixed signs, and 1 planet mutable. This sets a trend where what happens is largely publicized, with considerable tension in financial markets.
The planets are widely distributed,
Sun and Mercury in Cancer;
Venus in Leo;
Moon in Libra;
Jupiter retrograde in Scorpio;
Saturn retrograde and Pluto retrograde in Capricorn;
Mars in Aquarius;
Neptune retrograde in Pisces;
Uranus in Taurus,
making for widely divergent activity, much arguing, and little agreement.

The Sun is opposite Saturn in Capricorn. This shows those in power coming up against loud and obstinate opposition. Sun opposite Saturn brings fighting.

The Moon, who desposits the Sun, is in Libra forming 3 aspects: square Mercury; Square Pluto; and contraparallel Neptune.
Generally it looks like this:
1. The Moon rules the way matters work out and change. There is much frustration in the way things work out as shown by Moon square Mercury: much mental stress and strain; with unfortunate changes or decisions, mistakes or errors of judgement, wasted motions, trouble with contracts, promises retracted; disputes among tradesmen; and a lot of gossip.
2. As shown by Moon square Pluto: This will be a confused and complicated period, with eccentric behavior; people tend to be rebellious; there is much to do with dealings involving police and the underworld, or gangs; and probable terrorist activity.
3. As shown by Moon counterparallel Neptune, essentially nothing will be worked out; matters will end in confusion or chaos; there will be plenty of deceptions; fraud; rivalry; losses through untrustworthy or unscrupulous people or agencies; danger of assaults; blackmail; rapes; increasing drug addiction (opiods) and trafficking; and generally there is a lot of fear. Essentially nothing will get done. The governments are largely incompetent.

There are 2 T-Squares: Venus in Leo square Jupiter in Scorpio, opposite Mars in Aquarius; and Venus in Leo opposite Mars in Aquarius square Uranus in Taurus. Both these are in fixed signs denoting trade and money stuck, not moving. Mars opposite Venus also brings fighting (as do Sun opposite Saturn). Moon is separating from Square to Saturn, meaning the fighting has already begun.

In all this, there is a Grand Trine in Water between Mercury (in Cancer), Jupiter (in Scorpio), and Neptune (in Pisces). This has the affect of great emotional expansiveness. This summer is a great time for creative, artistic activity. The more detached and involved in creative work the better it will be for you.

The Charts for UK and the EU The Sun is in the 10th house in these charts. There is a struggle for power happening now. The opposition is very strong. The incumbent powers are likely to suffer losses.
The Moon is in the 2nd house. With afflictive aspects, the economies of these countries will suffer. Uranus is in the 9th house. Foreign trade is unstable. both the 9th house and the 8th are in Aries; dangerous explosions are likely. Venus is in the 11th house and Mars is in the 5th brings crimes against women and children, and danger to places of public entertainment, danger of fires and accidents to schools and public gatherings.
Mercury is the most important planet in these charts. He is opposite Pluto, and in Grand Trine with Jupiter, and Neptune. He rules the chart, in fact, and is in the 11th house. He denotes a busy time for Parliament attempting legislation for trade, commerce and education, but the overall tone of the other planets militate against much being accomplished at all, the ultimate results being frustrated. However, with Jupiter in the 3rd house trine Mercury, this shouldl be a busy and productive time in literary and publishing circles.

The chart for the US
The Sun is rising in the 12th house opposite Saturn in the 7th house. Mercury is in the 1st house opposite Pluto in the 7th house. The US bad bad relations with foreign powers now, especially with Mexico and Brussels (as shown by Saturn in the 7th house). There will be troubled foreign dealings; depression in foreign trade for some time.
Cancer is the sign on the 1st house cusp and the 2nd house cusp, tying the present conditions over into the future.
Venus is in the 2nd house opposite Mars in the 8th house, square Jupiter in the 5th and square Uranus in the 11th house. This is not a good sign for the economy. The brakes are on at least through this summer, and possibly through the fall.
Uranus in the 11th house brings difficulties, complications, and unexpected developments to congress, with considerable unruliness.
The economy is going to be erratic for a while. Because Venus is in the 2nd house, and Jupiter is in the 5th house, there will be gains especially in the stock market, but may be at an expense. The 2nd house is ruled by an affliced Moon. Whatever gains there are are unstable. This condition, while it runs through the summer, will not last.
Neptune is in the 10th house in grand trine with Mercury in the 1st and Jupiter in the 5th house. Neptune rules the 10th house. While this looks very nice, the Moon is out of agreement. The Moon's final aspect is counterparallel Neptune. Moon, which is the ruler of the 1st house (ruling the public outlook), is in the 4th house (opposition the President). There essentially is no agreement between the President and his opposition. Moon also rules the 2nd house; the general economy suffers.
Congress is stuck and dysfunctional, and apt to make some bad moves. Uranus in the 11th house shows members breaking away. Congress is apt to go through big changes.

The Chart for China
The Sun is in the 7th house opposite Saturn in the 1st house. The outlook of China , as shown by Saturn, is serious, but, because Saturn is retrograde, it's also patient. Mercury, ruler of China's 7th house is in the 8th house opposite Pluto in the 2nd house. Mercury points to foreign debt. China is concerned with a slowing economy. Venus in the 8th is in opposition with Mars in the 2nd, and square Jupiter in the 11th and Uranus in the 5th. This is potentially very difficult. The situation between China and the US is like a mirror. It doesn't work for either, and, while it will take some time to correct, should not last very long. Moon is in the 10th house. The Government of China is flexible. Moon between Venus and Jupiter, will attempt to make advantageous changes to benefit the economy, but it won't succeed completely until the total situation, including that of the US is taken into account. As it is, it won't. The economy does not look too healthy at the moment.

Raphael is available for in-depth personal astrological consultations and readings. For information, go to  www.raphaelsimons.com