Summer is here, and with it comes longer days, higher temperatures and more leisure time for many denizens of the Conch Republic as the tourists dwindle and the snowbirds fly north. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, these months offer the most light, and the longest days that stretch out until sunsets that arrive fashionably late.
In astrology and other esoteric wisdom traditions, light represents activity, individuality, visibility, clarity and knowledge. As the light lingers longer during the summer months, we are given more time to be active outside. Summer is the time for the actual rather than the potential. Each sign of the Zodiac is an archetypal character or personality unto itself, and each sign emerges under the light of the sun differently.
Read on to see how your sign actualizes its energy during the summer months. You can read these as recommendations for ways to better utilize the increased daylight or as mirrors for better self-understanding. In reality, every sign may participate in any activity — it is how they participate that makes them distinct. Have a wonderful summer, fair readers.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Twilight beachcombing
Cancer is a water sign ruled by the moon, and while these symbols carry symbolic meaning, they are also very real, worldly phenomena. When a Cancer can touch the water under the moon, they are in their home feels. Soaking up the ambient energies of a beach at moonrise is the calming energy that sensitive Cancer craves. Collecting items to place around the house is just the cherry on top.
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): Hosting backyard bonfires
Leo is the sign of the sun, and after a full day of soaking up the energy of our solar system’s central star, Leo is wont to carry that energy into the night. Like the sun, a bonfire is also a central source of heat and light, serving as the gravitational center of socializing, story telling and visual stimulation. Leo loves to bring people together with themselves as the center, and a bonfire is a perfect proxy.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22): Outdoor photography
Cataloguing, documenting and organizing is a natural active state of Virgo. Someone has to keep track of things and Virgo is quite content being the data collector. With the long days of natural light, photographing the beauty of nature and the memories with cherished friends is the perfect outlet. The only thing better than actually collecting the materials is filing them in labeled folders.
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22): Hosting golden hour porch parties
Getting people together, coordinating social gatherings and being the hostess with the mostest comes incredibly naturally to Libra. As an air sign ruled by Venus, creating harmonic balance in a social atmosphere is quintessential to Libra’s character. As the days run longer, outdoor gatherings provide the perfect opportunity for coordinated mingling.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): Night swims and deep talks
Scorpios are deep, dark water signs who do not take kindly to sitting on the surface of things. As the summer months warm the waters, late night swims with one or two close compadres accompanied by deep existential talks under the stars provide the right amount of “real” for Scorpios. Forgoing the daylight mundanity and merging with the dark and shadow is pure Scorpio.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21): Road tripping
These Jupiter-ruled fire signs are in constant pursuit of more from life. The horizon is not a limit, it is a beckoning call. Particularly in the slower work months of the Florida Keys, Sagittarians can use this prime time to get up and go. There are grand adventures to be had, and sitting around while missing the opportunity is not the Sagittarius way. Hit the road.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): Sailing or learning how to sail
Capricorns get stereotyped as being all about business, but really Capricorns just love skill, structure and goal-setting. They can fare in the craft of sailing just as well as business. Adjusting one’s sail to the wind, commanding a vessel, mastering the seas, navigating the shallows — these are all skills that turn Capricorn on. Compromising with nature and operating within her parameters is also good practice.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18): Stargazing
Late summer nights just beg an Aquarius to look up. Aquarius is a sign fascinated by the future and committed to centering the margins. In our era of considerable light pollution, Aquarius remembers that the night sky represents the past and the future, and that it does the greatest good to gaze in wonder at the beauty that surrounds us. The stars are always there, and yet they go far too unnoticed. Aquarius notices.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): Floating in the ocean
Pisces is the child of the universe. Pisces knows intuitively that we are all one and that division is merely an illusion. What better way to embody this spiritual reality than floating in warm salt water with your eyes closed? Pisces can carry the emotional weight of those around them, so dissolving and releasing any pent-up stresses in the ocean is a perfect soothing summer soak.
Aries (March 21 – April 19): Any community sporting event
Aries is a sign of conquest and achievement. Whether playing in a bocce league or a pickup basketball game, Aries is in its prime when there is competition, rugged striving and the possibility of championship. While Aries could certainly be satiated as an engaged spectator, it’s in the competitive action that Aries shines. Get out there and ask, “Hey! Can I play?”
Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Al fresco dining and foraging
As the Venus-ruled earth sign, Taurus appreciates a fine sensory experience. In the summer months, being outside and savoring delicious tastes, decadent smells, titillating textures, vibrant colors and ambient sounds is just the ticket. Whether appreciating a home-cooked meal outdoors or finding the foods in the forest, Taurus is a happy bull within the banquet.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20): Long, aimless bike rides with friends
Gemini is not one to sit still. Ruled by the fleet-footed Mercury, Gemini is a nimble jet-setter who wants to gather and disperse information around the world. This activity does not require a planned path, however, as spontaneity is as close to Gemini’s heart as is gossip. Toss a Gemini on a bicycle with a crew and an open afternoon; the entire town will be informed by nightfall.
