Cazimi planets: In the heart of the king

It’s a risky business to draw too close to a king – you could get burned. Astrology has a word for planets within 8.5 degrees of the Sun: combustion. It’s a very serious debility indicating that the planet’s power is burned up, roasted to a crisp.

But there’s an even briefer span in which the planet is NOT damaged by the Sun’s relentless heat, but elevated to kingly status. A planet that is within 17 minutes of arc (about 1/4 of a degree) of the Sun is known as cazimi: in the heart of the Sun. This is an extraordinary dignity, like being plucked from the masses to sit beside the monarch. In horary, a cazimi significator is exceptionally positive, in an honored place.

In early June, we’ll see two different planets enter and exit cazimi for a few brief hours. First, Mercury, currently retrograde in Gemini, comes within 17 minutes of arc of the Sun on Saturday, June 7th. It’s such a peculiar combination: Mercury strong in its own sign, but retrograde; and then cazimi and, of course, disposing of the Sun in Gemini. Who comes out on top: the king or the scribe? Will the message get through, or, with Mercury retrograde, will it be misinterpreted?

On Monday, June 9th, it’s Venus’ turn to be cazimi, as it conjoins the Sun around 18 Gemini 30. Venus has dignity by term in this region of Gemini, and it is direct in motion. A good time for artists, songwriters and the like to team up and collaborate on something royally beautiful.