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Collier’s Cuts: Confronting the Tech Future in ‘Toy Story 5’

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Woody and Buzz from toy Story huddle together in fear.
(L-R): Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) and Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) in Disney and Pixar's TOY STORY 5. Photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.
A rating card for Toy Story 5 with 3/5 stars and a still of Jessie and Bullseye with a tablet.

The original Toy Story — made, I’m sorry to report, a full 31 years ago — was a minor masterpiece of animation. Even more so, it was a technological marvel. The first fully computer-animated film, it was a herald of the future, both rich in promise and laden with questions about the role of human artists in an increasingly digital world. Three decades later, the series is now casting modern technology as the enemy, as its living toys contend with the arrival of a child-distracting tablet computer in Toy Story 5.

Toy Story 5 Movie Review: You’ve Got a Friend in Lily

Bonnie (Scarlett Spears), the young girl that ended up with our cast of playthings a few movies ago, has an imagination that can’t be matched — but she has trouble relating to other kids. Her parents gamble on a high-tech solution and buy her a tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee), hoping that its kid-friendly social functions will help her connect with other children.

Lilypad can’t quite fit Bonnie into its algorithm, however, quickly matching her with a mean-girl trio who mock her for her affinity for IRL play. The bullying sends Bonnie into a spiral of shamed silence — and makes our toys, particularly the tenacious cowgirl Jessie (Joan Cusack), desperate for a solution and questioning their own purpose.

If you noticed that I haven’t mentioned many of the series’ main characters yet, that’s because they’re sidelined from the main action, one of many flaws in the script. The plot in Toy Story 5 is fractured, jumping between threads in a desperate attempt to keep everyone involved. Woody (Tom Hanks) comes back from self-imposed exile when Jessie calls for help; a trio of obsolete gadgets attempts to convince Jessie that progress has its place; a fleet of waylaid Buzz Lightyear toys (many instances of Tim Allen) attempt to find … Star Command, I think? It’s a bit muddy.

Talent — and Nostalgia — Keep the Batteries Charged

Toy Story 5 is certainly the weakest entry in the series; while many bemoaned the previous sequel spoiling the perfect ending delivered in Toy Story 3, the fourth installment was far more cohesive and inventive than this chapter.

Fortunately, this world is so rich and charming that story flaws can’t sink the ship. The performers are clearly happy to be back, and newcomers including Conan O’Brien, Craig Robinson and Melissa Villaseñor fit right in. A marvelous score, once again by Randy Newman, helps ground the action.

For many, the characters and world of this franchise provide a direct connection to the heartstrings. (That certainly includes me; the first film came out when I was 10 years old.) And Toy Story 5 finds, amid its too-many threads and contrivances, moments of really emotional impact. When Bonnie discovers a piece of her past, you’ll fight off tears — even if some other dramatic scenes left you cold.

Does it have anything profound to say about the incursion of technology into children’s lives? No — in fact, the script could be accused of hand-waving those concerns. But, as always, this series is about childhood and the pain of growing up; those matters, while complicated by modern developments, are timeless.

After 31 years, it seems this series might be, too.

A Feature-Length Song Adaptation and More

Actress and singer/songwriter Hayley Kiyoko struck a chord with Girls Like Girls, a ballad of adolescent love that she later adapted into a music video and a young-adult novel. This week, she turns the tale into a feature film of the same name, starring Maya da Costa and Myra Molloy; Kiyoko directed and co-wrote the adaptation (with Stefanie Scott). Early reviews are positive; writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Angie Han called it “beautifully shot and tenderly acted.” Girls Like Girls is in wide release this week.

Less glowing reviews are out for Never Change!, an absurdist, fish-out-of-water comedy debuting this weekend on Hulu. The film follows a group of poorly behaved thirty-somethings forced back to high school due to a legal loophole. Actor John Reynolds, known for roles on Search Party, Stranger Things and Yellowjackets, writes and co-stars.

Celebrate a pair of anniversaries with screenings at AMC Theatres this week, as Ocean’s 11 celebrates its 25th and Raiders of the Lost Ark marks its 45th. If you only see one, there are few better in-theater experiences than Raiders, but if you have a great deal of free time ahead, both are absolutely worth revisiting.

Story by Sean Collier
Photos Courtesy of Pixar

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Mexican Street Cornbread

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A person picks up a Mexican Street Cornbread fritter off a plate that sits beside slices limes, three forks, an ear of corn, and a bowl of lime crema with cilantro.

Chef Kenny Cumberland uses his fave store-bought cornbread mix for this Mexican Street Cornbread. As food icon Ina Garten frequently says, “Store-bought is fine.” Just start by following the recipe on the box. Go the extra mile by adding Kenny’s topper of cotija cheese, paprika, and two types of chili powder prior to baking and then his lime crema after to elevate the whole thing.

A plate with a burgundy pattern around the edge with little Mexican Street Cornbread fritters and slices of limes.

What’s the Difference Between Ancho Chilis and Guajillo Chilis?

Ancho and guajillo aren’t types of chilis you can pick off a plant, instead they’re simply dried versions of poblano and mirasol peppers. This means that ancho chilis are more mild than guajillo while also showcasing depth and a slight smokiness. Guajillo chilis on the other hand are brighter and have more of a tang to them. When incorporated into this Mexican Street Cornbread, the ancho chilis add a burst of flavor and then the heat comes from the guajillo chilis for a delicious balance.

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A person picks up a Mexican Street Cornbread fritter off a plate that sits beside slices limes, three forks, an ear of corn, and a bowl of lime crema with cilantro.

Mexican Street Cornbread


  • Author: Kenny Cumberland

Description

Upgrade that store-bought cornbread mix!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box cornbread mix

For the topper:

  • 2 cups cotija
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dry Ancho chili powder
  • 1 tsp dry Guajillo chili powder
  • ½ tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt

For the lime crema:

  • 1 cup sour cream/crème frâiche
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tbsp lime zest
  • ½ tbsp chopped cilantro


Instructions

  1. Make cornbread mix as described on box.

For the topping:

  1. Mix together in small bowl.
  2. Add to the top of your cornbread muffins before baking (follow directions on box).

For the lime crema:

  1. Mix together in small bowl.
  2. Drizzle over the muffins just before serving.

Plus, check out more of Chef Kenny Cumberland’s recipes like Pizza Hot Pockets, Lunchtime Tamales, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Rolls.

Recipe by Chef Kenny Cumberland
Photography by Dave Bryce

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Grain Bowl with White Balsamic Dressing 

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A grain bowl with quinoa, brown rice, greens, and beets sits next to a White Balsamic Dressing and another grain bowl.

You can’t go wrong with a Grain Bowl since it’s a recipe that tastes delicious and benefits your body too. In this particular Grain Bowl, quinoa and brown rice make the base. These two add a little nuttiness as well as a mix of chewy and soft textures. Plus the two are both whole grains so they can help with blood sugar and provide long-lasting energy rather than a quick sugar crash-out. Next, you sprinkle roasted beets and baby greens (spinach or arugula) for boosts of antioxidants, a variety of vitamins, and fiber. Lastly, the White Balsamic Dressing is mostly for your tasting pleasure but it does use heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil and antioxidant-abundant honey.

A person holds up a fork with greens from a grain bowl on it above the actual grain bowl.
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A grain bowl with quinoa, brown rice, greens, and beets sits next to a White Balsamic Dressing and another grain bowl.

Grain Bowl with White Balsamic Dressing 


  • Author: Kenny Cumberland

Description

Lunch should be both delicious and nutritious!


Ingredients

Scale

For the bowl:

  • 1 cup roasted beets
  • 1 cup quinoa, cooked according to instructions and cooled
  • 1 cup cooked and cooled brown rice
  • 1 cup baby greens such as spinach or arugula
  • Toasted bread

For the dressing: 

  • 1/2 cup shallots, chopped fine
  • 1 tbsp chopped garlic
  • 1/2 cup white balsamic
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 and 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil


Instructions

  1. Roast about a cup of cubed beets. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Same for brown rice. Wash and dry a cup of dark baby greens like spinach and arugula.
  2. Make the dressing in a blender. First, mix onion, garlic, and vinegars until smooth.
  3. Add honey and blend until smooth.
  4. With blender running, slowly add olive oil to allow for emulsification.
  5. Into a shallow bowl, spoon portions of brown rice and quinoa.
  6. Top with beets and greens.
  7. Drizzle with dressing.
  8. Serve with crusty slices of toasted bread.

Plus, check out more of Chef Kenny Cumberland’s recipes like Pizza Hot PocketsLunchtime Tamales, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Rolls.

Recipe by Chef Kenny Cumberland
Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Earl Gray and Blueberry Punch

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Two tall glasses with Earl Gray and Blueberry Punch with blueberries on top and a flower garnish.

Have you ever been craving Earl Gray tea but it’s a hot summer day and a warm drink would be overwhelming? Get your fix with our Earl Gray and Blueberry Punch. This recipe uses Earl Gray tea bags but it also incorporates smashed blueberries with tart and sweet flavors. In case you prefer your tea more on the Southern side of sweetness, you can add in sugar too. Just make sure you don’t forget the cold brewing process for a crisp, cool finish.

One glass fills with a tea-looking punch in a glass with ice and a flower garnish then another sits behind with dark punch and a blue berry garnish on a pink picnic table.

What Makes Our Earl Gray and Blueberry Punch Stand Out?

The cold brew process is what really sets our recipe apart. By using cold water to brew the tea rather than hot, it pulls out tannins (the stuff that makes tea taste sharp or bitter) slower. Blueberries also take longer to infuse so your mix needs to sit longer than it would for hot tea but the end product is full of flavor. You can even taste each part of the recipe rather than your punch turning out like water with a hint of fruit.

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Two tall glasses with Earl Gray and Blueberry Punch with blueberries on top and a flower garnish.

Earl Gray and Blueberry Punch 


  • Author: Kenny Cumberland

Description

A balance of bergamot Earl Gray and juicy blueberry.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 bags of Earl Gray tea
  • 1 cup blueberries, smashed


Instructions

  1. In a half-gallon mason jar filled with cold water, add tea bags and blueberries. Seal lid tightly. Let sit in refrigerator for 2 days.
  2. Serve cold over ice. Garnish with citrus.

Plus, check out more of Chef Kenny Cumberland’s recipes like Pizza Hot PocketsLunchtime Tamales, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Rolls.

Recipe by Chef Kenny Cumberland
Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Polish Pigs in a Blanket With Kielbasa

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Pigs in a blanket beside a side of mustard and a bowl of sauerkraut.

Hot dogs in crescent rolls are a comforting reminder of childhood and the simplicities of life. But, since we’re adults now, let’s kick Pigs in a Blanket up with a Polish twist that utilizes kielbasa. You’ll roll smoked kielbasa and roasted sauerkraut in a delicate and buttery puff pastry. Make sure to have your mustard on hand for dipping.

A white plate full of polish pigs in a blanket with kielbasa with one split open over a side of mustard.
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Pigs in a blanket beside a side of mustard and a bowl of sauerkraut.

Polish Pigs in a Blanket With Kielbasa


  • Author: Kenny Cumberland

Description

Take your hot dog and turn it into a kielbasa for this deeply savory take.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb smoked kielbasa, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 1 sheet of puff pastry, cut into 3-inch squares
  • 3 cups sauerkraut, drained


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. On a baking sheet, lay out your sauerkraut evenly. Place on bottom rack of the oven. Roast for 15 minutes till it dries and starts to brown slightly.
  3. Lay out squares of dough. Place kielbasa diagonally at one corner and roll corner to corner.
  4. Place on baking sheet with the end corner facing down.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes till golden brown. Kielbasa needs to reach 160 degrees on a meat thermometer.
  6. Remove from oven and serve with a portion of sauerkraut.
  7. Have grainy mustard on hand as a condiment.

Plus, check out more of Chef Kenny Cumberland’s recipes like Pizza Hot PocketsLunchtime Tamales, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Rolls.

Recipe by Chef Kenny Cumberland
Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Honey Sriracha Chicken Sliders

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A white plate with a chicken sandwich on top with toppings and another plate of a slider above that and a glass of tea in the upper right hand corner.

There are so many ways to chow down on chicken but one of the most essential is the Chicken Slider. These Honey Sriracha Chicken Sliders interweave the worlds of sweet, sticky honey and tangy, spicy sriracha. After you make the dressing at home, you’ll load up a bun with shredded roasted chicken, leafy green spinach, crumbles of blue cheese, slow-roasted tomatoes, and finish it off with your dressing. May we suggest serving this stack of a sandwich with Grilled Summer Squash featuring a Lime Crema and Salsa Macha?

A woman holds a chicken slider with a bunch of toppings on top and a tea in the top right corner.
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A white plate with a chicken sandwich on top with toppings and another plate of a slider above that and a glass of tea in the upper right hand corner.

Honey Sriracha Chicken Sliders


  • Author: Kenny Cumberland

Description

Sweet, spicy, and piled high.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb chicken thighs, roasted and shredded
  • 1/2 lb fresh spinach
  • ¼ lb blue cheese crumbles
  • ¼ lb roasted tomatoes
  • 1 cup honey sriracha dressing
  • Slider buns of your choice, toasted (or not!)

For the dressing:

  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup sriracha
  • ½ cup olive oil


Instructions

  1. Place all dressing ingredients in the blender and mix well.
  2. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.
  3. Serve on slider buns.

Plus, check out more of Chef Kenny Cumberland’s recipes like Pizza Hot PocketsLunchtime Tamales, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Rolls.

Recipe by Chef Kenny Cumberland
Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Chai Tea Cake Cups

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A spoon sticks out of a chai tea cake cup with blueberries on top in front of another chai tea cake cup with blueberries on top.

Dessert can be just as much a flavor adventure as dinner thanks to these Chai Tea Cake Cups. Stray away from your usual vanilla or chocolate and see how chai tea bakes up into something unique. Along with the lightly spiced cake are layers of blueberry whipped cream that’s made from freeze-dried blueberry powder.

A person holds a spoon with a scoop of Chai Tea Cake with blueberry whipped cream beside two cups of the cake and frosting.

What is Chai Tea?

Chai tea comes traditionally from India. It’s a black tea that gets brewed with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. You’ll often see it steamed with milk for a sweeter style. Outside of India, chai tea usually refers specifically to that spiced milk tea, though the word chai just means “tea” in Hindi.

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A spoon sticks out of a chai tea cake cup with blueberries on top in front of another chai tea cake cup with blueberries on top.

Chai Tea Cake Cups with Blueberry Whipped Cream


  • Author: Kenny Cumberland

Description

There’s no need for your cake cups to be boring vanilla or chocolate…


Ingredients

Scale

For the chai spice mix:

  • 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp ground ginger
  • 3 tbsp ground black cardamom
  • 1/2 tbsp ground green cardamom
  • 1/4 tbsp ground cloves

For the cake: 

  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk
  • 1 chai tea bag
  • 2 3/4 cups cake flour, sifted
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 7 tsp chai spice mix (see above)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 2/3 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

For the whipped cream:

  • 4 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup freeze-dried blueberry powder

For plating:

  • 1 cup fresh blueberries


Instructions

  1. Blend chai spice mix. Place in a container with a tight lid.
  2. Warm the milk over low heat just until boiling, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
  3. Pour the boiling milk into a heat-proof mason jar and add chai tea bag. Steep until mixture reaches room temperature.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour the sides and bottom of a half sheet cake pan.
  5. In a mixing bowl, add sifted cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 2 tbs of chai spice mix into a bowl. Whisk to combine.
  6. In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  7. Add eggs, vanilla, and sour cream and whip on high until well combined. Remember to scrape the sides of the bowl at least once!
  8. Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  9. Add the chai milk mixture slowly and mix until just incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl and check for lumps. Mix until thick but still pourable.
  10. Pour batter evenly into cake pan.
  11. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a wooden skewer emerges clean from the cake.
  12. Let cool in the pan.
  13. Using a highball glass, cut circles of cake.
  14. Place a circle of cake in the glass, press down lightly till it reaches the bottom of the glass.

For whipped cream and plating:

  1. Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  2. Add powdered sugar and freeze-dried blueberry powder.
  3. Whip until well combined and firm.
  4. Spread blueberry whipped cream over the cake. Wipe the glass down.
  5. Add another layer of cake and blueberry whipped cream.
  6. Wipe glass.
  7. Repeat one more time to get three layers.
  8. Dust with freeze-dried blueberry powder. Garnish with fresh berries. Enjoy!

Plus, check out more of Chef Kenny Cumberland’s picnic-friendly recipes like Pizza Hot PocketsLunchtime Tamales, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Rolls.

Recipe by Chef Kenny Cumberland
Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine’s print edition.

Your June 2026 Horoscope for the Full Moon in Capricorn

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A full moon in a summer blue and pink sky with palm trees below the full moon.

The June 29, 2026 Full Moon falls at 8° Capricorn, influencing your monthly horoscope and guidance. Capricorn is a sign with a long association with industry – with making something from raw materials, with work that reveals its quality over time rather than immediately. Manilius, the Roman poet-astronomer, placed Capricorn before the shrine of Vesta, the tended hearth. The fire this earth sign has some themes of maintenance to it, kept going because letting it die is costlier than feeding it.

This Full Moon arrives with Saturn squaring both the Sun and Moon from Aries. The emotional side of that – the Moon’s relationship with Saturn – is somewhat easier than the rational one; there is more capacity at this Full Moon for accepting that an obstacle exists than for seeing clearly past it. But the Full Moon is an invitation to work with the raw material in front of you. Take what’s there and make something.

Deborah Houlding’s overview of Capricorn’s history and symbolism covers the mythological and philosophical roots of the sign that a column this size can only gesture toward – including the older goat-fish association with wisdom and the transmutation of base material into something lasting.

Mars Sextile Jupiter: From In-Progress to Done

Mars is at the opening degree of Gemini and Jupiter is finishing its time in Cancer at the final degree. They are one degree apart in a separating sextile – which means this configuration is passing, and the window for making the most of it’s sooner rather than later.

A sextile between these two planets is cooperative: it responds to effort already in motion. If you’ve been building toward something – a project gaining traction, an opportunity that needs a push, a question you’ve been calculating whether you can afford to ask – this is a favorable stretch to press it. The door you’ve been pushing up against might be ready to open now, so that the move you’ve been preparing for can finally be made.

This isn’t an aspect that creates momentum, mind you. You’ve got to get the momentum going yourself, or better yet, build on momentum already in motion. The practical version is often simple: do the thing you’ve been hesitating over. Extend yourself toward something that matters while the window is open.

Mars also carries tension elsewhere this month – squaring Saturn alongside the Sun and Moon. The sextile doesn’t dissolve that friction. But between the two, there is a stretch of forward movement available to those already in gear.

Sun and Moon Both Square Saturn: We’re Under Examination

Saturn is in Aries and has been for some time. In Aries, it’s patient with weakness and isn’t inclined to soften its findings. The Sun in Cancer and the Moon in Capricorn are both in square to it at this Full Moon, which means the month’s central pressure falls on what you want to feel secure in and what Saturn is forcing to account for itself.

A square is friction. Something either strengthens under it or breaks. Saturn in Aries won’t wait for you to be ready, so it will press and press until something gives, or until it passes on (which, symbolically, happens as Saturn moves into Taurus in 2028).

In practice: commitments and ambitions that have coasted on good intentions are under scrutiny. Some will pass through it the sturdier, some won’t. Saturn isn’t sentimental, and it doesn’t distinguish between what you’d prefer to keep and what you’d prefer to lose.

The Moon, being in Saturn’s sign Capricorn, will find it somewhat easier to absorb the challenges than the Sun. You may find yourself accepting a difficulty before you can see how to resolve it. Don’t sweat it – this is an honest first step.

Mercury Retrograde: Check Before You Commit

Mercury is retrograde at this Full Moon, just stationing now and will continue for some weeks. Communication misfires will come more easily. What you hear may need verification before you act on it, and agreements that seem final may need another look.

The practical note is brief: double-check details, hold off on signing or finalizing anything that hasn’t been reviewed carefully. If you’re waiting for clarity before moving on something, the wait’s likely to be good for the end result. Mercury turns direct before month’s end.

The Moon on the Fixed Star, Facies

Facies is a nebula positioned in the face of the Archer, where the eyes are. The Moon is conjunct it at this Full Moon.

This star is of Sun and Mars nature, and the name traces to the Latin facere: to make, to do. Traditional sources associate Facies with those who carry their purpose forward regardless of the cost, raising before us the driven person who expects to sustain some damage along the way and presses on regardless.

Nebulae, being diffuse rather than sharply defined points of light in our sky, carry an ancient association with impaired or clouded sight. The Moon on such a nebula, in the face of the Archer no less, raises a particular question at this Full Moon: are you seeing what you think you’re seeing? The fiery nature of this fixed star removes any doubt as to your determination to act. Before you commit to the direction you’ve already decided on, get a second opinion. No matter how prepared you might be, the view from where you’re standing might not cover everything.

The Constellations of Words entry on Facies goes further into the star’s mythology and the historical record behind these qualities than this horoscope column can: constellationsofwords.com/facies.

Seasonal Guidance for Your Zodiac Sign – Summer is Finally Here!

As summer arrives, heat intensifies and moisture gives way to the drying quality that characterizes the season. Hot and dry together make up the year’s most extreme seasonal point, and constitutions respond differently: for those who run cold or wet, the correction is welcome; for those who already run warm, the additional heat is the season’s main challenge. Fresh produce is at its peak and suits the season broadly; lighter meals and movement in the early morning or evening work well as the heat deepens.

These suggestions are drawn from an ancient tradition of thinking about how the body’s constitution responds to seasonal change. They’re offered for consideration, not as rules to follow to the letter – take what applies to your circumstances and leave the rest. To learn more about the theory behind this guidance, see “Medieval Temperaments,” an article by astrologer Ryhan Butler at medievalastrologyguide.com/medieval-temperaments.

Fire Signs – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius

Cooling becomes the primary task as summer arrives for your constitution. Reduce exercise intensity; hard efforts in the heat are counterproductive when you’re already running warm. Meals should be lighter and smaller – vegetables, fish, cold foods. Dilute wine or switch to something lighter; heavy reds in summer heat are an inflammatory combination for a hot, dry constitution. Cool sleeping conditions shift from a preference to a need.

Earth Signs – Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo

Entering summer, your constitution comes into one of its stronger seasons. External heat counters your native coldness, and physical capacity tends to be at or near its best; use it. Eat freely from the season’s fresh produce. Some caution with alcohol in the hottest weather – your constitution handles summer’s heat well, but moderation still applies. You tend to sleep well in summer; a well-ventilated room is all the adjustment you’ll likely need.

Air Signs – Libra, Aquarius, Gemini

Summer’s heat is familiar to your constitution, and the season’s drying quality works in your favor – moderating the native wetness that spring amplified. Appetite may moderate as the heat peaks; lighter, more frequent meals suit this well – salads, fruits, cold fish. Hydration should stay top of mind. Alcohol should be lighter and more dilute; heat compounds its effects.

Water Signs – Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

For a cold, wet constitution, entering summer is the year’s most directly corrective transition – heat and dryness both work against your native qualities. Appetite tends to be good and digestion more reliable than at most other times of year. Eat freely from fresh seasonal produce; raw and cold foods are better tolerated in summer than in any other season. Exercise vigorously. Alcohol in moderation – you have more latitude here than in cooler seasons, but the heat still warrants some care. Your constitution can be sensitive to heat even when it suits you; a comfortable sleeping environment matters more than usual.

Sabian Symbol for 8° Capricorn: An Angel Comes Carrying a Harp

An angel arrives carrying a harp. The image is one of attentiveness: present when needed, bringing what the moment calls for, whose arrival itself produces a settling effect.

The positive pole of this degree is care that acts: reading what is needed and offering it because you noticed. People around this degree can inspire confidence and ease in others in ways they may not fully notice themselves.

The shadow is the Pied Piper: soothing words that carry people somewhere they shouldn’t go, comfort that covers rather than addresses what’s wrong, a harmony that exists on the surface while something unresolved sits underneath it.

Saturn squaring this Full Moon makes the question sharper. Whether in what you offer to others or in what you accept from them: is the attentiveness real, or is it cover for something that hasn’t been honestly faced?

Linda Hill’s website is the most thorough resource available for the full interpretations across all 360 degrees – the place to go to see the various symbols in your own birth chart.

What Does the June 2026 Full Moon in Capricorn Mean for Your Horoscope?

The themes of this Full Moon will play out differently depending on where Capricorn falls in your chart. What follows offers sign-by-sign guidance for working with the weeks ahead. For a more detailed picture of how this lunation engages your own chart, a consultation with a professional astrologer can help clarify what is personal and what is simply passing through.

Aries

Saturn has settled into your sign, and you’re feeling it (or, perhaps others are seeing it all around you). The pressure lands on your stamina and your capacity to bear what’s being demanded – and Saturn in Aries isn’t patient with weakness. Finances are the active secondary story: income and material security need more attention than usual, and the drive around them can run productive or combative depending on what it’s aimed at. Home is where the relief is this period – turn there for a break!

Taurus

You’re running faster than usual – maybe that’s a nice change of pace for you, though Taurus does like a bit more routine and relaxation. Mars in your sign brings more initiative and competitive edge than your natural pace tends toward, and the mind is busy with local plans and conversations that multiply on contact. Home life is easy at this Full Moon; Venus there makes domestic comfort available and pleasant. Where to direct the surplus before it turns into restlessness? Pick the thing most worth pressing and move toward it.

Gemini

Mercury retrograding through your social life means group plans and what you thought was agreed may need a second look before they’re final. Don’t push things to conclusion yet. There’s also something operating below the surface – an unresolved matter or old tension that Mars in the 12th keeps alive. The other side of that coin is you may smell rats where none exist – so let things rise on their own. Besides, Venus in your 3rd house gives you a bit of luck this month with everyday matters, and it may resolve on its own.

Cancer

Close relationships are the main event at this Full Moon. The Moon in Capricorn falls in your partnership house, and what’s been developing in close relationships comes fully into view. Consider burdens and costs – both others place on you, and where you may have been such to others. A close relationship needs more clarity than you may currently have. You have the energy and presence this period to take on whatever comes, as the Sun and Mercury are both in your sign. 

Leo

Career ambition is high, and Mars in your 10th house gives you an edge worth using. This period can produce visible professional progress if you expect it to. Venus in your sign makes you personally engaging and socially smooth, which helps. The Sun in the 12th suggests something still developing quietly behind the scenes; not everything is ready to surface yet, and that’s fine. Follow the career thread. What’s forming in the background will become clearer when Mercury turns direct.

Virgo

The Full Moon lands in your creative and romantic life. Whatever has been developing there comes into clear view at this Full Moon, and the emotions around it run higher. Jupiter in the 11th keeps the field wide through friends and social connections – a supportive backdrop for what surfaces. Venus in the 12th is softer: something soothing or attractive operating just below the surface, not yet named. This is a period to pay close attention to what brings you pleasure.

Libra

Your career and public standing are prominent – the Sun in your professional house makes your work visible, and this is a period to lead and press forward on what you’ve been building. But close relationships are under more pressure: Saturn in your partnership house is testing what those bonds are built on, and the examination isn’t necessarily going to feel so gentle. Your ruling planet Venus in the 11th offers ease through friends and social life, which provides plenty of relief from the partnership scrutiny.

Scorpio

Professional life is moving well. Venus in your career house makes public-facing interactions smooth, and this period favors professional dealings and anything requiring you to be effective with people in authority. Partnerships are more charged: Mars in your relationship house brings energy to one-to-one connections that can run passionate and collaborative or combative, depending on whether the drive is pointed toward something shared. Watch for territorialism – from you, or ‘them.’ The Sun in the 9th draws your attention toward broader questions of direction, and it’s a good month for personal reflection.

Sagittarius

Daily work (especially chores and those kinds of things that need doing but are never appreciated) and health are under active pressure. Mars in the 6th drives hard on efficiency and effort, but pushing past your physical limits will cost more than it gains. Pace yourself. Jupiter is also expanding shared resources or a partner’s finances, and that story deserves close attention. Venus in the 9th makes travel and philosophical study appealing, and that direction offers pleasure worth taking if the work pressure allows for it.

Capricorn

The Full Moon is in your own sign, so that could mean the month’s focus is more personal for you than for the other signs. The Sun and Mercury in your partnership house light up close relationships and make conversations there carry more weight than usual. But Mercury retrograding through that same territory means what you communicate and what the other person hears may differ. Don’t assume clarity you don’t have! That can produce a multitude of problems that are easier sorted from the outset.

Aquarius

Home life is charged – Mars in the 4th brings friction to domestic matters, tension with family or pressure around your living situation that can no longer go unaddressed. (This includes roommates and tenants in your building.) Jupiter in the 6th is the more positive story: work is expanding and the effort you put into your routine is paying off. Venus in the 7th keeps partnerships easy and affectionate – if you’re seeking romance, get out there! Just be sure to attend to the home front, as the rest is in good shape.

Pisces

Social life and friendships are where the emotional weight of this Full Moon falls, which should give you ample opportunity to be there for those who are going through something major and could benefit from your wisdom. Jupiter in the 5th keeps creative life and romance in generous supply. This month, self-expression pays back in dividends. Venus in the 6th makes daily work more pleasant and working relationships more harmonious. There is quite a lot to draw on this period.

Want to see a professional astrologer? I offer birth chart consultations that explore dominant life themes through your present circumstances – whether you want to understand what’s ahead or build a clearer picture of your timing. Get a sense of what we can accomplish together.

Plus, discover your Summer Solstice Horoscope!

Horoscope Author

Wade Caves, based in Brooklyn, NY, is an astrological consultant and educator specializing in problem-solving applications of astrology. He teaches astrological divination and astronomy at the School of Traditional Astrology. Wade also publishes his work on world astrology through Skyscript’s In Mundo publishing desk. He even hosts the World Astrology Summit. A conference dedicated to the advancement of astrology for global problem-solving. Website: wadecaves.com • skyscript.co.uk/inmundo. Email: hello@wadecaves.com.

Story by Wade Caves
Photo Courtesy of Stephanie Greene

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Easy Summer Lunch Ideas for Kids and Busy Moms

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A turkey and apple sandwich side up on a white plate next to chips.

The bell has rung — yes, school’s out for summer — and the kids who were previously occupied for the hours of approximately 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. are now at home clamoring for attention, desperately seeking entertainment, and seemingly always hungry. Who coined the phrase “the lazy days of summer?” Someone without kids at home, no doubt. 

We combed through our recipes to find some easy-but-elevated summer lunch ideas for kids to add a light breeziness to your sunny days. 

Quick and Easy Summer Lunch Ideas to Make for Kids

The Classic Pairing, Upgraded: Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese and Pear

This combo was born during World War II, served to military personnel and school kids when Campbell’s soup, pre-sliced bread, and sliced cheese became widely available. We’ve come a long way since then. If you haven’t yet tried making your own tomato soup, take our word for it: it is sublime and well worth the effort. Pairing it with this creamy and subtly sweet sandwich is the stuff of comfort food dreams. 

On a Roll: Hot Dog Roll-Ups

Four hot dog roll-ups sit on a green plate agasint a green backgrouns

This is a fun recipe to make with older kids as they will love the theater of it all. Start in the morning, as it takes some time for the dough to rise — which is always a wonder, as is kneading the sticky mixture. You could even invite their friends to come and roll their own dogs. If you prefer less theatrics and more ease, crescent roll dough is a perfect swap in. 

One for Mom (or Dad): High Protein Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt

Three plates full of High Protein Chicken Salad with nuts on top.

Having a big container of chicken salad in the fridge is akin to the oxygen mask on a plane. You can deal with the kids’ lunch prep — or whatever comes at you — when you have a nutrient-dense, sweet-and-savory salad at the ready. You can even grab a fork and eat right out of the bowl, we won’t tell. 

Leftover’s Delight: Chicken and Orzo Soup

A black bowl of Chicken and Orzo Soup with a silver ladle in it.

While there’s a bit of chopping involved here, using orzo, which cooks right in the broth, and leftover (or rotisserie) chicken, means this soup comes together pretty quickly. If your little ones are averse to “green things,” you can always skip the arugula — or add that in after you’ve ladled bowls for them. 

Go Fishing: Fancy Fish Sticks

These fancy fish sticks from Michaela Blaney will be your new weeknight dinner hero.

Getting kids to eat fish is always a win. This recipe is user-friendly; it just requires a bit of planning as it uses cooked salmon, which is available in many grocery stores’ prepared food cases. You can even make a big batch as fish sticks freeze well. Pair the crunchy treat with cut cantaloupe or — even easier — red grapes.

Lunch on the Go: Turkey and Granny Smith Apple Sandwich or White Bean Tuna Salad Wraps

We chose this recipe as it brings in the sweetness that kids love. Perhaps it will inspire you to add sliced fruit to other sandwiches? Some options include Virginia ham with peaches or pineapple on a Hawaiian roll; peanut butter with strawberries, apples, or bananas on wheat bread; or chicken salad with red grapes on mini croissants.

This wrap is great as it ups the protein with both white beans and tuna, it’s easy to hold, and it packs well in your cooler for a day at the pool. If you — or your kids — don’t like onion, skip it; there’s still plenty of tanginess from the lemon juice. And if you prefer tuna in water, that works as well. 

Fun to Make Together: Homemade Hot Pockets

A pizza roll hot pocket lays on a piece of butcher paper as another lays split open, facing the camera in the upper right hand corner.

This lunch is a twofer as it solves your what-to-eat dilemma and doubles as a fun kids-in-the-kitchen activity, making it great for a rainy day. Many groceries sell refrigerated dough — or you could also make this into a three-fer by adding in a road trip to a pizzeria to buy their dough. You can always call your local pizza shop, buying dough balls is not an uncommon ask. 

Get on the Stick: Caprese Kebabs 

An aerial shot of four Caprese Kebabs sitting on a green plate. A bowl of carrots and dip sit nearby. Caprese Kebabs Recipe

Kids love novelty — and what’s more unique than eating lunch off of a stick? Depending on their ages, kids can help thread the tomatoes, mozzarella, and ham onto the skewers. As this recipe has dipping sauce, add your child’s favorite cut veggies as a side. A word from someone who’s been there: be sure to take the sticks before the kids start using them as mini swords — or maybe just after?

Story by Lauri Gravina

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Collier’s Cuts: Spielberg Looks to the Skies Once Again with Movie ‘Disclosure Day’

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Emily Blunt with teary eyes looking up at the sky in her home.
Emily Blunt in DISCLOSURE DAY, directed by Steven Spielberg.
An orange review card giving disclosure day 3/5 stars beside a photo of crop circles from the movie.

Steven Spielberg has dealt with the subject of extraterrestrials on three occasions; two of those films, E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, are all-time classics. (Your mileage may vary on War of the Worlds.) Now, the filmmaker returns to the topic with his 35th feature Disclosure Day — though the visitors in this film are already among us.

The Truth is Out There In Spielberg’s New Movie Disclosure Day

Josh O’Connor stars as Daniel Kellner, a young cybersecurity expert on the run. When the film begins, he’s in a jam; he’s stolen a trove of secrets from his former employer, a shadowy, high-tech NGO with an interest in extraterrestrial technology. They have him cornered; his girlfriend, a former novitiate turned agnostic (Eve Hewson), has been kidnapped to coerce his cooperation.

Kellner manages to escape with both his paramour and his loot, but the bad guys are on his tail. He receives vague instructions from another errant former coworker (Colman Domingo) and hops between safe houses; meanwhile, in Kansas City, an ambitious meteorologist has a bad day at work. Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) breaks down during a weather forecast, unleashing a bizarre series of clicks and glossal exclamations before collapsing. Oh — and she’s suddenly telepathic, drawn to find and assist Kellner despite having never met him.

A Cat-and-Mouse Game, but the Cat and the Mouse Are Aliens

For most of Disclosure Day’s 145-minute runtime, Kellner and Fairchild are evading capture. The villains, led by a steely exec named Scanlon (Colin Firth), are tracking them through a sort of high-tech astral projection; Scanlon can both occupy the minds of those around our heroes and take over the motor functions of their compatriots.

That conceit (and a similar trick that Fairchild can conjure) add a bit of variety, and Spielberg draws decent tension out of high-concept situations. The trouble, though, is that this sort of story — noble outlaws trying to stay alive and at large — renders the circumstances moot. Kellner and Fairchild could be spies trying to escape a hostile nation; they could be bandits trying to abscond with the loot from a train robbery. No matter how novel the subject matter is, the action itself is somewhat tiring.

Blame the screenwriter, perhaps. David Koepp has a number of undeniable efforts to his name; he co-wrote Jurassic Park with the novelist Michael Crichton, collaborated on the original Mission: Impossible script and penned the 2002 Spider-Man film on his own. He also, however, has a sturdy roster of duds: Tom Cruise in the franchise-killing The Mummy, the abominable Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the aforementioned War of the Worlds.

Spielberg has worked with Koepp frequently; they’re clearly close. Perhaps, though, he should’ve looked at his own track record: When Spielberg does aliens without Koepp, he makes a masterpiece. When they team up, the results are middling.

It’s Too Good to Be Bad

Fortunately, there’s simply too much talent here to let Disclosure Day fall apart. Spielberg turns pedestrian sequences into feats of action and tension. The supporting cast — particularly Domingo and Hewson — elevate their co-stars. And handsome cinematography, by longterm Spielberg collaborator Janusz Kamiński, gives the film a metallic, conspiratorial air.

The concluding sequence is wonderful. I won’t spoil it, but the last 20 minutes had me riveted. At the risk of second-guessing some of the most successful people in Hollywood, I think the film should’ve started there — a look at the world after the titular Disclosure Day would’ve been far more fascinating than the extended chase sequence we got, handsome though it was.

It’s still Spielberg, though. Even if some swings don’t result in a home run, he never strikes out.

Story by Sean Collier
Featured Photo Courtesy of Niko Tavernise/Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment

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