Mother and Child, Kashmir, oil on canvas by Charles W. Bartlett, c. 1930s
[Public domain], via
Wikimedia Commons
The Big Picture
The Big Picture
As we enter the month of July, there are five planets in
retrograde motion: Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. Jupiter will soon
shift to direct motion on July 13. However, by July 23 we will once again have
five planets moving retrograde when the planet of communication, Mercury, joins
this backwards team. During these summer months we can expect to do a lot of
reviewing, whether in our personal lives or in the realm of work. There is a
sense that we need to revisit certain issues, and in that process we can
revise, retool, repair, revamp and reestablish our projects and ourselves.
The most recent planet to begin the retrograde cycle is Mars,
which started moving backward the last week of June. In astrological symbolism,
Mars represents our warrior spirit, the energy that drives us to seek out what and
who we want. We defend or seize whatever we believe is in alignment with our
principles, our goals, or the authority that guides us. The retrograde phase
for Mars could signal a time when we are in retreat, although not necessarily
inactive. This might be the opportune time to reconsider our strategies and
plan for future efforts. Mars will move direct again on August 28, but it will
not exit its shadow period (i.e. move beyond the zodiac territory it retraced)
until October 10.
However, there is another take on this Mars retrograde period.
During their retrograde periods, planets are closest to the earth. Therefore, when
Mars is close to our earth, the energy really “heats up.” Moreover, retrograde periods
represent energy that is held within. Hence, we have the potential for pent up anger
that goes unexpressed for a time. Other planetary triggers can cause this energy
to explode. We can expect that people might be extreme in their actions at this
time.
The currents of change are set off by the set of eclipses that
occur in July. From an astrological point of view, eclipses are about issues in
our lives or in our society that need to be illuminated. Something that has remained
hidden might emerge for us to see in clear view at this time. Because Jupiter
is in Scorpio until November, we have much energy in the cosmos facilitating
exposés.
Mars and Uranus play important roles during this eclipse
season. During this month, Mars in early Aquarius moves no farther than 3° from
the lunar South Node, the celestial point that represents the experience we
need to release before we can begin the growth process of the North Node. Mars
energy “gets us going,” and its conjunction with the South Node could act as
the surgical tool requisite to expunge our old habits. Meanwhile, Uranus in
Taurus squares these nodes of fate, signaling that some unanticipated upheaval
could bring change in a new direction. The day before the July 12 Partial Solar
Eclipse, Mars and Uranus form a square, an aspect that will last through the month.
This square reflects great tension that requires a release of energy.
The New Moon @ 20°41´Cancer occurs on July 12 @ 7:47 pm PDT.
This is a Partial Solar Eclipse where the Moon is aligned between the Sun and
the Earth. Pluto opposes the Sun and Moon at this solar eclipse, which could
mean that we experience a major power dynamic at this time. As a symbol of
decay and rebirth, Pluto signals that much needs to be expunged at this time.
What needs to be destroyed depends upon our particular reference point. On a
personal level, this might relate to addictions and obsessions. At the societal
level, there could be elevated tensions between nations or political groups at
this solar eclipse.
Other planetary energies are intertwined with the Partial Solar Eclipse. Jupiter square Mercury could reflect temptations to speak
before thinking with our words getting out of hand. If we can harness the
idealism and spiritual qualities of Neptune as it sextiles Pluto, we can fare
better in a potential standoff. Nevertheless, this New Moon is a time for us to
begin setting new intentions for the next month. Because the Sun and Moon are
in Cancer, it might be a particularly good time to set goals pertaining to our
home, our family, and matters concerning how we nurture or how we want to be
nurtured. Cancer is about mothering, and we might see something major emerge
around the separation of mothers (or parents) and their children, an issue that
has occurred for those seeking asylum in the U.S.
The Full Moon @4°45′ Aquarius/Leo occurs at 1:20 pm PDT on
July 27 and it will be the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st
century, lasting 1 hour and 43 minutes.[1]
This Blood Moon lunar eclipse occurs in the rather dispassionate sign of
Aquarius but in opposition to the Sun in the joyful sign of Leo. Recall that
the solar eclipse was in the emotional sign of Cancer. Perhaps the issues of
the day call for us to find solutions in our community (Aquarius) and in
passionate endeavors (Leo) to assist us in tackling the issues that emerge at
this time.
All this month, we observe that Uranus, the symbol for
unexpected disruption, forms a harmonious trine with Saturn, which symbolizes
borders, whether these are healthy or unnecessary borders. Some event in our
personal lives or in the social or worldly realm might shatter something that
was previously defined. Because trines are easy flowing energy, they are
associated with activities that occur without resistance. In its most
advantageous form, this could represent traditional (Saturn) people working
well with progressive (Uranus) persons to achieve some end.
The First Week (July 1-7)
The energy from the Capricorn Full Moon late in the evening
on June 27 is now waning. Nevertheless, the message from that lunation was to
focus on matters to which we can show commitment. Capricorn is serious about
getting work done, and we can ride on this energetic wave until the New Moon on
July 12.
With Mercury squaring Uranus at the beginning of this first
week, we might notice mental tension. When we are able to verbalize our
concerns, we might be abrupt and unusual in our speech. We might say things
that are “off the cuff.” Our ideas might be perceived as “radical,” which might
be negative or positive, depending on our audience.
The asteroid Chiron symbolizes our wound from which we learn
and are able to heal others. This astral body will begin its retrograde phase
on July 5 and will not move direct until December 8th. This could be
a period when our focus is inward in order to reflect on the aspects of the
wound that remain unresolved.
The Second Week (July 8-14)
Preceding its reversal of direction, Mercury enters its
shadow period on July 8. The shadow represents the area of the zodiac that
Mercury retraces before it moves ahead in the zodiac after its retrograde
period. Mercury will leave its shadow on September 13.
Venus begins transiting earthy Virgo on July 9 at 7:32 pm
PDT. Virgo brings the quality of discernment to this planet concerned with
relationships and values, including monetary concerns. This is a powerful
combination when it comes to beautifying ourselves or our environment. Virgo
can bring an element of discipline to our health routines.
Big time revelations might emerge when Jupiter turns direct
at 4°13′ Scorpio on July 10. Be sure to tune into news stories around this
time. (Could we be in for some more Mueller investigation information)? If we
don’t hear about the uncovering of information, we might just be feeling
intensely exuberant or passionate. Depending on our personal tastes, we each
get to pick what that concerns!
At the end of the week, on July 12 at 7:48 pm PDT we
experience the major event of this week—the Partial Solar Eclipse at 20°41′. This
conjunction of the Sun and the Moon in Cancer in an eclipse brings the
potential for great emotionality, especially with Jupiter and Neptune in water
signs. We can appeal to a sense of caring at this time in a conscious manner,
but we need to steer clear of manipulation.
The Third Week (July 15-21)
This could be an unusual week that pertains to “other
worldly” occurrences. If we stay attuned to more than just the rational world,
we might understand what this energy is about.
This week begins with Mercury in a TriSeptile to Neptune,
which represents reaching a “fork in the road of destiny.” I am new to
understanding this astrological aspect, but the information that I have is that
it concerns situations that might occur for no rational reason. Mercury has to
do with the rational mind and communication. On the other hand, Neptune is the
realm of the imagination and the spiritual. As I write this, I am thinking of a
concept of the 12 Step recovery movements in which participants state a belief
in a power greater than oneself. How will this singular phenomenon operate at
this time will be something I am interested in observing!
On Friday, July 20, Saturn forms a quintile with Neptune.
Quintiles are about talents or gifts. We might witness tangible outcomes
(Saturn) when we use our gifts of imagination and spirituality (Neptune).
The Fourth Week (July 22-28)
This is a week of eventful changes. It starts off with the
Sun beginning its transit of the joyful sign of Leo at 2:00 pm PDT on July 22.
This brings more extroverted energy to our lives. Although Cancer energy has
much to do with mothering, the sign of Leo has to do with children and the
creativity that comes naturally to them.
Mercury has gotten a bad reputation for causing havoc in the
realm of communication when it goes into retrograde motion, which it will do
beginning on July 25th at 10:02 pm PDT at 23°27′ Leo and will continue until
August 19. Retrograde phases are not always the same because they occur at
different places in our charts. It is helpful at this time to just be aware
that our mental faculties and communication might be operating differently, and
that we might need to review our work to get things right.
On Friday at 1:20 pm PDT, we experience the significant
Total Lunar Eclipse at 4°45′ Aquarius. Although Aquarius is a sign known for
its humanitarian spirit, it can also be somewhat dispassionate, but in a
scientific manner. Perhaps we can gain some perspective (the Moon and Sun
opposition) to adjust our emotional needs with our ego needs. As I mentioned in
the Big Picture section above, this eclipse appears to nudge us into clearing
our old habits in order to make way for new ways of being.
The Fifth Week (July 29-31)
During the last three days of the month, we are still
processing the energy of the Total Lunar Eclipse. Aside from this, we have
other planetary activity.
Mars is a focal point at this time as it opposes the Sun and
squares Uranus. Our energy might feel revved up, but the reflective nature of
Aquarius and Mars retrograde might temper this usually volatile combination.
However, we might still experience the unexpected and be thrust into
spontaneous interchanges.
Simultaneously, we have jovial and expansive Jupiter in a
trine relationship with imaginative and spiritual Neptune. This could amp up
our creative output or could reflect overindulgence in mind-altering
substances.
Pluto trine Venus intensifies our passions and attractions
to people or to beautiful things. The only thing to be wary of are unhealthy
obsessions.
MAY YOU ALL BE WELL CARED FOR DURING THIS MONTH OF JULY!
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