ASTROLOGICAL HIGHLIGHTS OF JULY 2020

Declaration of Independence (circa 1970-80)

by 

B. Martin Pedersen

Library of Congress

“When a planet returns to its natal position, the native hunkers down with the archetype in question. There’s a re-examination of what that symbol means. For the United States, the return of Pluto is a call for the country to reconsider its use of military, political, economic, and cultural power. It’s about breaking down the whole notion of power and refurbishing it, so that it fits the world as it is now.”

—Astrologer Jessica Murray, “Right Use of Power: The U.S. Pluto Return,” The Mountain Astrologer, February/March 2014

The Big Picture in July

 The theme of change is particularly strong this month. One cosmic harbinger of change is the culmination of eclipse season that spanned the months of June and July. The last of three eclipses, the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, occurs late at night on July 4 for those on the West Coast and early on July 5 for those living on the East Coast. As you know, eclipses are periods when matters come to light, either for us personally or for the collective. When issues are illuminated, we often feel the need to alter something in our lives or in society. 

 

The Penumbral Lunar eclipse occurs at 9:44 PM PDT when the Sun is at 13° Cancer 37ʹ and the opposing Moon is at 13° Cancer 37ʹ. Individuals, organizations, or countries with natal planets at or close to this degree of the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn) are most likely to be affected by the energy of this eclipse. In the most frequently used natal chart of the United States, the Sibley Chart, the natal Sun is at 13° Cancer 19ʹ, a nearly exact conjunction! Needless to say, many citizens of the United States have been demanding extensive changes in our society in recent weeks. In the next section of this article, I will be discussing the Pluto return in the chart of the United States.

Mars moved into Aries late last month, and will be exhibiting its initiatory energy in July. Mars will be spending a much longer time in the sign of his rulership than he usually spends in a sign. Mars will move forward in Aries for two months, and then go retrograde in September, and will continue in Aries until January 6/7 in 2021. 

In the symbolic language of astrology, Mars represents action. Mars is poised to go after what he wants. He can be assertive or he can be aggressive.  Mars may harmlessly engage in sports or participate in more destructive activities, such as war. He can be passionately adoring or angry. 

I am pleased to report that in July, Mars favors many creative endeavors with his fellow planet buddies, when he joins Jupiter, Pluto, Saturn, and the North Node in quintile aspects. Quintiles indicate harmonious energy that has the capacity to utilize talents to bring forth a tangible product or outcome.

Yet, these are times of conflict, and Mars and other planets represent this. Twice this month (July 8 and July 27) Mars and Mercury form a square, indicating the potential for wars of words. Moreover, the slow-moving dwarf planet Eris (in Aries), who symbolizes strife, chaos and discord, continues to square powerful slow-moving Pluto (in Capricorn), although not in exact aspect.

We can cheer when Mercury, the planet of communication, moves direct on July 13, although this mischievous cosmic body will not be out of its shadow until July 27. We can expect that misunderstandings and malfunctions will decrease later in the month.

In July, we have as many as five planets in retrograde motion at the start of the month and by the end of the month we still have four planets (Jupiter, Pluto, Saturn, and Neptune) moving backwards. What this might signify is that we have much to reflect on and we might spend our time internally focused. Nevertheless, we can still do extensive planning and put things in motion, although we might not see significant progress until 2021.

Looking Ahead to the Pluto Return in 2022

July is the birthday month for the United States and it seems fitting that we discuss a major event that will occur in two years. In 2022, Pluto will return to the same degree in its natal chart of July 4, 1776. This will occur three times in 2022, the first on February 20, the second on July 11, and the third on December 28. 

To recap, Pluto symbolizes an array of related concepts. It signifies power as well as the misuse of power. This planet can also stand for the powerful class (the Plutocracy). It represents the death and rebirth process that is central to the existence of life as it evolves over time. In this fundamental process, life must purge decay in order for new life to emerge. In the language of astrology, Pluto is the impetus for transformation.

The ever-insightful astrologer Jessica Murray says in the quote at the beginning of the article that a planet’s return to its natal position is a time to examine our life vis a vis the meaning the planet. In this case, it is a country examining its role in relation to its people and to its role in the world. In its natal chart, the U.S. has Pluto in the second house. In the symbolism of the zodiac, the second house represents our possessions, our values, money, and the talents we use to acquire resources. Murray says that Pluto’s placement in the second house “helps us to understand the peculiar intensity with which Americans covet, acquire, and hold their territory.”

 In her 2014 article, the prescient Jessica Murray suggests that in the Pluto return, there is a demand that the U.S. question behaviors it has long considered normal. In her view, it is time for the U.S. to shift its values and its priorities. For many years, segments of our society have been calling for major changes to our health care system and to our relationship to the environment, but in recent months the intensity of these and other messages (i.e. Black Lives Matter) has reached a fever pitch.

I constructed a biwheel chart that includes a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse event chart for Philadelphia on July 5, 2020 that surrounds the U.S. Sibley chart for July 4, 1776. (These use the Koch system of houses). The chart appears at the end of the section. 

At the time of the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse, transiting Pallas Athena, Jupiter, and Pluto are within a 4° orb of an exact conjunction with natal Pluto in Capricorn. Transiting Saturn has already traveled past natal Pluto in a separating aspect with an orb of a little over two degrees. 

Jupiter and Pluto are called the social planets of the zodiac. They reflect the institutions of our society. Jupiter is often associated with religious bodies, higher education, the legal system, publishing and entities associated with foreign relations. Alternatively, Saturn is broadly about structures and these can include government and business institutions. Hence, as these symbols of social structures transit natal Pluto, they appear to be up for reassessment in a new world order. Additionally, the dwarf planet Pallas Athena is in the mix of these transiting planets. This cosmic representative signifies the strategic thinking that benefits our cause when we are involved in battle or in some situation where our interests are at stake. Given that these planets are transiting the second house, their symbolism suggests that this is the time to develop strategies (Pallas Athena)  to create a broader philosophy of justice and inclusion (Jupiter) where institutions and laws (Saturn) will reflect our ethos.

 

 

Significant Days in July

 Below you will find a table of astrological events for this month. You can assess the quality of significant days by noting when planets form exact aspects and where all this activity takes place in your natal chart. 

Here is a basic key for understanding the meaning of the aspects: 

The Conjunction: This aspect represents the merging and fusion of energies by two (or more planets) that have joined at a particular degree (or within a specified orb). This combined energy is very potent. When this occurs, we might feel subjective about a matter in our lives.

The Sextile (60°): Planets in this formation are harmonious and lend themselves to cooperation. Astrologer Sue Tompkins says there is a quality of “coaxing” in sextiles. In other words, if we put in a little effort at these times, we can take advantage of opportunities in a situation.

The Quintile (72°): Planets in this aspect represent the type of harmony inherent in creative endeavors. It might often describe the impulse to fuse an idea into a tangible substance. Quintiles often describe the talents possessed by individuals.

The Square (90°): Planets that line up in this aspect reflect incompatible energies with contrasting needs. Consequently, we can describe this planetary relationship as tense and strained. Because these energies can be working at cross-purposes, the situation at hand may require us to make choices. The “silver lining” is that squares compel us to take action and this often results in dispelling tension. If we are conscious of the dilemma, we can use the excess energy in a matter so that we can achieve something useful.

The Trine (120°): There is an ease in the relationship between planets involved with this aspect because they are of the same element. At this time, we can perform activities with a flowing energy. We enjoy these activities, and they often reflect our innate talents. Because this energy is so comfortable, it often does not promote growth. Yet, these aspects reflect how we can be healed.

The Quincunx (150°): Planets forming this relationship appear to have nothing in common. These planets display energies that are out of step with one another. There can be an element of irritation and stress because of this, but it is not a confrontative type of energy. If we are conscious of this reality, we can make adjustments to the relationship such that we do not feel so out of sync.

The Opposition (180°): This relationship between planets brings to our awareness how something is different from our preferred position. We could be in conflict with others about a matter. Also, we might shift our preference from one point of view to its opposite. Yet, we can also find common ground in this relationship. This aspect has the potential for us to integrate our perspectives.

JULY 2020 ASTROLOGICAL EVENTS

Date of Exact or Near Exact Aspect	Pacific Time	Astrological Events
July 1	12:00 AM	Sun 9° Cancer 52ʹ sextile Uranus 9° Taurus 52ʹ
July 1	9:56 AM	Mercury 9° Cancer 24ʹ square Chiron 9° Aries 24ʹ
July 1	4:37 PM	Saturn retrogrades back into Capricorn
July 4	9:44 PM	Full Moon Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
July 6	4:40 PM	Mars 5° Aries 16ʹ quintile Jupiter 23° Capricorn 16ʹ
July 7	7:38 PM	Mars 5° Aries 55ʹ quintile Pluto 23° Capricorn 55ʹ
July 8	3:41 AM	Mercury 6° Cancer 07ʹ square Mars 6° Aries 07ʹ
July 10	11:37 AM	Venus 9° Gemini 26ʹ sextile Chiron 9° Aries 26ʹ
July 11	2:09 PM	Chiron turns retrograde at 9° Aries 26ʹ
July 12	11:43 AM	Sun 20 Cancer 51 trine Neptune 20 Pisces 51
July 13	1:26 AM	Mercury turns direct
July 13	11:11 PM	Sun 22° Cancer 16ʹ quintile Uranus 10° Taurus 16ʹ
July 14	12:58 AM	Sun 22° Cancer 20ʹ opposition Jupiter 22° Capricorn 20ʹ
July 14	2:07 AM	Mars 9 Aries 26 conjunction Chiron 9 Aries 26
July 15	12:12 PM	Sun 23 Cancer 44 opposition Pluto 23 Capricorn 44
July 16	8:15 PM	Mars 10° Aries 55ʹ quintile Saturn 28° Capricorn 55ʹ
July 20	10:32 AM	New Moon at 28° Cancer 26ʹ
July 20	3:28 PM	Sun 28 Cancer 38 opposition Saturn 28 Capricorn 38
July 21	8:51 AM	Mercury 9 Cancer 24 square Chiron 9 Aries 24
July 22	1:37 AM	Sun enters Leo
July 22	1:25 PM	Mercury 10 Cancer 28 sextile Uranus 10 Taurus 28
July 25	10:00 AM	Mars 15° Aries 17ʹ quintile True Node 27° Gemini 17ʹ
July 27	9:07 AM	Jupiter 20° Capricorn 39ʹ sextile Neptune 20° Pisces 39ʹ
July 27	10:36 AM	Venus 20° Gemini 39ʹ quincunx Jupiter 20° Capricorn 39ʹ
July 27	10:48 AM	Venus 20° Gemini 39ʹ square Neptune 20° Pisces 39ʹ
July 27	2:46 PM	Mercury 16° Cancer 20ʹ square Mars 16° Aries 20ʹ
July 28	6:45 AM	Venus 21° Gemini 19ʹ quintile Chiron 9°Aries 19ʹ
July 30	7:17 AM	Mercury 20° Cancer 18ʹ opposition Jupiter 20° Capricorn 18ʹ
July 30	11:44 AM	Mercury 20° Cancer 36ʹ trine Neptune 20° Pisces 36ʹ
July 30	6:50 PM	Venus 23° Gemini 22ʹ quincunx Pluto 23° Capricorn 22ʹ
July 31	5:20 PM	Mercury 22° Cancer 36ʹ quintile Uranus 10° Taurus 36ʹ
July 31	6:15 PM	Sun 9 Leo 16 trine Chiron 9 Aries 16