THE COSMIC WEATHER REPORT JULY 2011
This may be a quieter month than June, which had Eclipses at its beginning, middle and end, two planetary stations, and Summer Solstice. Of course the July 1 Solar Eclipse addressed in the discussion for the week of June 26-July 2 begins the month, and that can be a catalyst to changes in awareness and sometimes in circumstances, especially as the Uranus station is coming up.
Uranus will turn retrograde* on July 9, bringing a surge of changes to culmination before a period of a few months during which we incorporate those changes into our lives. Expect some declarations of independence, breakouts and breakthroughs, and unexpected developments, from the first of the month until at least mid-July.
Full Moon comes on July 14 and may trigger some of those changes just mentioned. This is the Cancer time of year, often a time when family concerns, reunions and family visits are part of the mix. Make that a positive time.
Sun enters confident, expressive Leo on July 22, leading us into mid-summer, a time of enjoyment, play, and, for many of us, vacations and travel.
New Moon comes ‘round noon on July 30. It’s a good time to launch new projects, especially since Mercury turns retrograde* on August 2.
There are quite a few days this month when the Moon will be void of course** much or all of the day. These include July 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,10,12, 17 and 29. There are other times when the Moon is void for a few hours, but these are days to particularly watch, as matters seem to drift a bit during a v.o.c.
Mars is in Gemini all month. We tend to be mobile and communicative and covering a lot of territory without necessarily a lot of follow-through. This is a great time to be in touch with people, including those you always mean to phone but don’t get around to it.
Jupiter is newly in Taurus. This is a great placement for building in the material sense, whether this means physical structures or your bank account. It’s a good time to get finances in order.
WEEK BY WEEK:
June 26-July 2: On Sunday and Monday we should allow for the unexpected and a few challenges. The Sun will square Uranus, planet of the unexpected, willfulness and independence, early Sunday morning. Each of us may need to express our individuality all at once. Taking time alone may be a good solution. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Sun is opposite Pluto. For one thing, we will tend to want control of our lives, which can lead to opposing wills. For another, hidden issues and problems may be coming to light. Make positive transformation your goal, and take things lightly.
The Moon “occults” Venus late Wednesday night, peaking at 11:33 p.m. MDT. That is, the Moon will cross in front of Venus, hiding it from view. This is similar to an Eclipse in that one body blocks another from view. I’m not sure what this might portend, but one obvious guess is that it might support shifts and changes in relationships and relationship consciousness. If you’ve wanted to change any patterns in your relationships, this might be a good night to affirm that and seek a new beginning. This is especially so because we are in the quiet and introspective “dark of Moon” time before New Moon, and the New Moon just happens to be more potent because its a Solar Eclipse. Because this Solar Eclipse occurs at night in the continental United States, there will be nothing to observe in the sky, though it is still a good time to effect changes in consciousness.
The Solar Eclipse/New Moon comes very early Friday morning, 2:54 a.m. MDT. The Sun and Moon will be in Cancer, square to Saturn and opposite Pluto. The sign Cancer is sensitive, emotional, and vulnerable. Saturn and Pluto in alignment can indicate hindrances and struggles, exacerbated by the sensitivity of the Sun and Moon in Cancer. It may be a time to stop and attend to our emotional natures. This is especially likely, as Mercury is at the end of Cancer, which brings out vulnerabilities even more.
Mercury enters Leo ‘round midnight on Friday. We’ll wake up Saturday feeling sunnier, regardless of the weather.
July 3-9: The most important thing to be aware of this week is that Uranus is turning retrograde* on Saturday. As you know by now, or will learn by referring to the footnote, planets at their “stations,” turning retrograde or direct, seem to be magnified in their influence. Uranus is a planet of change, a shatterer of forms. When Uranus energy is high, as it is now, there can be chaos, unexpected developments, or just scattered energy and lack of focus. Depending on how strongly Uranus is affecting your chart at this time, you may be restless, longing for change, wanting to break out of static or outmoded forms in your life.
Many people will be making changes around this time, changing jobs, moving, ending relationships, and breaking up routines. Even if your life seems to be immune from such patterns, you’ll likely see it happening around you and you may be affected by others’ changes. Once we are 3 or 4 weeks past the station, we will be in a phase of digesting and incorporating changes made at and prior to the station, while Uranus was direct, and making new changes will be more difficult until Uranus once again turns direct in early December.
Give some thought this week to how you would benefit from change in your life, whether it is breaking old patterns, trying something new, or simply clearing clutter or refreshing your surroundings or your wardrobe. Take some significant direction to further those possibilities; you will benefit from it.
Aside from the Uranus station, it is good to note that the Moon will be void of course from 10:26 a.m. Sunday morning until 7:15 p.m. Monday evening. This holiday weekend would probably be good for just kicking back, as productivity and accomplishment will be hampered by the v.o.c.
The Moon is void again, from 6:19 p.m. on Tuesday until 9:54 p.m. on Wednesday, then all day Friday, from 12:29 a.m. until 12:31 a.m. Saturday.
Regardless of the Uranus station and the multiple v.o.c.’s, there are several significant, though rather minor, astrological alignments and events this week.
Sunday may be a rather mobile but unsettled day, as Venus is in the last degree of Gemini. It’s easy to flit about from thing to thing, maybe catch up on phone calls and emails, without much deep connection. Venus enters warm, sentimental, emotional Cancer Sunday evening, and we will tend to draw closer to loved ones in the coming weeks.
On Monday the Moon is v.o.c. all day, and Venus trines Neptune while Mercury trines Uranus. The Venus-Neptune alignment lends empathy and understanding to our relationship connections (remember that Venus is now in Cancer). Mercury trine Uranus supports surprising, innovative conversations, inventive thinking and bright ideas.
On Tuesday Mercury squares Jupiter. This could bring prolific communication, and it particularly supports optimism, expansive ideas and focusing on the big picture. However, this can amount to a lot of big ideas and lots and lots of talking. Reign it in a bit and make things more realistic and concrete.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Mars will be in positive trine alignment with Saturn. This balances the Mercury-Jupiter square a bit, as it supports steady application of effort, disciplined action. The Moon is void all day Wednesday, however, meaning that some things may take a day or two longer than expected to come together.
Jupiter will trine Pluto this week, exact Thursday morning. This is a significant, beneficial alignment that helps us pull things together, brings positive luck, and supports breakthroughs and successful action. Look for opportunity and seize it. It may just be a break in your schedule that allows you to do something you’ve wanted to do but not had the time.
Thursday and Friday may be a bit tough on relationships. Venus squares Uranus on Thursday. It’s easy to notice the limitations our relationship commitments present in our lives, and to want a break in routine if not a full breakaway. On Friday Venus is opposite Pluto, and that can dredge up unresolved issues. It is probably a good idea to give one another and ourselves a little space, and to address or at least notice any areas that need resolution.
Venus will be sextile Jupiter on Friday, exact in the evening, and that can help smooth out irritations and give a little pleasure. Mercury is sextile Saturn on Friday and Saturday, and that supports clear and practical communication.
All this is leading up to Uranus turning retrograde on Saturday, though any changes going on may come into focus before or after that particular day. Still, allow Saturday to be what it is. Don’t have a highly scheduled agenda, but rather take it as it comes, play it by ear.
July 10-16: The Moon is v.o.c.** all day on Sunday. This will be a rather moody day for many of us, as the Sun is in vulnerable Cancer and the Moon is in Scorpio. Balance that water energy with some earth – get going and make some concrete accomplishments, v.o.c. or not.
On Monday the Moon is in Sagittarius, and “on course, ” and Mercury is sextile Mars. This could be an active day with brisk, effective communication. Use the day to good advantage. On Tuesday the Moon is void of course all day (from 6:21 a.m. until 8:14 a.m. the following day), and Venus is square Saturn, meaning that there are a few obstacles and cancellations, appointments missed, and relationships and social engagements seeming like they’re all responsibility and no fun.
On Wednesday the Moon is in Capricorn, good for productivity, though the Venus-Saturn square is still operative, making for all work and no play.
The high point of this week is Full Moon, which comes late Thursday night, actually 12:40 a.m. MDT Friday morning. With the Sun in Cancer and Moon in Capricorn, you may feel pulled between emotional responses and practical considerations. On Friday the Moon is void of course until 2:30 p.m. Saturday is more “normal,” with no special features.
July 17-23: This may be a rather quiet week, more free from complications than some we’ve experienced. We’re just past Full Moon and are carrying out the possibilities and projects developed over the past couple of weeks. The Moon will be void of course all day Sunday, from 6:23 a.m. until 11:13 p.m. MDT. There are no planetary aspects this week. The Sun is passing through the late degrees of sensitive, sentimental, family-oriented Cancer. You could dedicate some of your time and attention to attending to these areas of your life, being with loved ones, making home more comfortable, planning family or community gatherings. Tend your garden, and cook some delicious food.
The Sun enters the playful, creative fire sign Leo late Friday evening. I often feel rather emotionally vulnerable during the Sun’s passage through the end of Cancer, and our entry into Leo feels like a relief as my confidence returns. Come Saturday, we’ll be ready for a month of play, creativity and self-expression. Plan some parties and pleasure excursions, and make time for your creative outlets, as well as for play and enjoyment.
July 24-30: We’re in the “dark of Moon” period, the quiet time before New Moon, which comes ‘round noontime on Saturday. This is a good time to wrap up unfinished business, rest and plan ahead for the coming lunar cycle. However, we are in the last few days before Mercury turns retrograde* on August 2, so we need to go ahead and get those projects started, make purchases and contacts, and sign agreements before the retro slows things down and sends us on a few delays and detours.
Venus at the end of Cancer, which brings out the more clingy and sentimental sides of our natures. Spend time making your home more comfortable and connecting with family, friends and loved ones. Venus enters Leo Thursday morning. We tend to be more demonstrative with Venus in Leo; also more extravagant and more flamboyant. Expect more parties and play. Keep a watch on your wallet over the next four weeks, as it is easy to spend money on fun and finery.
Mercury is in the last degrees of Leo this week. Mercury in Leo is great for creative expression and for supporting our confidence so that we make audacious (or bodacious) plans. Particularly when Mercury is at the end of Leo, our confidence may be so enhanced that we turn into egotistical boors, going on and on about our greatness and our grand life and our grand plans. You may not be prone to this, but you may notice hot air emitting in your vicinity. Nonetheless, edit yourself just a bit. Mercury enters modest, meticulous Virgo right around noon on Thursday, and we will naturally turn to work and practical matters. The time Mercury is in Virgo is perfect for the planning that helps us bring into manifestation the plans hatched while Mercury was in Leo.
Two things about Mercury. Since Neptune is presently in the first degree of dreamy Pisces, Mercury will immediately be opposite Neptune as it enters Virgo. This can bring in elements of confusion or unclarity in ideas but particularly in interpersonal communication. Mercury’s presence in analytical Virgo will help us clear things up, or help marry realism and practicality with idealistic vision. This opposition is strongest on Thursday and Friday.
The second thing about Mercury is the impending Mercury retrograde, which begins Tuesday evening, August 2. Keep doing your pre-retrograde activities this week, getting projects started, glitches resolved, software installed, agreements finalized.
The one planetary aspect this week, other than the Mercury-Neptune opposition, is a trine of the Sun to Uranus around midday on Wednesday. This is a minor influence that supports easy innovation, inspiration and breakthroughs.
The Moon will be void of course from 5:03 p.m. on Thursday until just past midnight Friday night, so let this last part of the “dark of Moon” period be fairly quiet, a time of meditation, rest and clearing the decks for New Moon/new beginnings.
New Moon comes at 12:40 p.m. MDT on Saturday. Take at least a few actions this weekend to get the coming month’s activities and projects rolling. New Moon is good for that anyway, and with Mercury ready to retrograde, it’s important and beneficial.
July 31-August 5: The first part of the week, in particular, may be pretty high energy, active. There’s the natural buoyancy of the new lunar cycle that began Saturday. Also, Mars is in the last degrees of mobile, multi-tasking Gemini. And Mercury is about to turn retrograde. As you know, when a planet is at its station, turning retrograde or direct, it’s energy seems to be magnified. Mercury is the planet of communication and mobility, and Mercury stations seem to be times when a lot is happening, even before the frenzy created by astrologically savvy people trying to get things going before the station. Added to that, Venus is trine Uranus on Sunday, which supports people connecting and being out and about engaging in pleasurable activities. On Sunday and Monday the Sun is square expansive Jupiter, which supports our stepping out into the world in a larger way. So, Sunday through Tuesday may run pretty smoothly, with lots of positive activity and fun.
Mercury turns retrograde at 9:50 p.m. Tuesday evening. However, you can probably get away with doing a few things you didn’t get to before the retrograde, for the next 3-4 days without having those things too much impacted by the retrograde.
Mars enters Cancer way before dawn on Wednesday. Some of the scatteredness of Mars in Gemini dissipates. Mars is on a “cardinal point” one of the quarter-points of the zodiac, a degree with extra power and emphasis, so there may still be a lot of activity, it’s just not so scattered and multi-directional. The cardinal points are associated with happenings in the world at large, so there may be even more conflict and conflagrations in addition to what we’re already seeing lately.
Mars in Cancer is conducive to activity associated with preserving and protecting and conserving. Make your home more comfortable and secure, do repairs and work in the garden. Mars will be in Cancer until mid-September. Mars is the planet of assertiveness. When it is in watery, sensitive, protective Cancer, we may shy away from direct assertion. It’s nice to tone down a bit, but there’s a danger we’ll fail to stand up where we need to, or that we’ll resort to manipulation and roundabout approaches rather than just laying our cards on the table. Also, we can be overly protective, and defensive.
That’s for the whole six weeks Mars is in Cancer, and probably more so as the weeks pass. On Wednesday of this week, however, Mars in Cancer is trine to Neptune, and that is great for kindness, nurturing and empathy. On Thursday Mercury is sextile Mars, which helps us speak up in a positive manner.
Other happenings and aspects for the end of the week are generally positive or neutral. Neptune passes back into Aquarius on Thursday, as noted in the August preview, below. Venus will be square Jupiter on Thursday and Friday, exact Thursday evening. This is a minor alignment, but it favors love, pleasure and happiness. Also on Thursday and Friday, the Sun is sextile Saturn, an alignment that is grounding and stabilizing.
August Preview: Mercury will be retrograde* August 2-26. You know what to do by now. If you don’t, see the footnote below.
Jupiter turns retrograde August 30. The summer may have brought a flush of material expansion and economic recovery, which may lose some of its forward momentum and enter a consolidation phase during the retrograde. Jupiter will turn direct Christmas Day.
Neptune has been newly in Pisces, the sign it rules and where it functions most comfortably, since April. Neptune turned retrograde at the beginning of June, and it will slip back into Aquarius on August 4. This may not be especially noticeable in human events, but it’s good to know these things nonetheless. Neptune will re-enter Pisces early next February, where it will remain another 13 years, until 2025. My guess for Neptune in Pisces is that there will be increased focus on psychic development and on our capacity for empathy and compassion, including charitable activity and volunteerism, and that we will see exploration of the deep oceans and deep space, as Pisces relates to worlds beyond the realm of normal consciousness and awareness.
*Regular readers of this column and others familiar with astrology know that all the planets occasionally appear to backtrack or “retrograde” in their orbits. A planet will slow down, appear stationary, and then appear to slip backward for a period of a few weeks or months before again appearing to slow down and be stationary before resuming apparent forward motion. Of course the planet is not actually reversing direction but only appears to do so due to its motion relative to Earth’s. Nonetheless, we do feel the effects of these shifts. When a planet is at its “station” or stationary point, the planet’s energies are emphasized; when retrograde, its energies are more internalized. The cycle looks like this. The planet is going forward, and affairs of the planet are moving forward normally. As the planet slows and turns stationary, those matters related to the planet become emphasized in our lives, and significant developments may take place. Then those matters ebb in our outer lives for a while, as we internally digest those developments and realizations and integrate them into our lives during the retrograde. Later, the planet again goes stationary, coming back to the forefront of our awareness, and then “turns direct,” resuming apparent forward motion as we again move forward with those matters related to the planet.
Mercury takes a little three-week retrograde cycle approximately every four months. Our daily affairs slow down and get complicated. Communications get tangled, computers flake out, automobiles break down and travel arrangements fall into disarray, a comedy of scheduling mishaps occurs, and things pretty much slow to a crawl. It’s really a great time to slow down and regroup, to finish projects and catch up on unfinished business. Just try not to launch your big project, or sign on the dotted line for a new contract, job, car, or whatever unless you really need to. Try to get those things moving before the retrograde, and shepherd things patiently along during the retro cycle, knowing that some things may not completely come together until Mercury turns direct. If you are making significant moves during the Mercury retrograde period, just know that some things will have to be straightened out after the direct.
**Moon void of course occurs when the Moon has made all the alignments it will make while in the sign it’s in, and is just “marking time” without real momentum. The Moon goes through a sign in 2 to 2 ½ days, so consequently it also goes v.o.c. Every couple of days as well, sometimes for only a few minutes or more likely hours, but sometimes for more than a day. Things initiated during a Moon void of course period tend to meander off and arrive at a destination other than what was planned. Void of course periods are well used in completing tasks or doing routine chores, or in resting, meditating, and planning for future activities. The v.o.c. period ends when the Moon enters the next sign.
I am available for personal consultations and forecasts, either in person or by telephone. I also offer comprehensive computer chart services, providing charts, transit calendars, and computer interpretations. I invite your feedback on this column and am available to answer simple astrology questions. Be in touch! Please feel free to share this forecast with your friends. Just be sure to include my name and contact information:
Sandy Bryan, Astrologer (505) 255-5001 E-mail: sstars@thuntek.net
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