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JULY 2006 As July begins, the difficult patterns of the June cycles are behind us, but with five planets in retrograde motion (Jupiter, Chiron, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto), we are still looking backward to make sense of it all. When planets appear to move backward from our perspective here on earth, the issues associated with that planet become more pronounced and require greater attention. When Mercury turns retrograde on July 5, there will be six planets retrograde which is a rare event! Mercury retrograde periods come with their own challenges (see this article for more details), but with this number of retrograde planets we may feel somewhat stuck and find it difficult to move forward. Since Venus left the grounded sign of Taurus for Gemini in late June, no planets have been in earth signs and therefore there has been little earth energy available to us. In early July there is a strong fire and air influence, creating much dialogue and a flurry of activity, but without an anchor to lend a sense of practicality to our endeavors. The combination of the lack of earth energy combined with the retrograding outer planets may make it difficult for us to find our footing. When Jupiter (retrograde since March 4th) turns direct on July 6 we will begin to encounter more opportunities and possibilities. The T-square between Saturn, Jupiter and Chiron is beginning to break up as Saturn moves on from retrograding Jupiter and Chiron, but the square between Jupiter and Chiron continues to create tension and broken dreams. Chiron reveals wounds that require healing, and in square to Jupiter will often bring a sense of hopelessness as our sense of faith in the meaning of life (Jupiter) is challenged by our personal wounds (Chiron). The Chiron/Jupiter square requires that we face our fears and our pain squarely head on, and deepen our faith (Jupiter) into a new wisdom (Chiron) that is more solid and grounded deeply within us. Mercury moved into fiery Leo during the last week in June, joining Saturn and Mars which are already in Leo, the sign of creativity and self expression. Mars has been in a tight conjunction with Saturn, stirring rebellion (as the aggression of Mars produced irritation with restrictive Saturn) and repression. Venus, now in chatty and fast-moving Gemini, makes a harmonious aspect (the sextile, or 60 degrees) to Saturn on July 2. This will have the effect of stabilizing (Saturn) our relationships with others (Venus), and inspiring greater commitment (Saturn). Venus seeks peace and harmony, and Saturn provides structure and stability. This is an excellent aspect for business ventures although care must be taken once Mercury turns retrograde on July 4. Mercury is in Leo, where it finds creative ways to express the ego and personality. While retrograde (through July 26), Mercury tends to bring up unresolved issues, presenting them for review and reexamination. Because Leo tends to be dramatic and ego-centered, until July 10 when Mercury retrogrades back into Cancer, we may experience miscommunication and hurt feelings resulting from a lack of sensitivity to the needs of others. Mercury in Leo can be generous and kindhearted, but when retrograde the generosity may not be communicated in the manner in which it was meant. As with any retrograde period it's important to take extra care with the way information is transmitted and keep very good backup notes. From July 3 through the 8th or so, Venus forms a square to Uranus inspiring us to remember our relationships with others (Venus) as we strive for the unique expression of our inner world (Uranus). We may find conflict within ourselves and a tendency towards impulsive behavior in our relationships now, but it can also bring new ideas (Uranus) for bringing people together (Venus). The first week of July also sees Mars in Leo moving towards an opposition with Neptune in Aquarius. Mars is fiery aggressive energy, and Neptune is liquid and flowing. Neptune calls on us to transcend our day to day world and step into an experience of the divine, where Mars seeks immediate gratification of its impulses. The combination of Mars and Neptune in opposition to each other can be confusing and add to the difficulty inherent in the lack of earth that was mentioned above. When Venus dances in trine with Neptune around the 9th, our dealings with others will become much smoother and fluid and connections will take place much more easily. There is a great sense of peace and universal love available in the combination of Venus and Neptune that will help to smooth out any loose edges from the previous week. On July 10 Mercury retrogrades from Leo back into the more watery sign of Cancer, and communication problems will be focused more on family and those around the home. Home equipment and media may break down and family issues that we thought were resolved will erupt again for renewed consultation. Mercury will remain in Cancer for the remainder of the month. The Full Moon in Capricorn occurs July 11. Capricorn is the sign of responsibility, of structure, of commitment. The Full Moon illuminates our deepest desires and evokes a sense of power that comes from integrating fully within. In Capricorn, we gain the power to manifest those desires into form. The Capricorn Full Moon is the time to set goals, to make plans and commitments. After the intensity of June's events and the lack of earth of early July, this Full Moon will help ground us. Still, patience will be required as the wheels turn slowly during this heavy retrograde period.
Venus enters the lunar sign of Cancer late on July 18, and relationships once more become focused on the Cancerian qualities of caring and nurturing. This will help to soften any difficulties created by the retrograde passage of Mercury through Cancer and its resulting miscommunications and revisiting of old family wounds and conflicts.The New Moon in Leo occurs on July 25, beginning a new cycle of creativity and play. Leo is the fun-loving sign of the zodiac, and this New Moon will offer a respite and a chance to break out of restrictions that we may have been experiencing. Venus is highlighted during this New Moon, nearing a trine to Jupiter and exactly quincunx (50 degrees) Chiron. While we easily draw others to us now and life is generally flowing in a positive direction, we may find ourselves irritated (quincunx) by difficulties in our ability to balance taking care of others with caring for ourselves. However, the celebratory energy of this Leo New Moon will help to overcome any lingering disturbance. Once Mercury turns direct on July 28, your plans and dreams will manifest much more easily. Turn your attention to the future and place your intention there as well, and you will find life opening up to you in a whole new way. The effort required to navigate through the past couple of months has opened our eyes to opportunities that we have not been able to recognize before. Build a solid foundation for your dreams now, and the opposition of Saturn (structure) and Neptune (transcendence) that begins next month will serve only to strengthen that foundation. Have a wonderful month! July 2006 {Month} |
Around
the 12th or so of July, Mars will move into position to form a
trine (harmonious aspect) to Pluto on July 14. Mars represents
our will and desires, and Pluto as the will of the higher self.
Together they form a powerful duo that can assist us in manifesting
our dreams and desires. Venus in Gemini is opposite Pluto at this
same time, and Pluto may intensify our emotions and brings out
the darker emotions such as jealousy and envy. However, the sextile
dance between Mars and Venus helps to create an environment that
is friendly and sympathetic.