July 2006
Jun.25,
12:06 pm EDT – NEW MOON in CANCER (03:58)
("What's a New
Moon?")
The New Moon in Cancer begins a 4-week
period when we all have the opportunity to explore our Cancer
nature and the areas of life corresponding to the Zodiac sign of
Cancer—home, nurturing, childhood, emotional needs, intuition,
belonging, bonding and family.
It is a great time to work on
improving your self-care—the ways that you take care of yourself
and tend to your needs. It is also a good time to check in with
family, Significant Others and other people in your support
system (who you can turn to when you need a hug or a pat on the
back or a feeling of connection).
The New Moon is in a very close
tri-octile aspect (also sometimes called a sesqui-quadrate or
sesqui-square)
to Neptune. This means the lunar cycle brings a sense of
longing, an urge to surrender to something greater than
ourselves, and an encounter with our ideals, hopes and dreams.
However, there is a challenge here—we may get caught up in old
unfulfilled needs from the past (e.g., childhood). Watch for
these old issues being echoed in our here-and-now circumstances,
and resonating with our old feelings and needs like a tuning
fork.
It may be wise to take some time out and check in with
yourself to see what's really going on deep down, when you find
yourself swept away by feelings, urges or passions. What you
think is happening may be laced with ghost images from your past
that come more from inside you than from the outside situation.
These underlying issues may normally be obscured and camouflaged
behind the foreground of your day-to-day life. So take this
opportunity to really look at what comes up now—just remember
that what you think you're seeing may be a little different from
what it appears to be.
The New Moon chart is also dominated
by the Fixed T-square (see
Jun.11 to
Aug.02) of Jupiter squaring the Saturn-Chiron opposition,
bringing swings between extremes of mood, ideals and
optimism/pessimism. Although by now fading in influence, Mars is
still conjunct Saturn and this brings a serious need to be
cautious and responsible in our actions. "Looking before you
leap" is probably wise. What we aspire to, what we hope for and
our secret needs and desires are being tested against the need
to accept certain limitations and responsibilities, and we are
challenged to find a balance between these that pays homage to
both. This is especially true when trying to balance the needs
of the Inner Child with the grounded maturity of the Adult in
us.
By getting a handle on this balance,
we will be more prepared to deal with an encounter or
confrontation with power, authority and control that probably
began a couple of weeks ago (at the
Full Moon in
Gemini). The events and situations of that time have needed
to be integrated with our struggle to balance hope with hard
work, possibilities with realities, and intuition with logic.
This integration process involving power, authority and control
issues will continue until around the next Full Moon (Jul.10).
Our best strength now comes from our
ability to believe that something better will emerge from
whatever hardship or struggle is in your life. Perhaps that
"something better" is a new philosophical understanding that
draws from our deep intuitive wisdom. Or maybe it involves
learning how to nurture ourselves (and others) in a way that
doesn't sacrifice either the Inner Child or the Adult, but
allows them both to co-exist and work together. Whatever way
this manifests in your life, you have an opportunity (especially
over the coming week) to reach for a more optimistic, expansive,
meaningful perspective about what's happening in your life.
There are many different transits
happening over the next couple of weeks, including Mercury
Retrograde, a Jupiter station and a rather rare Mystic Rectangle
aspect configuration. The interpretations here apply to
everyone, but if any of these planets is interacting with your
birth chart, you could be affected in ways that are unique to
you. The only way to find out about all these influences and
understand what they mean, is to consult a real astrologer. And
you guessed it—I know just the person! ;-) Find out how you can
book a personal astrology reading with me, Wendy Guy.
Jun.28 – Mercury enters Leo (until
Jul.10)
While Mercury struts through Leo, your
creativity and self-expression are flying high! Your
communication strives to express more than just facts or
information – it wants to convey the dramatic energy that tells
a story in larger-than-life proportions! How you perceive and
experience life right now can be vivid, dramatic and fun, as you
pick up more easily on the expressive and "feel-good" elements
of what's happening around you. You may become very creative,
inspired and motivated during this time. The downside is that it
may also easier to indulge in a mindset that is self-serving,
egotistical or overconfident. Your motives are likely to be
noble, heroic and full of good intentions, but you could also
become so in love with your vision of what's possible that you
miss valid criticism or drawbacks. This is a time to enjoy the
playful delights of sports, games, humor, fun and children.
Jun.30 – Sun trine Jupiter (09:01
Cancer/Scorpio)
This is a time when your understanding
of the Big Picture and your place within it can click into
place. As a result, your confidence and self-esteem can be quite
high right now. Your ability to see opportunities and
possibilities more clearly can produce an experience of being
"lucky." Your insight into life and the world around you may be
especially bright, optimistic and inspired. This is a
"feel-good" transit, when your sense of self can seem to expand
and become free. You may feel especially connected to spiritual
energy during this time, finding new meaning in your live and
the events that unfold around you. Self-confidence can run high
now, and you could feel inspired to fight for justice or some
cause. At the same time, there is a chance that all this
self-assurance and "knowing" could go overboard into
over-confidence, dogmatism or over-indulgence if it's not
grounded in realism and humility. Just use your best judgment
and enjoy this warm, shining energy!
Jul.01 – Venus trine Chiron (08:35
Gemini/Aquarius)
Healing and rebalancing are possible
now, especially in the areas of relationships, finance,
resources and values. Any problems that have persisted in these
areas lately could benefit from an influx of helpful and healing
resources now. Relationships and interactions of all kinds can
benefit now, since it can be easier to see the beauty and value
in others whom you might usually dislike or feel ill at ease
with (or they with you). Negotiations and strategic efforts to
resolve conflicts may go smoothly now, especially when you
balance the results in everyone's interests. You may also be
able to attract what you need to heal your wounds (physical,
psychological, spiritual, etc.). Like it says in the Serenity
Prayer, you may now find it a bit easier to accept that which
you cannot change, while finding you make progress with the
things you can.
Jul.02 – Venus sextile Saturn (10:23
Gemini/Leo)
It is possible to find some stability
in your relationships and finances under this transit,
especially if you are willing to negotiate fairly and
realistically. You have increased ability to be disciplined
about spending and budgeting, and to invest in hard work to
maximise your earnings. Your ability to grasp the solid,
realistic facts will help you choose wisely in your investments
of both money and your interaction with others. Commitment and
structure may be easier to approach and achieve than if you take
risks now. Your self-worth can benefit from this transit because
you may be less inclined to give in to mood swings. On the other
hand, if you are prone to depression, you might want to be
careful you don't become so grounded and stable that you lose
touch with your sense of hope and potential. It is a good time
to make concrete progress in matters involving beauty, love,
harmony and balance. Keep your pleasures simple and humble for
maximum benefit.
Mercury now goes retrograde for the
next 3-3½ weeks. For up to a week before and after today,
Mercury is moving very slowly or stopped during the station.
During this time, you may experience intensity, frustration,
confusion, miscommunications, or feel like you're getting
bogging down in your progress. Mercury retrograde is usually a
time when it is best to rethink, rehash, reflect, and tie up old
loose ends, rather than begin new ventures. It is typical for
new insights and information to emerge later in the retrograde
cycle that you didn't anticipate, which can change the whole
picture. Because of this, it is usually advised to avoid making
final or permanent decisions (e.g., signing contracts or putting
new projects into action), during the retrograde and even up to
2 weeks after Mercury goes direct. However, it is an excellent
time to do fact-finding, research and investigation to prepare
for major decisions, which are usually best put off until well
after Mercury goes direct. In the meantime, while Mercury is
retrograde, expect the unexpected, and leave lots of extra time
when planning your schedule (to minimize any disruptions from
delays and complications). Stay flexible; for example, it's
common to have to reschedule appointments. Do some things that
use your intuitive, creative, non-rational mind for a while
until Mercury goes direct again.
Mercury is going retrograde in Leo,
which means it is a good time to look inside and examine your
motives, self-image and creativity. Your unconscious could be
closer to the surface now, and therefore your creativity might
increase during this time. Dreams may be more vivid than usual
and might give you new ideas and inspiration for creative
projects and insight. On the other hand, your creativity could
seem to suddenly disappear, which may mean it needs to germinate
in your unconscious or perhaps just take a break for a while.
You might find the normal self-talk chatter in your mind becomes
a bit louder or more dramatic than usual during this time. By
listening closely, you could learn a lot about your self-image,
your deep-down motivations, and how you reinforce—or
undermine—your self-esteem through your thoughts, internal
"self-talk," and how you talk about yourself with others. For
example, do you make jokes where you put yourself down? Are your
thoughts encouraging or critical of what you do, think, feel or
say? This is an opportunity to become more aware of how your
self-image is formed, supported or undermined by your conscious
perceptions.
One way to explore your self-image and
increase your self-awareness is through a personal astrology
reading. Mercury retrograde can be a very powerful time to get a
reading because the underlying issues and dynamics are often
more accessible.
Find
out more!
Jul.05 – Mars opposite Neptune (19:20
Leo/Aquarius)
For up to a week before and after
today, you have a chance to discover and work with your blind
spots and the hidden motives that trip you up. You can get a
better look at the ideals, hopes, longing and dreams that
motivate you. Your actions may reach for heights of inspiration
or the ecstasy of surrender. This could bring release of
tension...or an encounter with illusion and deception—and it
might not be easy to know which is which. It could feel like you
are spinning your wheels or "shadow-boxing" and not sure why.
You may be dealing with a hidden agenda or unconscious motives
(yours or someone else's). You might be trying to apply a
proactive solution to an ambiguous situation, and wonder why it
doesn't work very well. Responding to conflicts or obstacles in
a passive-aggressive or manipulative way could be tempting under
this transit, since it may be hard to know how to take direct
and effective action. Resentment might become a defiant way to
express "toothless" anger. Part of the problem may be that you
are fighting against your own unconscious idealism. Feelings of
disappointment, helplessness or frustration may bring up deeper
feelings from your unconscious, making it difficult to know how
to respond effectively in the here-and-now. Being honest with
yourself about what's really going on inside you will go a long
way toward increasing your empowerment.
Jul.06 – Venus square Uranus (14:37
Gemini/Pisces)
Under this transit, you may be tempted
by impulse spending, or you might be somewhat erratic in your
use of resources. This can result in unpredictable or unstable
finances, so double check your bank accounts and credit cards
before you draw on them. It is also a time when the way you
relate to others (or they to you) could be somewhat
inconsistent, fickle or impulsive. If your relationships or
financial situation have been struggling with difficulties for a
while, this transit could bring a lingering problem to the
surface and require attention. On one hand, this could be a
welcome breath of fresh air that cuts through the complexity of
your problems and puts the cards on the table (despite the
stress and conflict that likely triggered it). Or, you might
feel resistance to making these changes and instead experience
this as a time of unwelcome instability, upset and adjustment.
However, this may be a good way to break free of excessive
restraint, control or structure, which allows new possibilities
to emerge that couldn't do so otherwise.
For up to a week before and after this
date, the ideals of knowledge, truth, optimism and faith could
become beacons of energy in your life. Activity in these areas
that have developed in your life over the last 5 months, now
reach a turning point. For the next 3 months, you can start to
apply and assimilate what you've learned. For example, if you
have been taking a course or exploring your belief system, this
can be a time when you are able to put your discoveries into
practice or find that you are able to integrate this learning
into your worldview. This turning point may be intense,
overwhelming, inspiring and/or illuminating. You could discover
new meaning in areas of life that had become stale or worn out,
or you might realise that old meaning and understanding don't
work for you anymore and need to be let go.
Jul.06 – Sun trine Uranus (14:36
Cancer/Pisces)
You are more open than usual to
spontaneity, surprises and "flying by the seat of your pants!"
Your sense of humour and fun are let loose during this transit,
as is your ability to break out of old outworn habits. You may
get a flash of insight, a burst of courage or a surge of
inspiration under this transit. The spirit of who you are can
become released now, possibly leading to you behaving a bit "out
of character." It's a great time to try new things and
experiment with something that's out of character for you. In
fact, it may be surprising how easy it is to break out of your
usual routine...so much so, that it's good to be careful not to
be too reckless under this transit. If your self-confidence,
self-expression or self-esteem have been stifled or dampened
lately, these could come flying out rather erratically,
carelessly or chaotically. Strive to have fun pushing the
envelope without ripping it. ;-)
Jul.08-14 – Mystic Rectangle Aspect
Configuration (Mars opp Neptune, Venus opp Pluto)
("What's a Mystic
Rectangle?")
 A Mystic Rectangle is constructed from
both stressful and harmonious aspect energy--which kind of sums
up what it will feel like! Mars—the part of us that wants to be
forceful, direct and aggressive—must bow to Neptune's
imaginative, compassionate and ambiguous energy. Venus—the part
of us that prefers to be receptive, gentle and diplomatic—must
rise to meet Pluto's heavy, transformative and intense energy.
On the outside, we are plugged in to larger-than-life energy
that can be used for some profound purpose. On the inside, we
are likely to feel the stress and power of what it takes to hold
this collective energy together. Relationships can be affected,
as we are challenged to be more open to intimacy (although not
necessarily sexually) and more willing to make sacrifices for a
higher purpose (although not to the point of erasing ourselves
out of the picture). There is a lot of high voltage energy in
this configuration that can be extremely creative, productive
and inspiring. But it will also take a paradoxical combination
of self-control and surrender to fully utilize it.
Jul.09 – Venus trine Neptune (19:14
Gemini/Aquarius)
This can be a time of romance,
creativity, and a sense of oneness with the natural beauty of
all that exists in the world. On a social or intimate level,
things may run smoothly—even a bit magically! So be sure you are
clear about what you really want. In terms of finances and
material worth, this can be a time of blessings and abundance
that could seem to appear out of nowhere. But be careful—it can
also be a time of overspending and wondering where the money
went! Your natural beauty and warmth shines through now, so it
is a good time to peek out from behind any façade of glamour or
illusion you might be cloaked in. You are likely to see the very
best in others (and they in you), so that negotiation,
interaction and attraction can seem to flow effortlessly. This
magical attraction energy could also open you up to seeing
wonderful qualities in others that may or may not actually be
there, so do a reality check with a trusted friend before you
make any important choices.
Jul.10 – Mercury Retrograde enters
Cancer (until Aug.10)
While Mercury is retrograde in Cancer,
you could become unusually sensitive to your surroundings. You
might also become more empathic toward others, able to pick up
on their moods, needs and feelings. Emotional and intuitive
awareness may be more pronounced, although at first it might
just seem like you're a bit more moody. This can be a good time
to get a closer look at the feelings that flow under the surface
of your conscious awareness. Dreams, daydreams, fantasies and
imaginings could provide valuable insight and clues into your
emotional state of mind. Creative ideas could bubble up
spontaneously or intermittently. You might change your mind
about something you thought you'd already decided on—perhaps
because you start to "feel" differently about the situation.
This is a time when feelings and intuitive perceptions may
emerge, which you would normally suppress, dismiss or lose in
your usual mental chatter. Listening inside to your feelings can
bring gifts of insight and intuitive awareness.
Jul.10, 11:01 PM EDT
– FULL MOON in CAPRICORN (18:42)
("What's a Full
Moon?")
The Full Moon in Capricorn is the
culmination of the energy that began two weeks ago at the
New Moon
in Cancer. Capricorn is about manifestation—about solidifying into
form the planning, preparation and actions that have led to this
point in time. This happens during the last half of every lunar
cycle—from the Full Moon until the next New Moon—and with this Full
Moon being in Capricorn, it emphasises this aspect of manifestation.
What will be manifested? For one thing,
all the learning we have gathered while the
T-Square has been in the
skies. This is the Saturn opposite Chiron, T-squared by Jupiter,
configuration that has been in effect since mid-May (initially as
part of a
Grand Cross configuration, then half of it lingering for a few
weeks afterwards). For two months
now, we have wrestled with finding ways to balance responsibility
and ambition with the need to preserve our uniqueness and freedom in
the face of limitations that don't have easy answers. We have been
challenged to find a sense of higher purpose, greater understanding
and growth in the midst of those struggles.
So...what have you learned? What have you
gained? What have you let go of that was holding you back? And how
have you arrived at acceptance for limitations and realities that
you have not been able to resolve? This is a time to acknowledge and
appreciate what you have achieved through this process. But even if
it feels more like coercion by circumstances than achievement, you
will likely find that despite the disappointment, disillusionment or
frustration you're feeling, you have managed to get through a
challenging time. In other words, even if the results aren't what
you'd hoped, you can probably identify skills, resources and
abilities that you've been able to draw on that brought you through
difficult times.
This is a time to begin to do closure with
the struggles, hardships, learning, struggling, striving and
achieving that you've done in the last couple of months. This
closure is a process in itself (not an instantaneous event) which
will unfold over the next few weeks...starting with acknowledging,
appreciating, honouring and/or accepting the ways you got through
the last couple of months.
Doing this also means owning and taking
responsibility for the means that got you through those times. If
you made some choices that you have since thought better of, this is
the time to recognize that and consider how you might do it again,
given a similar choice. If you found yourself overwhelmed and
unprepared, not knowing how to deal effectively with the challenge
in front of you, this is the time to think about what skills,
resources, methods and attitudes you need to put into place so that
you won't be caught off guard again.
Mercury is still retrograde until the
July 28, so don't let yourself fall into an insecure mindset or
questioning yourself to the point of losing confidence. You may get
some unexpected or disquieting news, insights or feedback now, but
this may contain valuable information that can open your mind to new
ideas and perspectives. You will be able to assimilate and apply
these ideas better after the next New Moon (when Mercury turns
Direct again).
In the meantime, it's a good time to
gather information, research at a deeper level, "do your homework"
and generally expand your knowledge base. With Mercury retrograde in
Cancer (the sign of the current lunar cycle), it's especially
helpful to talk about your feelings, identify your emotional needs
and verify your intuition. You can benefit by confiding in a
supportive person you feel comfortable with, who can provide caring
insight—for example: a long talk with a trusted friend, a session with your
therapist, or
a personal reading with an astrological
counsellor.
Jul.14 – Mars
trine Pluto (24:44 Leo/Sagittarius)
You may feel a strong urge to embrace and
engage power, assert your desires and act on deep impulses. Your
sexual energy could also be very high now (use it wisely). You might
feel like nothing can stop you or hold you back. In fact, the
ability to create change and take action is especially strong right
now. If you have been preparing to put plans into action, this can
be a powerful time to do so. But also be aware that too much of a
good thing can sometimes backfire—it is possible to overstep your
bounds or come on a bit too strong, with this energy. Suppressed
anger, frustration or an urge to "vanquish the enemy" may be
expressed more forcefully than you intend. It will help to center
yourself and focus on acknowledging your emotions, impulses and
power—then use your good judgment when deciding whether or how to
act on them.
Jul.14 – Venus
opposite Pluto (24:44 Gemini/Sagittarius)
Under this transit you could experience
great intensity and challenge in your relationships or financial
matters. It is a time to delve into the depths of your personal
issues that associated with relationships, finances, resources and
values. That means being willing to examine the under-the-surface
dynamics and hidden patterns that affect these areas of your life.
These emerging patterns could indicate a need to come to terms with
your "Shadow"—this could include unconscious hidden agendas, secret
desires, obsessions or power games. You have an opportunity now to
learn more about how you project this "Shadow" onto others through
your interactions, expectations, hopes and fears. At its best, this
can be a time to transform fear into fortitude and powerlessness
into endurance. By being willing to negotiate and work with your
fears, feelings of intimidation or efforts to gain empowerment
through self-honesty, you have the potential to create a win-win
situation.
Jul.15 – Venus
sextile Mars (25:18 Gemini/Leo)
It is possible now to take a balanced
approach to conflict, problems and projects that require effort.
This can combine both a gentle touch and firm action; sensitivity
and forcefulness. Negotiation and interaction with others could be
aggressive and determined now, but also balanced with sensitivity
and style. Any expressions of anger, frustration or discontent are
more likely to be tempered with fairness, moderation and composure.
You'll have to apply some effort to get these opposite energies
working in sync together, but the potential and opportunity are
there more-so than usual now.
When the Sun conjoins Mercury Retrograde,
there is a new beginning in the areas of awareness, communication,
use of information and exchange of ideas. This may or may not be
heralded by a recognisable event or experience, although for a day
or two your consciousness may shift. Your awareness and mental
concentration may take a dip into the unconscious, becoming
unusually murky and muddy, or it may rise into ultra-consciousness
and become suddenly clear and lucid (afterwards returning to the
usual Mercury retrograde fog). A new awareness or perspective on
what has unfolded during the retrograde cycle thus far may surface
now, or an unworkable attitude or perception of these events may
fall apart under the weight of new information. This shift of
awareness may be obvious or subtle, sudden or gradual, but this
transit marks a turning point in the Mercury retrograde cycle. It
also marks a time when mental awareness often goes further
underground, for the rest of the retrograde period, making it a
little harder to operate objectively and rationally in the outside
world. Spend some time in your right-brain, intuitive, non-rational
mind, which can coax your mental creativity and inventiveness to the
surface.
Jul.18 – Venus
enters Cancer (until Aug.12)
Your focus in relationships may shift for
a while to family, loved ones and people in your support system. You
may also find that your interactions with others takes on a quality
that echoes the past, perhaps childhood, and you want to reach out
to connect with others more than usual—or to avoid it if those
echoes are not pleasant ones. You could be especially sensitive to
getting your emotional needs met, or how others want their needs to
be met. Interactions with others may bring up a deep need to belong
and to connect and bond with others on a personal level. The need to
feel secure and safe could come up in a variety of forms now—either
directly as a feeling of vulnerability, or indirectly disguised as
defensiveness or manipulation. This could also a time when you want
to be somewhat protective and cautious in your handling of money,
possessions and other resources, striving to conserve and cultivate
these areas in order to nurture them for future growth.
Jul.22 – Mars
enters Virgo (until Sep.08)
You are likely to have a lot of energy for
working in practical ways under this transit. This can be a good
time to respond to projects, challenges and obstacles with some
analytical problem-solving. It may be easier now to take action in
ways that are adaptable and flexible to match the situation at hand.
However, it is also possible for your actions to become fragmented
or bogged down in detail, so try to approach what you do with a
purpose and an easily reachable goal in mind. Health issues may be a
focus now, either out of necessity (health problems may flare up) or
out of motivation (determination to improve your health). If you are
looking for a new job, this could be a good time to get focused and
go after what you want. It is also a good time to devote your energy
to service of some kind. For example, you could help a friend move,
or volunteer at the local food bank, or just perform some "acts of
random kindness."
Jul.22 – Sun
enters Leo (until Aug.23)
Happy Solar Return to all Leos! Today the
Sun moves into its own sign, so its radiant energy is extra bright
during this time. Leo's focus is on identity, individuality,
self-esteem, creativity, self-expression and fun. You can benefit by
rejuvenating, revitalising and rekindling the fiery spirit of who
you are. Celebrate your existence! Do something that reminds you
about who you are. Recharge your batteries and do things that help
you return to the centre of the orbiting circumstances in your
life—not spinning around at the edges where you feel at the mercy of
everything around you. What are you doing (or what do you want to
do) in your life that express the passions that move you? What is
the focus of your sense of purpose in life, and what is your next
step in moving toward that? If you've been feeling like you're stuck
or have lost your sense of purpose, do something that uplifts you.
If you could do anything with your life that you wanted to, what
would it be? And what one thing (even just a small thing) can you do
to take a step toward that goal? Rejuvenate your sense of self and
do things that help you to just BE who you are. Hang out with
children and watch how they play and are spontaneously free. Find
ways to connect to your joyful Inner Child. Celebrate your
existence!
Jul.25-Aug.01 –
Grand Trine in Water (Venus-Jupiter-Uranus)
("What's a Grand
Trine?")
Although the Jupiter-Uranus trine is a
little on the wide side (4-5 degrees), Venus makes a trine to both
of them during this time range and forms a Grand Trine in Water
signs (Venus in Cancer, Jupiter in Scorpio, Uranus in Pisces). The total
effect may produce results like an unexpected windfall in finances
or your material worth. Or, you might be able to obtain what you
need but through unusual sources; for example, you might not have
the money to buy a new "widget" but you might find you can barter for
one instead. This planetary combination could also bring new ways of seeing
value in people, situations and things that had previously seemed
ordinary or out of reach or out of sync with your needs. However,
you will probably have to make a point of tuning into this
possibility in order to make use of it. It can be easy to take this
potential for granted and not actively use it to enrich your life.
You might simply have a background feeling of feeling good and being
a bit more open to optimism and new possibilities.
Next Update: New Moon in Leo - July 25,
2006
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© 2006
Wendy Guy.
All rights reserved. This material may not be copied without
the author's written permission. Picture courtesy of
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