Disseminating, Last Quarter & Balsamic Lunar Phases
We are in the final ten days of the Gemini 29-day lunar cycle. The big Capricorn Full Moon has ended. The first Mars-Uranus conjunction has perfected, and now we have the rest of the Disseminating phase playing out, including a fabulous Mars trine Pluto on July 5. This is a great time to gird up our loins and get some stuff done with others and groups. World Cup games may very well reflect that planetary lineup.
On July 6 we have the biannual Sun square Saturn, where everywhere we look the cup seems half empty. There is independence, there is family, and trying to honor both can feel difficult. Finding the right leader, or becoming the leader yourself, may also be part of the story.
On July 7 Neptune stations retrograde. This is the first Neptune retrograde to take place entirely in Aries. When I looked back at the last time Neptune made a similar move through Aries, I was blown away by the historical themes. May we all have a similar experience over the next five months, where leaders emerge and fresh, independent ideas begin to percolate. Who knows? Maybe it's you.
Also on July 7, the Moon moves into the Last Quarter phase, where communication and fresh thinking, grounded in on-the-ground facts, help us discover new paths to independence. Breaking free can be liberating on many levels. During this three-day phase, the spotlight shifts to Venus, bringing opportunities for love, joy, and creativity. Nice.
Then, on July 10, we move into the Balsamic phase, where the need to release becomes more pronounced. Scattered thinking, flaky behavior, mixed messages, and duplicitous tendencies, whether ours or someone else's, are ready to be released into the ethers.
Buh-bye.
One note about the Balsamic phase: Venus square Uranus is a wee bit rough. Feeling weird or a little too unique can stir up insecurity. If that happens, try to process those feelings rather than react to them. Remember, it's Balsamic. Sometimes the things we release are the stories we've been telling ourselves.
Then on the 14th Cancer New Moon rolls out on shores and we start a whole new thing.
Disseminating
July 3, 2026
5:53pm PDT –
Disseminating — Sharing Insight
Reflect on what has transpired during the month and even earlier. What have you learned? How can you share some of your knowledge? What past experiences are you drawing upon? Sometimes we feel the need to teach. Other times we recognize that it is time to seek a teacher. A mentor, therapist, rabbi, minister, or guide may offer perspective that helps us understand the experience more fully.
Hero’s Journey: The hero shares the wisdom gained.
Creative/Science Process: Publication, presentation, or exhibition.
Focus on: Are you sharing your friends? Are you sharing your group activities? Or are you sharing what you've learned from your friends and groups? What have you learned from your friends and groups since new moon launched on June 14?
Planetary Notes:
7/5 : Mars trine Pluto (4 AQ 46) Actions that support community get support. Thoughts that are on the ground fresh are helpful.
7/6 : Sun square Saturn (14 AR 23) Crank day. Seriously crank. There is one nerve left and everyone is standing on it.
7/7 : Neptune station retrograde (4 AR 25) (Separate Post)
Last Quarter Moon Phase
July 7, 2026
12: 28 pm (PDT)
Last Quarter — Practical Adjustments
Now we make the final adjustments to the seeds planted at the New Moon. We make the final call, send the final letters, and follow the trails that still make sense. Other paths are allowed to fall away. This phase favors wise action and thoughtful decision-making.
It is a time for living the spirit of the Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Hero’s Journey: Rebuilding life after the transformation.
Creative/Science Process: Critique and evaluation.
Focus on:
What actions are you taking that are informed by your own needs, emotions, and goals? What actions are helping you tap a new independence? What novelty are you bringing to self-agency? Or what new facts are you bringing to your ability to take care of number one?
Planetary Notes:
7/9: Venus enters Virgo. A month of crits. Correction, loving crits.
7/9: Venus trine Chiron (00 TA 35) A door opens that leans into practicality, finances, land, and valuables
7/9: Venus oppose N Node (00 PI 39) Values that connect to our empathy sympathy and compassion will assist us today.
7/10 : N. Node sextile Chiron (00 TA 36) A door opening up that leans into practicality and finances and land and valuables.
Balsamic Moon Phase
July 10, 2026
10:05 pm (PDT)
Balsamic — Release
This phase closes the lunar cycle. We release what has run its course so the next cycle can begin. By letting go we clear space for the next New Moon. Reflection, rest, and closure allow the mind and spirit to reset before the next intention emerges.
Hero’s Journey: The return and completion of the journey.
Creative/Science Process: Rest and incubation before the next idea.
Focus on: How are you releasing How are you releasing being scattered? How are you releasing analysis paralysis? How are you releasing “Busyness”? How are you releasing shallowness?
Planetary Notes:
7/12: Sun conjunction Mercury (20 CA 42) Insights where we almost missed something important may show up now.
7/13: Venus square Uranus (4 GE 18) Weird is great. Using "weird" to keep ourselves from others is something else. We may see that in ourselves or in someone else today.
New Moon (21 Cancer 59) July 14, 2:43am PDT









