This Week In Astrology

This Week in Astrology

We start off the week continuing the Full Moon Phase, which launched on Friday with a Moon in Aquarius eclipse.   How is it possible that was only three days ago?  It feels like a year.  Sigh.  We are still working out the energy of the full where we are finding our strength and our cool collectedness.   It will be challenging to the bitter end when the moon moves into disseminating phase on the 31^st.  How nice disseminating phase accents our faith.    

The biggest astrological hurdle for the week is Mars square Uranus on August 1.  Here comes a lightening strike.    Rash actions versus stubborn resistance.  Have you connected with your tribe?  Did the full moon awaken that you need your peeps?   Use Mars to help you find the ones who are solid.   There could be something brilliant that catches our eyes this week but is it practical?  How can we bring ingenuity through a practical application?  There is tension around technology.   Everyone should be backing up things that are important.    There is a financial component to this aspect with Uranus in Taurus.     It is aspects like this that make me glad that the masses don’t use cryptocurrency. 

Disseminating

July 31

6:30pm  EDT

Disseminating: Share information; find a teacher or someone who has more knowledge. Perhaps there was a big ol’ blow out on the full and one feels in need of support and help, this is the phase to reach out to one who knows more. This is when we find a rabbi or a minister or therapist who gives us more insight.  And of course, you too may be ready to teach and share your own information.  

Focus on:  How are you sharing your knowledge of faith and spirit?   How are others sharing their understanding of faith?  How do you share your intuition with others?  

Special focus:

8/1: Mars square Uranus. (see above)   

Astrology This Week is HOT HOT HOT

We are in the the hottest weeks of the summer astrologically speaking.  We start off in gibbous lunar phase where we ask:

How are you refining your big picture ideas?  How are you observing judgmental thinking and how it works or does not work in your world?   How are you fine tuning your opinions so that they are more in alignment with your emotions and feelings? 

We also have:

7/25: Sun square Uranus:   Pride and practicality are at odds.  Ego versus humble workhorse.   What is the best move?  

7/26:  Mercury retrograde 1:02am  23 Leo 27 (see below) 

7/26:  Sun oppose Mars actions based on just being a rebel?  Or actions based on ego bruises?  Or actions based on heart truth? 

And then---drum roll the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century is on July 27.   Yep.  Read that twice. 

Aquarius lunar eclipse 

Full Moon 

July 27, 2018

4:20pm EDT

(See separatre post) 

thank god there is a little perk from Venus.  

Special focus 

7/27:  Venus trine Pluto depth of values including love and power.  Going deep is easy and reveals new growth.  Practical application of that new growth.  

Aquarius Lunar Eclipse. Wow.

Spock and Kirk Live in All of Us This Full Moon

Full Moon Phase

Full Moon 

July 27, 2018

4:20pm EDT

Lunar Eclipse 

4 Aquarius 44 

The full moon in Aquarius is not just a full moon it is also the longest lunar eclipse of the 21^stcentury.   It will last 1 hour and 43 minutes.  

That’s an attention grabber, right?  

Observers in Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia and Indian Ocean will see a red blood moon (more brown red) that will take from beginning to end four hours.  (Thank you, Space.com  for those details). 

On the run up to the full moon we have the following:

7/20 Mars conjunct South Node 

7/25 Sun square Uranus

7/26 Mercury station retrograde 

7/26 Sun oppose Mars 

…and just after full moon

8/1 Mars square Uranus.   

This is not an easy week.   If you have ever skied consider this a mountain of moguls.  How are you going to use the energy of the mogul? Will you take the bump and turn it into a jet for momentum?   Or will your skis get stuck and you rage yourself off the bump?   

As I have indicated the last time Mars retrograded in Aquarius was 1971 & 1939.  We don’t get this experience that often and one can argue, “Thank God.”    The Mars retrograde cycle is from June 26 – August 27.  For the bulk of this period, June 26-August 12 Mars will be in Aquarius.  Aquarius is how we unite with others not on an intimate level but on a global or cause level. It can be something simple like cleaning up trash on a block, making over a church basement or more complex issues like working together to change a law.   Aquarius is not coming together to just complain that’s not elevated enough.  It is about minds coming together and saying, “What are we going to do?”  Aquarius is the brainstorm.   Aquarius is brilliant.  

During this period of Mars retrograde we have already begun either finding our groups of like- minded or we may have begun processing our own resistance to group activity.    But now with the longest lunar eclipse of  the century on this full moon in Aquarius during the middle of Mars retro in Aquarius ----the time has come to heal our own issues around groups and causes and being with elevated like-minded.   

Let’s talk about the obvious reasons for resistance to group activity.  

Well, history has shown a lot of groups get shit wrong.   How about that Nazi party in the 1930s and 40’s?  And other groups who supported Fascists?   How about the KKK?  How about mob mentality in the near and distant past?  How about lynching of innocent people?     Yep, groups get it wrong all the time.    However, a lot of groups get it right.   From something like Habitat for Humanity or ACLU and charities or whole neighborhoods who come together and improve a lot or put in a community garden.  Some get it right.     

With this lunar eclipse we have Moon in Aquarius which is cool as a cucumber and can be very strategic, think in old fashion TV terms: Mr. Spock.   Uranus in the chart wants to shake things up so finding our inner Spock will be hard.   Then there is  the Leo sun on the other side who is passionate, at times sloppy but still speaks to our courage, think:  Captain Kirk.  The war of rational and rash will be in full display no doubt. 

On the eclipse we may start to process where have we been hiding in plain sight.   Where have we been letting others do a lot of the work?   What needs our attention that will help the community?   Are we feeling out of sync with our heart that says, “I really need to do more?”  What is going on with your community?   Is it your block, your neighborhood, your county, your country?  How about your community school or park or library?   Where are you not showing up and more to the point how is not showing up starting to bug you?   

Leo sun speaks to all of us to find our strength and courage and do our part in our community by following our heart.   If we use our heart as our beacon we will know where we need to show up.    We must always check in with the heart and if something feels off within a group we can express it and maybe move on to another group.    

Because the eclipse is a shadow we need to talk about the Achilles heel for both Aquarius and Leo and that is an attitude of above it all.   --  Aquarius can be a rebel without a cause and do it his way or the high way.   Which is very off  putting. And Leo disconnects because he feels he’s not being treated special.   More off putting.   And both can be know-it-alls.   Off putting squared.  

Another Achilles Heel is our own prejudice about community and the power of high functioning like-minded individuals who come together.     This is one of the sad areas of astrology.   Of the 12 signs of the zodiac the energy of Aquarius can be marginalized more than the other signs in my opinion.   For example, no one would ever marginalize Cancer’s domain of Family. Or Libra’s domain of relationship.  Or Scorpio with sex and bank loans or Taurus for owning land--- But Aquarius who says “Hey everybody let’s come together and do this _______” ,  that energy is marginalized all the time.    People say:   “I’m too busy.  I can’t make a difference.”  Which is code for community is not as important as money, love, family, sex, debt, education, property, etc.     To that I laugh.   Lose power for a week.  Suffer a natural disaster.   Watch a local school start to break down.   Watch a law go into effect that hurts your friends.    Or hurts you.   Then ask yourself if community is still not important.  

In summery:

We have a lot going on this week including this full moon.   As we discussed on the New Moon, which was a partial solar eclipse in Cancer we are in a run of 3 eclipses in a row and this Aquarius lunar eclipse is the second then in two weeks we will have the Leo Solar eclipse.   Between now and then we will have a lot of bumps and lots of things will get our attention.   Including this full moon where we find our community no matter how small or how large. Activate that part of your psyche that says, “I deserve to work with others and experience the joy of bringing my unique voice.”  We are all waiting for you inner Spock and inner Kirk to be beamed up. 

Make the eclipse work for you. 

Mercury Retograde in Leo

Mercury Retrograde 

July 26 1:02am  EDT 

Dates:

July 7^: Shadow begins

July 26 retrograde 23 Leo 27 

August 18 direct 11 Leo 31 

Sept 1: Leaves shadow 

And here is that special time in the astro world where we announce, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are back to having 5 planets retrograde.”  We dropped down to 4 planets retro after Jupiter turned direct two weeks ago but now we get his nosy little friend Mercury turning retrograde in the sign Leo. 

So, let’s make this easy.  Leo is not subtle.  Leo is loud.  Leo wants to tell the truth unless it makes him look bad.   But the bravest Leo around knows that a willingness to own their mistakes and their character flaws and still do the right thing makes them attractive and natural leaders.  What will we do when Mercury retrogrades in Leo?  Last summer we had two days of Mercury retrograde in Leo, most of the three weeks were spent in Virgo.    As annoying as last summer’s retrograde was this one might be a tinge tougher.   Last year we were inclined to beat up self.  This time people will really tick us off especially if they step on our pride.   There will be the usual miscommunications and mayhem around technology and yes someone didn’t write your name down for something important.   On the day of the station retrograde (and therefore an influence on the 3 week period), Mercury is in a tight square with Uranus.   Unexpected issues and fumbles could cost us both time and money and we may want to fight hard and have someone pay for it.   Given this Mercury retrograde spends two thirds of its time in the Cancer lunar phase we will be called upon to explore our emotions when we hit stumbling blocks.   Do we collapse?   Or do we gather our resources and persevere like a real leader?   How strong is our self- esteem?   Remember self- esteem is not the same as ego.     Like all Mercury retrogrades we will do the best we can but remember this one is pushing for people to stand up and be leaders in their homes, communities and perhaps work.  Watch and see if between now and August 8 (when it turns direct) if you don’t come across a bump that brings out your fearlessness and you grow leaps and bounds.  

Right at the beginning, this Mercury retrograde is also being given a gift of anAquarius Lunar eclipse which also activates its opposite sign Leo calling upon us to find our strength.  There’s that word again.    Roar. 

This Week in Astrology : Week of July 16

This week begins with a Crescent phase moon.  Lots of information coming our way that speaks to daily schedule and how we feel about our routines.   Then we move into first quarter.   The big pressure for the week is the build up to Mars on the Nodes on the 20^th.    There is a fuse burning this week…are you feeling it personally?  

Crescent Moon Phase

July 16, 2018 

3:51am EDT 

Focus on: What information are you receiving that speaks to your feelings and how they impact your daily calendar?  What are you learning about your daily routines?  And how are they impacted by need to protect?  Or your need to nurture?  What are you learning about your critical nature?   How much is it based on nurture or protection? 

First Quarter Moon 

July 19 

3:52 pm EDT 

Focus on:  What actions are you taking that speak to your emotions with in your relationship?   How are your emotions and feelings and need to protect or nurture highlighted within your partnerships?  How are your partnerships like family?   Even the ones who are not family?   Is it healthy?   Great. Is it not healthy?  What changes can you make to bring a healthier approach? 

Special focus

7/20: Mars conjunct South Node/Oppose North node (see above)

7/22: Sun enters Leo 

Mars & Nodes July 20

As we discussed last cycle, Mars retrogrades every couple of years and at the end of June Mars the warrior stationed retrograde in the sign of Aquarius.  This is the first time it has retrograded in Aquarius since the summer of 1971 and before that the summer of 1939.   Okie dokie.

In his journey, Mars can go over the nodes every year or so (both conjunct & oppose) but this is a particular interesting time since Mars retrograde is right in the hot spot of the lunar nodes and he drives over them three times.  The nodes speak (broad strokes) to karma and dharma.  Skills we have to access because it is part of our life purpose and behaviors we need to jettison because it is our life burden.   Obviously, the nodes in our natal chart have the most meaning to us personally.  But the transiting nodes are also important and can churn up stuff both personally and globally.    This summer Mars will be driving over the nodes like some kind of crazed Viking. The first hit was June 8^thso you can think back if anything came up around the first pass.  The second hit is July 20^thand the final time is September 26.  So much of the angst of this aspect speaks to people who are either with their tribe or not with their tribe— and are they with people who inspire them?   It is not enough to be connected on low energy—think complainers who like to be with complainers that is not the lesson of south node in Aquarius.  Watching the young soccer players caught in the cave in Thailand has been an allegory of Mars on South Node in Aquarius.   The fraternity, the unusual circumstance and more to the point large groups (again Aquarius) coming together in heroic ways to rescue (Leo). We all are cheering them along from all over the world.   

We probably should expect some cult news to pop up in this cycle which is not a superior use of the Aquarius energy.   Personally, it is more important to be connected with people that bring out the best in you (NN Leo) and you share with them not from ego but more like you are sharing food with friends.   “Hey I have this thought, action, inspiration that you might like.”   With Mars retro we may realize we are sharing with people who don’t care or don’t get what makes us special.  So then what do we do?    Perhaps it is time to expand your circle?   Say Yes to something you would normally say NO.   Watch what comes up around the 20^thand see if you get informed about your circles or lack of them or if you are not being understood in your group.    See how much you learn between June 8 and September 26 when it finishes its Viking-ness on the nodes.   

Cancer New Moon - Partial Eclipse

Cancer New Moon
(Partial Solar Eclipse)
July 12, 10:47pm EDT

Have you learned to access the most powerful thing in your life-- your emotions?
Now would be a good time to access them and put them to work.    F L O W

You will find my article HERE 

Jupiter Direct July 10

Jupiter Direct 

July 10 1:02pm EDT 

13 Scorpio 20 

Jupiter stationed retrograde on March 8^thand it has no doubt churned up a lot for everyone.  Remember he is the biggest planet in our solar system.  

How well do you know your natal chart?   If you know where 13-20 degrees of Scorpio live in your chart then you have a pretty good idea what kind of rocks Jupiter has turned over and which creepy crawlies have emerged.   The nature of the yucky stuff is money and shared resources, debt, sex, taxes, investments and power.  Along with death and rebirth.     If it is in your 3 house of neighbors and siblings and gossip you probably have learned a lesson or two about sharing too much information either now or in your past.  Or maybe there was a sibling or a neighbor trying to get your ‘power’.   Or if you have these degrees in your 10^thhouse then god knows your career has felt overhauled or perhaps it is at the beginning of the overhauling.   But even if you don’t know your chart, you still KNOW stuff has been turned upside down in Scorpio.   In particular financial resources may have been wonky or debt seems untenable or sex and power feel ‘off’.  Whatever it is, you may feel more optimistic once Jupiter turns direct.  And if not optimistic you could have learned something about the issues and have a new approach or a new philosophy.  Have you learned about you when you ‘put your mind’ to something what you can accomplish?    There is some value in that OCD component to Scorpio.   We only get Jupiter in Scorpio once every 12 years so whatever lesson this one has for us let’s utilize the information and fix things that need fixing going forwards.   It is interesting that this station direct is taking place in the Gemini lunar phase reminding us that the most important move we can make when faced with the above stated obstacles  is change our thinking first.    Or as Stuart Smalley said, fix your “stinkin’ thinking ”  

Please note these dates and see how you can utilize the Jupiter in Scorpio energy going forward. 

October 10, 2017 Jupiter enter Scorpio 

December 12, 2017 Jupiter shadow 

March 8, 2018 Jupiter station retrograde 23 Scorpio 13

July 10, Jupiter station direct 13 Scorpio 20

October 5 Jupiter leaves shadow 

November 8 Jupiter enters Sagittarius   (last time it was in Sag was 2006)

Astrology This Week of July 2

The Full Moon has passed.  Were you practical for three days?   I hope you made the most of the Cap moon.

Now we move into Disseminating.  This week is highlighted by a loving trine between the Sun and Neptune which softens some of the hard corners we see or experience .  And we have Chiron stationing retrograde, it is not particularly something that will show itself this week but it will be part and parcel to some of the action that takes place this summer.    Special shout out to our March 18-March 20 birthdays, how are you healing your wounds?  Did you know you are the only one who can heal it?  Get in tune, man, it is all in your hands. 

Disseminating

July 2

4:15am  EDT

Focus on:  How are you sharing your flexibility with friends?  How are you moving with dexterity among your tribe?  How are you sharing what it means to be a friend with others? 

Special focus:

7/5: Chiron retrograde see post (Steven Forrest) 12:46am EDT

7/5: Mercury oppose Uranus.  Argumentative.  Sparring.   Tribe versus self.  

Last Quarter Moon Phase

July 6, 2018 

3:50am  

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense. And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living  “The serenity prayer” 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

Focus on:

What actions are you taking that support your independence?  How are you showing flexibility in order to carve your own way?   What do you see off in the horizon that needs your self determination and how can you adapt to make it a reality? 

Special focus:

7/8 Sun trine Neptune.  Family and emotions are in sync with the world.  Harmony comes from within with ease.  Wisdom from an inner place.  Emotions and faith are engaged.  Art and faith interwoven. 

7/9 Mercury square Jupiter.  Big ideas and big opinions are at war with romance and self esteem.  Death and rebirth at war with ego. 

Chiron Stations Retrograde --- Steven Forrest

On July 5, 12:46am EDT
2 Aries 25.

Steven Forrest is a gifted astrologer and has been writing about the planetary aspects and placements for decades.   I just got an email from him regarding Chiron and Saturn.  He has elegant write up about the square that never is....but is.   It is a part of our journey this summer.

I invite you to read what he has written.   He is a master on various astrology subjects.    Take a read you will see his knowledge.  

Tracy