July started on a full moon and ends on one too. The second full moon of any month is called a blue moon, but the term originally applied to an extra full moon in a season, not in a month, which gives us 13 full moons in a year instead of 12. The concept behind blue moon is rarity – as in “once in a blue moon”. And now you know.
Read your week ahead: http://www.straight.com/life/497201/your-horoscope-july-30-august-5-2015
Don’t forget to listen to the podcast month ahead (see tab above)
July Overview:
Look up at the evening sky and take in the feast. Venus and Jupiter in Leo are at maximum brilliance as July opens.
Canada’s birthday coincides with a full moon in Capricorn. It’s an aptly descriptive solar return chart for Prime Minister Harper’s conflict ridden regime, our current political state of affairs, and Canada’s upcoming fall election. On a happier note, the sun’s trine to Neptune makes for a good day to relax, enjoy, and to give in to moment.
Whether it’s an inner dilemma or an outer circumstance, we are all working through something major. There are a lot of planetary contributors to this critical juncture along the timeline. Most notably there’s Venus to talk about.
For this past month, Venus in Leo has been progressively catching up to Jupiter. Whenever Leo is involved it is Something. When Jupiter is involved, it’s bigger than that. This Venus/Jupiter transit has legitimized same sex marriage in the USA. Congratulations!!! (Canada did so back in 2005.) It’s also seen the Donald (aka Mr. Larger than life, Donald Trump) announce himself as a candidate for the US presidential nomination. (Let the entertainment begin!)
Venus aligned (conjunct) Jupiter can be a joyous, loving, confidence building, and opportunity transit, but both planets are also working toward a reality checkpoint with Saturn. Venus surpasses the first of three square aspects with Saturn on July 13; there are two more, on Aug 5, and Oct 10. As July begins, the stock markets are reeling as Greece defaults on its loan and shuts down their banks prior the July 5 vote. This vote takes place as the sun in Cancer (the people, their needs, nationalism) builds toward an opposition with Pluto in Capricorn (the system, the debt, the government) which it does early on July 6. No matter what the outcome, it is sure to produce a worldwide ripple effect. (It already is.)
Jupiter is a much slower mover than Venus. Jupiter in Leo was in tension aspect to Saturn from September through the start of Dec 2014 but the duo will finally perfect the square aspect from Leo (Jupiter) to Scorpio (Saturn) on Aug 3, two days after Saturn ends retrograde. If you are wondering why Jupiter hasn’t matched your expectations, now you know why.
With Venus about to turn retrograde, (July 25 to Sept 6) expect whatever is firing up to have a dynamic life force. It is a karmic cycle of major significance. Venus is the planet of net worth and self worth, it is a creator archetype, a survival archetype, and constitutes one half of the relationship duo. Venus in Leo brings us to the heart of the matter. We are embarking upon a heart journey, one that is meant to create an important re-centering, to put us back in touch with the light – our own inner light.
Venus dips into Virgo from July 18 to Aug 31. It will station to retrograde at 0 Virgo on July 25. This is the last time it will do so for the next quarter millennium. 0 Virgo is also the degree of the fixed star Regulus, the royal star. It is a suggestion of a critical healing mandate for the planet and humankind, of “the meek inheriting the earth”, of the need to return to a philosophy of service to the whole, rather than to the self-serving.
Usually when Venus stations to retrograde, circumstance come to a halt, but also on this same day, July 25, Mars in Cancer squares off with Uranus in Aries. Just 24 hours later, on July 26, Uranus stations retrograde. Mars/Uranus can be a volatile, sudden, eruptive, and fast forward influence. Uranus is an awakening archetype. To the negative, Mars/Uranus can bring revolts, revolutions, demonstrations, marches, riots, etc. The weather can be extreme too (fire, lighting, etc.) Both Venus and Uranus in retrograde uncover something specific. It is sure t could be a shatter through weekend or a break- point of significance. There are good transits in the week that follows and on August 1, Saturn ends the retrograde it began in the middle of March. No matter how it shapes up for you, expect to be on the move-along with something of critical significance to you.
**I am available for private consultations throughout the summer. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to set one up.
July 1: Full Moon 7:20 pm (9:55 Capricorn)
July 15: New Moon 6:24 pm (23:14 Cancer)
July 8: Mercury into Cancer: 11:52 am
July 18: Venus enters Virgo: 3: 38 pm
July 19: Eris stations retrograde: 10:09 pm (23:24 Aries)
July 22: Sun enters Leo: 8:31 pm
July 23: Mercury into Leo: 5:15 am
July 25: Venus stations retrograde: 2:29 am (0:46 Virgo)
July 26: Uranus stations retrograde: 3: 38 am
**all times listed are PDT, please check your local listings
Dates to watch: July 1, 5, 6, 8, 12, 13,15, 18, 22, 23, 25, 26, 29, 31
ARIES (March 21- April 19)
Mars in Cancer keeps it fired up on the home & family front through the start of August. The transit is also appropriately timed for putting fresh energy into personal wellbeing, security matters (actual and emotional), and creative projects.
What does happiness look like to you? How close are you to obtain what your heart desires? Whether travel or a special event is in the works or not, Venus trine Jupiter opens July with something important on the go.
By the time Venus advances into Virgo on July 18 and turns retrograde on July 25, you may find that you aren’t as finished or as far along as you have previously thought. The few days before and around July 25 when Venus retrograde begins can make for difficulties with money, work, or health. Mars square Uranus on the same day can make for a sudden snap or eruption, for equipment breakdown, accidents, the unexpected, etc. It’s hard to maintain control, consistency or influence. On the other, things happen for a reason. See the moment as an exceptional opportunity.
The productive side of this transit is about making a purposeful sacrifice or taking a difficult or challenging step. To the plus, the sun is in good shape, forming several strong alignments. You could stumble upon something quite useful.
TAURUS (April 20 -May 20)
Thanks to Mars in emotional Cancer, you’ll feel everything with greater intensity. Venus/Jupiter can start the month on a high note, especially if you are at the start of a trip or a vacation.
Live it up and make good use of the first two weeks of the month. The stars are about to flick a major switch. Watch the days leading up to the new moon on July 14. Mars conjoins Mercury and both oppose Pluto. It could bring you to a sharp and abrupt edge. Even though a new moon is usually a quiet time, this one could be eruptive or disruptive.
The days around July 25 are also ones to watch out for as both Venus and Uranus station retrograde. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Do aim for purposeful upgrades, and vote in the direction of reinvention.
Venus retrograde is an important cycle for getting back in touch with yourself. Are you running along a successful personal track? Are you happy, well, and thriving? Have you got a good handle on life? If not, what upgrades do you need to make? Although it could take time to figure out, Venus in Leo urges you to love yourself better, to aim for better and more.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
The start of the month dishes up a great time to travel, vacation, or get on the move. Perhaps there’s special news to share, a special event to attend, or a special someone to see.
The month ahead could see you burn through plenty of money too. Financial, health, or relationship wise, the decisive new moon on July could thrust the switch on something major. Fast action is called for.
Venus in Virgo, starting July 18, and retrograde from July 25, can see you revisit a health, home, or a family matter. A renovation project, trip, plan, or business matter may require a major rethink. Too, you could have more paperwork, talking, negotiating or repair work to do. It’s good when things get uncovered. See it as a blessing in disguise. It’s the beginning of an important fix, healing, or correction.
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
You’ll gain plenty of extra get-up-and-go from Mars in Cancer through the start of Aug. Mars is particularly hotwired on the new moon July 14 and on July 25, the day of Venus’ station to retrograde and the day before Uranus does the same. Mark these dates on your calendar and watch what builds in the preceding days as they may give you a heads-up.
Venus in Virgo and retrograde can force you to rethink your plans or to have another talk with yourself. It can show you where you’ve made a wrong turn or incorrect estimate. You may choose or be forced to back-out of something. It could bring relief and/or prove to be a saving grace. No matter what it looks like in the moment, Venus retrograde is meant to open a portal to and accelerate an improvement.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Your birthday isn’t July 1 (we all know its Cancer’s day), but thanks to Venus/Jupiter in Leo you could feel like it is. Whatever you get up to, it’s not a little, it’s a lot. Yes, go ahead, indulge, celebrate, shine, and aim for major mileage.
By mid month, you’ll feel a major energy shift or move on to other things. The July 15 new moon or the days leading up to it could be a cut-off or kick-start time. The good roll continues in the following week, but watch the weekend of July 25/26 for added action and/or excitement. That’s when both Venus and Uranus begin retrograde. While it is a good time to start a vacation, Mars square Uranus and Uranus retrograde can fire up the unexpected. The month ends with a full moon in Aquarius and Venus retrograde on a revisit to Leo.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Now through the middle of September, Juno, the contract asteroid, tenants your sign. On the bigger picture level, Juno’s tour through Virgo suggests it’s a time of personal renewal; that you are at the start of signing a new agreement/covenant with yourself. You’ll feel it instinctually and you’ll witness it outwardly too. This new cycle is one that is directed to repair, healing and self improvement at all levels. You can be at the start of a new job, work cycle, or training program. Simultaneous to your inner growth, you’ll see circumstances improve too. July 12 to 15 can be a turn-the-corner, move ahead, or break-through time.
From July 18 through the full moon on July 31, Venus says a quick hello to your sign. This Venus transit can be accompanied by a sense of promise or destiny to this next stage of your life. Perhaps you’ll feel like it’s your last chance, or that you have one last thing to do, say or accomplish in order to feel complete, resolved, ready etc. These statements will be felt the strongest if your birthday falls on Aug 23.
The last weekend of the month can be quite notable. This is when both Venus (July 25) and Uranus (July 26) turn retrograde. Mars also strikes flint (squares Uranus) on July 25, so try to maintain a vigil re safety measures. A disruption, eruption, accident, or surprise is within the range of possibilities. Venus at station is usually a stall-out influence but Mars square Uranus is anything but.
LIBRA (Sept 22-Oct 22)
A new life adventure is calling. Mars in Cancer, Cancer month, Venus, Jupiter, and Uranus put you on a major move along. Life, career, relationships, or ambitions can be heading in a new direction. Whether it’s sprung on you or you’ve been working toward it for awhile, the start of July hits full steam ahead.
Venus in Leo is great influence for pleasure-seeking, play, new love, socializing, exploring, discovering, and for reinventing yourself. It’s also great for vacation time and for enjoying the local happenings.
July 18 through July 31, Venus dips into Virgo. Use this time to pull back from spending or over-activity. Stop the inner critic, catch-up with yourself, relax and replenish. Tend to a short project, to take stock, to fix, revise, and improve as necessary.
Venus retrograde in Virgo is a good time to get off the hamster wheel, to take a vacation or time out. Another purpose of the cycle is to show you where you may have taken a wrong turn. It can make you question more so that you can edit, delete, or at the very least, minimize on the wrong turns or time wasters. If it’s too weak to survive, it probably won’t. Venus retrograde in Leo can see you get back into the swing of things, but you’ll do it with more conscious awareness and intention. Venus retrograde is a time to be more selective about what you show and to whom. It can also take you through a karmic interval with a specific someone or specific circumstance.
SCORPIO (Oct 23~Nov 22)
The start of July can find you gaining significant career or personal recognition and status. (No wonder Thomas Mulcair, head of the federal opposition party, the NDP, is gaining in the poles.) Perhaps a special event launches your month. Venus and Jupiter in Leo are at peak in the first two weeks of July but they will continue to keep you flying high while they continue through Leo (Jupiter: through the beginning of Aug; Venus: through mid Oct.)
July 12 through the end of the month is an ideal time for a get-away, or switch-track. Time off or away is great, but don’t expect to be sitting still, at least not for long. The new moon on July 15, Venus into Virgo on July 18, and the start of retrograde for both Venus (July 25) and Uranus (July 26) are all strike-flint, switch-track dates. All are good for a getaway but know there’s also a potential for a shakeup, an added expense, or an inconvenience.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 ~ Dec 21)
Venus conjoined with your ruler Jupiter at the month’s start makes it a great time to be a Sagittarius – especially so noting that both planets are energized by Uranus (by trine). Freedom, it’s a great feel. It’s what your sign lives for; – well, that and love, of course.
While Jupiter and Venus in Leo continue to keep your spark well lit, Saturn’s influence brings an awareness of a shifting reality and/or growing need. There’s a limit or end to the road ahead and it can’t be downplayed or ignored. July 6, 12, 13, and 15 are action dates; one way or another they move you further along.
Venus dips into Virgo from July 18 to 31. You could find that the timing isn’t quite right, that you aren’t quite ready, or that you aren’t quite free yet. A new necessity or reality could appear abruptly. Although the start of Venus retrograde can typically bring a stop or a stall out, the weekend of July 25 (and the days leading up to it) are sure to be catapulting, thanks to Mars in dynamic tension (square) with Uranus which turns retrograde on July 26. Something important is building. It has a life of its own. You can’t stop it. It’s likely you don’t want to either.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22 ~ Jan 19)
July opens on a Capricorn full moon, but rather than a day of conflict, it looks like a good one to indulge and enjoy. Do it your way and take delight in the reward it brings. If there’s tension to be found, you’ll see it into the evening or the following day, but overall you should feel that you are gaining on yourself and that life is also on a good move-along.
A vacation or change of pace hits it right anytime in July. There are three peaks to the month, the start, the middle, and the end of the month. All mark switch-track thresholds. The new moon on July 15 can be an especially emotional push come to shove time. It could feel like a full moon instead.
If you can’t get away, aim to pick up the slack with something fresh. If you don’t have a focus, a project, or anything specific on the backburner, watch for destiny’s plan to reveal itself. The start of Venus retrograde on July 25, and Uranus retrograde on July 26 can kick it into action.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 ~ Feb 18)
Canada Day coincides with a full moon in Capricorn. A day off can be put to good use; perhaps there’s someone special to spend time with or something special to do. If it’s a day of work, it’s one to get through, but overall, you’ll stay on top of what you need to.
Venus and Jupiter in Leo continue to shine in your people and lifestyles sector but both progressively tighten an aspect with Saturn. Venus turns the corner on July 13; Jupiter squares off with Saturn on Aug 3. Both suggest that you gaining an awareness of the wear and tear on the system, this regarding finances, time, and matters of the heart. You are correct to be more selective regarding who, what, where, and when. Too, these transits suggest you are outgrowing a particular circumstance, and/or that you feel a growing need/desire to get moving in a new direction regarding career and personal life priorities. You are quite aware of the advancing hour. Venus/Saturn and Jupiter/Saturn keep you working your way toward a wrap-up, a goal post, or an important transition. As Venus dips into Virgo from July 18 to July 31, it can provide you with a clearer sense of what’s missing. It can also point toward what would be more useful and productive in terms of correcting, healing or fixing. Venus retrograde, July 25 through Sept 25, provides you with a time extension to observe and to re-evaluate. Venus retrograde in Leo helps you to get back in touch with your own creative centre, your own creative process. It’s all about figuring out what’s best for you.
While the day that Venus stations retrograde often produces a stall out, the weekend of July 25, 26 is likely to do just the opposite. Mars squares Uranus just after Venus turns retrograde, and just a day later, Uranus stations retrograde too. This is sure to give a significant kick to something. A vacation break or change of scenery is ideal. The days that immediately follow suggest a good deck clearing. The month ends on another energy surge, thanks to a full moon in Aquarius and Venus retrograde backtracking into Leo.
PISCES (Feb 19 ~ March 20)
A full moon in Capricorn opens the month; a full moon in Aquarius ends the month. Between July 1 and 31 there’s a lot going on with Venus and the rest of the stellar gang. The full moon on July1 is accompanies by the sun’s trine to Neptune; overall it’s a good day to take in Canada Day, or to enjoy it your way.
Mercury advances into Cancer on July 8, which is a good transit for family and personal enjoyments. It’s also good for lovers. July 13, Venus surpasses Saturn (by square aspect) and by the Cancer new moon on July 15, Mercury will catch up Mars in Cancer. This new moon marks an action peak of the month. You may have started on it a few days prior; July 12 & 13 are both move-along dates. The next action peak is the last weekend of the month when both Venus (July 25) and Uranus (July 26) turn retrograde in your health and work sector.
Once Venus turns to retrograde, it will put more on brew inside of you. Allow yourself to monitor the thoughts and feelings, to consider your options. Try it on for size inside your heart and mind and wait for the answers or urge to build a life of their own.