The cosmos seems to be taking a summer vacation this July, with few exciting aspects marking our progress through the month. Still, even business-as-usual has its highs and lows, and each of us individually might be in for something special.
Venus, the planetary ruler of love and relationships, as well as values and valuables, is the star of this month, making some of the most significant aspects and beginning her retrograde period.
We begin the month with a meeting of Venus with Saturn on July 1st, in dramatic Leo. Saturn, the Cosmic Party Pooper, has been dragging through fun-loving Leo for over two years now, weighing down our collective merriment and making us question what we do for a good time.
Meanwhile, in the home sign of the Sun, Venus wants love on a grand scale - "don’t talk of love... show me!" Suffice it to say that Saturn will dampen down the gestures of love, sanitizing them to the point where Venus is left with a box of sugar-free bonbons. It’s only for one day, of course, but it comes right after the opposition of Venus to Neptune the day before, an aspect which creates inflated fantasies of love and beauty. The overall effect is liable to feel like a hard landing after a dreamy drift through the heavens, and you can almost hear the hissing sound as the dreams deflate. Another way of looking at it is to see the possibility of making our dreams into a reality, less grand, but more tangible.
Although we often associate Venus with love and relationships, she also rules values of all kinds, and those with business rather than love on their minds may find that something isn’t really worth quite as much as they thought. Whatever form this aspect takes for you, remember that the "truth" lies somewhere between Neptune’s pie-in-the-sky and Saturn’s cold boiled meat - these are two different ways of perceiving reality, but neither is actually more "real" than the other.
On the 8th, Venus makes a harmonious aspect to Pluto, one which is likely to refuel romantic gestures after the letdown at the beginning of the month. These two planets can create enthusiasm and courage, especially given their current sign placements. This is a good day to fire-up relationships, and also to appeal to the powers-that-be for some assistance.
Mercury ends his retrograde period (which began on June 15th) on July 9th. While he’ll be moving direct after 10:15 p.m., it’s probably best to wait a few days before beginning Mercury-ruled activities, such as signing contracts, buying a car or electronics, and making business deals.
Besides, we’re headed towards the New Moon on the 14th, and the period approaching the New Moon is always best for introspection, meditation, and quiet reflection. Holding out for another week is a good idea, if you can wait, as Mars (energy in general) will make a helpful aspect to innovative Uranus on the 20th, and the First Quarter Moon (always good for getting things rolling) is on the 22nd.
The Sun enters its home sign of Leo on the 23rd, where he’ll check on his house guest, Saturn. The latter has been cooling off this hot summer sign since 2005, but the sun will still have a chance to shine for the next month. The very next day, the 24th, Mars makes a square to Neptune, creating a day when the energy is high, but not necessarily directed towards anything realistic. Watch out for unnecessary anger and aggressive driving, but a more positive use of this energy can create an almost tantric level of understanding in our physical relationships.
On the 27th, Venus is back in the spotlight as she begins her retrograde period, which happens about every 20 months. During Venus retrogrades traditional astrologers would counsel against beginning a new love or business relationship, buying artwork or other things of beauty, and generally being cautious about the value of objects. While that seems like good advice to me, I’ll also throw in that during Venus retrogrades we often meet up with old lovers, and we spend some time reconsidering our values. It’s a more subtle effect than Mercury retrograde, but we are drawn within when it comes to matters of the heart. Take the time between now and September 8th to consider what really matters and what you truly want. Getting in touch with your heart now will help you over the next couple of years, as you’ll be able to act from a perspective where you can feel things more clearly.
July ends with some fireworks, as Mercury and Uranus make a smooth trine on the 28th, opening up the lines of communication so new ideas can flow. Then on the 29th, we have the Full Moon in Aquarius, highlighting the role of the individual in the collective (and just being fun because the Sun is in Leo and Full Moons are fun). The last major aspect of the month is a square of Mars with Saturn. This aspect often feels like someone’s stomping on the accelerator while the parking brake is on, but frustration is only one possible manifestation. It’s also a good day for exercising and directing your energy to a specific goal.
Of course, it’s summer, and no one can blame you if you decide to lie low for a day and sleep on the beach.
Armand M. Diaz, M.A., C.A., is certified as a Consulting Astrologer by the National Council for Geocosmic Research (NCGR). His approach to astrology readings is to create a supportive context for self-exploration, to help clients make decisions which are in harmony with their greatest potential. Armand has studied divination and oracles for more than twenty years, working primarily with the I Ching in addition to astrology. He has published articles on the astrology of politics and social phenomena in Geocosmic Journal , The Astrological Journal, and The Mountain Astrologer. He can be reached at 917-216-1541 or armand@ bluemoonastrology.info