Astrological Forecast for July & August 2013

It’s a sizzling hot summer in the skies! Both July and August are full of long and short-term cosmic aspects that promise to heat up life here on earth. Jupiter wedges his way into the ongoing square between Uranus and Pluto, inflating and energizing the profound changes those two outer planets are working on us all. Jupiter is in Cancer, where he has a benevolent but traditional and protective kind of energy: we’re likely to see more hope and enthusiasm than in recent years, but some of it may be based in nationalism and ethnocentrism. Tension that has simmered under the surface is also more likely to turn into action with Jupiter aspecting Uranus and Pluto. We’ll be making decisions and putting them into action all summer. There are opportunities for great progress and liberation, but there is a potential dark side, as well. We’ll need to navigate carefully!

We don’t need to wait to feel this summer’s energy. On July 1st, the Sun opposes Pluto as Venus squares Saturn. Relationships of all kinds are likely to be the focus, and we could be ready to make important decisions. Watch out for a tendency to cut someone off or out of your life, and be aware that a cold feeling may prevail that isn’t great for relating to those we love. On the other hand, this energy can also help us to move to a deeper level in our partnerships.

July 4th should be an interesting day, with the Sun squaring Uranus. This explosive energy suggests that we won’t feel like being contained or limited by anyone or anything. There’s a strong desire for freedom in the air, and it may manifest in many ways, both constructive and destructive.

A Venus trine to Uranus usually suggests some fun – an opportunity to break away from routine and try something new with our partners or try a new social scene. Hopefully, we’ll feel a bit of that, but we are coming into the New Moon in Cancer on the 8th, which is also the day that Saturn stations to move direct. New Moons are usually quiet and introspective, and more so in sensitive Cancer. Saturn stations are often a little depressing, or at least serious. It may be that as the first week in July ends we use the cosmic energy to bring about endings, letting go of that which no longer serves us and opening up to new possibilities in the process.

Mars enters Cancer on the 13th. The Cosmic Warrior is not necessarily at home in the sign of the crab, where the emphasis is on security and sensitivity. At best, we can use this energy to defend ourselves and protect our feelings, but too much focus on protection can lead to misguided "zero tolerance" sorts of decisions.

Uranus stations to retrograde on the 17th. In contrast to the slow, deliberate energy of the Saturn station earlier in the month, Uranus stations are like flashes of lightning: fast thinking and impatient, restless feelings prevail. We’re likely to want changes to be immediate, and frustration is a possibility. Yet if we can take a few deep breaths, we might find that we can apply this frenetic energy in a very positive way.

This Uranus station is supported by easy trines among Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune on the 17th through the 19th (and actually in operation through much of July). This watery grand trine can help us get in touch with our intuition and express emotions more easily. It is also very constructive, helping us to bring our ideas and dreams into reality. Remember that it is a process and things don’t turn on a dime, but do use this time to connect with your deeper self and begin the process of externalizing your vision.

One more little hiccup may be in the way of making progress, and that is a Mercury station on the 20th. The Cosmic messenger has been moving backward in the skies since June 26th. Give him a few days to gather up some speed before buying electronics, signing contracts, and so on. Patience is called for but might be hard to come by, with Mars getting into the action with Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune between the 20th and the 22nd. Although some of our technical projects and communication may encounter some resistance at this time, there is good energy for moving forward on other levels.

The Sun enters Leo on the 22nd, just in time to shine his light on the Full Moon in Aquarius. This should be a fun, sociable sort of Moon, with a little extra creativity and purpose added by Mars and friends.

Venus aspects the same crew on the 26th - 28th, although the feel is likely to be a bit more serious than we might have hoped. A Sun-Saturn square at the same time can put out the fires of passion that a Mars-Pluto opposition stokes. All in all, it should be a powerful time, but remember that Neptune is in the mix and we may be operating on some uncertain data.

As the month ends, Venus trines Pluto and Mars squares Uranus on the 30th and 31st. Passions will be running high and in every direction. We can build on emotional bonds that are strong, but may bristle against those that feel restrictive. To the extent that we can open up emotionally, this could be a very productive time, but we’ll be challenged to resist acting impulsively.

The Sun will make an easy trine to Uranus on the 4th, just a month after the tense square between the two. Notice the similarities and differences between these two days – it should be easy enough to keep July 4th in mind. The August 4th energy is also about opening up to new possibilities and experimenting, but there will probably be much less tension and irritation now.

The New Moon on the 6th would usually be a quiet time, but a Jupiter-Uranus opposition a day later gets this lunation off to a hot start. We may feel a bit of this in our personal lives, especially if power struggles and financial concerns are prominent, but keep an eye on the news for rumblings in our collective psyche.

On August 11th, Mercury squares Saturn. Around this time, try to be as precise as possible in your communication. Be aware that you may be called out on any efforts to bend the truth or twist the facts to suit your personal perspective. On the 14th, however, the mood is quite different as Mercury trines Uranus. Watch for new insights accompanied by high enthusiasm coming from yourself and others.

We have a second Full Moon in Aquarius on the 20th, just hours before Jupiter squares Uranus. A bold, innovative energy prevails, and we’re ready to take action. Try to prepare a bit for this Full Moon in the week or so beforehand. The more sure you are of where you’d like to go, the more likely you’ll get the most out of this charged time.

The last week in August sees no slowing of the cosmic energy, and in fact it is very likely to heat up for us on a personal level, as the Sun, Mercury, and Venus all form aspects with the outer planets. Relationship issues are likely to be prominent, especially on the 24th through the 27th as Venus aspects Pluto, Uranus, and Jupiter. Mercury’s role in this celestial mash-up is to help us communicate, and it looks like we can at least express ourselves. The 27th and 28th look to be particularly good for saying what needs to be said, and taking a stand with or against those who you perceive to be in control of a situation.