Astrology Forecast for Creatives | Week of July 2nd - a message is delivered, what words are we noticing, what needs to be said, where are we saying one thing and doing another, an argument, sib trouble, car trouble, things falling into place but what place and where's that HORSEFLY

words by andaria

This week is all about building toward our first eclipse of the summer season (and first eclipse in Cancer/Capricorn) which will be NEXT week when the Cancer Sun (home, family, real estate, home business, mother, mothering, security) opposes a Capricorn Moon/Pluto conjunction!

Let's take a breath first, see where we are and look at the week ahead:

Mars (what we do to get what we want, passion, impulse, action, anger) is moving backward through Aquarius toward the South Node (what is ripe for release) and toward an opposition with the North Node (our future).

Mars doesn't mind being in Aquarius. He is not exalted here, like he is in Capricorn (the sign where his backward movement will end up), but Aquarius is about advancement and the future, and ruled by Uranus - fast change - so Mars can usually make it work here.

Moving backward though is not so fun at high speed as he (as us) is finding out. Retrogrades always have us going back over something - in this case maybe something started around mid-May when he first entered Aquarius. So, we might be re-thinking something or re-doing it or delays and obstacles could have something stalled. Retrogrades are a GIFT or we would be falling off cliffs all the time.

Venus (in Leo for just a few more days) is still desirous of attention, still in love with love, still wanting what she wants, being ignored is hard to handle as are compromises. On July 10th, Venus will take up her position for the first half of this intense summer, with her move into Virgo.

This will put relationship issues as well as issues around what we want and what we already have under the microscope. Venus doesn't like being in Virgo. In Virgo, problems will stand out because the details of things move front and center, and remember Venus rules Libra and Taurus, where problems maybe get smoothed out, but just as often get pushed under the rug in favor of diplomacy and comfort.

Now, the problems will be visible. We won't be able to miss them. They might be all we can see. And since what we focus on grows, sometimes things get worse before they get better during this transit. But this is excellent energy to fix what needs fixing and accept (or eliminate) what just isn't fixable. This is all part of getting us clear on what we want and appreciative and aware of what we already have.

Mercury, freshly unpacked in Leo, and moving full steam ahead, is headed toward his North Node meetup TOMORROW (in play NOW). This is a message being delivered. This is a communication or information or a conversation or an idea that hooks us into our future. PAY ATTENTION. This might also be us delivering just the right information or saying just the right thing that will open a door (or window!). 

So, connect with people - be verbal, be out and about! If nothing is happening - go online, visit a bookstore.

The outer planets are all retrograde, too, except Uranus. Plowing full steam ahead is unlikely now. 

The Sun is in Cancer all week - we are burning Cancerian fuel and our Cancer houses are LIT - remember that first eclipse next week is in Cancer because the North Node - our future! - is moving into Cancer in the fall. We are focused on Cancerian matters - home, family, real estate, renovation, home business, mothers, mothering, our security, the theme of our natal Cancer houses.

The Moon this week will move from Pisces - dreaming, escaping, art, imagination - through Aries as we build toward the last quarter square Moon late in the week (triggering a crisis point, people with planets/points around 12-16 degrees of the cardinal signs will feel this one most strongly - Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) initiating, being passionate, fighting, taking action (and yes Aries ruler Mars in moving backward, so likely either actions we have previously taken or actions where we are going back over things) and finally by Friday morning EDT she will move into Taurus - where she is exalted - nature, comfort, pleasure, sustenance.

Some of the big aspects this week are:

TUESDAY - Mercury conjunct the North Node
THURSDAY - Chiron stations retrograde, Mercury opposes Mars, Grand Water Trine
SATURDAY - Mercury enters his retrograde shadow

We kick off MONDAY morning without much kick. The Moon is void until 1:31PM EDT when she moves into dreamy Pisces. The next couple days will be good for imaginative work, meditation, healing, escaping from reality, making art and music and endings. 

On TUESDAY, Mercury (in fiery Leo) will conjunct the North Node. A message is delivered. This is a communication or information or conversation or idea that hooks us into our future. PAY ATTENTION. This might also be us delivering just the right information or saying just the right thing that will open a door (or window!). So, connect with people - be verbal, be out and about!

On WEDNESDAY - Happy 4th of July America! - the Moon is void all day until she moves into Aries at 12:50AM EDT (early Thursday morning). An excellent time to kick back and relax.

There is alot happening on THURSDAY, but of course, some of this will be playing out a couple days before or after - this is just the date the energy is exact!

Chiron (wounded healer) stations retrograde until December 9th. Yes, another retrograde energy!

He has been SLOWLY moving through Aries since mid-April when he left Pisces and now he stops (at 2 degrees Aries) and reverses course. Chiron in Pisces had been about feeling and then surrendering the wound. Chiron in Aries is requiring us to take action on the wound. Individual action. The kind of action that isn't always supported by other people.

If his retrograde motion means he is moving nearer to a planet or point in our chart whatever is hurting will intensify now - maybe we will be required to be brave, do something we don't want to do, stand up for ourselves, etc. For most people though, and especially those with planets or points that Chiron is backing off - this will be about us doing the re's here - reflecting, re-evaluating, revising - with whatever eases up a bit. With Chiron in Aries answering to Mars and Mars retrograde and moving toward the South Node, too, whatever has been zapping our ability to get what we want (do Mars!) is up for review/release - our motivation, passion, courage. See my April post about Chiron in Aries HERE

Also on THURSDAY we have Mercury (in loud and proud Leo) opposing Mars (in detached humanitarian Aquarius).

An argument now is probably covering old ground (or about what Mars retrograde is delaying) but it could also be constructive. We might be compelled to speak up/out this week. New ideas could oppose actions we have perfected through practice. This could also be about us (or them) saying one thing (Mercury) and doing another (Mars). We could have an argument with a sibling or a transportation/local community issue - all Mercury ruled. This is not the day to call your sister or operate heavy machinery. Or operate heavy machinery with your sister. Drive safely.

Also exact on THURSDAY but in play pretty much all week is a Grand Water Trine (our 3rd of three within the last few weeks!) - this time between the Sun in Cancer, Jupiter in Scorpio and Neptune in Pisces. We had this energetic when Venus was in Cancer (June 1-2) and when Mercury was in Cancer (June 19th-20th).

Trines remove roadblocks. If the roadblock IS the problem, then great, things improve. Things slide into place. If the roadblock has been holding the problem at bay - things might appear to grow worse, but really it is a closed loop and we can only deal with what is already in here.

While we have the trine energy, working to remove the block - forgiveness, compassion, etc -  is very helpful. These are water signs so expect to be emotional about whatever is happening here.

The fly in the ointment here and he might have grown into one of those nasty, biting horseflies by this time, is that because this is our THIRD Grand Water Trine in just a few weeks - we might start feeling something abnormal is normal.

An unhealthy activity turns into a habit, we overdo, we overspend, we drift into something dangerous or destructive because the energy is starting to feel comfortable now. Miracles appear commonplace. We start believing the odds are 'ever in our favor'. We increase our bets.

It will be easy to make a very impractical decision that we will be living with long after the trine's 'easy-breezy' power-player energetic is gone. 

Horseflies aren't easily shaken.

Avoid mind altering chemicals and known addictions.

Life's natural anesthetic is moving in reverse now - Neptune retrograde, so the lure of outside numbing agents - another day at the beach or shopping spree or pain pill will be stronger - keep this in mind. Yes, I know I am a negative thinker (and Pluto back and forth over my natal Mercury in Capricorn is like being besties with a Dementor).

I am sure other astrologers are reporting good things with this and they are totally correct.

Just be careful. This is excellent energy to feel good (and to feel like that big thing is possible and yes, the only way that big thing is possible is for us to feel it is!) - just keep it real - be cautious with big decisions this week that can't be unwound later when that trine is gone. Saturn in Capricorn is making everything sticky and that horsefly could be left biting our ass for years.

Back later in the week - xo all!

Mercury into Leo | dramatic conversations, NEWS, using our outside voice, speaking from our heart, do people listen to us? does what we say matter? we will care about this now

Speak by Jean Fan

Mercury (communications, information, our mental processes, siblings, local community, commerce, transportation) says hasta-la-vista to Cancer today and moves into fiery LEO where, because of his upcoming retrograde, he will hang his hat until August 19th!

Leo is the space we carry what 'makes us special'.

With Mercury (communication, intellect) here it will be easier to put our 'special' into words and to connect with the ideas and conversations that will push forward whatever we are most passionate about.

We will want our words to be heard and appreciated now. So will other people. Even the most reticent among us will want an audience. Our thinking/ideas (Mercury) can catch fire now (Leo).

Speaking from our hearts will connect us to other people's hearts. Encouraging words will matter.

This is very powerful energy. Leo is our superpower and should be used wisely. People will hear us with their heart and well as their head. 

This gives the potential for hearts to expand as well as to be broken into little, tiny pieces. Keep this in mind.

Leo is a fixed fire sign, so words can burn now and words can dig us even more rigidly into our positions.  

With Leo there is great opportunity for win-win and also for 'nobody wins'. 

The energy right now is excellent for teaching us how we express what we are passionate about. It's very supportive of 'top of the mountain' heart-filled type of proclamations and proposals. Do people listen to us? Does what we say matter? We will care about this now .......

Mercury will station retrograde on July 26th, so he will get all the way to 23 degrees Leo, then stop (from our perspective here on Earth) and reverse course to 11 degrees, then stop, reverse course again and start moving forward again. He will get back to 23 degrees Leo on September 3rd and then start covering new ground. So from July 8th when he hits 11 degrees Leo through September 3rd we will be going back and forth over whatever Mercury's retrograde is stirring up for us in our natal Leo house.

This is the house of the North Node of Fate and our future, only for a few more months (!), so certainly this will be about us following our heart, our creativity, children, romance, stepping into our natural spotlight, doing what makes us feel proud and generous. At the same time he will be opposing that South Node (of what is ripe for release) in Aquarius - distraction, detachment, herd-mentality, releasing identities that cause division.

It is not a coincidence we have Mars retrograding back and forth through Aquarius (the South Node) and Mercury moving back and forth through Leo (the North Node) ALL summer, Venus will be in Virgo, the sign of her detriment and the other planets will ALL be retrograde. Plus have I said - 3 eclipses! July and August are going to be intense. We can already feel this.

The first aspect Mercury makes (exact TOMORROW and in play now) is a square to rebellious, anything-can-happen Uranus (in Taurus at 1 degree) and a trine to Chiron (at 2 degrees Aries).

Communications/news/information will be LOUD and UNEXPECTED likely causing tension and frustration. The brakes-off trine to wounded healer Chiron tells us to give voice to our pain; to talk about what hurts. This could relate to whatever Thursday's Full Moon brought to light or to a peak or culmination.

For many people a sudden shift of circumstances begins this week.  

Heads up that Mercury is going to hook up with the North Node on TUESDAY so let's pay attention to the information/conversation/news that comes to our attention beginning NOW, but especially early next week - clues to the smoothest movement toward our highest level future path are being tossed at us like breadcrumbs and even full loaves of Wonder, let's hope the birds - my backyard Blue jays are brutal this year - don't get to them first!

xo all

Remember the Moon is void all day today folks. Not a good day to start anything new.

Full Moon in Capricorn | closures and commitments, security, power, control, painful losses, surprises, the results of working hard, hardly working or working hard at the wrong things, did we put our ladder against the wrong wall?


Today's Full Moon in Capricorn (12:53AM EDT last night) is a challenging one. Capricorn Full Moons are always heavy - our emotional Moon, challenged in cold-as-ice Capricorn, is opposed by the Sun in the Moon's sign of Cancer - and this one is particularly hard-core.

The Sun at 6 degrees Cancer opposes the Moon at 6 degrees Capricorn, conjuncts Saturn (ruler of this Full Moon through his rulership of Capricorn) squares (tension/frustration/pain) wounded healer Chiron and trines (brakes off) "shocking and unexpected" change maker Uranus.

This whole thing sounds very much like Sun opposite Saturn which we talked about yesterday - and which of course, is still in play here.

In Capricorn the Moon is cold and practical, reserved and quiet. We might not feel like howling at the moon with this one. Strikes could be deadly, but they will likely be controlled.

This is about the Cancer/Capricorn polarity AND the themes of our natal Cancer/Capricorn houses.

Family vs. work. The security that comes from nurturing ourselves, nurturing others or being nurtured vs the security that comes from having work in the world and money coming in. Our nest at home vs our place in the world. Summer vs. winter. Preparing for birth vs preparing for death "winter is coming". Childhood vs old age. Vulnerability vs self-sufficiency. Mom vs dad.

There is so much contradiction and conflict here, but like all polarities this is really just two sides of the same coin - something labeled SECURITY.

We can't own a coin without owning both sides.

But we can only look at (focus on) one side at a time. The other side is in the shadows - so we have to flip back and forth and balance this stuff out with our time, attention and resources. There isn't really an end to this or a way to "win" here.

We just do the best we can with what we have.

Spend too much time with one side of the coin and the other side gets all gunky like those pennies stuck in our car cupholder that have had coffee dripped on them. Now matter how shiny the other side looks that gunky side means we never get to actually spend the money

(yes, this could be one of my strange metaphors that don't get us anywhere - except maybe out to the car with a squirt bottle of vinegar and a cup of soapy water).

Being about Cancer (home, family) and Capricorn (work, responsibilities in the world) or our own needs and the needs of other people - any imbalances here will probably show up now to allow us to realign what isn't working.   

Also imbalances with authority and authority figures and the way we use and mis-use our own authority/responsibility.
 

The Capricorn Full Moon throws a light on what power can do and also on the finality of choices we've already made. 

This Moon pulls us back to the January New Moon and the work we set into motion then (ie New Year's resolutions) - how is that working for us? 

Both Cancer and Capricorn are concerned with issues of SECURITY, both value TIME and are guardians of the legacy of our ancestors.

Full Moons bring culminations, so maybe something ends now.

Full Moons bring things to light. Capricorn themes (and your personal Capricorn/Cancer house themes) will be highlighted - tradition, structure, work, obligations, responsibility, authority, ambition, limits, boundaries, restrictions, goals. Old Man Saturn will win this round. Chiron will make sure we feel the loss/culmination. Uranus will catch us by surprise and push us toward a different future. There probably won't be any space to turn away and shield our eyes.

Remember the Achilles heel with Capricorn and Saturn is that this energy often values stability over everything else. Its strength is in being 'un-moveable'. But stable things grow stagnant. Being un-moveable is not a good or realistic way to move through a life that is so changeable. The trine to unpredictable and freedom-loving Uranus will mitigate this somewhat or just push things Saturn's way, but at the end of the day old man Saturn (not quite as changed by his journey 6 months ago across the Galactic Center as I might have hoped ... not quite yet) won't be messed with. Rules, limits, boundaries, responsibilities will be enforced.

There are many changes ahead this summer (and re-plays) as an out-of-bounds, retrograde Mars journeys back and forth across the South Node of Fate through 3 eclipses and multiple Super Moons releasing us from lifetimes of ancestral karmic contracts. We have Chiron back and forth across Pisces and Aries. We have Uranus back and forth across Aries and Taurus.

We are still physically, mentally and emotionally hanging onto an old reality that doesn't exist anymore (Age of Pisces/patriarchy/top down authority).  

We just can't see that yet.

And with Ceres (I am more and more coming to see her as ruling Taurus, ground zero for lightning strikes and Uranus is answering to her now) moving into Virgo TODAY, where she will stay throughout the summer (until September 6th) - this is also the updating of everything we think we know about our physical body and our health as we release attachments to old familial DNA patterning and the deep-rooted beliefs that keep us limited and stuck.

For today, this Moon is very grounded. Walk in it .. if you dare :)

xo all

Note, if we are not liking the results we are seeing now the trine to Uranus could make it easier to bounce off in an entirely new direction and get some traction fairly quickly.

Sun Opposite Saturn | limits, NO, a difficult direction, taking responsibility for our situation without judging ourselves

16.365 by Laauraa

Once a year the Sun and Saturn line up in exact opposition. Today we have the Cancer Sun opposing Saturn (in Capricorn) at 5 degrees.

We could hear a "no" now, we could say "no", hit a limit, have to deal with some kind of burden. A light shines on WHY we are being blocked and what obligations remain. We are being pushed in a difficult direction.

Saturn/Sun can also limit self-expression or bring father/authority issues. The opposition comes from something outside ourselves (appears to) - the action of another person or a situation it seems we cannot control. At the same time we can see the way our own actions/thoughts have set ourselves up here.

This energy might not feel good. Saturn can be depressing because it is quite literally like a weight pressing down on us.

I am not going to write again about the need to "step into our responsibility", work hard, do the right thing, yada-yada. We know this. We are just as likely to get off course by stepping into someone else's responsibility, working too hard, taking on too much or neglecting the other muses. Saturn isn't everything (he hasn't been the "buck stops here" limit since the invention of the telescope, we have to keep this in mind) and he doesn't run every show as much as he (as we) would like to.

We are building toward tomorrow's Full Moon in Capricorn. Let's give ourselves a break (Cancer!).

We can take responsibility for the situation we find ourselves in without judgement.

Just hold space for yourself. Look without attachment at the current situation. Resolve to move forward in a more responsible manner in whatever area of life we feel this pressure. And remember that "in a more responsible manner" will have different meanings for different people!

People pleasing is a kind of grandiosity thinking/belief system that creates Saturnian challenges.

My natal Sun/Saturn conjunction means I do not often encounter Saturnian limits outside myself - I am much more likely to encounter a person/situation ready to hand off their own overloaded bag to me and/or to spend my time figuring out new ways to overburden/limit/stress myself out.

(On Sunday I went to a birthday party for my nephew which was decorated in an explorer theme. I had loaned my sister-in-law a few props for the party - vintage suitcases, vintage globes, etc. As the party was wrapping up, a good friend of my sister-in-law asked me if she could borrow one of the vintage suitcases - my favorite one - for an upcoming show. She is a very talented and commercially successful artist.

She had the suitcase in her hand when she asked and I had my hands filled with presents I was boxing up. She said she had searched for a suitcase like this and they cost around $85.00. Now instead of saying, "yes, they are hard to find and that is probably about what I paid for it. Unfortunately it is a favorite and irreplaceable and I don't lend it out" instead of thinking about why I should risk my $85 suitcase to someone who doesn't value it enough to purchase her own - I said "sure".

Later on I heard her talking about how she wished she could take the hot air balloon my brother had made with her for her show, but it wouldn't fit on the plane but a suitcase would be an easy thing to take on a plane (on a plane!). That night, when I was home and had time to think, ie ruminate, I was totally annoyed with myself that I had given so little thought to lending out something I cared about and couldn't replace if something happened to it and annoyed with her for asking and "putting me on the spot".

I was busy Monday and Tuesday and by Tuesday night when I slowed down - and with the Sun approaching his opposition to Saturn, which I was feeling, but not thinking about - I called my sister-in-law to get her friend's number to rescind my "yes"; to tell her "no". Sometimes 'stepping into our responsibility and living up to our obligations' is about our responsibility and obligation to ourselves - to putting ourselves first.

I am grateful to this woman for this experience - which I obviously needed "to put me on the spot" - even though it has been very uncomfortable (and, of course, a minor situation, but I would rather learn by the pebble than the rock). Next time, when the situation isn't a minor situation, I will do better. I will do better. How many times should I write that to make it stick?! Maybe I need a suitcase tattoo. And how appropriate this is about a suitcase and I am really wanting to travel since cancelling my trip! Did I write about that?!)

We also have an all day Void Moon.

The best use of today's energies could be working - probably alone! - on a project/goal. In the collective we will see corporate/conservative "wins" (Saturn wins this one) like we are seeing with the Supreme Court rulings over the last couple days.

xo all

As we build toward Thursday's Full Moon conjunct Saturn this is an excellent time to see the planet Saturn in the night sky. More info on that HERE.