July 24th ~ 31st
“Unity” a mural in the PA Capitol created by Violet Oakley
Cautious Approach
Mercury S direct square Saturn S retrograde
Love, the new moon, grows slowly, stage by stage; We should progress like that, deliberately, with patience. I hear the new moon whispering, “Impatient fool!” It is only step by step you climb to the roof. Be a seasoned cook, let the pot boil little by little; A stew cooked in mad haste tastes terrible. ~ Jalal-ud-Din Rumi
On July 23rd Mercury made its direct station at 16º of Cancer while square Saturn which had slowed to a stop for its own retrograde station on July 26th at almost 15º of Aries. In the days approaching the direct station of Mercury you can already feel a shift in our awareness. We were asking questions, we were needing answers. But even if we got the answers we were seeking, Saturn halted the proceedings. This may or may not be an absolute No to your inquiries, but it will slow you down. And this could prove to be a good thing. Mercury/Saturn is asking you to go with caution. Do the research. Cross the t’s. Dot the i’s. Get the details. Create a plan. Be organized.
Last week’s cradle had the capacity to unleash all sorts of information, which could feel overwhelming. All the more reason to make a cautious and more calculated approach to what is being revealed.
Each year that Saturn stations for its retrograde phase, which lasts approximately 4.5 months, we could feel like we need to take a few steps back before we can proceed. Depending on various elements in your own natal chart, Saturn’s station can even stop you in your tracks.
This can be a good thing. For instance giving yourself permission to cut back, to set better limits with yourself or others, and honor your boundaries. Those who get you will understand, and patiently wait. Those who don’t are the very reason you need to do these resets now and then.
During the retrograde phase of Saturn we often feel like we are going back over old history, sorting out things that you had thought you had already sorted. Yet here they are again. Like old mementos resurfacing, keep the ones that matter, repurpose or re-home the rest. You are going over old ground for good measure, sorting and reorganizing your life, piece by piece. Once again, there is no rush here. Saturn always asks us to place one foot in front of the other, step by step.
Within the process you will come face to face with your own fears, your attachments, and your own resistance to change. By confronting these you can unwind the tendrils that keep you stuck. By doing this good work you can overcome stagnation, avoidance and procrastination. Those are the qualities of Saturn that hold us back and undermine our progress. Move through them. Face them. Then cultivate the more positive aspects of Saturn:
Activities that challenge you to develop self-discipline, self-restraint, organization, responsibility, a strong work ethic, self-respect, and becoming the very sort of person that you most admire in others.
Saturn requires us to be Patient, and to think in terms of the long term. This is a marathon, as opposed to a sprint.
Saturn wants us to be self-reliant, and not depend on others to have all the answers.
Tackle that long-term project with resolve, with focus and organization. This is what Saturn loves most.
So we may all ask ourselves: What long term goals or objectives that require a little extra self-discipline would I like to achieve over the next 5 months? What problem or task am I needing to reevaluate, fix, or solve? What finally needs to be finished? It’s time to buckle down and follow through with those hard, long-term commitments that you had been avoiding.
Completion
The Full Moon and the Cradle
The cosmos is a vast living body, of which we are still parts. The sun is a great heart whose tremors run through our smallest veins. The moon is a great nerve center from which we quiver forever. Who knows the power that Saturn has over us, or Venus? But it is a vital power, rippling exquisitely through us all the time. ~ D.H. Lawrence
On Monday the Sun, now in Leo, will make an opposition to Pluto in Aquarius, followed by a trine to Neptune and a sextile to Uranus. The Sun will then carry the light to Jupiter with an exact conjunction, which culminates with a Full Moon in Aquarius conjunct Pluto. In this way, the Full Moon on July 29th illuminates and completes the Cradle of July 20th. This is no ordinary Full Moon.
At the Full Moon, Jupiter is cazimi, in the very heart of the Sun, becoming the star of the show. Things become larger under the tutelage of Jupiter, it holds sway, it exaggerates and fills our hearts with the sort of confidence that arises, when we know in our heart of hearts, that we’ve got this.
Jupiter in Leo seeks success, even in the face of what could feel like extraordinary odds. Even against forces that may seem to oppose him at every turn. Jupiter in Leo is not dissuaded. When opposite Pluto, Jupiter compels us to fight for what we believe in, what we want to achieve, even our right to exist. And we may be asked to do so against these extraordinary, and sometimes powerful odds that are standing in our way.
In the process, we are also forced to get back to our own core beliefs and priorities. These are times when we are having to weigh our priorities. And do so while our back is against the wall. What are those things worth putting yourself on the line for? What, or who, are you willing to take those extra risks for? What is worth the fight? You can also choose to do nothing, especially if you are too afraid of rocking the boat. But sometimes the boat needs a little rocking. Just ask Uranus and Neptune who are standing in the wings. There are some things that we need to stand up for.
This could require great courage, to stand up for what you believe in, especially in the face of powerful forces. Possibly even in the face of unfairness and guile. When Jupiter opposes Pluto we are compelled to stand for what is right and true. We are entering a New World with new expectations, and we are being asked to hedge our bets, take some risks.
The Full Moon is trying to make this evident. That there are just some things worth fighting for. Even in the face of extraordinary challenges. It may not be easy. But there are opportunities here to also make some extraordinary changes, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others as well.
Full Moons are times of culmination and completion. Like a spotlight shining on the proceedings things are being revealed. Do not be afraid of what you find there. We are being asked to do nothing less than to take the next step towards fulfilling our collective destiny.
Thor’s Hammer and the Cradle
Venus and Mars are sesquare Pluto and the Full Moon
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. ~ George Bernard Shaw
The Full Moon also falls at the midpoint of an exact square between Venus in Virgo and Mars in Gemini. As a result both Venus and Mars will be sesquiquadrate (135º away from) the Moon and Pluto. This combination creates its own planetary picture known as Thor’s Hammer, where cazimi Jupiter and the Sun stand as the cantilever. When you want something so much that you cannot let it go, that there is a sense of desperation mixed into the equation, decisions made as a consequence of what is revealed by the Full Moon simply will not, and can not be resisted. It is that compelling.
This is the sort of weather in which life changing choices and decisions are made. A Full Moon with Thor’s Hammer in attendance can expose states of oppression that we have been putting up with.. or ignoring. We put up with them because we think it’s easier to do so, we’re used to it, or it’s simply easier to live with a familiar life, than it is with an uncomfortable truth.
But also under the auspices of Thor’s Hammer, once we become aware of what’s going on, it brings an unrivaled determination and focus to overcome the oppressive circumstances we are facing. WithPluto as the focus of the Hammer, it brings a tremendous urge to overthrow, overcome and transform the circumstances in our lives. Use Thor’s Hammer to Rebuild, Regenerate, Renew and transcend any challenges you may be facing. It’s powerful. And possibly even life-changing. How awesome is that?
And this is all as we are about to entertain the upcoming eclipses in August. Speaking of which….
When the Nodes of the Moon enter Aquarius and Leo
July 26th
The Nodes of the Moon are where the Sun and the Moon’s paths intersect. When a New Moon or a Full Moon occurs within about 17º of the Nodes, the Sun, the Moon and the Earth are in such a close alignment with one another that either the Sun or Moon will be eclipsed. The closer the lunation is to the Nodes, the more Total the Eclipse.
There are two Nodes: The North Node which brings an influx of energy, whereas the South Node drains and releases old energy. The signs (and house placements within our own charts) are indicative of where these energies are going to be released and/or coming in. The Nodes appear to move backwards through the zodiac, spending a little more than 18 months in each sign pairing. The North and South Nodes are always directly opposite one another. There are two ways of calculating the Nodes. The True Nodes, which I use, are (due to the marvels of technology) calculated to the actual places of the Nodes which can be somewhat erratic, shifting occasionally direct, sitting and then spurting ahead. The Mean Nodes are based on more of an average motion.
On July 26th, the True Nodes are shifting from Pisces (North Node)/Virgo (South Node); to Aquarius (North Node)/Leo (South Node). And because they are moving backwards the North Node moves from 0º Pisces to 29º of Aquarius (and the same for the South Node). With everything else that is going on, this shift is like the icing on the cake for the recent weather we have been having, where the emphasis is once again being placed on the Aquarius/Leo axis. And although the Basket/Cradle was bound by the Jupiter/Pluto opposition in the early degrees of the signs, and the Nodes are now at the last degrees, there is still a tremendous evolutionary shift that is happening simultaneously through this axis.
What we are needing to cultivate with the influx of energy that the north Node in Aquarius brings:
Our attention is being shifted towards the greater whole, whether that be the whole family as opposed to the self; the whole community as opposed to just our own; the collective as opposed to an individual community. Moving from a focus on me and mine, to the exclusion of all else, to we and ours.
We will find that we will be able to achieve so much more through teamwork and collaboration during these months.
Coming to an understanding that everyone has value & honoring each individual’s unique gifts, perspectives and experience. Doing so allows the whole system to operate more efficiently, and so much more splendidly.
Holding each other up. Kind of like the way the Knicks played for their basketball championship, and Spain did for their Soccer (football) championship. It wasn’t about one individual stealing the show. These teams worked seamlessly together it makes it possible for great things to be achieved.
When everyone does their job, then we can do our own jobs. We depend on each other to succeed.
Using our position and influence in order to benefit the greater good of all concerned, as opposed to doing so for our own personal attention or enrichment.
What we are being asked to release and/or purify through the South Node in Leo:
Egocentrism. We are being asked to put our egos aside. This is when the adage that pride goeth before the fall will be more evident.
Letting go of ideas about exceptionalism. Or constantly seeking validation and approval, by wanting to be the star of the show. Or by taking sole credit for achievements that rested on the shoulders of many.
Using one’s position and influence for Self-enrichment or self-glorification, instead of using one’s power and influence for the good of all concerned. .
Questioning concepts such as the Divine Right of Kings or growing weary of authoritarian leadership styles. Could even see a Fall from Grace, or a stepping down of powerful leaders or entities during these times.
Caring too much about what others think.
This can also be about the Pluto in Leo generation passing the torch to the next generation. When we do so gracefully, we can see how it can indeed benefit the greater whole in the end.
There may seem to be a conflict between the Jupiter in Leo transit which raises Leo, and the things of Leo (including heads of state and people of influence) up and brings them the confidence to succeed, vs. having the South Node in Leo which asks us all to put our egos aside at the same time. They seem to contradict! However these can and will be coexisting over the next year. As a result we will see both the raising up of certain leaders and leadership styles, and people of influence within our communities, coexisting with the fall of others. Much will depend on the ultimate goals and motivation.
Those that are using their position and influence for the good of all concerned (along these more Aquarian themes), will rise to the top, buoyed by the luck and good will and benevolent guidance of Jupiter. While we are more likely to see the South Node karmic ramifications of those who use their position and influence for their own self-enrichment and power. The former will thrive under the transit of Jupiter in Leo. The latter are more likely to fall from grace under the karmic sway of the South Node in Leo, further exaggerated by Jupiter’s arrogance. We are likely to see both occurring at the same time.
And so we see the culmination of the Basket/Cradle brought to fruition with the Full Moon in Aquarius and the simultaneous shift of the Nodal axis. That’s a Lot!
For this week’s horoscopes, click below: