July 2018 Forecasts

Mars Retrograde June 26 - August 27

​Venus in Leo July 5 – August 1
Venus moves into Leo by July 5 and into a passionate tryst with Mars. Mars is the part of us that wants what is wants, and wants it now! Venus is overcome by the brute force of Mars, and we are challenged to remain peaceful with each other, especially as Mars is now retrograde. 

If you can use your passions in more productive ways, you may avoid some of the subsequent pitfalls, as Venus enters its sign of debilitation on August 1, increasing the likelihood of bust ups.

Be mindful of others and this will help you get what you want. Use this time to express your wishes and your unique art. 

Venus in Leo is expressive, passionate and a bit of show off!
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Jupiter stations Direct July 10
Jupiter’s direct station focuses our search for meaningful relationships and connections. We lose something very important when Jupiter transits Libra, however. Something very important is lost in the mix, i.e., our intuition.

But now that we have a sense of what we have gained from the interaction, we can begin to move forward together, with more meaningful exchanges, as Jupiter stations direct. This moves hopes forward slowly. 

Jupiter has just over 3 months remaining in sidereal Libra, so use this time to gather the connections you need before the focus shifts to a deeper, inner connection. 

Jupiter is currently transiting the lunar sign Swati, ruled by Vayu, the wind god, so July is primed for extreme weather and social events that leave us feeling uprooted. 

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New Moon in Gemini Partial Solar Eclipse July 13
There is a partial solar eclipse on July 13 in sidereal Gemini. Although the Sun is in the adjacent sign to the north node in Cancer, it is just close enough to create a partial eclipse. This eclipse points to changes that are on the agenda in the years to come, with subsequent eclipses occurring in Gemini and Sagittarius in 2019/20. 

The eclipse on July 13 occurs opposite Saturn, and Pluto - almost by exact degree. This eclipse offers insights into the dynamics involved going forward, as our sense of Self comes head-to-head with our shadow self. 

The eclipsed lunar sign is Punarvasu, represented by the goddess Aditi: the goddess of unity, as we draw patterns we can understand more clearly once the shadows pass. 

​Sun in Cancer July 15 – August 16
A couple of days after the solar eclipse, the Sun joins Rahu in Cancer, coming to exact conjunction with the true node for the total lunar eclipse in Capricorn on July 27. 

The 'eclipse window' will remain open for a longer period this summer due to a second solar eclipse on August 11. This creates a longer period of uncertainty around the world, as many things begin to shift around issues of security and established structures. 

All of this is particularly unnerving because of the Mars opposition in Capricorn. The Sun in Cancer is a period for some down time; for a holiday. This year, however, holidays are likely disrupted, and peace interrupted, due to the Mars opposition and eclipses. We need to be flexible, open minded and willing to remedy the situation with as much stillness as possible.

The Sun is eclipsed in the lunar sign Ashlesha in August. This makes for an intriguing period, as emotions are churned, while the pros and cons of situations are thrashed out from mid-July to mid-August. 

Eventually, the noise settles as we loosen our mental grip and allow the answers to come to the surface.

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Mars Conjunct Ketu July 15 (Mean nodes), July 20 (True nodes)
Mars’ retrograde transit challenges balanced energy output, leading to erratic behaviour if we are not conscious of managing our energy. It may feel like there is too little forward momentum, but Mars is particularly strong when retrograde - just harder to express. This is further complicated by its conjunction with Ketu, the south node, as it dredges up past issues and vulnerabilities, further thwarting our current action plan. 

This is, however, a great time for planning our next route. 

With both ‘fiery planets’, Mars and Ketu moving backwards from our perspective in the lunar sign Shravana, we are called upon to take heed and listen up to signs laid out before us. 

We may not always hear over the din, but we must try to tune into what these important transits have to say about our individual desires and needs, born from a fight with our own insecurities. 

Mercury Retrograde July 26 – August 19
Whenever I’m writing about Mercury, I’m always tempted to write a little joke. Mercury is the ‘jokey’ planet, ruling Gemini, the sign that likes a good pun. Comedians usually have a strong Mercury and are usually very witty people, of course. 

But this Mercury retrograde is not so funny. It is, however, very important to keep our sense of humour!
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It’s far too easy to get annoyed by a turn of events, a mix-up, or emotional outburst. Mercury represents our day-to-day activities (Virgo), as well as our communications (Gemini), so be mindful of these in the coming weeks. 

Things are about to get a little confusing, especially as the sign Mercury is placed is Cancer, an emotive and changeable sign. The day after Mercury’s station is a total lunar eclipse in the opposite sign, Capricorn, as emotions are churned and our minds go into overdrive, thrashing out many thoughts, both savoury and unsavoury.

​Emotions rule Mercury’s placement while the eclipsed Moon is conjunct a retrograde Mars. Not funny at all!

And before any of that, we have Mercury conjunct Rahu on July 3, opposing Mars on July 5. Things are getting out of hand, in many respects. Our minds are challenged to keep it clean and business-like, as we rush ahead of circumstances in our minds, before having to be yanked back into the present moment with some snarl ups by the end of the month. 

Although the combination known as Kala Amrita Yoga is not strictly in effect at this time, all the planets are either joining the nodes or on one side of them, lending itself to yet more of the unsettling sense we had during the latter parts of 2016 and 2017.

Going on holiday? Pack a lot of patience and triple check itineraries. 

Enjoy this ‘time out of time’ and make the most of what this period is asking of you: review, review, review!

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Full Moon in Capricorn Total Lunar Eclipse July 27/28
The end of July is a very complex period. The full Moon at 10° sidereal Capricorn and the lunar sign, Shravana, is a total lunar eclipse. 

Mercury is stationary, at the very end of Cancer (unraveling in Gandanta), while Mars is exactly conjunct the Moon at the beginning of the eclipse (9° Capricorn). Mars casts a square aspect to Uranus in Aries, further increasing the likelihood of exciting, as well as shocking, events. 

Ketu, the south node, points to a sense of awe and destruction, as we step back to appreciate the impermanence of life, with a strong sense of inevitability.

The Moon enters the lunar sign Shravana, as it becomes completely eclipsed.  Shravana, much like the following sign, Dhanistha, represents our ability to listen – or not, as the cast may be during this eclipse! 

Mars and Ketu represent fire which is disturbing our ability to truly listen. With all the noise of the summer we are challenged to hear what is most important. This full Moon is also known as Guru Purnima in the Hindu calendar, so maybe a good time to check in with a guide to help us tune in.

Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, is retrograde in the sign Mula which is associated with Ketu, as we revisit themes of unearthing that which was hidden, as Mars continues to push uncomfortable things out into the open for us to deal with. This also includes questioning what we are being taught, removing false teachers or just faulty thinking that misleads us. 

This is emotionally volatile and needs a calmness not easily accessed during an eclipse. 

Be still at the full Moon, as you let go and take a pause at the end of the exhale. 

OM TAT SAT