July 2014 Forecast

Mercury Stations Direct July 1st

Mercury halts its backwards motion on July 1st at the very beginning of the sign Gemini, and in Mars' lunar sign Mrigasira. This starts the month of July off with a sense of restless anticipation.

Mercury's retrograde period in June has seemed to be a challenging one according to the feedback I have received, but all too often Mercury can be blamed for experiences which are down to other, more intense, transits at the same time. However, Mercury's influence on our day-to-day lives has a powerful say on how we think our lives are going. Little annoyances and experiences can be blown out of proportion when our backs are against the wall. 

Mercury's slow transit at the beginning of the month allows us to do just that - slow down. Carefully plan travel arrangements or business negotiations as Mercury turns around.

As Mercury continues to build in strength and speed in the coming days, it is a great time to communicate, write and interact with others, which may be a better use of Mercury's talents as we go through some major changes this month.

You don't have to remain silent about these as we all experience these changes together.

Full Moon in Sagittarius July 12th

The Moon reaches its fullest at 11.25 UT at 26 degrees of Sagittarius and in the lunar sign known as Purva Ashadha. This lunar sign is ruled by the Sun which sits in the opposite sign Gemini and Jupiter's lunar sign, Punarvasu. This brings an awareness of the balance we seek to achieve between our own skill set and a more meaningful experience of life.

This full Moon day is known as Guru Purnima in the Hindu calendar. Guru means 'darkness destroyer' and Purnima is the full Moon phase. Today would be a good time to celebrate any guidance you have received and continue to benefit from, as you give thanks to those who have already laid a path before you. This full Moon is particularly auspicious because of Jupiter's (Guru) position in exaltation. However, because of other more intense transit running concurrently, the fullness of feeling may be too much for some to handle. It is always advisable to hold back a bit during the full Moon phase and this is no less the case for this full Moon period.

Mars and the North Node in Chitra

Mars entered its own lunar sign June 28th, joining forces with the north node which has been transiting in the sign. The symbol for Chitra is a bright jewel which can be used to show off. This is a volatile mix and one which dominates the landscape in July. The north node of the Moon exaggerates whatever it influences. Mars represents action, aggression and destruction. Mars represents an immature masculine orientation which may be expressed through force. Anyone who forces themselves into a situation - be it a physical feat or a point of view - would benefit from this awareness. July is set to be an explosive month, leading to many outbreaks of violence and destruction worldwide. We must also view this as a necessary clearing out of debris or of clearing the air so that we can move on without obstruction. 

You may, however, need to reign in a tendency to overdo things and try not to be as scattered as this conjunction suggests, especially by mid-July. 'Mars-type' individual's may benefit from a time-out at this juncture.

Venus in Gemini July 13th - Aug. 6th

Venus slips into Gemini while we deal with other, more pressing, transits. Venus is temporarily weakened by its change of sign, as Mars is also temporarily weakened by changing signs and crossing the north node of the Moon by the middle of July. We cannot rely on Venus to rescue the situation in July, but must instead rely on our innate wisdom to take us through such an exaggerated environment.

Venus represents tact and diplomacy, both of which are needed during July's transits. However, these are in short supply when we need them most. Once it clears the beginning of the sign it is well suited to the flirtatious sign Gemini and the needs of stimulation via outings and gatherings of any kind.

Venus is placed in both Mars and the north node's lunar signs in Gemini for the month of July, linking its transit in Gemini to the powerful conjunction of Mars and the north node in its own sign Libra. This is a very stimulating period but thankfully we are spared some of the harshness due to Venus' strength.

Mars re-enters Libra July 13th

Mars re-enters Venus' air sign on July 13th, just as it crosses the north node of the Moon. This mix of fire and air, along with the south node's transition between fire and water, is a volatile mix of energies. This may be expressed in natural disasters of various kinds due to the mix of elemental forces. It may also promote violence and upheavals in the world in general.

The final of the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro takes place on this day. This will, at the very least, ensure an exciting game, but let us hope that is all is produces. The possibility of violence is never far from the scene when Mars crosses the nodes. It is particularly precarious due to Mars leaving one sign for another, just as the nodes leave their signs.

Whether an extreme event takes place on this day or not, there is a sense of instability all around our lives which can lead to an extreme environment. This has been building more recently and continues for the first two weeks of July, perhaps producing something unsavory within this timeframe.  The period of July 4th - 5th is one such example as the Moon joins Mars in Virgo, but the whole month is primed for explosive events to take place.

Mars leaves its shadow phase - the point at which it began to move backwards on March 1st 2014 - on July 21st and ventures forth into new territory. Mars continues to transit through Libra until September 4th. 'Mars-type' individual's will feel the excitement of treading new ground and venturing forth into new territory and new possibilities, as this year has been a frustrating experience in many ways. However, Saturn's presence alongside Mars until ensure a slow and deliberate step forward until September.

Mars crosses the October 2014 solar eclipse degree by July 26th which is another critical time in the month on the new Moon.

The explosive month of July is a necessary destruction of old ways of being in order to move on into a new life which awaits us. This period may go down in history as a turning point. How this will turn out eventually remains to be seen. However, I get a sense of this time as being a tipping point in equality issues which may lead to extremes. This may be a time which marks an upward trend on the bar graph highlighting the division between the rich and the poor. The hope is that the situation will improve of course. However, it may be that inequality must become so extreme for these changes to occur. This period may be a turning point which leads to such an extremity. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, until there is no way forward except to collapse the entire systems of inequality.

Rest assured that in the more immediate time period these upheavals lead way to a great strength by September - once the aftermath of this period has been dealt with in August.

Be courageous in your explorations. However, also try to be as kind as possible as you destroy all that stands in your own personal development. Allow others to venture forth by stepping aside when needs be, but do not be doormat to anyone else and their personal agenda.

The Lunar Nodes move to Virgo and Pisces July 13/14

This transit is the second major change in 2014 and one which is not without initial feelings of uncertainty and upheaval. Overall the nodes moving to Virgo and Pisces is a positive transition from Mars and Venus themes of domination and diplomacy, to themes of spiritual and material interests. Our spiritual pursuits are bolstered by Jupiter's placement in exaltation for most of this transit. Even simply having the north node separate from Saturn in Libra can release what has been an intense transit for us all in the last 18 months.

The initial move is very precarious as the south node moves across a sensitive juncture between the fire sign Aries and the water sign Pisces. The combination of these two elements is a volatile one, adding to an already uneasy mix of influences.  The north node comes head-to-head with Mars on the other end of the spectrum and this alone is enough to set light to a volatile situation by mid-July.

The South Node in Pisces

Looking forward once this period of volatility has passed we can see great benefit from the nodes in these signs. Pisces is the natural 12th house of the zodiac, dealing with the hidden mysteries of life and of liberation. The south node does well here and is bolstered in its objectives of freeing us of our illusions by having its ruling planet, Jupiter, placed in exaltation.

Let go. Move on. Go deeper. 

Life is changing rapidly these days and though these changes may initially feel very uncertain, they ultimately lead to your freedom.

Those with Pisces prominent may feel the need to cut away all illusions they have of themselves, in order to meet with others more fully. This should not be a hard task for this mystical and inclusive sign. However, forgoing your own legitimate needs for others concerns is not very balanced.

Ultimately we all need to find the balance of Virgo and Pisces in the following 18 months. This may mean balancing our detailed-orientated nature with the more profound; the material aspects of life with the spiritual. How you go about this depends on the position of these signs in your horoscope.
For example, someone with the rising sign Leo has Virgo in the second house of personal resources and the sign Pisces in the eight house of joint resources. This may play out as a need to get personal finances in order so that you can negotiate a way out of being supported by others' assistance financially. Another possibility is that you may find yourself developing your core values on your own, without the input of others values and beliefs. I have included a few possibilities for each of the signs below according to the position of both the north and south nodes.

The North Node in Virgo

The north node's position in Virgo is also a strong position, but one which focuses us on the details of our life experience as we delve deeper into the mysteries of life. This may mean our day-to-day routines and health regimes become an intense area of focus. One drawback with this transit may be that we get so bogged down with the details, that we miss the profundity of life. This would also depend on time-periods and patterns in your own life, according to your own horoscope.

Look to the area you experience the sign Virgo and notice if you become more focused and possibly very critical over the next 18 months. 

Those with Virgo prominent in their horoscope e.g. those with Virgo rising, may feel the need to fly during this transit. This may mean moving things around in your personal life so that you experience the thrills of the north node, but it may be that you experience this need unconsciously and feel like life is getting very unpredictable. Go with it but stay grounded in your daily routines.

Here are some examples of the possible effects of the nodes in Virgo and Pisces for each rising sign as per the sidereal zodiac:

Aries: Dealing with your debts effectively allows you to ponder the mysteries of the Universe.
Taurus: Developing your creative pursuits allows you take on a more spiritual worldview.
Gemini: Acknowledging the presence of happiness in your life allows you let go of worldly pursuits.
Cancer: Communicating more effectively allows you to delve deeply into your core beliefs.
Leo: Discovering your core values allows you to let go of a need to control the uncontrollable.
Virgo: Enjoying the thrills of life allows you to let go of a set structure in relationships.
Libra: Changing the way you spend your energy allows you let the flow of life handle the details.
Scorpio: Working within a larger group allows you to expand your worldview and opens your heart.
Sagittarius: Increasing your public profile allows you to spend some quality time at home.    
Capricorn: Traveling and/or studying broadens your horizons, allowing you to be in the moment.
Aquarius: Embracing change and intimacy allows you let go of outworn beliefs.
Pisces: Searching out others' company allows a deeper awareness of one's self.

Sun in Cancer July 16th - August 15th

The Sun joins Jupiter in Cancer, highlighting a need to connect with one another beyond trivial pursuits. Our sense of confidence finds strength in faith during this period, but is tested by life grinding to a halt due to Saturn's station and influence. The Sun's transit alongside Jupiter emphasizes a deeper connection to our heart-felt longings.

Issues around security, both national and personal, become more important during the Sun's transit to Cancer, as do issues relating to family and home life.

The areas of your life, emphasized by Jupiter's transit, are now highlighted for the coming weeks, bringing sunlight to the fertile ground in which you hope to grow something meaningful in the coming year. Jupiter is in combustion during the Sun's transit to Cancer and will not leave anything unseen by our more profound experience of self.

If you were born between July 16th and August 15th you can look forward to changes in how much pressure you have been feeling for the past two years, as Saturn moves out of aspect to your Sun by November 2nd. Saturn's influence on Cancer, and the Sun in Cancer this month, is of a dimming of our light and vitality. This combination of the Sun and Jupiter with an influence from Saturn can be seen as an attentive optimism. This will be felt by everyone between July 16th and August 15th, especially as Saturn stations by the end of July and influences the Sun more strongly by August 8th.

Keep the faith.

Saturn Stations Direct July 20th

Saturn ceases its backwards motion in Libra by July 20th, coming to a complete stop at 22 degrees of the sign. This is a weak degree in the zodiac for Saturn, despite Jupiter's strong position and influence on Saturn's transit to Vishakha; Jupiter's lunar sign. This may destabilize an already floundering establishment, as a belief in what is possible overrides more practical concerns.

If you have any planets or ascendant degree here or opposite in Aries, or at 22 degrees of Sagittarius or Cancer, then the month of July is one which may feel like things grind to a halt in that particular area of your life. If it is your ascendant degree, or if you are currently experiencing a Saturn time-period in your life, then you may feel the need to take some time out in July.

In general when Saturn comes to a complete stop, and begins to slowly move forward once again, we feel this as frustrating. This frustration is heightened by the inclusion of Mars transiting alongside Saturn and is felt for most of the month. The balance of one's own interests with others concerns is challenging but can be very rewarding if mastered. This period in July may feel like its slowly hammering the point home.

This is the end of Saturn's retrograde period in Libra and it marks it's last sojourn through the sign, before reaching Scorpio by November 2nd. It has familiar ground to cover in relation to this area of our life in the coming weeks and months.

Anything that was not dealt with responsibly during the beginning of the year will have to be dealt with now.

New Moon in Cancer July 26th

The Moon reaches the same degree as the Sun at 22.42 UT. This occurs at 9 degrees of Cancer and in the lunar sign Pushya, alongside Jupiter which is at 8 degrees. This is a very auspicious new Moon with Saturn exalted and Jupiter settling comfortably into the sign Cancer and the auspicious lunar sign Pushya.

A new way of sensing what is possible takes root with this new Moon, and we can begin to grow our hopes into very real and tangible results for our lives and for each other.

Mercury in Cancer July 29th - August 12th

Mercury leaves its place of strength in Gemini and delves into Cancer, a water-dominant sign, on July 29th. Cancer is not an easy transit for Mercury, as it represents our emotional concerns and our analytical nature does not function as well. Our emotions only serve to muddle our thinking.

It becomes more of a challenge to say what you think you should say when your feelings may be something entirely different - perhaps even inappropriate. 

This may be an opportune time to say how you feel with so many changes leading to uncertainty at this time.
By doing so, you realize you are not alone in your uncertainty. Travel arrangements, communications, business concerns and practical day-to-day considerations may be less then efficient, as we all work out how we are feeling about the changes July has brought about.



OM TAT SAT