Mercury retrogrades July 26

Mercury turns retrograde in the morning hours July 26, and will remain retrograde until August 19, when it turns direct again. You have probably heard people talk about this or even speak of their dread of it. Of all the planetary aspects, this one definitely gets the most attention. When Mercury retrogrades, it appears to go backward. So, when the planet of communication retrogrades, those areas of life it rules are basically not functioning up to par.

Mercury rules all kinds of communication, both verbal and written, speaking, learning, even listening and thinking, as well as all forms of electronic communication. It rules formal agreements and contracts, buying and selling, travel, transportation, and shipping. It also rules pets and young people. You shouldn't expect terrible things to happen, but on a certain level, chaos and confusion can and will occur.

A Retrograde on Fire

Each year retrograde Mercury favors a specific element — fire, air, water, or earth. This time around, Mercury enters retrograde in the fire sign of Aries. Fire signs are innovative, unusual, and love to think big! Look at the big picture and come up with solutions that involve fire element qualities: creativity, enthusiasm, forward thinking, communication, and most of all, action. Fire signs don't let grass grow under their feet, and sometimes we must make decisions on the spot.

What to Expect

First of all, communication can break down, slow down, or stop altogether. People can become confused, change their minds, job interviews can slow down, and things, projects and people can change their course of direction, sometimes unexpectedly. Equipment can breakdown, whether it is a computer, a coffee pot or a car. It is hard to get decisions from others, and if you do, they could change their mind after Mercury turns direct.

Thoughts and inner conversation can be more negative during a retrograde. If this occurs, view it as though it were playing out on a screen. View it objectively, as though you are watching someone else. Step back, consider the possibilities, and consciously decide on a positive path to action, rather than listening to negative self-talk.

Retrograde Mercury can be a time of reconnecting with those from the past in some instances. This does not mean reconnect to a former, toxic relationship, but reconnect with those who have been tried and true. Go back to the things from the past that have served you well and reconnect. You could hear from relatives, old friends and on occasion old loves. It’s time to take care of those things you have put off, and clear your closets, both literally and figuratively.

What Not to Do

Don't make important changes such as starting a new job or project, launching a website, buying big ticket items, closing on real estate, buying electronic equipment, getting married or engaged, having elective or cosmetic surgery, launching new endeavors, or signing contracts. Of course, there are some exceptions:

Let's say you need a job and one comes up during the retrograde. Don't turn it down, as a job on a retrograde is better than no job. Things may change after you begin. For example, there could be a shift in the direction of the job, or you may not have understood the nature of the job. If you have to have surgery under a doctor’s orders, go ahead. Surgeries are performed successfully every day of the year, and sometimes a retrograde Mercury is about correcting something. If you have to sign a lease or another document, ask a lot of questions. Go over things several times, and enlist the judgment of your trusted friends.

Your Secret Garden

This retrograde is the perfect time to reassess, reevaluate, revisit, redo, rethink, and even redesign our lives in some way. This is a time to stop, look, and listen to our inner voice, so that you may move forward with clarity and confidence when Mercury turns direct again. It is a time of personal realignment with the world. You may reach a sense of completion with something by the time this cycle ends. View this chapter of your journey as your private inner garden: now is the time to cultivate it and clear that which needs to be removed so that optimum growth can occur as Mercury turns direct in about three weeks. 

There is no doubt frustrations can and do occur under retrograde. But, it is important to remember this is part of the natural cycle of life. This time is about reflecting on what we have done, and will do in the future, but not yet moving forward. Just like the crab that moves sideways, sometimes we have to take this approach and move sideways before we can really move forward. This, too, is part of the natural flow.

Upcoming eclipse in Aquarius July 27: Upheaval, transformation, breakthroughs

The lunar eclipse this month falls at 4 degrees of Aquarius, on July 27. Eclipses can bring positive or negative results, but they typically usher significant life events in or out of your life. An eclipse like this last occurred in July 1999.

As this Moon and Mars are in Aquarius, the ruler of the collective, many events will occur that affect us all and we will be concerned with world events more so than usual, but each eclipse is also personal in terms of our own experience.

This is a powerful eclipse for a variety of reasons. First of all, Mercury and Mars are retrograde and we may be dealing with retrograde type situations: that is things that began earlier, have come back as an issue, or not been completed. When an eclipse falls on a retrograde Mercury events connected to the event can be delayed. As this eclipse is the longest of the century, its shelf life or length of its influence in our personal lives is longer as well. Eclipse energy typically lasts at least a month, sometimes much longer.

The Moon is conjunct Mars and this can often bring emotional stress, anger, or frustration. This can be directed at anyone but the Moon can typically involve women and family members or those closest to us. We could be concerned with events in the home.

Both the Sun/Moon and Mars square Uranus, and Mars is part of a slow moving square that will be exact July 31-August 3. This square is explosive, unpredictable and prone to unexpected events that can occur in the world and our personal lives.

The square occurred for the first time as Mars entered Taurus May 16, and the proceeding days. During this time we saw volatile incidents in the world and the eruption Hawaii's Kilauea volcano. The square will complete a third and final time September 16-20.

We can expect to see these types of unexpected incidents, violence or possibly even talk to war or military events in the world.

If the eclipse or Mars square fixed planets in your personal chart-Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius at 0-2 degrees, you can expect to see unexpected events and circumstances occur in your life with much change.

Saturn is trine Uranus as well, and this transit gives us stability and something to focus on. Saturn and Uranus combines the old and the new, to create something different.

At best, during this period we can break free of circumstances and situations that have been holding us back, and new elements and situations may enter our life, sometimes unexpectedly. It is possible other people we are engaged with may want to break free, especially those relationships tottering on the edge.

In summation, this eclipse is not the best time to begin new projects as Mars and Mercury are retrograde. This energy needs to be channeled and we need something to focus on at this time, as the potential exists for anger or rash and hasty decisions we could come to regret. Focus and calm will be the key to a successful experience, and at best we can approach things in a new and innovative manner. It is better to plan events at this time than to put them into action. Innovation can be a key, and in this respect the sky is the limit.

Unpredictable t-square brings upheaval: Mars, Uranus, the Sun

We are in a period where most people are dealing with some kind of problem, loss or issue, and the energy is not going to shift immediately. That's not to say good things can't happen, and things will be smoother for some than others.

First of all we are in the eclipse season. The eclipse of July 12, was powerful in that it and the Sun opposed Pluto. This created endings and loss for many, and I have heard of quite a few deaths.

The next lunar eclipse falls on July 27, and it is going to be a wild ride. The Moon conjuncts Mars (men, anger, emotional upset), and the Sun, (ego) Moon (women, emotions) and Mars all square Uranus (unexpected) making this an unpredictable time. Many changes will occur, some will seek change and freedom and we can expect surprises in our lives and in the world.

Mars is retrograde, and very powerful. In Aquarius it rules the collective (we are all watching the situation unfold with Trump/Putin) and many other things, and there will be more surprises in the future. It plays out in the world, and of course our personal lives.

Mars is square Uranus and this is unpredictable, explosive, and hard to handle energy, that will last through the first week of August.

This will be joined by the Sun in Leo July 23-30, forming what is called a t-square. This involves the energy of three planets making it even more unpredictable and full of surprises, especially around the eclipse. Caution is required with energy like this, especially as we approach the eclipse and months end, and it is important to find an outlet to channel the energy into.

On the upside, many people will make changes that can be positive, forward thinking and unique, and break away from that which has become stale and outworn.

Pre-natal charts and eclipses

Planetary cycles affect your life before you were even born into the world. While many modern astrologers do not use pre-natal charts, (charts that begin at conception) they are as relevant now as they were in the past and much can be gained in terms of family connections, appearance, and traits and characteristics that will come to life once a baby is born.

Astrologers often specifically look at the Pre-natal eclipse, or the last solar eclipse that took place before your birth, and it has a strong influence throughout your life. Some believe this eclipse propels your soul into its existence, but whether you believe this or not the pre-natal eclipse has a significant effect throughout your life, as a solar eclipse typically repeats itself every 19 years. As solar eclipses occur in series called Metronic returns (which means they re-occur every 19 years), sometimes they end or change cycles. In this case, there would be a New Moon at or around the same degree as the eclipse that would have the same significance. The pre-natal eclipse always leaves an imprint on how we approach decisions, interact with others and approach our life. What it specifically affects depends on where it falls in your personal chart.

The first return of the pre-natal eclipse is 19 years later. At this time there is typically a dramatic change in lifestyle as one typically begins adulthood. You could marry, leave home, start college or begin a job. 19 is a powerful turning point for most people.

Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette turned the tide of the US Revolutionary War at 19. Upon joining the Continental Army, Lafayette befriended General George Washington. However, the young aristocrat's most important contribution didn't occur on the field of battle. He helped convince the French monarch King Louis XVI to intercede on behalf of the American rebels.

Drew Barrymore, Olivia Wilde, Princess Diana, Melanie Griffith, Ava Gardner, and Leeann Rimes, Eleanor Roosevelt and Barbra Bush are all famous people who married or were engaged at age 19.

The next return of the pre-natal eclipse is at age 39. Liu Chuanzhi founded Lenovo at 39, Gordon Moore founded Intel at 39, Amancio Ortega founded Zara at 39. Anna Nichole Smith died at 39, as did Martin Luther King, Jr, Stonewall Jackson, and Amelia Earhart disappeared at that age. Their work on Earth was done.

At age 58, At 58, Sony chairman Akio Morita introduced the Sony Walkman, an idea no one seemed to like at the time. Charles Dickens died at 58 as did Andy Warhol, and President William McKinley as assassinated at that age.

At 77, we experience the 4th return of the pre-natal eclipse, and again at age 96. Betty White was still famous and working at age 96, as was Bob Hope and George Burns.

What significant events stand out at these ages in your life or others you know at these 19 year intervals? Can you identify these events? To find out where your pre-natal solar eclipse occurred click here.

How will the solar eclipse in Cancer affect you?

Eclipses are like wildcards, and one of the ways we learn how and what we need to change and evolve. Often eclipses are dramatic, or reveal important information if it aspects a significant point in your own astrological chart.  An eclipse often brings news pertaining to life's biggest events. The energy of an eclipse can go for months and in some cases years.

With an eclipse we have both endings and beginnings. A solar eclipse is known for new beginnings, and it is always a new moon. A lunar eclipse can being more news of endings and it is associated with a full moon. During July we have both a solar and lunar eclipse.

Unexpected information can come to light or something may be eclipsed completely out of your life, or into your life. Eclipses can bring positive or negative events depending on what it aspects in your personal chart.

 An eclipse can clear away the emotional baggage and re-set your emotional life and typically brings some type of surprise event.

On July 12, a solar eclipse occurs at 20 degrees of Cancer, which peaks at 10:48 PM, EDT in the US. Most of this eclipse occurs over the Pacific and Indian oceans so it will not be visible in the US.  

Cancer rule the home and emotional life, and it opposes Pluto in Capricorn which rules business, work and priorities. During this eclipse we could feel pushed and pulled between these two polarities. People will be focused more on home or property matters, family members, children or those considered extended family members.

During this eclipse the Sun and Moon will oppose Pluto and this can bring up heavy emotional baggage. This can represent an emotional turning point with a partner, family member, or some other individual, or it could be a turning point in your life, depending on what it aspects in your own chart. A personal crisis can set off events leading to change. Pluto aspects can create drama and obsessive feelings or we could be dealing with someone who is trying to convince us of something or push their weight around, as Pluto rules bullies. With Pluto involved, skeletons can come out of the closet, self-destructive tendencies buried deep in our subconscious mind can come to light, or we can see this occur in other individuals, some of whom may play a close role in our lives. This eclipse will bring change and transformation on many levels and is important to be self-aware at this time and in the days leading up to this eclipse.

Pluto rules the dark undercurrent, things that are secret and hidden, sex, death and regeneration, power struggles, decay. Powerful forces are at play involving the subconscious mind, personal and collective power, abuse, and ultimate change, all of which may not be completely within our control. It could intensify deep seated fears and issues within the subconscious and obsessions over personal situations, or even fear based types of subconscious reactions to things may occur. There will be a deep desire to let go of that which is no longer beneficial. Pluto is the ultimate harbinger of change, sometimes that which is is out of personal control or comes through other people.

Watch for violent or volatile outbursts in the world and those who would push their opinions and views on others in the collective as well as our personal lives. As an opposition to Pluto is involved, this frequently plays out as an complete change, or issues come to light through or as a result of other individuals. Some situations will end on an eclipse like this, and it is important to remember if this occurs, endings are followed by new beginnings, and the energy of this eclipse can ultimately show a silver lining in what is to come.

There are two grand trines in this eclipse which can be the bright side if this occurs, and a grand trine is a pleasant aspect that gives us the opportunity to find a new solution or opportunity to do something different and find a new path.

Venus (love, money, values) trines Saturn (structure) which trines Uranus (new situations, unexpected events).

There is also a grand trine in Water signs. The Sun/Moon (ego, emotional life) trines Neptune (compassion, creativity, intuition) which trines Jupiter (gain, expansion, money, generosity).

Pluto urges transformation of the negative, destructive parts of our lives and transformation to a higher and better realm of living. The grand trine and Uranus show potential outlets for new opportunities but not without work and effort on our part.

Those affected to a greater degree will be born under the signs of Cancer, Capricorn, Libra and Aries. You will see personal change to a greater degree if you were born July 9-15, January 8-14, April 7-13, or October 11-17.  

This is a powerful eclipse for change and it is urging us to let go of things, people and situations that no longer serve our best interest, find a new path forward and regenerate parts of our lives that need change.

Here is where the eclipse will affect you based on your Sun sign. If you know your rising sign use that.

Aries- Home, work, family and priorities

Taurus-Immediate family members, neighborhoods, co-workers, legal medical situations, education and travel.

Gemini-Money, possessions, other people's money, debt, investments, change and transformation

Cancer-Partners, courts, legal situations, emotional life

Leo- Hidden matters, the subconscious mind, endings, work and health.  

Virgo-Friends, hopes and wishes, groups children.

Libra-Work, business and priorities, home, family life

Scorpio-Travel, education, legal matters, immediate family, neighbors, co-workers.

Sagittarius-Joint finances, debt, insurance, endings, lawsuits, surgeries, investments and insurance, money and possessions.

Capricorn-Partners and legal situations.

Aquarius-Work and health, hidden matters, the subconscious mind, endings.

Pisces-Entertainment, friends and children, hopes and wishes, groups.

Solar eclipse July 12: Crisis and change

The first solar eclipse of the summer falls on July 12, at 20 degrees in Cancer.

Cancer rules home, family, the foundation and the emotional life. With this eclipse the Moon will oppose Pluto at 20 degrees of Capricorn and Pluto is retrograde.

The Sun will also oppose Pluto and this powerful energy relates to come type of crisis, 0r turning point or both, for many. Some things, situations and relationships will end to create a new beginning. At best, this eclipse can signify a regeneration of something as Pluto rules change, transformation and regeneration.

Look for people to be angry, argumentative and upset over the days before and after the eclipse. This eclipse will bring a theme of loss for many, unfortunately. This is not the best time to bring up controversial subjects unless you want a fight or argument.

Pluto rules the dark undercurrent, things that are secret and hidden, sex, death and regeneration, power struggles, decay. Powerful forces are at play involving the subconscious mind, personal and collective power, abuse, and ultimate change, all of which may not be within our control. It could intensify deep seated fears and issues within the subconscious mind and absolute obsessions over personal situations. Family and the emotional state will be front and center. There will be a deep desire to let go of that which is no longer beneficial. Pluto is the ultimate harbinger of change, frequently change that is out of personal control.Nothing with Pluto is superficial.

Sun-Moon-Pluto oppositions can relate to emotional breakdowns, out of control emotions leading to dangerous situations, danger and violence or abuse, and skeletons coming out of the closet, and information being revealed.

This eclipse falls on fixed star Castor at 19.8 degrees of Cancer. According to Robson, 'Castor gives distinction, a keen intellect, success in law and publishing, many travels, a fondness for horses, sudden fame and honor but often followed by loss of fortune and disgrace, sickness, trouble and great affliction.'

This eclipse symbolizes change as a result of crisis, and we must turn to our own inner resources to resolve the crisis. In some ways this eclipse represents the death of many situations, and death may be a theme either literally or figuratively.

A loose grand trine pattern falls within the eclipse linking Jupiter (expansion/grace), Neptune (compassion/creativity) and the Sun/Moon (ego, emotions). As a result of the trine we can have an easier time finding help, solutions and compassion for ourselves and others.

Venus trine Uranus can give the urge to try something new, romance and affections.

Saturn trine Uranus lends the impetus for positive and eclectic change, patience, planning and a new way to approach old problems.

We experienced a lunar eclipse at 20 degrees of Cancer, January 9, 2001. But this eclipse was not in opposition to Pluto which changes it significantly. Look back at this time and you could have a clue as to what this eclipse may affect in your personal chart as solar eclipses repeat themselves every 19 years.

Pluto urges transformation of the negative, destructive parts of life and transformation to a higher and better realm of living. The grand trine and Uranus shows potential outlets but not without work and effort, and the possibility of change as a result of crisis.

Those most affected by this eclipse will have Cardinal planets-Aries, Libra, Cancer or Capricorn at 18-22 degrees.

This eclipse will bring about crisis situations in the world. Pluto deals with absolute power, nuclear situations, abuse of power, destruction, crime at high levels, attacks on the media, issues involving media, potential destruction, mass anger, and transformation. It falls on the 2nd/8th house axis of the US natal chart (Sibly chart) which rules money, debt, finances, death and endings. As it falls on Mercury, this rules children and young people as well as communication and we will see issues related to these subjects and issues which will be impacted.

The chart of Japan stands out as this eclipse squares Uranus. At the time of this post 155 people are dead as a result of flooding and a major storm is expected to hit Japan and surrounding countries. Uranus is often associated with unexpected weather disasters, volcanoes and the like.

We could hear of issues relating to oil and we will certainly see those in the news who are prepared to force their will on others.

In two weeks we will experience a lunar eclipse at 4 degrees of Aquarius on July 27.

On the eve of a solar eclipse and Jupiter turns direct

This week may bring some stress and for some obsessive thinking as the Sun and Moon (eclipse) approach an opposition to Pluto. The solar eclipse occurs the evening of July 12, so heads up here.

As we approach this date look for events related to the eclipse to begin to happen. Many things will end as the Sun and Moon oppose Pluto the planet of death, bullies, absolute change and regeneration.

We should not fear the eclipse but rather be aware of our circumstances and what is working in our lives and what is not working, which in some cases may fall away during this time.

The family and immediate circle will be the focus at this time, and it is almost certain there will be many changes for many people.

July 10, Jupiter finally turns stationary direct at 13 degrees of Scorpio. This is overall good news as the planet of gain and expansion picks up steam in the sign that rules other people's money, changes and regeneration.

It does however square Mercury as it turns direct and things, situations and communication can get blown out of proportion or some people may seem arrogant. This will only last a few days however, and as Jupiter turns direct some situations and moment matters may increase or get better, especially if this is aspecting something in your personal chart.