July 2016-the summer of our discontent

                                         July-the Cancer season-No place like home!

The t-square between Saturn, Jupiter and Neptune is in orb as we begin the month, and Saturn is in an exact square with Neptune  at 11 degrees of Sagittarius-Pisces through July 4.

Saturn rules our structures, and Neptune has no part of structure and dissolves and erodes the things we thought stable. This can be a disorienting transit, and many things are happening in the world, and in our lives, especially those with mutable planets (Gemini, Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius) in our personal charts at 9-14 degrees.

This energy is changeable--what we can count on is that change will occur-nothing will be the same, and we will have to build new structures.  

Case in point is the Brexit vote in the UK that will have global ramifications. We have seen a horrendous attack in Orlando, another in Turkey June 28, and a continuing contentious Presidential race in the US. Such is the way of this transit that will be with us well into the fall.

This energy is confusing as well as disorienting. Neptune rules illusion, delusion and confusion and Saturn rules what we know to be real, and there is a clash between the two. Old structures will dissolve and we must replace the old with the new.

Now is the time to think as clearly as possible, and not act on mad impulses, delusional thoughts, or any situation where the facts are not clear. Sometimes, with a Saturn-

Neptune transit it's hard to see the forest for the trees, which is why clarity of thinking is more important now than ever.

If the Saturn-Neptune square is aspecting your personal chart, things, situations and even people may be leaving your life. Change in hard, especially when it's not something you want. As Saturn rules structures and Neptune dissolves them, know that Jupiter the planet of gain and expansion will enter Libra and create a sextile to Saturn by fall. It may well be during this time, you find a way to create and build new structures and situations for yourself.

For the first 11 days of July Mars remains at 23 degrees of Scorpio having just left its retrograde June 29. It is forming an inconjunct with Uranus which means it is a challenging aspect and our actions may need some adjustment. The combination of Mars and Uranus can bring unexpected and explosive events. (the attack at the Istanbul airport occurred as Mars was entering its direct phase, inconjunct Uranus) It is advisable to use caution during this period and as Mars moves to 24 degrees July 12-17, it is in an exact inconjunct making it even more powerful.

During July, Mars will continue its second and last trek through Scorpio, the sign ruling the 8th house of transformation, money and sex. Deep seated issues may arise as Mars moves through the most intense of signs, which of course, works best for water signs.  Mars will actually be in its post retrograde shadow period until August which means actions are still changeable but finally, things should pick up speed and start to move forward again during July.

The July 4, New Moon falls at 12 degrees of Cancer, the sign ruling home and family, peaking at 7:01 AM, EST. This is a Moon perfect for bar-b-ques, patriotism, and all the typical things we love on the 4th of July. There is another side to this Moon however, as it opposes Pluto (12:27 PM, EST). Moon-Pluto combinations often involve control issues, obsessiveness, and deep seated anger. The Moon involves women, home and our emotions.

There can be a type of emotional release with this transit, and as the Moon trines Neptune my advice is to try and go with this dreamier, softer aspect if possible and let go of any anger. For some this Moon could represent a turning point. Happy 4th!

July 7, may be an explosive day in the world and in our lives. As Venus opposed Pluto June 30, now Mercury and the Sun will oppose Pluto as well, and this energy will be prevalent a few days before and after. Mercury-Pluto transits are intense if not obsessive in nature, people may be critical,overly emotional and demanding, and certain previously unknown things may be revealed.  Mercury can involves transportation and travel issues, and this is not a day to be careless on the road. Mercury rules communication, pets and young people. 

Sun-Pluto transits are transformative in some cases, but otherwise difficult. A transit like this can be indicative of endings in some situations, total change and power struggles. Others can attempt to change you, or you others. 

Deep seated relationship issues can come to the surface, problems in business and with joint finances. There can be a feeling of forced change. Things, situations and even people can break or break down. Pluto rules bullies and you could come up against this type of person. Push an issue and don't expect anyone not to push back on this day three fold. I would leave contentious or controversial issues for another day. Don't issue ultimatums unless you are prepared to walk away.

This day and the surrounding days in the world are dangerous, and we will see major events. Pluto rules powerful individuals and not particularly those with good intent, and it also rules the press, which will be involved, as well as nuclear issues and weapons. There could be change in governments and transformation in some cases. Violence can erupt on or around this day.

Other transits of interest include:

July 1, Venus sextiles Jupiter. This is a transit indicative of love, social activity and positive financial transactions.

July 3, the Sun trines Neptune. This is spiritual, creative and great for a reading!

July 5, Mercury trines Neptune. Another creative and spiritual transit. Dreams may be vivid.

July 6, Venus trines Mars. Great for love, your social life and meeting new people. Also the Sun conjuncts Mercury and this can be ego centered and willful.

July 8, Mercury sextiles Jupiter. Generally this is positive and expansive, but don't overdo.

July 10, the Sun sextiles Jupiter. Another positive day good for expansive opportunities.

July 11, Mercury squares Uranus. This is an erratic day full of surprises or unexpected communication. The energy can be nervous and irritating, and as Mercury rules travel, use the utmost caution driving.

July 12, Venus enters Leo. Venus now moves from the sign (Cancer) of home and family to fun, singles and entertainment. Time for summer fun and romance.

July 13, Mercury also enters Leo, and conversation takes a lighter tone, with a focus on fun.

July 16, The Sun squares Uranus. There can be a desire for sudden change or even freedom.  You could communicate with unreliable people and there is no guarantee of stability of anything you begin on this day. Expect the unexpected and changeable situations. We could see unexpected events in the world and Uranus is typical of explosive circumstances or explosions. It also rules aircraft, and plane wrecks. Also the Sun trines Mars, and this is energetic energy if you can harness the unpredictability of Uranus.

July 19, the full Moon occurs at 27 degrees of Capricorn, peaking at 6:58PM, EST.

Capricorn is the natural ruler of the 10th house of business and ruled by Saturn. This is not a lighthearted full moon but all business and priorities, and here our focus will lie.

This Moon squares Uranus, as the Sun did the day before. This makes this moon unpredictable and some people may feel as though they are all over the board. Unexpected change can happen and emotions can switch. The Moon rules women, family, and our emotions. Things can change on a dime over these few days. But, Mercury trines Saturn and this can give an edge over the stability and lend itself toward practical thinking.

People can come across as unstable or you can have unstable interaction, especially with women.

Uranus rules aircraft and explosions, and we will see changeable and unpredictable circumstances on the world stage, or even the financial markets.

July 20, Venus trines Saturn, and this will be a welcome relief after the Full Moons square to Uranus. This is a stable transit, better for business or connecting with those from your past.

July 22, The Sun enters Leo and we are in the Leo season. Leo rules the 5th house of children, fun, entertainment and love affairs. Things can seem bigger than life in some cases.

July 27, Mercury trines Uranus. Positive for communication and expansive new ideas.

July 29, Mercury squares Uranus, like the Sun did along with the full Moon earlier in the month. Use caution while driving, and expect unexpected news or communication. This can be erratic or irritating energy. Don't believe half of what you hear, and watch about speaking about things you have little knowledge of. Be careful when you hit send with texts or emails. This transit has a funny way of causing messages to go to the wrong people!

Also Uranus begins its annual retrograde at 24 degrees of Aries. This will affect you to a greater degree if its aspects your personal planets. Many people will feel a need for freedom as Uranus reverses direction, and in general any retrograde planet becomes more negative while retrograde.

While retrograde the Uranian energies are more bottled up, and the individual becomes aware of the need for change or revolution.  When Uranus goes direct those energies can be acted upon, seemingly in an unexpected manner. Events involving Uranus often seem shocking, but they are often the inevitable result of a situation, and transits involving Uranus often wake us up to what is really occurring in our lives.

While in Aries, Uranus will awaken the individual urge to change and grow and move forward on possibilities that might have been dormant until now.

Mars turns direct and Venus opposes Pluto

Mars turns direct June 29,  at 7:38 PM, EST, having been retrograde since April 17.  Mars is the action planet of the zodiac. It rules our actions, drive, energy and passion, men, sex and even war. Within hours, Venus opposes Pluto, June 30.

This is powerful energy, and we will see major events in the world and you will see major events personally if either of these transits aspect your personal chart.

The energy of Mars powerful direct movement will amp up the energies of Venus-Pluto making it significant as well.

The stationary direct period of Mars coincides with major events in the world and in our personal lives. Mars turns direct forming an inconjunct to Uranus, which is a challenging aspect and certain situations may have to be redirected. (a perfect example is the call for a second referendum on the Brexit vote in the UK)

 The combination of Mars and Uranus can be explosive.

Mars remains at 23 degrees of Scorpio until July 12, when it forms an exact inconjunct with Uranus until July 17.

Venus rules love and money, (along with our social lives) and in Cancer is the most emotional of signs. Venus opposing Pluto is an obsessive transit indicative of issues concerning control, manipulation, jealousy and obsessiveness. You could feel that others are selfish or someone could try and convince you of something you don't want to hear. relationships in general can be a source of trouble and some Relationships may end. At its worst, this transit is seen in situations of domestic violence and abuse.

This is not the day to push difficult issues. Push and expect pushback from others.

As Venus sextiles Jupiter, this lends some planetary help to the aspect and at its best could represent some type of transformation. Try and tap in to the pleasant Venus-Jupiter energy.

Add to this mix, Mercury entering Cancer June 29, and Cancer is the most emotional of signs. Emotional issues can become volatile over the next few days.

Expect to see major events in the world that can include situations or losses in the financial markets, aggression, issues and/or violence toward women, sex scandals, and aggressive actions in the hot spots around the globe.

Retrograde Mars periods coincide with low energy, discouragement, tiredness and can be draining.  We can experience suppressed anger, secret intrigues, deception and lies, exhaustion, fraud, devious actions, inefficiency, and an increase in drugs or alcohol if those tendencies exist.

When Mars turns direct expect things to pick up, but you may have to go back and cover old ground that you were dealing with between January and early March when it was in Scorpio previously.

While Mars is stationary direct we may see many things happen or change course once again. Mars will continue to increase its speed and it has a shadow direct period that lasts until August 21, at which time things are back to normal.

As a result of the retrograde this year, Mars will remain in only 2 signs-Scorpio and Sagittarius nine months out of the year, until September 28, when it will move into Capricorn.

Brexit: the UK leaves the EU

As the powerful t-squarebetween Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter was 'set off,' by Mercury the week of June 20, and the UK voted to leave the European Union, in a historic move that will geographically  and politically change Europe. The following day, June 24, the US Dow fell nearly 600 points and Prime Minister David Cameron said he would resign. The Asian financial markets were in free fall over the weekend and  June 27, the world financial markets reflect this change again with lower earnings.

Saturn-Neptune transits have to do with the rise of socialism, the British Monarchy, and terrorism on a worldwide level. As Saturn represents our stability, Neptune will have nothing to do with this, and change is inevitable, eroding our structures from the past.

I am no expert on European politics, but as I wrote months ago, Saturn in Sagittarius can have a worldwide effect on the financial markets, as Saturn the planet of restriction is in Jupiter's (finances) sign. Jupiter and Saturn have squared each other several times over the past year and this too, is not indicative of financial stability in the world.

We will probably see further fallout as Mars turns direct creating an inconjunct to Uranus, and Venus opposes Pluto later this week. We could see unexpected situations and further financial losses.  News outlets are reporting up to 2 million people are calling for a second referendum in the UK. Scottish voters overwhelmingly voted to stay in the EU. Such is the way with the mutable t-square where lack of clarity is a problem.

The decision to leave the EU was made on a retrograde Mars, which I question the timing of, and the Saturn-Neptune-Jupiter t square conceals facts that might otherwise be useful. June 27, news outlets were reporting political proponents of Brexit backing up on promises made to the public.

Taking a quick look at the chart of the EU, the mutable t-square falls on Saturn in the second house showing the results of the UK's departure will have grave financial consequences over the next few years. Other nations may leave. The entire union will be transformed as a result and it won't be easy.

Looking at the UK chart I see discontent among the people with Pluto opposing the moon and this transit will not end anytime soon. As a matter of fact this discontent will continue into 2018, and then Saturn will conjunct the Moon (the people) 2019-2020. I doubt the move from the EU will be what those who vote to leave believe it will be and there is much discontent in the years ahead.

In October 2017 when Jupiter moves into Scorpio, this will begin a new financial cycle that will be more positive (UK chart).

I will write more about this later, but I will end for now with the worlds of  UK astrologer Barry Goddard,  "So we need patience. Above all, right now, we need to deal with the anxiety that is created by uncertainty. You cannot have deep change without uncertainty, for the old has to die, and it is dying as we speak. As an astrologer, I know about the anxiety that people go through when change happens. Well we have a whole nation going through that anxiety, and it is inevitable but it doesn't help.

The part we can individually play is to understand that uncertainty is the price of big change. Put aside whether you voted in or out, for that is in the past. Recognize the courage of those who voted to step over the cliff, even if you think they were wrong. Recognize the desire to be connected of those who wanted to remain. All these qualities are needed.

At the moment, it is an energy thing. If you can dwell in the uncertainty without feeling anxious or despondent, that will create space for something creative to happen.

It was not a party political decision. The Tories were the tools of much bigger forces stirring in the UK collective unconscious. In the short term, you may not have the government you want. Put that aside. The referendum has shown that the people CAN make a difference, and it is the seed of that which we can work with. We are not helpless against the big corporations and the forces of globalization. We can vote in the government we want, and we have a chance to re-dream what this country is about. We can write laws that protect people and the environment that Brussels couldn't even have dreamed of. We just need patience and determination and a recognition that things are now possible that were not possible before."

The Grand Cross

We have a grand cross this week in mutable signs on the heels of the full moon in Sagittarius.  This will dominate the skies this week. A grand cross involves four planets, and as it is mutable this means things are changeable. What you plan over this week, may evolve into something different, and it can change day to day or even hour to hour. I wrote about this earlier in the month.

The planets involved are Saturn (restrictions and reality), Neptune (dreams, delusions), Jupiter (expansion) and Mercury (communication-travel, young people). These four planets will clash.

Of course, we are dealing with the mutablet-square already, and will be all summer.

Add a fourth planet to this and we have a grand cross. We will be pulled in many different directions over the week.

June 20-21, Mercury opposes Saturn and squares Neptune. This is cold, confusing an convoluted. If something appears to good to be true..it probably is. Self delusion may be common, as well as lies, deliberate or not.

June 22-24 Mercury squares Jupiter. Mercury-Jupiter transits tend to blow things out of proportion, good or bad. Again..if it seems too good to be true..(you know the rest).

Jupiter trines Pluto this week, and this is a positive transit, especially if this is aspecting your personal chart. Ideas for self improvement may come to the fore, along with resourcefulness in business. You could see some benefit through joint finances, grants, funding and things of this sort, especially if this aspects your personal chart.