July 2018: The summer eclipse season, and Jupiter turns direct

During July five out of ten planets are retrograde, or six if you want to include asteroid Chiron. This is a summer to slow down, and we will be forced to backtrack in many areas of our life, and re-plan and re-do. This is not the month to rush forward, full speed ahead.

We will experience a grand trine in water the first week of the month, which is a powerful configuration for the good, as well as a grand cross, which is more stressful and we will be pulled in many different directions.

Two powerful eclipses, and Mercury retrogrades July 26, but Jupiter the planet of gain and expansion will turn direct on July 10.

Eclipses are like wildcards, and one of the ways we learn how and what we need to change and evolve. An eclipse can seem good or bad, depending on what it aspects in your personal chart, and often an eclipse is dramatic, or reveals important information if it aspects a significant point in your own chart/life.  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 more like a new beginning, and it is always a new moon. A lunar eclipse can being more news of endings and it is associated with a full moon.

Almost always unexpected information comes to light and at this time 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.

The first eclipse on July 12, and is a solar eclipse at 20 degrees of Cancer, which peaks at 10:48 PM, EDT. Most of this eclipse occurs over the Pacific and Indian oceans so it will not be visible in the US. This solar eclipse/ new moon is considered a Supermoon, which means it comes closer to the earth, and the effects of a Supermoon are known to affect global earth and weather conditions.

The eclipse is in Cancer which rules the home and emotional life, and it is here we will be focused one way or another.

This is a powerful eclipse which opposes Pluto. This is a harbinger for change and transformation on major levels.

Moon-Pluto contacts can be obsessive in nature and we can have a strong desire to get to the bottom of something at this time.

The Sun will also oppose Pluto at the time of this eclipse and this powerful energy relates to come type of crisis or turning point or both. Some things, situations and relationships will end to create a new beginning.

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.

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 recourses to resolve the crisis.

A grand trine is a positive aspect involving three planets that are in harmony with each other. During this eclipse there are two grand trines that become part of the eclipse, one in water, the other in earth. These positive aspects will help us discover solutions to the changes that are inherent in the eclipse.

The second eclipse is a lunar eclipse that falls at 4 degrees of Aquarius, June 27. Aquarius rules the 11th house of the collective, friends, groups, hopes and wishes.

This eclipse forms a t-square, or an energy that involves three sets of planets: Uranus (sudden, unexpected change), the Moon and Mars, (emotions, action), and the Sun (the ego energy).

Many things will change and some things will change suddenly and without much warning. There could be something you or someone else wishes to break free from.

As Mercury is retrograde at this time, events connected to this eclipse could be delayed by days or weeks.

This is volatile energy in the world and we will see a great deal of anger and frustration.

Other transits in July include:

July 5, Mercury opposes Mars. This energy peaks in the early morning and much of it will be felt the day before on July 4. Watch traveling and driving, and this is accident and argument prone. This transit makes July 4, a somewhat dangerous holiday this year, and watch yourself in crowds and be aware of surroundings. The Sun also trines Jupiter, and this energy is much more positive and expansive and can help with the latter transit.

July 8, the Sun trines Neptune. This is a compassionate and creative transit, prone to dreaming rather than action.

July 9, Mercury squares Jupiter and this is typically positive except things can be blown out of proportion or you could overindulge. Also, Venus enters Virgo and love energy changes again.  While Venus in Leo lends itself toward bold and dramatic gestures, Virgo tones things down to the more practical.

July 10, Jupiter turns direct! Finally, the planet of gain and expansion picks up steam and turns stationary direct at 13 degrees of Scorpio. If you have water sign planets in your chart at 10-16 degrees you will feel a burst of positive energy in some way. Jupiter rules money, and gain in whatever house it is transiting. This is a positive change!

July 11, Venus trines Uranus. This is an exciting, upbeat transit that encourages the desire to meet new people and try new things.

July 13, Venus trines Saturn. Positive for business, social activities and connecting with those from the past.

July 22, Venus sextiles Jupiter. Great for business, social connections and love.

Also July 22, the Sun enters Leo which rules the fifth house of love, friends and children, Time for summer fun.

July 24, Venus opposes Neptune. This can be confusing and Neptune is the planet of illusion, confusion and delusion. Matters concerning money, social activities and love may not be clear.

July 25, the Sun squares Uranus. This is prone to sudden and unexpected events and Uranus can be explosive, especially this close to the lunar eclipse.

July 26, Mercury turns stationary retrograde at 23 degrees of Leo. Leo rules the fifth house of  love, friends and children. The stationary retrograde period is when most glitches and mix-ups occur.