July 2016 Astrology News

Since my last report to you, we have transitioned to a new Sun sign in the Northern hemisphere’s sky.  The summer solstice on June 20th initiated the beginning of the summer season and the sign of Cancer.  While, I do not have any particular planets or celestial bodies in Cancer in my natal chart, I do find myself particularly enthralled with Cancer energy in my life.  Maybe because many of my dear friends and relatives, well, one relative, my first-born child, Jessica, I find that Cancer personalities fill the void in my soul.
 
Well, yes, they do.  Cancer represents the feminine principal and the essence of the “mother”.  Imagine the goddess Aphrodite or Kwan Yin and you can begin to understand the power of Cancer, particularly Cancer women.  This does not mean that Cancer men cannot carry off the strong mothering and nurturing powers of this sign, it just may manifest differently.  (Cancer men are known to be great cooks).
 
In astrology, the sign of Cancer is a dynamic cardinal modality with water as its element. The water energy is intuitive and emotional.  Due to the cardinal energy, Cancer folks are not typically couch potatoes, as they always seem to be on the move – even within their own home -- which serves as their castle.
 
Themes of this month:
 
During the last several months many of us have been stymied, thwarted, confused, and bemused with our inability to get answers and to move forward productively in our lives. If we are looking at the astrological energies, it may have been due to so many planets in retrograde.  At one point, we had five significant planets in retrograde.  Beyond the familiar Mercury in retrograde, we had Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto as well.  As of July 1st, Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter have returned to a forward motion.  Saturn will follow this group by stationing direct on August 13th.
 
What does this mean for those of us who have been muddling along?  Well, it allows us to establish new pathways and to take stock on lessons learned since mid-February.  First, Mars has been retrograde from the sign of Sagittarius backwards to Scorpio. This seemingly backward motion may have helped us to review what we may be passionate about in our lives.  Mars is that energy in our chart that speaks to our will and our vitality.  When Mars is retrograde we cannot seem to get traction on getting our needs met, or are frustrated with a lack of will or vitality.  Thus, turning direct, we go back over the last months since February 18th to be able to renew and to re-establish our forward drive.
 
Saturn on the other hand is still retrograde for July, but is in close relationship to Mars currently.  Saturn is the karmic teacher in astrology. When I look at someone’s astrology chart, I will note what house and sign Saturn is in: this position and relationship with other parts of a natal chart provides me with information on what the person needs to learn this lifetime.  Saturn serves as the teacher who may challenge us to own our authority and be responsible or true to our destiny. Currently, Saturn in Sagittarius is helping all of us know our own personal truth.  I would say that the last months with both Mars and Saturn in retrograde along with other planets; we are all learning some valuable karmic lessons. Then as we move forward, opportunities will surface to move us into a more empowered expression.  Simply put:  Saturn in Sagittarius is all about owning our truth, not living in denial or lying to ourselves.  Instead, standing in the truth of our being, we can work into the best expression of our lives. At the end of this report, I will list how both Mars and Saturn will influence events and actions in our lives this next month.
 
Astrology happenings:
 
July 4th – New Moon in Cancer – As with all New Moons, we have a chance to state our intentions and start a new cycle.  This New Moon is particularly potent because Cancer IS THE SIGN of the MOON.  Cancer is the zodiacal sign most associated with the feminine, receptive principle.  Thus this New Moon event allows us to bring our attention to our intentions.  With corresponding energies in water signs:  Mercury and Venus in Cancer with the Sun and Moon, then Neptune, Chiron and the lunar node in Pisces, along with Saturn in Scorpio, we have tons of watery, intuitive, feminine energy.  This will give us an opportunity to go within and contemplate our soul needs. I would suggest that some time in the next few days from this New Moon, you meditate and contemplate what you would love to manifest in your life regarding how you can best nurture yourself.
 
For another angle to this event, read Jan Spillar, astrologer, who discusses the potent effect of this new moon: Don't miss this opportunity to make wishes for goals you'd like to reach and experiences you'd like to have. This New Moon is in the sign of CANCER, and is a powerful time of the year for wishes involving home and family, safety, intimacy, and emotional sensitivity. Things you may have wanted to happen in your life for a long time can begin easily manifesting through using the boost of the deeply emotional, heartfelt CANCER New Moon. For success, your wishes must be handwritten on paper and ten wishes maximum are allowed on each power day. The most potent time is the first 8 hours AFTER the exact time of the New Moon; within the first 48 hours will still work.
 
July 19th – Capricorn Full Moon – A Full Moon has the moon in full illumination opposite the sun.  Thus, this time we have the Cancer Sun opposite the Capricorn Moon.  What does this celestial event bring to us?  First, this event brings a calming force to the energies of our lives.  While both signs of Cancer and Capricorn are dynamic cardinal signs, they are both feminine.  The theme of the message from the Cancer New Moon is continuing with this Full Moon.  There will be a powerful trio of watery planets and celestial bodies that will provide us greater emotional insights.  The Sun in Cancer, Mars in Scorpio, and Chiron in Pisces occurring at this Full Moon counsel us to slow down and quiet our lives so that we can recharge, reorient, and receive the wisdom of the higher self.  With this Full Moon, we find the opposite sides of a powerful and pivotal polarity.  As astrologer Stephanie Austin observes: Cancer marks the shift from yang to yin, from outer growth to inner maturation; Capricorn compels us to master the complexities and constraints of physical reality. This Full Moon illuminates where we are balancing the demands of our inner and outer lives. What changes do we need to make at home and/or at work? Where do we need more nourishment and support? Where do we need to set clear limits and boundaries?