It's been a while since I've sat down to write a thorough analysis of what's happening out in the cosmic ether of planets, magnetic fields, transitions and moons. The atmosphere is bubbling with hot and cold energy right now. Sensual, psychic gasses are making our consciousness humid with change. Shifts in the barometric pressure have us loaded down with heavy subject matter. Our lives are up for review in some key places that will have long - term effects on the next four years. We are navigating some serious water that has very critical information for you to download. Manually slowing down is an important step in learning how to use these powerful influences to your advantage. Sometimes, it just needs to be laid out all in one place. I really enjoy the meditative practice of taking the time to reflect on the state of my own affairs as I write a comprehensive article like this that hopefully, clarifies some things for you too and answers your lingering questions. I always know it's time to do this when I start getting a ton of inquiries from friends and clients asking "what the hell is going on right now?"
Enter the Sun into Leo. A solar cycle that is marked by it's ambitious creativity, firey passion, headstrong ideas and most notably, a prominent social and sexual energy. We have a full Moon in Aquarius approaching on July 31, which is Leo's polar opposite. This will affect the energy that the moon carries. Aquarius is very opinionated, stubborn, fixed, inventive and innovative, unique and driven. It will also be a Blue Moon. This occurs when there is more than one full Moon in a calendar month.
This solar movement happened just before we dove headfirst into the dueling effects of Venus in retrograde, lasting from July 25 - September 6. This is marked by two phases that illuminate the double - sided nature of Venus who is the goddess of both love and war. The first is Hesperus - the loving, reflective and sensitive evening star. Shy and intimidated, she clings to security or is drawn by old flames and karmic relationships that have shaped her past. Protective of her story, she defends her ghosts with honor. Temptations will be intensified. This effect will be challenged by the Moon - Pluto alignment which asks us to curtail excessiveness. Venus is a reflective pool. Her mirrors are a constant reminder that her world is shaped around her sensuality. When she retrogrades, her duality is felt more deeply and the two sides of her become a dynamic force that ask to be recognized.
The second phase is Lucifer, the last two weeks of Venus retrograde. She is the bringer of light. A dark cupid with strong sexual prowess, she's the morning star. Likely to indulge in sexual behaviors that are driven by the reproductive organs, her energy can over - stimulate the spiritual system. It is better to resist the desire to detach from the mind and give in to purely physical pleasure, but instead find a way to combine the two. The negative effects of psychic, over - sexualized stimulation gives us false confidence. It feeds the physical ego, leaving nothing but misery or shame or drama in it's wake after Venus goes direct again. Both of these influences can be utilized for positive outcomes, though the latter phase has a tendency to explore the dark a little more, unafraid of what she may find about herself. Perhaps getting to know herself a little better and understanding what triggers she has that have the potential to unhinge her. She is mysterious and powerful and can harness her intense sexual magnetism to create incredible artwork, music or anything driven by passion.
Venus and Jupiter have also culminated into a month - long dance where they will be visibly conjunct. A conjunction is when two planets are so close together that their appearance will be very bright and look like a double star. They will be accessing each other's energies. They will share magnetic fields in Cancer and Leo until August 13 . This is what Astronomers have been calling the Star of Bethlehem. These two planets are so bright that they create an incredible light in the sky that could serve as a guide to the west. This conjunction has strong feminine and masculine energy all at once. It opens us up for success with regard to real estate, inheritance, investments, creative surges, family relations, children, conception and home life.
The aspect that can complicate these pleasant gains is the fact that Mars and the Sun are currently also sharing Cancer which starts a new fire altogether. It encourages us to make a new pass at our regular routines, to shake it up and create healthier habits while incorporating affirmative daily practices. It can also rev up our defensive nature to resist change. It asks us what is standing in the way of true success? They want us to live and lead with real authority. Emotional makeovers are being activated by the magnetic centers of a Moon - Pluto alignment. Yes, Pluto is still out there. Immaturity is the knee - jerk reaction of resisting what we instinctually know is best. This also means we have already started to work with these influences. Be aware of potential parental and family conflict that could arise, especially between women.
And last, but definitely not the least, is the challenging station of Mercury, which rules Gemini, the sign of communication. Mercury has just gone direct after leaving it's natural ruler and will begin another retrograde cycle September 17. The aftershocks of it's interaction after being squared off in Chiron, who represents the wounded healer in our natal charts, can be felt for weeks. Currently, Chiron occupies Pisces and is also in retrograde. This may feel as though an old wound is being opened up again. It may give rise to the sensation that you never fully healed from it before, and it is time to revisit that situation. It can also heighten the sensations of inner turmoil left unchecked. Pisces is the sign of spirituality and illusion. It is critical to push through this transit with clear perception and analytic decision making. It will feel more natural to swing with the heavy pendulum of emotion and get swept away with the tide, but the effects of that could only inflame the scar tissue. Use spiritual modalities to find your center. Communication is ruled by Gemini and it may have too much space around it to be effective right now. The undefined boundaries can be disorienting and counter - productive. When there is less space and planets are closer together, they behave harmoniously. Try to redefine lines of communication. Make your thoughts clear and known to avoid misunderstandings. Minimize expectations and make the ones you have realistic. Verbalizing them will clarify the space.
Unlike a conjunction, a square is formed at an awkward angle. It makes the energy between planetary bodies challenging or combative. Aspects are all about the angles created as planets move around each other. The energetic fields are conducive and radiate a positive charge in closer proximity. A trine is basically a triangle and an opposition is 180 degrees apart.
This is a lot of information to swallow, I totally get that. But, the important message and take - away here is to slowly absorb it day by day over the next two to four months. Come back and revisit this page in a week and see what themes are resonating with you. These atmospheric flares are at their peak intensity and they are our allies. Remember that your choices in life are directly related to whether you choose to react defensively to your circumstances or be proactive with what you've got to work with. You're in the driver's seat. Breathe, and just drive.
