JULY 2005

The most important planetary transit this month is the completion of Saturn’s journey through Cancer and its entry into the sign of Leo. This is particularly important to the Baby Boomers – those born between October of 1938 and June of 1958 who comprise the Pluto in Leo generation. How Saturn in Leo will affect you will depend on its house placement, its connection with the other planets in your chart and how you have integrated Saturn into your life up to this point. Saturn acts as a teacher, Father Time and relates to structure, consolidation, responsibility, leadership, management, organization, control and security. The sign of Leo relates to creative talents, children, entertainment, performing and romance. The Sun in Cancer until the 22nd supports security, family, real estate, emotional connections and nurturing as well as Mother Earth. This is the time to connect with family members and to plant, garden and honor the earth, flowers, crops, the elements and the nurturing we receive from them. The Sun in Leo after the 22nd supports parties, entertainment, performing, enjoyment of children and development of creative talents and hobbies. Mercury also goes retrograde this month – on the 22nd at 20 degrees Leo. During July and August corporations will continue to reorganize and this time more management levels may be affected as well as the “line” people. Mercury rules workers but Leo rules leadership. Leo also relates to quality, luxury and a comfortable standard of living. Companies may be dealing with how to maintain the quality of products and services while they downsize, consolidate resources and accomplish more with fewer people. It is also likely that summer shutdowns or model changeovers could last longer than they have in past years and companies consider merging or relocating.

Mercury (communications, writing, contracts, commerce) is in Leo all month, supporting parties, performance, sports and efforts to beautify the home and yard. Mercury in Leo speaks from the ego and can sound egotistical, but it is very favorable for performing and leadership. Mercury turns retrograde on the 23rd at 20 degrees Leo. During the setup of the retrograde, from 7/4 to 7/23, an issue will arise to be worked on between the 23rd and August 16th. Mercury in Leo relates to leadership, children, performing, entertaining, development of talents and entrepreneurial activities. During the windup phase of the retrograde, from August 16th to the 30, details can be worked out, agreements finalized and transition completed.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Leo after the 22nd values parties, entertainment, performing and spending time in the sun working and playing with friends. While Mercury is also in Leo, it emphasizes these activities, but as Mercury enters the shadow of its retrograde, not all events will go exactly as planned.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Aries until the 28th is in its own sign. It is very energetic but can also be impatient. If you are already prone to a short temper, it will be exacerbated by this energy. Mars in Taurus after the 28th lends energy to the earth, plants crops, building, repairs and mechanics.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion) transits 9 to 13 degrees Libra where it was in November 2004 and April/May 2005. Birthdays affected most are October 3rd-6th, March 30th-April 2nd, July 1st-5th and December 31st to January 3rd as well as persons whose charts have planets or angles from 9 to 13 degrees Libra, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn. Jupiter in Libra brings opportunity thru mediation, cooperation, fairness and arbitration to achieve win-win outcomes. Ruled by Venus, Libra brings a renewed interest in relationships, romance, culture, decorating, art and music. Attention to these helps nurture others and society, sharing each person’s abilities and unique talents for self-expression.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) completes the last degrees of Cancer, enters Leo on the 16th and transits 0 and 1 degrees Leo. Saturn does not repeat these degrees. Saturn in Cancer brought career shifts and changes in responsibility to Cancerians. Now it is Leo’s turn. Saturn in Cancer also raised issues of family, security, residence, consolidation of family resources and new views in the food service, building, real estate, mortgage and care-taking businesses. Saturn in Leo relates to responsibility in leadership, performing, children, entertainment and taking more seriously creative talents, possibly considering turning them into businesses. This month’s transits most closely affect those born July 20th-24th, April 18th-22nd, October 21st-25th and January 18th-22nd as well as those whose charts have planets or angles at 28 Cancer to 1 Leo, 28 Capricorn to 1 Aquarius, 28 Aries to 1 Taurus and 28 Libra to 1 Scorpio. Saturn’s last transit thru Leo was 1975 to 1978 so it is helpful to review what was happening in your life about 30 years ago, during the half-cycle of 14-15 years (in Aquarius), the quarter cycle of 7 years (in Taurus) and 21 years, the third quarter cycle (in Scorpio) to understand what Saturn’s transit in Leo between July 2005 and September 2007 could mean to you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) retrogrades from 10 to 9 degrees Pisces where it was in May 2005 and will repeat in January as well as the fall of 2006. During 1920, the previous entry of Uranus into Pisces, the US Congress granted women the right to vote. People whose birthdays are February 28th-March 1st, September 2nd-3rd, May 31st and December 2nd will need freedom, experience chaos or make radical changes at these times as well as persons whose charts have planets or angles at 9 to 10 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011. It supports social revolution and combines artistic creativity with innovation and intellect with sensitivity, leading to modern ways of helping those in need and suggesting that the only way that humanity will survive is by caring for each other and doing what is best for all, addressing humanitarian and global issues, such as Tsunami and hunger relief, not just issues which individuals or special interests promote.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) retrogrades from 17 to 16 degrees Aquarius where it was in March and April 2005 and will repeat in January 2006 as well as the Fall of 2006. Neptune relates to intangibles such as imagination, art and inspiration as well as escapism and the process of healing. During the retrograde of Neptune (May thru October 2005) will be a good time to release addictive habits, attitudes or behaviors. Birthdays most affected are February 5th-6th, August 8th-9th, November 8th/9th and May 6th-7th as well as charts with planets or angles at 16 to 17 degrees Aquarius, Scorpio, Taurus or Leo. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a betrayal, disappointment, error or weakness until it’s too late. On the positive side this can be a time for healing, faith, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Uranus in Pisces you can develop artistic or musical talents, practice meditation and follow intuition and inner guidance. But you may also need to watch your back and balance faith with practicality and fact to see events clearly, not with just wishful thinking or remaining attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades at 22 degrees Sagittarius, repeating where it was in March, April and December 2004 and will repeat in October 2005. Birthdays most affected are December 14th, June 13th, March 12th-13th and September 14th-15th as well as charts with planets or angles at 22 degrees Virgo, Sagittarius, Gemini and Pisces. Between March 2004 and October 2005 they will experience major changes in life such as career, relocation, marriage, divorce or financial problems. During these times personal counseling or therapy may be required and self-awareness and motivational work is valuable. Pluto has passed the 20th degree and is two-thirds thru the sign of Sagittarius, bringing transformation and paradigm shifts in education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Specific indications for the 12 signs are as follows:

Here are the Specific indications for the 12 signs

Note: In addition to reading about your sun sign, you can get additional information by reading about your moon sign, rising sign and the sign on the Midheaven of your chart.

Nancy Bahlman is a professional astrologer with special interests in relating persons to locations using Astro*Cartography and Local Space Charts. Classes now forming.
(248) 546-5407 chartmates@aol.com