JULY 2006

July brings a planetary combination which requires care in navigating: Mercury, planet of communication, agreements and contracts, goes retrograde on the 4th while Jupiter, planet of opportunity and expansion, turns to direct motion on the 6th. This could create a “move forward, but hesitate” energy. Jupiter’s direct motion will feel confident, but Mercury retrograde requires caution and review. Since this occurs during vacation time it is possible that restaurants, hotels and resorts may not be prepared for the crowds. The anticipation of travel could be frustrated with the delays caused by road construction. Be sure to re-confirm all reservations and plan ahead but be flexible enough to accommodate last-minute changes or delays. This combination is typical of moving a residence – packing, arrangements, home repairs, changing addresses and travel. On the global front, this is an opportunity to transition the Iraqi government to its own leadership and begin bringing the troops home. The Sun in Cancer until the 22nd supports crops, the earth, gardening and enjoyment and pride in family connections, picnics and reunions. Mercury’s retrograde requires that you review your destination, be sure to bring enough food and realize that what you say to others will have lasting consequences. The Sun in Leo after the 22nd supports performing, entertaining, sports events and time spent with children, hobbies and romantic partners. This is a time to enjoy concerts, dancing outdoors, giving parties, indulging yourself and honoring the Sun.

Mercury (communications, writing, contracts, commerce) is in Leo where it goes retrograde on the 4th, moving back into Cancer on the 10th and returning to direct motion on the 28th at 21 degrees Cancer. Mercury in Leo can speak from the ego, but it supports all types of performing, sales, entertaining, children and sports. Mercury in Cancer considers family, children, food, home and all matters related to security. It adds to the Venus in Cancer desire to connect with family after the 18th. On June 17th Mercury entered the shadow of the current retrograde, which spans from July 4th to the 28th, when an issue arises or the transition begins.The “exit shadow” or completion of the retrograde cycle lasts until August 12th. Between July 28th and August 12th decisions can be made and details finalized in regard to the issue of the retrograde. Mercury retrograde cycles are a time of transition, such as packing to move, reorganizing office or home space, testing computer programs, review and catching up on correspondence. It is not a good time to list a home, begin a major project, make an expensive purchase or commit to a long-range expensive business agreement.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Gemini until the 18th supports social interaction with friends, acquaintances and co-workers. In Gemini, Venus can be fickle or indecisive. Even people who are in comfortable relationships can hesitate to commit to one person because they like variety and are worried about missing something. Venus in Cancer after the 18th supports relationships and activities with children, family members and those with whom we have close emotional ties. This is an excellent time to celebrate a family reunion, taking into consideration Mercury retrograde may bring last-minute or unexpected changes in plans.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Leo until the 22nd lends energy to performing, sales, sports events, entertaining, activities with children and development of talents and hobbies. Mars in Virgo after the 22nd works to create order, organization and a sense of preparedness. Virgos work with lists, calendars, plans and timelines to support their own activities as well as those with whom they live and for whom they work.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion, legal matters) retrogrades from 9 to 8 degrees Scorpio where it turns direct on the 6th. Jupiter transited these degrees in December 2005 and June 2006. Jupiter in Scorpio is a cycle of opportunity, freedom, expansion or movement for those born November 1st-2nd, August 1st-2nd, January 29th-30th and April 29th-30th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles from 10 to 13 degrees Scorpio, Taurus, Leo or Aquarius. In Scorpio, Jupiter supports opportunity thru motivation, commitment, sharing resources, saving, paying off debt, fiscal responsibility and supporting the passions and talents which make one unique.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) transits 10 to 13 degrees Leo, repeating where it was October to December 2005 and does not repeat these degrees. Saturn has brought career shifts and changes in responsibility to Leos as well as restructuring in the house of the chart it rules or where planets in Leo are found. Leo relates to royalty, leadership, entertainment, performing, children and creative talents. During Saturn in Leo hobbies can be developed and turned into businesses. This month’s transit most directly affects those born August 2nd-6th, April 30th-May 4th, November 2nd-6th and January 30th-February 3rd as well as those whose charts have planets or angles from 10 to 13 degrees Leo, Aquarius, Taurus and Scorpio. Saturn’s last transit thru Leo was 1975 to 1978. 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 in Leo between July 2005 and September 2007 will mean for you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) retrogrades at 14 degrees Pisces, repeating where it was in May and June 2006 and where it will repeat in February and March 2007. Birthdays most affected are March 5th, June 5th, September 7th and December 6th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles around 14 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Sagittarius or Gemini. Between May 2006 and March 2007 they will need freedom, experience chaos or make radical changes. Uranus will be in Pisces until 2011 and supports social revolution. During 1920, the start of the previous Uranus thru Pisces, Congress granted women the right to vote. It was the “roaring 20’s.” Uranus in Pisces supports 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 disaster relief and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just special interests and the wealthy.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) retrogrades from 19 to 18 degrees Aquarius, repeating where it was in March/April and where it will repeat in January, February and October/November of 2007. Neptune relates to intangibles such as art, imagination, inspiration and creative writing as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Birthdays most affected are February 7th-8th, May 9th-10th, August 11th-12th and November 11th-12th as well as charts with planets or angles from 18 to 19 degrees Leo, Taurus, Aquarius or Scorpio. During Neptune’s retrograde (May thru October 2006) is a good time to release addictive habits, attitudes or behaviors. Neptune transits bring a lack of focus or direction, a sense of drifting or the inability to see a disappointment, betrayal, 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 Neptune in Aquarius you can develop musical talents, practice meditation, intuition and inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with 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 from 25 to 24 degrees Sagittarius, repeating where it was in March, April and December 2005 and where it repeats in October/November 2007. Birthdays influenced most are December 16th-17th, June 15th-16th, March 15th and September 17th-18th as well as charts with planets or angles from 24-25 degrees Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius and Gemini. From March 2005 to November 2006 they will experience major changes in life such as career, relocation, marriage, divorce or financial problems. Counseling or therapy could be required and self-awareness/motivational work found very valuable. Pluto has passed the 24th degree and is now three-quarters of the way thru the sign of Sagittarius, bringing transformation and paradigm shifts in education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

Specific indications for the twelve 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