JULY 2007

The month begins with five planets retrograde – Mercury, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. In addition, as Mercury turns direct Venus goes retrograde. One retrograde can cause frustration, delay, confusion and transition to a new situation or process. When a number of planets are retrograde, groups of people and society in general will feel the effects. The Venus retrograde is particularly significant at this time because Venus relates to a person (or group’s) values, social connections and self-esteem. So while people are preparing to take action on major decisions and changes in their lives, it will be important to consider what they truly value and what they see as the best use of their talents, abilities and possessions but must use them in a practical and efficient way. In Leo/Virgo, the Venus retrograde is a harbinger of the shift in energy when Saturn and Jupiter (business planets) move from fire signs (Leo/Sagittarius) to earth signs (Virgo/Capricorn) in September and December 2007.

The change in attitude is similar to the change in outlook from the “Roaring 20’s” to the Depression. The best approach for the next few years is practical, prepared, planned, responsible and frugal. The Sun in Cancer until the 23rd supports family interaction, food, land, crops, homes, real estate and all matters relating to security, parenting, caring, emotional connections and monetary help as well as the larger sense of family which is community, government and country. This is the time of year for family reunions, picnics, tending crops and gardens, yard work and home maintenance. Since Cancer is a water sign, attraction to lakes, swimming and boating is an integral part of the season. The Sun in Leo after the 23rd supports entertainment, performing, enjoyment, parties, fun and using one’s talents. Leo also relates to children, entrepreneurs, leadership and royalty. This is great energy for attendance at concerts, games and outdoor events as well as making time for a vacation or at least a weekend getaway.

Mercury (communication, writing, contracts, commerce, workers) in Cancer all month communicates regarding families, food, homes, children, parents, security, money and real estate. It continues retrograde until the 9th when it turns direct. On May 31st Mercury entered the shadow of the retrograde. Between May 31st and June 15th an issue arose regarding one or more of the Cancerian issues listed above to be worked on during the retrograde, between June 15th and July 9th. During the exit shadow/completion phase, (from July 9th to 24th, is the time to finalize details, confirm agreements and stabilize chaotic situations. Mercury retrograde can also be a transitional time for packing, moving or emotional adjustments.

Venus (values, money, social connections) in Leo until the 14th values parties, weddings, graduations, enjoyment, entertainment and performing. Venus enters Virgo on the 14th where it turns retrograde on the 27th. On June 24th Venus entered the shadow of its retrograde which spans from July 27th to September 8th. The Leo/Virgo retrograde addresses creativity vs. practicality, leadership vs. service and show vs. preparation. Since Venus moves more slowly than Mercury, its retrograde is longer. The completion phase is 9/8 to 10/11.

Mars (initiation, energy, aggression) in Taurus all month supports working with the earth, planting gardens, home improvement and general maintenance. Mars in Taurus is loyal, persevering and dedicated as well as stubborn.

Jupiter (expansion, opportunity, optimism, travel, foreign trade, education, religion, legal matters) retrogrades from 11 to 10 degrees Sagittarius. It transited these degrees in January and will repeat in August/September. Jupiter is in Sag from November 2006 thru mid-December 2007. Birthdays most affected by 10 to 11 degrees are December 2nd-4th, May 31st-June 2nd, September 2nd-4th and February 28th-March 2nd as well as companies or persons whose charts have planets or angles from 10 to 11 degrees Sag, Gemini, Virgo or Pisces. Jupiter in its own sign brings issues of and opportunity thru education, travel, foreign countries, relocation, politics, religion, trade, public relations, legal matters and freedom.

Saturn (structure, foundation, responsibility) transits 22 to 25 degrees Leo, repeating where it was from October 2006 thru January 2007. Saturn will not retrograde again before it enters Virgo. It has brought career changes and shifts in responsibility to many Leos in addition to restructuring in the house of the chart which Leo rules or where planets in Leo are found, in particular those born between 1938 and 1958. Leo relates to entertainment, royalty, leadership, 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 15th-17th, February 11th-14th, November 14th-18th and May 13th-16th as well as those whose charts have planets or angles from 22-25 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 from July 2005 to September 2007 will mean for you.

Uranus (freedom, rebellion, surprise, invention technology) retrogrades at 18 degrees Pisces where it was in May/June 2007 and will repeat in March of 2008. Most affected are birthdays of March 9th, June 9th, September 11th and December 10th-11th as well as persons or companies whose charts have planets or angles around 18 degrees Pisces, Virgo, Gemini or Sagittarius. Between May of 2007 and March 2008 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 and the “Roaring 20’s” began. 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, global warming and political decisions made for the good of the masses, not just special interests and the wealthy.

Neptune (sensitivity, inspiration, escapism, dreams, trust) retrogrades at 21 degrees Aquarius, where it was in March/April and will repeat in July as well as in January/February and the fall of 2008. Neptune turned retrograde on May 24th. During the retrograde (May-October) is an excellent time to release addictive attitudes, behaviors or habits. Neptune relates to intangibles such as art, imagination, inspiration, dance and creative writing as well as prayer, healing, dreams and escapism. Birthdays most affected are February 10th, May 11th, August 13th and November 13th as well as charts with planets or angles around 21 degrees Leo, Taurus, Aquarius or Scorpio. 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. They dissolve the past in order to open space for the future. On the positive side this can be a time for faith, healing, psychic insights and artistic creativity. Under Neptune in Aquarius you can develop intuition, musical talents, practice meditation and pay more attention to your own inner guidance. You may also need to watch your back and balance faith with fact to see events clearly, not with wishful thinking or being attached to the dream or vision of what you think might have been.

Pluto (power, control, resources, transformation) retrogrades 27 to 26 degrees Sagittarius, where it was in March/April 2006 and will repeat in December, 2007, as well as January, July/August and October/November 2008. Most affected are birthdays of December 19th-20th, June 17th-18th, September 19th-20th and March 17th-18th as well as charts with planets or angles around 26 to 27 degrees Sagittarius, Gemini, Pisces and Virgo. Between March 2006 and November of 2008 they will experience major changes in life such as marriage, divorce, relocation and career/financial challenges. These are times when counseling or therapy may be required and self-awareness/motivational work necessary. Now that Pluto has completed the 24th degree and is three-quarters of the way thru Sagittarius, it has brought focus, transformation and paradigm shifts in travel, education, travel, religion, politics and global trade.

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