Astrology for July 2006 by Susan Heinz, Astrologer
The Sun now moves through the summer sign Cancer, highlighting quality of life, bonds with family, and traveling with our homes on our backs. Cancer, the water sign of the Moon, with its feminine and nurturing energy begins this season before it thrusts us into fiery Leo, and the heart of summer. Leo represents the heart of our own being, the need to be an individual, true to our purpose and uniqueness, to play and find joy and love through this life. With the sun trining Jupiter and Uranus the energy of travel and adventure and freedom abounds.
On July 4th Mercury goes retrograde in Leo until July 28th. Typically a challenge for traveling, Mercury retrograde returns to Cancer on the 10th. It is the time to review our quality of life, to rethink our patterns and responses. With Mercury retrograde, to go with the flow is to spiral back into ourselves and reconnect with our deepest inner yearning and foundations, focusing on quality not quantity. If you are traveling, be flexible with schedules, Watch irregularities, disruptions and breakdowns in technology. Mercury is the trickster showing us where we aren’t in control. Listen deeply to what is unfolding. If you are traveling, visit your roots, families and places of water and sacred springs.
Mars opposes Neptune, the beginning of July, Watch storms at sea and hurricanes. Leadership can be difficult and strong actions may fall short. Be aware as we move into the fall that we may be overwhelmed with a hopelessness, due to world wide difficulties and disappointments. This is the precursor to Saturn opposing Neptune, challenging us to have a head on confrontation with realities we chose to ignore. (More on this in the august column.) The questions to ask are: what can we do to help the earth and bring spirit and the sacred back into our economy, communities, politics.
The full moon takes place on July 10th in Capricorn. On the 14th, watch relationship interactions with fiery Mars trining and Venus opposing Pluto. The sun enters Leo on the 22nd as Mars moves into Virgo, adding practicality and a phase for getting things done. The dark of the new moon falls on the 24th in Leo. With Venus forming a grand trine with Jupiter and Uranus in the water signs from the 26th through the 30th, enjoy traveling with friends, meeting new people and beginning creative adventures and projects
Twelve Opportunities:
Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): You have a lot to express this month and you feel it passionately. At the beginning of the month you may feel let down and frustrated. Let compassion replace impatience and see what takes place! At the end of the month with Mars into Virgo, you can work well with a project that calls for detail and refinement.
Taurus (Apr 20-May 20) You may find yourself getting pulled out of your center to attend to others with some difficulty in relationship. Past issues return to be dealt with and released. Challenge yourself to witness and step back. If you are successful you find joy and surprise at the end of the month.
Gemini (May 21-Jun 20) If you are feeling scattered this month remember that your planet, Mercury, retrogrades in a water sign. Take alone time to feel into your life, its flavor, its love, its quality. Attune to nurturing yourself and attending to situations that may be detracting from your financial and emotional security and values.
Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21) This is a soul-searching time for you. It is time to have a conversation with yourself. Ask yourself, “ What deep feeling is urging me and what actions can I take so my authentic self may be expressed?” Find time to retreat, be silent and listen deeply to yourself. By the end of the month something new will be put into place.
Leo (Jul 22- Aug 22) As you move through this time it is important that you maintain healthy boundaries with other family members though you may feel tremendous responsibility. During the first part of the month there is much energy to accomplish projects and physical events. At the end of the month pause and review.
Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22) With Mercury retrograde you can best move with the energy if you take time to reflect upon who you are within your community. Reflect on what’s next and what you are feeling about this. Let go of your disappointments and anger. Where is your energy excited and where is it resistant? Refuel yourself. At the end of the month when Mars goes into Virgo you’ll be moved to action.
Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22) Something unexpected and challenging takes place with your in-laws. Let yourself step back and see all events as the rainbow of humanity. As the month continues, quite the opposite takes place. You feel enjoyment and pleasure. You have reached a new place of accepting and being just who you are. A strong connection will be made.
Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21) Things have been going well, doors have opened. People have responded well to you and yet you feel limited, boxed in. What is it you ask? How to be deeply yourself and also deeply involved with another. Take it moment by moment. Review your belief system and spirituality. At the end of the month there’s a flow to reward your perseverance.
Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20) This has been a good year for change and recreating yourself. It continues. Be alert to something unexpected arising in relationship or family. The energy flows best if you suspend your beliefs and just listen. The end of the month brings enjoyment and success and a time of diligent attention to work.
Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19) This month highlights relationship for you and your sensitivity to others. It’s better not to respond too quickly with words. Wait before you speak and touch in with your feelings, to understand what’s going on. You are moving through a time of weighing your needs to fulfill your individuality and your needs to share. As you move through this you will discover what to let go of and what to cultivate for well-being.
Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17) This continues to be a time of opportunity for you. Doors open and you have success in your field. There is a relationship that has unpredictable components. Step back and watch it impersonally and see what happens. It may drastically change. Clear out your office and rearrange the space until it feels just right.
Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19) This month you find yourself needing to take a stand for yourself. Your sensitivity and perceptiveness comes up against an obstacle. Perhaps it’s a disappointment. Continue to state your truth. This is a time of testing and mastering your communication skills and your worry patterns.
Susan Heinz is a professional astrologer & teacher in Santa Cruz for 20 years. She brings together traditional & esoteric astrology, Indian Vedic astrology, tarot and Qabalah in her integration of astrological wisdom. For info on her astrology classes and personal consultations, call 831 476-5787.
