First Week of Summer in July

Afterglow                                                                           Catherine Al-Meten

July begins with an energetic Moon in Aries until mid-afternoon (2:44 PDT; 5:44 EDT) when the Moon enters steady Taurus. Venus in Leo forms a square to Saturn in Scorpio and a quincunx to Neptune (archetype of dreams, illusions, imagination, and intuitive knowledge).  Whenever there are difficult or hard aspects made to Venus (in this case deeply emotional insight needed with Saturn in Scorpio and seeing through the veil and illusions with Neptune in Pisces), we may have a sense of insecurity or difficulty understanding matters of the heart (Venus in Leo expresses herself in a warm-hearted, generous manner).  When Venus meets with hard aspects, we find that our needs are triggered or that we are motivated to receive the overflowing gifts before us.   If we are not receiving what we desire, we feel it more deeply now, and need to examine how we are blocking our way. Are we trapped in unfulfilled and unrequited relationships of the past, or are we missing what is needed in order to be more receptive and ready for changes that are in the process of developing?  

Tonight, July 1, the Sun in Cancer is in opposition to Pluto in Capricorn. Oppositions are activating, challenging aspects, so it is a good idea to look at those areas of your life where Pluto has been working its way creating deep ruts and gullies in your life, preparing the ground for new structures and forms of growth. How might this new growth be triggered right now? What in your search for security, a sense of peace and safety (Sun in Cancer) necessarily calls for you to pay attention to or take some action in the area of your life ruled by Pluto’s transit through Capricorn? 

Many of our ego needs are being challenged right now: our need to control, our desire to take hold of our power, our efforts stand on our own instead of getting drawn into competition, and our need to release ourselves from expectations that have nothing to do with the reality of our lives and those of others.  How are our expectations trapping us in false perceptions or areas of the past that have disintegrated, but remain a filter through which we act, think, and feel?  Venus in Leo can be all about lavishing adoration and ego gratification. Pride and passion may be negative expressions of our attempts at love if we do nothing more that use our expressions as a means to make an impression or control others. We need to put our affections into action by expressing our selves through more than words. “Talk is cheap”, and doesn’t make it through the front door if there is nothing to show beyond a over-emotional display of affections. 

During this time, which may have been sparked by the last quarter square of the Moon on Sunday, June 30, we may have an inner war going on. It is at this point that we feel the areas in our lives and our personalities that are being challenged, threatened, or in some way making us feel powerless. We have to look to ourselves to see and feel and nurture our own power. We are not defined by others, our relationships, our work and art, or our lifestyles, unless we give away our power to recognize who we are in our innermost being.  No job, no relationship, no possession is going to make you who you are. Those externals can enhance, enlighten, and encourage us but we have to be willing to know who we are and discover what our soul call is ourselves. The Sun-Pluto opposition highlights the areas or ways that this is now affecting your ability to live from your own center.

Mars in Gemini for a little less than two more weeks, provides an air of more versatility and flexibility.  We also may feel more scattered and not very centered.  This is a good time to day dream, use our imaginations, and let ideas float around (for that is what is happening), but it may be difficult to focus and concentrate on details.

Any attempt right now to try to control others or manipulate or rationalize our reality, is going to be flying back into our faces right now. Any area of our lives, relationships, or sense of self that we are controlling through intention, affirmation, or wish fulfillment is bound to be exposed or challenged at this time.  Our desires are not meant to control, manipulate, or reel in all that we want. Desires remind us of what we are missing in our selves, or what we are failing to acknowledge in what we already have. Recognizing that we are in the Divine Presence already, and that we have what we need, are in relationship as we are meant to be, and are already on our path. All we need to do is to wake up to what is inside and before us. All changes coming our way have seeds in what we have put before us. We receive our blessings and grace at the perfect time.   

Obstacles that arise now call us to use our inner resources, courage, and trust in ourselves and our Divine connection to act rightly and to grow in deeper clarity.

The Sun squares Uranus  on Thursday, July 4, reminds us to expect the unexpected.  Whatever goes wrong, view it as necessary in order for change and  new approaches to be put into place. Uranus activates whatever is falling apart in the way, in this case, things appear to be. Pay attention to how you respond to break downs, delays, ruptures, or unexpected changes.  The lesson in this focuses on patience, discernment, and adaptability. While you may feel compelled to make some changes, it may not be necessary. What is important is to observe and be willing to be receptive to change and the flow of life more. 

On Friday, the Sun in Cancer trines Chiron (the Wounded Healer) in Pisces, indicating a time when we can make some progress in an area of our lives that requires healing. We may feel a greater sense of direction and experience an awakening or similar enlightening experience that shines the light into some darkness we have been experiencing.  We may also discover a new solution to an old problem.

Towards the end of the week, some tough Mercury aspects could make communication difficult or unstable in some way.  Taking a hint from Jupiter’s entry into Cancer fosters greater serenity and a pulling into ourselves more. Create inner serenity and recognize your boundaries and limits so that you can protect yourself from getting caught up in energies and relationships that are unhealthy, unethical, unprinicpled, or unreliable.

Find some time to meditate, pray, exercise, take care of yourself, give service, enjoy your family and friends, and be grateful for your abundance and the gifts of spirit that are yours to use and share.