Morning Star: Astrology for the week of July 9 to July 15, 2018

Monday, July 9, 2018

This morning the Moon still saunters through Taurus as Mercury in Leo and Jupiter in Scorpio perfect in square. Jupiter turns direct tomorrow. So, of course, his energy packs a little extra potency. Plus, relevant to this day, Mercury will enter his retrograde shadow. He officially turns retrograde at midnight on 7/26 just ahead of our lunar eclipse on 7/27. But, the prelude to themes we will be crossing over until Mercury walks out of his shadow in September begin today.

Mercury in Leo and Jupiter in Scorpio in square can be loud. There are pitfalls such as grandiose speech, over-thinking, fear mongering/obsession/verbal bullying. But, at its best, Mercury and Jupiter in aspect has a strong sense of humor, is entertaining, and can also be quite focused. This perfects at 5:14 AM and overlays the busy brain/mouth theme for the day.

At noon, the Moon makes an uncomfortable square with her ruler, Venus in Leo, before reaching Void status. She remains Void for less than an hour entering Gemini at 12:58 PM. The rest of the night goes out under this active Mercury ruled Moon as Venus enters our second Mercury ruled sign, Virgo, at 10:32 PM.

Finicky or picky are words I often hear associated with Venus in Virgo. I am a native of this energy and while I can see how those words could connect, Venus in Virgo to me is less picky and more simple or refined in her tastes. There is a certain affinity for minimalism and for things to look clean and tidy. Plus, Venus in Virgo loves to help and adores those who lean toward service also. The down side of it on a personal level being the introduction of a Virgo's critical eye in a self-depreciating way. Instead, she can be used to properly scrutinize one's personal values, prioritize what you want and develop a plan or schedule that accommodates the possibility of getting what it is you want. Plus, from the genesis of Virgo, Venus will create a beautiful Earth trine with Uranus in Taurus and Saturn in Capricorn.

Over and above the fact that we will have a Solar Eclipse opposing Pluto this week, this luscious and very usable Earth trine is probably the biggest news of the week. This will help us ground our values, innovate and put to use the elements of stability, common sense and practicality and then employ these things in service to ourselves or others. It is strong and sturdy support that envelops us midweek hanging in force all the way through the eclipse and into the 14th.

At 2:27 AM EDT the Moon will trine Mars. In the Western hemisphere, Mars is shining brilliantly orange in the night sky at this moment. He's very easy to spot. But, in trine to the Gemini Moon overnight and many of us could experience a sensation of “busy brain” or feelings of restlessness through the night particularly with the Moon's ruler still in aspect to Jupiter. It could be one of those nights in which the brain assesses everything from the history of pancakes to string theory. Or, it may merely manifest as active dreaming.

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

The Gemini Moon provides a bit of levity in the atmosphere for a bit today. Plus, Jupiter in Scorpio turns about at 11:40 AM today to begin his march out of Scorpio. So. We have a chatty Moon at a time when skeletons notoriously fall out of the closet. Gossip, news and secrets are likely to flap about in the wind like sheets dancing on a clothesline on a windy day. Keep your ears peeled and take note. But, also realize Mercury is in shadow. Information released today could likely being something we look at from various perspectives over the course of the next few weeks.

At 1:24 PM, the winds are on fire as the Moon passes Mercury in Leo by sextile. But by 4 PM we are likely fatigued and at risk of getting this information confused as the Moon squares Neptune in Pisces. This can forebode emotionally themed information, lies or veils dropping around a particular subject matter. Either way, it's not very physically active. The rest of the night holds minor aspect from the Moon. And, while the brain may still be a busy place tonight, we've a good chance to catch up on any rest we may have missed out on previously. The Moon is dark, low and Void following the square with Neptune. She remains Void until entering the sign of Cancer tomorrow at 2 PM.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

We begin today under a Void Moon that isn't great for starting new projects but is wonderful for just clicking routinely through our day. The Moon is active again in Cancer at 2 PM. And, to be honest with you, though I'm not a HUGE fan of Moon in Cancer because of “all the feelz” she has a tendency to pack with her, it's an absolutely beautiful day today under this energy.

We are working our way toward tomorrow's New Moon, but in our evening hours, the Moon is lighting up a mini-trine with Venus in Virgo and Uranus in Taurus. Venus and Uranus will officially perfect in their trine at 11:26 PM tonight at 2 degrees of Earth. Prior to that, the Moon will also square Chiron in Aries (5:49 PM) and oppose Saturn at 9:38 PM.

Venus in Virgo in trine to Uranus in Taurus reminds me of bringing innovative but common sense technology to agriculture, healthcare and the service industry in general. We hear of these things (technology/innovation such as pesticides, automation, self-checkouts, etc) as harmful at times. People being replaced by robots. Chemicals being harmful to use to use in agriculture. Stuff like that. However, there are wonderful uses for innovation and technology in these realms as well. As an example, the advances that have been made in micro-surgery, DNA research and robotic/computer programs that actually help factions of agriculture/healthcare/service industry run more intelligently, safely and smoothly. On a personal level, Venus trine Uranus helps us bring a strong theme of common sense and practicality to our own sense of value and could also help inspire us to try new things more willingly. No matter how you look at it, this is an exaltation of the common folk. Those that provide the everyday services that really run our communities. The bus and cab drivers. The staff at our favorite restaurants. Nurses. Farmers. Mechanics. Carpenters. Delivery folks. EMS. Those essential folks who take care of the everyday ground operations making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes and who show up when someone is in need of help are in the spotlight this week. But, it's not a fancy affair. Rather very Earthy, humble and simple.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

The atmosphere continued growing more deep and gritty as we drew more near this morning a the Sun is officially opposed Pluto at 6:00 AM. This can be ugly and forebode manipulative control, abuse, obsession, malefic shadow interplay or paranoia. But, it can also be fearless, strongly protective and focused. The opposition occurs at 20 degrees of the respective signs which is where the Sun remains as our New Moon/Partial Solar Eclipse waxes in tonight at 10:48 PM.

Before the New Moon perfects, however, the Moon will light up a beautiful water trine with both Jupiter (now direct) in Scorpio and Neptune Rx in Pisces between 11:12 AM and 3:56 PM. Talk about an ideal time to “flush” things out. Quite literally. This is perfect for relaxation efforts, floating down a lazy river, spiritual cleansing/baths, detox, purging, napping, putting gentle finishing/creative touches on ongoing projects or even cleaning/feathering your nest.

As night falls, though, the mood deepens tremendously as the Moon opposes Pluto at 9:43 PM just before joining the Sun in their ecliptic kiss. Following her meet up with the Sun, the Moon in Cancer is Void until entering the sign of Leo tomorrow at 1:31 PM. If you are setting intentions, I would suggest waiting to do so until tomorrow evening when the Moon is active and near the North Node (she is conjunct this point at 10:50 PM on the 13^th).

The Sabian Symbol for the New Moon reads: 21 Cancer: An operatic prima donna sings to a glittering audience. Elevation and popularization of human values through art as a social factor. Supreme realization of life ambition.

What's interesting about this New Moon is it kick starts a deep and growling hunger for something. That hunger grows as we traverse the next two weeks. Jupiter now runs direct so there is a kick in the pants to move forward into our own futures but we are also learning. That learning is led by the guide for this lunation, the Page of Wands. This Page's presence suggests we are learning about the element of fire. Creativity. Passion. Self-assertion. Anger. Initiative. War. Inspiration and what “lights” our wick metaphorically. We find out more about what motivates us. What makes us angry. How we respond to that and in turn what makes us feel more alive and invigorated. But it is a growing desire or hunger that leads us down that path beginning right here under this Moon. Watch the blog for a full write up on this Moon later in the week.

Friday, July 13, 2018

The Moon is Void early in this day until crossing over into the sign of Leo at 1:31 PM. At 5:10 PM that fresh Leo Moon is unsettled and possibly provoked with a square to Uranus in Taurus. She then moves swiftly to trine Chiron in Aries at 5:18 PM.

The square to Uranus is actually perfect for kicking off new initiatives while the trine to Chiron reminds us to deploy proper coping mechanisms in light of our own limitations. At 10:50 PM, the Moon crosses the nodal axis and then will move on to oppose Mars at 1:12 AM. This isn't great for rest but the waxing trine between Venus and Saturn in Capricorn may offset some of the angst here. This trine perfects at 2:45 AM and is super practical and grounded.

The rest of the night passes by without major lunar aspect.

Saturday, July 14, 2018

The Moon is square Jupiter prior to midday (10:44 AM). This can play out as skewed perspective of flat out selfishness on the low end. On the high end, it's wildly entertaining and could provide a boost of new perspective and even a laugh or two. Key being not to take yourself too seriously and to maintain a sense of both humility and good humor.

The Moon meets Mercury in Leo at 7:12 PM while also creating a Yod with Pluto and Neptune (Moon/Mercury sit at the apex). Conversations are animated and pull from the deepest cores of ourselves. This is perfect for artistic/creative expression or starting conversations of a personal nature that may have been brewing in need in the background. It's surely a time for self-expression in the most pure and authentic sense.

Following the conjunction with Mercury, the Moon is Void until entering Virgo tomorrow at 1:31 PM.

Sunday, July 15, 2018

The Moon rests Void in Leo until after midday. This is nice break in the emotional system. When she wakes back up she will be inspired and supported as she passes by both Uranus in Taurus and Saturn in Capricorn by trine between 5:21 PM and 8:55 PM. Then, she is soothed by a gentle conjunction with Venus at midnight.

Once the Moon leaves Leo, we are strongly geared toward practicality and getting down to the nut and bolt operations of our daily lives. We are more prone to be willing to lend a hand to others and to try new ways to make our daily operations more efficient, practical and personally satisfying in more simple than flamboyant ways. This is a very grounded and humble sky that offers rich, practical and down to Earth support for us all. If something in your life or atmosphere needs to be fixed you could very well complete that task today if not come up with a few ideas that could lead you toward a common sense solution.