Current Transits for July 2010 Current Transits for July 2010Here's some of the important astrological news this month ...
Chiron Semisextile Uranus, 7-2
Fourth of July, 7-4
Uranus Retrograde Station at 0Ar35, 7-5
New Moon / Total Solar Eclipse at 19Cn23, 7-11
Chiron reenters Aquarius, 7-20
Saturn Quincunx Chiron, 7-20', 'Saturn
Saturn enters Libra, 7-21
Jupiter Retrograde Station at 3Ar24, 7-23
Jupiter Square Pluto, 7-24
Full Moon at 2Aq59, 7-25
Saturn Opposite Uranus, 7-26
Mars enters Libra, 7-29
Hindsight...
An online ephemeris for the month is available.
Sorry to have to break the news to you, but the huge outer planet storm that began in May is going into its third straight month now. Granted, there are a few (badly needed) breaks in the action during July, but we've still got a mine field of Koz Quakes and tricky transits to get through. As we've seen so many times already, the backbone of this incredible storm is the opposition of Jupiter and Uranus to Saturn, squaring Pluto, with help from Chiron and Neptune and an ever changing parade of faster moving planets. It's unusual to have so many of the slow moving outer planets (the ones that operate primarily at an unconscious level in our lives) all working together, let alone all of them. And since they move so slowly, once the pattern falls in place, it hangs around for a considerable time. In addition, there's a long list of "big aspects", sign changes and stations of note this month -- July looks like a very busy month on paper. Don't forget we're in an eclipse season currently -- the new moon on the 11th is also a potent total solar eclipse, a harbinger of change and overhaul. So get ready to drag yourself through another amazing month, as if we had much of a choice...
July is a rather busy month in traditional astrological terms. I counted 4 "big aspects", 3 significant sign changes and 2 outer planet retrograde stations. Here goes...
Chiron is semisextile Uranus on the 2nd. This is only the 4th of 23 such contacts, stretching from 2009-1-30 to 2038-3-1, so this aspect has a lot of time to play out. What to make of two Trickster planets like these two? That's really hard to say with certainty, although it wouldn't hurt to pay attention to the workings of your deeper, intuitive mind. It's easy to overlook those intuitive flashes that cross one's mind or otherwise blow them off. Trusting your hunches is easier said than done, especially if you've been burned a few times by it. The trick is to take in the information and then test it to see how useful these hints might be. Not all guidance from the unconscious mind is helpful, but a surprising amount is. There may be other messages in this aspect, but given the length of time it takes to play out (nearly 3 decades!), it may take some time for us to understand them. We've got time...
The fourth is our nation's birthday (although our solar return isn't until the 5th, assuming the Sibley chart for the USA). Our birthday chart is about as challenging and perilous as you can imagine. If you recall, Pluto is directly opposite the US Venus during 2009-2010, a transit that is intimately connected with the economic meltdown we're going through. With Uranus-Jupiter on the 4th house cusp and Saturn about to cross the midheaven, the general public is in an agitated, upset and slightly crazed mood, more than willing to blame the man in charge for not making miracles happen. Neptune- Chiron crossing the US Moon is another indication of the confusion and muddled thinking that much of the public is feeling. In early 2011, Pluto starts opposing the US Jupiter instead, another tough blow for economic matters. In short, it doesn't look like a good year for the country, although adversity can sometimes get people back in touch with the basics in life. I suspect the coming elections will be an opportunity for people to blow off steam, but it will do little to help solve the nation's problems. We've got a long road ahead of us...
Uranus reaches its retrograde station of 0Ar35 on the 5th, starting 5 months of reverse motion. It will back up until Dec 5, when it reaches its direct station of 26Pi40, before resuming normal motion. Of course, there may be a very valid reason for mistrusting the intuitive mind right now -- Uranus is going into reverse gear. Retrograde planets tend to misbehave somehow, expressing their power over us in an unusual or atypical fashion that can be rather confusing at first. The tendency with Uranus when he's backing up is for your intuition to jump to conclusions that may bear little resemblance to reality. Subjectively, this can feel as if the world has become crazy or unpredictable because it fails to match our expectations. It's like a Mercury retrograde period on steroids. Take note of any surprises or "aha!" moments that might come your way, but just don't assume it's somehow God's truth. People are very suggestible, maybe even deluded, these days, no matter how clear their vision seems to themselves. It's good to doubt yourself a little, until life becomes settled again.
The new moon towards the end of the first planetary storm is also a total solar eclipse, an omen of change and overhaul in our lives. Some people are obviously affected more than others, so check where the eclipse point and major planets lie in relation to your own birthchart. By and large, this is a highly integrated chart, meaning almost all the planets are contributing markedly to a single planetary pattern -- there are hardly any "dead note" planets. As such, we can expect this eclipse to have a powerful and multifaceted affect on our lives.
(The path of totality passes mainly over the southern Pacific Ocean, with the only major landfall occurring in the southern tip of South America. Nothing is visible in the USA.)
The focus of this eclipse chart is, not too surprisingly, that T-square of outer planets. The tensions and stresses, not only in the outer world, but also within each of us, is spilling out into our lives. People are feisty, cantankerous, ready to place blame for all the problems that are bothering us on someone else. In some cases, this can lead to actual violence, but we're all basket cases at some level or another. It's time to slow down, step back, take a deep breath before giving in to emotions. The trouble is these feelings say more about the confusion and turmoil going in within us at the level of the psyche than they adequately relate to external circumstances, but that's the hidden secret nobody recognizes. "The trouble" is out there, with someone else, with some vague "they" who are out to get us -- or so it seems. This disconnect is more likely to be the case considering that the Sun, Moon and Mars are only loosely connected with the rest of the planets. In terms of our ego experience, it's hard to see the source of the discord within, to recognize our own internal contradictions. Of course, given enough people all acting relatively unconsciously, it becomes a social force of great power. Take your frustrations and channel them to some useful purpose if you don't want them to backfire on you. But be very clear about what you want to accomplish before acting, since proceeding from a state of confusion can only bring about chaotic results (the first law of Magician 101). You may need to hold back awhile and let the confusion resolve itself -- the ego may not even know what's on its mind yet. Move carefully, let the spirit guide you. We're in tricky territory now...
Chiron retrogrades from Pisces (where its been since Apr 20) back into Aquarius early on the 20th for some final "clean up" work in that sign before entering Pisces for good on 2011-2-8. Sign changes for the slow moving planets are typically a long, drawn out affair involving testing out the new waters of the new zodiac sign, a return to the old one to finish off old business and a final entrance to the new sign for an extended stay. Chiron often represents the places where you experience limitations in your life. In Pisces, it's as if you need to face the deepest emotional ties that are keeping you down, especially your own fears and doubts. But before facing those themes head on, we need to back track and clean up the Aquarius problems first. Those involve troubles caused by our thoughts and ideals. Even visionary thinking can become an impediment, particularly when those ideals are out of touch with current conditions. It's time to lighten your load and make your thinking more attuned with the world around you. It pays to update your beliefs now and then...
Saturn is quincunx Chiron on the 20th, the last of 5 such contacts. This aspect started back on 2008-10-8, with the most recent contact falling on Apr 12. Saturn has really been challenged by Chiron during this aspect. The weaknesses and vulnerabilities of "reality as we know it" have been quite evident, especially in the economic and political arenas. Ranging from the early days of the Great Recession and the controversial TARP program, through the passage of plans in the Obama administration to hold everything together, to the conservative backlash, a "new normal" has taken the place of our more irresponsible ways. Society has been reordered and restructured on a global scale and we're still not done. Granted, we're coming to the end of this particular aspect, but there's plenty of new ones coming shortly that will rattle the status quo even further. It's time to reevaluate what it means to be a responsible person, both in our personal lives and as a world citizen. Nobody lives in a vacuum, no matter how hard they try. We've still got more work to do here...
Saturn moves from Virgo into Libra on the 21st for a 2-1/2 year stay. He'll be in this sign until 2012-10-5, when he starts moving into Scorpio. Libra is actually a pretty good placement for our difficult friend. The softer, cooperative mood of Libra brings out a sense of fairness and mutual respect in Saturn's approach to the world. It may not seem glamorous to look for how to cooperate and work with others more effectively, but Saturn is rarely known for being glamorous anyway. It's just a sensible, practical way to get along with others in a balanced fashion that achieves a greater good, even if you may not get everything your ego wants in the process. Saturn in Libra is OK with that. Maybe this will get people to resolve some of their differences and work together more to revive our society. If they don't -- well, Saturn is not known as a stern taskmaster for nothing. We can only stubbornly stick to our shortsighted ways at our own peril. Saturn is keeping score...
Jupiter hits his retrograde station of 3Ar24 on the 23rd, starting 4 months of retrograde motion. He backs up to 23Pi29 by Nov 18 before turning around again. Jupiter is usually considered the Santa Claus of the solar system, the planet that gives us the goodies in life. That's true to a certain extent, but the effect of Jupiter is much deeper than that. He rules over the benefits we give and receive by working with others, sharing our resources and talents and basically moving beyond our limited personal world to become a member of society at large. He's the synergy of merging our efforts to enhance all of our lives. But when he goes into reverse gear like this, all this "one for all and all for one" spirit tends to dry up. People become less outgoing and tend to hoard their resources instead of spreading them around. A feeling of scarcity dominates people's thinking. This is a lousy influence for business people, since customers are less willing to open their wallets now. It's best to prepare for a few lean months right away and cut back on your operations. But it's also a time to look at the nature and quality of your connections with others, to see where you're unnecessarily bringing about restrictions in your life. Particularly with Jupiter making his transition from Pisces to Aries this year, plus all the aspects he makes to the other outer planets, a radical change of direction may be in order. Pay attention to where you feel those restrictions -- that's your clue to where changes need to be made. It's time to start stepping out into the world more...
Jupiter is square Pluto on the 24th, the first of 3 such contacts. The remaining contacts are on Aug 3 and 2011-2-25. This square, coming right on the heels of Jupiter's station, is one of the reasons his situation is so complicated this summer. Jupiter likes to build things up, while Pluto's tendency is to tear down anything that has outlived its usefulness. Since squares indicate a state of conflict between two planetary energies, these two tendencies are definitely contending with each other. Jupiter's optimism is tempered by Pluto's cold realism; expansion is constricted by decay. And this square is only a part of the overall outer planet pattern, part of a powerful T-square that is shaking our lives down to their foundations. We're in a situation where things will get worse before they get better, at least on the material level. However, that can be a catalyst for learning how to open up to others on more intangible levels, as friends, family and neighbors. Pluto is telling us (not asking us) to reassess what we mean by value and support in our lives, to see beyond material things to parts of life that really matter. Restrictions aren't fun, but they don't have to ruin your outlook. The good life is more than just things...
The second storm of the month is under way several days before the full moon, so once again, the outer planet T-square is highly active. At least this time, the Sun and Moon make contact with the other planets, so we feel more of a personal connection with what's going on around us. There's less of a tendency to see the problems as originating from outside ourselves and we're more likely to see our own involvement in the situation. In fact, the only planet that looks isolated is Venus, which still makes aspects to the Sun and Moon. At least we're done with the eclipses for now.
The Sun has moved from Cancer into Leo a few days ago, a major change in the overall mood, while the full moon is in Aquarius. These signs are more upbeat and positive in their outlook, less prone to distracting emotions, so we're on a more even keel than we've felt in quite some time. You're less likely to feel buffeted around by circumstances around you (though there's still plenty of that going on) and are making some attempt to use these potent energies for your own projects. Again, make sure you're clear about what you want to accomplish. The trouble with outer planets like Neptune and Pluto is that they make happen whatever you believe and expect deep inside, so any confusion or negativity will be amplified into troublesome issues with people and situations around you. With Mercury directly opposite Neptune and Chiron, this problem of confusions, conflicts and unacknowledged assumptions is particularly acute. You may believe you're seeing reality clearly, but there are huge gaps in your vision that hide the truth from you. Mars is sneaking up on Saturn and will be opposing Uranus and Jupiter as well, not to mention slowly approaching a square to Pluto on Aug 3. There's a big urge to get up and do something, especially after the 29th when he enters Libra. Just be certain your goals are well thought out because the probability of hidden gotchas is quite high with all those outer planets getting involved. Skill in execution and patience with the people you need to work with is vitally important in order to get the results you desire. The energies now are about as positive as you can expect, given all the unconscious influences affecting our behavior, so put them to good use. There's certainly enough energy to tap into, maybe too much.
Saturn is opposite Uranus on the 26th, the last of 5 such contacts. The previous contacts range from 2008-11-4 (Election Day, 2008!) to Apr 26 of this year. This aspect, more than any other, seems to typify the fractured, polarized state of the nation the last few years. Even before the 2008 elections, I considered this some kind of cosmic joke that this opposition happened on election day. Saturn is the older, conservative, "just the facts" attitude about how to govern ourselves, while Uranus is the more brash, experimental, idealistic approach. A glance at the evening news shows this conflict playing out on a daily basis, leading to a gridlock based on scoring political points instead of solving problems. Oppositions are a tug-of-war between planetary energies and these two planets have been slugging it out. Unfortunately, that's a fruitless way to handle an opposition. It helps to have the wisdom to see the benefits and pitfalls of each approach, as well as the courage to choose the best of each. Such conflicts are never winner take all, but require compromise and accommodation, words you don't hear from the political stage anymore. Well, we're heading into the next election cycle and very little has changed. I expect 2010 to be a major backlash against 2008, with fear, anger and paranoia being a more potent force than hope and optimism. I hope cooler heads prevail, but I'm not holding my breath.
Mars shifts from Virgo into Libra on the 29th. He'll remain in this sign until Sep 14, when he moves into Scorpio. Our Warrior God doesn't particularly like Libra. He's a very independent, egocentric kind of fellow, while Libra demands cooperation with and respect for other people. He wants to do whatever he wants to do, so taking other people's needs and desires into consideration is not his style. He feels cramped and constricted by all this working together stuff. In the back of his mind is, "Is it Scorpio yet?" A bit of diplomacy and compromise is good for Mars, even if he hates it. Now the remarkable thing about this passage is what awaits Mars when he gets into Libra. First there's an opposition to Uranus, an influence that is chaotic and hotheaded at best. I always imagine Mars-Uranus aspects as a dynamite stick with a lit fuse -- something is going to happen!. Next is a conjunction with Saturn. Having the two malefic planets combining forces is a hint that difficult forces are in play. (In financial astrology, this conjunction often indicates a drop in stock prices in about 3 months. Cheers!) The opposition to Jupiter is perhaps the most positive of these many aspects, while the square to Pluto in early August is decidedly sinister, a "stay out of dark alleys" kind of contact. In short, Mars is stirring up a hornet's nest of activity -- what a storm! Take it slowly and patiently during this topsy-turvy time.
Ever since Uranus entered Aries on May 27, my life has been turned upside down. I suspect I'm not the only one. While I felt that this new placement has great potential, I also had the intuition that these high powered, rather unstoppable influences couldn't be contained within the old restrictions of my life. This high flying energy raised problems right away. My car has been in the repair shop twice in June, once for broken brakes and then for a bad sensor that caused the motor to race -- not exactly what I desired for unstoppable energies. My computer also spent much of a week in the repair shop at a time when I really needed email to organize some classes, which fell through anyway due to scheduling conflicts with the students. However, the biggest speed bump has been an infestation of bed bugs running through my apartment building. Most of my spare time in recent weeks has been spent in 8 years of pent up spring cleaning, including going through old boxes of papers, books and memorabilia that have been piling up in my cramped quarters. I guess that qualifies as breaking through old limitations as well. My best friend, having similar experiences, has described the process as "psychic wind shear" -- very active and productive on upper planes, totally messed up on the material plane, and complete turbulence in between. In short, it's been a "month from hell" and a very unproductive one at that. I'm ready to trade June in for a new month. At least I'm still smiling...