July is packed full of astrological events as we begin the month on a retrograde Mercury in Cancer. Additionally, Jupiter and the Sun are in Cancer and by July 13, Mars enters Cancer. This month we will be dealing with many issues and situations connected with the home, family members and the homeland. Around the world others will be dealing with the same, and with issues in their respective homelands. Jupiter was last in Cancer July 13-July 31, 2002, and before that August of 1989-August 1990. July is typically about Cancer and this sign rules the fourth house of home and our basic foundation. We often seek more security and nurturing while planets are in this sign. We could see a rise in patriotism and in family or tribal types of ties around the globe. But, as Mercury retrogrades in the sign ruled by the moon we may become overly emotional, or be dealing with others who are. Mercury will remain retrograde until July 20.
First the good news. During the month of July we will see a grand trine in Water Signs. A grand trine is a configuration consisting of three planets forming a 120 degree angle that is considered harmonious and this is a rare celestial event. The planets involved are Jupiter, Neptune and Saturn and all three are in water signs. July 20, Mars joins the fray as well, conjuncting Jupiter.
Love, Harmony and Compassion for others
A grand trine in water utilizes the energy of the three planets involved harmonizing them in an easy and uplifting manner. In this case the big three are Saturn, the planet of structure and stability, Neptune, the planet ruling spirituality, creativity and imagination and Jupiter the planet of money, gain and expansion. As all three are in water, the very source of life itself, and planets and signs in this energy flow in a subtle manner. This transit has the potential to inspire great love, inspiration compassion and understanding others in our own personal lives and in the world.
The grand trine will affect you more than others if you if you have water planets that are being aspected between 2-6 degrees. For example, if you have a Mercury at 2-6 degrees of Cancer this should bring about some opportunity having to do with communication or publishing/writing or communications of some type that are important. The above is just an example, but water planets at this degree will experience the most significant effect, and this is the time you should go for your dream, whatever it is. If one of your water planets being aspected is in Scorpio, then Saturn will conjunct that planet which can increase your determination or cause frustration, depending on what the planet being affected is. As always, it depends on what is in your personal natal chart.
If you have planets being aspected by this configuration it does not mean you won't have to work for what you want. A grand trine means the energy flows easily to the point you could just enjoy the feeling and not push to accomplish anything. With Mercury retrograde during the same period the possibility exists that without great effort nothing comes of this configuration other than dreaming about what could be and the energy is wasted.
The grand trine is in aspect within 3 degrees most of July, and planets do not have to be exact to have an effect. Jupiter is trine Saturn exact, on July 17-19, Jupiter trines Neptune July 18-22, Saturn trines Neptune July 18-26, and ultimately Mars enters the mix conjuncting Jupiter and trining Saturn and Neptune July 20. These are all considered harmonious angles.
The grand trine will affect us all to some degree, but mainly those whose personal planets are being aspected. Make the most of it. Opportunities come, but without action to back them up, little is accomplished. Now will be the time to act on your dream. When Mercury goes direct on the 20th it is your queue to move forward with your plans, as without action there will be no results. The potential exists to see and experience big things in our lives and the world.
The grand trine US natal chart
In the US natal chart, Jupiter and Venus are being aspected during July and these are the money planets. The economy may appear to get better and the stock market rebounded after a one day drop in June. But, this transit will not last forever, and there are still many issues to be resolved, and this represents a feel good type of overall affect for the population.
DOMA or the Defense of Marriage Act was overturned by the Supreme Court on June 26, the second day Jupiter was in Cancer conjunct Venus in the US chart, the natural ruler of love and money. Many Americans will be celebrating this landmark event, and I expect more marriages will occur this summer. While the Justices made the decision to overturn DOMA in June, the court of public opinion made their decision about gay marriage while Saturn was in Libra, the sign ruling marriage August of 2010-October 2012.
The Grand Trine aspects the US chart house (Sibly chart) that is considered to be 'open enemies.' Internationally known Astrologer Robert Hand writes, "This grand trine is especially interesting because it comes at a time when there is a move by the Taliban to begin talks with the US about the future of Afghanistan. Trines a often signify a coming together. The Taliban is a religiously oriented military group espousing an extremely conservative form of Islam. This is Saturn-Neptune. The US is the main force behind Western liberal Democracy, and also quite clearly stands for (even if it is not entirely in control of) the principal established order in the world. This is Jupiter and Jupiter-Saturn. Mars coming through in a few days refers to Taliban, a warrior group, and the Afghan itself. All of the planetary elements of this possible peace initiative are present in this grand trine. I do not quite dare to make a prediction of the outcome, but this coinciding with the news and these planetary combinations is possibly quite significant."
Other important transits in July
As we begin the month on July 1, the Sun opposes Pluto at 10 degrees of Cancer-Capricorn. Pluto represents the bully, the powers that be, and if this is aspecting your chart (or someone else's) you could find yourself in a power struggle. It could relate to the home, business or an emotional matter, and if it is aspecting your personal chart at 8-12 degrees of Cancer, Capricorn, Aries or Libra there could be a personal crisis of some type.
Venus also squares Saturn on July 1, and this is a negative transit not good for social events. Venus represents love and money and conditions connected to whatever house it transit in your chart.
On July 4, the Sun will square Uranus, and this relates to the unexpected, so be flexible in your plans. Sometimes Sun-Uranus transits have to do with unexpected endings.
In the US natal chart the Sun represents the government and the President, and I look for President Obama to face major opposition over issues that turn emotional. We may see unexpected events in the US and around the world on July 4.
The combination of Sun-Uranus-Pluto creates a cardinal T-square once again setting off the Uranus-Pluto square that dominates the sky. While the planets may be separating, rather than exact, major events will still occur in the world that involve emotional issues and the homeland (s). Some of these issues may involve women and families, but are tied to the homeland and issues at home.
Look to see unexpected events in the hot spots around the world between July 1-8, and conditions/situations in the US to meet with major oppositions, power struggles and those who force their will on others. Pluto rules the powers that be in the world, and Uranus brings unexpected events, explosive situations and sometimes actual explosions.
On July 8, a new moon occurs at 16 degrees of Cancer at 1;12 a.m EST. This moon conjuncts Mercury which is retrograde at 18 degrees of Cancer. Moon-Mercury may involves issues connected with travel, accidents, young people, women, home, family and the homeland. As it within orb of aspecting the U-P square will likely see news that is of importance, but events could be delayed due to the retrograde.
July 8, Saturn goes direct at 4 degrees of Scorpio after a four and a half month retrograde period. Saturn is in the sign of Scorpio which rules the 8th house of money and other people's money and as Saturn stations to go direct look for events that have been delayed to pick up speed. You should always start a new business when Saturn is direct.
For many money has been scarcer during the retrograde period of Saturn in Scorpio. Look for this to change to some extent, and if Saturn is aspecting a personal planet in your chart in a positive angle, now will be the time for events to begin occurring that could involve a change or increase in money. (depending on what Saturn is aspecting in your own chart)
July 13, Mars enters Cancer placing 7 out of 10 planets-the luminaries are also considered planets-in water signs. This is a lot of water energy, and very emotional. While water signs may feel at home, this could be difficult energy for fire and air signs.
On July 17, Jupiter trines Saturn and Neptune making the grand trine exact in a tight 120 degree angle, marking the the peak of this configuration.
Also on July 17, Uranus goes stationary retrograde at 1: 20 p.m EST. As Uranus retrogrades at 12 degrees of Aries, we may be compelled to make sudden changes that can be long overdue, especially if it is aspecting a planet in your personal natal chart. If you desire to make change be certain there is a reason for it, rather than change for the sake of change. When Uranus retrogrades, events that seem sudden often occur.
On a world level we may see sudden and unexpected events and changes occurring in the days before and after this powerful planet retrogrades. With the grand trine exact on this day changes could involve situations that need to change. Uranus is however in Aries, the sign ruled by Mars that represents the individual will, and there are many individual and collective wills at work in the world today and it is difficult to predict which direction situations may turn.
July 20, Jupiter conjuncts Mars and trines Neptune and Saturn adding another planet to the grand trine. Jupiter conjunct Mars has the potential to create dynamic situations or situations that can be over dramatized or over exaggerated, and on a world level it could involve laws and governments. As Mars becomes part of the grand trine this will soften the Martian energy, along with the fact that Mars in Cancer is not overly aggressive, and is considered to be at its fall, meaning the energy loses strength and influence here.
Mercury goes stationary direct on July 20, at 13 degrees of Cancer and will be in this phase for the next 5 days. The stationary direct period is perhaps the most important period of the retrograde period as things may begin to move forward again, but often the direction is not yet clear and glitches can still occur and the direction of events and situations can change again.
Mercury goes direct on the US natal chart Sun, representing the President and the government. There will be much debate during these important days about critical issues. Major changes could occur at this time and there could be shifts in power and power structures/entities. We could hear news of death (s) around this time. It will be a critical period.
July 22, a full moon occurs at 0 degrees of Aquarius and Aquarius is the natural ruler of the 11th house of brotherhood, groups and organizations. Now is the time to expand your ideas, your mind and your thinking. The moon squares Saturn and much may revolve around responsibilities and obligations.
Venus enters Virgo on July 22, placing the planet of love in a sign most compatible for earth signs, and giving us a boost in work as Virgo rules the sixth house of work, service and health/fitness matters.
July 26, Venus opposes Neptune, and this transit may confuse matters of love or money. This is a transit par excellence of scandals, lies and deception.
At the month draws to a close, planetary energy will shift from the pleasant flowing energy of the grand water trine to the jarring and angry energy of Mars as it opposes Pluto on July 27, and squares Uranus on July 31. These days will be critical in the world and your personal life it is aspecting your chart.
This creates another Cardinal T-square, for the second time this month (the first involved the Sun July 4-5) around 9-12 degrees of Cancer and all the cardinal signs: Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn if you have personal planets in these degrees.
The image I get of this transit is a gathering in the park of people listening to classical music and enjoying a July Sunday afternoon when suddenly a car comes out of nowhere, spinning off the pavement towards the crowd, careening out of control. One minute we are enjoying a pleasant day and the next jumping up and running for our lives to get out of the way of the vehicle which has the potential to mow us down.
Mars in Libra set off the U-P square during July of 2012. Political parties in the US were opposing each other slinging nasty rhetoric, women's groups were in arms over suggestions by political candidates at limiting birth control in the US, as candidates geared up toward the 2012 Presidential election. Gaza terrorists opened fire on the Israeli community, a terror attack occurred in Bulgaria on an Israeli tour bus, the summer Olympics were held in London, with more security than the event has ever seen, and India reported the worst power outage in world history to name a few events.
Mars opposing Pluto is a transit of power struggles, and major change on many levels. Issues may arise involving the home, business and priorities, and the homeland. Mars does not operate well in Cancer and actions may not fit or benefit the situation. A great deal of hard work is required to accomplish things but it is not impossible to succeed. This transit often brings major changes after a great deal of hard work. Issues can revolve around taxes and joint finances, sex, and there can be a need for regeneration of relationships of all types, especially if it is aspecting your natal chart.
On the world stage Mars/Pluto is a military transit and we will likely see strife and war in the hot spots around the globe. The US has a 13 degree Cancer Sun, meaning we will be dealing with issues at home and abroad, and potentially with those considered enemies through the end of July.
Mars square Uranus brings sudden, unexpected and often shocking or explosive events or explosions in our lives and the globe.
This transit will set off the Uranus-Pluto square, meaning events over these few days will bring change and events that are of a global nature, just as they did last July.
During July we will go from the easy flow of the grand trine to the emotional, and potentially explosive experiences of the Uranus-Pluto Mars T- square.
Make the most of the rare water grand trine energy this month, and may love always prevail. (6-29-13)
