Astrology and life move to particular rhythms and waves.  This month the world stage will be dominated by escalating rhetoric around themes of security, the homeland, family and traditional values due to Mercury, Mars and the Sun moving as a pack through Sidereal Cancer.  The tension caused by Pluto’s opposition to the Sun-Mars combustion favors military activities and makes acts of terrorism likely.

For most of us though, our day-to-day experience in July is cushioned by Venus’ lovely transit through sensual Taurus.  This has  lightened the intensity and information overload of June’s recent new moon in Ardra Nakshatra, which brought up emotional storms along with the the gift of intellectual prowess to come up with practical solutions that involved communication, research or technology.

Our critical faculties become less reliable as Mercury moves into emotional Cancer on the 2nd, when clear discrimination and objectivity will take a back seat to having to rely on deepest intuition for our answers.  To achieve clarity we will have to stay firmly grounded and centered in ourselves, otherwise our better judgement is clouded by subjectivity which doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Intense physical exercise is helpful in this regard.  It’s important to be wary of jumping to conclusions based on partial information that triggers fears around emotional or physical safety and security. Making clear-headed decisions will require more patience and investigation than usual.

The July 8th full moon falls in Sagittarius | Purva Ashada nakshatra.  This is generally not a tough placement for the moon, however the moon absorbs whatever aspects it, which now includes a tight conjunction with dark, regenerative Pluto opposed by the boiling Sun-Mars combustion in Gemini.   This weekend, avoid arguments at all costs and consciously wear the diplomatic hat of Venus. Even if you are clearly in the right, events could quickly escalate into angry outbursts and even violence as darker qualities of human expression like jealousy and power struggles can occur.  This combination is also associated with passionate sex which could have a more intense or erotic quality than usual. Disruptive secrets could also be revealed in the light of the full moon as Pluto rules secrecy and psychological transformations. Tempering some of the potential drama of this full moon day is the blessing of Guru Purnima, the holiday where we give gratitude and honor teachers, living and ancestral.

The ongoing Sun-Mars combustion sets up the framework for the New Moon in Cancer | Pushya nakshatra on the 23rd.  Pushya is nourishing and care taking yet somewhat strict. It is considered highly auspicious and favors what is familiar and an orderly government.  With emotionally immature debilitated Mars conjunct this new moon we will see emotions run high about how to defend borders, the safety of the family and the homeland.

Enjoy Venus’ transit which has us focused on the pleasures of life and business through the 26th.  Throughout the month it’s important to be discriminating and conscious of what you nourish yourself with emotionally, physically and mentally.  Practice news fasts and prepare psychologically for major changes coming up in August and September.

Be the wave.

Guru Purnima July 9, 2017:  A day of gratitude to honor our teachers

The Pleasure Principle: Venus transits Taurus