The Summer Solstice has come and gone, and half the year is over while we are still struggling to get a grip. Now, most of the outer planets (except Uranus) have entered their annual retrograde period. But that does not mean things are going to get boring. July will be full of surprises.
July 1 – 6, 2021
July starts with a bit of a tug of war. Mars in Leo is showing off his muscles and bearing down on Saturn. Always composed and currently retrograde and currently, Saturn wants to avoid a confrontation. He is also trying to keep his cool as he moves through Aquarius. Meanwhile, Uranus is squaring both and ready to throw a curveball in any direction. The square between Uranus and Saturn was exact in June, while the Uranus/Mars square will be exact on July 4. Saturn is holding back, Mars is raising hell, and Uranus is edgy.
Crossing signals could further complicate things on July 6, when Mercury squares Neptune. Like an echo of Mercury’s recent retrograde mode, it actually signals his coming out of the shadows. Be careful with your words – you can’t take them back.
July 7 – 9, 2021
On July 7, Venus opposes Saturn. This spells emotional coldness and estrangement or disappointment. However, Venus also trines Chiron that day, so there may be an opportunity for healing if the crisis is confronted and used for growth. Some awkward aspects, like Sun sesquiquadrate Jupiter, and Mercury quincunx Pluto, suggest a bit of a conundrum. This rather vexatious mood culminates in a squaring off between Uranus and Venus on July 8, followed by a sesquiquadrate between Mercury and Saturn. It looks like a volatile and serious situation, and it is hard to agree on anything.
July 10 – 15, 2021
On July 10, the Cancer New Moon is likely to bring a brief pause of restorative peace and an opportunity to create some space. Mercury enters Cancer on July 11 after forming a semi-square with Uranus. It is a bit of a bumpy ride, perhaps, but probably not for long, as Mercury trines Jupiter on July 12, and Venus rendezvous with Mars on July 13. This episode following the New Moon looks pretty busy and cheerily buzzing compared to the tension and apprehension at the beginning of the month. The period culminates in a dreamy trine between the Sun and Neptune on July 15. And that is the end of that party.
July 16 – 21, 2021
The following week is again beset with more challenging aspects: Venus quincunx Neptune, Mercury semi-square Mars, and finally, Sun opposite Pluto on July 17. Some previously hidden stuff may rise to the light of day. Out in the light of the Sun, such things can be dealt with appropriately, even if facing them is painful.
On July 19, Mercury squares Chiron, signalling a crisis or a moment of truth when a decision must be made, even if neither choice is perfect. Fair negotiations and compromises are needed to move forward.
July 22 – 25, 2021
Venus enters picky Virgo the same day the Sun enters Leo, on July 22. Although these energies seem incompatible, they are not if each plays their part and get the time and space to do so. The Leo Sun is more spontaneous than finicky Venus in Virgo. Separate those two sides of the creative process and give space to each. Venus also opposes Jupiter on that day. The challenge is to bring Jupiter’s big ideas into the realm of feasibility (including all the nuts and bolts) without losing the magic. This theme is amplified on the Full Moon when Mercury trines Neptune on July 24 and opposes Pluto on the next day. It is another key period that can be used for ‘processing stuff’ – facing the shadow and coming to terms with an uncomfortable truth.
July 26 – 30, 2021
Mercury then enters Leo on July 28, the same day as Jupiter re-enters Aquarius. Now is the time to follow up on bold words and make things real! But, the last few days of July are a bit challenging, again. Just before entering Virgo, Mars opposes Jupiter on July 29. The following couple of days are assailed by sesquiquadrates: between Venus and Pluto, and between Sun/ Mercury and Neptune. Yet another revelation or allegation of sexual misconduct and corruption may rise to the surface. We shall see. But it does not look as though this will be our average, quiet summer, with nothing to report.
